Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-02-06
From The Cincinnati Gazette.
The British plan Of Railroad from !he;itlantir
TO the Pacific.


1t is more. 1t IS the day of their COM
pletion. 1t is day when fact outstrips
fancy and when no man can safely reject
an idea involving scientific wonders mere
ly because they are wonders. The line Of
possibility is continually extending itself,
and the potentiality of science seems to
pass within that profound abyss, which our
ancestors had yielded without contest to
the impossible. The last new wonder must
be examined, as if it were q mere common
place idea, and must considered a fact &C
complished, till it is proved impossible.
The last grand scheme is that of an en-
terprising British gentleman, who propo
ses that the British Government shall con-
struct an American Railway from the At
lantic to the Pacific, wholly within their
own dominions and offers as an induce
ment, certain reasons, both political and
commercial which seem sufficient to &C
ccomplish the result This plan is of great
interest to US for, if it be feasible and
profitable, it will be done and if it is
done, where are we? unless, indeed, we
complete our Pacific Road to San Fran
cisco. If the British plan be even posi-
bic, it ought to spur US on to an immedi-
ate completion of this work. Let us then
examine this plan seriously. Unless we
greatly mistake, our readers will find some
unexpected results The two questions
involved are simply these: Is such
Railway, entirely within the British do
minions, practicable ? Secondly, will it
beproftable will it pay? Both these
questions must be answered in the affirm
ative. if we consider the last in the light
of great political and commercial conse-
quences,
Our readers are aware that our north
ermos; point on the Pacific is not on the
line of 40 deg, but is much south of it
The boundary pursues the line of 49 deg,
to Frazier's river; thence down, through
the Straits of Fuca, till it enters the Pa
cifc south of Vancouver's Island The
British have, therefore, in latitude As deg
one of the finest harbors and bays for the
assemblage and protection of shipping to
be found any where This is the first
great point in.the British scheme. From
the Straits of San Juan de la Fuca, they
can take almost straight line on the par
allel 49 deg. to the northern point of the
Lake of the Woods This will be much
cheaper line than that from San Francis
co, because the valleys are not so deep,
nor the ridges so high.
From the Lake Of the Woods, the Brit
ish line will decline south to the northern
side of Lake Superior, where they will
have a harbor for shipping, and large CT
ty. From Lake Superior they will des-
cend in the valley of the Ottawa river,
and thence to Montreal Does any one
hot al g Il -
same argument will apply to Russia where
gigantic Railroads are constructing. 1t
is not too cold Great Britain has an i'm
mense Territory there capable of good
cultivation
The length of line is rather less than
that from New York to San Francisco
Pursuing the general direction of these
routes the result is From Montreal to
the Straits of Fuca 1900 miles From
New York to San Francisco 1900 miles
The difference between these routes is
in effect already constructed in the United
States. viii any one say, it will cost too
much Not so. 1t is but small sum
for the British Government. Moreover,
they will realize the whole cost, in the sale
of their bonds. The road may be con
structed and equipped, in good order, on
the whole route for less than eighty mil
lions of dollars, which is but seventeen
millions of pounds
VIII it pay2 Yes, it will pay, in grand
results, more than British India 1t is
for England, a redeeming plan The rea-
sons why England should undertake this
work, are four, either of which might be
sufficient.
First. England owns in America an i'm
mense amount of territory, covered with
heavy timber and trayersed with many
large rivers. As mere Spectator, then
in her own lands, she would find profit
in this work Secondly, she would bind
the Canadas to her forever, and recon-
mence an empire in America. Thirdly.
she would complete the last link IN her
chain of steam navigation round the earth
She would encircle the globe with a steam
commerce, all within her own dominions.
Fourthly, she would thus find employment
for het idle laborers, and direct emigra
ton to her own tributaries, and build up
new empire.
Such things, we say, are possible, and
is it probable, British statesman, in this
liberal and enlightened age, will overlook
the weight and the mighty consequences
which are connected, in idea, at least with
this magnificent plan2 1t is true, that
some facts, connected with country as
yet almost unexplored, may show unfore
seen obstacles in the way but we may be
assured that the Ministry of Lord John
Russell will give it a careful examination
And now, what have we to do with it
Much in every way. If such work be
even possible, it ought to turn the eyes OF
our Statesman at once to the construction
of our grand Central Highway to the Pa
cife. It must be done We have the
advantage of temperate climate, pow
erful resident nation, and blooming col
ony on the coast of the Pacific Let US
Z 1 IL 4