Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-07-05

| Our RAN RoAD.-We understand
hit Mr.. Tracy gentleman eminently
Qualified, has been appointed by the
Governor, engineer to survey the
route from Brandon east, 10 the slate
line of Alabama.-Mr. Tracy has travf
elled over the country through which
the road is intended TO run. and made
a rough estimate oftwo routes. From
those estimates it is confidently antic-
Iipated that the road will run within
25 or 80 miles of Paulding. The
starring point, it is thou CHI, will be one.
mile and half west Of Brandon, run
up Rich Land creek, near Berryville
from thence south of Col. Saffolds's
plantation in Newton county, and pass
down Souan Levy, and cross Chicka-
sawhay river near Enterprise, lt6ml..
thence on the most eligible direct
route TO the Alabama line. We learn
that Mr.. Tracy will commence his
Survey in ten days, land from his prompt
and industrious habits, we may expect
that he will be prepared toreportto the
next Legislature, even if there should
be called session.-~The prospect
ola wCri lraugbt with so much interest
TO the re pPle of Mississippi must be
cheering TO our citizens. The long
tedious days travel TO Mobile will
end-a market will be opened in the
midst of us-our wild lands must speed
lily be reduced 10 cultivation, and a
rich extensive country, now uncultiva-
lied, will be embellished with all the
beauties of husbahdry., But this desi7
rable as it may be to the East, is not all
this road will accomplish. Ii will open
the speediest and most direct commu-
nication between the northern cities
and the south, and should our coun-
try unfortunately at any time be invol-
we'd in war, it will serve as a national
highway, by means of which our south.
ern and western borders can be sup
piled with ample defence in a few
days.
II past events should serve as war
ming TO future action, the history ofthe
last war must convince'the most scep-
lical Of the propriety of the early COM
Epletion of this r,ad. During the last
fwar, from Charleston, our whole south
ern and western sea coast was defence
less. The British fleet, guartering at
| Key West, after much elaboration,
sailed up and harboured of, Cat Island,
on the coast Of Mississippi. No YES
sel-no navy yard-no soldiers to re-.
pulse them. The Queen City Of the
south lay open TO their rapacity, the
rescue Of which depended upon the
tardy and hazardous passage Of troops
down the Mississippi river. 1t is true
New Orleans escaped, but i must be
admitted shat cur mems Of defence
were very inadequate, growing out Of
TIE entire inability of the government
Fto transmit troops for the want Of a safe,
and speedy conveyance. And we Eaz-
ard nothing in saying, that Congress
duly appreciated the great necessity
for the establishment of this rail road
as a national way, when on mature re-
Election, they appropriated the proceeds
Of the 2 per ceut. fund to construct it
from Brandon east to tie Alabama
line. This 2 per telt, is p Of the
5 per cent fund, that was res rived 10
the state cut Of the proceeds ofthe sale
of the Public Lai d; ia Mississippi,
when she entered into the Onion, But
so tenacious was Con ,ress, that after
surrendering 3 per cent. of the 5 per
cert to the state, 10 be distributed to
the different counties, they reserved
the right to appropriate the 2 per cent.
find, as they in their wisdom might
, deem best for the sale. They have
! done so, and a opropriated it unaltera-
bly, (see. Distribution Law, extra Con-
gress,) without the consent of Con-
: gress, TO building Of ;his road, provid-
ed the Legislature would accept
= OF it. The Legislature has done so.
: The amount TO be expended is about,
!, 1864, 900. This sum, laid out by
= business and economical man, will be
sufficient to accomplish the object and
, more especially if the general course
:. lis pursued recommended by Gov. Nc.
~ NUTT,in his last message TO the legis-
:, lature. Trusting to the patriotism
!, and intelligence of The people Of Mis-,
= sissippi with firm and mistaken re-
- lance they will not see so important
= an object neglected we. cannot refrain
- - from expressing our entire confidence
:, that the work will be speedily com
&c pIeted. Then will Eastern Mississippi
with her rich fields, and beautiful,
: $ u led hamlets and villages vie witt
y any portion of the SOUTH Paulding
= Clarion.
&c FRAUDS IN THE INDIAN DEPART
e MENT.-At the commencement OF tn,
20 avtra cnceiOn IF Conrrace Mr. Ro1