Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-07-05


To THE EpIToR:-Mr. Asa Whitney of
New York. who has projected the Railroad
from Lake Michigan to Oregon, is now at this
place on his route viewing the country. as TO
the feasibility Of ire work. He says the
beauty Of Jhe country, the fertility Of the soil
and the naisral adaptation Of the country to The
work contemplated, so far exceed his most
sanguine expectations, that he is perfectly as
,onished. And had any man, even one OF The
highest reputation, ted hm before he left New
York of what he has seen between This place
and Lake Michigan. he could no, have given
him full credit. but should have suspected
some illusion. or motive Of speculation vas a,
the bottom Of il. Indeed lie displays but fair
specimen Of the East In this matter; for how.
ever beautiful and rich the people there may
think this country TO be, none seem TO have
adequate ideas Of il ill they see il for them.
selves.
The route M. Whitney has taken has cha
grinej some of the good people south OF H..
they being disappointed that he does not deem
the route by their door the best and most feast.
bic, il not the orly practicable one TO be found.
BIZ, when his views and plans are duly consid-
cred, The impartial and uninteresed will APP
preciaie his course.
/. II this road is ever built and pu, into op.
GRAFTON, It's terminus on Lake Michigan must
be at n place where there is Sufficient harbor
Tor the hundreds Of vessels which mus, neces'
sarily be employed in The carrying trade on the
Lakes.
.. IL England continues TO hold the Cana
das. or il ,hoy become independent States, 10
either case, our Government must and VIII
have a Naval Depo, some where on these up
per lakes; and certainty no place would be so
likely 10 share that honor as the terminus OF
this railroad. But glance at the map, as
well as the personal knowledge OF all who
have seen tho rivers on The western shore oil
The Lake, at once settles the point tina, there
is no River or Bay south Of Green Bay, OF
suflieien, capacity for this purpose. And the
country south Of Green Bay no where affords
a sutiicien, quantity Ct timber for such pur-
pose. That Bay, therefore. is the only prae-
llcable point on thai lake aifording a sufficient
harbor and sufficient timber fof Naval or even
a Commercial Depot.
,. He contempls,os making this road out OF
the public lands granted for that purpose
But any aud every route south OF the Fox and
Wisconsin rivers must be through lands
crea, portion Of which. aud especially the best
and most salssble. are already in the hands OF
individuals, and of course. cannot be aprropTi'
a,ed by Congress for thar purpose. Hence
the necessity OF taking a route through lands
unappropria,ed: and ftem Green Bay TO this
place, on the north Of the Fox and Wisconsin
rivers. the lands being yet mostly IN The hands
Of Government, this route offers the greatest
Inducements for his enterprise.
4. {, is an obj-o. Of grea, Importance to lay
this road &C a ToUIe which would oler the
creates, oaural tasili,ies-eross the fewes,
streams, aud Of course have the least biidges,
ar viadGcis---,he least gradiugs Of hills and
valleys, aad also The least liabilities to dam
eye ood the expense Of repairs. Now from
Green BAY west. on lhe north Of Fox river, but
few streams intervene 10 the Wisconsin,; and
from the Wisconsin. either at The Portage or
above the Dells. one conuauons ridge can be
had 10 this place without single rivole' TO
cross the track. and through coneiTy as rich
10 soil and ,eineTals, aud more abundant 10
timber ,ban any roeie TO be found scpth oCh.