The Arkansas banner., 1845-08-13
From Me ". !. Courier < Enqasrer. ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD

MILWAUKEE, June Is, 1915.
 Before leaving New York had the pleas ure 10 enclose to you pamphlet, containing an outline of my projection railroad across the Rocky Mountains, by which you will un- ders,and that the object of my tour this sum mer is 10 ascertain, first, if can. start from any point on Lake Michigan, with sixty miles ill width ofunappropriated lands second, 10 pass over, examine, and see If railroad route is practicable through them to the Missouri river; and, thirdly, 10 make my observations (comparatiye with what has been done in the last ten years, and ofwhat is now doing) on the probability of tic sale of the lands and their settlement as he road progresses. The first and very important question l find somewhat difficult, thoigh there are several points upon the Late shore where but very small amount Of lands has been taken up, some of which are good starting points, and an equivalent i'll other lands may be given, so that difficulty can be overcome. Second, as to the feasibility oi the route, | have met several officers of our army and engineer corps who have given me much valu able information. Lieut.. Manry, and several others who have passed over much of the country between the Lake and the Missis- 1 sippi, all unite in pronouncng il an easy route from almost any point from the Lake to the Mississippi, and all give the very best account of the lands The third aud very important question relates to the probability of sale and settlement. Of this think there can be no doubt. This place., a wilderness with but two hnts ten years ago, now has thriving population ofeight thousand, with large brick stores and elegant houses, eleven churches, some ef which are good and elegant ediiiees, exhibiting all the comforts and luxories of an old town in New England, with all the hurry, hustle, and excitement of this New World; and the country back Is enough settled to support it, and in fact the whole region from this to tine southern shore of the Lake, through to the Mississippi, is so much settled as 10 have alloarded means from the sale of the lands more than sufficient to build the road through them; and we can surely make very great addition Ill our favor from the effect and influence ol rail- road through them, especially as that road will be the connecting link of the Mississippi with the Lake. Chicago, too, place oi more than ten thousand inhabitants, has grown up in the last ten years, where you i find luxuries and refinements almost equal 1 10 those of our old cities, with the lands through to the Mississippi almost all taken up, producing large crops of wheat, wool, pork, beef, etc. If l ever had any doubt oi the ability of the lands 10 provide for the construction of the road, those doubts would nave been forevor removed by what see here; and every day feel more sure that my hopes aud expectations will be more than realized.
 This subject, so vast and important, can not be discussed in letter, nor have tmc to dwell upon it. If you will look atten- lively over the pamhlet to which have alluded, together with map of the world, d the same ime view the channels by whicl think the whole subject will come fully tc your mind, and that you will see 1t just a' ] do. l find AS pass though the country that all the people are in favor of the road Some think it SO large scheme that ii can never be accomplished, and do no. reilec that if ,re cdn t.titd one mile we ean bailc 1 ffy. Some may doubt but none oppose and with the powerful ald of the press th' project can be carrled--and what man vii not feel pride in lending his aid to such work
 I will write you again from Prairie d Chien, and so often ss means to send letter may offer. leave here in the morning fc Fond du Lac, Fort Wiuuebago, and Prairi du Chien.
 Trulv yours 4. WHITNEY.