Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-09-17

Railroad from Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean.
These articles based upon the reports of Messrs
Breeze and Robt Smith Of Illinois, made during the
last session of Congress, copies Of which also
upon table through the poleness of Judge Wick.
We copy below, sufficient for the present, article
from the New York Ners giving summary view of
the points presented in the able and interesting report
Of Senator Breeze. We do this not for the purpose Ell
Thereof commtting ourselves influencing readers,
unduy in favor of the scheme The work is immense,
and of incalcuable Importance. The question is as
to the practcabiiy feasibility and safety of the plan
proposed for its construction. These are matters
which we desire readers to think about, and to
that end we invite their attention to the subject:
This gigantic scheme when first preached received
with Tdieule and pronounced chimeca IL has however
gradually forced IFS way through doubts and peudces and
is already esteemed by of great intelligence not only
possible, but practicable.
Magical may appear undertaking which to disem-
bowel the everlasting hls-hew down the forests Of ages
and speed itself along the wastes where rolls the Oregon
and sound dashingS' till by
ness Of its iron band the commerce Of the waters of two
is rendered It's perpetual tributary. Fancul may
the picture Of locomotive driving along the
nieminabe western wds, startling the wolf with its shr
whistle and frightening with its deep cough the BufllO herd
ing his native prairie Yet American intellect has
ceived it, aud American enterprise will achieve it.
The Indian will yet be left in despair suppca,e the
Great Spirit 10 his hunting grounds from the white man
devastaons and the red the broad Pacific
lament that IFS blue present eternal barrier
his farther ards the setting sun.
The work is already commenced. Mr.. Whitney intends
to continue and complete it, Senator Breese Of Illinois, the
chairman Of the committee the United States Senate
whom Mr. Whitney's project referred presented
elaborate report, before us which this undertaking
is examined in reference to the following points
The power of Congress subject all
bearings
O. The practcabity Of the proposed work.
The adequacy Of the proposed for its accomplish
of ms To thIS
object
L. The effect of its construction bringing into demand and
enhancing the value OF the public lands in part of the
5. Its effect in extending and promoting agriculture
g. Its effect in the support and means of enargDg
and diveTsifying the manufactures of the country.
Its effect in the development OF the mineral resources OF
the country.
s. Its effect as one of the grea, arteries of intercourse in
extending the internal trade and Of the whole
country.
g. lis effect in extending our commerce with China and
TO- Its consequence fostering the whale fishery the
Pacific
IL. Its great highway of nations at terms to be
H. The effect that would be produced in moral political
and military point OF view
These propositions Ienghi
The length of The road proposed is 2630 miles, reaching from
Lake Superior the Pacific through Of the finest and
fertile soil Of this continent while OF it beyond
Stony Mountains equally barren and worthless The
report says:
The committee are of opinion that, no matter in what
this great subject is viewed commends itself to
Of The Pacific trade with China, India and the distant
and rich islands Of the and export trade the
product of that vast calcareous basin of the Mississippi of
more than 100000 square miles TO be carried on this road
TO and through that from which we are now cut of by
of the globe cannot be estimated
And the committee concludes
In view then of all the premises and Of all the anticipated
results 10 flow fiom the undertaking. if accomplished, the
committee refrain from recommending it to the
tive consideration Of the National Legislature and the coun
try large. By the aid of small portion of the public
LANDS the committee believe that the United States possess
channel Of speedy and safe communication, through which
will pour in continued rich and ferizing stream large
proportion of the commerce of the oriental world.
The estimated cost Of the road is 500 S92 600 this et
mate is based on the calculations OF experienced engineers
bill been introduced the Senate carry the
of the committee the features of which
simple Sec l. authorizes Asa Whitney to build road
from Lake Michigan to the Pacific and for such purpose sets
apart belonging United thirty
miles wide on each side Of the road.
Sec Provides that after the construction OF 20 miles,
and after its completion the whole affair, machinery and all,
shall belong to the United States.
Sec a. Shows the plan by which IT is to be constructed
follows Said Whitney and his associates shall
first proceed and build 10 miles of said road
good substantial manner according TO the best railroad in the
country then the said Whitney and his associates shall have
a right sell for their and benefit all the land
each side Of the first fire miles of said section of road
finished" Aud in like manner as long as the alternate FIVE
miles Of land sufficient 10 provide to construct
miles Of road And security said road shall
be completed the land situated the remaining five miles
States Treasury, and held fund TO construct the road
through the sterile soil west of the Mississippi.
Sec Provides for commissioner TO be appointed by the
United States and paid by Mr.. Whitney, to that the
intentions Of the act fairly carried out.
Sec. 6. If Mr.. Whitney docs not in commence
the road and satisfy the commissioner Of his intentions and
ability to build it, all lands revert the United States,
subject to right of prescription TO the settlers.
Here then the inception by of fellow citizens,
Of undertaking worthy Of the nation and that could
be accomplished by any monaIch of Europe, with all his
wealth and power The attempt take the soil for such
purpose would at create revolution in his domnions
Only this country where the lands public and yet
unoccupied can il be done.
1t will be that the lands furnish the money for
the work. No incorporation is asked, stock jobbing
requisite.
Mr. Whitney builds ten miles Of road then is authorized
sell FIVE miles of land and apply it the miles
of road. IL be done for twenty miles why not for
there scarcely elevation in the surface of the soil of
consequence Ii will bring this city within eight days
Of the Pacific and within twenty-five days of China The
project will be further agtaed and entitled engh
ened consideration Of every citizen.
MAcAULAY, in his address TO the electors of Edn-
burgh, at the hastings, alluded in the following
ner to commerce and this country:
at is my firm belief that the great principle of
freedom Of trade is the real, the sauary antagonist
of 1t is my belief that if in the of
ages shall find nations agreeing to adjust differ
ences by the sword, but by arbitratiOn-that if
the greatest of all evils-hthero perhaps necessary
one but still the greatest of all evils which man has
inflicted upon man. shall disappear from the
world, it will be through the agency of commercial
freedom that such consummaon will be accomplished