The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-27

dlrcct line, oil the contemplated railway from
New York and Boston TO the Pacific ocean.
They further represent that the pecunaTy means
of Iowa inadequate to the speedy construction Of
said railways; that their routes will extend through
and adjacent to many hundred thousand acres of
Government land, which by their construction
will bo rendered available to the general treasury,
and become the happy abode of enterprising
population, but which, without such improve
ments, must continue valueless waste for n long
series OF years, forever and that said railways
would, in addition, be of immense direct benefit to
the General Government, as media for the certain,
speedy, and cheap transportation of her troops,
munitions, property, male, and dispatches to
and from her extended frontier posts and settle
ments.
They further represent that, in view Of the man
ifod National and State interests 10 be promoted
thereby, the people of Iowa have been for several
years past urging upon the favorable considera-
ton OF Congress their requests for that degree and
species Of unobjectionable aid in the premises
which has been extended to sister States; and
that, in addition to large numbers of individual
petitions, they have repeatedly presented their
views through the official action of their General
Assembly, of regularly constituted conventions,
&c, will more fully appear from an exarnina-
ton of the documents hereunto attached as Exhibits,
and numbered respectively from to l9, inclu-
sive.*
They here renew their application for aid, which
is founded in equity, and supported by every con
alteration of policy; and, as they have already suf
feredmuch from procrastinaiion, they respectfully
ask the honorable Congress to pass into law, at
an early day, the bill which will accompany this
memorial, and which, in every essential partcu-
lar, corresponds with the act passed by the last
Congress, entitled "An act granting the right Of
way and making grant of land to the States of
Illinois, Mississippi, and Alabama, in aid of the
construction of arailroad from Chicago to Mobile !"
BILL
Granting the right of way and making grant of
land to the State of Iowa, in aid of the construc-
ton of railroads from Dubuque to Keokuk, and
from Davenport TO the Missouri river, at or near
Council Bluffs, in said State.
SEC. | BE 10 enacted by The Senate and House Of
Representatives. of the United States of Ameica in
Congress assembled, That the right of way through
the public lands be, and the is hereby, grant
ed to the State of Iowa, for the construction of
railroad from the city of Dubuque to the city of
Keolfuk, and also for the construction of railroad
from the city OF Davenport, via the town OF Fort
Des Moincs, TO the Missouri rlver at or near Coun-
Gil Bluffs, in said State, with the right also, 10 take
necessary materials OF earth, stone, timber, &C..
for the construction of said roads: Prorided, That
the right of way shall not exceed one hundred feet
on each side OF the length thereof and copies Of
surveys Of said roads, made under the authority Of
the Legislature, shall be forwarded to the proper
local land offices respectively, and to the General
Land Office, at Washington, within ninety days
after the completion of the same.
SEC 2. dnd be IL further enacied, That there be,
and ia hereby granted TO the State ol Iowa, for the
purpose of aiding in making the railroads afore-
said, every alternate section Of land, designated
by odd numbers, for six sections in width, on each
side of said roads; but in case 1t shall appear that
the United States have, when the routes OF said
roads are definitely fixed under the authority afore
c.,ld rt pF anu Op here
or that the right of pre-emption has attached TO
the same then II shall be lawful for any agent or
agents, TO be appointed by the Governor OF said
State, 10 select subject 10 the approval aforesaid,
from the lands of The United States most contigu-
to the tier of sections above specified much
land, in alternate sections parts OF sections as
shall be equal to such lands as the United States
have sold, to which the right of pre- cmption has
attached as aforesad which lands, being equal in
quantity TO one-half of six sections in width on each
side of said roads. the State OF Iowa sha have and
hold for the purposes Aforesaid: Provided, That
the lands to be so located shall in no case be fur
ther than fifteen miles from the line of said road
And propided, further, That the lands hereby grant
ed shall be applied in the construction OF said roads
respectively, in quantities corresponding with The
grant for eacb and for no other purpose whatever.
SEC 3. Ind be IL further enGcied, That the sec
tions and parts of sections of land which shall re-
main to the United States. within six miles on each
side Of said roads, shall not be sold for less than
double the minimum price of the public lands, when
sold
SEC. 4. fnd be il further enacted, That tho said
lands hereby granted shall be subject to the dispo-
sal of the Legislature thereof for the purposes aorc
said. and no other; and the said railroads shall be
and remain public highways for the use OF the Gov
ernment of the United States free from toll or other
charge upon the transportation OF any property or
troops of the United States.
SEC 5, hnd be 10 further enacted, That If the snid
railroads, either of them shall not be completed
within fifteen years from the approval OF tins act
the eaid State Of WA SHALL if thercunto required
be bound to pay TO the United States, unless fur
ther time be granted, the amount which may be
received the sale uf any part OF said lands by
said State, the title to the purchasers under sad
State remaining valid; and the title to the residue
of said lands shall reinvest in the United States TO
have and hold the same in the same manner as If
this act had not teen passed.
SEC. g. -And be ii further enacted, That the Uni
ted States mail shall at all Times be transported on
said railroads, under the direction of the Post OF
fee Department, at such price as the Congress may
by law direct.
Resoired, That this convention will appoint de-
legation Of five individuals to proceed, by concert,
to Washington, at carly day of the approaching
session, to urge upon Congress- in every honorable
and Legitimate way, the passage of the foregoing
bill into law; and that ead delegation be distri-
buted as follows: one from Dubuque, one from Ke-
okuk, one from Davenport, one from Iowa City,
and one from Fort Des Aloines
On motion of Mr.. Finch, of Linn
ResoIped That we recommend to all the various
points upon the lines of the contemplated railroads
to Washington to exert themselves in concert for
the contamination of our designs as expressed in
the proceedings of this convention.
Resolred, That lie Grand Byington, esq. be ap-
pointed committee of publication, TO act in con
cert with the secretaries in preparing the proceed
ngs Of this convention for the press; and whose fur
ther duJy it shall be to to be cngrossed such
documents as are to accompany these proceedings
TO Congress.
On motion
ResoIved, That the committee of publication
forthwith. after the adjournment of this conven-
ton, furnish the Iowa City newspapers an official
copy Of its proceedings for publication; that the
editors of said papers send marked copy thereof
to the Washington city papers, accompanied by n
request to copy said proceedings, and that the sew
era editors of this State be requested to insert the
same.
On motion ofCol Shclleday, ofJerper, the thanks
of the convention returned to the officers for
the efficient and impartial discharge of their du-
tics.
On motion, after some appropriate remarks from,
the president, the convention ad iourncd sine die
ROBERT LUCAS,
President
ARTHUR BRlDGMAN,