pp. 554-577 of typed material
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Watkins, J. Elfreth (John Elfreth), 1852-1903
label: Collection Creator
content: Stevens, John, 1749-1838
setName: label: See more items in
content: John Stevens Collection
container: label: Container
content: Box 1, Folder 12
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: Letter to President James Madison dated 3/9/1816 from John Stevens proposing construction of a combined railroad water transportation system from Providence, RI to Savannah, Georgia, a distance of more than 1,000 miles.  Stevens argued this route would reduce transit time by half and would have important national defense benefits by avoiding the risks of enemy naval interference with commerce on the open seas (as in the war of 1812).  A letter (unsigned) to Senator Calhoun (1/22/1817) seeking U.S. Government support for a Trenton New Brunswick (NJ) railroad.  John Stevens' letter to President Monroe (10/21/1818) further supporting railroads.  Letter to W.H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury (10/31/1818) further asking public support for railroads.  Letter to Thomas Jefferson (11/7/1818) and a reply from Jefferson (11/23/1818) pleading "infirmities of age" for not reading Stevens' papers, but supporting generally "every improvement which may better the condition of mankind".  A similar reply from James Madison (11/17/1818).  A letter to W.H. Crawford (11/27/1818) and reply (12/4/1818) stating that no money was available to support Stevens' plans.