44 
Transactions Texas Academy of Science. — 1906. 
capital in the development of Texas railroads. A charter was secured 
from the Legislature, and authority was given to connect Buffalo 
Bayou at Harrisburg, the supposed head of successful navigation, 
with the Bravos and Colorado Rivers. Galveston was in this manner 
to become the chief outlet for the cotton producing counties of the 
State. 2 
Work commenced in 1851. By 1853 the road was completed 
twenty miles. In 1855 the line was opened to Richmond. 
5. Galveston & Bed River Railroad. 
In 1848 Ebenezer Allen secured from the Legislature, in opposition 
to the wishes of the delegates from Houston, a charter for the Gal- 
veston & Red River Railroad. This charter authorized the construc- 
tion of a railroad from Galveston Bay to the northern boundary of 
the State. 
At the time of the passage of this act great consternation prevailed 
among the business men of Houston. Spurred on by the steady 
progress westward of the ' Galveston road, Houston negotiated with 
Allen for the commencement of the work at that city. Work was so 
begun in 1853, 3 and by 1855 the grading was completed to Cypress, 
twenty-five miles north of Houston. 4 
6. Mississippi & Pacific Railroad. 
The discovery of gold in California in 1848 impressed upon the 
people of the United States the necessity of a trans-continental line 
to connect the shores of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It was 
realized that such a road could only be constructed with the aid of 
the National government. In response to the popular agitation for 
the trans-continental railroad, Congress ordered a survey made of 
the several routes proposed, to ascertain which was the most feasible. 
Texans were naturally very eager for the construction of the line 
that would pass through their State — that is, the Southern. In 1850 
a resolution was passed by the Third Legislature, providing that aid 
should be extended to such a National railroad. 5 
The prospect that a company owning the franchise for the con- 
struction of the Texas link of the road would enjoy many excellent 
opportunities for speculation and profit called many corporations 
into existence, bent on securing this grant. During the year 1852 
five companies were chartered and were given authority to construct 
railroads from the east boundary to the Rio Grande River. These 
were the Texas Western, the Texas & Louisiana, the New Orleans, 
Texas & Pacific, the Vicksburg & El Paso, and the Texas Central. 6 
