Resolved, That in the present state of our knowledge, we feel warranted in recommending to the particular attenion of the General Government for examination, the route commencing at San Diego on the Pacific ocean, crossing the Colorado of the west, running along the Gila river, or near it, in a direction to the Paso del Norte, and thence across the State of Texas to its northeastern boundary between 32 and 33 degrees of north latitude, terminating at some point on the Mississippi between the mouth of the Ohio river and the mouth of Red river.

STATISTICS OF THE PACIFIC RAILWAY CONVENTION WHICH 1849. ASSEMBLED IN ST. LOUIS ON THE 15TH DAY OF OCT.,

Hon. ABNERT. ELLIS, of Indiana was chosen to preside over the proceedings in respect to the organization. Hon. S A. DOUGLASS, of Illinois was chosen President: but resigning his seat on the third day, the Hon. GEORGE DARSIE, of Pennsylvania was chosen to fill the vacancy

Vice Presidents.-Henry S. Geyer of Mo., Joseph Williams of Iowa, W. B. Scates of Ill, Samuel Emeson of Indiana, Henry J. Easten of Ky., Price Stewart of Tenn., C. C. Lathrop of La., Chas. Bracken of Wis., Samuel Farrer of Ohio W. L. Tatten of Penn., A. K. Williams of N. Y., John Biddle of Michigan, J. F. Maury of Va., Robt. Chambers of N. J.

Secretaries.-A. B. Chambers of Mo., W. H. Wallace of Iowa, A. S. Mitchell of Ky., W. G. Minor of Mo., T. A. Stuart of Ill.

Marshal --Thornton Grimsly of Mo.

Number of Delegates.-From Missouri, 539; from Illinois, 379; from Iowa, 74; from Indiana, 37; from Kentucky, 9; from Tennessee, 9; from Louisiana, 1; from Wisconsin, 4; from Ohio, 8; from Pennsylvania, 18; from New York, 1; from Michigan, 1; from Virginia, 1; from New Jersey, 1:-1084 in all.*

Committee on Resolutions.-From Mo., Austin A. King, J. Loughborough, T. B. English; Ill., Richard Bond, W. B. Warren, Thos. Hayne; Iowa, V. P. Van Antwerp, G. H. Walworth, Wm. Thompson; Indiana, A. S. White, R. W. Thompson, A. T. Ellis; Ky., H. J. Easten, A. S. Mitchell, James Harper; Tenn., Le Roy Pope, Jr., E. J. Carroll, Geo. W. Smith; La., C. C. Lathrop; Wisconsin, Chas. Bracken, J. R. Murray, Edward Vaughn; Ohio, D. W. Deshler, J. H. Sullivan, Henry Stoddard; Penn., Geo. Darsie, Chas. Naylor, J. H. Reid; N. Y., A. K. Williams; Michigan, John Biddle; New Jersey, Robt. Chambers.

Committee on Memorial to Congress.-W. F. Bowden, of Wisconsin; A. R. Williams, N. Y.; Charles Naylor, Penn.; J. F. Maury, Va.; John G. Low, Ohio; G. W. Lincoln, Ten.; O. H. Smith, Indiana; W. S. Wait, Ill.; John Biddle, Michigan; James Clark, Iowa; Thos. Allen, Mo.; Basil Duke, Ky.; C. C. Lathrop, La.; Robt. Chambers, N. J.

*The number of delegates has been taken from the Mo. Republican. It is possible that when compared with the true list it may not be correct, but it is doubtless nearly so.

A just conception of the genius of the age, and of the objects which occupy and attract the general mind, is necessary to a correct understanding of our individual interest :-nor can we properly appreciate our social relations, and the duties which they require, without observing the progress of events, and the changes which these events are continually producing in the philosophy and pursuits of

mankind.

The obscure and patient labors of science, which for ages produced but little fruit, are now productive of results which excite emotions of wonder the narrow horizon which bounded the vision of common minds has been enlarged; new and more exalted views of man's social destiny have been opened; a desire to attain a higher degree of civilization prevails; and the spirit of discovery may be regarded as the genius of the age. Under the influence of this spirit much has already been achieved; but when we reflect that each successive discovery emits a ray of light which leads on to another, we are ready to conclude that our feet still linger upon the threshold of the temple, wherein are stored the rich treasures of nature; and we rejoice in the hope that the time is near at hand when the veil which has so long concealed them from observation will be removed.

The age is auspicious, and cheering to the hopes of the philanthropist; and, calculated to inspire him with a higher degree of zeal in the cause of humanity: but, it is subject to tendencies which if not observed and counteracted, will neutralize the benefits which we may gain by discovery. The successful researches of science are calculated to make men credulous in respect to whatsoever relates to new sources of human subsistence, or to the enlargement of the powers required for their development. This tendency to admit whatsoever is affirmed, exposes men to the danger of confiding in facts which have been but superficially observed, or which, perhaps, never existed;

and, moreover, to be mislead by opinions and prejudices, groundless and absurd in their nature.

The bold experimenter and designing speculator, in opinions and property, are ever ready to take advantage of the credulity of others; and it is the office of science and philosophy to expose their false pretensions, and prevent the mischiefs which they design. There is another class, who, moved by vanity, and a love of the marvellous, draw upon their imaginations for facts, and publish them to the world as truths of great importance. As no mischief seems to be designed by this class of individuals, they might be permitted to make themselves ridiculous, were it not that their productions sometimes find a place in publications of established authority, and are consequently calculated to give a false coloring to the history of the age. We have, from time to time, noted a number of these publications, and filed them away, as matters of reference, to be used at a proper time in the course of our labors; and it has occurred to us that a few specimens might be interesting, and perhaps, profitable to our readers at present. The first that we shall notice, is an article in the "Merchants' Magazine," published by Freeman Hunt, in the city of New York. The article is entitled, "NEW ORLEANS :-Its Trade and Commerce." And as it does not appear to be credited to any other person, we infer that it was written by the editor. The following is the author's account of the geography and hydrography of the Valley of the Mississippi :

"The position of New Orleans, as a vast commercial emporium, is unrivalled, as will be seen by a single glance at the map of the United States. As the depot of the West, and the half-way house of foreign trade, it is almost impossible to anticipate its future magnitude. Take a view, for instance, of the immense regions known under the name of the Mississippi valley. Its boundaries on the west are the Rocky Mountains and Mexico; on the south, the Gulf of Mexico; on the east, the Alleghany Mountains; and on the north, the lakes and the British possessions. It contains nearly as many square miles, and more tillable ground, than all continential Europe, and, if peopled as densely as England, would sustain a population of five hundred millions-more than half of the present inhabitants of the earth. Its surface is generally cultivable, and its soil rich, with a climate varying to suit all products, for home consumption or a foreign market. The Mississippi is navigable twenty-one hundred miles-passing a small portage, three thousand may be achieved. It embraces the productions of many climates, and a mining country abounding in coal, lead, iron and copper ore, all found in veins of wonderful richness. The Missouri stretches thirty-nine hundred miles to the Great Falls, among the Flat Foot Indians, and five thousand from New Orleans. The Yellow Stone, navigable for eleven hundred miles, the Platte for sixteen hundred, and the Kansas for twelve hundred, are only tributaries to the latter river. The Ohio is two thousand miles to Pittsburgh, receiving into her bosom from numerous streams the products of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Western Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana and Illinois. The Arkansas, Big Black, Yazoo, Red River, and many others, all pouring their

wealth into the main artery, the Mississippi, upon whose mighty current it floats down to the grand reservoir, New Orleans."

Now, it must be admitted that, here are some of the most marvelous discoveries of the age. First, we are informed that the immense region known under the name of the Mississippi Valley, contains nearly as many square miles as continental Europe. Lieutenant Maury, who is regarded as high authority, estimates the basin of the Mississippi to contain an area of only 982,000 square miles and according to McCulloch, Europe embraces an area of 3,684,841 square miles.

It is possible, however, that the author may have been aware of the difference in the size of the two countries, and yet conclude that he might use the expression "nearly as large," with propriety. And, indeed, it would not be difficult to find authority for such license in many of the speeches and newspaper articles published in the United States. Having made the valley of such vast dimensions, it was necessary to make the rivers correspond so as to afford navigation to all its parts; and he proceeds to inform us that "the Mississippi is navigable twenty-one hundred miles passing a small portage, three thousand may be achieved." We suppose the portage referred to is at the falls of St. Anthony, near the parallel of 45 deg. north latitude, and long. about 93 deg. west of Greenwich. Now, it is impossible to conceive how a navigation of nine hundred miles can be achieved on the Mississippi, above the falls of St. Anthony, otherwise than by making a number of trips up and down the river. For according to Nichollet, lake Itaska is situate about 13 minutes north of the parallel of 47 degrees; and longitude about 95 degrees west; this lake is fed by five small creeks, which, he says, are the sources of the Mississippi. Owing to a bend in the river, the sources of some of its tributaries are probably more remote from the falls than lake Itaska ; but it may be safely affirmed that, the distance from the falls of St. Anthony to the most remote source of the Mississippi, is less than three hundred miles. The author informs us that the Kansas is navigable twelve hundred miles. Now, by reference to Colton's late map it will be perceived that about one half this distance will reach the extreme source of this stream: and, unfortunately, no part of it affords navigation of much value. The Platte, he says, is navigable 1,600 miles. According to Fremont it is 900 miles, by land travel, from the mouth of the Platte to the South Pass, which is beyond the extreme source of this river. Col. Fremont made two attempts to descend the Platte, and finally abandoned it as impracticable. The following is the account of his last effort at the junction of the north and south branches, about 450 miles from its mouth. "At this place I had determined to make another attempt to descend the Platte by water, and accordingly spent two days in constructing a bull boat. Men were sent out on the evening of our arrival, the necessary number of bulls killed, and their skins brought to the camp. Four of the best of them were strongly sewed together with buffalo sinew, and stretched over a basket frame of willow. The seams were then covered with ashes and tallow, and the boat left exposed to the sun for the greater part of one day, which was sufficient to dry and contract

the skin, and make the whole work solid and strong. It had a round bow, was eight feet long and five broad, and drew with four men, about four inches water. On the morning of the 15th we embarked in our hide boat-Mr. Preuss and myself, with two men. We dragged her over the sands for three or four miles, and then left her on a bar, and abandoned entirely all further attempts to navigate this river.” We are further informed by the author of this article, that "the Missouri stretches 3,900 miles to the great falls, among the Flat Foot Indians, and 5,000 from New Orleans;" that "the Yellow Stone is navigable for 1,100 miles ;" and "the Ohio is 2,000 miles to Pittsburgh." We have not exposed the errors of this article for the purpose of calling in question the general correctness of the matter published in the excellent work from which we make the extract; but, for the purpose of vindicating the intelligence of the American people. The "Merchants' Magazine," as we are informed, has an extensive circulation in Great Britain, and probably on the continent of Europe.-What must foreigners think of the intelligence of a people whose leading journalists publish such absurdities in respect to the geography of the country, in which they live. And besides this, such works as the "Merchants' Magazine" will be sought for as a treasure, by the future historian: and how will the people of this country, in the next century, account for our ignorance of the geographical extent of the Valley of the Mississippi. The publication of such statements. in works so respectable as the "Merchants' Magazine," is calculated to destroy all confidence in every thing that is published respecting the resources or condition of this or other countries.

Governor Seabrook of South Carolina, it seems, has also made discoveries not less remarkable than those published in the Merchants' Magazine. In an essay on the "Agricultural and Physical Capacities of South Carolina," prepared at the request of the State Agricultural Society, a portion of which we find in De Bow's Commercial Review, Governor Seabrook says, "South Carolina includes 30,213 square miles, or 19,435,680 acres. Of this area, there is as little land in one body, the highest authorities assure us, unsusceptable of remunerating culture as the United States can furnish." The meaning of this sentence is not very obvious. We are not informed what is considered a remuneration for cultivating land in South Carolina: but we venture the opinion that, if a discovery has been made whereby the 6,000,000 acres of pine land in that State, can be made to yield a remuneration equal to a like quantity of the poorest land in Illinois, it is not less important to the human family than was the discovery of this continent; and the author is entitled to as much gratitude from mankind, and to as high a nitch in the temple of fame as Columbus. For who can estimate the benefits that must be derived from a remunerating culture of the hitherto unproductive lands, not only of South Carolina, but of every part of the habitable globe?

In another place, the author says, "the pine lands embracing about 6,000,000 of acres, constitute the most neglected section of the State. While in some quarters, they are erroneously regarded as valuable for the abundance and quality of their timber, in others the belief is