APPLICATION OF OHIO FOR A GRANT OF LAND TO AID IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAKE ERIE AND MAD RIVER RAILROAD.

COMMUNICATED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 5TH, 1834.

PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS relative to the Mad River and Erie Railroad.

            Whereas by an act of the legislature of the State of Ohio passed January 7, 1832, entitled "An act to incorporate the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad Company," with power to construct a railway or road from Dayton to Springfield, thence to Urbana, thence to Bellefontaine, thence to Upper Sandusky, thence to or near Tiffin, thence to or near Lower Sandusky, thence to the town of Sandusky; which road, if constructed, will, the greater part of it, pass through a country of excellent soil, and at present, but thinly peopled; and as the construction of such a road will not only contribute to the conveniences and advantage of the citizens in the immediate neighborhood of the line, but also of the western part of the State generally, by opening to them easy communication with the lake, and free access to the northern market; and will, moreover, greatly increase the taxable property of the State by inducing the speedy settlement of a large portion of the State, and by increasing the facilities to her citizens for trade and commerce, and will not only bring earlier into the market the unsold land belonging to the general government, many tracts of which are now absolutely unsaleable, but will also generally increase the value of such as are saleable; affording, at the same time, facilities to the general government for the transportation of the mail, and, in case of war, of provisions and munitions of war.  And whereas, also, by the report of the engineer detailed for the service by the general government, it appears that the route proposed is very favorable, and that a railroad may be constructed upon it at a comparatively small expense; and it being now represented to this general assembly that an amount of stock of the said company has already been subscribed sufficient to justify the commencement of the work during the present year, and the ultimate completion of it shall receive that encouragement which its great importance and usefulness demands of it, the State of Ohio, although true to her policy of fostering and encouraging internal improvements, is unable, at this time, to contribute to the work out of her treasury so as to render to the said company an equivalent for the benefits which will be conferred by it on the State; but as the general government will derive immediate benefit from it in the manner hereinbefore mentioned, and in other respects, and has the ability to contribute by making to the said corporation a grant of land which would be of great value to the incorporation; and by giving which the Treasury of the United States instead of suffering diminution would be in as good if not a better situation.  Therefore -

            Resolved, by the general assembly of the State of Ohio, That out senators in Congress be, and they are hereby, instructed, and our representatives in Congress requested, to endeavor to procure the passage of an act of Congress granting a quantity of land to aid the said company in making said railroad; the lands to be granted upon such terms and conditions as Congress in their wisdom may think proper.