, 1859-12-16

more surprising than the delay Of the general
Government in the payment Of the "war debt"
Aware, however, Of the superior personal knowl-
edge Of yourselves, and relying upon the thor.
ough ampliiicaton Of the subject in all its bear
ings hitherto made; and believing that its early
payment Is among the things that must be; the
undersigned will waive all discussion and pass
from it, with q friendly warning to those holding
just claims not to sacrifice them; adding that It's
payment should be persistently demanded IRE
spectfully, Of course) until justice shall be done.
Upon the subject Of a" Pacific Railroad" so
much, and by such able pens, has been already
written, that anything further by one so humble
as myself If not superfuous, can be little more
than waste Of time and paper. But gentle
men, upon subject like this, q measure upon
the consummation Of which so greatly depends
not only the convenience, prosperity, and happi-
ness Of its citizens, the development Of the Ter
ritory for all time to come the protection Of
our lives and property against foreign foe; but
also the power Of our Government to retain this
as an integral portion Of the Union, or continue
over US the bright banner Of liberty, what patriot
can afford to be silent; and when we remember
that upon these hang all our hopes for the en-
joyments Of lie, and much, very much Of the
commercial and maritime power Of the nation,
Qor it will surely be conceded by those acquainted
with it. that in this last point Of view, this Ter
ritory is Of more importance than was originally
the same extentof space in all our vast domains
who among us al, that upon q measure inyolv-
ing consequences such as these, does not feel an
ardent desire to cast his mite, however small,
into the general receptacle Of information and
suggestion? There can be none among us who
do not feel that this great work ought to be done
few that do not believe It will be done. The
word fail is fast passing from our national vocab
ulary, is being supplanted BY "when there is a
viii, there is a way" Upon no object however
great, has the united will Of the nation hitherto
fIied Of accomplishment Then the way, the
best way, is the paramount question. Divisions,
and these divisions over a one rood idea, have
heretofore delayed the commencement Of this
transcendantly important work one party be-
ing for Southern, another for middle, and a
third for Northern road. This is believed 10
be all wrong The idea Of concentrating all the
trade and travel Of the Atlantic, from the Gulf
Of Mexico to the Aristook, and that Of the Paci-
iic from the Gulf Of Georgia to that Of California,
is worse than futile The people are not likely,
never ought to agree to the proposition neither
would it meet their wants should they do 50.
To supply these we must have two, Northern
and Southern road.
Should, however, the one road idea prevail,
We are not without the best reasons Tor hope OF
terminus within our borders: Its nearly cen
trail position renders St. Josephs, on the Missis-
slppi river, the most probable initial point for
the Eastern terminus. Thence (being west, a
little north) It's facility for cheap construction
must locate the eastern portion up the valley Of
the Platte TO the South Pass, from which the
only reasonably practicable route west, (as was
recently admitted ina somewhat notable meeting
Of those whose interests would be best promoted
by central road, is to cross the head Of Green
River to, and take the Valley Of Snake River.
Then the great (nationaD object being to reach
the Pacific, mot particular point on it) by the
nearest and cheapest route; once in the valley
Of that stream, the reasons for following the
Platte, (cheapness and facility Of construction,
arising from level surface, abundant supply II
water, and water transportation for cross ties
and other naterials) to which must now be added
the immense advantageof the well known exemp-
ton Of the valley Of that stream (Snake River)
from the SHOWS Of winter, as compared with this
dangerous element Of obstruction, always found
on tho mountains either north or south Of i,
would operate with tenfold force in favor OF a
continuance Of the road down the valleyof Snake
river TO the mouth o. Burnt river tnenee up
the latter TO the head OF Powder river, (ascer-
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