Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-11-11
FOR THE ENouIRER

FOR THE ENQUIRER
The late dscu isons UPON the subject of construct.
ing rail.wsy, extending from the navigation OF the
Tennessee River 10 James River, or the Baltimore rail-
road at Hapers Ferry, with the partial surveys area-
dy made have demonstrated TO many, the
OF the scheme But il seems to me ha, all the pub-
shed estimates oil tonnage, strangely uniorrate the
present actual resources OF the country for supporting
tho proposed railway The length OF railway from
Richmond or Harpers Ferry TO good navie alton ON the
Tennessee River, would be not less Than 400 miles:
and between Norfolk Baltimore, and Florence, Ala,
bama, the conveyance by water or by other than
the projected road, would be no, less than 400 miles
making In all 500 miles OF interior commune alton con-
meeting The great and increasing trade of the South
Western, with the Middle Eastern States
by claiming only the trade OF The country living with
In 100 miles OF this line of communication, and within
90 miles OF navigation inersectng this line popuIs.
uon oil above fifteen hundred thousand will be embrac.
ed; and II will be admitted that these inhabitants are not
less enerprsng, less industrious or less attentive TO
supplying the wants of civilized life, than are the PEG.
pie oil more favored parts Of the Union. The mdness
oil the winters, the saubrity Of the summers fertility
OF SOIL excellence OF water, beauty of scenery abun.
dance and variety of minerals, and the general scope
oil IT'S advantages, are not surpassed il equaled by any
section oil the same extent, the whole face OF our
country; and railway only is wanting to make il the
most desirable and the most prosperous part Of the u
States.
sparse population Of about 5000 COO adjacent to The
Mississippi antits boaabc tributaries now convey their
export, import and exchange commodities, upon those
waters, amounting annually above GOO 900 TONS and
employing about 200 steam vessels, with mult,udes of
smaller craft The tonnage OF cotton alone ON the
western waters is 100000, of salt 600 sugar and
molasses near $4,000, -four and me al 60 OOO pork
and lard $4,000 tobacco 25 900, besides iron
goods, Sc. &c.
From so to Go0O0 persons from the upper country
visit New Orleans and return annually whose passage
expenses are equivalent at least TO the transportation of
$4,000 tons Of goods.
BY averaging 200 steam vessels at 200 tons and
their voyage at down and up stream their
oil tonnage would be 100000 These steam vessels last
an average oil years, and the expense OF wear and
repair, insurance and navigating Them amounts annu-
ally 10 one and half millions OF dollars, and vet when
judicously managed produce the p opretors hand
some proh,s. The average OF up and down stream
freight Is about one cent per h. in each direction Such
an expenditure would pay per cent. on very large
amount of rail way stock, besides preserving the rail
way The enormous amount of products exchanged
between the inhabitants living that line of com
merce which not entered at any Custom House. or
elsewhere, cannot even be conjec ured. That great
iine OF commerce extending between New York and
new Orleans has its facilities in the only develop
ed In proportion TO the wants of sparse population in
ne country, where millions, yes, hundreds of mil
lions OF dollars, in labor and money. pecessar
ly expended, in the purchase OF lands of non resi-
dents, in the clearing and fencing of arns making the
necessary buildings and providing nc groes and animals
Tor labor together with the various of subsistence
Hereafter the labor OF the Western States will chief
y so TO an increase of efficient capital and the benefits
Offering to the avarcious per cenum calculator is
ready causing floods of wealth and hosts of emgrants
to press EDWARDS TO the harvest of the wesern wilder
ness" This is no fiction, no exaggera,ion Who then
can calcuac the prospective gains of the West for the
next fifty years, when the dim vision of boarding
-~,,ai la tic I.yas, ~, '"s III"
The fact of so fourshng line OF trade being estab.
lshed between N. York and N Orleans has 1f length
produced the crisis for establishing a middle line
across the United States. II could not have been done
earlier, out now line and will be formed and sup
ported the unrivaed Bay OF the Chesapeak and
the South Western States, which and ought TO cut of
porium" of the North.
Indeed, the facility, at all seasons Of the year, for
portions OF the people Of Kentucky, Ohio Indiana hi.
nois, missouri and all w. Tennessee TO send their pro.
ducts up the Tennessee River to Florence would iea
any one to suppose, they would seek that outlet in pre-
terence TO all others at least Instead of shipping 10 the
oggy sickIy, difficult and dangerous port of the South
Let any one examine the Map Of the Western and
Middle Sates-let him be the purchaser of Flour, To-
bacco or Cotton ruined by passing through the wet and
hot climate Of the Gu-let him pay the insurance on
goods, ship and lives, in that sea- and he will
be prepared 10 consider the suggestions made above for
cheapy, safely and speedily and bv
a route three times shorter.
But, TO generalze no further, will return 10 the
question Will the present resources and capacities for
production OF the country, through which the rail- way
is proposed TO pass justify its construction Let see
Salt is product OF this country, from which an annual
revenue of 100000 might the rail road stock
In proof OF which, let us take brief general view OF
that article. BY reference TO Secretary lnghams Re-
port, will be seen that about 600 900 bushels are
used per annun by the 10000 600 of people in the u
nited States; above 100000 bushels of which Of
from sea water, by solar evaporation, owing the wet
Of our climatc cannot be stored away where man.
uactured at less than cents per buhel charges and
II made from the best springs wells would cost about
6 cents per SIS h. Salt made by solar evaporation al The
Canaries or Bahama Banks, and the Liverpool boiled sat
is said TO cost cs per 56 h. which added l2 cent
per ID freight across the Ocean, makes about 81 cents
which is TO be added The duty of 10 cts and drayage
storage waste, commissions, &c. so that 81 cts per
bushel must be obtained at the Cusiom-house in order
to prevent sacrifice At the market of course our
10 ha oolI T.,
business.
AT onandaigua and the other Sanes of NJ York, about
100000 bushels is made at cost of per 56 h.
besides IL IL cts. tax paid the State: At Kanawhs Va
about 200 bushels per annum, from 10 10 Is cents
the water requiring process Of Qualification. AZ Co
nemaugh, Kiskimntas, near Piiisburg, 800 600
bushels at cents per Oh ID and a, Goose Creek Ken
lucky, $4,000 bushels at rs cents; each OF works
there, making small product, in proportion 10 the capt.
tai vested and the process Of manufacturing pure Salt
being tedious and expensive.
AT Saville, Va. about 1870 900 bushels at an expence
rents excluded OF TO cents per So lbs (see state
ment made 10 Mr.. Ingham) This last establishment
fnciudng Gen. Prcstons rival works. has abundant sun
plies oil salt water, 40 gallons Of the best of which will
make 30 lbs salt, rs gallons OF the weaker will
make the same--and together, are fully equal 10 the
production Of l,5o0,nO0 bushels per aunum. gentle
man, well acquainted with the business, has pail even
in it's present limited state, sixty thousand dollars rents
per anLum, Tor securing monopoly of the establish
nents and is said 10 have accumulated an estate OF no,
less than a million
From the above general view Il will he eie,r ,hs,
Qhe works being nearly central on the line OF trader II
only one cent per Id. S22 40 cts. per ton be the
charge OF transportation from end Of the line to the
oiner ana III ~ cts the charge foriaf the distance
Salt can and would be carried to both and
could be sold lat ProiD cheaper than the sal, from
any other quarter.
Blu. even II tbs charges on Washington soupty salt
when stored al tho sea coast, amounted 10 22 20 cen
we'll as the fof ign ar,se . = ioo !, IS yId,n, a,
al al distances awards the INTERIOR he domestic sal,
would gdo all The be, would lose ia ,r.n Dor All m
nth rsrrO uafan nf
would, thereto be Fir 10 sslsuate ina, Of $40 ooo
bn.h ~ loT The popula,ion AZ n,ssen ri,hir