WHEREAS, the State of Texas possesses an area of one hundred and seventy-five million, five hundred and ninety-four thousand acres of land, (very little of which is not adapted to agricultural or pasturage purposes) through which her enterprising citizens have in contemplation a net work of railroads, four hundred and sixty miles being now in running order, one of which roads commences at the Eastern boundary of the State, running West to Houston, and there connecting with others extending to Galveston; to Columbia, on the Brazos; to the River Colorado, at Columbus; to Brenham, and on the line known as the Central Railroad, extending to the distance of one hundred and forty miles, from the Port of Galveston; none of which railroads have any present connection with those of other States;
WHEREAS, the Convention of Texas, now assembled at Austin, has assurances that there is in course of construction, from St. Louis, in the State of Missouri; the Southwest Branch Railroad to the Indian Territory; also, that the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Port Gibson Railroad is being built, South to the North line of the Indian Territory, connecting with the Union Pacific Railroad;
And, whereas, we regard the construction of a railroad from the North to the South line of the Indian Territory, connecting with these and Texas railroads, and navigable streams of the South, not only as entirely practicable, but imperative in developing the vast resources of the territory embraced in this system of roads; and as an important means of bringing into more intimate, harmonious and advantageous relations, the people of the section embracing these roads, not only with each other, but with those of the remainder of the United States; Therefore,
Resolved, That the Convention of the State of Texas respectfully recommend to the Congress of the United States to adopt such measures as that Honorable body may deem expedient, to cause a South Branch to the Union Pacific Railroad, to be immediately constructed through the Indian Territory, in the same manner in which the Union Pacific Road is now being built.
And, be it further resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be immediately transmitted to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States.
Passed March 21st, 1866.
I CERTIFY, That the foregoing pages contain true copies, and the date of passage, of all the enrolled Ordinances of the late Convention of the People of Texas, as they appear on file in this Department; also, a true copy of the Amended Constitution, adopted by said Convention, as it appears enrolled and signed in this office; the added words and clauses being printed in italics; also, a true copy of the Proclamation of His Excellency, James W. Throckmorton, Governor, declaring the ratification of the amendments to said Constitution by the People of Texas.
I further certify, That from the official Journal of said Convention, deposited in this office, it appears, that the said Convention begun its Session at the City of Austin, on the 7th day of February, A. D., 1866, and adjourned on the second day of April of the same year.
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GIVEN under my hand, and the Seal of said Department, at Austin, Texas, this 18th day of December, 1866. JNO. A. GREEN, Secretary of State. |