Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-11-14
From the Charleston Courier. -
THE MEMPHIS CONVENTION.

The Convention adjourned on the 26lh
ult.. after a session Of four days.
Fourteen States sent delegates, viz :
Pennsylvania. Missouri, Tennessee. Ala
bama, Soulh Carolina, louisiana, Illinois,
Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, New ork,
Virginia, Mississippi, and Georgia. South
CarnIina was reprepeuled by the Hon. ].
A. Woodward, D. f. Ja'nison, and J. f.
q. Miltae.;
, The following resolutions was reported
through Lieutenant Maury, from The Com
millee on Resolutions and were unani.
mouly adopted:
l. Resolved, That it is the opinion Of
this Convention ll,a, ii is the duty Of sthe
General Government to provide, al al
early period, for lle construction Of a
National Railroad from the Mississippi
River to the Pacific Ocean.
2. Resolved, That, To facilitate the &c.
complishment Of this object, in the opinion
Of this convention, it is the duty Of The
General Government to constitute an eff
cicat aud competent corps of Engineers TO
make complete explorations and surveys
of all the routes that have been designated
by public opinion as proper for the line Of
this road.
3. Resolved, That, after the proper aur-
Seys shall huve been completed, in the
opinion Of this convention, il is the duty of
General Government TO locale The line Of
the road and. in making The location thot
route should be selected which is easiest
OF access, bcs, calculated 10 sabservc the
purposes Of national defence, most cou-
venien.io the people of. and as far as
practicable. central to the United Stdles,
and upon which railroad can be construct
ed nn.Ihe cheapest and best Terms.
A. Resolved, That, to carry into effect
the object of the first resolution, in the
opinion ofthis Convention. the public lands
OF The United States constitute Legitimate
and proper fund.
S. Resolved, That. nfier the construction
of the National Railway trunk from the
Mississippi river 10 he Pacific ocean, in
The opinion of this convention. il is the duty
of Congress 10 aid, by the appropriation Of
The National domain, in the construction
Of such branch rail roads as will best
connect il with the Northern Lakes, and
the great thoroueh(ares leading TO the Al.
lantic Ocean aud with such other points,
on The Mississippi river. as will connec, il
with the lines oi improvement, completed
or in the course Of construcion-and also
10 aid in the conslruciOn>Ol bra ches from
the main trunk TO suitable points on the
Gulf Of Mexico, either east or west Of the
Mississippi river.
6. Resolved. That in The opinion oflhis
convention, it is the duty Of the General
Governmental provide, under liberalc con-
dilions, for connection between the main
trunk Of this National Railroad and all
railroads now made, or which may here
after be constructed by the authority Of the
States and territories Of The Union.
Resolved, That as, an important means,
a necessary preliminary 10 the construction
of railroad il is the FIRST duty Of Congress
to lake tho necessary measures for The
establishment Of military posts. from the
&Sess1eEa egneqss Of our ,seslezno States les
ocean-,ha, these posts should be establshs
ed, in all proper places. moi far distant
from each other, aud that civilized and
productive settlements should be encourag-
ed around them, by sales and The grant Of
prcemplion rights of tho public lands to
actual settlers, and 10y such other encourage.
menl US may be deemed necessary, so that,
by these means, amble opportunities may
be afforded to our engineers for the i;ntue
diate survey and reconnaissance o. our pos
sessions, lying between our western and
southwestern States and the Pacific ocean,
and so, alsu, thai by these means safe.
practical roads, one or unre, with facilities
Of travel, may be Immediately formed for
our citizens and for the transportation of
troops aud munitions Of war, &C., across
our own territories, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific shores. and in order that our
Government may fulfil its treaty sIipula-
tions with Mexico.
Your committee would further report
that, IN their opinlon, it would be highly
advantageous 10 the commerce of this couns
lty, and add greatly 10 its political power
aud influence, if an immediate connection,
BY railroad o: canal, could be obtained
between the Gulf of Mexico aud The Pa
cific ocean. Many projects Of greater or
less promise, for The purpose Of construct
ing the necessary works 10 complete such
a communication have been Of late asat-
ted, and without, in the present stale of
our knowledge upon the subject, pretend.
ind to decide>upou their relative merits,
they beg leave 10 recommend the adoption
of the following resolution:
Resolved. That while the contemplated
Railroad across the continent is heins con-
structed, present communication between
The States oilhis Union and he American
and Asiatic coasIs Of The Pacific ocean, is
Of vast importance, TO every portion of this
country; that such communication can be
obtained by ship canal or Railroad across
the ls,hmus of Tehuantercc, Nicaragua
or Panama, or across Them all, which
Railroads or canals may be constructed by
private enterprise, and this convention, in
order to encourage the undertaking and
completion of such works, recommend the
passage Of a law, by the Congress Of the
United States, directing ihe Postmaster
General, Secretary Of The Navy, 10 make
annual contracts for the transportation Of