The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-11-19
MIS- CELLANE EOUS
From the NeU York Eews.
Railroad 10 the Pacific.

railroad 10 the Pacific.
Atthe close of the last session of Congress,
Mr., Asa Whitney, merchant from New York,
presented memorial soliciting from them gran
of the public lands for the purpose of construct
ing Railroad from Lake Michigan to the Pacific
The project was startling ono, and so vast
and apparently chimercal, that few seemed will
ling to grapple with it, or TO entertain it feast
BILE. But the committee to whom the memorial
was referred, and before whom MIR. Whitney ap-
peare3 and unfoded his views, were convinced
of its practicabity, and of the vastaesults which
must follow from it to the country, and according
ly made report in its favor; but the report came
in at the end of the session, when the thoughts
of all were engrossed with the then all absorb
ing topic of the annexation of Texas, and no
further action was had upon the matter
But the plan was not forgotten; those who had
overlooked it at the time of It's first announce
ment, began toreflect upon it when they reached
their homes, and from various sections of the
Union there have been intimations given that
Railroad must be made which shall bind Oregon
to US, and shall render these hardy pioneers who
are now tenanting its territories no longer stran-
gers TO us.
The only feasible mode of doing this, as it ap-
pears to us, is the one proposed by Mr. Whitney.
lie asks from the government grant of land
from the unappropriated public domain, sixty
miles in width, and extending from Lake Mlchi-
gan TO the Pacific. From the sale of this land
proceeds will arise sufficient to constructive road
and as the road advances, the facilities which il
will afford for travel and transportation, viii en-
hance the value and advantages ofthe land in It's
IND i,rbb bo, La, l.
will be found for it, and the proceeds of these
sales will be Immediately applied 10 a further
construction of the road, which, by its own pro-
gress, will be constantly bringing hitherto value
less lands in the market; and will also, by such
means, be constantly supplying the funds requi-
site for its continuation.
The length ofthe Railroad will be about 2400
miles, and the length of tho grant of course will
correspond. Of this land, however, 1t is ascer-
tanned that not more than 100 miles along the
line will be useful for cultivation, the rest being
sterile, and consequently OF little marketable va
lue; and when it is considered that the cost of
this road will be at least fifty millions of dollars,
exclusive OF the outlay necessary to keep it in
repair during the time which must unavoidably
elapse during its construction, and before much
revenue can be derived from it, the extent of the
grant will seem not far from reasonable.
Perhaps there is no region on the face of the
globe better adapted TO this purpose, than that
through which il is contemplated TO run the
track From Lake Michigan to the Missouri
there is a successor of unduating praires, by
following the ridges Of which, the rails of the
road can be laid at comparatively trfng expense,
and with scarcely any digging. There are no
rocks be blasted, no high hills to be cut away,
or deep vallies to be filled up. All is smooth
and level, and the soil easy to be worked and
the bridges to be constructed will be over rivers
SO far up towards their source, that the depth
even Of The largest (Which are the Miss uri aud
the MssssippD does not exceed from eighteen
inches TO two feet. From the Missouri to the
Rocky Mountains, the face of he-country is le-
vel, only interrupted by the unduldtions Of the
prairie, and the ascent from the Missouri 10 the
highest elevation of the Rocky Mountains, thro'
The recently discovered pass, is but little more
than six feet per mile. In fact, the ascent is so
gradual, and the width of the pass SO great, (be-
ing about go miles, that those passing through
arc only aware that they have reached tho noun
tains, and are passing through them by seeing
their dim outline in the distance on either side,
and by discovering that the waters Of the differ
ent rivers which had hitherto flowed to the east
to the Missouri, had changed their course and
we're flowing TO the Pacific.
On examining the surveys made by Lieut. FIRE.
mont, and the statements derived from hm,there
can be no doubt that the whole face of the coun-
try lying between the Missouri and the Pacific
on the route pointed out by Mr.. Whitney. offers
the greatest facility for the construction of such
aioad,
The advantages 10 be derived by the country
at large from the success Of this great enterprise
will be vast. The advance Of the Rrroad will
not only enhance the value Of the land within
the line Of its grant, but by il demand will be