Page:A History of the Pacific Northwest.djvu/271



each of the three territories alternate sections of land for a reasonable distance on each side of the proposed road on the distinct condition that the proceeds from the sale of these lands should be devoted to the construction of the road. The work might then be carried on either as a public venture, or let out to private parties as the states concerned should determine.

George Wilkes and his proposed Government Railway. Second, when Whitney's scheme came before Congress it was severely criticised by Mr. George Wilkes of New York, especially in a pamphlet issued early in 1845 under the title "A History of Oregon." Wilkes pronounced Whitney's plan a scheme to rob the government of its western lands for the benefit of the promoter and his associates. He pointed out that, since Whitney proposed to sell government lands to procure funds for building his road, to grant the lands to him would be equivalent to presenting him with the desired railroad—a gift of unexampled munificence. But that was not all. The money for building the road would be secured from the sale of only a portion of the lands demanded. The balance of the lands would remain in the hands of Mr. Whitney's company to enrich them in a yet more fabulous manner.

Wilkes presented to Congress the obvious alternative in the suggestion that the government sell its own lands and build its own railroad out of the proceeds of such land sales. He believed it feasible by this means to construct the road within a reasonable time and without in any way burdening the government. He