The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-28

OvUr1ana Rsua % e. Paclne.
Anssxsd b copy Q. bill suthsrizing The ccA-
ing certain postsl communication between the
shosss of the Pacific and Atlantic within the United
States, fer the protection and facilities Of travel
and commerce. and for the, necessary dsfenoes Of
the country-psoposed BY senator vim, of Cali
foraia -
That with the vier of securing the speedy con-
st,ucticn Of railroad and branches connecting the
Mississippi river With the Pacific ocean ct suitable
points, the President ofthe United States Is hereby
authorized to enter into contracts, in conformity
with the provisions Of this aot for tho construction
ofA railroad from point on Red river, at or near
the southwest corDsr of the State Of Arkansas. ON
the most direct ana feasible route, and II practicable,
with branch 20 the gulf and through the State
OF Texas, to point on the eastern boundary Of the
State OF Califorps; add from points the western
boundary of Missouri and Iowa. (not within tho mits
of any existing State the most direct and feasible
route 20 intersect saad running from Red river ~
Aforesaid to the sas'ern boundary Of the State Of
California with track depsrting from this line at
some point nj the Sierra Nevada or Rocky
Mountains. and running the most direct and feas
Territory of O'eeon. which shall be at all times
accessible to the largest class Of sea going vessels
navigating the Pac no ocean.
Sec. 2-And he 1t further enacted, That the
right of way, two hundred feet wide, throughout
the entire length of said road and branches is here
by set apart and appropriated fer the use Of said
road snd branches forever; and quantity Of land,
equal to the ateTna sections for the space Of forty
miles each of said read and branches to wit:
the sections which soau be marked and designated
on the public surveys of said lands by odd numbers
are hereby set spars and appropriated to aid in the
construction OF sa'o road AND brsnches in the man
Der ana subject to the terms, conditions
and restrictions hereinafter provided
SEQ. 3-And be it further enacted, That for the
eastward from its terminus on Red river, on the
two lines, the through the State of Arkansas
and the other through the State of Louisiana, so
as to connect at The Mis- sissppi river with the "a
q N nfN
ton between the Mississippi and the Atlantic sea-
board. like qusitiy of land is hereby granted to
the States of Arkansas and Louisiana, with the
same terms, conditions, Limitations, and restric-
tions to wit The alternate sections designated
the public surveys by odd numbers for twenty
miles each side of said road, throughout it's en-
tire length within the State of Arkansas, here
by granted to the said State of Arkansas and the
alternate sectors designated the public surveys
BY odd numbers for twenty miles on each side of
sao road, throughout its entire length within the
State of Louisiana, hereby granted to the said
State Of Louisiana; and for the purpose Of factat
iEg the extension of the said road and branches
eastward from the terminus the Missouri river.
on two lines, the ore through the State of Iowa and
the other through the State of Missouri, so as to
connect with the principal lines now in process of
construction between the Atlantic seaboard, the
lakes, and the Nississ ppi river like quantity Of
land Ia hereby granted to the States Of Iowa and
Missouri with the same terms, conditions, limita-
tions, snd restrictions to wit the alternate SEQ
tions designated the public surveys by odd num-
hers for twenty miles on each side Of said road,
throughout its entire length within the State of
Iowa, are hereby granted TO the State of Iowa
AID the alternate sections designated on the
public surveys BY cdd numbers, for twenty miles
each side of said road throughout its entire length
within the State Of Missouri. are hereby granted to
the State Of Missouri; provided that the lands grant
cd 20 the State Of Missouri at the last session, in
aid OF railroads. shall be deducted from the amount
heIeby granted and provided further, that if the
State OF Missouri she'll cause the companies oontrac
tors, or other gents, charged with the making of
to n a
Ply With, the requirements OF this act in respect to
the grants made to the several States herein pro.
v:dst for, then the lands herein granted may be d.
videa between those Two roads upon just and
equitable principles. to be determined by the Pres-
Dent of the United States. And for the purpose Of
facilitating the extension Of each Of said roads and
branches, westward from the eastern boundary Of
the State of California, to safe and cOmmodious
ha, bors which shall be at all times accessible to
the largest class Of going vessels navigating the
granted to the State of California, with same
terms, conditions limitations, aud provisions. to
wit the alternate sections designated on the pub
lie surveys by odd numbers, for forty miles on each
side Ct said road and branches, throughout their
entire length within the limits Of the State of Cali
fora;a.
Sec 4-And be it further enacted, That in all
cases where the United States shall have disposed
of any Of the lands herein granted to any State
from any cause shall be unable TO convey title to
the same, the deficiency may be made up by selec
tions 20 be made under the auth ~ of the Cover
Bor of each of said States respec lively of any
rnimrroved public lands signsted on the public
surveys by odd nun bers, and which shall lie nearest
manner all dehcsI cies in the lands herein sst apart
cod appropriated to enable the contractors to make
said roads through the territory Of the United
States. may be made up by the selections to be
made by said contractors, subject to the approval
Of the Secretary of the Interior
Sec 5-Ard be II further enacted, That the said
grants Of land made TO the States herein named
On the express condition following, to witt
Nh 7
Texas, Missouri and Iowa, respectively, will com
Dence the roads within their respective States with
in year succeeding the first session Of the egis
laure after the passage Of this act and prosecute
then with yig0r TO completion, and will complete
the same within the period Of five years from the
Iasssge Of this act and that the State Of Calior-
Tia wall commence the road and branches within
her limits within one year succeeding the first
sion of the Legislature after the passage of this act
and prosecute them with vigor 70 completion, and
will complete them within tea years from the pas
cage Of this act and so much sooner as the road aud
branches through the territory 20 connect there With
shsil Re competed by the contractors herein pro-
vided for.
Second, That the United States mail shall be
carried On said road and branches ferever free of
cbasge or expense TO the government. under the d.
rection Of the Pest Office Department and that all
troops, eeameD, arms. munitions OF war, military
ard naval stores. and all funds and property of
whatever kind belonging TO the United States, and
al persons off ,al business in their employment,
shail OF all times be transported and conveyed on
and over said roads free Of charge expense to the
government; and for all the purposes Of transpor.
tation in this article mentioned, the United ates
stall have the preference all persons bodies
politio Whatsoever, when in the opinion of the
President Of the United States the public interest
requires promptness and despatch in such transpor
tation.
Third, That each Of said States SHALL conform to
and comply with such AMI all the terms conditions,
limitations restrictions and provisions of this act,
in respect to this road and branches and shall assent
TO tho power which is hereby expressly reserved to
Congress by law, from time to time, TO regulate
khe charges for feighs and passer gers thereon sub
xsct to the restriction that Congress shall re-
ducs the charge for passengers below the average
rate per mile for like services for ia time being,
othsr FIRST class roads in the United States, the
charge FOR freight below the cost Of transportation
SEQ 6-AId be IL further enacted That IL shall