Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-02-22

Briei mention mas been heretofore made
cf the presentation Of memorial to Con-
gsss frow Asa WHIrsEr, ESQ.,, a mer-
daa 4 New York who has recently re-
turned from China. praying for the grant
dacharter from Congress authorizing the
obstruction of rail road from Lake
Michigan, through the Rocky Mountains,
10 he Oregon Territory, on The shores of
he Pacific Ocean. distance Of 2l6O
niles. The memorial has since ben pub
lled, and from it is derived the follow
ing mice Of Mr.. Whitney's views Of this
project:
He. estimates The cost Of the road at
sus-five millions Of dollars, and thinks it
sria be constructed in twenty five years.
Rsks Of the Government a grant Of sixty
miles vide Of the public land, from one
terminus Of the road to the ether, for
which all return would be made in con-
seJhk the mails, Transporting ammuni
lion. stores, soldiers, &c., free Of cost
The memoralist contends that with such
srailroad the distance from New York TO
he mouth Of the Columbia river. three
thousand miles, could be accomplished in
dsht days; from the Columbia river to
De Sandwich Islands is two thousand one
Kindred miles; to Annoy, in China, the
sarest port to the tea and silk provinces,
. SIX thousand two hundred miles-mak-
lg from New York to Annoy only nine
iAsusana two hundred miles; which. with
ssaii road TO the Pacific, and thence to
china BY steamers, could be performed in
sarty days. being now a sailing distance
q nearly seventcn thousand miles, and re-
curing from one hundred 10 one hundred
nd 6fty days for its performance.
Speaking II the innumerable benefits
xAieh would accrue from such a work
y ne proposes, the memorialist says
Then the drills and shcetings Of Con-
neciicus, Rhode Island, and Massachu-
sezs, and other manufactures Of the United
bates may be transported to China in thir-
y days; and the teas and rich silks Of
lima. in exchange come back TO New
orleans, to Charleston, to Washington, to
baltimore, to Philadelphia, New York,
sad to Boston, in thirty days more.
Comment is unnecessary. Your hon.
cradle body will readily see the revolu-
lion TO be wrought by this in the entire
commerce. Of the world, and that this must
inevitably be it's greatest channel-when
ne nch freights from the waters Of the
a'ssissippi and the Hudson will fill to
eseGowing, with the products of all the
es1h, the store-hcuses Of New York and
New Orleans, the great marts dividing
b commerce Of the world; while each
Siate and every town in our vast confed-
macy would receive its just proportion Of
influence and benefits, compared with its
''canity to, or facility to communicate with.
ny Of the rivers, canals, or rail roads
1ossed by this great road.
would be the only channel for the
eaamerce Of all the western coast Of Mex
% and South America, Of the Sandwich
Japan, all China, Manila. Aus
'sa'ia. Java, Singapore, Calcutta, and Bonn
.y-nOt only all ours, but the commerce
- Europe, to the most Of these places.
es* pass this road. Your memorialist
nssf, because the saving Of time SO
al-'nportant 10 the merchant, from the
and hazardous voyage around either
! ! NE capes, would compel il; and in q
d. yesrs would be built up towns, cities,
q villages from the lake to the ocean,
selcn would alone support the road.
! nay be proper to add that Mr.. VS.
r5eef contemplates the settlement Of the
= ana!y along the s6dte. - the work upon
- rad advances in its progress to-
- lie Pacific. + .ssf7 gss
- Mxico. Capt. Peterson, Of the
q Hnisds, 4 Charleston, from Vera
VIA - ~ A L.