1
Whereas a railroad from the Iron mountain, in the State of Missouri, to some convenient point on the Mississippi river, is now under contemplation in that State; and whereas the vast accumulation of mineral wealth, and the inexhaustible quantity of iron-ore contained in that portion of country, render it a desirable object with the people of that State to obtain every facility within their reach for the transportation of that mineral to the most extensive and profitable markets; and whereas it is considered that if the people of that State were informed
<Page 2>
of the precise point on the Mississippi at which it would be most convenient to connect their work with the Central railroad of this State, or the Alton and Shawneetown railroad, such point would most likely be selected by them at which the State or citizens of Illinois could with the most facility construct such connecting link; and whereas the Grand Tower, situated in Perry county, Missouri, and opposite the city of the name in Illinois, affords, from its situation in the stream of the Mississippi river, a natural pier for the construction of a bridge across said river, from whence a branch of road, a distance of scarce eighteen miles, would form a junction with the Central railroad of this State near Brownsville, in Jackson county; and whereas the interest of the State of Kentucky would be enlisted by the vast increase of transportation (which this connection would produce) to facilitate the construction of a short lateral branch of railroad connecting that of Charleston and Cincinnati, which traverses said State, with a point of termination on the Ohio either at Cairo or Shawneetown, the distance of only 18 miles from the latter point, a conjunction of such incalculable advantage to the citizens of these respective States as cannot long be disregarded; and whereas the State of Illinois being now engaged in the prosecution of a general system of internal improvements, the interest of the State requires the connection of her railroads with such similar works in her sister States as may contribute to swell the stream of transportation; and whereas it is considered that the interest is mutual, and that a community of feeling should be awakened on the subjects in those States contiguous to Illinois: Be it therefore
Resolved, That the attention of the Legislatures of Kentucky and Missouri be respectfully directed to the consideration of said conjunction.
Resolved, That a lateral branch connecting the Cincinnati and Charleston railroad at some point on the Ohio, either Shawneetown or Cairo, would be of incalculable advantage to that work, and promote the prosperity of both Kentucky and Illinois.
Resolved, That the Legislature of Kentucky be respectfully invited to construct such a conjunctive work as to meet the State of Illinois at one of her two great points on the Ohio river.
Resolved, That the Legislature of Missouri be respectfully requested and invited to terminate the Iron Mountain railroad at the Grand Tower, on the Mississippi river.
Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the Legislatures of Kentucky and Missouri.
1John Logan introduced the resolution in the House of Representatives on January 19, 1839, and the House refused to adopt it.
Journal of the House of Representatives of the Eleventh General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at Their First Session, Begun and Held in the Town of Vandalia, December 3, 1838 (Vandalia, IL: William Walters, 1838), 241-42.

Printed Transcription, 2 page(s), Journal of the House of Representatives of the Eleventh General Assembly of the State of Illinois at their First Session (Vandalia, IL: William Walters, 1838), 241-42