The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-06-18


Providence, two centre lines we're surveyed
last season. Since the organization of the
Board of Directors, and the reappoiutment
of Mr.. Hayward as Engineer for this route,
he has surveyed several courses, diverging
in different directions from those surveyed
before, and making what is equivalent in
distance to two other entire lines. AL
such parts of the country, as were suppos
ed to offer any decided advantages for the
proposed road, have been examined, and
maps and profiles Of the surveys have been
made. Some recent applications to the
Board, may perhaps make it proper to di-
rect further inquiries on some parts of the
line. The surveys already made have been
more extensive, and have consequently oc-
cupied more time than was anticipated
The Directors were DESTROYS Of yielding to
all the applications of inhabitants of the
intervening country, for the survey of parts
of the country which afforded reasona-
bic prospect of any improvement OF the route
finally selected.
The time required for making these sur
veys was in some degree prolonged by the
unfavorable state of the weather, and it has
been found >impracticable by the engineer,
though he has used the utmost diligence for
that object after completing the maps and
profiles of the surveys, to make the detailed
estimates of the cost of the work, in season
to admit of any report founded on them,
being made by the Directors during the
present session of the General Court.
These estimates will embrace computa-
ton of the amount of excavation and en-
banhment, for the dwelling of the road, the
description and cost of bridges and culverts,
the cost Of materials for the rails, and the
foundations on which they shall be laid,
and of the various other expenses in the
construction of the road. Some of these
estimates require certain principles to be
first settled, which demand much careful
inquiry, and deliberate consideration. These
estimates will be made with as much des-
patch, as the extent and variety of the ne
cessary researches will admit. To aid in the
inquiries for this object, and that such plan
of construction and such estimates of the
cost, may be obtained as will be entitled to
the fullest confidence, the Directors have
engaged the services of Fl. Hutchinson, ESQ,
gentleman who has had much experience
in the construction of works of a similar
character, to examine the line of the plin-
cipal surveys, accompanied with the engi-
neer of the board and Mr.. Makepeace, and
to give his aid and advice with respect to
the location, in making the estimates.
Although the Directors have endeayored
to prosecute their investigations with as
much despatch as-was practicable, much
remains to be done. before the duties with
which they are entrusted shall be accom-
plished The general plan which they pro-
posed to pursue, was to procure surveys to
be made of three principal routes from Bos-
ton to the Connecticut river, viz: south
erly route, passing through the southerly Or
central parts of the county of Worcester,
and following the valley of the Chickopee
river to Springfield central one passing
the highlands in Worcester county, at
Princeton or Rutland, and after following
the Ware river for a considerable distance,
taking a course towards Northampton and
a lortherly one, pursuing the best course
to Miller's river, and by the valley of that
river to the Connecticut. They further
proposed, if each of these routes should be
found practicable, as at present there ap-
pears to be no doubt that they will, to have
a thorough examination of the country
from the termination of each of them, at
Springfield, Northampton and Greenfield,
to Albany and Troy; and after such exam
nation to have surveys made of all the
routes In that direction, which may then
appear to afford any superior advantages
compared with that already surveyed.
Until this examination shall be made, it
IS difficult to determine how extensive sur
veys may be desirable, but there is no doubt,
That before any proper selection of pre-
terable route can be made, number of lines
will require to be surveyed.
These surveys will afford body of
Typographical information which will be
valuable to the State, independently of the
immediate object of the present inquiry.
They will afford useful materials towards
the construction of a perfect state map,
should such a work ever be undertaken
they will furnish essential aid in the location
of turnpike roads and highways; besides
pointing out the easiest channels of commu-
nlcation, and afiording facilities for future
improvements, by the state or by individu-
ais. But, if it were otherwise, these expen-
sive Investigations are indispensable, for
enabling the legislature to Judge, of the
practcability, the cost, and the most eligi-
BILE direction Of an easy channel of inter
course between the eastern and western
portions of the State. AS far as they have
been prosecuted, they promise the most
favorable result, and the Directors hope
to be able to present, early in the next SEES
sion of the Legislature, should further
appropriation in aid of this object be made,
all the information which shall be required,
for judging of the expediency of embark
ing in this great work of public improve
ment. From the progress which they have
already made in these inquiries, they have
reason to hope, that their final results will
be such as to authorize the undertaking of
the work, with a fair prospect of such an
income as will reimburse the cost, and such
advantages as will add greatly to the re-
scources of the State.