The Arkansas banner., 1846-03-04
RAILROAD TO OREGON.
WASHINGTON. Febrnayu i .1S

To Me Editor of the Union:
 Sir-I noticed in your paper of last eve ming letter addressed to you by Mr. Pete Von Schmidt, claiming to be the originate of plan for railroad to the Pacific, simi lar to the project proposed by me, and say. his plan was presented to the President ii l842 and has slept since
 had decided not to reply to any claim ants for priority, as there are several, anC their object not defined, and as mine is the first and only project presented in definite form to the people.
 As to the priority of the idea of a com. munication with the Pacific across our con- tinent, we must all give place 10 Humboldt Mr. Jefferson, and others, who are now past the petty strles and ealouses of this life. 1 have read their views when boy, and my mind dwelt upon the subject, as connected with our destiny; and in 1880, after passing over and examining the Liverpool and Man chester railroad, l saw clearly that the mode and means was near at hand to hasten. if not accomplish, that destiny; and at a dinner party at the house of Mr. Weles, banker, in Paris, think, Cwithout refercnce1 the 8th of January, 1881, l declared not only what has since been verified by rail- roads, but that railroad would be our best means of communication with the Pacific, and what would be it's results. l was then laughed at, as have been since In l842, on my way to China, in the Chinese seas, on the 27th of October, we fell in with an English barque from Singapore. The cap tain gave us a Singapore paper, dated Seth September, 1942, which gave the first ac- count of peace with China, from which time date my present project l remained in China, till April, 1844, during which time, l sought every opportunity, and made every effort, to gain information of the commerce, not only of China, but of Asia, with view 10 this project. And since my return in September, 1844, have devoted aH my time and attention to il, fully believing had ma- tured plan which must succeed, and being entirely original with me, not having ever read or heard of the idea of a railroad to the Pacific in any way, shape, or form.
 On the 28h January, 1915, presented 9 memorial to both Houses of Congress, set ting forth my project, and asking for grant of land for its accomplishment It was act ed upon in Congress; committee reported upon and in favor of 1t. .4H was made pub llc-spread over the whole land. My ex- ploration of part of the route was also made public, as have been all my acts. have devoted all my energies to bring this important subject before the public. l have ,aken all the responsibility upon myself, and subjected myself to the sneers of many, and to being called visionary and enthusiastic by many more. Still have persevered; believ- ing it must succeed at last, while those gen. tlemen have kept in the back grotnd. No one has ever {till recently asserted any claim, or come forth to my support; their voices have not been heard. have alone brought the project before the public in such a manner that it will succeed. Public opin- ion is turning in its favor fast. do not claim a patent for 1t, though have felt myself the originator, and do feel myself the the orig inator of the first matured object; and have felt that some one2s whole life must be giv- en up-yes, sacrificed to tor 1t could not succeed. have felt my whole life as noth- ing compared with the great results to be produced ask for no patent, and claim none. have rendered my whole life, with my project, to the people, without condl- tions-yes, without compensation, if they please. Gentlemen come forth with claims, but not one proposes 2 plan pledglng his whole efforts to sustain and establish 1t. l know not, nor is 1t my business to seek, their object If they wish the work done, they should come forth to my aid, or pro duce project of their. own; and if moro feasible than mine, 1 pledge myself to its support, whether dated in 1920, 1882 and '37, 1842, or 'siorced before maturity" by the appearance ef my project, or to-day;- and let this be for one and all who have, or pretend to have claims, that ] have no jeal- ouses. do not claim patem. My whole efforts in this work are intended for the good of nay country and of mankind; and let them, one and all, come forth with their pro- jecfs, or come to my aid; there is and will be room for all, and each will receive from his country his just reward. The work must and will be done.
 Your obedient servant,
 A. WHITNEY
 ~