Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-21
For THE WING.
RAIL ROAD FROM RICHMOND TO
q

49, ~ ~ ~
YORKTOWN.
MEssRs. EpIToRs-I have cndcavored to give
TO THIS subject a candid, unbiased, disintcrcs,cd
Investigation. The importance Of the subject to
a large portion of tho people of this State, to
the commerce of our sister Statcs, whether
North or South, demands calm and deliberate
examination. | take these postulata, as incoD-
trover,iblc; that in all systems or projects, Of
national internal improvement, regard should be
had to the greatest population apd extent of
C untry, which may be benefited by such i'm
provcmcnt. That to expedite and facilitate
The intercourse and of n country, are
The Chief, nay leading objects of all such en-
terpriscs. If the first postulata be correct, what
great advantages will arise, If the rail road
should stop ut Turkey Island creek, a distance
in a straight line of about sixteen milcs?-
1t the road should be extended to Harrison's
Point, few of the difficulties of navigation only.
would be avoidcG; and the whole length of the
road not exceed twcnty-siy miles in n straight
lire; still leaving, from the lowest point men
TONED, 4 tortuous and intricate navigation to
he capes of Virginia, of more than n hundred
and twenty miles-whereas, if vessels were to
meet tho produce of the upper country, at York
town, through this road, they would have n
distance of only forty miles to the Atlantic
Thus, while a vessel is navigating James River
from either contemplated points, one sailing
from York, would be considerably advanced
on her voyage to any European or other foreign
port. | have said, intricate navigation," be-
cause many of the mcanders of the James.
would not he avoided by the road ceasiug a!
Harrlson's Point; many of its windings or tor:u
Gus course, it would be necessary to navigate;
the meanders of the river, at some points, form
ing nearly acute angles with each other. For
instance, as at Queens Neck Creek" on the
North, and wind Mill Point" on the South
OF the river. Again. at "Nest Point where
the creek empties into the river-and again, at
"Bachelor's Point"
The last published map OF Virginia is before
me. From a careful examination of it / gather
the following facts: The distance from Rich
mond to York Town in a straight line, does not
exceed fifty miles; n road by such straight
course, would cross the "NVhite Oak Swamp,
or n little below Camp Holly, coasting along the
South Side of the Chickahominy river. until
II would strike the river, a little below Coles
terry. Glley's creek and the Chicakominy ri
yer, would be the only water courses; the for
mer an inconsiderable, unimportant stream, ca
sil? and chcapiy b%ridged; the latter stream with
us banks loaded with timber, could be bridgcd.
at no great expense. From York to the At
lantc, the distance is only 40 miles, making the
"holc distance, through this road from Rich
Inond TO the ocean, 100 miles. From Harrison's
Point, pursuing the meanders OF the river TO the
Capes OF Virginia, is about $50 miles, which
AIDED TO the road, in a straight line, being %
miles, makes the distance eco from Richmond
"''' Wy Il lOuh Oiil IliCuulOII
to York, the distance from Richmond to the
ocean, would be diminished 100 mics. From
ork to PhIladelp hia, in n straight line, $50
miles; from Richmond to Philadelphia, straight
line 43O--from Richmond to Old Point, straight
line, 1O0-from Old Point to Baltimore 100
making 800 miles TO Baltimore. From York
Town to the Chesapeake Bay, 10 miles-from
the mouth of the river to Baltimore $50; max
ing l62 miles; to which, if we add 60 miles. 1.-THE
utmost possible extent of The road the distance
would be 222 miles; q diminished distance Of
90 miles. 1t will be recollected, that in these
estimates, the mcanders of the James are not
included, but which must certainly, considcra-
by augment the distance of transportation from
hlchmond to either Baltimore or Philadelphia,
or TO the Atlantic. a rail road from Richmond
to portsmouth,, has also been a subject of atten-
tlon. Let us examine this project. From Rich.
m"hd TO straight line, 40 miles
from Portsmouth to Old Point, II miles; from
Ola Point to Baltimore 100 miles-in all SAT
miles. The dlspassionate reader will deduce
inc lnierences, necessarily arising from these
data; he VIII perceive, thot very many miles
VIII be saved IN the transportation of raw ma
terlals or merchandise, through York river, to
either Baltimore, Philadelphia or the ocean. If
mysecond postulatalon be granted, land it cannot
Oe nationally controvertedO then the question
is settled IN favor of The road to York Town:
because a writer over the signature of"Charles
Clty, VINO is a warm advocate for its location
to Inc James, admits that "a rail road TO York
would doubtless approximate nearer to the sea.
ana even to the Baltimore market, if The Object
be to ship TO Baltimore" But in his zeal he
roses slght OF the advantages Of diminished trans
portatIon, and endcayors to alarm us by raisino
the scare-crow of ITS facllitatinp the advance
ol an enemy IN the country. | cannot believe
mat the author himself has any confidence in tho
phantom ne has thus raised. Does he snpposc
mat The intelligent people Of Richmond. are to
De a1lrighted, from a just sense Of their true jnte-
rests, by these gorgons dire, which he has pre-
S'htc1 III Such hldcous array?-or, is lie ad-
dressing only tho old women and children of tho
city, Richmond, by the establishment of tho
ROAD now contemplated, can never be shorn of
the advantages of metropolitan honors it now
possesses. Can "Cbarles City" really believe
mat any European nation will ever again mea.
sure swords with us upon our soil? Has he for
gotten the valorous achievements of our palIan,
countrymen at LiDdy's-lane; at Baltimore; at
NcW Orleans The only wars, If any should ever
atSe' That WE shall ever engage in, will be mar
wars. Has the splendid halo of glory, with
which our gallant navy has oncrrclcd itself and
country, not been seen, and acknowledged by
al civilized Europa Have the lessons Of skill.
oIaVeFy' oBd patriotism, OF a Hull, n Balm
or'dgc, a Ferry, cum multis alIis, been so soon
Who conquered the liberty of
ne sea- Your navy.-Wbo BUNDLED the proud,
mo gallant nation, which has been stIled the
Legitimate son of the Ocean,-whose march
TaS on the mountain wave; whose home was or
NC dcep'' Your navy. The only maritime now
rs WIN whom we may expect collision, OF
%poso power can compete with America, arc
Z rance and England. IL IS IDLE to suppose Of
"cT oi tHesc powers would have the Icmerfv H.
WIN us. The power and resources Of This
5rowI1g republic are too rapidly and wonder.
guy developing themselves, to encourage even