Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-03-21
For the Gazette.
BuRI,sc row. ROW, Match 10, 1916.
To Col. PETER Won SCHMIDT,
Civi Engineer,

BURLINGTON, March III, lS4O.
To Col. PETER Won SCHMIDT,
Civil Engineer,
Washington City.
SIR:-I have received the Union Of
the Sd ultimo, containing yout card upon
the subject OF what is so extensively knows
as Mr.. Whitney's great rail road scheme;
and you refer to me as having knowledge
OF certain facts connected with suggestions
of your own, given TO me in 1912, and BY
me laid before the President of the United
States.
l have not (as you appear to suppose
by your card) the papers now Ly me, but
as near as can remember, will proceed
TO state the facts-the truth of which can
be readily determined hereafter by the pa
pers themselves.
The synopsis you have given in your
card embraces the main points Of your plan.
The settlement of the Territory of Oregon.
instead Of being carried ON simply by &C.
caslonal emigrants, was to be regularly
systematised. A main route was first to
be laid down ~ United States Engineers,
and the land for a few miles on either side,
surveyed. Certain portions Of this land
were 10 be given to settlers, and as fast as
one hundred notified the government OF
their readiness 10 em;gra,e, they were to
proceed westward, accompanied by COM
handing officer, selected from West Point,
and physician. Each man was to be
provided with a good rifle, &C.; and when
a proper location was found for town, a
flock house was to lie erected and meas
ures taken by the company, themselves for
their own government. The next hum
dred were to be confined to the main route,
and obliged e go on to the next good town
location. If / rightly remember, you also
required of emigrants taking land by gift,
to sign pledge Of total abstinence from
spirituous liquors; though the surgeon of
the corps was to be provided with good
brandy, alcohol, &c., to be used only by
his advice.
The commander was to drill the cotnpa-
ny regularly, and keep them constantly
prepared TO defend themselves ii attacked,
no matter whence the attack should come.
You also waived the care Of these eo;n-
panies resting Upon the United States gov
ernment in case Congress objected thereto;
and as substitute suggested that certain
portions of the land on the main route
should be given 10 company; provided
said company should furnish sufficient
number OF emigrants TO carry on the pre-
gressive settlement with the required ra-
pidity! The balance of the land was to
be thrown into market, as usual.
The object, it will be at once perceived;
was TO ensure a rapid, permanent and har.
dy settlement, in continuous line from
the Mississippi to the Waters Of the Pa
cifc; and so fortned that the inhabitants
should carry with them; and dwell under,
bur free institutions. hazard nothing In
saying that am well satisfied il govern
,tiens had then adopted your views, the
progressive settlement would, long before
this, have crossed the mountains, and been
ready TO pour down into the vallies Of the
Western Ocean, troops enough to seciife
forever either the 49th or 54th degree
north. .apH aesa sY'ssss
As the eniigtants Of the company we're
to pay the expenses Of the officers, the
cost TO the government would have been
no greater than is now required 10 survey
and bring into market any portion of pub
lie land; while the communication between
the atlantic and the outihost settlement,
would have been rapid, constant and con-
tinuous. The new companies would also
have been able to have supplied themselves
with almost any articles required and at
any point, between the place whence they
SHOULD Start, and the spot oi their final To-
cation. The tedious and dangerous voy-
age doubling Cape Horn would have be-
come unnecessary, and the government
would at all times have been speedily in
formed Of any difficulties threatening the
frontiers. $500 ,.s.f
While England and English capitalists
have been holding out every Involvement
to the emigrants through the fur traders,
our government has set snpinely BY with
folded arms, waiting the current ofevents. :
Instead Of rising in our majesty and giving
the matter direction and impetus which
See John Jacob Aster's letter to Mr.. Mon.
soey dated Februsry, 1sf3:' sal
anas ID as fs5a&GEa - .s6 fsaae8a9AS ST.