The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-11-14
From the Charleston Courier.
MEMPHIS CONVENTION.

through Lieutenant Maury, from the
Committee on Resolutions; were unani.
mously adopted:
/. Resolved, Thatit is tho opinion of
this Convention that it is the duty of
the General Government to provide, at
an early period, for the construction of
National Railroad from the Mississip.
pi Rver to the Pacific Ocean.
2. Resolved, That to facilitate the
accomplishment Of this object, in the
opinion Of this convention, it is the duty
of the General Government to constii.
tute an efficient and competent corps of
Engineers to make complete cxplora.
tions and surveys Of all the routes that
have been designated by public opinion
as proper for the limo Of this road.
3. Resolved, That, after the proper
surveys shall have been completed, in
the opinion of this convention, it is the
duty OF Congress to aid, by the appro.
prlation OF the National domain. in the
construction Of such branch rail roads
as will best connect it with the North.
ern Lakes, and the great thoroughfarcs
leading to the Atlantic Ocean; and
with such other points, on the Mississip.
pi river, aswill connect it with the lines
OF Improvement completed or in the
course OF construction--and also to aid
IN the construction Of branches from
the main trunk to suitable points on the
Gulf OF Mexico, either east or west of
the Mississippi river:
8. Resolved, That in the opinion of
this convention, it is the duty of the
General Government to provide, under
liberal conditions, for connection be-.
tween the main trunk of this National
Railroad and all railroads now made.
or which may hereafter he constructed
by tho authority Of the States and terri.
tories of the Union.
Resolved, That as an important
means, necessary preliminary to tho
construction of a railroad, it is tho first
duty of Congress to take the necessary
measures for the establishment of mill
tary posts from tho western confines OF
our Western States, along the southern
Boundaries Of our Republic anil our In
dian frontier to the Pacific ocean-that
these posts should he established. in al
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
Tre-emption rights of the public lands
to actual settlers, and by such other en-
couragcment as may be deemed ncccs-
sary, 80 that, by these means, ample
opportunities may be afforded to our
engineers for the immediate survey and
reconnaissance of our possessions, lying
between our western and southwestern
States and the Pacific ocean, and so,
also, tina. by these means safe, practical
roads, enc or more, with facilities of
travel, may be Immediately formed for
our citizens and for the transportation
of troops and munitions of war, &C.,
across our own territories, from the At
lantic to the Pacific shores, and in order
that our Government may fulfil it's re.
cent treaty stipulations with Mexico.
Your committee would further report
that, in their opinion. it would be high
ly advantageous to the commerce Of this
country, and add greatly to its political
power and influence, if an immediate
connection, by railroad or canal, could
be obtained between the Gulf of Mcyi-
Co aud the Pacific ocean. Many pro
jects of greater or less promise, for the
purpose of constructing the necessary
works to complete such communica-
ton have been of late ayitatcd, and
without, in the present state of our
knowledge upon the subject, pretending
to decide upon their relative merits,
they beg leave to recommend the adop-
ton of the following resolution:
Resolved, That while the contempla.
ted Railroad across the continent is be-
ing constructed, present comm,nca-
ton between the States Of this Union
and the American and Asiatic coasts of
the Pacific ocean, is Of vast Importance
to every portion Of this country; that
such communication can be obtained bv
ship canal or Railroad across the 18th
mus OF Tchuntepcc, Nicaragua or Pa
mama, or across them all, which Rail
roads or canals may be constructed BY
private enterprise, and this convention,
in order to encourage the undertaking .
and completion of such works, recon-.
mend the passage of a law, by the Con.
gress of the United States, directing
tho Postmaster General, Secretary OF
War, and Secretary Of the Navy, to
make annual contracts for the transror.
tation Of the mails, troops, military and
naval sores Of the government, from
the Atlantic TO tho Pacific posts of the
country, by the shortest, spoodicst and
cheapest route.
The committee on resolutions, to