Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-12-17

PAcrnc RoAp.-Three main roads are prcjec-
river, south oflat SO deg. TO San francisco,
with branch to San Diego; another from some
point on the Missouri river. north oflat 10 deg,
and south of lat 43 deg, 10 San Francisco, with
branch TO Marysyille, Sacramento, Stockton,
and San jose; and the third from some point
on Lake Superior to Pnget's Sound, with a
branch to the month of the Willamette river
To each of these routes the bill proposes TO
grant thirty sections of land for each mile Of
railroad, the land to be selected by the parties
named in tie bill, from the nearest unappropri-
atcd vacant lands of the United States, which
shall be Withdrawn from sale, or entry, or pre-
emption; and If required shall be SURVEYED I'M
der the direction of the Secretary of the 4nteri-
or; provided the parties named in the bin shall
not be compelled to take any waste lands, and
shall pay to the United States twenty-five cents
per acre; provided also that no title shall vest
in them any faster than the roads arc extended
10 completion.
Further, they shall deposit with the Secretary
of the Interior, within six months after the pas
sage ofthis act, 5000, 900 in good United States
or state securities, as guarantee.
One hundred miles of each road must be COM.
pleted within eighteen months from the time of
the establishment of the routes When said
hundred miles are ready for the track, the Sec
rotary of the Interior shall allow the parties
named the use of said $500, 600 to purchase the
iron therefor, and in lieu thereof take first
mortgage bond on the road for that amount, to
be held until the entire line is completed.
Under the bill the United States agree TO pay
$500 per mile fol, the transportation ofthe mails
until the completion of the road and for ten
years thereafter. Also, for transporting troops
and munitions of war, such reasonable sum as
tho President and Secretary of War may deter
mine.
If the parties fail to build the line within ten
years from the date of the location, all right TO
land not at that time paid for shall he forfeited
to the United States.
The right of way to the width OF 400 feet
through the public lands is proposed to be
granted.
Further, six sections of land per mile is pro-
posed to be granted to the following roads, un-
der the restriction that any amount heretofore
granted to states where they are located, for
their use and benefit, Shall be deducted there
from, viz:
Sonth Western Branch Pacific Railroad; Iron
Mountain Railroad; Cairo and Fulton Railroad;
Memphis and Little Rock Railroad Mississippi,
Red River and Washita Railroads yicksbure and
Shreveport Railroad; New Orleans, 0pelousas
and Great Western Railroad, connecting with the
lfirsf-named route
Pacific Railroad; Hannibal and St Joseph
Railroad; Burlington, Keosauqua and Missouri
Railroad; Philadelphia, Fort Wayne and Platte
Valley Railroad; Mississippi and Missouri Rail-
buque and Pacific Railroad; North Iowa, Min
nesota and Nebraska Railroad, connecting with
the second named ronte.
Transit Railroad, and North Iowa, Minnesota
and Nebraska Railroad, connecting with the
Ithird-named route.
Each of these grants is under the proyiso that
fifty miles of railroad must be completed within
three years from the passage of this act, and the
balance within five years thereafter; the United
States mails shall be carried at the usual price
for such services.
Further provision makes it the duty of the
companies named to construct their roads, &C..
/ in good substantial manner, with uniform
gunge.
All the property of said companies in the ter
ritories is to be exempt frSsn taxation as long
as they remain territories. None of the compa-
mics shall construct their roads through tile
lands of any Indian tribes without the consent
of said tribes
They must sell and convey half the lands
granted within five years, and the balance with
in ten years from the Issuing of the patent from
the United States, and all lands not sold at the
expiration often years, shall be forfeited to the
United States