travel. Other things being equal;-that Cincinnati to Philadelphia will be less is, with equal markets for purchase and sale, and equal cheapness, expedition, certainty and comfort in transit. Considering first the lake business, the present point of departure from the Northwest for New-York and Philadelphia and places south of the latter, is Cleveland, the routes and distances being as follows: Add even the distance from Philadelphia to New-York, through New-Jersey 497 .117 96 21 miles from Cleveland to New-York through Philadelphia by the Ohio and Pennsylvania route, than from Cleveland to New-York by the lake shore and NewYork and Erie routes. than from Cincinnati to New-York, not only by 145 miles already shown, (taking Galion as the common point of departure,) but also by the difference between the length of the base line from Xenia to Pittsburgh and the two sides of the triangle, just indicated, Galion being its apex. Without extending these exhibitions of figures, it is apparent from the railroad connections actually made between 614 miles. the lake country and New-York and Philadelphia respectively, that the distances are very greatly in favor of the latter; and necessarily still more so between Philadelphia and all points farther south. It is useless therefore to multiply figures in proof of this fact. We recog even now nearer to the whole West nise it as beyond dispute, that this city is than any of her rivals. Before the close of another year, this advantage will be vastly enhanced. Then the Pennsylvania Central Rail-road will be perfect in its entire length, dispensing with the portage road and all the incidental delays and troubles of its inclined planes. TWELVE HOURS, (instead of eighteen as now,) will then, and must then, suffice for the transit of passengers from the Delaware to the Ohio. What other hold, besides this grand work, has Philadelphia upon the commerce of the West? What is her own ability to give it business by the maintenance and extension of that commerce? Keeping still in view the lake connections, when the Ohio and Pennsylvania shall be completed to its junction with the Cleveland and Cincinnati Rail-road, seventy-five miles southwest of the former city-a new point of departure will be established for the travel thence eastward. Galion will be that point, only four miles south of the junction, and the routes will be as follows: 693 miles. 547 146 Galion and New-York city are in the same latitude; and if, as thus appears, the distance between these two points is greater by one hundred and forty-five miles, than between the former and Philadelphia, how much more favorable must be the connections between Philadelphia and the whole Ohio and Mississippi Valley! Taking Cincinnati, for instance, as a starting point, Xenia is the point on the Cleveland and Cincinnati road at which the projected Pittsburgh connection with the Ohio Central Rail-road will strike. Now the latter is the base of a triangle, of which the road from Xenia to Galion, and the road from Galion to Pittsburgh. are respectively the sides. The route therefore from The following statement comprises a list of the different rail-roads by which Norfolk, as the terminus of the Seaboard and Roanoke Rail-road will be connected with the Southern and South-western sections of the United States, forming continuous lines from Norfolk to Mobile and New-Orleans, and to Memphis, Tenn. 1. The Wilmington and Manchester Rail-road, 162 miles, running from Wilmington, N. C., to Manchester, S. C., uniting with the South Carolina Railroad, leading to Augusta, Ga., and to Charleston, S. C. This road is rapidly progressing to completion. When completed, there will be a continuous line of railway from Norfolk, to Va., to Montgomery, Ala., a distance of 868 miles. The steamboat line, from Wilmington to Charleston, will soon be dispensed with, and a large increase of travel over this line may be relied upon, as the time and distance to Senator Rusk's Bill for a Pacific Rail-road. New-Orleans will be essentially diminished. 2. The North Carolina Railroad runs from Raleigh to Salisbury and Charlotte, in North Carolina, about 150 miles in length. The funds for this road are provided; the state subscribed two million of dollars, and private stockholders the remainder. This line, in connection with the road from Charlotte to Columbia, S. C., will make a continuous line of railway, from Norfolk to Columbia, of 435 miles; and will form a connection, in this direction, also, with Montgomery, in Alabama. A survey has also been ordered by the State of North Carolina, for a road from Salisbury to Knoxville, in Tennessee. 3. The Roanoke Valley Rail-road will run from Ridgeway, N. C., on the Raleigh and Gaston Rail-road, to Clarksville, Virginia, and it is proposed to continue this line to Lynchburgh, Va. This road has recently been chartered, and the work placed under contract. It will form, when completed, a continuous line from Norfolk to Lynchburgh, of about 200 miles. 4. The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, and the East Tennessee and Virginia Rail-road, will form a continuous one from Lynchburgh, Va., to Knoxville in Tennessee, a distance of 350 miles. This line is going forward rapidly, both in Virginia and Tennessee; it passes through a entry of great mineral and agricultuny toes, and will be a work of magnitude and importance. The means are provided for its construction. 411 will form a continuous line of railway from Norfolk to Memphis, a thousand miles in extent; the importance of this connection need not be suggested. It is sufficient to trace these lines upon the map, and leave the subject to make its own impression. The aggregate of the lines above described, now in operation or actively in progress, amounts to more than two thousand miles of railway; all of which will, in a greater or less degree, add to the business of Norfolk, via the Seaboard and Roanoke Rail-road. A connection between New-York and Norfolk by means of the proposed airline road would tap an immense traffic, and besides being the most direct, would be the most expeditious line that could be built. It is apparent that it could not prove otherwise than profitable to those engaged in its construction, and the enterprise appears to have every element to insure success. Through the courtesy of Senator Rusk, of Texas, we are enabled to present a copy of his bill for a rail-road to the Pacific Ocean, which was so much discussed at the last session of Congress, but which lies over for future consideration and action. Senator Rusk has bestowed great labor upon this subject. A bill to provide for the construction of a rail-road and telegraphic line from the valley of the Mississippi to the Pacific ocean. It shall be the duty of the President of the United States to cause to be constructed, so soon as it may be practicable after the passage of this act, a railroad and telegraphic line connecting the valley of the Mississippi with the Pacific ocean at such points as he may desig nate, and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter prescribed. And it shall be the duty of the said President to select 5. The Hiwassee or the East Tennessee and Georgia Rail-road, runs from Knoxville to Dalton, Georgia, 115 miles in length. This road is in operation. From Dalton to Chattanooga, a part of the State road of Georgia, is also already the general route for the said rail-road in operation 40 miles. and line, designating the mountain passes between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through which they shall be constructed, but leaving the intermediate portions to be located by the individ 6. The Nashville and Chattanooga Rail-road, 150 miles, runs from Nashville, Tenn., to Chattanooga. This road is also rapidly going forward to completion, at a cost of about two and one-half uals or companies that shall be emmillions of dollars. 7. The Memphis Rail-road will run from a point on this last-named road to Memphis, Tenn., on the Mississippi river, through Huntsville, Tenn., 280 miles, and will probably be finished by the time the other connecting lines are completed. The five last described lines ployed to construct the said road and line; subject, however, to his approval. The said selection shall be made at as early a day as may be practicable, consistently with the judicious choice of the site of said road, and such other preliminary arrangements as shall insure the speedy prosecution and permanent con struction of the work. And that, in order to obtain the most accurate information on the subject, the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to employ such military officers and troops as he may deem necessary, and also civil engineers, not exceeding ten in number: Provided, nevertheless, That before the said road shall be located or constructed through any state, the consent of the legislature thereof to the provisions contained in this act shall be first had and obtained; and in selecting the site of the said road, the President shall have due regard to the expense and grades thereof, and the intercourse, commerce, military defence, and protection of the whole country. SEC. 2. Gives right of way of 300 feet and materials for construction. SEC. 3. That, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of the said rail-road and line of telegraph, there shall be, and are hereby, appropriated and set apart alternate sections of the public lands, designated by odd numbers, for six miles on each side of the said road where the same shall be constructed through any state or states, and for twelve miles on each side of the said road where the same shall be constructed through the territories of the United States; and in cases where the public domain adjacent to the said road may not be sufficient to enable the government to carry into effect the above provisions, then, and in that event, any deficiency that may exist shall be supplied from the public domain nearest to the point at which such deficiency shall exist, and be selected in alternate sections, as aforesaid; and a snm not to exceed twenty millions of dollars, in bonds of the United States, bearing an interest of five per cent. per annum, and redeemable in fifty years; the said lands and bonds to be made available in the manner hereinafter provided. SEC. 4. Provides for the faithful execution of the work. such advertisements, in the presence of the heads of departments and such other persons as may desire to attend; and said road shall be let to the lowest and best bidders, due regard being had to the evidences of their ability to comply with the terms of their contracts, and their trustworthiness in all respects, together with the security they may offer for the faithful performance of their engagements. SEC. 6. That whenever fifty miles of said road shall have been completed, in a manner satisfactory to the President of the United States, he shall cause a pro rata payment to be made, according to the terms of the contract for the work so completed, in the bonds of the government, issued under the provisions of this act, and by a grant of four-fifths of the public lands to which the completion of the said fifty miles may entitle said contractors, and so on for each successive fifty miles, until the road shall have been completed, and the terms of their contracts complied with, when they shall be entitled to receive the remaining fifth of said public lands; and, in the event of a failure on the part of the contractors to comply with the terms of their contracts and the provisions of this act, the road, together with the appurtenances, including the running machinery and means of transportation, shall be forfeited, and become the property of the United States; and, for he purpose of enabling the Presi the United States, at all times, to knotonether the provisions of this act and the terms of the contracts are being complied with. he is authorized, from time to time, to appoint a suitable number of engineers. as supervisors of the work, who shall, under his direction, make thorough and minute examinations of the work as it advances, and report to him, as often as required, upon all matters and things submitted to their charge. SEC. 7 provides for sufficient security and forfeitures for non-execution. SEC. 5. That, so soon as the general route for the said road shall have been SEC. 8. That, in consideration of the selected and determined upon, it shall be grant of the lands aforesaid, and the paythe duty of the President of the United ment of the bonds before mentioned, the States to cause advertisements to be pub- said company shall at all times, and as lished in at least two of the newspapers often as required, transport on said road, in each of the states, specifying the va- and every part of the same, as soon as any rious descriptions of work to be done, and part or the whole may be finished, the inviting sealed proposals to execute the mails, troops, seamen, officers of the same, which proposals shall be opened army and navy, and officers or agents of and examined at a time fixed, not ex- the government, and of the post-office ceeding six months after the date of department, while on duty, arms, am Rusk's Pacific Rail-road Bill-Texas Roads. 413 We furnished in vol. xiii., of the Review, p. 523, the resolutions of the Galveston Texas Convention, held last summer, on the subject of rail-roads. We now make the following extract from the address prepared by its committee to the people of Texas: munition, munitions of war, army and navy stores, funds, or property belonging to the government of the United States, free from all charges to the government, giving the United States at all times the preference; and shall also transmit all official messages from the government to any of its officers, or from such offi- "This state has already assumed an imcers to the government, over said tele- portant position in the eyes of the world. graphic line, free of charge. But She has something of an interesting reshould a case of emergency arise, in putation abroad. Texas, as Texas, has consequence of a war with any foreign a history. Texas is known to the world nation, in which the government may as an empire in extent. She has a pubrequire an extraordinary amount of lic domain of more than 100,000,000 transportation, jeoparding the fair divi- of acres. She has a population abounddends and profits of the contractors, in ing more in actual wealth and natural that event the President is hereby au- resources, than any equal number of thorized to make an equitable and just allowance for such additional service; and should the President and the company be unable to agree upon the same, then the matter shall be referred to, and be determiued by, Congress. people on the globe. She is now receiving an accession to her substantial population faster than any other state in the Union. She holds out incentives to immigration, that, in their combination, are not equaled elsewhere. Her entire SEC. 8. The said rail-road and tele- soil is a self-swarding, self-resuscitating graph shall be completed in the shortest soil, covered with nutricious grasses. reasonable time, not exceeding ten years: Her numerous herds, unfed by the hand that the bidders for the construction of of man, indicate a wealth that runs the same shall specify in their proposals wild. Her capacity for producing sugar, the time required to complete said road cotton, tobacco and other staples of the and line of telegraph, and the number of South, is equaled only by her capacity miles which they propose to complete for grazing, and for the production of annually, which shall also be inserted in fruits, corn and the cereal grains. We the contract; and that Congress may at can refer to no country that equals any time, after the expiration of thirty Texas in agricultural capacity; and no years from the time said road and line of country in America, whose climate telegraph may be completed, require the equals hers in health and blandness of said company to surrender to the United atmosphere. But while we refer to the States the said road and line of telegraph, vast extent of the state, the abundance with their equipments, appurtenances, of her resources and the incentives to and furniture, upon the payment to the immigration, it must not escape us that said company of the cost of construction these are to be made available to us of the same, allowing ten per cent. profit upon their investments, deducting from the whole cost of said road the amount of the bonds paid to the said company and the proceeds of the lands granted to them. And Congress may at all times regulate the tolls to be charged upon passengers and freights, so as, with an economical management of said road, not to reduce the profits of said company below eight per cent. upon the investment, deducting there from the advances made by the government towards the construction of the same. SEC. 10. Details of management. SEC. 11. Congress may authorize connections of this road with other roads. SEC. 12. Company shall make full annual reports to the secretary of the treasury. through the wisdom of a just and beneficent policy-a policy that shall separate the enterprise of our people from rashness; that shall bind the people in harmony of sentiment and action; that shall be steady and undeviating in its operation, andcertain in its results. Texas has too few in numbers to give efficiency to divided territory and population. She has too much to accomplish to allow of divided effort. If sectional tenacity shall be suffered to confuse the plans of action, nothing essential will be accomplished for many years. If the state hold together, and the people harmonize in concerted action and steady effort, there is no financial achievement, consistent with the vastness of its resources,which the state cannot accomplish." ART. XI-DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY AND ENTERPRISE ALEXANDER MOUTON, OF LOUISIANA, AGRICULTURIST. TWith a Portrait. No. 29. several of these banks. It was during his term that the present system of penitentiary SEVERAL months ago we selected for our biographical department, from the distinguished agriculturists of Louisiana, the management was adopted which has conname of A. B. Roman, and take pleasure now in presenting from the same class, Alexander Mouton, a gentleman alike well and favorably known in his own state and out of it. verted that institution into a source of revenue instead of enormous expense. The buildings were enlarged, the convicts put to useful and profitable employment, and a system of discipline adopted, comparing favorably with that of any similar institution in the world. In these labors he was greatly indebted to the zeal and energy of the Hon. R. N. Ogden, then a member of the Legislature, who had taken much pains in examining all the institutions of the North. Though retired for several years past to the shades of private life and to the congenial pursuits of agriculture, Governor Mouton has taken lively interest in the great improvement of his native state and of the Southwest-has been an active and zealous advocate of the New-Orleans and Opelousas Rail-road, and so highly were his position and services regarded that, on the assembling of the great Southwestern Railroad Convention in New-Orleans, in January, 1852, he was elected to preside over its deliberations, which he did with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the large and able delegations present. Mr. Mouton is of Arcadian origin, and was born on the 19th November, 1804, in that part of the county of Attakapas which is now known as the parish of Lafayette. He has continued to reside in this parish, occupying place among its most wealthy and enterprising planters, and most influential and distinguished citizens. A lawyer by profession, having studied in the office of, and afterwards practiced in copartnership with, Judge Simon, he was early attracted into public life, and served for many years in the Legislature of Louisiana, for a part of the time as Speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1837, he was, by a flattering vote, elected to the Senate of the United States to fill the unexpired term of the distinguished and lamented Porter, and also for a full term of six years. In this exalted position he remained, faithfully discharging the duties incumbent upon him, until 1842, when, at the instance of the Democratic Convention of the state, he re- In politics he has ever been attached to signed his seat and entered successfully the democratic party, and was on the elecinto the canvass for the gubernatorial chair. toral ticket in the campaigns of 1828, 1832 The administration of Governor Mouton and 1836. for four years was mainly directed to the re-establishment of the financial credit and character of the state, then very much disturbed from the revulsions of 1837-8; the separation of the state from the incubus of its banking system, and the liquidation of A gentleman of high tone and accomplishments, Governor Mouton has the confidence and esteem of a very large portion of the people of Louisiana, without distinction of party, and we trust will long live to enjoy them. |