Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-13
ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.


ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.
A Complimentary Dinner was given yesterday
evening by Committee of the Illinois Central Rail
road Company to the Illinois Delegation in Congress,
at Wizards Hotel, in honor to the success O. the
measures preliminary to the commencement of the
road GEO. GRIswoLD, Esq was in the chair, sup
ported by HIRAM KETcnuM, Esq. There were
present also DAVID A. NEAL, Esq, Vice President,
NORRIS KETcHUM, Esq, and other officers Of the
Company, with the ATTORNEY GENERAL, and Hon.
Messrs. ROCKWELL, RANrouL, ALLEN, and other
members Of the House of Representatives.
On the removal Of the cloth Mr.. HIRAM KETcHuM
sketched succnctly the history of the undertaking,
and the plan Of action by which hundred miles
of railroad are to be built in four years, uniting
Chicago on the north with Cairo on the south, and
the point opposite Dubuque, on the west, into one
great system. Mr. X. alluded to the vast advan-
ages of this road, not only to Illinois but to the
whole West, nay to the whole Union, as it would
open mp to high improvement perhaps the finest
connected body of land in the world. The honor
able Secretary of the Interior had been prevented
by other engagements from attending in person, as
had the distinguished Secretary of State. The
latter had, however, handsomely acknowledged the
invitation in the following terms:
WASHINGTON, MARcH12 1852.
Ny DEAR SR: was exceedingly sorry that it not
in my power accept the invitation received yesterday
of yourself and your New York friends to dine with you
at your hotel to-day Yeu here understand, upon
business connected with the Illinois Railroad and the
of Congress from that State are expected to
among your guests. 1t would have given great plea
to meet those gentlemen and in expressing my gra
tfcation that that magnificent work is about COM
mence and that its completion within long time put
beyond contingency. The undertaking is equally in
its plan and its Importance and with the exception of
those adopted the session before the last
hardly know whether the present President of the United
States has given his sanction act of Congress likely
to have larger influence the prosperity Of the country
Several years ago in Illinois, and passed. for a
great through the country and through which this
railroad Thought had such immense
valuable land and subsequent discoveries many
sorts of the most valuable minerals produce entire
ton that the State of Illinois may become prosperous
its manufactures in its agriculture Ere long shall
another and similar work, commencing the south
extremity of this road, and running through the
Southern States till it reaches the Gulf Of Mexico This
is not only probable but certain if great political evil
shall in the time befall the country.
The grant to the Illinois railroad disposes of large
portion of the public domain but it win be well disposed
Of and this grant and other similar grants made already
now in contemplation while they leave the residue of
the public lands valuable do essentially interfere
with the objects which have thought just and have for
long time zealousy supported of giving land enough
for homestead to every actual settler the sole
dition of actual residence for short of years In
my opinion the public good and the happiness of indiv
duals alike require this God gave the earth to man to
be TILED and land is of value whatever till the APP
proach of cultivation shows that is about to become the
theatre for the application of human labor the alpro-
ducing source of comfort and wealth
Nobody contemplate these great lines of internal
communication, running through many States without
perceivng at their important political effects No
thing tend strongly to hold the States togeher
or if may borrow expression from language usually
applied that which is the object Of your thoughts
day. nothing is likely keep the Government and
the Union from running off the track
Ipray you, my dear sir to accept for yourself and to
signify to all your associates only the of
my high personal regards but also my congratua
tons at the which has far attended their
valuable and important undertaking.
remain, with entire regard, your obedient servant
DAVID A. NEAL, ESQ. DANIEL WEBSTER
In reply to toast from Mr.. KETcHUM in honor
Of the State of Illinois, Hon. Senator DOUGLAS hap
PLY responded, going at length and with much
effect into the highly valuable and important Ma
tional well State and sectional results to be an
ticipated from this road, which would benefit all the
parties connected with 1.-THE United States the
State, and the stockholders. This road would con-
meet with road to Mobile, thus uniting the North
ern Lakes with the Gulf Of Mexico
Hon. j. j. CRTTTENDEN felicitously replied to a
toast acknowledging the friendliness he had shown
to the enterprise, and the prompttude with which
he had acted certain law points connected with it
Addresses we're also made by Hon Messrs Flick
LIN, RANToUL, ALLEN, and others, and, in reply to
a toast complimentary to the Press, by Mr. SAR-
GENT, Editor Of the Republic.
We regret that the lateness Of the hour at which
this is prepared precludes more heightened notice
of very interesting occasion.
PRoposED New STATE.-The Legislature of
Wisconsin are celebrating upon a memorial to
Congress for Territory comprising that portion of
Wisconsin lying north of the forty -ffth degree Of
north latitude, and that portion of Michigan lying
west of Lake Michigan. This territory, it is alleged
is very much isolated from the States to which Il is