The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-04-21

Seu. usroey on Feehe Nn'S"~u
We are indebted to Major SnERxAS Of
Fort Ridgely, for copy Of the following
letter, on the necessity and advantages Of q
Pacific Railroad, addressed by the gallant
Gen. HARNKY TO acting Governor Mason, o.
Washington Territory:
HEApQu ARrERs pErARrERSr W oREaoS---
FoRr VANCOUVER, W. T.
January Ath, 1889.
SIR IL have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your communication OF the
9th OF December last, transmitting o copy
of the Resolutions of the Legislative Assem-.
bly, of the Territory Of Washington, relative
to the establishment OF military posts along
the emigrant road from the Missouri river
to Fort Walla-walla, in compliance with
the request of the Assembly.
For this act of courtesy and considera.
ton on the part Of the Assembly, and for
the confidence extended to myself, expressed
in its Resolutions, ! tender my warmest
thanks.
This generous welcome which has greeted
me on my arrival in this distant portion Of
our great republic, srouses feelings and
thoughts that are well Swallowed forth in
the object for which the resolutions were
framed, viz the difficulties existing in com.
municating with the States Of the East.
concur with the Assembly a. 10 the Or.
gent necessity Of opening Q practicable and
easy route from the Missouri river 10 Fort
Walla walla Not only should this be
done, but road from Fort Walla walla or
the Dslies should he opened and established
TO Great Salt Lake City, connecting ct the
same time with the road 10 Fort Laramie
and Missouri. This suggestion has already
been submitted 70 the consideration OF the
Government, and an satisfied its cosstrac-
ton will be directed.
1t has been my fortune, at different peri
DDS Of my life, to pass over the greater part
Of the cosntry through which these routes
should be established, and do not believe
that n any other portions OF our country
such good natural roads for the same dis.
lance could be laid.
The establishment Of every facility ofcon.
munication between the different sections Of
Our country IL essentially military question,
apart from the vital social interests depend
ing upon II. therefore do not hesitate TO
present my views at this time on the subject
Of connecting our Pacific slope with that Of
the Atlantic, by net work Of roads.
Az the social and political interests Of
State increase, the necessity for the defense
and protection Of those interests becomes
more imperative. | may say with propriety
that no portion OF our citizens are more
deeply interested in safe, rapid and certain
Communication with the East and West,
than those Of the army they will not only
be obliged to use il, but to protect and se-
cure it, and they will always be found, as
the pioneers Of civilization, grateful for
every suggestion tending TO shorten and
improve) the distance.
The vast and multiplying interests Of CON-
merce, demanding direct and certain CON-
muncation, are becoming familiar to the
public mind but none can realize them 10
their fullest extent who have never visited
our Pacific coast.
Ten years ago when California sprang in.
TO existence among nations, like PhGuix
from the ashes Of decay, the world narveled
and wondered The mind Of map, prone to
Judge Of consequences by their immediate
action on himself, concluded the cause TO be
the gold 10 the soil, forgetting Tor the mo
ment that countries in which only the pre-
cious metals abound, have ever been noted
BY decay ind degradation.
Let us suppose Tor . moment that the
same amount Of gold bad been discovered Al
the North Pole ten year ago, would the
country at the North Pole present now the
appearance, energy and enterprise OF Cali
tornia-oi Oregon and Washington Terri.
tories This question is easily answered
and clearly indicated it was not gold which
caused the United Stats. 70 be proud Of her
Pacific possessions, 1t was the unriyalsl
advantages OF soil aud climate--the IN
bounded resources in the animal, vegetable
and mineral ingdoms and still above these
that tsiisman Of earthly greatoess--the
first geographical portion IN the world
for commerce.
1hsse were the causes which excited 10 the
public mind that eager desire ~ grappls The
Pacific States with links Of steel, and which
s sDou 10 become q national passion.
These STATES, reting On that ocean which
connects the two graDdest Coutinenu Of the
Universe Asia and Americs-uust re-.
ceive tribute from the west by every bresss
that blCws--f,om Japan. from Rassla, from
China, and from oil parts of Asia.
Tbs present comn,srce OF the world viii
link INTO insigrnfcsboe 10 comparison with
that traffic which il 10 b. inaugursted by
the lsbors OF Eve hundred millions Of The
most indnstrioas peoiae u tic earth, who
are beroafucr to b. knows among nen. Tbs
very ~ibds OF Heaven, 90 the Pacific ocean
mark ont the coune which this trade mus,
take 10 ia movement through the word
and tie natural hsrbor. and InAgnifcn, Tor.
esu tel B tina, this coast must he, in future
times the Queen Of Commerce.
WIN such facts a. u<se pre-n. them
selves u he mind 81 the American people
lei me Ak, u there any eIsmeut o. that rs~t
lsss determined essrsy which cLsrsetsrils,
their patare u deter then from making ia