Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-09-26
From Bicknell's Reporter.
TfiE RAILROAD TO OREGON.
.Nr. Whitn.ys Enterprise -THc Reporter Of
the Srnric Committee.


Mr. ,rhitn.ys Enterprise --TAc Reporter Of
The !Srnrie Committee.
some days since VIC were favored with
visit by Asa Whitney. Eq., the gentleman
whose s:upendous prcjec, nf n rail road TO Orc
gon, has arrested so much attention, and excl
ted 20 much comment. lie is still quite san
gune upon the subject, and believes the scheme
70 be every way feasible and patriotic. That
til. ,iue will come when such an undertaking.
or one of = character somewhat similar, will no,
only be commended bat prosecuted ,o compile
ton, we do not entertain donbt. But is the
present the auspicous moment, Is tn" country
sufficiently advanced, nd are the advantages.
as depicted by the prof jHci,-S OF this mognlficcn,
af'iir, cpnivAcn, 10 the dangers. difficulties
aud Immense cost These queries have been
di .cu>s in detail by a committee Of The Uni.
ted States Senate. Of which Sir. i,rccsc was
Chairman, and to whom the memorial of Mr..
Whitney vas referred. The rcpor, ofthis Com.
mittce is de .idcdly favorable. The members
ray that the proposition is startling one. and
they ntlicc shc vqri, us points in the ki'o"ing
order -
!. Tire power of congress over the entire
,uS c, in all its hearings.
>. The rraclhabli,y Of the proposed work.
3, The adequacy Of the means proposed for
its accomplishment, and the cxpedieEcy Of up
plying such means TO this Object.
4, Tho effect of its construction in bringing
iGto dcmand. and ehi,aucing in value, the pub.
lie lands in every part the country.
) lis effect in extending and aronfo,mg the
interest of agriculture.
G. Its cfNc' ia the support AND as a means of
rniareiog and divcrsiiying The manufactures OF
the country.
=. Its effect in the development Of the min
eral resources of the country.
s Its effect as one OF the great arteries OF
intercourse in extending the internal trade and
comn,crcc of the whole country.
Its effect in extending our commerce
with China aud the other countries Of Asia, the
eastern Archipelago aud other islands in the
Pacific, and with the countries on the western
COh-t hi INOItn Hnu - 'uNn hWeIWhs
10. Its consequence in fostering the whale
and other fisheries in the Pacific, ,hc bays and
rivers thereof: in extending and protecting
the mercantile marine in those seas ;and thus
forming the most extensive nursery Of seamen
and strengthening the maritime power Of the
United States.
H. It's use as great highway Of nations
serving for purposes of travel and iTausporta
ton. a, rates Of charge nnd transit dulits 10 %
regulated by ourselves, hrng in al re,pcc,
subject to our power and control, cncoutagin,
constant Intercourse, and imNaring TO the cit
zens Of other countries the LIBERAL principle
of our own government.
II, and lastly. The effect that wu,d u
g produced in n norsl, N'lnicnl, and military pon
d cfview To the American Union, Ivy the cor
:, Iruclion Of railroad across Me coutiuent I
q the sror of the Pacific.
;, Congress, they contend, docs poSscss Il,
r. power. With regard 10 the practicabIny OF th
r schemr, we find the following views:
The length of a route tor a railroad tr,an III
i 20 I" on crossing I" ue Missouri river !" 'i'
u 'i'r Navigation "' the COLUMBIA riV"r, has 70
cW,ly been estimated by Colonel Albert a, ,93
"ies ana from The great bend TO the sou'her
shTe of lake Michigan has been estimated, b
y o''nr authority, at 400 mlles-maklng til
i "h!c distance tar the proposed raileead a6a
Is ia
g. -