Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell) (1782-1850) to David Hubbard
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02320.01 Author/Creator: Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell) (1782-1850) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 June 1838 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Calhoun in blue ink, concerning his support for (and failure to get) a rail route from Georgia to the west, instead of through Ohio. He concludes that southern rail routes will unite the slaveholding states and change commercial and political affairs of the Union.
Calhoun was a United States Representative from South Carolina 1811-1818, and Senator 1931-1842 and 1845-1850. He was Secretary of State under John Tyler, 1844-1845. Hubbard was a U.S. Representative from Alabama 1839-1840 and 1849-1850. During the Civil War, he served as a Confederate Congressman.
[excerpt]
… I have long seen the vast superiority of the route through Georgia to the Tennessee, over the one through [illegible] to the Ohio; and at an early period, I pressed, with all my might, the very one, that you so strongly recommended, and for similar reasons, but in vain. I, however, did not dispair [sic]; and by con[2]tinually urging the [struck: the] Georgia route, have so far succeeded, that the Charleston and Cincinnati rail road company have purchased out the Charleston & Hamburgh rail road, with the view of uniting with the Augusta & Athens, and finally of uniting with the Tennessee River [strikeout] [inserted: through] that line. But I apprehend, that it will take a different route from the one you indicate, and I am inclined to think a preferable one. I suppose you know, that Georgia has undertaken to make a railroad from the Chattahootchie to the Tennessee River at or near to Rosses landing [struck: at] [inserted: above] the [illegible], and that 50 miles are already under contract, and the [3] whole surveyed, giving a most favorable result. Through the whole route, there is no rise exceeding 30 feet to the mile & no canal [struck: angle exceeding] under a radius of 1000 feet. This, I think [illegible] the route, and when [struck: the] a coal road the [illegible] is coupled, with other improvements made in the navigation of the Tennessee river [struck: will] and a union affected with the Decatur & Memphis railroad, will combine extraordinary advantages; perhaps greater, than any other route. A resolution has already passed for a careful survey of the Tennessee river, with the view to its improvement.
I take the deepest interest in the work, not only in a commercial [4] but a political point of view. It will do more to unite and conciliate the slaveholding states, than can be effected by anything else; and will change not only the commerce but the politicks of the Union.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.