The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-25

Colonel Benton's Letter.
-
From the 81. Louis Democrat Of ne July.
LETTER FROM GREENH Cousrr TO Cor. BENTON.
GREENE CouNry, Mo-, May Is, 1853
Colonel THOMAS II. BENToN--Dear Sir: Hav-
ing been for a long time your especial admirers
generally, are particularly the subject Of the
Pacific Railroad, about which 80 much interest is
and should be felt, are extremely anxious that
you pay us an early visit, we think this
peculiarly favorable time to make good impress
sion in the Southwest, your friends we're all dis
gusted with Major Phelpss course before his return
and SO far there yet no demonstrations in his
favor. general murmur prevails, and we are Of
opinion that visit would finally prevent a re-
action in his favor. Please give US time to give
the people notice of your coming, and you may
expect to see general outpouring of all sizes,
ages, and sexes. ~ W Hr6 IA
Very respectfully, your fellow-citzens,
Josiah Stewart, John b. Perkins, Reuben Rose,
Philip Stephens, Henry Tulbright, (request to
Col. B. to make visit to Southwest, but cannot
Howard, Stewart Warren, Joseph Rudd, Sam
uel Piper, Richard Aldridge, George Piper,
Samuel Greer, S. N. Ingram, T. Piper, Philip
Bodenhamer, Allen Mitchell, J. M. Potter, J. r.
Warren, Pleasant Sale, M. c. Aldridge, David
Melton, M. Henseley, VIM. B. Berry, Robert
Barnheart, Bedford Aldridge, William Rudd.
REPLY.
GENTLEMEN: cannot fix any time for being
IN your part of the State, being extremely occu-
pied with subject that engages all my attention;
could Visit you at all for any object personal to
Mr.. Phelps. His relations with Ills constituents
rs an affair which leave to him and to them, and
in the conclusion of which l shall take no moro
part than had in its commencement feel
hnI tu fr0Qf
and was taken by surprise by what happened.
was IN state OF the most harmonious intercourse
with Mr.. Phelps and Mr.. Lamb, and had no sus-
pcion of any rupture until their letter was dcliy-
cred On Sunday evening they ~ss> both Al my
house, quito socially. and were 10 con.s frrk the
next day at IL O'Clock to consult about NisSs~rri
appointments. Instead Of returning together 81
that time, Mr.. Lamb came alone, made an excuse
tor MIR. Phelps, and asked, in their Joint names to
postpone the meeting until 10 o'clock Oh Thurs
day. To this readily agreed, and asked them to
take dinner with me that day, which Mr..
Lamb said he would do ss,ciM pleasure and
would deliver my invitation to Mr.. Phelps. Ac-
cordingly had a comfortable dinner prepared, so
that we might stick to our work until it was DONE
But when the time came, instead of coming them
selves, or sending another excuse, they sent me
that letter! which they had been cooking for me
while was having dinner cooked for them.
Seeing that it was intended for publication, ! sent
it off tor that purpose; and having had no hand
in getting up the difficulty shall take none in its
conclusion, but leave the issue to the people.
With respect to the other subject which you
mention, THAT of the great road to the Pacific
ocean, have the pleasure to inform you that
there seems to be general waking up of the at
tention of the country to its Importance, and to
the necessity of its construction, and to its nation
atty as central, and not sectional object. The
newspaper and the periodical press has taken up
the subject, and has carried its discussion into
every house, and producing that state of feeling
which leads to judgment and execution.
How long great idea must lie dormant, wait
ing the conjuncture Of circumstances which ripen
it into life and action 1t is now precisely fifty
years since Mr.. Jefferson took the first step to-
wards opening a communication between the Mis-
sissippi river and the Pacific ocean for CONNER
cal purposes. Lewis and Clarke Is expedition had
commerce for its pFmary object, the increase of
geographical knowledge for its second. His re-
commentator to Congress for authorizing that
expedition was before the purchase of Louisiana,
and was made under the clause of the Constitu-
ton which gave Congress power over the subject
of commerce, both foreign and domestic. Jeffer-
son hoped to realize the idea of western route to
1ndia-that idea which, beginning with Column
bus, found first Lasalle and afterwards Jefferson
to give it practical application through the heart
and centre of our North America.
When came to Missouri in 1915, / took up
Jefferson's grand idea where he had left it, and
wrote many Articles In the newspapers to promote
the opening of commercial communications with
Asia upon the line Of the Columbia and Missouri
rivers. The acquisition of California, and the APP
plication of steam-power to the propulsion of cars
and the present proposal for railroad, is only a
modification of the original commercial idea,
adapted to the acquisition of territory and the
progress of the arts in developing steam as q mo-
tive power both by land and water. A western
route to India for commercial purposes was the
great idea of Columbus, and of those who have
taken it up after him; and while different nations
are endeavorng to carry out that idea on their
own terrtories-some by Panama-some by Mica
ragua-some by Tehuantepec-there seems to be
passion in the United States to make a road out
side of the present Union, nearly outside as
possible 1t is curious to review these efforts for
an exterritorial road Leaving out all the efforts
for remote foreign routes, and ocean steam lines
at the expense of two millions a year, l confine
myself to the efforts for southern sectional road
which has long been the secret, and is now the
open antagonist of the national central route It
is now six years since this struggle began upon
one side, and has hardly yet commenced on the
other | will begin at the beginning and trace
it up.
The scheme for this southern road began in the
treaty of peace with Mexico, in which contn-
gent provision was inserted for a road, canal, or
railway on the Gila, to this effect: If upon ex-
animation it should be practicable and advantage
GUS to construct such road on either bank Of the
ella, or within a marine league of it on either
side, then the two governments would form an
agreement to its construction, that it may
serve equally for both countries. This is the
treaty article in which this ella road originated,
and which is adhered to until the examinations
have proved, what was perfectly well known be-
fore, that no road Of any sort, or canal, can be
made anywhere near it. This the boundary com
mission have officially reported to the Govern
ment so that there Is ,o,O an end Of all pretencc
for road there founded the treaty; and unless
treaty is made. and large part Of Sonora OBJ
tanned, none can DO made there.
With the design for the Gila road went the
amputation of Ell Paso from New Mexico, and its
surrender with seventy fhousand cnna RI ,r,;oo &c