Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-08-19
FOR THR k.NQuIRER.
tNIkRNAL lMPRQYEMENT-N Is

there are one or two other points Of comparison be-
tween Cana aud Rail Roads, not before noticed. which
think are probably In favor of the latter; especially II
the Location Is tho margin Of river The work be-
ing much on tho surface. and there being probably
greater selection OF precise location, when that IL
made. there is 9 better opportunity Of estimating the
costs with accuracy. well OF seeing the faith
tuI execution Of the works Tor although there may be
partial excavations In reducing tho surface 10 iavel
these, presume, viii he Of less extent and the Kind
Of material 10 be dug through aud removed more eesiy
sseer,a ned beforehand than in Canals where they are
moro extensive aud difficulties less capable Of being
removed.
. Agsin Canal. before Il can DO used, mus, BIO en-
hrety completed, whereas single sck OF Rail posd
can be put into successu operation and be- fully eqna
10 The early stages oil the trade. Indeed.
n is desirable. on the OF economy to finish sin.
gle track at 'irne as affords facility the Transports
ion OF materials Tor the other; and you Can, moreover
begin The hrst trsrk at points where materials stone
Tor insanceabound, aud finish Il you 20; thus using
II as the means Of determination.
u 10 also said, and possibly with truth, that Rail
Road, properly laid down stone, be Of per-
'sapent character, 10 kept In repair less srnual
penss than Canal. especially when the expense Of
Lock- Keepers, cleaning out. &c., Sc, taken into
tho estimate.
One thing appears to TO bs quite probable, that
there viii be fewer interruptions from great bre aches
from ice, &C. than in canals, whcn banks, we'll as
dams Tor feeders suhjecto such cdents; or In
dam and lock navigation. depending mainly on dams
II has also been said, and with such confidence tina,
may be true. thata Rail Road In the valley of river
especially when containing OH Its ted and banks at
reasonable distances, Shc important material of atone.
With present navigation pablo OF transporting that
rs well a. timber and other materials, iron Sc.
will cost less in the original construction than perfect
canal communication. Such Road, with n double
track, think ! have underso God, may be- made for
$l2oo0 10 SIS 600 per mile. II So presume single
track, graduated to be in state Of preparation for
The coupleon Of second. could probably DO made for
$4,000 =
The annual interest Of this nt per cent (and Il can
DO borrowed by tho State for lessl $500
Let us suppose that OF tolls, including trans
Psrts,ion, could be adjusted the principles indicated
In former number, all the g.est and valuable ar
ticss now transported by land and water so as to levy
on an average, cents per ton per mile, to aud fro
Say ON flour. wheat, tobacco hemp, cotton butter bs
con, beef, lard, tallcw, wskey, groceres iron. dry
goods live stock, &C. and let suppose that Is tons
oil merchandise OF this description shall pass on On
average each mile, in year, II will yield $3.50
Suppose all other articles pay IN a, arsge
cents per ton per mile, and that there will be
5000 tons: they III yield $50
500 passengers and their aggage, at cents
per mile 100
Transportation OF mails. know not how much
but cay $50 per mile so
The profits from store houses for the rece option
and delivery Of merchandise, and which will be
profitable places also for tho sale of merchandise,
and from taverns for the accommodate Of ira
vel'ers, &c. will probably be considerable alter
paying the interest ON tue OF erection say 50
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