Mariposa Democrat., 1858-02-11
Senator Gwln,s speech-overrand Mall.

We publish to-day speech delivered by
Senator Gwin on the 9th of February last,
wherein the impolicy Of relying on ocean steam
lines is duly set forth, as well as the fact that
sooner or later the Government must adopt the
policy which will alone give peace to the from
tier and security to the vast emigration that
will essay to cross the Rocky Mountains in the
next decade. The speech clearly shows that
the completely of which he was accused with
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, does not
now, and could never have existed.
Mr.. Gwin said How can we ever super
sede the steamships unless we have a mail
across the continent' and how can we get such
one until we make the experiment? Cali
fornia has been in possession of the United
States more than ten years, and yet we have
no communication across the continent within
our own territory. We are entirely at the
mercy of steamship company gigantic
monopoly that never can be broken down I'M
less you give US mail across the continent
now announce that If you will give us this
route, and give us that liberal patronage to
WHICH we are entitled from the Government of
the United States, so far as am concerned,
will never go for another steam route, nor will
go for renewing the contract Of the line now
in existence. Whenever we can establish the
fact that the mail can be carried across the
continent, as know it can, II you will give us
proper aid by this measure, we want no steam
routes; we need none Of them.
There is no question in which the people Of
California take SO great an interest as in that
of mail route across the continent By a
very large vote, which | think indicates the
policy of the Senate, bill was passed few
days ago giving us telegraphic communica-
ton across the continent. Now give us mail.
You have agreed to give us wagon roads; but
they will be of no use unless you put mails
upon them. The Indians will burn up the
bridges unless they are kept in constant use I;
and what you have done will be of no service
to us unless you give us mail communication.
indicate no route. Let money find the best
route to California. hope no sectional ques-
ton will spring up on this proposition; for
sooner or later we must have communication
across the continent with the Pacific coast, and
the sooner we communicate the better.
This contract with the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company, and the New York and Chag-
res Company, expires in October, 1658-only
eighteen months from this time; and it will
take eighteen months to ascertain the fact
whether II is practicable to carry the mail
across the continent overland and fthis meas
ure does not now pass, it is guaranty to the
country that those who oppose it intend to force
us into additional contracts to carry the mail
through two oceans to California. A war with
one Of the most Insignificant nations would
stop all communications between the Atlantic
ship that goes to California and carries mails
or brings them back, passes in sight Of Cuba,
and one ship of war there could stop all com
munication. We are at the mercy of any na-
ton with whom we may be at war, so far as
that communication is concerned, unless we
have a route across the continent. If gentle
men want to break up the steam lines-fthey
want to lay the foundation by which we shall
be Independent of them, give us mail across
the continent; aud the sooner we commence
the better.
know that the bills which have passed the
Senate during this session, (and two of them
have passed both houses of Congress,) will be
looked upon as a bright era in the history Of
the Pacific possessions of the United States
the wagon road bills and the telegraph bill. Now
give us this mail 1t will show that we shall
be connected by route within our own terri
tory, without being dependent on any foreign
nation. Why, Mr.. President, the Panama
Railroad Company, only forty miles long,
now charges 1925, ,OGO to carry the mail across
scmi-monthy-a close monopoly; and yet we
are forced to give them anything they charge,
or have ourmails thrown out and have no com
munlcation.
Mr.. Seward.-What is the cost Of the rail
road transit there fora passenger?
Mr.. Gwin.-Twenty five dollars. 1tisa close
monopoly, and it is breaking up emigration to
that country. We must build up the country
by emigration across the continent; and if we
cannot do it by steam lines, hope you will
give us this route. have no doubt of its sue.
cess know men Of enterprise in that coun-
try who have established mail routes all through
California, who are prepared with such meas
ure as this to open this great communication.
Let it be from Independence to Sacramento, or
let it be on the Southern route, or any route
that an enterprising contractor will undertake
to build the road, and know it can be built if
this measure be passed
W- A poor Irishman, who applied for
license to sell ardent spirits being questioned
by the Board of Excise as to his moral fitness