Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-02
ALEXANDRIA. d. c.
yR,ngY MORNING, SEPT. 2. 1881.

-. Ration. as president of the Della ware and
u.1.oo Canal Company. has had every opportu-
.;v Of investigating the subject OF the relative
f.,. Of the two species Of internal improve
mont. concerning which he writes. This letter,
,bs raper observes from which it is copied,
,oots;ns lessons of practical wisdom, worth a
,ho,sspd of the wild theories Of untried expert
n,p,.. or the vague and uncertain assertions
of theoretical Philosophy:
NV yOnx, July 2I.-Dear SRI perceive
,s,, some Of the papers are endeavouring to arouse
,,s o.opIe Of Georgia to a sense of the Importance
If ,rrhcial meansof transportation, between the
,,,sr;or Of the state and the coast. Both interest
,J ,,oL will induce NE to wish them success, and
corp a Younger man, / should like much to take
. mart in executing any work that should have a
fyor,ble bearing on Savannah. A six years ex-
,srianee in the construction and operations of the
a',o,.. Of the Delaware and Hudson Company,
,,OnId ave me some advantages: but, as it is, |
can only offer my good wishes and any useful in
formation that may be in my power. From the
articles | have seen, | perceive With some regret,
that they entirely overlook the great natural adj
| ysntages that Georgia has over most OF the States,
N the construction Of Canals, and recommend
R.A Roads: which are the only resource OF those
who do not possess facilities for Canals, and who
,onsequentIy endeavour to make the public be-
jieye that they are superior to Canals. In this
rhey have succeeded To some extent tor the pre-
sent: but, having some experience OF both. am
no, among the converts to this new system. l
give tia place between Turnpike Roads aud Ca
nIs, and feel a confidence, that time will confirm
his order; and this, only IN cases where the
anOantof transportations will justify the expense
Of Rail Road.
In a late reportto the Proprietors OF the Liver
pool aud Manchester Rail Road, it is stated that
rhes had reduced the expense Of transportation
from els per ton by Canal, to Hl0by Rail Road
for j2niles, This reduced rate at per cent
Exchange, is2 81 lets. per ton. On the Erie Canal
and Delaware and Hudson Canal, the highest rate
for merchandise, including toll, freight and receiv-
ing and forwarding, is ) cents per ton per mile,
Or 81 60 cents for SO miles: on -four and other
mticIesOf snall value, it is s@l less. Flour does
not exceed tor long distances 5 cents per ton per
mile, making only 96 cents for So miles. On the
Delaware and Hudson Canal, a boat CARRYING so
Tons costs S4O0: ) per cent per annum will keep
her IN repairs, 1t requires la wagons to carry
the same weight on the Rail Road. cost 81. 400,
aud the repairs will probably be from Is to 90 per
cent. The annual repairs Of the Canal is about
$500 per mile; OF the Rail Road about Sis
mde' The Canal is getting better every year,
the Rail Road worse. This Rail Road Of the De-
aware and Hudson Canal company passes over a
rough uneven country, andhas 8 inclined planes. I.
Inc wear OF machinery and ropes on these planes
very expensive, and bear greater proportion to
nc length OF line that would be found in Georgia
's'o" the mountains. | have however no doubt
mat the annual expense Of Rail Roads will be
''auu 10 De greater than Is generally estimated.
Tue greatest advantage claimed by the advo-
"es Of Kali Roads over Canals, is in the rapidi.
80 f
YOi travel; and the Liverpool and Manchester
M" NOad furnishes the grounds for this claim;
"me results Of the Erie Canal have furnished Js-
AOO which to found similar projects. and both arc
equally exposed to disappointment. The Liver.
PV" and Manchester Road has cost l1s. 600 dol.
PET m''e' whilst in this country, we estimate
'all roads to cost from 5 to l2, 600. and M.
"'s Is now better ascertained than that STRENGTH
y "'nness must be IN proportion to velocity Of
cement; and that to avoid the expense and de.
inclined planes, hills must be cut down and
I'e{s a''ed up. These requisites cannot be at
~"su Without great expense, except in locations
v"a"! favorable, but strength and fruucss
indispensable in any location. Besides there
a. advantage claimed in favor of Rail Roads
"'aa''er which is not applicable to the south.
., ~a,e's diminish here at the period of great,
u.. me reverse lie the case at the South.
H'o canals are shut by ice in winter. and
,,.I Oe''e'ed Rail Roads will continue to he
Js y O4' from my experience the expens. and
~ "I'ues Will be found to be much enhanced.
"ae'e inclined planes are used, 90 mn.h -.