Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-12-12
Whole number reported,

Whole number reported, 14,3lC
Several Of the counties have failed to
forward an abstract in obedience to the
act above mentioned However irksome
the performance Of this species Of militia
ny duty may to some appear, il cannot be
denied that we'll organized militia is,
IN every point Of view, essentially neces.
sary in this State; and, without further
comment, | would suggest that at least
such an organization be effected as will
entllle US 10 receive our quota Of arms
from the general government.
At the special session in January last
the General Assembly forwarded a me-
mortal to Congress pray ing for an appro-
prlaton of lands for the construction of
rail roao from Dubuque TO Keokuk,
through the interior Of the State. 1t was
there referred to committee, the chair
man of which, it is understood, reported
adversely to the prayer Of the memorial,
on the ground that the route had not
been surveyed, nor its practicabi1ity and
distance reported. A rail road through
the centre of our State would most emf
neht|y contribute to the development Of
our agricultural, mine raj and other re-
sources. The efforts Of the Legislature
to obtain from Congress donation OF
land for that purpose, must be a source
OF extreme qualification to the people Of
the State; and Notwithstanding the fail
ure of those efforts, for causes above sta
ted, there are powerful reasons for
repetition OF the attempt to obtain the de-
sired donation. Before another memoir
al IS presented, however, it seems it will
be necessary 10 make a survey Of the
contemplated route, and to lay before
Congress all the information relative
thereto, that can be conveniently obtain.
ed. Whether you will deem it exped-
ent to leave this preliminary labor to
private enterprise and energy, or adopt
such measures as will secure its perform.
ance on the part Of the State, will be a
question properly belonging to you TO
decide. Should you deem it YOUR duty
to renew the application on the part of
the State, there would seem no impro
prlety in furnishing Congress, at the ex-
pense of the Stale, all necessary inror
nation connected with such application.
1t may not be improper to state here.
that have received copies Of resolutions
adopted by the legislatures of several Of
the States, approving of Mr.. Asa Whit
ney's plan Of rail road to connect the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; and which
resolutions contain instructions to the
representatives in Congress from those
States, requesting them to give the pro-
]ect their support. 1t is believed that
this subject will be vigorously pressed
upon the attention Of Cong ress at it's COM
ing session.-Should this project or a
similar one be (avorably viewed by Con-
gress, it may not be unworthy Of consd-
Grafton whether subsequent application
by you to that body for donation Of
land for rail road through the centre
OF this State, might not be partly based
upon the fact that such road could be
made to form one Of the links in the
great chain of rail roads connecting he
Atlantic and Pacific. A road connecting
with the Chicago and Galena road, and
then running through the centre of this
State to Council Bluffs, would, it is be-
lieved, effect that object, and at the same
time be of great advantage to our citi-
zens. But whatever may be thoaght Of
this suggestion, should you deem it your
duty to present another memorial to Con-
gress for donation Of land for a rail
road through the State, trust at leas,
that such route will be selected as will
advance the best interests Of the people.
The Board Of Public Works have re-
ceivcd thirty thousand dollars from the
sale OF the lands granted by Congress TO
aid in the improvement Of the navigation
OF the Des Moines river, and one-haIr of
that sum has been expended on the i'm
provement. | have certified these facts
to the President Of the United States, as
required by the act granting the lands.
tits understood that the impr ovement is
rapidly progressing under the manage
ment Of the Board.
In the sale Of the lands, the thirtieth
section Of the act entitled can act creating
a Board of Public Works, and providing
Tor the improvement Of the Dcs Moines
river" provides that, cat the time Of the
sale, the Treasurer and Secretary shall
issue their certificates Of the same to the
respective purchasers, retaining dupli-
Gates the reof, patents shall thereupon is
sue, signed by the Governor, sui ect to
such regulations as may be prescribed by
law"
No regulations have yet been prescri-
bed by law for the issuing ofthese patents,
and | would suggest that the Board Of
Public Works be authorized to prepare
and fill them up, and then forward them
to the Executive for his signature.
One of the most important duties de-
volving upon the General Assembly, at
its present session, is the apportionment
Of the State in accordance with the thirty
first section Of the fourth article Of the
constitution. / rest assured that you will
meet this duty with that deliberaton
which its proper performance demands. :
The remarks in my message delive red
at the special session, relative to the un-
finished condition, and the necessity of
com nletinp tho penifon,;,rv ~ ~; c..