The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-16

MEMPHIS BRANCH OF OVERLAND MAIL RourE.-
On the Sd of March next it will be two years
since the great overland mail route from Mem
phis and St. Louis to San Francisco was estab-
lished by act of Congress. On the 10th of Sep
TENDER last the service commenced and we now
witness line of mail coaches arriving regularly
twice week at their respective termini. Imme-
diately after the accession of Gov. Brown to the
Post Office Department at Washington, he en-
tered upon the consideration of the subject, de-
vised means to carry out the plan, submitted it
70 the President, energetic and responsible men
offered for the service, their offers were accepted
and the thing was DONE The great Russian
Postrou will not compare with it for regularity
or convenience, and that across the Isthmus at
Suez has been child's play in comparison with it.
On looking at the map Of our overland route, we
perceive at once, however, that the Memphis
branch is of paramount Importance in many
points of view, and must become the favorite
route for travellers, as well as the shortest for
the United States mails. In order to put 1t on
the same footing of speed and certainty with the
ST. Louis branch, so admirably managed by Mr..
John Butterield and his staff of agents, line of
light draught steamers has been purchased by
the company to ply on the Arkansas river, semi
weekly, between Fort Smith and Little Rock !;
and these boats can ply for nine months in the
year. At the other end of the route the Mem
phis and Little Rock Railroad has been COM
pleted for forty miles, to st. Francis river. Be-
tween this point and that on the Arkansas where
the boats will land and receive passengers, is q
distance Of staging of only about one hundred
and twenty miles. During the three months of
the year when the Arkansas cannot usually be
assembled in steamboats, from Little Rock to Fort
Smith, the road is hard, dry and in excellent Or
der for travel, the whole distance being about
two hundred and sixty miles.
On the other hand, the Northern route from
Fort Smith to st. Louis is four hundred and
eighty-threc miles, or two hundred aud twenty
three miles longer than the other. In the former
case the overland traveller can save nearly two
thirds of the stage travelling. and rest himself
on board the boats; in the latter he will have
long, rough and unnecessary journey, with an IN
creased expense incurred on the railway between
st. Louis and the present terminus at Syracuse
The immense Importance of this route to the
government also, is seen In the fact that by
means of railways now in course of completion,
Washington will be as near to Memphis as to st.
Louis, and be largely the gamer by the Southern
route to Fort Smith. Arkansas one Of the finest
States in the Southwest, which only requires pro-
per development by mail and railroad facilities,
cannot too highly appreciate the advantages of
this route On former occasions the HERALD has
alluded to its fertility and cheapness of soil,
which arc now likely to be appreciated
We trust, therefore, the Postmaster General
will adhere TO bis policy of the overland mail
system, shortening it wherever he can, and giving
II protection against the only danger IT has to en-
counter the unfliendIines3 of the Indian tribes