Year: 1859

ness,-the first geographical position in the
world for commerce,


These were the causes which excited in
the public mind that eager desire to crap.
pie the Pacific States with links ofsteel, and
which is soon to become a national passion


These States, resting on that ocean which
connects the two grandest Continents of the
Universe Asia and America-must receive
tribute from the west by every breeze that
Dblows-rrom Japan, from Russia, from Chi
ma, and from all parts of Asia


The present commerce of the world will
sink into insignifcance in comparison with
that traffic which is to be inaugurated by
the labors of FIVE hundred millions of the
most Industrious people of the earth, who
are hereafter to be known among men, The
very winds Of Heaven, on the Pacific ocean,
mark out the course which this trade must
take in its movement through the world
and the natural harbors and magnificent
forests tell us that this coast must be,
in future times, the Queen Of Commerce.


When such facts as these present them
selves to the mind of the American people,
let me ask, is there any elementof that rest
less determined energy which characterizes
their nature to deter them from making the
great preparations necessary for such
events?


Did they hesitate to establish national
road between the eastern and western States,
when the interests of the country required
it and were not the difficulties of accom-
plishment at that time as great, in connec-
ton with that road as any Of the difficult
ties now existing on any Of the proposed
Pacific routes2


Have they ever permitted the most trying
or the most adverse difficult
ties to weigh moment in the scale, when
the honor, interest, and reputation Of our
country was concerned?


1t is this faith in the desire Of our coun-
trymen to see our national greatness in
crease, that convinces me the brilliant pros
poets Of California, Oregon aud Washington
Territories, will be fully realized, that the
time is not far distant when the crowning
work of steam will be VIGOROUSLY accom-
plished; when engines of such size and
power will be So constructed as to condense
days into hours, miles into inches; and when
the passage from one ocean to the other,
on our own soil, will only occupy from one
day Of rest to another.


| am in favor of multiplying the number
of roads between the Mississippi river and
the Pacific States, and Of opening railroads
on each and all, when the location and inter
ests warrants so doing 1s


In connection with this subject, an impor-
tant question must be answered. Who are
to people theimmense plains and arid wastes
between the confines Of Missouri and the
Sierra Nevada mountains of California p
Who are to build up the system of roads
and railroads through that country we re-
quire 1


The American and the European leave
behind them those wastes, and hurries to the
fertile and well-watered shores of the Paci-
fic. The destiny Of the Indian is written in
the setting sun. From whence then, are
the people to come who will be willing and
who can make o garden of desert2


In the dispensation Of Divine Providence,
does it not appear that the great and pow
erful nation now being established on this
continent, was not to receive its origin or its
destiny from any one Of the races Of men z
But that each and all contributing their
intellect, their energy, and their labor, toI
the stupenduous work Of omnipotent design,
would unconsciOnsly create fabric Of such
glorious and transcendent structure, as to
become a monument Of His power and good
ness.


As Europe and Africa have built the rail-
roads, dug the canals, and planted the fields
to the east Of the Mississippi, does it not
seem but natural that Asia, with her sur
plus population, should do the same for the
country west Of that river? Does it not
appear that there exists but one people
whose history and whose labors show that
they are qualified for the duty of regenera-
ting the Rocky mountains pa people who
mystery for thousands Of years
whose number, patience, industry and
economy, have achieved the most remarka-
BILE deeds-where labor and priyation were
where quiet, inof'ensive and
peaceful habits became necessity "a peo-
plO huOy W oCNuAO NuOAuoSANOo nun u NoA-
like neighbor, built wall, to intervene be-
tween them, Of such dimensions, of such
length, and over such mountains, plains and
rivers, in one unbroken chain, as to claim for
it place among the wonders Of the world !?
"a people whose products andmanufaetures
are already domesticated with us 7 l refer
to the people Of China.


Let us commence then the railroads; let
us encourage the Chinese to emigrate and
build them; let them be organized in the
interior, which assimilates to many parts of
their own country; let steam and lightning
perform their proper labors, by removing
and dispensing with time, and we
shall give stimulus to commerce, energy
and enterprise, which the most enthusiastic
mind cannot now picture.


With sentiments of high consideration,


l remain Sir, very respectfully,


your obedient servant,


WIN. S. HARNEY,


Brig Gen u S. A., Commanding.
n, he Lx.,1i.nn,r 1 M.-nN