The Arkansas banner., 1849-11-27

her own advantage, 10 the exclusion of her sisters she IS influenced by unworthy motives, and will be assuredly disappointed.
 question that wIli aTse Is, what section of the country from position, conformation and climate is l best adapted for the main or principal road, To respond to this surveys of the great vaAies oC the Missouri, Arkansss, Red river, or their auxiliary must unquestionably be made for some one Of these will form the general route. That of the ATkansas will attract particular attention Taking It's rise at the base of the Rocky mountains i tra. verses country of long levels. presenting great facilities Tor the construction of raill osd. t to be admitted, that Arkansas possesses inexaus
 tble supply oi iron and coaI 10 say nothing of lead and salt, ih abundance. These q mean particular ly the iron and coal important in the cousruc- ton Of such road, that under consideration and in its future operations.
 The mild climate of that region. its central posi- ton, between the Mississippi on the east, and the Red river on the south, would seem to offer many inducements 10 its selection but all this must de- pend on the report of the Engineers. Your delib- erations will be confined, Ipresnme, to urging upon the General Government some movement in the mat ter. and suggestions as to the manner of doing the work.
 My own course, were to take part in the dis- cussion, would be, to disclam all merely sectional views; to urge upon Congress the importance of ado pting iniiiatory measures in the work, and to appoint special committee. 10 report upon the ex- pediency of making it National to organize corps of engineers for the exploration ol every part ot the territory, norh middle and south, particularly the Mississippi, the Arkansas, and Red rivers, with their continents noting not only the face of the country but the of iron, fuel and water stating also the number of men requfed to finish the work, in five ten years; 10 protest against the adoption of the plan of any private adventuter, sustained by scientific and responsible survey, as incompatible with the duty of the Representatives of the nation, hazardous to it's interests dangerous 10 its fair iane and sacrificing att benefits of delibe- Tste consultation In truth, to protest against monopoly, which is contrary 10 the spirit of Con- stituton, and 10 the dictates Of common prudence, no less necessary to public than to private enter prize.
 You eone of the delegates to the Convention, about to assemble al Memphis. have ventured to throw out these suggestions, for your consideration. If you should coincide with me upon the principle. that the work should be national one, these re- marks may add In some small degree, 10 the Oxposi ton of your views. I feel satisfied that it ought rather to abandoned for twenty years to come. than be subjected to the chance of being badly done, through the caprice avarice ot individuals. l confess to you, that the contemplation of 'his stu pendous undertaking overwhems my mind, and feel my inability 10 discuss 1t, as Il ought to be Cis- cusssd but feel confident that in principle, 1 am right. The duty devolving on the Convention, Is momentous. The opinions expressed by it will un- doub,edly exercise much influence on public senti- lnent. The men who successfully carry out this work upon the basis of stability, characterizing the structures of antiquity to which have alluded. will assuredy identify their names with the prosperity and renown ol their country, and engrave them, for the admiration of the world, aNmonument oi enduring grandeur. Let no paltTy consideration of dollars and cents, be permitted to this work. The nation in defence of is rights honor, never counts cash. National pride should shrink from parsimony, in an achievement so useful. and no less honorable than the most successful victories.
 close, sir, where began. re-assertng my firm persuasion, from all the advantages have pointed out, as desirable the hand, and all the dan gers ,o be apprehended the other. (nore ot which on reiec,ion will doubt occur 10 you,) that even G greater cost J to the double, his shouH De q notienGi ,noyk. 1 am very respectfully, sir, your ohedient servant, JNO. KRIFFIrH. THOMPSON B. FLoURNoY, Esq.