The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-01-14
Atlantic and Pacific paiyroad.

The Washington correspondent Of the N
Y. Journal of Commerce, after referring io
the various projects which have been started
for the construction Of a railroad between
the Atlantic States ard our territories on the
Pacific coast, and the difficulties and objec-
tons connected with them, goes on to say:
But, fortunately, solution Of all the man
ifold difficulties with which this question is
surrounded is found in the proposition which
is about to be made to Congress by an as
sociation Of enterprising engineers. capital
lists and financiers OF the State of New York.
This association will be prepared next
week, TO submit to Congress, in formal
manner, a project which has already been
brought to the notice of many members, and
has been approved by them--for construc-
ton "a military and post road from the VAL
ley of the Mississippi River to San Francisco,
Is California, or other place on the Pacific
Ocean" The company consists of men of
the most enterprising character, and the
greatest amount Of practical information,
and the widest influence and credit, and the
largest wealth in New York.-They are to
be chartered as Company by the New York
Legislature.
Several agents Of the association have al
ready visited Washington and conferred 4ith
members of both Houses, and have been in
vited to bring forward their project.
Mr.. Chatfield, 1Ir. McAlpine, and Gen.
Clarke were here for some days, as agents Of
the association, and were probably among its
principal projectors.
The details Of their scheme are yet SUBJ
ject to some alteration; but, in word, they
propose to relieve Congress Of all difficulty
as to the location OF the road, by selecting
the route themselves.-They offer to make
the road within five years, and by that time
to have it in complete operation.-They ask
OF the Government no public lands except
what may be necessary for the purpose of
the road. They undertake to procure the
assent Of every State or STATES, within the
boundaries of which the road may pass.
They ask of Congress loan OF thirty mil
lions, to be issued in five per cent. stock, and
delivered to the Company as they progress
with the road, at the rate Of fifteen thousand
dollars mile. Thus, upon the completion
and furnishing with necessary apparatus for
travel, nifty continuous miles, they are to re-
ceive stock to the amount of seven hundred
and fifty thousand dollars.
The Company are to pay off the loan in
thirty years, and in failure thereof, the Gov
ernment is 20 take possession of the road and
its appurtenances. The Government may
also, at the end of twenty years, purchase
the road and take possession OF it, with all
the appurtenances, on paying to the compa-
ny the actual cost thereof.
The Company shall construct a single line
OF magnetic telegraph along the entire line
OF the Road, SO as to be ready for operation
on the completion of the road. The Com
pany is to carry the messages of the Gov
ernment without charge, and they are also to
transport the mails of the U. S., and mail
agents, and troops, ordnance, military stores,
naval stores and supplies, Indian supplies.
&C., free of charge to the Government.
Such is the outline of this bold and truly
great and beneficial. project;-and | have
very little doubt, considering the auspices
under which it is brought forward, that it is
to be successful.
1t is understood, however, that the Com
pany have not designated or selected any
route as yet, and may take the Missouri route,
or Gov. Roane's route, or Gen. Rusk, or that
which Texan Company has designated from
Ell Paso to San Diego, or, with the assent
of Mexico, NJ. Dupugnier's route, through
Sonora. They take the wide range of the
Mississippi valley for point of departure.