Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-07-19
For the Herald.
THE OREGON RAILROAD.


Ma. EDrroR:-The fond hopes of the PEG.
pie of the North West 10 relation to this road,
have blasted 10 great degree by the an
nouncemenl OF the policy by which Mr.. Whit.
ney. the protector Of The scheme is to be gov
erned.
II would seem from what is known of his
plans that his mind is bent more upon specu-
asions from the sale of the lands within his
sixty mile grant, than upon proper location
Of the road. This appears evident from his
disposition 10 run the railroad from Green Bay,
via the Portage, or north Of it, and through
the country north of the Wisconsin river, for
The avowed purpose Of covering with his
grant. land altogether owned by Government.
This route is evidently impraciicable. from
its low and marshy character on the cas-. and
the roughness of the western portion; the dis
lance between Lake Michigan and the Missis-
sippi, by This route, is made one third more,
than TO start from Milwaukee or vicinity. and
thence in direct line across the Territory 10
the most practicable poin. to cross the Mssis.
sippi River via. Po,osi or Galena to Dubuque.
This route has preference over that suggest.
ed by Mr.. Whitney in every particular.
LIST. The cos, of construction must be one
hafless than on Whiiney's route it being
much shorter, crossing no streams of any mag
nilude, and running on continuous ridge or
level tract of country.
Cd This part of the road must necessarily
be contracted first, and double the amour.
would be realised from the transportation upon
plteted( tina, could be realised from the lands
along Whitney's route, together with the
transportation upon it; very small quantity
Of the land along his route being susceptible
of calculation which fact evinces want of
correct information of the country, by Mr..
Whitney. along his favoriie route.
Sd. A gran,by the Government Of the un-
sold land along the route, propose, would
be as valuable as a grant the same width along
Whitney's route, there being much good farm
ing land united. rendered valuable by conigu-
Gus Improvements, and enhanced by the loca-
ton of the road. as well as the rich Mineral
land yet reserved from sale.
This subject should be viewed as Of the
highest national importance. Ii is easy for a
scheme Of such magnifcence to enter into the
Imagination; but in order TO carry on and com.
plete so momenious an undertaking, it is all
important TO call into action, men of expert.
ence, of profound practical judgement. that il
may be so conducted as to answer the grea,
and noble purposes for which i, is intended.
l submit to the enterprsing inhabitants of
the North West (who are more particularly in-
teres,ed in this scheme) whether the prelimin-
airy steps already taken by Mr.. Whitney, do
no, evnce such want of sound discretion
and judgement. as is absolutely Incompatible
with permanent and useful construction of
this great work.
] shall submit communication TO Congress
at its next Session. proposing to construct the
Toad for strip Of land along the route fifty
miles wide, believing that strip of tina, width
10 be sfficient, and that il is as much as Con-
giess will be willing to grant.
IL the mean time invite communication
of views upon the subject. from any and all,
who may wish 10 aid and participate in the
construction of the whole. Yours. &c.
IRA b. BRUNS0N.
Prairie dn Chen, July 18th 1915.