Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-05

To Guadaluupe SSO
To Winchester So 40
Now, far il is obvious that the Martins
burg route is inferior 10 all the other routes; that
the Guadalupe route promises to be the shortest,
while 1t Is equally practicable with the Winchester
route, and more so than the Gerrardstown route /;
that the last is less practicable than the Winchester
route, and that The Winchester route would mare
Immediately accommodate the greatest number Of
people.
" To arrive, however, at a conclusion, and TO
shew. which will be the shohes, and most riacti-
cable route TO Georgetown, let us see under wha,
circumstances eilLer may be continued TO that
place"
The report then proceed 10 a detailed examina-
tion and discussion o. the comparative advantages
and disadvantages of the various routes proposed
for the continuation OF the road from Marlinsbulg
Gerards,own, Guadaloupe and Winchester
SOil.--The soil along the MaIinsburg route
is less susceptible OF cultivation, than on either OF
the other routes; the Gerrardstown, Gusdalonpe
and Wnches,er routes about equality.
" Bridges Glld CuMseicays. -The Mar,insburg
route will require most bridging and cansewaying;
The other routes neatly the same that in this
respect they may be considered on equality.
:" GyatttgtiOn.-It will be obtained for far
less expense, for The Winchester, Guadalupe and
Gerrards,own routes than for the MaTtinsburg
route, and with less expense Tor the Two first than
for the route by Gerrardstown.
Sc P0puiatiOH.--The country bordering on Ell
Their route being thny settled, the only material
difference, in thi- respect, will arise from the
greater number of inhabitants on either Wnches-
ter, Guadalupe, Gerrardstown or Marin-burg
The first is far the most populous town, containing
about g. 500 inh abiants; the last is populous,
containing about 1900 inhabitants, and neither Ger
rards'own or Gadaloupe sufficiently SO 10 com
pete with either.
" Dis.alce.-The length of that part Of the
road uaversing what may be considered the IA own
famous section between Cumberland * Georsel ow n,
will be greatest by Martinsburg; least by Guada-
loupe; and the same by either Winchester oi Ger
rards,own."
The proposition 10 carry the road from Martins
burg by either Shepherds,own and the mouth Of
Aonocacy to Georgetown, or by Harpers Ferry
TO Georgetown In thus disposed Of" / conceive il
unnecessary 10 canvass the merits OF those Iouie-
when il il we're possible 10 keep them within the
plane OF the oil shortest distance from Msrtins-
burg 10 Georgetown, YET would lbe probable dis-
lance from Cumberland to Georgetown by Martins
burg exceed that by any other route proposed.''
The Winchester route next receives attention
4" Smokers Cop, being situate nearly in direct
line between Winchester, and Georgetown, it is
there that the road from Winchester would cross
the Blue Ridge most advantageou-ly. On cross
ing il question arises 10 the expediency OF pro-
longing the road in a straight line from Smokers
vile, which would avoid Leesburg, or carrying it
through the latter place at the expense OF an in
crease in distance OF . i-2 miles--ihe indirect
route. possessing no other advantage over the
direct, than the accommodation il would ex-
tend TO the population Of the town Of Lees
burg, consisting Of 1900 persons The pro.
bshe distance from Winchester to Georgetown,
by L~e-burg, is estimated at sixty six aud III, ee-
iouths miles, by Snickersyile direct al sixty -four
| and fourth miles.
Guasaloupe and Gerrardsiotcn routss.-- The
Blue Ridge, which was PASSED on tie Winches-
ter route at Smokers Gap, with so much ease
and with so lille DETECTION from the proper course
is By either OF these routes a serious impedineh TO
an equally direct approach TO Georgelown- at the
place where we should wish 10 cross it, although a
slight depression is there percepiibe, we find il
high and steep; and il we turn from that 10 Keye-'
Gap, (he only depression between Snickers' and
the PooHsc that deserves the sppellaton OF a
gapO and cross the Blue Ridge there, no sooner
shall we have arrived at its eastern base than we
should again be necessitated 10 deyia,e materially
from direct course, or 10 encounter the Short
Hun.
" The Short Hill being, 40 far az elevation is
concerned, much mountain rs the Blue Ridge.
having once passed that a, the Keyes Gap, tbiok
II would be better TO go around the Short HILL at
liillsborougb, than to cross it,
The probable length of road rom either eau
daloupe or Gerrardstown 20 Chare,town, which
is supposed TO lie so nearly in a direct line 10
Reyes Gap, that road from either place would
pass through it., j. estimated at l6 miles from
Gaudaloupe, and II from GersfdsiOwn, Z" in gra =
dua,ion, and in every respect but in distance these
sections would be similar; aud The probable dis
lance from Cumberland TO Gaudsloupe Is . miles
less than TO GeuArdsiown, although the distance 10
Cbar!esiown the 2 miles more from Gua1aloupe
than from Gelraidsiown, yet would Cumberland
be equally near by either route.
=" But as she section socst Of Gusdaloupe uni'es
more advantages than that wesi Of Geffards.own J.,
and as no difference exists east of either place to
I counierbsIsnce those sdvan ages, (ior the 1870
routes unite at Charleslowp,) it follows that q
route by Gusdaloupe superior to one by Genarls-
town so, for the present, II IS the former ToIe
alone that we shall keep in view.'
A rc Il by this route would pass hronsh IIl4-
borough, and the probable distance from GuadA-
ioupe to Leesburg, would be as follows:-
By Reyes GoP to Hills5orough, 26 IL ms.
Thence 10 Lees5lfgh, 10 ms,
~ q OF q