Delaware journal., 1828-02-15

IS question already decided by the concurrent tes-
tmonyof all who are acquainted with the SUBJECT.
- During asy late yistto England says one OF our
intelligent correspondents, IL examined as critical
aly as my time woud admit number of railroads;
and the result was, that became more thoroughly
confirmed than ever, in their superiority over eve
ry other mode of intercommuucation" In rela-'|
iion TO the road in question, the same individual re-
marks 'sAny one acquainted with the topography
of the marrow sthmus between the bays OF Chesa-
J,eake and Delaware, while he Contempates the geo.
graphical position and at the same time CONSIDERS
that it is the connecting link in the great cham OF
communication between the east, the west, and the
south that Massachusetts and New Jersey ale al
this moment taking measures TO construct railroads
through their respective states, must at once De
struck with the astonishing facility with which the
undertaking can be accomplished, and the proolgous
advantages that will occur. Taking all these things
into view" continues the writer, Il am decidedly OF
the opinion that your project possesses advantages
superior to any other of the kind to be met with IN
this country" p
The cost of railways is an important item, and
has claimed the attention ofthe committee hut the
short time allotted TO the subject, together with the
difficulty Of obtaining precise information, ON this
point will necessarily render this part OF the report
less definite, than could be wished Where the
rails are made wholly Of iron, the average costin
England, is estimated at 500ol per mile, or about
$4,000. In this country, the expense OF such
road would amount to a much greater sum, owing to
the price of iron. The superiority OF such road
over some Others consists in its great durability /;
but it is not without its objections: the foundation is
liable to injury from the expansion and contraction
of the metal, by heat and cold an objection which
must operate with more force in the northern and
middle states, than in many parts OF Europe, where
the climate milder, and subject to less extremes
added to this castiron rails are subject to fracture
1t is proposed to construct the projected railroad
from Boston to Providence wholly of granite faced
with iron the expense of this road is estimated at
$4,000 per mile, single tracts, with turnout places,
OF sidelings. OF the expense of timber railways,
variety of opinions prevail, for the want OF ex-
perlinenls. From all the information which we
have been able to obtain, we are induced to believe
that the cost of a double timber railway to accom-
modate slow and fast carriages, with sidelings, and
faced with iron half an inch thick by two inches
broad, built upon stone foundation, and pass ing
over our isthmus, would not exceed 10000 dollars
per mile, and might possibly be constructed for 5000
dollars.
The opening of such an intercourse as is contem-
plated by the undertaking, with the south and west
embracing part Ofthe immense and rapidly lncreas-
ing tract of the Susquehanna, and thus forming a
connexion with the north and east, must not only be
followed by great local advantages to ourselves, but
by great national benefit.
OH Il FAu way SuCh do Is tontcuptdtSu3 1out CoW-
mittee believe it susceptible Of demonstration, tina
two horses travelling hours in the "a could trans
port across the sthmus, in one year, nearly OOt
bushels of wheat; which, at of the price now pait
for water and land carriage, would yield, after de
ductng all expenditures, neat profit OF more thar
1000 dollars, without any allowance lor back car
riage: and that goods could be shipped at Baltimore
and landed the same day in Philadelphia. The re
port of the Baltimore rail road company, states thai
the cost of transportation on rail road will bt
found to be 3 cents ton per mule cheaper than b,
wafer carriage that one thousand bushels ot lint
can be conveyed oh such road, II miles for Sl4
whilst the cost of the same on common turnpike i
500. Added to the above considerations IN iavo
OF the undertaking, your committee are informed
that bill is pending before the legislature q
MARYLAND. fur the Incorporation of a company t
s.S..-tcua road from Elkton norhward to the Penn
syvana line and company formed in Pennsylva
mia to continue it, through D0pulOuS country. am
where limestone is said to abound. There can b
little doubt that from this another road would or
long be extended to the River Susquehanna. Wit
such improvements progressing OH all sides OF III
Would it not argue great tegie2 OF apathy in u
not to avail ourselves Of advantages which mode
rate share Of industry could not fail to procure
Concerning the last point of inquiry, viz I'll
most eligible direction iGr the road, your committt
have not been able to arrive at satisfactory resul
from the want of necessary data. Before ihs que
ton can be rightly determined surveys must be ha'
the general features Of the country must be exaln
ed, and the quan,um of produce and trade, viii,
any given rout may attract, must be properly appr
ciated. Your committee therefore, recommend su,
measures as may be deemed necessary for the attai
ment of his object aud also for obtaining of Il
legislature Of Maryland, sn act for the incorporate
OF "a company to construct the road in question.
Which being twice read and considered, was
motion. adopted.
The meeting then adjourned
r. ROWJ AMI