The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-02-28
From the st. Louis Reveille.
National Rail Es0nd.

Pacliic ocean, contains many valuable
and important suggestions, which in on
present relations with China will doub,
less receive the grave consideration O
the members OF both Houses Of Con
gtess.
Mr.. Whitney first directs attention t,
the fact, that ali the sintes cas-, and NORTH
OF the Potomac connect directly with the
waters Of the great lakes that there is {
chain of railroad, now in projection from
New York 10 the southern shore Of Lake
Michigan. crossing all the veins Of com.
municaion to the ocean through all the
states south Of the Ohio river and then
goes on to state. that he has paid great
attention TO the subject Of a railroad from
Lake Michigan through the Rockey
Mountains TO the Pacific ocean. The
advantage of such a project he pronoun-
ces incaculable, "(ar beyond the mag
ination of man 10 estimate" Such a
chain Of roads would enable us, he con.
tinues. TO concentrate all the forces of the
country, from Maine to Oregon, at any
given point in the Union, in the short
space of eight days. Mr.. w. speaks
confidently of the completion of the rail
roads from New York 10 Michigan, a
distance of $40 miles, either by private
enterprise or by the states through which
they pass and then offers some valuable
suggestions in relation to- and ,llates on
the advantages Of continuing The railroad
from the latter point to the mouth of the
Columbia river, distance Of 2,l60
miles, making The whole roui from New
York to the Pacific ocean at this point
3000-which could be performed in
eigh. days. The distance from the Co
lumbia river to the Sandwich Islands is
point to Japan $500 miles. Mr.. W.,
after showing The immense advantages TO
be derived from snch project in relation
20 our trade with China, which would
thus be brought within thirty days Of
: New York. Boston and most of our lead.
ing posts-dilates at considerable length
on the feasibility Of such plan. which
would throw open vast field for the en-
igran,. who would gladly embrace the
opportunity afforded by such project,
thus calculating on receiving the reward
for his toll In relation to the poor who
at present overburden all lheAlanlic cities,
and are in wan, OF employment, Mr.. w.
considers his plan kind Of penacea for
all the evils that allicl them. Hear him
self on the subject:
"rhis road will be the great and desira
BILE point of attraction i! will relieve our
cities from vast amount of misery.
vice, crime, and taxation; il will take
the poor unforluna,es to land where
they will be compelled to labor for sub
sisience, and as they will soon find that
their labor and efforts receive a just and
suiTicien, reward, finding them surrounded
with comforts and plenty, the reward of
their own toll, their energies will kindle
into fame of ambition and desire, and
we shall be enabled TO educate Them TO our
systemic industry, prosperity, AMI vir-
tue"
The estimate for such a road he lays
down at $50. 900 000-wiih an additional
sum Of 8 1000, 900 for repairs, &c., and
contends that this would he the only chan
mel !or the commerce of all the western
coast Of Mexicn, and South America, of
the Sandwich Islands, Japan, China,
Manila, Australia, Java, Singapore, Cal.
cu,ta, and Bombay-not only as regards
the trade of The United States, but tho
commerce of all Europe. Mr.. W., after
some further remarks on the general adj.
van.ages of this truly magnificent project,
asks Congress TO order a survey Of the
route and that such may not he consi-
dcred mere 'Ulopian project Offers lo
contract for the same, and prays thai
Congress will grant to himself, his heir.
and assigns, 'Sach tract of land. the pro
ceeds of which To be strictly and faithful
ly applied to the building and complet
ing the said road--always with sucl
checks and guarantees 10 your HONORABLE,
body as shall secure faithful perform
ance Of all the obligations and duties %
your memorialist; and that. after tn,
faithful completion of thus great work
should any lands remain unsoId, aud mo
ny due for lands. or any balance of mo
pey received for lands sold. and whicl
have no, been required in building hi
road. then all and every fhem shall be
long 10 yoor memorialis,, his heirs am
assigns forever N
The connection Of the Atlantic wit,
the Pacific ocean. either by railroad q
canal. is a matter that will very soon ca
I,r,h Tho active .eneryies Of The peoole ,