The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-20
kcs. Memphis tTenn) Eagle June O.
I.etasr S,s-. Helm C. OalAoHm the Memphis HALL
read Convention.

Letter rr... john G. o~iAe~n the MsmrAi. Rail-
read Convention.
Foxr Hfii, Goth May, ls49.
Crvr,rxrs have received YOUR invitation in behalf
of the citizens of Memphis, 10 be present at meeting OF
citizens from every part OF the country to be held there
the 4ih OF July next for the purpose OF auns, oy
pressing public opnion the PROJECT oil constructing
road from the valley of the Mississippi to the racine
ocean. .
would be happy TO accept your Irritation, ana 10 De
present the OCCASION but regret to stale hat nave an
engagement with which cannot dispense, ana Which
will not permit me. ..-.
The object of your meeting regard very important
OF all the projects the age consider as the one OF
the greatest magnitude viewed either IN MS commercial
or political aspect II would do more than any other TO
facilitate intercourse between the two great oceans OF the
globe-the Atlantic and the Pacitcand thereby unite,
commercially and politically, the western coast OF ms
continent and the eastern coast OF the old with the east
ern coast of this and the western coast OF Inc Old lar
more intimately than they have heretofore been
The valley of the Mississippi would become the common
centre of the intercourse between The two oceans ana ne
extremes OF both continents, with all the great dement's IL
would confer
Thus far there can be division OF opinion; but re-
mains to be determined whether railroad is practicable;
at what point If il is should it commence on the Missls
sippi and terminate the Pacific and what intermediate
track should take between what will be Its cost and
what plan should Be adoptsa ao It's exeeun1n All ,nsse
fore the work is undertaken. Nothing ought 10 be
hastily or precpitatey done in Of such magnitude
A careful ecognzance and actual survey, where ne.
cessa, ought be made by able and faithful engineers
of all the routes preparatory to determining the question
of psaciicablity; and if found to be to determine
what would be the shortest the most easily constructed,
the cheapest and the most open and readily passed oven
at all seasons and what the actual cost OF constructing
each would be. All this information would be necessary
determine the point at which should commence on
the Mississippi and terminate the Pacific But in de,
,ermining these points, other considerations would
have to be taken into the estimate In determining the
former it will have to be considered, first, what point on
the river will best suit its valley, and in the next, what
will best suit the rest of the Union, all things considered
The former would involve the question: what point will
all h.
preached by its waters including It's great tributaries
And the latter, the question, what point would, in like
manner, be approached by rail road from other portions OF
the Union! These are questions which will demand, al
the proper time, grave and careful examination. The
lection should be made in reference the general good
OF the whole Union and not in reference to any particle
lar portion.
The selection of the point OF terminus the Pacific
will be less complicated The goodness OF the port, its
position in reference to the general trade OF that
and the facility OF reaching by rarcaI should be
considered in determining it.
But candor compcis to state, there still remains
another and greater question for of the South de.
termine, before finally decide what should
take IN reference to this great project and tina, is, what
position are we to occupy in reference to territories
on the Pacific acquired from Mexico by the late treaty
with her! Are we TO be excluded from them, Are we
after having spent so much of blood and treasure for
their acquisition, to be deprived contrary TO the pro-
Visions OF the constitution, and violation every prnc
pie OF equity and justice, of esua right in them Are
they 10 be made the means of humiliation and sub
lection to the rest of the Unon of GUS prosperity
oo, We 20 ON, ana spend miiiiOnS
hons IN addition to what have already in aggran-
dZing the rest of the Union own expense and fol
our sublec,ion' trus, not trust we shall pause until
At is ascertaned how stand as to those terrific
Eies and the rest OF the Union before decide finally
on our course reference to the subject of The meeting
In the meantime. steps may be taken to obtain noma
ton preparatory to decision; but let that un
ue en- see Uhdt interest ,re are to haze he.corE
With great respect, am, &C.,
49, J. C. CALHOUN
Nlessrs. Robertson Topp, M. b. Winchester, John T
Irrelevant, and others, of the committee OF correspond