Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-07-30
DOW ES'EHC.

DVNh Ms 6HC.
To the Editor Of the Fredericksburg arena.
come now, sir, TO last word this vexed question
arall road between Fredericksburg and Richmond
heretofore shewn, that there between these p,ces
route direct shorter by II if 10 miles than the one
now used have shewn by authority which stands good
ill better is Produced that the shorter is probably the bet
yer route Tor road OF any kind. have shewn the self
ish views, which 10 have PROMPTED The crro,
in the Caroline resolution hostility of tha error IN the
whole ceeing nay the danger OF its utter prostaon
That error be obsnae'y perscvcrcd in, and p-
on ,he community have limited at the nationality of the
subject, aud think ii easily DO proved. Easy as il is
10 make rail roads on paper "ima sina,ive az many
made turn out yet sir, expect, both you aud shall see
,nis ran road 80 Into operation and many new
houses built many stores omen cd as have AL
ready resulted from the Steam Boat between Frcdericks
burg and Baltimore, thought equally a. cb,crc,
as the present scheme. There are some perb,us who
sui maintain that the Steam Boat is injurious to the town
and on The same principles would dsapprove of this rail
road 10 such, would say, look the improved aspee,
oil the town since lis establishment and devouly do
for the muiplica alton OF such eriis
But, imaginative, nay, Improbable as it may be let II,
ianoy Tor moment, that in the OF public opinion now
waged in the older continent autocracy not democracy
should prove triumphant Let fancy Russia the sron,
est oohoi OF power, creeping Turkey AZ last throw
ing OIL the mask, and making C0nsantinor L. the capi, nj
another Roman Empire, swayng the whole of the East.
ern world Let us fancy America, still the resting place
OF the last remnants oil reedon-nay, that her only ab
ing-place was in these United States Let Us fancy that
here second Cromwell led the Of Congress
some aspiring President seeking crown Then night
we see The autocras invading army c,olarg our conn.
try, in aid OF his kindred spirit In such case would NOT
an inland communication for troops and munitions of war
extending from Boston 10 New Orle ans and c,pabe m h
ing passed over in from so 20 hours be Invaluable as
means oil ready amalgamaion the homogeneous n,rs
OF this extensive and prosperous country Shond in
tesine connection arise, what ready supHress what
to prevent it, as tho speedy assemblage OF those who
remain vrtuous and free. 10 nip the in its bud
what so likely TO promote the fraternity and duration of
the Unon as that interchange OF sentiment and action
which must increase in proportion the facility of com
municaiion Here, may remark, that if ever foreign
enemy should pass through borders as Cornw lis
did, he must seek his ships York. of course pursue
Tie present rail route and have all the advantages Of
rail road on that line. IT, however the direct South line
be pursued, he must travel that way TO Richmond and
be as Tar as from his haven giving time for the as
semolage OF troops in his 'front.' the Atlantic or he
neglected to secure this road forces from North
ana East oy TINS way, might ousrp him and still be in
his front But this is only PEASANT Ages hone and
beieVe, must pass, things must change, and we with
men, ere the foot OF the invading foe ever again
pass on our soil But, sir, the Union will be senp
by such a bond az have contemplated
10 the prospect OF Remuneration in the enerprize "a i
out such ui knowledge of Statistics necessary TO do il
justice will cite the rail road from Boston TO AIonv
and from Saratoga TO Albany Will any one say brother
JonaIhanis short sighted in these maers will be said
the Bostonlans looked to dvertng the trade from New
York. or TO the travel the road mainly for their nro
FROM Albany TO Saratoga is there any thing but travellers
or mainly those, to pay the dividends! l. there likely In
be less, or more travelling than now from North TO South
and vice versa between Fredericksburg and Richmond?
Will not the saving OF me expense and risk bring ali
the merchandise that comes from The North 10 Fro
dericksburg, Richmond and Petersburg Oy seal bv this
route! lis as easy to say cui bono, and talk of few
- =
expedition In the mail, &C. and to assert the wild.
ness oil The Petersburg scheme, as to build rail roads
on paper-lis easy to see too, that public opinion
IS stubborn thing and that people will think for
themselves, and, prompted by self interest are ready
10 advance when prospect of certain Remuneration is
exhibited independent of the increased vaue oC nroner
promoted by the readiness OF market Hence it is that the
abeors of the James River Imptovem are drven 10
force the Banks TO help their Giant whilst ten citizens Of
caroline were ready to subscribe hundred thousand
dollars, 10 the Fredericksburg and Richmond R,IroaJ
But war not with the James River Ifnprovcment. 10,
richmond HourIsh by this, and all fair means-le the
puOhc nave choice, however pray, what they will fos
ter and Kill not rail road, because a canal will not flow
admire internal improvements especially when prosecu
ted by the State and hail with pleasure every renewed
effort must confess shall feel happy if the zeal now
manlfesing for this rail road eycntuse, in even Telford
urnpke such will at least DO basis, on which TO build
in future. " ~
AS 10 the probability Of this rail roads success surolv
II Is greater than was few years SINCE Arkwrigh's spin
nngJennies or Futons steam boats: and since we have
seen IN so Jew years, rail road and steamboat commun
cation executed executing from Boston TO Fredericks
burg, mostly by private exeron why may not continue
Mexico pow " w ~ "
Had the South been diligcnt az the North we had
already met half way, and now the surplus revenue
OF our government might accomplish the NATTER ia
yedr or two at most.
My great desire, acknowledge, IT, 10 see the present
distance between Fredericksburg aud Richmond reduced
TO the proper standard, in way or other Indyidu
ally, would cooperate in any measure which sbould
promote this, connected as should deem it, with all that
Is Of National aud private interest The deyeonencn of
developcmen hope we shall have in the expected sur
yey OF the State Engineer
yours, truly q. f. d.
PORTSMOUTH AND ROANOKE RAIL ROAD
Wo have made some inquiries how this important and
noble work Is progressing, and take pleasure in stating
mat contracts have been made graduating the road 10
Suffolk, four miles Of which are completed for the rails
ne contractors are driving through the Great Dismal
swamp, and the swamp near Portsmouth, with nearly
two hundred hands The swamp is dry and tho ground
much better Idn was expected II would he and there j.
no doubt they Will complete their in time 20 Thai
the rolls may be laid aud the road completed to Suffolk Inv
'he z1h December next Orders have been sent 10 ii.
Nerpool Tor he iron aud Locomotive Engine of horse
power Al the timber required for the road contracted
tor and VIII We delivered the road fast as the work
iSen can lay ito do which contracts will be made in
Few days LIS work is under the direction of Ralph
Smith, Esq, Civil Engineer, who is now MAILING he
necessary survey between Suffolk anil Weldon, which
WIZ be complcied IN tie month Of September when
Colonel Baldwin, Civil Engineer, will locate the road
take the work under his charge, and make report
IN time for the meeting Of the General Assembly who
we hope will not hesitate 10 subscribe 25s Of the stock