The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-11-14
From the Ohio Statesman.
MIR. Whitney's Grand Project.

fH. I.. From the Ohlo Statesmah.
Mr.. Whitney's Grand Project.
Wementioned in our last paper, that Mr.. Whit
ncy, the protector of the Atlantic and Pacific Rail
road, was at Cincinnati, for the purpose oi laying
his plan before the Board of Commerce, at that
place. Since then, we learn from the Cincinnati
papers, that meeting of the Board was holden on
Thursday evening, at the Merchants Exchange,
which was attended by an immense concourse of
citizens, who, 1t appears, took lively interest in
Mr.. w. IS magnificent scheme. The Enquirer and
the Gazette contain sketches of the remarks of Mr.
w. on the occasion.
He commenced by saying that the attention Of
the country has been turned to several parallel
lines of railroad, connecting the Atlantic coast
with the Western valey-nanely, the New York |
and Erie, the Pennsylvania, the Baltimore and
Ohio, and the Charleston and Mississippi routes.--
DELAYS and difficulties have retarded these, but the
commencement of railroad to the Pacific ocean
would force their completion.
For such an enterprise, no stock, no subscrip-
tions are necessary. As soon as the Government
win make grant ofits vacant lands, the work will
commence, and the sale and settlement OF lands
will complete and protect the road
The project has been before the pubic for two
wears, aud at The last session of Congress- the Sen
ate Committee on Public Lands, composed Of
Messrs. Breese ofillinois, Morehead of Kentucky,
Woodbridge Of Michigan, Ashley Of Arkansas,and
Chalmer of Mississippi, reported bill to set apart
,.la axustl. bfnts t<, Cnn-
struct railroad from Lake Michigan to the Pacific
ocean, accompanied by favorable report. Mr.
w. remarked that he had explored 800 miles of the
route, and found the lands and materials suitable,
valley without mountains, &c,
| Mr.. w hoped that the road would be done in
fifteen years, although the Committee of the Sell
ate estimated the time at twenty years. The mo-
ment It should be commenced the enteTprize OF
the world would be drawn to it. The present pop
ulaton of the United States is about 20, Geo 600.
If the population should be doubled in twanty
years, we might expect that ten million would be
in Oregon or the line of this road land that would
be quite sufficient to complete and protect it.
There was a necessity for immediate action
The road must be built from lands, and these are
rapidly being sold. The President has advertised
the sale OF extensive tracts next March Besides,
it is moi now political question. Unless there Is
some action next winter, it may be prejudiced or
lost BY Presidential election. The completion
of the road necessary to make the lands OF value
With few exceptions, they are destitute of timber
and without navigable streams. Reached by a
railroad, they would become habiable, until tim
Der can grow, Forum ately, however, coal is to
be found at various places along the whole route
before aud beyond the Missouri bend, IN the noun
, tains, and through Oregon. The Missouri river
9 cannot be relied upon as communication. Those
living l50 miles from St. Louis cannot convey
, wheat to that market with profit. The Govern
ment has paid $3 hundred to transport provisions
Q to Council Bluffs The Missouri is the wash OF
e the prairies-spring rains and melted snow make
il navigable for scarcely three months IN the year
: Col Long says that by constant removal OF snags
Q the navigation may be made less dangerous, bu
. never good. iA'
, The road will be 1900 miles in nearly straigh
J; lins-the whole distance is estimated at abou
T. 240o miles,
i As to Pacific harbors, Mr.. Benton considers tha
e of the Columbia as good as New York. Fuca
thought by many to be superior to all others on tn
10 coast, while San Francisco is admitted to he sat
e and spacious Congress can determine the Yves
3 tern terminus, as from the South pass, the tw
points are about the same distance and equally fea
At sible. ,.s- e.J
10 The whole expense of the railroad is estimate
" at $40 900, ,OOO The number of acres 10 the pre-
n posed gran, is s2,Ooo,ooo. Lake Michigan is tn
starting point on account of the for It's cor
d struction, &c. s,essas ~
!. Ohio is the middle State of the Union. The A
: lantic roads must pass through Ohio to connes
ID with the Prci6c railroad. Asia will be vast maj
IS ket for western produce. Ten or twelve millior
rs Of bushels Of Indian corn--or meal from them
Ks might be taken to China Now vessel, to avoi
al the adverse winds Of the Equator, must leav
10 New York in March. Arrived on the coast
is Asia, 4 return Is impractcable before Decemb,
in or January, from the same cause. while the who
ID voyage requlrssio four months more. making twel,
4, months for single trip 70 the East Indies Boi
u the road, and you can GO 10 Shapghi from Londc
10 in fhwty-one dsys-from New Yark in t,oesfy-o,
Q. days Tho Chinese trade would be unlimiied,