The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-22
COMPARISON OF LINEAR DISTANCES.

cases five times that distance, by either OF the
other routes.
COMPARISON OF LINEAR DISTANCES.
co. West end Of L. Superior to Seattle ISIS
Stevens Western end of Lake Superior to
route. vancouver. ....................I,SO 2
st. Paul to Vancouver .......1,7s 9
South Pass route Rock Island to Bencia 2299
35th parallel, San Francisco to Memphis. 2, 1866
32d parallel, San Francisco to Gaines ......2l74
COMP ARSON OF sQUArED DISTANCES.
West end Of L. Superior TO Seattle. Q, 234
Gov st. Paul to Seattle. .............2,22
Stevens Western end OF Lake Superior to
route. vancouver. ....................2IA
st. Paul to Vancouver. ..........2l3l
South Pass route, Rock Island to Benica.. 1850
35th parallel, San Francisco to Memphis -. 1926
32d parallel, San Francisco to Gaines 1897
1t must be remarked in regard to the Northern
route, that Governor Stevens urged additional ex-
ploratiops and pointed out many routes to which
particular attention should be given. The pra I'll
cablity OF the CGur d'Alene trail was determined
by him in 1866, az an incident to other duties, he
being obliged to the country ~ Commissioner
to make treaties with the Indian tribes. The Cas-
cades not fully developed in 1853 The minute
instrumental examination which was urged. Of the
Snaqualmie Pass was not made. nag, was had in
contemplation was the coIuUy explored between
the Spokane and the main Yakima, to ascertain
whether the great southwark bend of the reported
railroad line could not be avoided and much
shorter and less costller connect IN made. Nor
we're the connections, so clearly pointed Ont and
vigorously urged In his report, between the
passes explored by him in tue Rocky Mountains
and the western boundary Of Iowa and Missouri
through the Black hills of Nebraska, and the
Bots dc Sioux of Minnesota by line crossing the
Missouri and Yellow stone, ever practically ascer.
tanned by exploration as advised by him IL ia
possible that the superiority of the Northern over
other routes regards distances grades and general
practicaoity, will be more thoroughly established
when the ied is occupied aud the facts determined,
as NJ ged in the report of the explorer.
The late Secretary Of War has given view OF the
country offering entirely from that of Gov. Stevens
and the officers associate with him. As the 5ecre-
tsry does not support his Judgment by single
voucher as the observers all agree essentially with
Gov Stevens, his opinion can hardly be considered
as entitled to any weight ganst the conclusions OF
the report which has received his uniavorable crt
csm. Thus the Secretary OF War states that the
Northern route passes through 400 miles of gene
rally uncutivable country and that tee cutivable
areas only about one thousand square miles.
Now on that route the formation both in the Rocky
and Bitter Root mountains ~ limestone, and thsre
are the constituents of limestone in the soil gene
rally for arabic purposes. The result reported by
Gov. Stevens is what was TO have been expected.
So far from the route running through 400 miles
of generally uncutivable country, much Of the
try thus pronounced uncultivable Is exceedingly
rich and productive, well watered and aDoundng in
the finest timber on the streams. All along ths al
legged generally uncultvaoe region are 20 be found
excellent farming locations. Large tracts of rich
farming land ranging in size from one TO four thou
sand square miles, are to be found in single bodies
Most OF the country in Minnesota west OF the west
ern boundary OF the State of Minnesota is arabic The
lands bordering Milk river are fine wheat lands.
Most Of the tributaries flowing into the Missouri have
broad open, highly productive valleys. The bottom
lands OF the Missouri itself of the finest quality,
and Indian will be good and certain crop for
con siderable distance above the Great Falls. In the
region OF the upper Missouri from the Bear Paw tn
the Rocky Mountain region the estm .ted cultivabe
OF ten thousand square miles made by Governor
u N "A
/ least twelve Thousand square miles. Yves, OF the
Bitter Root mountains, the country for nearly one
hundred miles IN not only arabic bat highly produc
! tive the Naa-Wslla country II one of the finest
locations for small farms In the world aud this tract
(including the whole re-enteripg of the Snake) can
sustain a farming population OF one hundred thou
| sand souls. There are large arabic tracts ia the
/ Yakima country. For grazing purposes the country
through which the northern route passes Is unsur-
passed either east or west OF the Rocky mountains.
The great Of the Indians OF Washington and
Oregon Territories raisers OF horses aud cattle
shows the mildness OF the climate aud its grazing
resources. The country is exceedingly well adapted
IN sheep. East OF the Rocky mountains the vast
herds OF buffalo which find their subsistence there
summer and winter, and the large bands Of Indian
horses which have difficulty in thriving upon
their winter pastures. Il significant OF the goodness
and salubrity OF its climate.
Not 90 extend this article unnecessarily, refer
our readers to the report of Governor Stevens and
the officers associated with him. and bespcak for
them careful and considerable attention.
CONNECTIONS wtrn ruROrE AND ASIA.
Besides This great advantages arising from the
shorness OF the route IL has the nearest connections
with Asia aod Europe. Tho course OF sailing ycs.
sells from San Francisco to China, Japan aud the
Russian possessions such IL the direction of the pre-
vang winds, is by the entrance Of the Straits de
Fuoa some seven hundred miles from San Francisco,
aud the barbors of Puget Sound are actually xix
hundred miles nearer those parts than San Fran
cisco. Making the eastern terminus OF the Pacific
Railroad az Lake Superior places IL at once the
great water line leading direct 10 Europe. Even
when the lakes are closed by Ice Il has st the adj.
vantage of several hundred miles over all other
routes whether the port be Chicago, Detroit, Sarna
(western terminus Of the Grand Trunk Railway OF
Capada). New York. Boston. or Portland
IL is evident that there Is 10 be great contest be-
tween US and our northern neghbors for the control
Of the rapidly rising interests Of the Northwest
curing az Il does, great overland commune alton,
and leading to the springing up Of great overland
commerce. The seventy millions expended In the
completion OF the Grand Trunk Railway Of Canada
ought % convince Of the forecast, energy and
ability Of the Canadian and British governments 20
adopt and carry through q system Of overland com.
muncation. A great empire is groging up at our
North composed of not inferior To ourselves in
genius and enterprise. They are playing for the
same stake as ourselves. And the question for
American statesmen aud the Amerisa n people ~,
shall recognise this great northern route
tional route aud take the necessary ~ its
being successfully commenced and completed
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