Documents Accompanying the Journal ...

MEMORIAL of Morgan L. Drake, Secretary of the Lake Superior Railroad Company, asking for such an act of assent on the part of the State of Michigan to the act of incorporation by the Legislature of Wisconsin, of said company, as may be necessary to authorize said company under said act of incorporation, to construct its roads and branches within the State of Michigan, and to give such aid to said company as may be proper.

To the Honorable, the Legislature of the State of Michigan:

The undersigned, as Secretary of the Lake Superior Railroad Company, is directed to transmit to your honorable body the following memorial:

In 1852, the project was formed to secure the construction of a railroad leading from Detroit to the mining district of Lake Superior, in this State.

The wealth of that portion of the State consisting principally of mines of copper and iron, and which is at present but partially appreciated by our citizens, was then but little known. Yet it had been sufficiently unfolded to give cause to the belief which every succeeding year has justified, that it will exceed the mineral wealth of any other State, if not of all of them.

This wealth, then, being rapidly developed, was creating an amount of business, which, considered with the many important and growing relations between the two peninsulas, arising out of the affairs of the State government and of the several local authorities, and of commerce,

require that some communication should be established as early as possible, other than by water.

A bridle path from the mines southerly to the settlements in Wisconsin was greatly needed.

A wagon road in the same direction, to enable the miners to obtain supplies from the northern part of Wisconsin, in case of necessity, was greatly needed.

Yet it was believed that a railroad would afford that communication which is most suitable to the stirring and progressive spirit of the age, and the one most demanded by the rapid improvement and settlement of the country.

The settlement of the Upper Peninsula, with the working of the mines, was then in its infancy, and the project of a railroad to it from the Lower Peninsula, so as to unite them together, was by very many deemed premature and visionary. Yet it was foreseen that after arriving at a certain stage of improvement and settlement, the further progress of the country would come to an effectual pause until such a communication should be established. Such has been the experience of every part and portion of these Western States, an experience which is now being demonstrated by the history and condition of the Upper Peninsula.

Entertaining these views, such measures were adopted as seemed most likely to ensure their success.

Application was made by the friends of the measure to the Legislature of Michigan for an expression of its approval and for its support. And the Legislature on the 24th of January, 1853, adopted the following: JOINT RESOLUTION, relative to a grant of lands to aid in constructing a Railroad to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

"Whereas, Congress, by grants of lands to several States to aid in constructing certain Railroads, has established the precedent of making such grants for roads, national in their character:

And Whereas, There exists upon the south shore of Lake Superior, numerous and rich mines of iron and copper, now sought to be worked by citizens of many States:

And Whereas, It is at present impossible for those inhabiting the mining country to export the products of their labor, or to receive supplies during seven months in every year :

« Previous Continue »

Books