Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-10-16
Letter fromSDr T. II. Mann--srhe Fu-
ture COhmerce OF Minnesota.
To the Editors of Tho MjnnesOtidn:

Letter from sOf. Es Il. mann.ssfEho Flu.
ture COhmefce OF MinneSota.
To the Editors Of Tho AinnssOtiam:
DEAR SRs AS time advances, and the
civilization of the world goes forward, devel
Oping its resources, we come more and more
to realize and understand the geographical ad
vantages Of St. Paul and the whole State O
Minnesota. The great Northern division O.
the world, as well in Europe, Asia, as il
America, is at this moment arOusing itself fol
great and most interesting efforts. The OBJ
ject which leads me to make this announce
ment is the recent Report of Mr. COLLINS
Commercial Agent of the U. S. for the AMOR
river. This river traverses an immense val
ley, exceedingly fertile and productive, and
empties into the sea of Och0tsk at the eastern
extremity of the Russian Empire. The re
port disclOses to us large amount Of practi
cal information upon the resources, produc
tons, climate, industry and commercial &C
tivity of a country hitherto but little under
stood. We have, in our limited information
too long been accustomed to consider all this
vast region of the world as wild, cheerless
unpeopled and unproductive, and entirely be
yond the limits of commercial intercourse bu
now that our knowledge is growing accurate
and we find the extent of our errors, many
and intelligent persons too, are inclined per
haps to pass from one extreme to another, an6
in the warmth of enthusiasm fancy they SEE
new commercial era as important to thu
world, and will affect as great revolution, az
the discovery of passage to India by thu
way of Good Hope.
Mr. COLLINS states the Russian Government
to be fully awake to the Importance and value
of the Amoor valley to the Empire, and has
already, on the 18th of January, 1858, au
thorized, or chartered, trading company fol
the development Of the agricultural, indus
trial, and commercial capacity of the country
The Emperor also commands that the Ameri
can language shall be taught in the schools
the better to qualify the commercial empori
ums to carry on successful trade with the Pa
ciic side of the American continent Rail
road surveys are made to connect the AMOR
river with the Lena, and from thence to ex
tend in the direction of Moscow and st. Peters
burg. Mr.. COLLINS represents the inlan(
trade at present carried on to. be by $4,000
camels and oxen, and over 100000 horses
This may give some idea Of the extent of thu
trade and the necessity for the speedy con
struction of railroads.
The distance from the mouth Of the Amoo
river to Puget Sound is three thousand, three
hundred miles-to California 4, 600 miles,-t'
New York or Boston about 10000 miles,
The inter-oceanic trade that will here rapidly
accumulate, by the construction of roads, ant
the improvement of the great navigable rivers
of the north, removing the caravan commerce
from the inland town Kyachtu to the new city
Irkoutsk, on the AMOR river, stands direct
ly opposite our north Pacific coast, and will
soon offer itself at the gates of the straits o
Luca for admission into Puget Sound in search
of market.
The English nation, less divided than III
by sectional jealousies, and more alive to thu
hna"eial advantages of lucrative commerce
have already completed the survey for a rail
road north of the 10th parallel to the Pacific
and the Report pronOunces the route " emf
nently adapted to railroad purposes" Tn
Colonial Office officially designates Vancou
vers Island as the site of the future Liver
pool of the Pacific This English enterpris
inspires confidence, and the belief is entertain
ed in high quarters, that the road will certain
ly be built; and in which event, all that por
ton of the China and Russian trade required
to supply the middle States of the Union
would be forwarded from the State of Mime
sofa by way of the Mississippi River and tn
navigation of the great Lakes. A passag
through the Rocky Mountains with regula
Pacific communication would certainly maxi
it more natural to supply the inland countr.
from the central Pacific Depot at st. Paul
which commands the Mississippi, than t
make the long trip of ZOO miles to New Yorl
and then reship the merchandise by almOs
as long an overland route to the Mississippi
valley.
Mr.. COLLINS strongly urges private enter
prise to cease waiting upon the tardy move
ments of the government in its discussions
jealousies and delays about the Pacific rail
road; but supply itself at once with Camel
on the Pacific side to cross the Cascade Noun
tains. He says they will bear the climate o
Minnesota well, and remarks, "ace hare q goot
road to Walla-acalla, from ohich to FIT. Bento,
Lieutenant Mullan is nop constructing q road
and from Fort Benton to St. Paul is q regt
lar acagOn road, tolloaoed for many gears bs
the american Fur Company."
Camels, he says, may be bought for 1922,
90 and shipped to the Pacific coast in from
twenty to thirty days. The Dromedary will
travel about 125 miles per day, and carry from
eight to one thousand pounds.
The result of each days world-progres:
makes me grieve the more that was born too
long since. The middle aged men will, like
Moses, only get a glimpse of what is to be
will never see it. The surplus populations O
the world are now seeking wealth and fame ii
the great valleys of the Mississippi. In q
short time they will come to it from the cas-,
and west, and it will be the heart of the I'm
ion. The eastern declivities of the Rocky
Mountains, and western declivities of the Ap
alachian chain, will gravitate toward the i'm
mense central artery. 1t is nation of itself
with the capacity to sustain itself
Yours, &C.,
7. T. MANN.
A Break Discovered I'm the Atlantic