34 rOST ROUTE FEOM MISSISSIPPI EIVKR TO PACIFIC OCEAN. 



hundred and seventy miles, and thence to San Diego two hundred and twenty miles, giving a 

 distance of three hundred and ninety miles, which can he overcome in eight days. Thus the 

 entire distance from Fulton to San Diego, less than one thousand six hundred miles, can he 

 made in less than thirty days. This, of course, involves the necessity of preparing the road, 

 and of estahlishing a liberal supply of men and animals for delays along the route, and 

 numerous stations well stocked with forage. The mail has heen carried from El Paso to San 

 Antonio, Texas, in an ambulance, in fifteen days, and having, for about five hundred and 

 forty miles, hut one set of extra animals, which were driven along to alternate with those in 

 harness. The distance is six hundred and seventy-three miles, giving an average of forty- 

 four miles per diem.* 



i* TTiis estimate is Lased upon the present system of carrying the mail from San Antonio, Texas, to the Eio Grande. 



