The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-10
The nrsmph,s Convention.

New York. Virginia, Mississippi, and Georgia.
South Carolina was represented by the Hon. J. A.
Woodward, ID. ]. Johnson, and j. +. G. Mttag;
Louisiana represented, among others, by nj.
NJ. Cohen, esq, formerly Of Charleston, s. c.
The following resolutions, reported through 1t.
Maury, from the committee on resolutions,
unanimously adopted
ssI Resolved, That il is the opinion of this CON
vention that il is the duty of the General Govern
ment to provide, at early period, for the con-
sruction Of national railroad from the Mississippi
river 10 the Pacific ocean
''2 ReSoloed, That, TO facilitate the accomplish
lnent of this object, in the opinion of this conven-
ton, it is the duty of the General Government to
constitute an efficient and competent corps Of engi-
neers to make complete explorations and surveys
Of all the routes that have been designated by pub
lie opinion as proper for the line of this road.
81 RESOLVED, That, after the proper surveys
shall have been completed, in the opinion OF tins
convention, il Is the duty OF the General Govern
men to locate the line Of the road and, In making
The location, that route should be selected which Is
easiest of access, best calculated To subserve the
purposes Of national Defence most convenient to
the people of and far practicable, central to,
the United States, and upon which railroad can
he constructed on the cheapest and best terms.
Cd Resolued, That, TO carry into effect the OBJ
ect of the first resolution, in the opinion Of this con-
vention the public lands of the United States
stitute a legitimate and proper fund
s'5 Resolved, That, after the construction of the
national railway trunk from the Mississippi river
TO the Pacific ocean, in the opinion Of this convcn-
preparation of the national domain, in the con-
struction of such branch railroads will best con-
meet it with the northern lakes, and the great tho
roughiares leading to the Atlantic ocean; and with
such other points, on the Mississippi river, will
connect it with the lines OF improvement completed
in the course Of construction and also to aid In
the construction of branches from the main trunk
suitable points the Gull OF Mexico, either east
or west of the Mississippi river.
Sc. Resolved, That, in the opinion OF this conven-
ton, it is the duty of the General Government to
provide, under liberal conditions, for connexion
between the main trunk of this National Railroad
and all railroads made, or which may hereaf-
ter be constructed by the authority of the several
States and territories of the Union
'EResoced, That, an important means neces-
sary preliminary to the construction of a railroad
is the first duty of Congress to take the necessary
measures for the establishment of military posts,
from the western confines Of our western States
along the southern boundaries of our Republic and
our Indian frontier to the Pacific ocean-that these
posts should be established, in all proper places
not far distant from each other, and that civilized
and productive settlements should be encouraged
around them, by sales and the grant of pre-
emption rights of the public lands to actual set
tiers, and by such other encouragement as may
be deemed necessary; so that, by these means,
ample opportunities may be afforded to our en-
gineers for the immediate survey and reconnoi-
of our possessions, lying between our western
and southwestern States and the Pacific ocean; and
So also, that by these MEANS safe practical roads,
more, with facilities OF travel, may be imme
diately formed for our citizens and for the trans
portation of troops and munitions OF war; &c, across
our territories from the Atlantic to the Pacific
shores, and in order that our Government may fulfil
its recent treaty stipulatlons with Mexico.
.'Your committee would further report that in
their opinion it would be highly advantageous to
the commerce of this country, and add greatly to
its political power and influence, if an immediate
connexion, by railroad canal, could be obtained
between the Gulf Of Mexico and the Pacific ocean.
Many projects of greater or less promise, for the
purpose of constructing the necessary works, to
hayra Of l.fa
agitated and without, in the present state of
knowledge upon the subject, pretending to decide
upon their relative merits, they beg leave to recon-
mend the adoption of the following resolution:
"Resoued, That, while the contemplated rail
road across the continent is being constructed a
present communication, between the States of this
Union and the American and Asiatic coasts of the
Pacific ocean, is of vast Importance to every por-
ton of this country; that such communication can
be obtained by ship canal railroad the 18TH
mus of Tehuantepec, Nicaragua, or Panama, or
across them all, which railroads or canals may be
constructed by private enterprise; and this conven-
ton. III order to encourage the undertaking and
completion of such works, recommend the passage
of law, by the Congress of the United States, di-
and Secretary of the Navy, to make annual con-
tracts for the transportation of the mails, troops
and military and naval stores of the Government,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific posts of the country
by the shortest, spcediest, and cheapest route.
"The committee resolutions, to which was re-
ferred the resolution that declares that, in the
event of the appropriation by Congress Of a con-
siderable portion of the proceeds of the public lands
10 the construction of a railroad from the Missis
sippi river 10 the Pacific ocean, at the same
time liberal appropriations Of the public lands, ly
ing within the limits of the States should he made
10 aid them respectively in their works of internal
Improvement have had the same under consid-
Grafton and have instructed me 10 report: that the
claim of the States is equitable because the lands of
the United States within the State bear no charges
for local improvement, for the expenditure of
he Staf UDNp M HI
both sources Of expenditure. They therefore
commend the adoption of the resolution;
"Resoiued, That, in the event of the appropria-
ton by Congress of a considerable portion of the
public lands, of the proceeds Of the sale thereof
To the construction of railroad from the Missis-
sippi river TO the Pacific ocean, liberal appropria
tons of the public lands, lying within the limits of
the respective States, should be made to aid them
in the construction of their works of internal inn
provcment."
The following additional resolution was adopted
''with tremendous applause"
RESOLVED, That in the present state Of our know
ledge we feel warranted in recommending to the
particular attention of the General Government for
examination, as possessing special advantages, the
route, commencing at San Diego, on the Pacific
ocean, crossing the Colorado Of the west, running
along the ella river near il, in a direction to
the Paso Del Nortc, and thence the State Of
Texas TO its northeastern boundary, between 80
and 80 degrees Of north latitude, terminating at
point on the Mississippi, between the mouth
of the Ohio river and the mouth of Red river"
The following resolutions we're offered by the
Hon j. A. Woodward Of South Carolina, but not
adopted:
"Resoiued That it is highly expedient, in a mill
tary and commercial point Of view, that commu-
nication, by railway, should exist between the
tiers ofthe Mississppriver and the Pacific ocean, and
that every means and facility that may lie within
the constitutional powers Of the Government ifany
do, should be applied TO such object.
"Resoiped, That a route TO terminate westwardly
at San Diego, on the Pacific ocean, and eastwardly
at Memphis, on the Mississippi river, is strongly
indicated by climate, temperature, geographical
and commercial relations, dircctness ofcourse, cen
tralty and equal regard TO the interests Of every
part Of the Union"
Mr.. W. excused from serving on the com
nttee TO memorabilia Congress.
The following committee Of seven was appointed
by the president to memorabilia Congress, viz: j..
y. ID. DeBow, of louisiana Absalom Fowler, of
Arkansas; James G. Jones, of Tennessee; J. X.
Strother, of Missouri; J. +. G.. Mittag, of South
Carolina {. c. Mills, of Texas; G.. s. Yerger, of
Mississippi.
The following is the finale, given by the Mem
phis Eagle:
"a motion made to adjourn sins die, after