TELEGRAPH TO THE PACIFIC.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 755, 9 July 1853, Page 3

TELEGRAPH TO THE PACIFIC.

[From the “ New York Tribune.’']

A memorial was presented to the United States Senate in January, asking for a grant of 1,500,000 acres of land, to be located along the line of a telegraph which the memorialists propose to build between St. Louis and San Francisco, by the way of the Salt Lake City. We have seen the plan and estimates of the above project, and are acquainted with the individuals who are engaged in the enterprise, as well as with their means, and' feel convinced that not only is the plan perfectly feasible, and the best that could be devised, but ?also that the projectors have the adequate funds, and are the very men to put it through. The projectors contemplate the construction of a subterranean line, with testing tubes every five, and working stations every one hundred miles throughout tho route. The distance from St. Louis to San Francisco b} T the way of Salt Lake city, being about 2,400 miles, there will consequently he twenty four of these stations on the route, each settled by several families furnishing a nucleus for so many towns at no distant day, and serving, from the first day of their occupation as halting places for the innumerable caravans of emigrants that aro constantly traversing tho great prairies of the West between St. Louis and the shores of the Pacific. The advantages of the undertaking, even from this point of view, can hardly he over-esti-mated. But it will also open to the market an almost unlimited amount of land along the line of the proposed grant, which is now lying waste and trodden only by the foot of the Indian in pursuit of game, or the hoof of the Buffalo,’and thus he the means of adding a large sum to the revenues of the country. The memorialists propose to give to the Government, in return for the grant, the right forever to transmit, free of charge over their line, all official despatches and communications, with a preference over all others ; and they stipulate, in addition, that if they or their assigns shall, at any time after the line is opened, cease to operate it for the space of six months, said line, with all its appurtenances, shall be forfeited to the Government. The projectors of this vast enterprise ask for no money, but simply for a grant of land—land which at present is worth nothing, and probably will nob be for a century to come, except through the agency of this, or of some similar undertaking. — And this boon is asked for on conditions and stipulations that make it not only safe to grant it, but, in view of all the accruing immediate and prospective advantages, absolutely a profitable investment for Government. Among these advantages that of having at all times, but especially in case of war, a channel of instantaneous communication, between the Atlantic seaboard and the shores of the Pacific, are too obvious to need an argument, and its importance is too great to be measured by the value ofa few acres of worthless land. To the merchant and business man, to every One who lias business or friends in California or Oregon, its importance will be equally obvious. The mode of construction of the proposed line will give to it a permanence, a comparative exemption from interruption, and an efficiency, at all times and in all weathers, that can be attained in no other way. The men who are ready to build it and risk their money on its success, are no theorists, but practical men, who are already engaged in the telegraphic business, and thoroughly acquainted with its operations, as well as its pecuniary affairs ; and having counted the cost carefully and closely, they are willing to risk their own fortunes and reputations on the result. It is hoped that Congress will look favourably on the petitions ofthe memorialists, Messrs. H. O. Alden and James Eddy, and if consistrnt with their duty grant the prayer of their memorial. —The above idea of this project is furnished by a correspondent. A Telegraph to San Francisco, and that in the briefest possible period, is greatly to be desired ; but if Government aid is to be given, we hope it will be afforded in cash instead off land. Let Congress vote whatever money may be necessary, securing a substantial and cheap telegraph ; but let them avoid grants of land and monopolies of all shades.