Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-30
LwTER.N.7L LupROIFlfrN.T

There two VERY interesting movements r, ~ o., =,
the present moment the Legislature and in this CITY
One relates the Richmond Frederick sburr and Poto
mac Rail Road-tho other, the James River and Ka-
nawha Improvement We lay before readers all the
information winch we possess on both these questions:
L. Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail Road
The 35ths Of the Stock, with the exception of about
$IOUUO has been subscribed by private capitalists of
undonbted responsibility $I50000, by gentlemen
IN fhladeiph'a--and per cent actually paid in The
10000 dollars will be readily made up and pledged to
be subscribed before the State will be called on 10 sub
scribe its 25ths. A bill is before the House of De-
legatcs to subscribe the 25tls $25000O We enter
tam sort of doubt of the value of the investment
of the great utility of the proposed Rail Road TO the
public at large We have requested some information
ON the subject from Mr.. Moncure Robinson, the Eng
neer who has been so obging to address us the fol-
lowing Letter.
RIcmMoSD, Dec 2stl 1894
DEAR SIR-I hand you agrecably TO your request the
following information relation to the Richmond Ere
dericksburg and Potomac Railroad.
Twenty-seven miles of the road, extending from Rich
mond to the North Anna, contracted for on the
eth, yesterday at average expense of $4,000 per
mile. The work let contractors of the highest
responsibility; and the grading and masonry of this
ton OF the road, to be completed by the LIST July
The rails it is presumed may be laid in the course Of
the Summer and FALL TO admit of the use of this
portion OF the RailRoad by the LIST of December next
1t IS the intention of the Company if the usual sub
scnption of twoifths should be made by the State To
place the remainder of the road to Fredericksburg under
contract IN the month of May June to insure
the completion of the whole road in the course of 1856
The distance from Richmond to Fredericksburg will
pc reduced by the RalRoad from sixtyseven miles to
hfty-cight the time of travelling it. from fourteen hours
70 three hours; and the journey Between Richmond and
washington, from twenty -four hours TO Get,ceen eigh
The cost of the trip between Richmond and Washing
ton now between ten and eleven dollars will be reduced
TO 80 % per passenger
With the facilities afforded the travel by the pro-
posed workn connection with the great line of Steam
Boat and Railroad communication between Washing
ton and Boston, now on the of competion-the
friends OF the Improvement sanpune that so large
portion of the travel taken by packets between New
York and Charleston may be diverted from the coast 70
nm ite
to Stockholders, dividend of six per cent from his
source atone independently, however of the travel
great trade may be expected the Railroad The line
passes within about miles of the DecpItun Coal Field
by branch 10 it, coal will be transported from these
mines both to Richmond and Frcdercksburg and cotton
now brought by the Petersburg Railroad, Petersburg
and Richmond may be expected be conveyed to Free
dcricksburg; and the water-power of the last named
town made use OIL as at Richmond and Petersburg for
its manufacture In agricultural products the trade of
the Rail Road will be any thing but nconsderabe IL
~ true that the country through which il passes is not
generally fertile but the cheapness of transportation
Will bring lands into market not now cultivated and
increase largely the amount of it's products f; and
improvements of the North and South Anna Rivers
already projected, branch Rai-Rouds will extend
the benefits of the improvement to the counties of
louisa, SPottsylvania, Orange, and Madison Whilst
the prosperity of sister town, Fredericksburg,
Will IN many respects be promoted and cannot be inn
paired by IT. Richmond may be expected by the execution
OF the work to be placed in the relation her which
baltimore now occupies; and produce, which would
otherwise leave the State to find purchaser be brought
70 TINS place But probable result will be- the I'M
uie Hldfkets IN Doth towns,
OF the facility Of ntercommunicaton afforded by the
hail Road which will enable the merchants Of either
town 70 make purchases advontagcously in both.
will add only in addition TO the above, that the def
nye location Of the work. far it has progressed
shows that will be executed ~ much less than IL NJ
first computed at The original estimate, based on the
experimental line first traced, 763 600 for the whole
work, including the necessary dcpots locomotive
gines, cars and carriages Great improvements have
been made in The line, and il is asccraincd that il
will not probably exceed SEQ 600, at farihest
$500 900, inclusive Of the above items.
remain, dear sir yours, very respectfully, and truly
MONCUNE ROBINSON
II RwCHiE, Esq.
The following Extracts from the Address Of the Com
missioners, published in this City in May last will throw
additional light upon the value Of the proposed improve
tncnt:
Extracts PROM TuE ApDRTss &c
BDDRESS or THE COMMISSIONERS, 10 he Citizens
Of Richmond md FredcrcksJuyn md ne inhabitants Of
Hcnr'oo heaocer, Ceyoline, md SpOftgyfroaiq.
BY the Report Of the Engineer, communicated 10 a
Committee Of Citizens Of Richmond the 4h Of Janu-
ary last it appeared that the distance between Richmond