Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-04-20

middle routes have nearly the same
mount of population, Tor the cosnties'
districts, and parishes which they ira
verse; but for the Eastern route the
white population 10 to that OF color as
one to one; and for the middle route,
the white population is to that OF color |
ne three to two. AS to the total popula'
ton of the counties, districts and par
ishes. on the Western route, is about
three quarters of that of the other two
route but the white population IS near
" to that of color as two to one.
Distance; The length Of the road
will be less in the direction OF the mia
die than either the Eastern or Western
route.-With respect to time, and with
the same graduation, we incline to give
the preference to the middle route.
Expense; The expense OF materials
for a solid aud durable construction Will
be about the same for the middle and
Western routes, but much greater Tor
the Eastern.
In bridging, the expense will be much
less upon the western than upon the
other two routes.
In causeways, much less upon the
western than upon the other two routes,
and less upon the eastern than upon the
middle.
To obtain the same graduation 10 both
routes, the expense will be less upon the
eastern than upon the middle route, and
less upon the middle route than upon
the western route.
The price of labour will generally be
the same along the middle and western
direction, though less for some sections
along the latter; but it will be higher
along the eastern.
The board then 60 on to submit at
large their views Of the commercial con :.
siderations, accommodation of the po-
pulaton, political considerations, mill
tary considerations, and the transport
tation OF the mail, and sum up their
views OF the considerations, as follows:
"Commerce--The eastern route will
enjoy the exclusive advantage of facili-
tating the commercial correspondence
between our inland importing and ex-
porting marts. The middle and West
ern will contribute more than the east
ern TO the development of internal
commerce and industry.
Accommodation of Population
The eastern and middle routes will &C.
commodate directly more States than
the western but, taking into view, s. by
anticipation, the increase Of population,
perhaps the three routes ought to be
placed on an equal footing.
Political consideretions-The East
ern route has the advantage to pass
through the seats Of government of the
-outhern states; the Western to cross
the chain of mountains which separates
the Western from the Southern States.
War-Through the Western route,
greater and more efficient assistance
will be afforded in the times OF emer-
gency to tie States, and Naval Estab
lshments upon the Gulf, than through
the other routes.
Transportation of the Mail.--As 10
time. we are inclined to believe that the
Middle route has the advantage over the
others. As to expense, they will be
less upon the middle, and especially up
on the Western, than upon the Eastern
| AS to horses, the service OF the all
will be better, and more cheaply secur.
ed upon the middle route, and especial
ly upon the Western, than upon the
Eastern.
Having thus investigated to the best
of our abilities, the points upon which,
in our opinion, might rest the selection
OF the most suitable route for national
road from Washington to New Orleans,
it would remain, in strict conformity to
our instructions, to recommend which
of the routes should be preferred. But
if certrin advantages pointed out in this
report can be expressed by figures to
help in the comparison; yet the others
being of a moral kind, each of them is
liable to receive unequal weight from
different minds; and if to this difficulty
is added that of comparing moral with
physical advantages, we must acknow-
ledge that we cannot, without presump-
ton, attempt to draw a conclusion as to
the route which Is entitled to the prefer
ence. Therefore, here is to end the
task which has been entrusted to us;
and we will only beg leave to close up
this report, by submitting some sugges.
tons in relation to the ulterior surveys
of the road adapted to its construction
and to its repairs"
Ferdinand YIl.---Mr. Everett, our