Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-03
INTERESTING EXCURSION.

The expedition promised in the subjoined note
from the gentleman who has conceived the great
project of what may be called the Continental Rail.
way, is certainly very inviting one TO such as
propose to themselves summers travel Such a
trip will not only offer all the usual pleasures of
journey over wide, various, an important, and
littletrayersed region, but couple with il an object
worthy of the attention, and probably The advantage,
of an intelligent company, able, by their diversity
of knowledge, to assist and inform each other to
every thing that may present itself along their route
in geology and other parts Of natural history or
science.
Without pretending as yet to offer any decided
opinion as to the feasibility Of Mr. WHITNEY bold
idea we confess that its mere vastness though sug-
costing to many the notion of its being visionary, by
no means implies, of itself, to us, such conclusion
and any thing but forbids therefore, the prosecu-
ton of careful examination of the possibilities OF
his plan. We know that many much more CON-
petent than we to Judge of the scheme are already
convinced Of its reasonableness.
Certainly, then, since the proposed means Of eff
fecting the object may prove adequate, and, if ade.
quate, dispense with the raising Of capital either
abroad or at home by moneyed subscription; since
the line of lands to be granted by our Government
will derive its value from the execution of the work
ITSELF since the gift WILL if the thing succeeds add
worth to the contiguous territory which will more
than replace to our public domain the price of what
IS to be parted with since, if the plan fail, the
grant is to revert and since, on the other hand, il
Il tha ~ al hon ts
attained must be very great we must ayow our
selves persuaded that the scheme deserves to be
very seriously examined, and by no means utterly
rejected as extravagant
NOT Is y 10 be overlooked that al least the frs
step IN the proposed line of communication seem,
quite practcable-the road from Lake M;cb;oon !,
the Mississlppl-an object highly worthy of be;ne
realized and Tor which the face of the country y
be traversed offers unusual facilities. We 90 n.
posed at present to think that this part Of the
8ject may readily be accomplished by the proposed
means and that probably surplus of resources
might be left that would 90 far towards the remand.
of the work.
WAsHIseroS, Arm "a, Is4s.
Messrs CALLS SRAros It is my intention to pass over
examine and partially survey seven eight hundred miles
the proposed for the Railroad from Lake Michigan to thu
Pacific.
shall leave New York about the Goth May for Green Bay
follow the Lake down Milwaukee thence ives, to the Mis-
sour river, and return by st Louis
Several young gentlemen Of high responsibility and cduca
ton will accompany me, and win please to have
number increased.
The excursion will be pleasant beneficial to health, and
useful in the knowledge to be gained of that country
and should the project for the railroad succeed those who
now accompany be usefuy and advanageousy en-
ploycd in the great work.
II II will please to have young gentlemen Of the
South Join us and shall be happy to communicate with
any disposed.
Truly yours A. WHITNEY,
Al William street, Nc,o York.