Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-06-16
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, JUNE IA, 1854.
1.1cr.Censinental Telegraph.


been apple IL by Mr.. Perry Med. Col
Inns, residing in California, for aid in
constructing line from the United
States across the British Possessions,
Russian America and Behring's Straits,
to the mouth Of the Amoor river in
Asiatic Russia. The distance from our
north western frontier Mr.. Collins CON-
putes In his memorial to be about 5000
miles, and the cost 100000. He has
already obtained from the Russian gov
eminent grant of the privilege to con-
Btruct telegraph from the Amoor river
In Asia across the Russian Possessions
In America and similar grant from
the British government to continue it
through British Columbia to the United
States line, and now asks the co-opera-
tion Of the United States. Mr. Collins
memorial was submitted to the Senate
Committee on Commerce, and Senator
Chandler, chairman of that committee,
referred it to Sec'y Seward for such infor-
nation upon the subject as should be in
possession of the State department, and
Tor his views upon the expediency Of
granting the petition Of the memorial
list. Secretary Seward, in reply, dis
cussed at length the feasibility and use
fitness of the proposed work, and also
its claims, especially at the present time,
to government aid, and arrives at con-
illusions in its favor upon all these
points. OF Mr.. Collins connection with
the enterprise, he says:
"Throughout the remarks which I
have thus far submitted, | have not
without design called it Mr.. Collins en-
terprise. 1t is truly his, because it was
he alone who conceived and projected it,
and who has clothed it with the sub
stantial form which enables the three
great States whose concerted action he
solicits, to cause it to be put in opera
ton. But, in another sense, it is enti-
tied to be regarded as an enterprise Of
the government of the United States
During all the time that Mr. Collins has
been engaged in maturing and develop
ing it, and presenting it to the consid-
Grafton of Russia and Great Britain he
has been acting under the instruction
and with the appreciation Of the Depart
ment of State, and knowledge of that
fact has not been withheld from Con-
gress."
The proposed route is more definitely
stated by Mr.. Seward as follows:
The most prominent physical diff
Guilty is the extent of territory to be
traversed Tie starting point must be
chosen in either Nebraska, Kansas, Col
orado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Oregon or
Washington. Thence the distance to
be travelled through British America to
the line of Russian America, about 600
miles the distance through Russian
America to Cape Prince of Wales, about
1000 miles; the length of submarine
cable across Behring's Straits would be
40 miles; and the distance from East
Cape by an inland passage around the
Sea of Okhotsk, and through the settle
ments of Okhotsk, Ayau and Shanter's
Bay, which are well known stations of
the whale fishery, to the mouth of the
AMOR, River, would be about $500
miles. The entire length of the line
would be about 6,040 miles. Operative
telegraph wires have already been
stretched on this continent of the ag-
gregate length of $4,000 miles, and sim
liar wires have been stretched on the
Eastern Continent of the aggregate
length of 100000 miles. Operative sub
marine telegraph wires have been laid
of the lengths, respectively, of 800
miles and 500 miles, from Dover to He'll
goland, and from Malta to Tripoli
Thus it will be seen that the mere ex-
tent Of the route to be traversed in the
present case does not constitute an in
surmountable, nor even a serious diff
Guilty"
And it is shown also that lines OF tel
egraph already in operation in the nor
thern ATTITUDES Of Russia are proof that
no other physical difficulties lie in the
way which are insurmountable.
In regard to the connection Of the
line in Russia it is stated that Russia
has extended her telegraph from st. Pc
sSAoo"iSh W iihOueoht ulStuuCc vi
1000 miles to the east, and now line
Is being constructed along the Amoor
river which is to connect with the line
in course Of construction from Irkoutsk
to the east. Thus it will be seen that
Russia is rapidly approaching with a
continuous line the Pacific Ocean.
An association is already formed, with
. capital of ten millions, to be devoted
to the enterprise. Secretary Seward
says in conclusion:
What Mr.. Collins asks of Congress,
Is the grant of right of way across
the public lands, with the right to take
therefrom materials necessary for con
structing the line; the use Of national
vessel, suitably differed and equipped,
20 make surveys and soundings along
The North Pacific Coast, beyond the lin
Its OF the United States, and to aid in
prosecuting the work and, finally. a
;,un for the govern
ment use OF the line, when it shall be
constructed. If the views have sub
are just, this demand for patron
age is neither unnecessary or unreason-
able. We could not withhold it without
ehOwipU a want Of annra,;ot;o,, - 81