Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-16


Your honorable body. for ajust apprecia-
ton of the magnitude of the subject they
present for reflection and action; content
ing themselves with a few general rehec-
tions very briefly urged.
If We consider the extent and fertility
Of the Public Lands west Of the MISSISSIPPI
pi. the larger portion Of which is yet I'M
sold, the disposition and ability Of the peo-
pie east Of that river, Ito say nothing Of
millions who are anxiously awaiting in
Europe to enjoy the blessings ofiree gov
ernmeni,l TO purchase il; VIC cannot be in
sensible TO the great pccun;ary advantage
which must result TO the Federal Treasu-
ry from opening TO those lands safe,
speedy and economical highway. Every
dollar saved to The emigrant from the
States East of 'sthe Father of Waters" or
from Europe, would operate TO enhance
the value Of the Public Domain, and it is
obvious that Railway from Washington
CRY, through Virginia and Tennessee
would save large portion Of the expenses
now incurred in reaching the Valley Of
the Mississippi, below and Southwest Of
tie mouth ofthe Ohio river, because ii is
shorter by more than 100 miles than
any other Route. Whatever adds to the
value of the products Of agricultural in
ddstry, must increase the value of the land
itself. To country remote from the
markets ofcxport. or the places of CON
sumption, it is Of the first importance that
it should have every possible facility Of
Il,
from the transit charges, is profit on capital
and labor employed in agriculture. This
is true also in reference to the imports, and
thereby the landholder who has cheap
transportation, enjoysa twofold advantage
in every increased facility afforded him
Your Mcmoriaists confidently believe that
the whole country, west ofthe Mississippi,
and South and Southwest Of the mouth Of
the Ohio, would enjoy, fom the compile
ton of a line of Railway from the tide wa
ter Of the Chesapeake to Memphis, great
er advantages than any country SO far in
land, ever derived from any similar line OF
intercommunication These are views
confined merely to pecuniary considcra-
tons; but your Memorialists are indeed
more impressed with the political influences
which the establishment Of this great ma
tional thoroughfarc will assuredly exert
Nothing is clearer 10 the minds of your Me
morialis,s than that the continuance Of our
union is essential to the preservation ofour
liberty as a people; and they believe that
now the means of its continuance are only
to be found in the strength Of our common
interests. Can any thing be imagined
more conducive to this end than the con-
struction OF Railway that shall unite dis
iant sections ofthe country, by offering the
facilities of rapid and profitable inter-
course! BY the construction Of this Rail
way, half the U. S. would have more am
pie means promoting every social inter-
est, than have heretofore been furnished to
the people Of any other e6untry-by the
accomplishment fanny similar enterprise
Confidently ter'aining these opinions and
being unable to perceive ANY good and va
lid reasons why Congress should not make
grants Of Pubic lands, to aid in the con-
struciion Of Railroads, leading to the I'M
sold public domain, as wen as to Railways
passing Hrough II, your Memoriahsts re-
specially ask lha! an appropriation Of two
millions oiacrcs Of Public Lands, lying
west ofthe Mississippi river, may be gran
ted to and vested in the Virginia and Ten
nessee Railroad Company; the better to
enable that Company to construct that
part Of this great national thoroughiare,
between the valley of James River al
Lyuchburg, and the State line in Washing
ton county.
The Memorialists are aware that hthcr-
erto the Congress Of the United States has
not given any Of the public lands to aid in
the construction of either Railways or Ca
mails, except when the proposed improve
ment passed through the lands thus APP
propriated. To the policy, thus TO aid in
the more rapid settlement and develop
ment Of the immense territory held by tie
United States, your Memoriahsts offer no
objections; but on the contrary, would beg
leave 10 express their decided approval,
Trey would at tie same time repeat the
suggestion made above; that to them ii
seems difficult to offer arguments TO sus-
tain policy already adopted; namely, to
make donations of alternate sections Of
public lands to aid in the construction Of
lines of intercommunication, passing
through those lands, which may not be
used with equal force in support Of the
prayer of this Petition.
Shall it be said that the lands west of
the Mississippi viii be enhanced in value
becaus5 Railways are made opass through
them, there by cheapcning the transporta-
ton both Of export and import trade, iaci-
litaling the intercourse Of the people who
NAV reside on the lands, cxpedllng the
transit Of the mail, aFording a certain ard
rapid line Of military communication be-
tween distant points Of the country in
time of war? VIII not tie construction
Of Railways east Of the Mississippi, lead
ing to the very terminus it may be of the
lines Of Railway west Of that river, and
Offering the most direct aud least costly
line Of communication with the Atlantic
markets of export and consumption, and
places most assai!a6le by European ma
lions. exert he same influences in much
greater degreel Surely they will. Your
Memorialists repeat, that they are at loss
to conjecture any considerations, that
should induce Congress to aid in the CON
struction of lines Of INSTRUMENTATION
in the new States where there are unsold
lands, that do not apply with fully as
much force, tosustan the extension Of like
aid 10 similar applications coming from the
States in which there is not unsold public
domain, unless indeed il be assumed that
the new States have a better right to, and
can with proprcty appropriate the com
mon properly of all the States 10 their ex-
elusive use and benefit.
As Virgiuians We ght urge considera-
lions against such an assumption Of right,
if attempted to be enforced, with more
show Of reason and justice, than could be
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