The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-15

able civil engineer that such a road, ot two nun
dred and fifty miles in length. running through
the most fertile and rapidly increasing part Oh
Texas in her wealth and popula ton might be built
for 81 0000 II is scarcely ecessary 10 INFORM
you that in no country In the world can raliToaos
be constructed with the same degree of cheapness
as in Texas. They would run on dead leVei,
with scarcely any inequality of surface tor at least
one hundred and fifty milcs from the sea-requlr-
ing very little grading.
believe road route judiciou5ly ,elected
and economically built will pay an interest of flve
per cent, on average, for the first five years
after its completion and ten per cent. In the sue
cccding ten years, and i'll the next fifty years add
one hundred Inllions to the value Of the property
OF the State.
believe, moreover, that in augmenting the pop
uaton Of Texas by the immense facilities the roatN
would afford to foreign cInigrants in transporta-
ton and freight it will return in ten years to the
Government the United States the whole amount
which they may tipuiatc to pay for the ceded ter
ritory on the increased duties collected at the va
rious custom houses in the United States on the
con sumption of those enigrants Nor ought We TO
omit 10 take into account the immense annual saw
ing certainly (not less than the inter est on hve
millons) on the freight and transportation OF the
supplies and munitions II war Of the troops IN
Texas and New Mexico.
believe that such road might be completed in
three years from its commencement. and abiCe
through all time proud and lasting monument OF
your justice and the gratitude of your creditors.
Will you not exchange remote, and to you
valucess territory, fit only for the Indian and the
buffalo, for a great beneficial public work which
will enable your citizens to pass from the interior
to the ocean in twelve hours. conveying thousands,
daily, to your unoccupied iands to add to your
wealth, power and civilization? In one word, Will
you not exchange cheeress and distant region
for the bright renown of paying every farthing OF
your revolutionary debt, and averting forever from
the recorded history OF your country the stain OF
repudiationo
II ia highly probable that your creditors will
meet on the l2th Of April next, at Washington
city, to determine whether they will accept the
settlement your Legislature has rendered to them
under the provisions Of the act to quidate and pay
the debt OF the late republic OF Texas, approved
3lst January, 1852.
In case this meeting takes place. propose bring
ing the subject Of this communication to their con-
| sideration. IT. in conformity with my suggestion,
they should nemorialize the Congress OF the Uni
ted States on the subject, and an act should be
passed making specific overture to your State In
favor Of compact for the ccssion in question, so
lict your earnest consideration Of a ubject which
SO deeply involves the interests and honor OF our
State.
am aware that, from considerations of dslicacy
and propriety, Texas cannot take the initiative in
this matter. am quite sure, however, If the &C.
neral Government submits propositions for the pro-
posed cesson, your enlightened and patriotic Chief
Magistrate will convene the Legislature to take
them into immediate consideration. That the final
issue will be submitted 70 you cannot doubt.
You will sec the pre-eminent policy Of setting at
rest forever The odious and revolving SUBJECT OF your
public debt, and ofyour enjoying, without the re-
proach Of friend foe, the residue of your superb
domain-the rich inheritance ofyour valor and en-
terprse.
do not address you az stranger, but as one OF
yourselves, equally interested with you in the hon
or Of your State The Congress of your republic
made me a citizen by complimentary joint reso-
luton; my augmenting interests in the country
will induce me to become one by actual residence.
Tothe great enterprise have proposed, If 1t should
be decreed, am willing TO dedicate portion OF
the remnant Of my life and human exerton which
is left me. In tie venerated aud beloved State Of
my birth not one Of her did more to establish
| and promote her system of railroads than the hum
bic individual who now addresses you am not
too old, under Gods permission, to dedicate in
services. however humble, exertions Of equal zeal
in behalf Of the prosperity of State destined to
be among the fret if not the first, of her southern
sisters.
Fellow citizens, hope you will pardon the free.
dom of this communication. My csndor is the best
tribute can pay to your magnanmity and sense
of justice.
| remain, with respectful consideration and gin
core devotion, your obedient servant,
j. HAMILTON.