Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-07
Mn. wHITNEps RAILROAD PROJECT

We find in the London Morning Chronicle Of December
10Th the subjoined editorial article the subject Of MIR
"HITSErs visit to England in the prosecution Of his
great scheme Of a railroad to the Pacific:
The rapid progress which the United States are making
towards the completion of intricate network Of
railway communication, not only between the populous
towns and districts in their territory through regions
remote from civilization and difficult access of
the most striking features in the social industrial his
tory OF the Confederation For example, recent inte-
gence from New York announces the opening Of the Hud
son River Railroad hundred and forty three miles in
length and Notwithstanding all have heard about the
mere tramways OF America tie first complete journey
over that line was performed in three half
at the very respectable speed of rather more forty
miles an hour But Of all the schemes Of this description
which have ever been brought before the American
pie Mr. ASA WmTNEY's plan for a railway from Lake
Michigan to the Pacific is unquestionably the mpor
tant and is probable that during the session of Com
gress which has just commenced il will be finally deter
mined whether or not the project shall be pressed any fur
Their upon the acceptance of the United States Govern
ment 1t is to be apprehended that the excitement pre-
vaing among transatlantic politicians with reference to
questions which unhappiy have far less claim their
attention than bona tide schemes for the material advance
ment OF their country will prevent any decisive steps be-
ing taken in Congress to give effect the general sent
mens OF the American public in favor of Mr. Whitneys
views The rodomontade to be exchanged with M. Kos
suth the reagaton Of the slavery question: and the alb
sorbng topic Of the next Presidential election w in all
likelihood, render the labors of the Federal Legislature
exceedingly barren Of useful results 1t is also not i'm
probable that the delay which has taken place Mt Wash
ington in deciding upon Mr. whitneys plan, may have
to afford the facilities which time existed within
their territory for the construction of the Pacific line
Happily however il may not be impossible TO carry out
the work the British side Of the border; and q few
weeks may determine whether not this enterprise,
which the violence Of party politics has indefinitely and
unwisey postponed at Washington shall be transferred
| to British ground
For part have felt strongly the desira-
beness of carrying out, possible, such scheme Of
communication that we have repeatedly during the last
few months, brought the leading facts and arguments
connected with Mr. WHTsEYs project under the notice
of readers Since last adverted to the subject,
that gentleman has had the good fortune to have his plans
discussed in his presence, by distinguished and
learned associations whose opinions all matters
nected with science, the English people accustomed
pay much Difference Nor is their influence confined to
this country merely; for any judgment which may be
strongly pronounced by the authorities whom shall
presently have to refer cannot fail of being respected in
every part of the civilized world Coming England
the expositor of scheme which very mperfecy
derstood United States Mr. WHTN had good
that his best chance of lay the adop
tion from the very first of perfectly frank and straight
forward line of conduct and in total avoidance of all those
airs OF assumption and mystery which too often accom-
evidently well aware that if he produce any deep
and lasting impression in this country could only be by
submitting his plans to the unsparng scrutiny and
by being ready all times consider and obec
tons He pursued this course and the result did not
dsappoint him. At first he found but little sympathy
and he met with formidable opposition His data we're
disputed and his practical conclusions held to be
exceedingly questionable Still he persevered, and strong
in the integrity of his purpose and in the bond de nature
of his proceedings he successful in converting
opponents satisfying obectors and winning the cordial
confidence and support impartial persons than perhaps
any other American who has visited for the
pose of promoting commercial enterprise This result
is the honorable to him because he achieved it with
out resortng any Of the usual of popular mission
ary and that the influence which his visit
has produced in giving better and uster views of the
sterling American character will not be among the most
important of the indirect benefits which viii arise from the
y discussion of his project.
One of the first scientific bodies before which Mr..
WHITNEY laid his views the Royal Geographical So
cety and although it generally acknowledged among
those who heard him on that occasion that his scheme
was ingenious there lack of objections Of the
most fundamental character 1t was believe at the
meeting referred to that Captain FzRoY and Mr. ROBERT
STEPHENSON both expressed themselves in terms
less decided adverse to the project Other public bodies
and meetings addressed with very much the same
result Mr. WHITNEY then made his appearance before
British Association Mt its late Ipswich meeting and his
scheme there underwent searching discussion the issue
of which was most satisfactory We believe that had
the effect of producing complete change in the sen
ments OF Captain FITzRoY and Mr. STEPHENSON that
both those eminent Authorities convinced of the
practcabity Of the enterprise We understand also that
Sir RoDERcK MURcHIsoS the President of the Royal Geo
graphical Society having surmounted early msgiv-
ings to the soundness of the project rendered most
material assistance to Mr. WHITNEY in his later proceed
ngs in this country. And whilst the hand the
support of the most distinguished scientific authorities
has thus been accorded to his scheme has been duy
appreciated by capitalists the other Offers of the
quise meansn return, of course, for corresponding
grants of participation in the profits of the enterprise
have been made from several quarters but in the pre-
sent state of the negotiations with the American Con-
gress, they have necessarily been declined Such offers
are however, Of great Importance, indicating the
opinions of those who leaving others the philosophy and
the theory of the undertaking. themselves mainly
with its practical merits a commercial speculation
We have more than alluded to the impeachment
which might not mprobaby arise to the realization of
Mr., Whtneys scheme within the United States territory
in consequence of the preoccupaon of or most of the
lands the western side of Lake Michigan and on the
belt of country which, in that region would the east
ern terminus of the line or, to in this more
appropriate word its eastern delta" The occupation
of those lands is proceeding with great rapidy Mr.
Whitney is, believe prepared to find that by delaying
pass the bill of authorization the Congress has in effect
deprived itself of the of granting the requisite
powers and facilities for carrying out the work In that
event however there still remains the parallel belt of
country the British side of the frontier 1t is certain
that the line could be made through that territory and if
from the to which have adverted the American
scheme should fail, the alternative thus offered will we
trust be duly considered. There no question of M
onal rivalry in this matter Provided that the line be
made it of little consequence whether il be constructed
within the American the British border by American
British settlers. What want is the railway and
the hearty cooperation of both nations making it, This
emphaticay those works which the whole
world and for oil time-whch gigantic in their
scope, and too universal in their influence become the
mere property of any single natonnot of empires
such those which obey the laws of the Federal Republic
or bear allegiance to the British Crown.
Mr.. Whitney has recently returned to America leaving
he tn he has