The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1883-09-16
A GENERATION AGO.
A Projected Line of steamships
From New York to Astoria.

NioODNSAA-S III NdlAiOInlds VIC t1AS tiic
following:
"The idea Of a line of American
mail steamers from Panama up the
Pacific coast, terminating at Astoria,
originated with J. NJ. Shively, plain
sort of man who at an early date had
drifted from Massachusetts or Con-
necticut across the continent and fn-
ally stopped at Astoria, and there be-
came post master. Shively returned
to the Atlantic states ia 1845, and
when in Washington lie threw out the
idea of this line of steamers. At this
time the controversy between Great
Britain and the United States respect
ing the northwestern boundary had
become an exciting topic, both in and
out of congress. Our government
was exceedingly anxious to throw EN-
igration into Oregon, and 1t is posi-
bic that Shively's idea of a line of
steamers from Panama mp the Pacific
coast may have been regarded favor
ably by the administration. Whether
this be true or net, President Polk,
In the latter part of 1915, took decid
ed measures to establish a means of
conveyance to Oregon that should be
available to emigrants.
In furthersnce of this project the
president requested J. ". Woodward
of Y. Y. to come to Washington and
assist him with his information and
counsels. Woodward was then en-
gagged in the Baltic trade, and he had
frequent and large consignment of
immigrants from Norway, Sweden,
Denmark and Prussia. Woodward at
once complied with the presidents re-
quests; and it will appear ultimately
that the organization of the Pacific
Mail line of 1855, as it now exists, or
rather its foundation, is mainly due
to the efforts of this gentleman.
/ give Woodward's own statement
of the matter: Polk received me
with great cordiality, and explained
TO me what the government desired to
accomplish. At this interview the
overland route aud the plan of send
ing emigrants around the Horn were
discussed and abandoned, and the
Isthmus route was suggested. This
proposition struck Polk favorably ,and 1
he requested me to examine and re-
port. The Isthmus of Darien was
then unknown, one or two small YES
sells used to go once or twice year to
Cbagres, then an uninviting place. L
secured all the books of travel could
End in relation TO that region. ! had
the good fortune TO meet one Nelson,
resident OF Panama, then acting
American Consul, from ali these
sources / became satisfied that the
Isthnus route was practicable; and at
length ] was able to present 20 Presi-
dent Polk a plan which ! deemed
feasible. 1t was to prepare and send
out & number of small boats sufficient
to take shipment of emigrants and
their luggage on their arrival at Cha
gres, and proceed up the Chagres river
as far as Crucis, and then by pack mules
across the Isthmus to Panama, thence
they were 10 be taken by vessel to
Oregon. The vessels to be employed,
both on the Atlantic aud the Pacific
were to be either sailing OF steam YES
sells, as the government might deter
mine. made the estimates for the
plan and submitted report 10 th:
president. He seemed highly pleaseG
at the solution of a problem tha;
promised the accomplishment of TIA,
object which the government had il
view, and took steps to obtain imn1e
diately from congress, which was theI
in session, the recessary appropria
ton. The president placed Senatol
Niles and myself in charge of the bus
, iness. The excitement relative to tn,
Oregon boundary question continued
J and pending the necessary delay in
obtaining an appropriation, l wa
busy in collecting facts bearing upol
the subject of this transit line to Ore
gon an6 the Pacific coast trade. Ev
erything respecting the propose,
transit line was progressing favorabl,
when the ultimatum of the Britisl
government was submitted to tn
president and senate, and accepted
This at once obviated any necessit
for the speedy settlement cf Oregon
/ and as government matter the pro
I posed transit line was dropped.
Z Bnt the information which / ha
: acquired made it appear that by OF
J tanning subsidies from the governmer
j: for carrying the mails a proftabl
{ trade could be built up on the Paclf
r coast, rendering the line remuner;
tive. The president and others know
ing that l had been at considerab
3 expense, advised me get bill throug
. congress giving such sum for carr!
ing the mails as in my judgment a.
"a peared necessary, and they kind
volunteered their influence to carr
: such a measure; and after consider
: BILE hesitation / concluded to have Il
r. matter take that shape. At This tin
. Colonel Sloo was applying for a graz
of subsidies to carry the mail By stea