The true Democrat., 1856-08-05
Cairo and Fulton Railroad.

| Clllcd5O I lec | leSS.
 Below we give letter, full of interest, from
 Judge Cross to the editor of this paper. Let
 every body read it, and if they feel the same
 deep interest in the project that we do, they
 will rise from its perusal full of hope Judge
 Cross is devoting his whole time and energies
 to this enterprise, and he is doing so, not only
 without reward but at his own individual ex-
 pense He is the authorized agent of the Cairo
 and Fulton company, and the object of his
 present visit is, to adj just the titles of the com
 pany to the various land grants made to it, and
 to put the Missouri division under contract The following is Judge Cross letter
 Chicago Illinois, July 18th, 1856.
 MY DEAR SIR-I had intended writing you
 at an earlier day, and should have done so, but
 for the lndisposition of my son, who was con-
 fined to his bed several days, at St. Louis, and
 is now barely able to travel. In passing through
 south east Missouri, I found state of things
 there highly cheering. The citizens, generally,
 have confidence in the success of our road, and
 several counties, not having previously turned
 over any portion of their'swamp lands, have
 and will do so, thereby increasing the amount
 applicable to the construction of the Missouri division of the Cairo and Fulton road to nearly seven hundred thousand acres. These lands have mostly been selected by the agents of the company, are exceedingly rich and valuable, and With confidence in the success of the road would command an average price of from five to ten dollars per acre. They lie along and near the line, are level and well timbered. and lack only the convenience of access to market for their productions, to render them as desira- ble as any farming lands in the United States.
 You may arrive at something like reliable opinion as to the prospects of the Missouri di- vision of our road by estimating the lands at five dollars per acre (which is below, rather than above, what will be realized) amounting to $3,3OO,OOO--when 1 inform you that in addi- ton, one million of stock may be obtained in the rich counties bordering on the Mississippi river and that the State has accorded its aid in
  The estimated cost of this division of the road is $l, 154 539 With means in hand and at- tainable, amounting to upwards of four millions of dollars, on a reasonable estimate, surely the Missouri division of the road can and will be built, and its stock be equal to that of any railroad in the United States No doubt need be en- tertained of it's success at an early day, and the success of our division may, confidently be- lieve, be considered equally certain. We have only to pursue that cautious prudent policy which has hitherto characterized the proceed lngs of the company to insure result so vtallv important to the great interest of agriculture in our State. At St. Louis found many zealous and warm friends of our road, and you will per- ,elve from an editorial article in the Republi 'an that change has taken place in public sentiment, and that confidence is at last be- ginning to prevail in the correctness of its man. 'gement. The policy must be adhered to, of lot beginning until we are ready, by which is meant, not until reliable arrangements are made O finish. It is very simple matter to begin ! railroad. Ours mi ght have been commenced IS months since, but if it had, we should pro- oably never have completed it, or if ultimately successful, at sacrafce of one half the means md every prospect of productvcness on its stock. In this city, where we have met with railroad men and capitalists. the policy ot our company as well as that of Mis- 'ouri, which is identical, is fully approved and every step taken sanctioned by those who have made themselves acquainted with the subject. There will be no difficulty, you may rely upon It, ln obtaining stock subscriptions here and elsewhere in the State of Illinoise. Gov. Madison, with whom I had short interview at Springfield, expressed himself in the most favorable terms of our road-appeared to be well informed in regard to everything pertain ing to it, and willing and anxious to Cooperate with us in its prosecution. He was in the act of leaving for \. | oril when he assured me during his stay there he would, upon all proper occa- Slons, urge its importance and advantages, as one division in a great national line of inter- communication, upon capitalists and railroad men with whom he might meet. 1 have had various interviews with Judge Lane, one of the resident directors of the Central railroad and principal attorney and solicitor for the company; also, with Gen. Wilson, its land commissioner. Both are gentlemen of the highest order of business qualification, and are taking a deep interest ln the enterprise. We have derived great advantage from their friendly corporation and advice as well as that of Col R. B. Mason, chief engineer of the Central road
 ncose you an article taken from the Chi cago Daily Democrat, of this morning, which IS favorable and somewhat complimentary to our management. Col. Wentworth, for many years a Representative in Congress from this State, and with whom had some acquaintance. k one of the proprietorS and editors I have found him, notwithstanding his freesoil pro- chvltles, an ardent friend of the cause of in ternal improvement, and very kind and polite Tn his intercourse with us. 1 must say that I have me. here with nothing like that want of clvlty to southern men which had anticipat- ed, and cannot but believe that the spirit of fanatcsm, which at one time seemed even to repel social intercourse with those who re- sided in slave State, has ceased to exist, or if to be found at all would have to be sought in the haunts of reckless demagogue or Colts rifle clergyman.
 Judge Kitchen, who has been with me hereto fore, left for Washington yesterday to attend to general land office. We esteem 1t matter of great importance to close up at the earliest moment, consistent with the rights accruing under the land grant, every thing pertaining to the lands donated for the road. The powerful and favorable impression made upon the minds of capitalists in this country and in Europe by the success of the Central railroad renders the present propitious time for our company to enter the money markets. 4l. l l.. .sl, kl