Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-06
CONCIISION

Having once more review ed the tine. modes of inn
rrovenent spoken OF between richmond aud Lynchburg,
and added such RENAL ks circumstances susge
now proceed OF give my own opinion of the improve
meut up To Lynchhurg
III economy to have great weight in the decision
the question, and the present sectional eXigencies of the
'at'e up to LyTchbng only, considered, lock and
dam Improvement would suffice.
But II it is wished to adopt at once, that style OF
improvement hest adapted To Wig mia the great
and extensive advantages she command by her geo.
situation, rail road is undoubtedly the system
should prefer
This opinion, which have inclined for some time,
as may be gathered from my letter of las winter Mr.
Garland, has been fortified in my mind by the operations
ri The past seasons, which have proved the connection
with the west to he remarkably practicable: and
Virginia is prepared to exPend three millions OF dolarsf
upon an Improvement TIP TO the mountains, certainly
moi 10 canal | should wish 10 see them applied.
will not trouble you with repetition of the many
urged by the respective friends of canals and
taii roads, as do not think the question ought he
decided here between them in the bt rather by
the local and peculiar considerations belonging the
case; 10 which, il me, Judge Wright, in the
opinion ne has given, did not sufficiently advert.
ir Tie first place the cost of rail roa double track
would not exceed $4,000 me as is fully e.;ab
ished by the experience Of the Baltimore and Ohio Tni
rpSGf
In the next, this central line being in direction which
Ill invite travelling the improvement would derive from
ms source an additional revenue not to be expected
the canal.
But the principal and decisive consideration
have offer is, that uniformity in the mode of transor
a'inn highly desirable: ii the expense and other
inconvenience of translation every where and in this
particular instance, the whole trade. For, il
now the trade OF Tennessee goes to Baltimore, over the
worst of roads, how much more readily would il take Iha
course, # railroad from Tennessee or Kanawha
James verwas met there by coming along the valley
of tine Shenandoah?
Let picture ourselves train coming rapidly down
To- lanes river which railroad viaduc this
an elegant locomotive engine is in waung which, in one
day will carry the whole train to Baltimore wihou, delay
without unuadngi the other side negroes resting
their long poles inviting the produce 10 the safe
veyance of their boat, under lock and kew down Rich
mo n is i'm uIst
n average davsD from Pa'onsburg-the power, said
negroes themselves some harness and whip striped
mules. Which nf these ask, will tempt the trade, |
answer the locomotive engine which will he in Baltimore
long before transfer cnud be made into the boats and
at less cost.
The danger Of such contingency may not he immedi
ate, but il may, it will come; and will the state make
canal now great cost with prospect Of being placed
hereafter under necessity of converting into rail
road in self defence? Certainly not; she will prefer TO
make that work at once, which, while it will best guard
her interest will procure her uninterrupted and uniform
line OF transportation: which will than an or
binary canal produce more revenue give greater CELEBRITY
aud momentum to her commerce, facilitate travelling and
intercourse much useful time industry which nei-
hcr fToss drous hts impede, and whose ramffca
Cns may easily he extended in every direction and
search the ide-waier district well adapted 10 il
and infuse into the life Of trade Activity ofcapial is
wealth, and il is best promoted by tins particular svs.
tenn Moreover, canals have done their best rail roads
al least equal 10 them, still advancing towards
peTfeCtiOn.
Persons who have not watched the progress of things
may he disposed with ability of opnfn I'M,
short enquiry will convince them, that new circum.
stances by modifying data have necessar y inrodu
ced corresponding notifications into my opinions ard
that have invariably adopted, wlthou, hesitation what
has become best, in consequence of the rapid i'm.
prnvcmCn's Of the age.
~ I626, when only navigation was thought az ,ho
advances made III steam engines, induced To invesri
gate their application system of navigation hitherto
uniried; and demonstrated, think, that on broad
river, with very small fall, as is James river IN tn
LyuchJnrg, The use of steamboats, improvement by
locks and dams, would possess several advantages
Steamboats, have since been brought greater perfection
which is still mere favorable 10 the system; and human
invention is constantly directed TO the substitution Of
steam 10 other power
At that time could not advocate rail roads. nei,sr
ha power, the vehicles used then advantacPos:
the veloclles obtained being SMALL aud toe loads carried
light II is now hardly years since the important
improvements III this mode Of CONVEYANCE have been
made: they have been rapid and astonishing
rs late as The 25'h Of April 1879. the directors of the
Liverpool and Manchester rail road offered premium for
a locomotive engine. requiring only, that
"Ihe engine, IL II weighs IONS must be capabIe nf
drawing, on level plane, of carriages of the pros
weight of 20 TONS including tender wafer tank Al the
rate OF ten mites hour, with pressure Of steam in
the boiler not exceeding 50 pounds The square schn
These were their utmost rrqustion and expect atoms
yet they ere greatly exceeded An engine was rndred
weighing only At IONS, which carried much as 46i ions
gross, AT the rate of l31 miles hour Greater results
have been obtained since
single, bnt larger engine the Sampson for instance
informed has drawn $50 tons at an svcrans rate
of IL niles hour the coke burned not being o,ie nj
a pound per ton per mile
"'' WIG ""'''S PO'.eI TVS receiver these De5uiIl
npovcuenishe means OF diminishing The resistance have
not been neglected few years ago Tredgold estimated
me friction at ~ f30N Wood ven'ured far as in 200
Now, haze already mer'nned that the Winan's car
enables pound 20 draw 49, with small wheels: and tina,
vi outside bearings and chilled boxes, common cars
viii probably be made with enlarged wheels he drawn
by pound out Of 400, and perhaps more.
The considerable dmnutiOn Of resistance on one hand
on te othsT the Fortunate application Of tie beautiful
and cheap power of locomotive engines capable alike oi
an energy and velocity which animal power and speed
al defiance, and wha perfectly under contrati are nov
circumstances IN which the nbdura;c obstnacy on
could refuse convection. The rail road system IS the
triumph nj he agehe ultimate effects Of is introduction
are lncaic"sbe and with the certainty that wi produce
important changes in the commercial and even po,ica,
world, is early adoption is safer than it, rejection in favor