The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-06
RAILROAD TO OREGON.
WAsHISGTos, February 4,

WAsmSGroS, February 4, ls46.
To the Editor of The Union ......
SIR: noticed in your paper Of last evening let
ter addressed 10 you by Mr.. Peter Won Schmidt
claiming 10 be the originator OF plan for rail-
road TO The Pacific, similar TO the project proposed
by me, and says his plan presented to the Pres
ident in 1912, and has slept since.
| had decided not 10 reply To any claimants for
priority, there several, and their obi Get not
defined, and as mine is the first and only project
presented in de6nite form to the people.
As to the priority Of the idea Of communication
with the Pacific across our continent, we must all
give place TO Humboldt, Mr.. Jefferson, and others.
who are now past the petty strfes and leelousles OF
| this life, have read their views when boy, and
my mind dwelt upon the subjecf, as connected With
our destiny and in $780, after passing over and ex-
aiming the Liverpool and Manchester railroad I
saw clearly that the mode and means was near at
hand to hasten, Il not accomplish, that destiny and
A dinner party at the house Of Mr.. Welies banker
in Paris, think, without reference,) the 9Th Of
January, 1881, declared not only what has siucc
been verified by railroads, but that railroad would
be our means OF communication with the Pacific,
and what would be its results l was then laughed
| at, as have been since. In 1872 on my way 10
China IN the Chinese seas, on the 9th OF October,
we fell in with an English barque from Singapore
The captain gave us Singapore paper dated 3Gh
peace with China, from which time date M" res
ent project. | remained in China ill April. iSft,
during which time sought every opportunity, and
made every effort, 70 gain information. OF the COM
merce, not only Of China, but fall Asia, with avew
to this project. And since my return in September
1854, have devoted al my time and attention to il,
fully believing ! had mat,red plan which must
succeed, and being ifirsiy original With me- not
having ever rsd OF hoard of the idea Of railroad
|to the Pacific in any way, shape, or form.
On the 18th January, 1886, presented memo
rial to both houses Of Congress, setting forth my
project, and asking for grant Of land for its accom-
plishment. IL was acted upon in Congress ; n com
mittec reported upon and in favor Of il. .7H was
made public-spread over the whole land. My ex-
ploraiion Of part Of the route was also made pub
lie, as have been all my acts. have devoted all my
energies to bring this important subject before the
public. ! have taken all the responsibility upon
myself and subjected myself to the sneers of many,
| and to being called visionary and enthusiast by
many more Still have persevered believing it
must succeed at last, while those gentlemen have
kept in the back ground. No has ever 9th re-
centy) 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 il will succeed. Public opinion ia
turning in It's favor fast. do not claim patent for
it, though have felt myself the originator, and do
feel myself the originator of the first matured pro-
ect and have felt that some ones whole life must
be given up, yes, sacrificed to it, il could not sue
coed. have felt my whole life nothing 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 cond
| tions-yes, without Compensation it they please.
Gentlemen forth with claims, but not one pro-
poses plan pedgng his whole efforts to sustain
and establish il. know not, is il my business
to seek, their object. II they wish the work DONE
they should come forth to my aid, or produce pro-
iect of their own and il more feasible than mine,
pledge myself TO its support, whether dated in $780,
1899 and 81, 1842, or "forced before maturity" by
the appearances Of my project or today and let this
be for one and all who NAV have mr. IN haze
claims, that have no jealousies. do not claim a
patent. My whole efforts In this work intended
| for the good Of my country and of mankind and
let them, and ALL forth with their projects
or come IN my aid; there is and will be room for all,
| and each will receive from his country his just, re-
ward. The work must and will be done -.
.. Your obedient servant. ..uu
,a#.t A. WHITNEY.