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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1849
RESOLUTIONS CONCERNIN:G A RAILROAD TO CALIFORNIA, JANUARY 8, 1849 1
Mr. Houston submitted the following preamble and resolutions, which were read, and ordered to be printed: Whereas, by the acquisition of the territory of New Mexico and California, and the recent occupation of Oregon, new interests or a great national character have been created, the early development of which is of the highest importance in the advancement of the prosperity of our country; and whereas, it becomes us, as a wise people, to take such measures as will insure protection in war as well as in peace, to those distant portions of our Republic, by establishing between them and the existing States the safest and speediest routes by land, which will always remain open under our exclusive control, and not be subjected to any change of relations between ourselves and other powerful nations: therefore, Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to consist of [---] members, to inquire into and report upon the ex- pediency of establishing a railroad by the Government of the United States, for military purposes, between San Francisco on the Pacific and the most suitable point which may be found on the navigable waters of the valley of the Mississippi; and that the said committee be, and are hereby instructed to examine and report, as far as can be ascertained, according to the facts known, what would be the probable amount of gold produced to the Gov- ernment of the United States, per annum, for a period of ten years, at the rate of an assessment of eight per cent, rent upon all that may be dug within that time in California; and also to report upon the expediency of applying the first proceeds of that fund to the building of such a road. Resolved, further, That the said committee are hereby in- structed to inquire into and report upon the expediency of making a military road, of the usual class, between the points indicated for selection by the preceding resolution, by the employment by the Government of the United States of such a portion of the military force as would be necessary to complete it at the earliest period. Resolved, further, That the said committee are hereby instructed to inquire into and report the number of military posts
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