The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-27
RIorida Railroads.

we called the attentlon OF congress lew
days since to bill granting alternate sections
Of the public domain to the States of Alabama
and Florida, to aid in the construction of a rail-
road from the harbor of Pensacola to the town
Of Montgomery, Alabama; and also road
from the Atlantic across Florida to the Gulf of
Mexico. 1t is understood that the bill will pro
baby come up this morning in the House Of
Representatives for consideration; aud it is
hoped that the national importance of both these
roads will secure for them dispassionate con-
sideration. - F.
The following correspondence upon the sub
ject has been sent 10 US for publication. The
opinions Of General Totem, the chief of the
engineer corps, cannot fail to have great
weight with the representatives of the people:
SENATE CHAMBER, July %, 1852.
Sin: Bills are now pending before Congress
granting to the States Of Alabama and Florida
alternate sections of the public domain, to mid in
the construction Of railroads from the Bay of Pen.
sacola, Florida, 10 Montgomery, Alabama, and
from point the Atlantic, across Florida, to
such terminus on the Gulf of Mexico as that State
may designate. 81 .- ..''
In your annual reports of the Engineer Depart
ment, far back as lS43, ~, '45, and '46, OBJ
serve you call the attention of Government to tho
importance of having facile communication be-
tween the hnrbor Of Pensacola and the populous
interior counties of Alabama and Georgia. The
works for the defences Of that harbor being now
nearly completed will thank you to give me
your views of the necessity of the road from that
point to Montgomery, Alabama, as connected
with the military defences of the Gulf of Mexico.
The road across Florida from tho Atlantic to the
Gulf Of Mexico is, in my judgment, also of great
Importance, not only to the commercial interests Of
the whole country, but qualify 30 Tits military
defence In time of war. In great measure it
would do away with the necessity of ship canal
from the Atlantic to the Gull, work which, for
years, has engaged the serious consideration or
the commercial interest of the United States.
will esteem it favor If you will let me also
have your views Of the importance of that road,
as connected with the military defence of the
country.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
JACKSON MORTON.
General JossPH G. TorrEN, U. 8. Engineers.
.t' WAsHISaros, July 26, 1852.
Hon. JACKSON MORTON, Senate: ..a' - T. ,t..t ".f'
DEAR SIR+ The opinions that you ask of mo
in relation to the proposed communications by rail-
road between Pensacola harbor and the interior of
Florida and Alabama will give with pleasure,
hoping that they may in some degree help designs
that deem to be of national interest, for which
reason have often felt II my duty to press them
upon the Government. &a.'. :s,a ar-. ." as.s
The harbor of Pensacola-the only one on the
Gulf Of Mexico at all suited to be naval station =
is by geographical position and natural features
admirably adapted thereto, and under a wise and
liberal forecast, having been fitted with many of
the indispensable local means and appliances, has
become a great naval centre. A continuance of
the same judicious patronage will soon give it, 90
far as local provision do SO. all the accommo.
dalton that our squadrons watching over the i'm
mense commerce of that sea may need.
During the growth of this naval establishment,
the Government has bestowed q not less liberal
support system of Notifications that was at an
early day seen to be indispensable to the protection
of this as naval harbor,and harbor of refuge.
These Notifications nearly completed-being
more advanced than those of any of the great har.
bors Of the country, only small additional grants
being necessary to finish all that need now be ex-
ecuted.
But with all that can be said in favor of this har-
Dor, it lies, al present, under serious dsadvan-
tage, which, though always we'll understood and
provided against to certain extent in the sys-
tenn Of defence, must nevertheless. under present
circumstances, b" q subject Of concern; and
that s, the barrenness of the surrounding country,
lance, owing to the want Of communication This
throws upon the Notifications, and such naval
means as may be present, the necessity of holding
out, against the formidable attacks, for
number of days; and it is this circumstance that
has very materially enhanced the cost of the de-
fences. '. .. r ,.. a.s,.,r4. .... u
The danger to which the bar Dor would be exposed
in case of war with maritime enemy might come
in Mt least three forms; that is 10 say:
Let. An expedition Of come strength might fall
upon the place, Of the first acts of the war,
and before time had been given to brace up from
the relaxed condition incident to our small peace
establishment, both naval and military. - Now,
whether it would require three or four days, or two
or three weeks, to throw some thousand additional
men into thcse works, would probably be decisive
as to the result. w. -''@
I'd. An expedition in large force might, consid-
erng the importance of the object to DO gained be
landed upon the Islands at the mouth Of the har-
Dor, and undertake the reduction OF the forts by
the construction Of batteries, and other works ne.
ccssary in a short seige. To relieve from this
danger would require the concentration from O
widespread country, the organizing and arming Of
large body of militia and volunteers, the pro-
curemento OF their supplies, and the marching them
long characterization not speedily to be ac-
compIshod with present means, and perhaps not
before the enemy had completed his design. .- "a,
Sd. A superior maritime enemy not possess-
ing the military means for following either of
the above courses, might resort to a close block
ade of the harbor; and he might the rather be
led to the enforcement of q blockade, because it
would not interfere with his control OF the COM
merce Of the Gulf-the tracks of navigation through
the Gulf being all within the easy reach, from this
station, of his light cruisers. Under such block.
ade the difficulty and expense of getting relief to
the navy yard and forts would be very great since
neither men nor supplies Of any sort could reach
their destination, except from distant interior,
and through broad strip of country almost with
out communication. ,taa a4 aiFes ace 1sagt;.
will not trouble you with further remarks on
this and other points that might be forcibly urged
to like effect, "a these alone, it seems to me- arc
conclusive as TO the importance to this great ma
tional establishment of opening easy and rapid
communication with means of relief and means of
supply. ' N ~, ' .. ,''a . .... 'ga FN'
have restricted my observation to military
inns nd sfil In, rafer