Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-05-29
Oregon Railroad.

We earnestly call the attention of the public gene
rally, and the press particularly, to this great project.
1t is practicable and if successfully prosecuted, 1t
will prove to be the greatest work Of the age. We
hope to see, not only our readers, but the whole coun-
try, inspired with the interest which shall insure the
speedy completion of this magnificent design. The
proverb says that where there is a will, there Is a
way and of this case we add that, since there is a
way, there ought to be a will.
Mr.. A.. Whitley, a gentleman well acquainted with
''the Great West,' and also with the trade of the Pa
cifc and Indian Oceans, is the founder Of this great
project. He is one of those whom the million deride
as Missionaries, because, with their limited vision,
they cannot see those distant objects which such Wis
ionaries distinctly discern through the telescope of
powerful, far-seeing intellect. Columbus was one of
these Missionaries. He was derided for seeing a con-
tinent three thousand miles off, by the wise practical
men of his day, who could see no further Westward
than the shores of Portugal. At the last session. Mr..
Whitney presented a memorial to Congress, asking
for a grant of lard from Lake Michigan to the Mis-
souri, river, a distance of G50 miles, and from that
point to the Pacific Ocean, about 1850 miles, 90 miles
wide on the whole distance, and thus containing about
OF millions of acres; the proceeds of this land being
the fund for building the railroad. He proposed the
appointment of commissioners by the Federal Gov
eminent, with power to dispose of such lands with his
consent, and to apply the proceeds Of them to the
road the commissioners being unable to sell the
land without his consent, and he unable TO apply the
pTOCee0S WITHOUT l0clT CO0Se0I, lUc IWO Nus MUTUALLY
controlling each other for the benefit of the project.
He estimates the cost of the road at 10000 for each
mile, or about $4,000 GOO for the whole. OF this
amount, the lands between Lake Michigan and the
Missouri, % millions of acres, at the governmental
price of 81 % will supply about S3l, 000, 1000; aud
this sum would build 1850 miles of the road, leaving
$50 miles of it to be built from the lands between the
Missouri and the Pacific Ocean.
This distance, at the same rate. would cost ST.
000, COO, and these lands about g 7,O0O,000 acres, at
the same prices, would supply 1891 millions. But
no small portion of the land between the two points
last mentioned are worthless, and another portion,
though worth something. are far inferior TO the lands
between Lake Michigan and the Missouri. We must
add that as the road proceeds, much of the adjoining
land viii command more than the governmental price.
Then we must consider that some portions of the road
will cost more than $4,000 for the mile. But with
all additions and deductions, we may estimate thai
from this grant the projectors may build the road, and
have a surplus of S5,C00,0C0 for their pecuniary re-
ward. With every probable combination in their "a
vor, they could not expect a greater surplus than $40,
100000 and should they receive S20,COO,OC0, i
would be as a grain Of sand in comparison with the
benefits conferred upon the country, by their bold
comprehensive. far-sighted project.
This memorial was referred, in the House, to thu
Committee on Roads and Canals, who, through thei
Chairman, Mr.. Robert Dale Owen, of Indiana, report
ed that the project was worthy of the most serious at
tention, but that, as sufficient time was not then al
lowed for due examination of it, they could not re
commend any immediate, specific action. The Com
mittee added that, while they should not advise over
nasty action upon it, yet as the road should be con
structed by an appropriation of the public dome in
and not of money from the Treasury, and as the pub
lie domain was rapidly appropriated in each succeed
ing year, the plan, if practicable and e~xpedient, shout,
not be delayed. They accordingly recommended thu
subject to public attention during the recess.-Phld
Ledger.