TO TEX
HON. LEW IS CASS.
BY MORGAN L. DRAKE, ESQ.
PONTIAC.....MICHIGAN.
W. M. THOMPSON, BOOK AND JOB PRINTII.
1852.  
L E T T E R.
Pontiac, November 19, 1852.
SIR:
It is proposed to solicit Congress at the ensuing session,
for a grant of land to aid in constructing a Railroad route
from Pontiac, in the State of Michigan, the present termination of the Detroit and Pontiac Railroad, by way of Flint,
in Genessee County, to Marquette Bay in the County  of
A, Mason, and firomn Manitowoc on the opposite shore of Lake
Michigan in Wisconsin, to Kewana Point on Lake Supe rior, with a branch to the Ontonagon, and a branch to Iron
Bay and near the mouth of the Chocolate River. The distance may be thus stated, direct lines;       Detroit to Pontiac, now Railroad,.25 miles,
Pontiac to MIarquette,                  186,
Marquette across the Lake to Manitowoc, 60,
Manitowoc to Kewana Point,              196,
Branch to Iron Bay,                      60,
Branch to Ontonagon,                     40.
After leaving Flint, 31 miles from Pontiac, you strike the
public lands, which continue to Marquette Bay, 155 miles.
From Manitowoc to Green Bay, 37 miles, there is but little
public lands. From Green Bay to Lake Superior, it is a
wilderness, and all Government land, save so much as mav
have been taken in the Mining District.  The object of
going by the Flint is as follows, viz; Ist, It will open up
P.) much of a route to Saginaw Bay.  2d, It is the nearest 
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p)oillt to the Government lands from Pontiac.  3d, It iz
about as direct a route as can be taken.
Congress has granted to Missouri, Illinois, Alabama and
Mississippi, to aid in constructing Railroads, lands equal
to six sections in width under the plea of opening the public domain. Though these lands, have not hitherto been sold
for want of access to market, they are in the finest climate
land are of the most generous soil in the Union. In the region to be opened by the Lake Superior route, it is directly
the reverse. It is forbidding from the rigor of the climates
and the soil is not an inviting one to emigrants. Instead of
fertile and level prairies, skirted with woods just sufficient
to relieve the picture and to answer the wants of man, pro(lucing, luxuriantly every desirable variety of agricultural
)roducts, like the land in the States named, this region is
rough, rocky, mountainous, covered with a dense forests
and hlas the cold, hard, stiff soil common to higher latitudes.
For these and other kindred reasons, it is thought Congress
in that munificence which becomes the Government, would
-grant an additional section, say seven alternate sections on
eacIt side of the line.  Indeed, twelve alternate sections on
each side of the line will not be more than six in the States
ilamecd.
By reference to the map it will lbe seen that Michigan is
divided in such a manner as to prevent the citizens of the
rnineral region from mingling with those of the Peninsula,
tor seven months in the year, without traversing the wilderness through to Green Bay upon snow shoes, using the
snow for a bed and the storm for a blanket. And it is of
little avail that the citizens of that division are united to the
Peninsula by the ties of government, so long as it is imp)racticable to extend and enforce over them the administration of the State for so great a portion of the year.  Ii
this connection it is worthy of remembrance that this state
of things was forced upon Michigan by Congress, upon her
admission into the Union, against her will, and upon the
.olicitation of Ohio: and through the votes of the older 
States.  Under these circumstances it would be but jut
and reasonable to expect, at least from the Ohio delegation,
a generous and united support for this measure. That
State, and the other States who combined with her uponI
the occasion alluded to, cannot upon principles of comity
and fair, neilghborly usage, now object to this grant of land
in aid of establishing a communication on  the only liniic
that will answer the wants and meet the necessities of tlit(
two great divisions of our State, and thus enable us to overcome the barriers of nature and  to say, in truth, " we are
one people."
After the close of navigation the mails are taken onltwice a mouth, and not sure at that, from Green Bay,
through the forest, by two men who carry but a few polunds
each.  When the population shall.increase, as it will, lunder
the wonderful energy with which that country is now bein('
improved, this public supply of the mail, which is all the
Department can furnish under the present facilities foi
transporting it, and so insufficient for the transactionl ot
business, will be a hardship difficult to endure.
The hardship will increase and keep pace with the iuiprovement of the country, and must ever continue, nnlesi
some outlet of the kind contemlplated is established.  Aind
this hardship will be experienced by the State as a bo(ldv
politic as well as by individuals.
With the setting in of the autumnal gales which sweep
over Lake Superior with fearful violence, the navigatioln
may be considered as closed.  And it is found  by dear
bought experience, unsafe to depend upon obtaining supplies later than the middle of October, or earlier thani the
middle of May. Great expense and outlay is required to
lay in suitable stores for eight mnonths of winter imprisoninent. And they are prevented from shipping their nmine rals and are compelled to heap them up as idle capital on
the shores of the Lake to await the opening of navigation.
MAuchl difficulty is also found in employing laborers, as but
f.w men are willing, without extra wages, to be debarre,l
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from all access to other portions of the Union, and virtually
deprived of the enjoyments of the Post Office service for
so great a portion of the year. In these several respects,
Michigan is situated differently from any other State in the
Union.  By the proposed route supplies can be obtained,
and the mineral sent forward to market summer and winter, and a daily mail would be secured to that country.Lake Michigan between Marquette and Manitowoc is open
on the average, and can be safely crossed from nine to ten
months every year. This route will bring the Copper and
Iron region within forty eight hours of Detroit and Chicago,
and within four days of St. Louis and New York.  It may
be considered as an extension of the Illinois Central, the
MNichigan Southern, the New York and Erie, and the New
York Central Railroads, as well as the Great Western -Railroad through (Canada.  There is a road now being surveyed
between Chicago and Milwaukie.  The space between Milwaukie and  IVanitowoc, eighty miles, would be soon im proved by a Railroad upon the construction of this route;
and there would be a Rail road communication over the
Illinois Central and its connections, twelve hundred miles
to M[obile. This would give the entire valley ofthe ]Missis sippi easy access to the Lake Superior country. Connect in, wi-ih the Michigan Southern Railroad at Chicago, it
would give access to the valley of the Ohio, and accommo date the travel around the head of Lake Erie to the upper
country. Crossing the Lake and the Peninsula of Michigan,
it would, at DI)etroit, connect with the road through Canada.
This route is wanted not by the State of Michigan only,
but by other States.  The seven States which encircle the
American side of the western Lakes are commercially as
much interested as Mlichigan. The States adjoining these,
which pour their commerce through various channels upoii
these Lakes, and furnish powder, implements, machinery,
laborers and merchandise to the Lake Superior region, aro
equally interested.
The various artizans of the Union who work in Iron and 
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Copper, owing to their superior properties, seek these maerials with great avidity from Lake Superior, and they aro
equally interested with Michigan.  The Iron mines are be.
ing wrought principally by the capital of Ohio, Pennsylva.
niia and Massachusetts. The capital of Ohio, Pennsylvania,
New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and the District of
Columbia, as well as other sections of the Union is liberally
invested in the development of the Copper Mines. The
Southern States will supply that country over the Illinois
Central Road with sugar and tobacco, two important itenms
in supplying a mining population. Illinois and the valley
of the Mlississippi will supply the corn and pork, and Wisconsin the flour and other agricultural products.
Aside from the purposes of government, and the mere
unfolding of its mineral wealth, a wealth which will in a
few years become the pride of the nationr, other States are
far mole interested in this measure than the Peninsula of
Michigan. It is not then merely local selfishness on the
part of Michigan and Wisconsin in asking for a giant of
land to aid in cotnstructitg this route.  The interest in the
mines now being worked, held in New England, is valued
at millions, while there is not a dollar invested in themr
from Wisconsin.  The amount of capital invested in theni
itn Ohio is more than that from Michigan. That fiom
New  York will exceed that of Michigan a thousand fold.
And that from Pennsylvania is nearly equal to all the rest.
This is not then a pr(iject of mere local interest, and can nol be objected to on that ground.  It is a matter which
concerns the Atlantic states as well as ours.  It will bind(
the extreme north to the south, and add another bor-nd to
the perpetuity of the Union.
We have seen that these mines have so far been
wrought utd(ler obstacles of' no ordinary character. By
examining the statistics it will appear thait they hlave been
imnproved to a surprising, extent, so nmutch so as to render
it difficult to compute how far it would enlatice the value 
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of the whole mineral region, by thus increasing the facilities of access to it, or to appreciate the enthusiasm with
which those now in that region would hail the establishmnent of sucth an outlet,or estimate the increased rapidity in
which the minies would be developed, or count the great
saving oftime and money in openingand working the mines
so as to render them a source of profit.
The lands along this route are worthless to the Governme)t and the peol)le,-without some improvement of the
kind, they will lo)ng remain in an unbroken wilderness.
But once construct this road, the government lands
w\ouldcl be eagerly sought for, and there would be numerolS floulishing settlements along tile route-the germs of
the settlement of the adjoining country.  Hither would
gatlier foreign emnigrants, as well as enterprising Americans -furnishing at once, the source for the settlement of
the lands —for laborers to construct the road —and for hands
to be employed in the mines.
Of the lands which Congress granted to the State of Illinois, for the construction of the Illinois Central Railroadl
and Branches, 428,554 acres in the Kaskaskia and Shawinut districts had  been in market thirty years; 344,672
acres ha(l been in matket twenty two years in the Vanda
lia district; 372,702 acres  had been jn market in the
Dansville district nineteen years, and 465,948 acres had(
been in market eleven years in the Dixon district.  There
is n-ow through the influence of this road an effective demand for these lands, and the reserved sections are reported to be selling by Government at prices varying frora
$2,50 to $7,00 per acre, and on the average at $5,00 per
acre. And it is stated in the public Journals that the Government will sell the reserved sections at a profit of about
$9,000,000 over the usual governmnent price.  If the rich
rairie lands of Illinois remained for twenrty or thirty years
unsold for want of access to market, it mniay be said the 
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lat(nds on this route will not sell for ages,  Thou,gh wec may
not expect they would sell at as great an advanced price
as the Illinois lands, it is manifest Government would be
larg(ely profited by making the grant and thus securing the
construction of the road.  There cannot then be any objection to this grant upon the score ot loss to the Government.  It will cost the Government nothing.   It will be
like casting bread u)b,n the waters that it miy return again
with (t blessing.  This is one of the highest, most noble of
the offices ol the Governmnent; giving to increase, not to
impoverish.
It is too late in the history of Cougressionl legislation to
object to these grants or. the score of precedent.   The precedent was, a, yo,i are aware, established in the administration of Gen. WVashiington, to open a roadl through  the
then North west territory.  It was repeated for like purpo.
ses on several occasions in the subsequent administrations,
and has been more recently enfor(ed by grants to four
different States.  A-dl the precedent has proved to be agood one. It works no evil, no hlarm to any but it (loes
good; good to the people, to the state, to the nation.  Stroich
is the result of experience.
The only question which can well be raised is whether
the object to be attained is of suffi-ient iaiportance to d(einand the attention ot the National IL,eislature, and it is
deemed further remarkls unnecessatry on this point.  Itl its
character, it is national; it will open a public lighbay,tliro'
thle pubtlic domain to a d(listant and alIriost inaccessible pottion of the Un:on, in the l)osomn of which lies unavailable,
i]ur(erotis, vast, ri(Il mnines of Iron and Copper, two valuable items itn the cLunt of t nationl's weal- th; mines unsurpassed itn purity antd value-tinequtlecd by any thing  of
the kind in the t)asin of the Atlantic.
It is difficult to see how the gellerouLs mind can object to
t!is appropriation.  It cannot be ol)jectedl to for want ot
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p)recedent, for that is established; nor for tile want of general utility, for o'f that there can I)be no doubt; nor upon the
ground of any cost or loss to thile goverLinment, for experience proves it will be a source of profit.
Government stretches forth an arln over the sea, and
sends her fleets to the remotest corners of the earth, in
behalf of the commercial business of the country, and
opens new avenues of conmmerce,-and why not stretch
f)rth an arm over the wilderness, to open avenues whereby the agricultural and industriatl business of the country
inay join tlhenselves in c'oseer bonds with commerce, and
thus extend  the interest of both.  The  business of tlhe
country, upon the land and upon the ocean, must govern
the nation.  The business of the world must govern the
world; an(l the soont)er we, as a people, unconditionally,
unreservedly surrendler and yield obedience to this prin(iple, the more thle highest interests anci true prosperity
of the country will be promoted.
There is a special teason why this measure shtould be
pres.ed( upon the consis(leration of Congress at the ensuing
session. The sentiment seems to prevail that the public
lands are no longer to be husbanded as a source ot reveiitie.  In accor(ltnce with this sentiment, a bill was, at the
list session of Coiigress, introduced into the House of Represenitatives, ant(l passe( the House, and is now in the Sen;te, anld will come tip for considerations as unfitnished busihess, known as the Bennett Bill, for the distribution of
0,000,000OOO of acres of public lands among the several
States-to each State in tile ratio of her representation in
C,)ngress.'These lanlls are to be granted to the old States
for the pur[)(ses of edu,cation, and to the new States for
internal improvement.  It provides that such Railroad
grants as are p;assed during the session that that bill is passe(l, shiall be deducted from the lands to be donated By that
biil.
..""'. 
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This measure is highly favored by the old States.Should it become  a law,  the land donated to the new
States will be subject to be specially approl)riated by tile
respective Legislatures.  Ex)erieince in Western  State
legislation proves, or at least gives much reason to fear,
that if this bill should pass, the lands will, in the scramble, be frittere(l away. Every township will want an af)propriation.  Evely member will have a favorite object,
and the lands will be devoted t(a minor objects, and the
constructioii of no gleat, important national work, will be
secured. But let Congress make the grant in a separate
bill, or by amrren(dmnent to that bill,.ip)propriating lands to
this particular oblject, and no other-tlthe ultimate construction of the work will be securcd-and there can be no
question but that its construction will be hastened by sucht
a grant.  This course will (lo no injury to the State or the
Nation.  No  more lands will be appropriated to the new
States than will be given by the Bennett Bill.  Wisdom
dictates the lands should be appropriated, if at all, to objects of general, national utility. In so doing the interest
of the States, new and old, will be promoted, and no one
injured.    Respectfully, your obt)'t serv't,
MIORGAN L. DRAKE.
HloN. IEwis Css.
. D.o'.:.. 
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( COPY. )
A BILL making a grant (f land to the States of MicAigan and Wisconsin ix aid of tihe ce
Etruetion of a Rail Road line from Pontiac to Lake Superior.
SRCTION 1.  Be it enacted by the Senate and flouse of Representatives of the Unite States in Congress assemibled, That there be and is hereby granted to the States of Mich
igan and Wisconsin respectively, for the purpose of aidinig in itiakiing a railroad  fro.
Pontiac, in the State of Michigati, by the way of thle Town of Flint, to a pointat or ne the shore of Lake Michigain, in the county of Mason in said state, and from a point a
or near the shore of s,id lake, in the county of Manitowoc. ill the State of Wisconsin  t
a point to be selected upon Kewaia Point, at or near the shore of Lake Superior, with -
l,ranch to somne point at or near the mouth of the Ontonagon River; and also a branch t,
somie p)oint at or near Ironi Bay upon Lake Superior, every alternate section of land de$
igriate(i by odd numbers, for seven sections ill width on each side of said road and bran
chies; But in case it shall appear that the Unites  States have, when the line or route r
said road and branches is definitely fixed, sold any section or part of any section bereb
granted, or that the right of pre-eimption has attach( d to the saiie, then it shall be lawfin
for any agent or agents, to be appointed by the Goverltior of the said respective states, ti
select from tihe larids of the tTtiited States mtost contiguous to the lands which may hav.
been sold, or to which the right of pre-etiiption may have attached as aforesaid, so muc
land in alternate sections or part of sections on  the rotute of said road and branches. a
shall be equal to such lands as the United States have sold or to which the right of pre
entl)tioti miay have attached. which lands being equal in qiaaltiti to every alternate sec
tion for seven sections in width, on each side of said road and branches for the whol length thereof, the said respective states within their several aiid respective jurisdiction
shall have and hold antid tttay dispose of for the uses and purposes aforesaid: Provide
That the land* to be so located shall in no case be ftirt'ter thai fifteen niles from the lin.
of the said road, or brariches, as the case miay be: And Provided'J'hat the lands hereby
granted shall be applied in the construction of said road an,d branches respectively, ir,
quantities corresponding with the grant for each, by the respective states, and withir
their several and respective jurisdictions; Arid that said road from  Maritowoc to Ke
wana Point, shall be riade in a continuous line: And Provided further, That it shall bh
comipetent to alter and re-locate any portion of the line of said road and branches, it
necessary to its economical cornstruction, but not so as to miaterially change the rotute.
SEc. 2.-Arid be it further enracted. that a copy of the survey of said road anrid branches, shall be forwarded to the proper local land  oflices respeclively, and to the  General
Land Office in Washi nigtori City, within ninety davs after tile c-)nml)letion of the same.
SEC. 3.-AInd be it flirther enacted, that the sections and parts of sections, which by
such grant shall remain to ti.e United States, "vithti sevein tilles on each side of said
road, and branches, shall nriot be sol for less than double the muinimutm priceoi the pub lic lands when sold; w hich lands shall fromr timne to titme De offered at public sale, to the
hlghest biddier, under the direction of the Secretarv ofthe Interior; and shall riot be subject to entry until they shafl have been so olffered at public sale
SEc. 4,-And be it further enacted, that the said lanids heret)b  granted to the said respective States, shall be siubject to the dispios.,l of the respective legislatures thereof, so
far as the sane shall be within the boiundaries of the sail states respectively, for the t)urp)oses aforesaid. and no other. Arnd the saidl rail road and branches shall remain a public highway, for the use of the Governmtent of the United States, free from toll or any
other charge for the transtportation of an!  property or troops of the United States.
SEC. 5.-And be it further enacted, that the said lands shall not be disposed of, or sold.
otherwise than in trust f,r the purl)oses aforesaid, faster than the construction of said
road shall progress. And as to so iiuch of said road a d branches as shall not be cons tructed within fifteen yoers fromi the passage of this act, the said  respective states shall
take nothing by this grant. and the title to sair lainds hereby granted, for the unfinished
portion ofsaid road an d bravches. shall reinvest in the United States, to have and hold the
same, in the same mannier as if thrs act had not been passed.
SEC 6.-And be it further enacted. that the United States Mail shall be at all times
transported on said railroad and branches, under the direction of the Post Office depariitient, at such price as Congress shall by law direct, unless the authorities having controi
of said road, can otherwise agree.
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