Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-06

Raii Road 10 Oregon.
Mr.. Whtney's project lately submitted to the con-
slderation of Congress for the Construction of road
from Lake Michigan TO the mouth of the Oregon riv-
er, deserves attentive consideration.
This continent from east to west from New York 10
the Pacific at the Oregon River, Is about three thou
sand miles wide. OF this distance have rendered
nearly third easily traversable by steamboat and
locomotive might go eight hundred and forty miles
from New York to the further shore Of Lake Michi-
gan, with facility and despatch
How is the remaining two thousand one hundred
and sixty miles to be managedl MIR. Whitneys pro-
lJect Is an answer to this question. He proposes
railroad to be constructed from Lake Michigan to the
mouth of the Oregon.
That such road is great desideratum, requires
little proof The distance from New York to China,
by around the Cape of Good Hope, is about
seventeen thousand miles, and the voyage there occu
pies from hundred to one hundred and fifty days,
from that to FIVE months The distance from New
York to China, this continent, IS about nine
thousand miles, of which three thousand iraversable
by railroad, would reduce the time to not much
than month or SIN weeks.
That such a road, if it existed, would alone pro-
duce revolution IN trade, is very plain. Can ii ex-
ist This is tie question which would stagger most
people, but which Mr.. Whitney is bold enough to
grapple. He has recently returned from China, and
In the east, mems minds turn to vast schemes.
He suppOses that the road can be built for about
fifty millions of dollars about twenty-five thousand
dollars per mie and is perhaps not very wide of the
mark To this he adds incidental expenses-in all
about sixty FIVE millions.
How is this amount of money to be raised ! If we
were England instead Of the United States, the ques
ton would be nothing very startling. Twelve or IF
teen millions sterling would there be considered
small advance for project so vast in its design,
momentous In its objects. But in our young and
comparatively poor country, the is very different
How shall it be done!
NJ al. a. of
United States shall give him tract of sixty miles
width, from Lake Michigan to the mouth of the Ore
gon, condition that he makes the road. The road
itself is to be free, subject only very light tolls,
and the only benefit that Mr.. Whitney is to derive
from 1t will be the surplus of the lands left after
pleting the road.
Mr.. Whitney says:
being built from the public lands the road should
be free, except far sufficient for the necessary
expenses of keeping 1t In operation, repairs, &C.;
and your memorialist believes that at very low rate
of tolls, sum would be gained sufficient after all
current expenses, to make handsome distribution for
public education and as part Of the earnings of the
road will be from foreign commerce, your memorialist
begs respectfully to submit the subject TO your wise
consideration.
''Your memorialst respectfully further represents
to your honorable body, that, from the knowledge he
procure he finds that the lands for long distance
east of the mountains are of little no value for cul
mountains they would also be of very little if any
value and therefore your memorialist satisfied that
1t will require entire tract of sixty miles In width
from near to Lake Michigan the Incorporated
lands commence TO the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, in
view of all the important considerations here set FORTH
your memOriast is induced TO pray that your honor
able body will grant to himself, his heirs and assigns,
such tract of land the proceeds of which to be strictly
and faithfully applied to the building and completing
the said road-always with such checks and guaran-
tees to your honorable body shall secure faithful
performance of all the obligations and duties of your
memoriaiSt and that after the faithful completion
of this great work, should any lands remain unSold
or any moneys due for lands, any balance of mon
eyS received for lands solo, and which have not been
required for the building of this road then all and
every of them shall belong to your memoriast, his
heirs and assigns forever"
We have not sufficiently considered this matter to
pronounce definitely on the merits Of tho cbenNbut
that 1t is of great national interest, and that Mr.
Whitney deserves well of his country for presenting
it so clearly to view, is to very certain.
The request seems great one, but then as I'M
derstand it, Mr. W. desires control whatever over
the road when completed He leaves it, when finish
ed, prodigious national work.
Then to the grant of the land, sixty miles by
three thousand, seems ''monstrous cantle' in the
earths surface but great portion of it is pure desert
and another portion mountains. What the real value
of such tract would be- over and above the sixty
five millions of dollars which the road is to COST we
are altogether at a loss TO say.
About one thing there be no doubt, that Con-
gress should order at the survey which Mr..
Whitney solicits, from Lake Michigan to the mouth
of the Oregon. While we are proceeding to lay out
lands in the Oregon Territory, may well exhibit
some prudence with our spirit, and take of the
means to protect our young empire.
We commend MIR. Whtney's plan to general con-
sideraton. 1t is the idea of bold and enterprsing
man, and pregnant, we are satisfied with great
things