Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-11-25
miscellaneous.
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.
ADDRESS of ASA WHITNEY, Esq.
Delivered before The General assembly Of The State
Of Vermont.
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE SENATE.

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen IL come be-
fore you to explain project for u railroad from
Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean, which, with
the links joining it from the Atlantic, will make
one continued line of Railroad from Ocean to
Ocean Of 1000 miles in extent and which at the
rate of 80 miles per hour can be traversed in less
than five days.
In order that you may the more clearly under
stand my explanation, see our position on the
Globe compared with the other parts of the
earth, and see the object and intent of this
great work-that of bringing the commerce of
all Europe with all Asia across our continent |
have prepared skeleton map, to which ! beg to
refer you. The maps which we have studied
from, have been made with particular regard to
the position Of Europe-Europe Asia and Afri-
CO placed together, and our continent one side OF
ell, as if of no Importance; while here you will
see, by this map, that we are in the centre of ALL
Europe lies on the one side with 250,000,000 of
souls, and all Asia on the other side of us with
100000 900 sous, the calm Pacific separating US
from the latter, and the more stormy Atlantic be-
tween us and Europe. You will also see that the
population and the commerce of all the world is
on this belt of the Globe which makes straight
line across our continent.
Mr. Whitney here explained on his map the
position of the different commercial points both
in Europe and Asia, as directly connected with
his project, making Its Importance clear to all
who heard him. He then said-In order that
you may understand the whole subject, | will
explain the origin and progress of the project.
presented memorial 10 the last session of
the 28th Congress, praying that 60 miles wide Of
the public lands might be granted or set apart to
furnish means to construct Railroad from some
point on Lake Michigan TO the Pacific Ocean,
representing the object and great importance of
the proposed work, and setting forth the plan by
which 1t could be carried out--that of connect
ing the sale aud settlement OF the land appropri-
ated, with the building Of the road. Said me-
mortal was referred TO the committee on Roads
and Canals, and unanimous report was made
in its favor.
During the summer OF 1916, with company
Of young gentlemen from several different states,
i explored and examined part Of the route
My object was TO examine the soil and surface,
and ascertain if that part of the route Then not
fully known,) was feasible for a Railroad if the
lands would be likely to sell and SETTLE and pro-
duce means for the work if materials, timber,
stone, &c. could be had on the route, and if the
streams could be brdged, and where. The soil
and surface far exceeded my expectations CIV
ing far more favorable route than any other
part OF the globe found timber on the border
OF the Lake, and little 80 miles west of the Mis-
siss;ppi; then there is none on to the Rocky
Mountains. found stone probably sufficient
for bridging the streams, which can be bridged
the Mississippi at or near Prairie du Chene,
and the Missouri al or above Council Bluffs, but
at no place below that point.
At the commencement of the goth Congress
again presented memorial praying the same OBJ
ject, which was referred to the committee on Pub
lie Lands in the Senate, The subject was thor
oughy eSamined in all its bearings, aud the COM
lnlltee unanimously reported in its favor and in
troduced bill granting the land prayed tor.-
Thebill passed 10 a second reading, and was or
dered printed with the report; but no further ac-
ton was had at that session.
During the last session. the committee, though
composed in part of different members, wus u
unanimous in its favor; but it being short ses-
sion, with the Mexican war and other exciting
subjects, action was prevented.
Strong expressions have been made through
out the country-by the public press almost uni
versally-by public meetings in many of our
large cities, and resolutions BY Legislatures of
several etates, six having by almost unanimous
vote approved of the project and instructed and
requested their delegates in Congress 10 vote for
it. Still the work is SO large. promising such
vast results, that the mind in many instances is
frightened from fair investigation of the pro-
ject or the simplicity of the work ITSELF
hope IN examining this great subject that COM
parison with all other works or projects will be
abandoned or excluded from the mind, as no
such comparison can justly be made. Here is
no stock to be subscribed to, and no dividends
10 earn the route an entire wilderness, the earth
the capital stock, and the labor of man applied
thereto to bring forth the abundant means for its
accomplishment ] start upon the ground that
no work, no enterprise, is too great or too mag
nifcent when dependen! alone upon the labor of
man for It's accomplishment, furnishing itself the
sure and sufficient reward for that labor.
The first consideration for any work or project
is its feasibility, and means to carry it out
Its feasibility will first explain.
We all know the topos raphy of the Mssssip-
pi Valley or Basin; that from the great Lakes TO
the Cult, and from the Rocky Mountains to the
base of The Alleghanies, is one inclined plane,
without rock, mountain or even hill and without
impedinent to The construction Of a Railroad,
except where the streams cannot be bridged, and
where the bottom lands are too soft tor such
work. From the Lake 10 the fass in the noun
talns, road may be built on straight line by
compass if you please; from the Lake 10 the
Mississippi the grade for any one mile would
not exceed 20 feet. Thence to the Pass in the
mountains, the average grade Is about feet
thence TO the Ocean The route u more difficult,
though perfectly feasible, as may be seen from
the Senate Committees Report, p 4, 5 and &,
l. l. Il