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WASHINGTON, _November 12, 1853_.
DEAR SIR: It is with great reluctance that I encroach upon your time at
this particular season of your official duties; but what I have to say
can be read at your leisure, without much inconvenience.
After my interview with you, yesterday, I was impressed with the idea
that you had received from some quarter erroneous and unfavorable
views in regard to this great national enterprise that I am so deeply
interested in. I trust, however, that you will not permit any such
influence to operate in your mind without affording us an opportunity
to be heard. I consider it a duty I owe you and your high position to
explain, in a frank and upright way, the true object we have in view
in regard to this project; it is to test the merits of this route for
a mail communication, the benefit of which will accrue to the country,
the government, and those engaged in perfecting it. We have asked no
remuneration from the government while pursuing this enterprise, but have
gone to work, at our own expense, and proved the entire feasibility of
this rapid communication, without the least hope or expectation that the
department should in any way be subjected, either directly or indirectly,
to an acknowledgment of responsibility for future remuneration. We
desire to establish a great national highway from ocean to ocean, over
a route in which there is a saving of 1,800 miles, between New Orleans
and San Francisco; and the day is not far distant when all the present
routes will only be secondary to it. This opinion is based on reasonable
grounds: first, the saving of time; and, second, the beauty of the
country, and the salubrious climate over which the route passes. There
is but one opinion on this subject among all Californians. We have
conceived that, in offering to our government the facilities of a rapid
mail communication on so important a route, we have a right to expect
from that government a liberal encouragement, at least by an expression
favorable to an enterprise where so much energy and capital is invested.
Our project has been fully investigated by the late cabinet, and, after
their mature consideration, it was acted upon. The contract was sustained
by an appeal of one-half of the United States Senate in a memorial to
the department, and by the personal solicitation of the representatives
from the South and West; also, by a memorial from the most influential
citizens of Louisiana—the same being now on file in the department.
General Rusk, who framed the law under which the contract was made, also
urged the advantages of this communication on the department; among
others were Senators Gwin and Soulé. This communication must depend
entirely on its merits, and by its advantages for the public welfare. If
it cannot offer greater inducements to the government than the present
routes, it cannot expect to succeed; but if it can be proved that this
is the speediest route, the law seems not to be violated while offering
facilities on the part of the government to test so important an object.
We have, however, proved beyond a doubt that the transit can be made from
sea to sea in from three to four days, and I hope you may offer us your
liberal co-operation, without involving in the least a compromise of the
public interest; it is no more than we have a right to expect from the
department. Governor Marcy, without looking into details, has expressed
to me similar views, and says that our communication seems to hold out
great national advantages, and he did not doubt but that you would look
on it in a proper light. I feel confident that Congress will support any
measure that can be proved of public utility for the South and West;
and this is a southwestern measure, without any demands from the public
treasury, to build steam-ships or railroads. I know the feeling that
existed last Congress on this subject, and I feel confident that it will
be supported by the South and West.
I have spent several years of intense labor and a large amount of money
in bringing this enterprise to its present position. I have passed
through many deep and almost impenetrable barriers, and no impediment
shall stop the consummation of this great national work, save that of
the hand of Providence. I am sustained by capital and energy, and I
know no fail where perseverance can do the work. My future reputation
and welfare is largely involved in the success of this project, and I
sincerely beg that you will form no premature opinion on this subject
against my interest. I do not, however, believe that you would do so,
without an honest conviction of your judgment; but I do know that all
enterprises must expect opposition from various causes. Envy is no small
feature to contend with; and we have had to combat against it, solely
upon the ground that we have not been disposed to divide our interest
with others. The late administration was made aware of these facts, and
they received with great caution any information coming from doubtful
sources.
I most respectfully ask that you will give an order, permitting me, as
one of the contractors, to carry a mail over this route from California,
leaving it optional with persons to send by this way, and to designate
the same on the letter; and in giving such an order, I wish you
particularly to state that the department will in _no way be bound for
any future remuneration for the service_.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,