The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-12
New Orleans and Texas Railroad,

( To THE CITIZENS or LOUISIANA:
b. act of the legislature of this State, approved
January %, 1852, charter was given and grant Of
land made for the purpose OF constructing railroad
from the New Orleans 0pelousas and Great Western
railroad, New Iberia to Orange, on the Sa
bne river, the present terminus of the Texas and New
Orleans railroad, and TINS connecting the rail- Dad sys
TEN OF Texas with New Orleans; thereby giving this
city cont. uous railroad connection westward OF nearly
seven hundred miles and opening up to our CONNER
cial interests one of the fertile and productive
gons on the American continents besides exempting
in great measure from dependence upon the north
west for supplies OF grain and other provisions
as it is well known that Texas has capacity to supply
beef pork and mutton sufficient for the whole COuted-
eracy and large portion of its consumption of -four
and other breadstufs. She produces more wool
than all the other Confederate States combined She is
teemng with INDUSTRIOUS enterprising and rapidly
increasing population. Her early destiny is to be a
great agricultural empire where abundant products viii
guarantee independence of the north for supplies
Now fellow citizens all we need to make the Ores
cent city the great for this empire and
open market for enerprsing merchants and man
ufacterers, is the construction of a line of railroad
only one hundred and seventeen miles in engh one of
the most easily and cheapy constructed and maintained
roads ever built in any country This road will all be
within the limits of Louisiana. The Texas and New
Orleans road is constructed to the Sibine river
Our neighbor is at our door, asking us to join her
and assist in pouring her riches into lap, that we
may be her storehouse as she will be ogerfowing
granary. Does it not behoove US to Immediately pre-
pare to buy and sell with her? This in one Of the most
necessary steps to New Orleans the proud posi-
ton for which nature has well fitted her of being
the great commercial emporium OF this glorious young
Conedcacy. All the necessary enterprise energy and
capital of our citizens should be devoted to this purpose
SO that at the end of this the Crescent city shall stand
beyond competition and make rapid strides towards
hertuture greatness.
Let US be ready for that great commercial revolution
which will follow the present political one. There is
still stronger reason why this link of railroad should
be completed at once patriotic reason which forms the
main motive for attempting it at this time It'll great
military necessity, national want Its construction
would be like furnishing Government with an army
when she now has none. 1t would save the national
treasury millions OF money, preserve the lives of hun
dreds of brave soldiers and give ample facilities
for the protection of many hundreds of miles of sea-
board and frontier. Were Texas attacked by the Fed
erals brave Louisiana troops could speedily fly to
her relief. Were New Orleans in danger thousands of
salwart of Texans, in few hours, would be with u.s.
ready to deal death and destruction on a common foe
Had this road been completed six months ago many
a Texan mother, wife, sister and daughter who are
now bowed down with grief, would have been happy
and exuant deeds Of noble darir/ in the field
performed by those they loved and mojrn and in whom
the seeds Of death planted in the terrible march
across the country where is proposed to construct
this road.
In pecunlay point OF view the investment Of mon
ey in this enterprise will be highly remuneratiye The
whole cost of the road will be about two millions of
dollars. At low estimate its gross earrings will exceed
one million and half the first year after its completion
and increase afterwards If the operating expenses be
fifty per cent, land they need not exceed forty) it will
give nett earnings of seven hundred and fifty thousand
dollars per annum; thus yielding dividend over thirty
per cent. per annum. This statement we known viii
appear exaggerated, but it is based upon facts and
upon the judgement Of those who have had tile most
experience in such matters and thoroughly CON
versant with the business to be done.
The undersigned, committee appointed by the cor
oorators to receive subscriptions the capital stock
and superinteud the organization OF this company
sill eheerfuIly give such further information as may be
desired by persons.who wish assist this great en-
)rise.
The land grant to the company is six sections to
he mile. The title OF one hundred and twenty sections to
vest when each twenty miles Of road is finished Hence
he company viii own, when the enterprise is completed
considerably four hundred thousand acres of land
which, AT five dollars per acre. will be worth tive mil
ions OF dollars-uear about the cost of the road
Finally, feel confident that when We have evinced
ur earncstHess in this matter by putting our shoulders
0 the wheel, the Confederate government will grant or
oan Us liberal aid in speedily constructing this work
We make this appeal to your patriotism, your public
pirit your sentercst with confidence that you will
lot let il pass unlecded