The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-03-26
From The Lancaster .Egis.

From The Lancaster .Egis.
A New FEATURE FOR New
is but about two months since, for the first time
that we as well number of other citizens OF
this village, were more surprised than otherwise
at hearing from farmer who resides in OF
the towns bordering upon Canada, some remarks
upon the subject of Il Rail Road up the valley
OF the Connecticut. He had studied our resour-
ces, and the project appeared perfectly rational
and easy ofconsutnma,ion to him whilst we,
never having thought of the many important
sources of wealth which surround us on every
side, regarded the propositions of our venerable
friend as somewhat premature if not absurd.
Butwe have since looked ut the subject lit
tie and so far from doubling the propriety Of its
agitation, we shall henceforward espouse it rs
one ofthe noblest projects for Vermont and New
Hampshire That has ever been ontempluted and
one which can, with proper exertion and enter
Prise, he brought forward TO completion by those
alone who would derive the greatest benefit
from such an establishment.
| But the pro ect is attracting the attention OF
people at a distance; in his correspondence pub
lished in the Boston Courier, Gen. Dearborn
thus speaks Of the road in question:
To the Secretary Of the State of Massachn.
sets -
DEAR S1R,-There is yet another line OF
transportation required from Springfield, up The
valley of the Connecticut River, as far as Barnet
at least, ifno to Lancaster, which is only second
10 that of the Great Western Route, and which
cannot fail Of commanding an early attention OF
the Legislature, and OF the numerous, inlelli
gent and enterprizing inhabitants, that are so di
recly interested in the establishment of more
expeditions and economical mode OF convey
ance for the products of their agricultural and
mechanical industry, and The grea; amount oil
imports which are received III exchange there
for
That important river which descends from the
highlands in Canada between Vermont and
Hampshire,and traverses the whole latitude
OF Massachusetts and Connecticut to Long Is.
land Sound, distance of over four hundred
miles, may be appropriately called the Ohio o
New England for there is no portion OF It's ter
ritory which presents such n continuous and
broad extent OF fertile land, ana offers at the
same time. such variety OF sol|,--trom the
rich allivial ;niervales to the spontaneous grass
growing activities of the opposite hill sides, for
all the purposes of northern agriculture.
1t is also prolific in several mineral produc
tons. Besides free stone and granite OF superb
or quality for architectural purposes, There are
depostes of roofing slate, equal to the best I'M
ported from Wales and there are many local.
ties where iron is in sufficient abundance for
authorizing the erection of furnaces That of
Franconia, on tributary OF the Connecticut,
is of the very best kind, and sufficient TO supply
all the northwestern portion OF New England,
and only requires the facility of IL railroad or ca
nal to render those works as important us any in
the Union.
Then there is the primeval forest trees, which
mnieslcally clolhe the tanks of the White and
Green Mountain range, those northern Ailesan-
les, which would find most profitable market
us ship timber and all other purposes, III the nu-
mcrous sea ports which indent the navigation
throngel coast of the Pilgrims PROMISED LAND.
For the foundation of manu- factories, there is
no such district of country east OF the Hudson,
Tho whole prism of Connecticut River is Il
mighty and perpetual hydraulic power, from lis
source to Springfield. Already on lis tails and
tributary streams, numerous establishments tor
the fabrication of wooeu cotton, silk, metallic,
and other articles. in successful operation /;
and make the valley what it can be, and must
he, aud will be- by "a canal through Its entire
extent, and the rapid prosperity OF tho vigorous
enlightened, enterprising, industrious and highly
ncritoros people, and the foundation and adj
of the ,owns,wllch still rise into be-
ing and consequence, will be remarkable ana IN
eresting as has been SO admirably illustrated at
Woonsocket Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, Wal
than, Lowell. Dover Taunton, Clneopee, CABOT,
Springfield, and The numerous oliier important
Birmingharns, Leeds and Shcffields which en-
he lIsh and dfiiise wealth among the various
water courses Of the northeastern States.
Within the last four years. while making tours
10 the grand and sublime scenery OF tie White
Mountain region, ] have examined in nearly
heir whole range, two lines, and deviaons
hcrefrom, from Portland TO Connecticut River
ii description of each of which, was ggiven to
he editor of one OF the newspapers in that city,
.nd published.
The northern route passes from Sebago Lake
lp the Valley of Crooked River to Bethel on
he Androsco2gn River, which has since heen
surveyed and ascertaned practicable for a I
canal, and OF course less difficult fora railroad. Il
From Bethel, the line passes on the right bank
IF the Androscoge, to the mouth of Moose |
River, which nearly interlocks ina meadow IN