Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-07-19

VOL. III.

tives in Congress, to grant TO me 60
miles wide of the public domain from
Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean,
the proceeds and avais which to be
applied exclusively to the building and
completing the said road; after which
all the surplus land TO belong to me as
reward for the work. And in order
fully to attain such object would
have commissioners appointed, as our
Judges now are, whose duty It shall be
to dispose Of said lands with my con-
sent, they holding the avails thereof,
subject only to the building the said
road, responsible and bound TO report
to each Congress, they not having pow
err to dispose of the lands without
my consent; nor / power TO use the
lands or avails thereof without their
consent, thus being a check upon each
other.
Having friends who have offered me
means which think adequate to the
commencement of the work, and be-
! lie,ing that its commencement will
draw to it so much enterprise that it
cannot fail Of success, gives me foil
confidence. From Lake Michigan,
where propose commencing the road,
to the Missouri river, a distance Of a
bout $50 miles, making about % mil
lions of acres; through which / learn
from good authority, that road can
be built with great facility. | also
learn that the land is all good and
would be likely to sell and settle quite
as fast as the road can be built; that the
road will facilitate the sale and settle
ment cannot be doubted.
| estimate that the road will cost "a
bout $4,000 per mile for its complete
construction; thus for $50 miles would
cost Sl3,000,000, the % millions of
acres at 81 Ia, the government price
would amount to S3l 100000, leaving
a surplus of 10000, 900, or equal to
build 900 miles beyond the Missouri
river. From all accounts from those
who have passed over the country, the
lands from Missouri to some distance
beyond the mountains are very poor,
not producing enough to sustain ami
mails, generally covered with wild
sage and nothin else, therefore but lit
tie could be realized from them. The
whole length of the road with its wind
ings will probably be 2400 miles. The
lands from the Lake to the Missouri
providing for 1850 will leave $50
miles to provide for out of the poor
lands from the Missouri to beyond the
mountains, and what good lands there
may be between the mountains and the
ocean.
The estimated cost of the road is
$50, 100000, and not producing any
returns till its full completion, would re-
quirc Sl5,O00,000 more to keep it in
repair and operation.
!, learn from Capt Fremont (who
has passed the mountains TO the Pacific
twice, and whose report is to be pub
lished by order of Congress- that to
build IA rail road through TO the Pacific
is not only feasible, but offers more
favorable route than any we have
known or read of on any part of the
| gIobe--that the entire route from the
, Missouri to the Ocean can be built on
; a grade of about seven feet TO the mile.
| so that would seem nature has given il
to US for this very purpose.
Considering the poor quality of the
| lands from the Missouri onward for 9
f long distance, and considering The mag
r ni.ude of the enterprise, | do not fee
: that have asked for too much. The
, value OF the lands from the lake to the
/ Missouri and their undoubted increase
|, in value from the building of the road
, through them, their avails, all of which
| to be applied 10 lis continuance. ! con
slider sufficient guarantee to the gov
: eminent that the road will be compile
| ted.
e 1t is my intention 10 pass over, ex
E amino and partially survey Z or oOl
0 miles of the route this summer, so a.
a to be prepared for the next Congress
: The reasons for commencing from
t Lake Michigan are many and obvious
/: First,as the road is to be built from The
j lands it is necessary to commence at ;
+ point nearest to where they are unap
: propiated, and where there is sufiicien
= timber for its construction. Secondly
: the great necessity for a cheap ant
/ easy water communication from thu
l;-onortant Atlantic citiPs 10 transDOr