Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

STATE OF TENNESSEE,
Executive Department.
Nashville, Dec. 25, 1847.HONORABLE H. L. W. HillSir :—
I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a certified copy of certain Resolutions passed by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee.
And have the honor to be,
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,N. S. Brown

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RESOLUTIONS
APPROVING OF MR. A. WHITNEY’S PLAN OF A RAIL ROAD TO CONNECT THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS.

Whereas, the construction of a Rail Road across the Continent of North America, would make the United States the great highway between Europe and the populous and wealthy Empires of Asia—would greatly facilitate our own intercourse with these regions—would tend to consolidate our union—would connect and bind Oregon and the Pacific coast to us, and would give a fresh impulse to our great Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Commercial interests. And, whereas, this stupendous work can be accomplished, and the public lands constitute a fund appropriate for defraying the expenses of such an undertaking—as a small part of them would furnish the means, and the value of the remainder would be greatly enhanced thereby—And, whereas, the plan of Mr. Asa Whitney of New York, in its great outlines, is, in our opinion, the only practicable scheme for the accomplishment of this great undertaking, which should be commenced as soon as practicable. Therefore,

Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That they approve of Mr. Whitney’s plan, as explained by himself to them, of constructing a Rail Road from Lake Michigan to the Pacific Ocean, from an appropriation of the public lands on its line, connecting the sale and settlement of the lands with the building of the road, making it an individual enterprise, still under the control of Congress.

2. Resolved, That the Senators and Representatives of this State in Congress, be, and they are hereby requested to give this measure their prompt attention and support.

3. Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor, be. and he is hereby requested to transmit a copy of these Resolutions to the Executive of each State in the Union, and a like copy to the Senators and Members of the House of Representatives from this State in the Congress of the United States.
F. BUCHANAN,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.J. M. Anderson,
Speaker of the Senate.Passed, December 1st. 1847.

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STATE OF TENNESSEE,
Department of State,
Nashville, December 25th, 1847.
I, William B. A. Ramsey, Secretary of State, do hereby certify, the foregoing to be a full and true copy of Resolutions passed by the General Assembly of said State, as appears from the original now on file in my office.W. B. A. Ramsey
Secretary of State.

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Preamble & Resolutions, passed by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, approving Mr. A. Whitney’s Plan of a Rail Road to connect the Atlantic & Pacific oceans; & requesting the Senators and Representatives in Congress from that state to give this measure their prompt attention & support.

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January 24, 1848 Referred to the Committee on Roads & Canals

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Aug 8, 1848 Disch^d & to Co

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Roads & Canals.

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Rec’^d through the Post office

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30th—78

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presented by H. L. W. Hill.