that no compensating remuneration is left to the producer. In their present condition the lands are of but little value to the treasury; and, being exempt from taxation, are a burden to the State of Alabama. The construction of the road, which is made one of the conditions of the grant in this bill, will at once open to these lands both the markets of the Gulf and those of the Atlantic, by a cheap and rapid communication. The great amount and value of the commerce which annually passes through the straits of Florida, between the Gulf and the Atlanticvariously estimated at from three to four hundred millions of dollars; the time occupied in the voyage-estimated at from fifteen to twenty days for sail vessels; the expense, and the hazard of property and life attending it; the importance of shortening the time, diminishing the dangers, and cheapening the means of communication between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States-all these need only to be alluded to, to show the bearing of this road to the government, and especially to the cotton-growing States which it penetrates and conWhen the road shall be completed the time of passing between Savannah and Mobile, 450 miles, will be reduced to 15 hours; between Savannah and Montgomery, 340 miles, to less than 12 hours. Connecting roads are projected or in course of construction, which, with this line, will form an unbroken coast railroad from Texas, via New Orleans, Mobile, Savannah, and Charleston, to the northern cities; and Pensacola and Brunswick will probably be connected with this line by short branch roads. When the projected connexions shall be formed with New Orleans and with Charleston, it is estimated that the time of passage from New Orleans to Savannah, 550 miles, will be less than twenty hours; and from New Orleans to Charleston less than twenty-four hours. The centre of the great coal region of Alabama, 80 miles from Montgomery, may be reached from Savannah within fifteen hours. The abundance of timber and naval stores, for the construction and repair of our ships; the establishment of a coal depôt on the southern Atlantic coast, for the supply of steamers; the increased productions of the soil; the commerce; the shipping; and the exports and imports which would be consequent upon the construction of this road, are all objects of importance to the government and to the whole country. For other particulars, and the estimation in which this road is held by the State authorities of Georgia and Alabama, reference is made to the accompanying resolutions of the general assembly of Georgia, Governor Johnson's message, and the report of commissioners. IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WHEREAS, The Savannah and Albany railroad company has been organized, under a charter granted by the State of Georgia, with the purpose, if a charter can be obtained from the State of Alabama, of connecting the Atlantic ocean, at Savannah, with the Gulf of Mexico, at Mobile, in, as nearly as practicable, a straight line between the two cities, with such branch roads as may be necessary: : AND WHEREAS, This line, passing through the southern part of Georgia and Alabama, would be the means of furnishing a very large and fertile district of country, which must otherwise remain comparatively undeveloped, easy access to both the markets of the Gulf and those of the Atlantic: AND WHEREAS, Aside from the great local advantages to the termini and to the intermediate territory of the two States, it will accomplish a purpose, in the connexion of the Gulf with the Atlantic, which has ever been deemed of great national importance; therefore— Resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the State of Georgia, in general assembly met, That this general assembly do respectfully request the general assembly of the State of Alabama, if deemed consistent with the interests of that State, to grant a charter authorizing the construction of the Savannah and Albany railroad, from the line of Georgia on the Chattahoochie river, to the city of Mobile, Alabama. Resolved, That his excellency the governor be authorized to appoint two suitable persons to communicate the views herein expressed to the general assembly of the State of Alabama. SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, I, E. P. Watkins, secretary of the State of Georgia, do hereby cer tify that the foregoing preamble and resolutions have been adopted by both branches of the legislature of the State of Georgia, and approved by the governor of said State. In pursuance of a resolution adopted by the general assembly at its present session, I appointed James P. Scriven, of Chatham, and Nelson Tift, of Baker, commissioners on the part of this State, to attend the legislature of Alabama, now sitting, to procure a charter from that State authorizing the extension of the contemplated Savannah and Albany railroad from the Chattahoochie to the city of Mobile. These gentlemen have executed their mission; and the result is as creditable to their intelligence and promptitude, as it is evinsive of the enterprise and fraternal feeling of our sister State. I have the honor herewith to transmit the report made to this department by the commissioners, with accompanying papers, which show the proceedings of the State of Alabama on the subject of their mission. The marked courtesy with which they were received, and the polite attentions to them by the public functionaries of Alabama, are worthy of perpetual memorial. They are the offspring of that deep patriotic sympathy between the members of our great republic which is the bond of our union and the guarantee of our future prosperity and glory. Of the value of the enterprise itself, it is needless to speak. I could add nothing to the forcible views presented in the report of the commissioners. When completed, it will not only unite Alabama and Georgia in bonds of closer intercourse, but it will constitute an important link in the great chain of communication between the Pacific and Atlantic, pouring prosperity into the lap of our seaports and scattering rich blessings throughout the territory of southwestern Georgia. HERSCHEL V. JOHNSON. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS. GEORGIA, December 31, 1853. To his Excellency, H. V. Johnson, Governor: The undersigned, according to the commission of your excellency and the joint resolutions of the general assembly of Georgia, under which we were appointed, proceeded to Montgomery, Alabama, and on the 11th of December communicated to his excellency Henry W. Collier, governor of Alabama, our commission and the joint resolutions of the general assembly of Georgia, requesting the State of Alabama to grant a charter to the Savannah and Albany Railroad Company, to extend their railroad to the city of Mobile. On the 13th of December, Governor Collier communicated the Georgia resolutions to both branches of the general assembly of Alabama, together with a message recommending that the desired charter be granted "at the request of our honored elder sister," on the ground of "courtesy and comity due to fraternal relations and political connexion-to the march of progress and our mutual efforts to advance;" and the message concludes with an expression of faith in the integrity and honor of Georgia, which we trust she will never cease to merit. "Let us," says Governor Collier, "act with liberality in the confidence that our sister, always ambitious of high position and cherishing a spirit which prompts to generous and disinterested acts, will never blur her escutcheon by refusing a similar favor. The message and resolutions were referred to the Committee on Internal Improvement and Navigation in each House, and after consultation with us, a bill was agreed upon and its passage recommended. The bill passed both Houses of the general assembly on the 20th, and received the approval and signature of the governor on the 21st of December. As a mark of respect to the State of Georgia, resolutions were passed in both houses of the general assembly under which committees were appointed to introduce us and invite us to privileged seats. We should do injustice to our own feelings did we omit to mention the kindness exhibited to us personally by Governor Collier, Hon. Mr. Martin, President of the Senate; Hon. Mr. Gerritt, Speaker of the House; Hon. Mr. Bethea, Chairman of the Committee on Internal Improvements in the Senate; Hon. Mr. Curry, Chairman of Internal Improvements in the House, and the other members of the general assembly with whom we became acquainted. In conclusion, permit us to congratulate the States of Georgia and Alabama on the prospective consummation of this new bond of friendship and mutual interest. The road now authorized by Georgia and Alabama will connect the Atlantic, at Savannah, with the Gulf, at Mobile, in a nearly straight line, about 450 miles in length, accomplishing a great national object as well as conferring incalculable benefits upon the two States by increasing their population, their productions, their wealth, and the commerce of their respective seaboard cities. Nor is the branch road authorized from Albany through Eufaula to Montgomery of scarcely less importance. The branch road will be about 150 miles long, and the entire distance from Montgomery to Savannah 340 miles-a shorter distance by many miles than any other route to the Atlantic. The branch road will run through a fertile country now comparatively distant from market, and will penetrate nearly to the rich and inexhaustible coal fields and iron mines of Alabama. When this road shall be built and a road from Montgomery to the heart of the coal region-some eighty miles-coal, we are told, may be delivered to the road at $1 per ton; and estimating freight to Savannah at the rate coal is carried on a northern road-$1 per ton per 100 miles -the coal of Alabama may be delivered in Savannah at $5 50 per ton. If we add fifty per cent. to the cost of the coal and transportation, it may even then be delivered in Savannah at $7 50 per ton. Those who have observed the recent rapid increase of steam-propelled vessels, for commercial as well as for war purposes, cannot doubt the necessity of an abundant and cheap supply of coal to any port which would be a great mart for the commerce of the world. If we look beyond the lines of road under consideration, a continuous line is projected from Savannah through Charleston to the northern cities. On the other side a road is projected and has been surveyed from Mobile to New Orleans; a road is being constructed from New Orleans westward; and we have reason to anticipate that this line will at no very distant time be united near the 320 of north latitude, in Texas, with a line from Montgomery, in a common trunk road to San Diego on the Pacific. In that event, passengers by either Montgomery or Mobile may reach the Pacific from Savannah within four days. The Savannah and Albany railroad from Savannah to Mobile, and the branch road from Albany to Montgomery, will be important links in this great chain of connection. But aside from this, they are of very great importance to the federal government, as well as to the States of Georgia and Alabama, and each should do whatever it may consistently with correct principles, to aid its progress and secure its early completion. We transmit herewith copies of the papers above referred to our letter to Governor Collier, Governor Collier's message to the Senate and House of Representatives, and the charter granted by the State of Alabama. With sentiments of respect and esteem, your obedient servants, JAMES P. SCRIVEN, NELSON TIFT, Commissioners. |