Brown’s writings indicate that he was interested in this aggressive movement on behalf of the South. Three elements entered into his policy: the question of emigration, the problem of the Pacific railroad, and ”protection against Mexico.” . . .
view?”
This conclusion respecting the motive that determined the choice of the Southern route is unavoidable: that although the leaders of the Buchanan Administration may have had faith in the natural desirability of their route, they were vitally influenced by things that extended beyond the overland mail: settlement, a railroad, protection against Mexico.