American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-02-11
FOR THE WhTcHMAN.

MADAM plan OF making turnpike roads and keep.l
ing them in repair because consider the matter /
generally of much importance to country, and
the observations and recommendations agree very
we'll with my own experience and reflections on this
subject. / however beg leave to offer few opin.
ons the result OF some experience obtained IN trav-
cling in various parts of the country, and Of observ-
ing the various modes made use of in repairing the
roads, and more particularly in making use Of them
when made.
In the State Of Delaware, and particularly in the
County of Newcastle, we cannot expect to have
lgood roads, seem not to know. either the best
mode OF making them, of keeping them in repair,
Tor Of using them when made--and hence we suffer
two great evils; We pay heavy road tax and trav-
eel on bad roads generally. speak principally in re-
laton to artificial roads, whether they made
merely by throwing up the earth, or are composed
|of broken stone.
In travelling in New England and in some parts
|of Pennsylvania, had the satisfaction to find the
roads much better than ours-although in N. Eng
land their soil is much more stony than ours is, and
yet their roads are less encountered with stone.-i
This exemption from Of the painful effects of
travelling our roads, is produced by an effectual
legal provision for clearing the roads OF such pain
lul distractions.
There however is strong objection to our mode
of making use of the roads, and while this continues
we can never hope to have good roads, even with
heavy taxes for their repairs. The truth is, that
our Wagons are made so heary and the wheels are
SO narrolo on the tread that the best stoned
roads not proof against their effects; and it is
impossible but that common earthen roads must be
entirely destroyed by Wagons weighing perhaps
TWO tons each, and with load (of hickory wood for
nstance) OF not less weight; and all this drawn up
on wheels of from only l-2 to inches on the
|face. In ths places above alluded to, where the
writer found the roads pleasant, the general prac
llice was to make use of O-horse Wagons only !;
and it very rare circumstance to meet with
any of more destructive character than these -
We may readily conceive what the difference will
| be in the effect the roads, between wagons OF
two horses and correspondent load, and carriages
with FIVE to six horses and loaded accordingly, when
perhaps the bearing the road is greater in the
Il one case than the other. Ii the mode oil making
and repairing the roads and keeping them 10 order
as recommended in the MADAM plan, could be a.
dopted, and heavy fine laid upon narroao Wheel
oaggons heavily loaded, as to introduce two horse
Wagons generally, we should have not only good
roads, but taxes would be trivial in comparison
with what they now are. This however must result
from greater light and experience among the great
body of the people, and determination in the egis-
atve body to obge the people to consult their real
interest in opposition to their prejudices. AS to
our turnpike roads generally, for three fourths OF
the year they are more Of nuisance than a conve-
nience-and although the respective hundreds are
wholly exempted fIom the repair OF those roads,
they have entirely neglected the repair OF the side
4 or summer roads, and hence at almost all times
have the pain Of travelling on bad roads, with few
exceptions, and know not how these things are to
be remedied except by the formation OF societies In
towns and various places in the country, who will
take upon themselves 10 enlighten our fellow clti-
zens on these particularly those who use
, the roads generally. Great advantages might also
result from proper course OF experiments to ascer.
ain the best modes Of constructing carriages of bur-
den relates TO the size and form of the wheels and
tread the length of the axetrees, to lead the wheels
in different tracks instead of all passing along the
same rut and consequently cutting it down though
made of store, and in the mode of gearing horses to
lenabe them to draw the greatest possible weight
with the least exertion Of strength.
| shall be pleased 20 see in the Waterman some
instructions as to the best mode OF constructing
u Rail Roads-the weight that single horse car
+ draw on such road-the expense of their forma
|tion-whether stages can travel on such roads BY
means Of steam engine power &c.; as well as any
i kind Of Information relative to them that can en-
tllighten the public mind on this subject.
II With respect to our turnpike roads, it may be ad
l died. that where they be kept we'll covered with
II earth OF hard and gravelly character such as il
the red clay mired ith stone, to be found very
Oily within the Borough the summer roads cease te
tlbe objects of Ruch consequence, as we have hat
d Ian opportunity of observing within the last year
e lwhen some of those roads have been covered :;
: and could the respective companies be induced tt
II contnue this plan, they would confer great favor:
on the public, by providing it with roads that woule
be pleasure travel upon, instead Of those that
has been compelled to painfully for the traveller
1t and his horse well nurlously for his carriage
the same time that he has been compelled to pay
y heavy tolls.
Ell The plan of maxine TURNPIKE roads more nearly
d fiat than has been usual, u.s. am persuaded goot