, 1859-12-23
Railroad Meeting at Monticello.
MONTICELLO, W. r.,
December l4th, 1859.

December l4th, 1869.
Agreeable to notice, the people of Cow.
litz county assembled for the purpose Of tax
ing into consideration the action Of the late
California Railroad Convention.
Convention organized by calling Mr..
VIM. Eastman to the Chair and electing
Seth Catlin, Jr., Secretary whereupon,
Seth Catlin, Sen, presented the following
preamble and resolutions, which were adopt
ed:
WHEREAS The Railroad Convention as
semblcd in California, September last, did
not represent the views of the people of
Washington Territory, nor, as we believe,
the interest of the whole people of the Uni
ted States That in recommending single
central route, making San Francisco its ter
minus on the Pacific, is not the best adapted
to promote the public good, or do equal JUS
tice to all parts Of the country. That it
would neither accommodate the North or
South, or be the most direct route for foreign
trade. That it would have a tendency to
build up single monopoly to the injury of
other places more favored by nature. That
it is the longest-most expensive, and passes
through the most barren country of either
route proposed That it can receive but
little support from settlements on the route.
That it is not the most direct route for eth
er Northern or Southern Asia or the Pa
cifc Islands. That it is not on the best
route or where it is best calculated to facili-
tate transportation between Asia and Eu-
rope. That San Francisco is not the only
or the best harbor on the Pacific coast
That it is folly to try to force commerce out
Of its most direct, easy and natural channel.
That it has neither navigable streams or cx-
tensivC valleys to facilitate its construction
or support settlements; whereas, the North
crn route is the shortest to connect the navi.
gable waters Of the two Oceans, in the
United States. 1t follows large and navi.
gable rivers and extensive valleys to facili-
tate its construction and support settle
ments. That it passes through a country,
the whole of which is susceptible Of settle
ment, which will materially benefit the route
and the people. That it is the cheapest and
most practicable route. That il terminates
at the best harbor on the Pacific coast in q
direct line from Japan, Russia and Northern
China TO- Europe pe--1'hnt IFS eastern termi-
nus, the head Of Lake Superior, is such that
clearance can be had from thence to any
part Of the world, and that the network Of
railroads extending to all parts of the Uni
ted States is at once connected. That it
passes through mild, healthy, pleasant
and dry climate, and hence avoids the deep
SHOWS subject to a more humid atmosphere.
WHEREAS: England feels the necessity of
western communication with Asia, and is
now agitating the question of building
Railroad through her own dominions TO the
Pacific; the effect of which would be to
build up London city on VancouVer's ISL
and and at Quebec, and force our northern
people to Join England, and give all the
benefits of transit to the British.
WHEREAS our nothern route is the
cheapest and the best for Englan !; she
could then tap it at the Sea of st. Mary or
Detroit, to Montreal, and by the present
road to Portland, Maine, and have both
termini in our own Territory, and
WHEREAS: the Southern route is in
direct line with the Sandwich Islands, the
Pacific Islands, Southern Asia and Aus
tralia, which is the best route for all tropical
products, aud is open at all seasons Of the
year, aud communicates with several naviga-
BILE rivers. Therefore, be it
ResOlred, That those self-constituted dele
gates who acted in the California Conven-
tion were neither appointed by or repre-
sented the views Of the people OF Washing
ton Territory.
Resolred, That for reasons above enumer-
ated, and various others, that a Northern
and Southern route would best promote
the interests of commerce and the rights Of
the people.
Resoired, That it is unnatural, inexpedi-
ent and unjust to force the commerce of the
tropics, the temperate and friged zones all
into one channel.
ResOlred, That by following the valley Of
the Columbia, all deep SHOWS and high
mountains are avoided, and the road is more
accommodating to Oregon and Washington,
and also rendered more practible to be con
nected by q road leading to California.
Resolved, That this preamble and these
resolutions be directed to the Legislative
Assembly Of the Territory of Washington,
to the care of the President Of the Council,
with the request that they incorporate those
principles, with others that their wisdom
may suggest, in memorial to Congress.
On motion Of Mr.. Stone, the convention
adjourned sine die.
WILLIAM EASTMAN,
President.
Srru CArIJN Jr ,Secyskar1