Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-01-14

then in a state of progress, would be COM
pleted by other means. These expecla-
lions have been disappointed. They IN
duced Congress, however, to mention
Brandon, instead Of Jackson, as the start.
ing poiut of the road. The consent of
Congress has only been obtained to the
application of the twenty-five thousand
dollars to this intermediate link. Her
consent should be asked to the use of so
much of the two per cent fund as is ne
cessary to complete the railroad from
Jeckson to Brandon; or in other words,
the consent of Congress should be obtain
ed for commencing the road at Jackson,
instead of Brandon. And in anticipation
Of this consent being had, the Legislature
ought at once TO make such provision as
will ensure the most economical and spec
DIV application of the money. | invite
the speedy attention Of the Legislature to
the several memorials from this State, and
the final action of Congress in relinqush-
ing the two per cent fund. 1t will be
seen that the State asked, and Congress
relinquished il to this particular road.
The scheme of connecting the Atlantic
with the Mississippi river, by means of
railroad, is one of vast magnitude ana will
Doubtless engage the early attention of the
Legislature.
Rejecting the idea tina: Congress may
apply the National Treasure to improve.
ments which are only local in their cha.
racter, II is nevertheless true, that works
which are essential to the " common de-
fence" of the cogederated States NAV.
and ought 10 be constructed at the Nation.
al expense. Viewing the contemplated
railroad as a work of this character, do
not hesitate TO advise the Legislature to
make an earnest appeal to Congress to aid
in its construction.
Should the southwestern States be in.
vaded, the road, as means of speedy and
safe transportation Of troops and NUM-
tions of war, would be found of incalcu-
liable advantage 10 the nation at large.
The delays aud dangers incident 10 a
voyage around the Floridas, on The one
hand, and the perplexity OF tedious Saarch
es over land on the other, would be avoid
ed. Army supplies, instead of being sem
down the river when the waters are low
and the delays great, could be forwarded
from the East, and by the same means the
eastern and middle states could be suppli-
ed with safety and expedition from the
south and west.
Ii this country is ever invaded by our
ancient foe, it is scarcely to be doubted
that the southern States will be selected
as the theatre Of his most active opera
tiOns-how essential, therefore that The
means of throwing defence into the coun.
try without danger and without delay,
should be provided as speedily as possible.
Should the Legislature make an address
to Congress on this subject, respectfully
suggest that, instead of asking direct
appropriation of money to this object from
the Treasury Of the Nation, they should
solicit donation Of one-haf Of all the
vacant lands in all the land districts thro'
which the road is 10 pass, to be taken by
alternate quarter, half and whole sections
The magnitude of the work will justify
the Legislature in making the request, and
It's National consequence will, IN my opin
ion, fully authorize Congress in granting it
A donation thus liberal will ensure the
success of the enterprise, and give us the
means of specify concentrating all our
dofences, which will, Of itself, be more
terrible TO an army than millions of sol.
diery scattered over the broad extent of
our country.
At what point the railroad approaching
from the Atlantic should strike the Missis-
sissippi river, must be left, of course, to
the decision of those who furnish the
means for its construction. 1t may not be
amiss, however, for us to suggest the rea-
sons why Vicksburg should be selected as
the most proper point. In the first place,
the road from Vlcksburg to Jackson is
completed; it is, to be sure, in the hands
of private company, but the construc-
ton of the road is the question OF primary
importance to whom it shall belong is
onlv secondary. In the second place. the
grading on the line from Jackson to Bran
dun is completed. In the third place, a
survey of the route from Brandon TO the
Alabama line has been made, and the cost
of constructing this part of the work esli-
mated at only SI,083, 426; and fourhly
the two per cent fund amounting 10 with
in a fraction Of three hundred Thousand
dollars, has been appropriated to this road
Is it assuming too much TO say that Mis-
sissippi in asking the relinquishment o
this fund to this particular object. and
Congress in granting it, decided that Vicks
burg should be the point where the road il
TO intersect the river. The two per cent
fund in the State Of Alabama, amounts t.
$4,000, and one. half Of it has been re
linquished to the construction Of the roat
through that State.
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRES OF LAND
The five hundred tn usand acres OF LAM