American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-03-11

Years since iron rails were first introduced, as al
improvement upon the old wooden or train rail way
and the locomotive engine, which is TO act 81
prominent part in the projected roads, has beer
in operation in the neighborhood Of Newcastle
upon Tyne some nine ten years, without exciting
much interest or attention. 1t is only within Two
or three years that the public appear to be, all a,
once alive to the important results to be anticipated
from the introduction of this peculiar power.
There appear to be two reasons why extraor-
binary effort should be made at the present moment
to establish this improved means of transport for
merchandise. In the first place, commercial men,
in the present circumstances of trade being obliged
to submit to low rate OF profit, perceive the ne
lcessty of economising n every branch OF expeDdi-
lures which comes under the technical denomination
lof "Charges Merchandise" and the transit of
lgoods between the merchant and manufacturer and
consumer, is very important item of this charge.
IT TO be expected, therefore, that the trading part
|of the community will be on the alert to establish
those facilities OF communication-those new me-
thods for the cheap and expeditions transport of
goods-which promise to be of such advantage to
the consumer, the manufacturer and The mer-
chant.
In the second place, the current rate of interest
being low, moned men are eager to embrace any
scheme which promises fair return for the capital
invested and, thus, the funds requisite for under
takngs Of great cost and magnitude are readily
furnished.-The public utility of the scheme being
apparent, the means of carrying it into execution
are forthwith provided.
The Steam Engine is the great moving power by
which the commercial superiority OF this country
is to be advanced and maintained and new and i'm
proved applications of this power naturally hail
Jed extending the basis OF our national prosperity
Not long since, every engine was stationary and
permanent, mighty in its operations, but limited and
|conhned to one spot. Atpresent we see them NOV
ling the waters in every direction ploughing the
lusty pillows, and forcing their way in despite Of
wind and weather. Almost all our Packet establish
|mens between England and France, and Holland
Scotland and ireland, are steam ships. Neither is
their office confined to the conveyance of passen-
|gers merchandise to large extent is transported
with extreme regularity and dispatch, especially be-
tween Liverpool, Dublin, and Glasgow. In few
years we shall not be surprised TO this
power under the form of the loco motive engine,
conducting the immense traffic between Liverpool
land Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Bir-
|mingham and London.
Canals were wonderful improvement upon carts
and pack horses. The route was, indeed, more
circutous, but the increased power was considera-
BILE. What is gained in poacer, however, appears
to be lost in time and this is difficulty which
not be overcome, and which, in the present day, will
not be submitted to. Between Liverpool and Man
chester for instance, the average time required for
the conveyance of goods by canal, is stated to be SO
hours; by railway, it is proposed to be effected IN
one sixth of the time !; and those only who are &C
quainted with the detail of business can be fully
ware of the importance of this increased expedition;
what activity it will infuse into various branches OF
trade, and what facilities it will mpar to the gene.
raj operations of commerce.