The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-06-12
Letter from John @. Calhoun on the Memphis Rail-
road Convention.

FORT HILL, 18th May, 184o
the citizens Of Memphis to be present at meeting OF cit
from Of the country to be held there on thu
public opinion the project Of con.,uctng railroad from
the valley Of the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean . :,
present the OCCASION but to state that have
engagement with which cannot dispense and which viii
The object of your meeting regard important OF
magnitude viewed 81 her in It's commercial political aspect
Ii would do than other 10 facilitate intercourse be-
the Pac c-and thereby unite commercially poicay
the coast of this continent and the eastern coast d
Of the old sr more intimately than they have ever hereto
common oS csne Of the between the two
and the extremes Of both continents with all the great ben
Thus far there can division of opinion but remain,
be determined whether railroad Is practicable at what
it take between what will be its cos, and what plan
should be deliberately carefully settled before the work
so0 oa SS TO-
and an aous where % % I oush to be made
Ss sSs he
to determine what would be the shortest the most
readily passed at all and what the actual cost
of constructing each would be-
pont which should commence the Mississippi and
ts inmate on the Pacific But in determni on these
estimate In determining the former will have to be con-
s s M be I au Ss I
all hing. :ideed1 The former would involve the
ton what point will at all be most easily cheaply
and certniny approached by its waters including its great
tributaries? And the latter the question. what point
would ike manner be approached by railroad from other
portions of the Union These questions which will de-
mand at the Tune and careful
The selection should be made reference the general
good of the whole Union, and not in reference any par
ticular portion.
The selection of the point Of terminus the Pacific will
be less compcsted The goodness Of the port position
reference to the general trade Of that ocean, and the
faci of reaching it by railroad shsud be considered
determining it. ~
finally decide what should take in reference
this great project and that is, what position to
occupy reference territories the Pacific acquired
from MEXICO by the late treaty with her Are we TO be
EXCLUDED nom them Are after having spent 50 much
Oh our blood and for their acquisition. to be depn
Sed contrary to the provisions Of the constitution and in
VOCATION OF principle of equity and justice OF
equal night in them Are they be made the means of
our n9msaton and subsection to the rest of the Union.
nsieao OF our prosperity And if shall still 90
anu spend millions millions addition to what have
aeaay IN sggrandzing the rest of the Union
eXpSose ana ioi our subsection trust not. trust
snan pause unth ascerained how stand to
ose eiones and the rest of the Union before decide
our course In reference the subject of the
ing IN the meantime steps be taken obtain info
ma'on preparatory to decision but let reserre that
" zoe car see phdt interest hare the upOrk
win great respect. am, ec etc,
Messr Robsr,on Topp, M. B. Winchester John T. Trez
"as' ana 0'asn Of The Committee Of Correspondence.