Year: 1859

The people of California have always de-
sired increased facilities for communication
with their brethren east of the Sierra Neya-
da, and during the past few years one trans
montana route after another has been pro-
posed and advocated as eminently adapted
for the construction of good wagon road,
either as preliminary to the construction of
continental railway or for objects inde-
pendent Of that. The establishment of the
various overland mail lines has partly salts
fed this desire, but the recent discoveries of
great mineral wealth in Western Utah, from
the silver mines of Virginia City north to
the gold placers of Walkers river south and
the consequent rapid settlement of that re-
gion which is now going on, have created a
necessity for greater number ofroads across
the summit, located so as to directly con-
meet with the new settlements all the coun-
ties adjoining them in this State Now, in
stead of one or two favored routes, there are
several advocated, and every probability





it as certain that Sierra county will have one
or two roads, Nevada two, Placer one, Sac
ramento and Eldorado another one by way
of Daggett's Pass, which is evidently the
most direct route from the State Capital land
other counties further south still more
Believing this, we have longed to see ces-
1f ~, IL -,
hearty advocacy and prosecution by each
section Of the road demanded by its own
interests without inimical reference to 9TH
ers. The Sacramento Union, which journal
has ever been the consistent and able friend
of one great central highway into California,
seeing now that there must be several across
the mountains, extends a cheerful word to
all, and says:


"The building of good wagon roads the mouh-
tain the points named would prove of essential
ice to the State and we therefore, hope it may be DONE
We cannot have too many good wagon roads over the
Sierra Nevada


In the spirit indicated above we have here
tofore urged the construction ofa road which
should connect Marysville with the new dig
gings of the eastern slope by way of North
San Juan and Sierra county, through the
Henness Pass, and so on by the old emigrant
road to Carson City. By facts and figures
we have shown this to be a feasible route for
the cheap and rapid construction of a good
highway, and one sure to prove of vast ben
eft not only to its two termini but also to
the whole extent of country through which
it would pass, whether other roads are built
or not. 1t would accommodate large pop
ulation, hasten the settlement and improve
ment of inviting localities now lying unoc-
cupied, stimulate settlements already made,
and become great artery of trade with
Marysville for its heart. The people of the
mining regions through which it would pass
have always been great consumers; they are
henceforth to be producers as well, and
besides their contributions to the metallic
wealth of the world, will contribute to in
ternal commerce large quantities of lumber,
wood, building stone, hay, fruits, wine, veg
etables, hides, wool and cattle. Already
the lumber business of the mountain regions
alluded to has assumed astonishing import
ance. Saw mills are in operation to the
very summit, and much of the lumber they
are constantly turning out finds its way to
the lower country. Ultimately, the lumber
interest alone would demand the improve
ment of existing roads, and their extension
in various directions across and through the
mountains But, to have done with general
and prospective advantages, road through
the Henness Pass is needed to accommodate
the existing trade and travel between this
portion of California and Western Utah.
Already the freight and passenger transit
over the route has been large, and by next
spring will be very much increased. Let
the business men of Marysville, and of Ne
vada and Sierra counties, see to it that this
is not diverted into other channels. Let
them exercise wise liberality, put the Hen
road, and so secure, at the earliest possible
day, the numerous benefits that else would
be lost. On Wednesday next, the I'd day of
November, meeting of persons willing to
aid in the construction of the above road
will be held at Plum Valley, in Sierra coun-
ty, and we hope to learn ofthe organization
of a company consisting of energetic capi
talists determined to accomplish the impor-
tant enterprise.


A writer in Once Week proposes to make
the British railways potent means of de-