Kentucky and Missouri JRailroad Connection. 281 
trade, and with it to draw the dry goods trade from large sections 
of country heretofore considered tributary to St. Louis. And 
these efforts may succeed unless we build up manufactories ; and 
by furnishing the staple articles that are indispensable, overcome 
these efforts, and make our rivals tributary to St. Louis. 
We have endeavored, thus hastily, to sketch a few reasons why 
the city should subscribe, and, by her aid, ensure the early com¬ 
pletion of the road. 
We do not ask this subscription as a favor to the Company, but 
as securing an important benefit to St. Louis ; one in which the 
capitalist, the merchant, the mechanic, and the laborer are all in¬ 
terested. If our unparalleled growth, as a city, is to continue, 
we must have manufactories. If we would defy the competition 
of rival cities, we must supply the Mississippi Valley with Iron, in 
its various forms, and that without delay. If we would draw the 
millions to St. Louis, that will be otherwise sent to England to 
purchase Railroad Iron, we must prepare to make Railroad Iron 
here. 
In Europe, ‘Hhe Iron Mountain of America” is considered one 
of the wonders of the world, and the quality and purity of the ore 
considered almost fabulous; while here, it has, so far^ been treated 
with neglect. While we have such quantities of ore within eighty 
miles of our cicy, so pure that it can be made directly into rails, 
we send to England to buy an inferior article, to be paid for by 
the shipment of our gold, oifc the issue of State bonds. 
By the prompt action and aid of the city we can soon reverse 
this order of things, and, in a few years, make St. Louis the Bir¬ 
mingham of America, and add to her attractions as a great com¬ 
mercial centre. 
All of which is respectfully submitted: 
Wm. M. McPherson’, ) 
Wm. H. Belcher, v Committee. 
Thomas S. O’Sullivan, 5 
Kentucky and Missouri Railroad Connection. 
The following letter explains itself: 
St. Louis, 1st July, 1853. 
Gentlemen.—Your letter, inviting me to be with you at a Mass 
Railroad Convention to be held at Hickman, Ky., on the 4th of 
July, was duly received. 
Before and since the reception of your favor I have thought and 
talked much of your enterprise. 
Feeling a lively interest in the prosperity of South East Mis¬ 
souri I have been, for several months past, collecting information 
