Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-16
Washingtnn gsntinsl,
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.


was referred Judge Douglass bill ito author
ize and facilitate the construction of a north
ern, southern, and central Pacific railroad 4 c.
yesterday reported substitute for the same
which is as follows:
BE IL enacted BY the Senate and HoWss of Repre-
ssntafrpes Of Uvted States Of Aerica IA Congress
assembled. That with the view of aiding in the con
slruction Of suitable railroad and telegraphc com
munications between The Mississippi valley and
the Pacific ocean, there shall be, and is hereby
appropriated and set apart quantity of public
land equal TO the alternate sections for the space
oftwelve miles on each side of said roads from
their eastern 10 their western termini, as follows
One road and telegraph, 10 commence on the
western border of the State OF Texas, and 10 pur-
sue the most eligible route 10 the navigable waters
Of the Pacific, in the State of California which
line shall be known as the Southern Pacific rail
road
One road and telegraph, 10 commence on the
western border OF the States Of Missouri or
Iowa, and pursue the most eligible route 10 The
bay Of San Francisco; which line shall be known
as the Central Pacific railroad;
And one road and telegraph, TO commence on
the western border OF the State Of Wisconsin, in
the Territory OF Minnesota, and pursue the most
eligible route 10 the navigable waters Of The Pa
cifc in Oregon or Washington Territories; which
line shall be known as the Northern Pacific rail
road such lands TO be selected from the sections
which shall be designated in The public surveys
Of said land (when made) by odd numbers, and 10
be held and conveyed as herein provided; and in
all cases when the United States may have dis
posed Of s-iA iaaas. any part thereof, or
shall from any cause be- unatle 10 convey title
thereto, the deficiency may be made up by
the party or parties who may become entitled
thereto from any unoccupied and unapproprated
lards belonging to the United States within the
distance of thirty miles of said road Pr0vided
Aoretsr, That for such deficiency within the State
Of California, and also in lieu OF all mineral lands
in said State (which are hereby excepted from the
appropriation herein made) such selection may be
made from any unoccuped and unspproprated
lands Of the United States within fifty miles OF
said road in the said State.
SEC. 2. And Be It further enacted, That it shall
be the duty Of the Secretary OF War, the Sec.
rotary Of the Navy, and the Postmaster General
upon the passage OF this ACT 10 cause advertise
ments 10 be published in two newspapers in each
State, and in the District of Columbia for rea.
sonabic time, not exceeding six months, which
advertisement shall invite sealed and separate
proposals for the construction Of each either OF
said lines OF road and telegraph in the manner
herein provided said advertisement shall incnde
a copy Of thus act as containing the terms upon
W Sich the United States willing 10 contract for
the construction Of either of said lines of road and
telee raph; and shall require separate sealed pror
posals. stating specifically whether il be for the
sonther. n central, or northern line, and also
FIRST The time in which The party or parties
propose TO construct, complete, and finish the en-
lire road an.N telegraph ready for use, which period
mus, no, exc sed ten years from the signing Of the
and, also, what extent and portion
ihey pro, >ose 10 complete and put in oper.
aiion during each and every year.
Srcosp. The time in which such party or parties
will surrender and transfer, free of cost 10 the
United States, for the purpose OF being surren-
dered TO The several States as herein provided, the
said road with its appurtsnancss and furniture.
din0 fhres. Inn drpI
dollars per mile, for carrying the United States
mails daily both ways on saiS road, under The
direction OF the Post Office De ,7artment, for the
period Of fifteen years from The completion OF the
road and, while in course OF construction, Tor
the portion in use and what rate pei, mile for
like period, and the portions in lile being
they will carry on said roaGtr under
the direction of the proper department, all ui airy
and naval stores, supplies, munitions, troops, and
freights Of all kinds for government purpos ss,
which sum or rate must not exceed that now paid
IN the aggregate for such service; and from and
after the expiration OF said period of fifteen years
said transportation, postal military naval and for
every other government purpose, shall be in like
manner performed on said road, under the direc.
lion of the proper department, at reasonable
prices, not exceedng those usually paid for The
lime being other first class roads, TO be ascer.
tanned by Congress in the event OF disagreement
between the government and the owners Of the
road.
SEC. 2. And BE- 1t further enacted, That the Sec
rotary Of War, the Secretary Of the Navy, and the
General, under the direction of the
President be, and they are hereby, authorized 10
contract with the party parties whose propo-
sails, as aforesaid, may be accepted for he full and
complete construction and keeping mp of either
line or each Of said lines of road and telegraph
The said contract 10 provide for the road or roads
as herein described, and also for a telegraph line
or lines on the most approved plan; and that the
party or parties whose proposal shall be accepted
shall deposite with the Secretary of the Treasury
the sum OF FIVE hundred thousand dollars, or the
value thereof in bonds or certificates of stock OF
the United States, or State bonds, whose market
value shall be at or above par al the time OF mai
ing the said deposte, which may be subsequently
drawn out by them in sums Of five thousand dol
lars, as the work proceeds, on the production Of
vouchers showing satisfactorily TO said Secretary
that an amount equal thereto has been applied IN
good faith 10 the construction Of said road; and
all obligations contracts, and securities, shall be
binding and obligatory in law on the contracting
parties according to the exact terms Of their re-
spective obligations, contracts, and undertakings;
all questions Of damages and forfeiture by reason
OF any breach Of said contracts being determined
by the express terms of such obligations, con-
tracts, and undertakings: Prov,ded, That in all
contracts made in pursuance of this act the pro.
vision. of the act shall be taken and considered
as parts of said contracts IN like manner as il the
same were set forth in full in said contracts.
q.
ing said contracts il shall be stipulated that, for
the sake Of convenience, the said roads shall be
divided into sections OF one hundred miles each,
and that none OF said lands shall be conveyed TO
the contractors until one ofthose sections shall be
completed and put in successful operation, when
the President shall convey by patent 10 the con-
tractors three-fourths Of the land pertaining 10 the
section 90 completed, retaining the other fourth as
security for the completion OF the next section Of
one hundred miles and when the second section
shall be completed, the President shall, in like
manner convey 10 the contractors three fourths OF
the land pertaining 10 that section, together with
the remaining fourth on the previous section, and
30 with each section, conveying three-fourths and
retaining one.fourth as security for the completion
OF the next until The last section Of the road shall
be finished and put in operation, when the Presi-
de nj shall convey the contractors the residue Of
the lands and il shall also be stipulated, in said
contracts that the mails shall al all times be car
ried on sad roads under the direction Of The Post
Office Department and that oil other transporta-
ton for the use Of the United States, provided
in this act shall be performed under the direction
n nroner depa ment. and thai the com Al