Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-02-15
A MAGNIFICENT PROJECT
2tco Asoasand lEllcs If Railroad---IHc Roasc
10 CHM 7edaced 70 81 days.

70 CHM 7edaced 70 81 days.
j The project Of a work, the most stupendous
of ancient or mofde1n times, is soon to be
submitted to the attention of Congress and the
country, by Mr.. Whitney, a distinguished
merchant Of New York. who. from very
high order of Intelligence and experince, ard
lie investigation that lie mas bestowed upon
tie subject, deserves 70 have his opinions and
Representations treated With more than ordina-
~ dearence.
Tne euerpslso contemplates the cons'ruc-
ton OF a railroad f1om The western shore Of
Lake Michigan. in direct line through 10 the
Columbia River, covering distance Of some
200 miles, which shall be the point Of de-
barkation for China.
The COS! Of the road. when completed, is
estimated al. fifty millions Of dollars, and
twenty five years would be required 10 perfect
the scheme. Eight days would be about the
travelling time fiom New York city to the ter
minus Of the road, and if steam facilities were
employed some twenty. i've more would con.
yey che to Annoy, in China; so that b. this
short cat. journey across the globe might be
accomplished within the narrow limits Of
single month.
by The establishment of this means Of cen.
t1hHitailOiIb VIC sIOuId DG GudblGu 70 StIniDdUU
The Chinese market, and TO exlen4 our com
merce with South America, Mexico, India and
other parts.
And in addition to the vas, results tina, would
necessarily ensue from such a work, by the
force oil circumstances, we should secure the
transportation Of the English trade, on account
OF tie great shortening Of time. The siortes.
voyage on record between England and China
was made in eighty five days. and the passa-
ges average nearly four months Adopting
The premises laid down, cargo nigh, be ship
ped from China via the u. States. and land
ed at the Liverpool docks within fifty days.
The long discussed project of the English
Government, for constructing railroad across
the lsihmus Of Snez, will in all probability be
abandoned, inasnuch as it wonId not short,
en- The disfante Of tho overland route TO Chins.
and only lessen the time Of communication
some twenty-five hours, which would not re-
compense the heavy outlay that would be nec-
essary. England has then no means Of cur.
failing the route to China, but through Russia.
which, from the nature Of climate and soil.
would at least be questionable enterprise,
were there not the nsuperable difficulty Of o.
tanning the assent Of Russia, and the jealousy
Of the increase Of British power and domin.
ibils ANtCGo5iAy "uulN mus CDihpBl IH8i dlI
to follow in our tracks, as being most eNpedi.
llous and certain, and to employ our railroads
and vessels f5r transporting her commerce; or
else she would 10 driven from the riches.
and most unlimited market Of the world.
All The cooperation and assistance that Mr..
Whitney asks Of the Government. is a grant of
sixty miles wide of the public land, from one
terminus of the contemplated road 10 the other
far ,ubt.b G., o,,lJ ha
in carrying the mails and transporting amuni.
ton, stores, soldiers, and all public matters,
free Of cost.
Such is general and imperfect outline Of
this vas, and comprehensive scheme, which is
very hastily submitted, that the views Of others
more competent 10 the task may be olicited.--
So far as Tho destiny Of our country is con-
cerned and the perpelua,ion Of free institutions
is to be regarded, the accomplishments Of such
work would do more TO elevate the first aud
10 revert the other. than the united efforts Of
our whole people for century TO come. II,
would not only give US The command but place
us five hundred years in advance OF tho civill-
zed world, with the various resources Of sci.
enco, genius, energy and Intellect that would
be evoked under its operation. With the arms
Of bold and enlerpHsing people like ours,
sHetVHlhE from oStdu 10 oCeaH, anu Neth ;
journey from one shore to the other. with a
sufficient Navy in the Atlantic and Pacific. and
the grea, markets Of tho world inviting Us 10
enter, with the facility of procuring in!otma,
ton from India and China sixty days in adj
vance Of all par, of Europe which completes
with our trade and manufacture, what nation
on The face Of the earth has the power toresist
our onward marehl And who is there rash tn.
ough to prescribe the boundaries Of Ameti.
can power or TO measure the length Of he; des
tiny!