Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-04
COMMU NTCATIONS.
For TIE WHO.


RAIL ROAD FROM RICHMOND TO YORK
MEssRs. EDIroRs:-In looking over your paper
of the Goth of the present month, was surprised
and pleased at article signed "Mercator," on
the subject of a Rail Road between Richmond and
York Town. Surprizcd, because York Town and
the neck of country in which it is situated, has
been so entirely neglected, and overlooked by the
rest of Virginia, and so fricndlcss, that it almost
amounted to rashness in any one even to hint that
it possessed any advantages, for fear of being
thought foolishy vain in mentioning, in tho most
modest way, pretensOns that tho rest of the State,
and may add, tho United States, seemed to deny,
by its entire neglect, and total disregard of it. But
for its entire frendlossness, tho great naval depot
would have been there where 1t ought TO have
been upon every consideration. 1t seems now to
be agreed all hands, that it ia necessary to have
safe and convenient port at which ships of bur-
den may meet the Rail Road and receive the pro-
duce, that is TO be conveyed from Richmond to all
parts of our own country, and to tho rest of tie
world where our produce is carried. The qucs
ton is, which is the most eligible situation7 AS
"Mercator" dores to hint at York Town, will be
bold enough to add my mite in it's favour. | have
| no hesitation, from a thorough acquaintance with
the York. the James, and Elizabeth Rivers, TO
give tho preference to the first in every respect In
the first place, the harbor at York Town, is eqnal
in every respect, to any in tho world, for vessels
of any draught. There, eighty gun ship, or
| any ship that ever foatcd, may lie, with her an
| chors shore. Wharves for ships Of any sizc,
can be built at trihing expense, from the circum
stance of tho great depth of water near the beach,
and THO great quantity of materials for thoir con.
struetion, as the bank in it's immediate vicinity,
| furnishes both wood and rock in abundance; or
cars can be made TO empty their contents immo-
diately into the holds of tho largest ships.
| One wind will take them TO sea, or bring them
| from sea into tho harbor. So convenient is it to
the ocean, that ships may be sent from any North.
ern Port, loaded, and be in Liverpool, while they
are performing tho trip from the samo northern
| port, to Warwick, Bermuda Hundred, City
Point, and back again to our Capcs, which would
| be only the commencement Of tho voyage. The
same advantage holds good in tho transportation
of produce to any port of the Union. TAo barbor
is never bockadcd by ice, and there is month
| Of the year, day of the week, that they can
not oRtcr free of so serious an obstruction. This
immunity from ice, proc Gods from the great bold
ness of water, ind from its contiguity TO the
ocean. The communication in this way, will
| Richmond and Baltimore, and Of course with al
our scaboard, will DO lossonod TO most astonsh
ing and important degree. Passengers may break
fast in Richmond, and sup in Baltimore; and good
may bo sent from Baltimore in tho morning Of ont
day, and opened in Richmond in tho morning o
the next, and intelligence conveyed in the like ex
pcGitous manner, TO the incalcuablo advantage o
the merchants of both places. Y ork may vic witt
any seaport of our Onion, in it's heaLhincss
There, in the hottest months of the year. they en-
, ioy tho most refreshing broczcs from the ocean
. The sea breeze is regular in its periods as
the tide arriving at meridian, which at most othe
places, is the most oppressive part Of the day, an
j blowing steadily, till the cool Of the evening
when il ~ no longer necessary. Tho nights ar
invariably plcasant.-What is tho fact as it relate
TO James River7 Is il not melancholy truth, tha
7 tho disease of that River, produced by its ires
y water, and sunkcn ground, forms most powerful
n objection to it, j. requires Che utmost haTdihoo