Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-01-30
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
| COMMUNICATED.

COMMUNICATED. 49,.
We perceive much effort making to direct public attention
to Mr. WHrTSErs project of connecting by railway Lake
Michigan with the Columbia river Il is pronounced ei-
gantc and sublime enterprse-as something and
nove-n face Of the fact that long anterior to Mr. Whit
neys communications the subject of railway to the Pacific
was presented to public consideration by Col GApspES Pre-
siden OF the South Carolina Railroad Company In report
made by him the Memphis Convention he noticed the en-
terprse one only practcabe but in the progress OF
ime certain Of execution In his annual report for Is45
to the stockholders Of the South Carolina Company he again
presented the subject accompanied with map exhibiting
The intimate relation between the of as
by him. and those completed and in progress through
the different States Of the Union
Indeed, he presents his project as but proongation
Of those works nearly completed to the valley Of the
Nsssspp as the last link in the great chain OF railway
communication from the State of Maine the Pacific With
out however, moong the question Of priority of conception
we have brought Col Gadsdens project to notice. that il
mere 70 De any action ny Congress the subject Of rail-
road to the Pacific the members may advsedy as
examine into proper selection Of the route which in ac
compshing the obj CT proposed shall dispense benefits TO
the largest portion OF the Unon Let hastily present the
two schemes.
Mr.. Whitney proposes road connecting Lake Michigan
with the Columbia rver very northern verge
Of Iowa, Missouri, and Oregon, difficult Of construction
and exposed to be interrupted by and ice in the winter
season. his terminus at the foot Of Lake Michigan, and
by the lakes alone Subject be closed by ice in winter
the communication be preserved with the Atlantic States and
cities
COL Gadsdens project is assume the great railroad high
way now IN active and successful operation from the State
Maine, courng through the Eastern Middle and Southern
States TO Asbsma and rapid progress Of completion 10 the
Mississippi at Vcksburg The basis of his road He makes
the western or Pacific section but proonran Of these
works. now disseminating intelligence aad dispatchnp ira
veers from Portland New Orleans He crosses the prea,
ver OF the West at point accessible at all seasons of the
year. and ne courses through mild parallel ofaude unob.
sructeo 70 winter oy ice or snow and passing through
southern REGION less exposed 10 difficulties Of
ION than has generally been encountered in higher northern
directions.
In communicating with the Mississippi at low navOsbIe
point renders the connexon with the Atlantic moro certain
and immediate IL presents the benefits of the railroad n ali
sections OF the world Europe may dva itself Of its advan-
tages by voysge direct the terminus on the Mssisspp
and the West Indies, Brazil and the whole country border
ing on the Gull OF Mexico, may by the avenue find
communication to the Pacific We give this brief notice Of
this project not doubling but that should there be ony Con
gressiona action this subject becoming more
imposing from recent operations in California and Mexico
the project Of Col Gadsden will claim consideration with
presented by Mr. Whitney, is feasible as easier of
construction, and is enlarged in its benefits extend
ing them to the whole Of the United States instead Of TO
section the northern lake. Col Gadsdens terminus
will be either the noble bay Of San Francisco OF at Ma
zaan, may be found examination advisable and
practicable. II.
In justice to Col. GADsDEN we insert the above,
from the pen of friend; but, while doing justice
TO that gentleman and to Mr.. WHITNEY, as proiec.
tors and supporters of the stupendous enterprise
referred to, we ought TO mention that the feasibility
and value Of a railroad from Lake Michigan to the
pachc was presented to the public also by Mr.
JOHN rLuMBE, lr. in the year 1899, as we perceive
py pamphlet published by him in that year at St.
Louis.--Nat. h,teH.1