American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-12-04
Prom the baltimore Patriot.

From the baltimore Patriot
RAIL ROADS AND CANALS very
sudden and unexpected obstruction Of the New
York Canals by ice is an important event in seve-
raj points of view. 1t excludes from the New York
market an immense quantity of produce, especially
flour. the natural tendency of which will be- and
in fact has already been. to raise the price of flour
and other articles. This produce must either 90
into store houses during winter, or seek ma Cket
in Baltimore by way Of the Susquehanna, and Of
course all that can do SO will adopt the latter alter
native. as the Susquehanna at the last dates was in
an excellent na,igabp order This will add some
hundreds Of thousands of dollars to the usual Sus
quehanna trade this fall and next spring. But the
most important consequence OF the obstruction of
the New York Canal, is the evidence it affords Of
the superiority of Rail Roads over Canals Rail
Roads are not subject to obstruction from ice
weather or seasons from any other source
save brcakage. the repairs of which will not re-
qnire tenth part Of the labor or time that OBJ
structions OF canals from the same cause require
for their removal, nor are they any thing like a.
subject to them as canals. These facts are begin
ming to be understood in New York, and the pro.
prety Of filling up the Erie Canal and construct
lng double rail road on the site ct it, has aread,
been suggested in the New York Enquirer
Speaking Of the individual loss and public disap-
pontment occasiuned by this early obstruction 81
the Canal, the Enquirer says-"1fhe dismay and
disappointment is not to be described; and our
remedy to guard, not only against the occurrence
OF such serious evil is the construction Of rail.
way, whereby also the growing trade with the
city, could be carried on during the entire wear.
A gentleman has mentioned the construction Of
hour rail ways on the line of the canal, bv filling
II In as the space it occupies would be fully suni-
cent; two rail- ways for passing up, and two down;
one each way for merchandise, and one for passen-
gers-each to travel at the same rate, to avoid
passing ways. The traveller to go mics, the
merchandise miles an hour, by horses. We
should like to hear more as to rail ways, and hope
another year will not pass without some attempt
by the legislature 10 investigate the subiect.o
It's believed, ii not ascertaned to demnnstra
ton, that the expense Of transpoi tation on Rail
Roads will be much less thAl on canals; and the
speed OF travelling will be at least double i,
on a canal, merchandise travels three miles and
passengers for per hour; whereas On Rail Roads
the one will travel SIX and the other EIGHT miles
per hour. These facts, together with the demon
stration afforded by tile New York Canal of the
tendency OF canals to obstruction, not only certain
" during winter, but often very early and unex-
pectedly in the season, afford encouragement to
perseverance, and high hopes Of the result Of then
labors, to the baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Com
pany We have already mentioned that the sur
peys OF the routes reconnoitred had been c0mmen-
ced ny the Engineers, notwithstanding the lateness
OF the season. We are sratiled to learn, saws the
American, that the Engineers have strong hopes
oil reaching the Potomac, before the nclemency Of
winter shall become extreme. There are three
brisades OF Engineers employed in this service, 10
which, ii possible. fourth will be added The |
following, says the Republican, is believed TO be
correct statement of the organization uf the three
i'rigades now employed in the particular surveys
One Brigade under the immediate superinten-
dence OF lit Col. Long, another under that of
Capt. M'Neil, and the third under that Of Dr.
Howard, assisted by the following Z. S. Engineer
officers s. Lieutenants Cook, Hazard Fessentler.
Thompson, Trmble, lilliahunty, Barney, Gwynt
and Harrison.
We cannot conclude this article more appropri
ately than by copying the following from the Bos
ton Daily Advertiser -
LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER AND BIR.
MlNGliAM Rail. ROADS, We lately reee;v-
ed from friend pamphlet, published two wears
ago, setting forth the claims OF the subsc ibe,s 10
the Liverpool and Birmingham Rail Road TO an
Act Of Parliament, inreply to the opposition Of he
canal companies; accompanied by a man SHOWING
the route Of this rail road, and also Of that from Iiy
erpool to Manchester. Since that date, the ,lan Of
the first mentioned road Ia, been Given up by lhe
with the exception Of that part Of tie
route, which is between Birmingham and Wolycr
Iampton--a distance OF fourteen miles only. The
principal opposition to this rail road came from The
proprletors OF canals. who enjoy monopoly of the
neavy carriage. Tine of these canals, the original
cost OF which was l40l share, has advanced d,