The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-03-18

/ also, under commission established for
/ the purpose, caused three routes to be sur
veyed from the boundary of this State, to
different points on the Hudson River, in
concert with the Directors of this State,
and have furnished 10 the Board of Direc-
tors copy of the plans and profles Of the
route preferred by them, with copy Of the
report and estimates of their Engineer.
The Legislature of the State of Rhode
Island has, also, on the application of the
Board of Directors, passed an act granting
authority for the extension of Raj! Road
leading from Boston, through any part of
that State to Providence, with permission
TO take tolls thereon.
The proprietors of land, on a large part
of the Providence route, on application of
the Directors, have executed under seal
engagements to permit the Rail Road to
pass through their estates, releasing all
claim to compensation for the land which
may he taken, and for damages which may
accrue, in consideration of the benefits
which may result to them from the construc-
ton of the said Rail Road.
The inhabitants of the city of Boston, in
town meeting called for the purpose, have,
by large majority of votes, expressed their
conviction of the utility of the projected
Rail Roads, and requested the city govern
ment to petition the Legislature for the
adoption Of measures in aid of their con-
struction. A petition of similar purport has
been submitted to the Legislature, from a
large number of respectable citizens of the
Commonwealth.
At the session of this Legislature in June
l.. al, IS L.
of their proceedings to that date; ANS at
the present session have made full report
of the results of their investigation, and of
their opinion upon all the points OF inquiry
submitted to them. This report, together
with the reports of the Engineers employ
ell by them, exhibiting, in ample detail, the
course and distance of the route proposed,
the mode of carrying the enterprise into
effect. the difficulties to he overcome, and
the cost to he incurred, has been published
for the information of the Legislature and
of the public.
In this report the Directors have describ-
ed the species. of Rail Road which they
recommend, as possessing the advantages
of solidity and durability, and best adapted
to the wants of the country, and the nature
of the climate. The structure there recon-
mended will be formed of rails of granite
surmounted by plates of iron. The princi-
pal material is furnished in abundance Ivy
the country through which the route passes,
and about seVen-eighths of the expenditure
for the whole work will he for the labor of
our own citizens, who will thus, at the mo-
ment the work is begun, begin to reap the
benefits fthe improvement, in an increased
stimulus to industry.
The estimates presented in the Report OF
the Directors show the degree of facility,
which will be afforded by Rail Road thus
constructed, for the transportation of heavy
substances, and the degree of saving in
locomotive power. According to these es-
Inmates, the obstacles presented by the
mountainous face of the country, between
Boston and Albany, will be so far avoided
that the amount of locomotive power re-
CURED for passing the Road, will be not
more than third part greater than itwonld
be, if the Rail Road were made entirely
level and that the cost of transportat ton,
exclusive of tolls, will not exceed cent a
mile per ton. These estimates afford a suffi-
cent proof of the very great facility which
such work will afford to the intercourse
of the country.
The Engineer of the western route esti-
mates the cost of constructing q double
Rail Road, in conformity with this descrip-
ton, at little more than 10000 dollars Il
mile. The cost of the whole Road accord
lug to this estimate, if the money for ac-
complishing the work should he obtained
Ivy loan on the faith of the State, on the
telms which the directors suppose practical
BILE, would subject the State TO an annual
charge for the payment of interest, of not
more than 10000 dollars. The directors
express an opinion, founded OIL the returns
and estimates which they have obtained OF
the present amount of transportation, in the
country through which the route passes,
that the amount of business on the route
would be such Immediately upon the COM
pletion of the Rail Road, as to afford an in
come az a low rate of tolls, sufficient to pay
this interest, together with all charges for
superintr ndence and repairs; and that the
prospect OF an increased amount of business,
from an increasing population and wealth
of the State, authorizes the expectation OF
an increase of income sufficient TO dis
charge at no remote period, the whole
principal of the debt after which the whole
income of the Road might be applied as a
permanent revenue, to supply the wants Of
the State.
The Directors in their Report also pre-
sent facts and illustrations to show, that in
depeudenty O: the income which will he de-
rived from the use of these Rail Roads,
great benefit will result to the citizens of
this Commonwealth, not only from the in
creased facilities of business, bat in the in
creased value of properly already exist
ing. They argue from the facts stated in
the Report, that the building of these
Roads, would produce an immediate rise in
the aggregate value of lands and real es-
tate in the Commonwealth, more than equal
to their whole cost.
To these benefits may he added those,
which cannot fail 10 result from the increas-
ed activity and enhanced profits of business,
by supplying TO great part Of the Common