The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-09-10
From the Public Ledger.
THE OREGON RAILROAD.

lhls is an important project however visionary
10 some minds II may appear Congress will as
semhle at the end of three munths and then Mr..
Whitney, the protector of this great scheme, will
renew his memorial upon it to that budy.-
And as the ensuing session will be the most IA
vorable time for the action of Congress npon the
subject. wish that it may be kept before the
public during the recess. We invite every mem
her elect to study it, and ask the press to throw
upun it all the light within their reach.
.Noio, the railroad could he made from grant
of land. If the project be delayed till after the
sale of the lands required for it, then it would re-
guIre money, raised by company OF association.
Years must elapse, and settlements must move
westward far beyond their present limits, before
individuals would venture their capital in such an
enterprise. And even ifthey would, they would
FrequITe an act OF Incorporation; charter. And
who shall grant one? The power of the Federal
Governmentto grant a charter for such purpose,
even through the national domain, would be de-
MED and none will admit that il could grant
charter to- build a road through State For that
purpose the Intervention of State Legislatures
wOnld he necessary; and before private enter
prise would undertake this project with money,
several new States may be created Westward of
The MISSISSIPPI. To obtain charters from four or
tive different Setes, for such purpose would he
~ slight undertaking.; for political parties would
rise upon the subject, which, in one or all these
ctd'eS, "oulh ntteTly defeat the project. And
even II these difficulties should not occur the lands
over which the railroad ought to pass. al least
those between Lake Michigan and the Msss-
slppi, will be sold. Most of these lands, especi-
ally the first are valuable for settlement, and will
he taken up by settlers or bought by spectators
Therefore no time should be lost by Congress in
ascerialning the praccability of the project and
IN acting upon it and to be prepared for action
at an curly period of the next session, we suggest
TO Senators and Representatives the utility of
studying the subject.
Mr.. Whitney, the protector, asks Congress for
no charter lie merely asks for grant of land
for specific purpose. The Federal government
has The right 10 cede to any individual portion
OF the national domain, and for a specific purpose,
beneficial to the Union, and 20 appoint commits
sloners or other officers To secure the faithful ex-
ecuiion Of such purpose II certainly asserted aud
exercised the power TO build the Cumberland road
who then can doubt lis power TO grant lands for
the construction Of this road II certainly might
contract with an individual or company for build
ing an armory or dock ysrd on the national do
main, and cede to ehe contractor portion Of such
domain as payment for the undertaking. And
what greater power is necessary for the grant
which Mr. Whitney solicts He will build the
road, if Congress will grant the land, and appoint
guardians over the faithful application of the pyo-
ceeds. If Congress will do this, wo may expect