Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-23
PROPOSED MISSISSIPPI ATLANTIC RAILROAD

prise winch has excited much attention In the West
and which can scarcely fail to prove deeply inter-
estlng TO every intelligent citizen who looks beyond
the immediate circle which bounds his own daily
ayocations.
Among the distinguished citizens who have taken
lively interest in this project Of connecting the
Valley of the Mississippi with the Atlantic cities
by continuous and wel-constructed railroad, WILL
LIAM BEBB, the Governor of Ohio, may be number
ed with the most prominent and energetic And,
since the National Government is supposed to be
precuded from attempting many of those useful
works which the public welfare demands, and in
diyidual enterprise is put in requisiton to supply
the deficiency Of Legislative action it is gratifying
to remark that so many of fellow-citizens, who
are happily distinguished by talents wealth, and
commanding station, are ready to take the lead in
every udcious enterprise which the interest of the
nation may demand.-Boston Daily advertiser.
BosroN, OcronER IL, Is47.
DEAR SIR To my suggestion upon that subject you
marked that you would be happy have call upon you
in company with the Hon. Mr. Bowling, Of Indiana when
our views could be fully explained the subject of
railroad from the region Of the Mississippi.
As that gentleman has not yet arrived and my departure
for the West longer be delayed, beg leave to offer
you few remarks upon the subject by letter. which may aid
in calculating views, and yet with the understanding that
you in nowise committed to the views which express
The project of continuous railroad from the Mississippi to
the Atlantic, in which feel especially interested was
set on foot during the last application the
aure of Illinois for incorporate the Mississippi and
Atlantic Railroad Company proposes TO take the rotte of
the National Road, commencing Miosiss;ppi a. 81.
Louis the emporium of Western trade and ravesng one of
the richest and most densey populated regions of the West
through Vandala, Terre Haue Indianapolis and Columbus
to strike the Ohio at Wheeling This selected be-
cause deemed the most direct and practicable and such has
been long the judgment scientific and intel
igent the head OF the United States Department of To-
biographical Engineers Immediately after the announcement
Of project divers others foot by eneprsing
embracing other routes and heartily wish them all
The general attention which has been aroused to
this subject and the spirit with which the numerous pro-
ecors urged forward their respective schemes cooboraie
opinion relative the importance Of the main enterprise whilst
tending IN some degree TO confuse the subject by diversity of
opinion on local points.
The great route, above designated running upon the
line of the National Road from ST. Louis Wheeling is not
only the direct but is probably the strongest and most
practicable. With the exception Of that portion between ST.
Louis and the right bank of the Wabash already sane
toned by legislative action, and the local strength through
the whole route is at this time nearly sufficient construct
and sustain the work The Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
which will soon be completed, terminates Wheeling and
will thus open the entire between the Mississippi valley
and the Atlantic coast.
But New York and Boston interested in the COM
peon of this railway from ST. Louis than Baltimore because
their commercial intercourse with the West is greater and
profitable. An immediate connexion of these two cities
with this great route may be effected by railroad commencing
Columbus the capital of Ohio traversing rich and popu-
ous section of that State through Mason and Cleveland
ntesect the Western railroad at Buffalo This would
81, n
hnuous railroad of twelve hundred and fifty miles From
Buffalo Columbus the distance three hundred miles, and
the local business of the rich country through which railroad
must pass to accommodate its population would alone be su
cien TO warrant its construction This too would perfect
railroad communication between Boston and Cincinnati by the
Miami railroad already completed.
This project then presents these grand features conunc
ton with the local benefits which secured
LIST. railroad connexion between ST. Louis the Mis-
sssPp, and Baltimore by route not exceeding nine hun
dred miles in its whole extent
3D. connexion between ST. Louis and Boston, by route
not exceeding twelve hundred and fifty miles.
Sd. A connexion between st. Louis and New York, by
niersectng the New York and Erie railroad Dun
kirk by route not much exceeding twelve hundred miles
This general and very perfect connection with the valley
of the Mississippi which would be practicable at all seasons,
and open the greatest market of the world for the manuac
and foreign trade of the Atlantic Cities may be
pshed by outlay which must be considered moderate when
the magnitude of the enterprise and the benefit be derived
from its accomplishment fairly considered
The great importance of and uninterrupted railroad
ntercommunicaon with that country, whose internal
trade annually exceeds three hundred millions Of dollars
will be readily appreciated, when it is borne in mind that
there is this time direct and convenient any
point in the Mississippi valley, either for merchandise for
travellers and that of thousands annually pass and
pass that region by the Ohio river and by the lakes both
of which great channels of all times
uncertain and in the dead Of winter totally INSTRUCTED.
That the designated is decidedly the best which
be devised is strongly indicated by its selection for the
national roa1 and the justice of this selection will be amply
cooboaed by knowledge Of the face of the country and its
existing popuaon nor can any route more perfectly accom-
modae and facilitate the and the travel from all
the great maritime cities of the Eastern and Middle States
The strength and safety Of this enterprise evidently in
creased by the extent and diversity of interests which
be made suberve for that principle only Just and
incontroveb, but the only basis of commercial
PRISE which is founded upon fair reciprocity Of interests
and which discads unworthy the character of
merchant intelligent citizen those local exclusive
jeaouses which covet the impaccabe achievement Of
srcng the of trade within prescribed limits and that
would deny the enterprise of neighbors those facilities
which we demand for
No portion Of the Atlantic region better prepared to de-
rive immediate benefit from perfect communication with
the Mississippi valley than New England She needs the
products of the West and the West requires her manufac
lures and her imported articles in The railroad
muncaion proposed would open the whole trade of the West
her enterprise, and increase that trade lmitabe
tent. Railroad and manufacturing stock and real estate
throughout the country but especially the cities and
manufacturing towns, would be Immediately and greatly
HANGED value by the successful accomplishment Of such
enterprise.
This great and perfect railroad communication with the
West in fact which already demanded by the
progress of trade and manufactures in the East and without
which the expanding energy with which these interests
may receive sudden check and reco upon itself in one Of
those periodical revusons which have often and so dsas
trousy afflicted the commercial world, but which judcious
foresight and combined and intelligent action amongst lead
ing and able might frequently avert.
To accomplish this great enterprise the est IS disposed TO
do her duty but the and sympathy OF the East