Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-04-21
From .i,e Charleston Evening News.l
SOUTHERN COMMERCIAL CONVENTION.
h.- tn;t 1l,h

SOUTHERN vi ESClHL CoAN ELN Wv
FIFTH ~DAy-FRlDAY, April l4Ih.
AZ o'clock, A. NJ, The hour to which The Convention had
adjourned, the Hon. YIN. c. Dawson. President, took the
Chair.
Rev. Dr.. wightman opened the session with prayer.
The Journal of yesterdays proceedings was read.
The President laid before the Convention 4 letter from
Freeman Hunt. Editor of Hunts Merchants Magazine
which was read by the Secretary.
Lieut.. NJ. F.. Maury submitted, from The Committee on
Resolutions, The following reports, viz:
l.. Resolved, That it is vitality important TO Inc progress
and prosperity OF The United States, 10 have ono or more rail
roads connecting the States on The Atlantic win those on
the Pacific Ocean.
at suitable points on the Mississippi river. between New Of.
leans and ST. Louis, thus connecting Itself with the various
similar Improvements made and contemplated in the Atlantic
States, and concentrating at some point in Texas on or near
The thirty second parallel Of north latitude; thence 10 Inc ltio
Grandc, on the western border OF Texas, by the route deslg-
mated by that State at the last session Of her Legislature,
charterlng The mississippi, FL Paso and Pacific Railroad, and
thence to the Pacific Ocean or Gulf OF California.
3. Resolved, That in the deliberate Judgment OF thls Lon
venliun, the Gatsden Treaty with the Government OF Next
co, as published in The newspapers, ought TO ne raN'iro oy
the Senate of the United States, 81 far, at any rate. as TO Sc
cure the best route tor the proposed Southern ha''soau ITO"
The western limits OF Texas TO the Pacific Ocean.
4. Resolved, Thatin order 10 make provision Tor the con
struclion Of said road, this Convention respectfully recon
mend that a Southern organization be Effected, IL pracilca'
Die, Of The States OF Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, LOUISIANA
Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, anu Vi inc
different cities. and rail road companies and corporations IN
those States, for the purpose Of building a Southern kal
Road to the Pacific Ocean or Gulfof California, BY the route
and from one or more oil The points Indicated 10 Inc SECOND
Of these Tor Inc right OF way IL Nc
ces.ary, with the Government OF Mexico.
5. Resolved. That to effect this organization, TINS ConVen'
ton respectfully advises the Incorporation. by the L"eisia'
,ure of The State of Virginia, Of n Southern Pacific Nai
Road Company, With a capital sufficient 10 build sucn fodu
from the point or points, and by the route Indicated IN lnt
second resolutioHs-ol which corporation the several oou'h'
ern States above mentioned, The several cities therein, and
the several rail road companies therein, shall he invited 10
be corporalota, together with such other companiesa and IN
dlyiduals as may choose 10 subscribe tor stock. Including
if they desire II, the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek nauons
Of Indians, west Of the Mississippi. That SAID states DC IN
vuej 10 take stock in such corporation TO the amount OF mol
less than two millions Of dollars each, TO be raised ana Sc
cured in such manner as the Legislature OF each such stlte
shall direct. That each of said cities and rail road compa'
mics be invited to subscribe for stock to such amount as lis
means will admit. That the existence of said corporation
he recognized by each Of said States. and such powers be
vested In, and such franchises and capacities granted 10 u
no the Legislature OF each such State, as may be necessary
10 effect The object Of the organization, and that In It's Dlrec
tory. each such Stale be equally represented.
6 Resolved, That this Convention respectfully recon-
mends that, If necessary, special sessions OF the Legislatures
If such States be called, for the purpose Of taking into con
eidera ton this plan and that a committee OF one member
from each State represented in this Convention, be appoint
ed 10 draft q charter of incorporation for such company, ant
lar The came belurc The Governors of the said several States
and the Nations or General CoI9sds OF the Cherokee, Crce'
and Choctaw nalions, rtGues tfg each Of said Governors Il
convene The Legislature uf his State, in order TO consideI
The came, and take such other steps In regard 10 such road a:
NAV be necessary and proper if, in his opinion, il should b.
e,peIien, to 90 so ard especially praying the Governor o
Yrginia 10 lay said draft Of a charter before the Legislature
of tia, State, with his Views in regard thereto; and request
ing said Councils OF The Cherokees, Choctaws and Creeks
10 act therein, TO recognize such company, grant rights o
way through their national lands for any branch or branche
o! said road that may pass through The same, and enact suct
other avs as shall secure 10 the South, 50 far as may be ir
lhelr power. the exclusive benefits and advantages Of III,
commerce Of The Pacific, and Of the wealthy provinces o
Mexico Intended TO be traversed by said road.
T. Resolved, That this Convention ecommend that powe
ba given TO said corporation, BY It's charter TO negotiate will
Mexico for and purchase, If necessary, a right of way througI
her territory 10 the Pacific Ocean, or TO some point on tn
Gulf OF California 70 ~stipulatc with that government tina
in the event the same is granted no higher rates or charge
shall ever be imposed or eSacted for passage or %transporta
lion over said road on citizens of Mexico than on those o
the United States; and 10 agree that the Company viii! main
tain military posts along said road, will in all time submit
10 the Jurisdiction and laws OF Mexico, and claim 90 politi
cal rights nor attempt TO colonize the country.
s. Resolved That 10 the opinion of this Convention, ih
Southern States, corporations and people, are entirely abI
to build said road, and that no time should be lost in doinl
so that II Is as easy 10 commence 1t now as ten or twenty
years hence, and il can as easily be completed in len year
90 in a century and that 1t is the duty Of every Southern