THE GREAT MEDITATED RAILWAY IN AMERICA.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 287, 28 February 1849, Page 3

THE GREAT MEDITATED RAILWAY IN AMERICA.

The general advantages of constructing a railroad to connect the two oceans through the heart of the U tired S atci consists in the fuct, never lost sight of in that country, that the increase in value of the land through which it would pass would far more than covor the outlay to be incurred ; and also, that such a line wjuld confer exclusive advantages m the United States, which would bo Jost if the communication weic effected by the old scheme of u canal acioss the bihmus of Panama. The particular 1 ('commendations, of the California over the Oregon route ure the secure nature of its harbours, their convenient pisilion for the 30J American veisela sunually empl yed in ihvrbalmg expeditions in the Pacific, and the cent ml point they would present for (he establishment of u fcict naval station and dockyard, San Fiancisco being midway between the southern and noithcm boundary

of the American possesiions on tho coast, which now extend about 1000 miles. By the construction of the contemplated rout, Lieutenant Maory asserts the United States would he placed in a position to command the trade of the entire East. '• Hitherto," he say», "in all parts of the world, except Europe and the West Indies, tho Bhips of the two threat enmpptitors on the ocean have met on barely cqu.il terms." To reach home from India, China, New Holland, the islands of the Pacific, or the ports of South America, an Amoiican and Biitish ship had both to p«r«ue the Riime route, although the rourie of one was terminated at Liverpool, while the other had to proceed to New York. But now tho Oregon and California are Amencamsed, nil of these ports are nearer; and the chief amongthem, as Bombay, Calcutta, S,n»ajiore, the ports of China, Japan, New Holland, Australia, Polynesia, and tho jMandi of the Ei;st, many thousand miles nearer to thfi Unit< & Slates than they aie to England "

lo lo ports ol England. California. Miles. Miles. Prom Persian Gulf 11,300.. .... 10,400 From Bombay 11,500...... 9,800 From Calcutta .......... 12,210...... ,0,300 Prom Singapore 12,300 7,400 PromCamon 13,700 6,100 From Shanghai 11,100 5,40 J From Judda (Japan) 15,200 4,500 From New Guinea 11,000 6,000 Prom north-west point of New Holland 31,800 7,801) From north-cast diito ditto 13,500 G. 900 from New Zealand 13,500 5,600

The following is a, table of comparative tlistancps to England and California, from vaiious places in the Eastern and Sou' hern Seas : —