Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-02

VI PUBIC 10 PUNISH pup
lie deiaulters.
u The proceedings Of the House Of Rcprcsc natives
(Which Of very liltIc moment crowded Of 10.
days paper.
u No Northern Mail. up to the time of our going to
press O'Clock
JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA COMPANY.
ANNUAL RErORT.-t ConcLuprDI
Ill WESTERN SURVEYS.
In pursuance Of the policy indicated and in conform
" 10 the pledge given in the last Annual Report, the
Board Of Directors has caused survey and
estimate 10 be made in the Of the presen, year
of the whole Of the Western portion of the Couipany's
proposed line OF improvement.
With view 10 ensure the tme y completion Of this
important. work the Board of Directors in the month of
January last. adopted resolutions See App directing
surveys and estimates of 10 be made Of the line OF
canal from The Eastern termination Of the Blue Ridge
Canal to the town Of Coyington; Of the Railroad from
COvIrgton TO the kanawha river and Of the proposed
improvement for steamboat navigation on the latter
stream; and prescribing that in addition 10 such other
might be deemed advisable, the following
reys and examinations with reference 10 the location
of the railroad, should be made, viz:
!. survey of the line between Covingon and the
Falls nf kanawha by way OF Dunlaps creek, Fork
run, Towards creek, Greenbrier river and New river
. survey oflhe line by the way oflhe South fork Of
Dunlap's creek, Indian creek and New river.
3. survey Of the line down second creek from the
point where the last mentioned line the 10
Greenbrier river.
4. Examinations of the best lines leading from the
Valley of Geenbrier river, by the way of It's principal
tributaIiC" :" fsnnley river
In pursuance of the authority given an addition was
subsequently made to the amount Of prescribed enqul-
es by extending the line Of the canal survey and es.
innate 10 the Eastward so as to embrace and cover the
ground be occupied by the location between Lynch
burg and the Ridge; by survey up Poss creek from
its mouth towards the pass OF the Allcghaney al the
head Of that creek and by enlargement OF The upper
survey between Greenbrer and Gauley rivers, rs to
extend that line from its Western extremity 10 the mouth
of the latter river and from its Eastern extremity, by
the way Of AnthOnys and Big Ogeys creeks, over to
point DunIups creek miies above The town OF
Covnglon.
In performance of this heavy undertaking authority
was given 10 employ many four parties; but The
whole work will be executed by three, at aggregate
the company of between Is and Ii 900 dollars
trivial amount when compared with the great value Of
the important information resulting from the expenditure
(See App. K
OF the three parties engaged in the work,
Quoted by E. f. Gill, who executed the survey and
innate Of the water parts of the ne beginning with the
survey from Lynchburg to Covngton, on the Sd APRIL
and completing it the LIST July; proceeding thence TO
the survey Of The kanawha river which he commenced
the 10Th and finished the 3lst August, and alter.
wards closing his operations in the field by the survey OF
route for railroad between the Great Falls OF The Ma
ha and the town of Charleston, which he performed
between the 10th and goth Of September the surveys
and estimates made by him in the whole term Of % days
covering extent of 264 3 A miles
second party conducted by David b. Harris,
who executed the three first surveys specified in the
solutions OF the Board of Directors which he commenced
at the town Of Coyngton, the 9th May, and completed
at the Great Falls of Kanawha the l7h October;
which latter period his field duties brought 10
close.
The third party given in charge TO H. Naglee,
who ran the lines up Potts creek and up Muddy creek
and also portion of the line leading from Dun!aps
creek by the way of Anthony creek to the mouth OF
Gauley river He commenced the first of these routes
al the mouth Of Potlss creek about the LIST Of August
and in the latter part of October had conducted the
last enoned from lis Eastern end to the head of Mea
dow river when he was induced by an advantageous
offer elsewhere 10 resign his appointment and
ceeded BY VIM G.. Waller, who was charged with the
duty Of finishing the line.
or the various routes surveyed for the railroad there
are three which under the designation Of secondary
viz: the lines upon Pottss, Second and Muddy creeks:
and three Others which may be properly denom.
mated primary, viz: the Southern Middle and Northern
lines leading from Covngion TO the Great Falls the first,
crossing the Allegheny mountain the head Of Dunlaps
creek at pass near the Sweet Springs and proceeding
thence by the way of Indian creek in Monroe county.
New river the second, crossing al the head of Fork
rum and continuing thence down The vaes OF Towards
creek and Greenbrer river, 10 New river; and the third
crossing at the head of Big Ogley's creek TO An
thony creek and passing thence to Meadow river,
and down Meadow river 10 Gauey, and down Gauley
river to the Kanawha
The three secondary lines once fully condemned
by the facts disclosed, upon grounds Of objection
elevation, curvature or grades.
OF the three primary routes the Middle and the South
en il is perfectly ascerained, may be passed by loco
power; and there to be ground to doubt far
the survey has progressed that the advantage
may be claimed for the Northern route also. There will,
however be tunnel through The Allegheny mountain
of greater less extent upon each Of the three
The Middle the Greenbrer route has been selected
the basis OF the estimates and is prominently exhi
bed 10 illustrate the relative advantages Of line OF
improvement 1t is for these purposes, and TO this
tent that ii presented adopted route; but,
as the survey Of The Northern is still incomplete,
and several years may eapse before the construction
Of the road will commence, the Board Of Directors with
the view Of porting by the lights of intervening expe
rence, have decided 10 withhold for the present deni
tive choice.
II is proper here 10 state, that in tracing the line for
railroad communication through this infamous gion
il has been found that at many places and for great dis
tances in any route that be selected, the location
will be thrown unavodably upon the sides of steep cliffs
and precpces and that consequently the construction
of road Of double instead OF single grade, would be
attended with nordnaie degree OF increased difficult
~ and expense Experience and calculation, however
satisfactorily shew that single track judciousy plan
ned and well constructed, could be made to give ample
accommodation to all the trade and travel which
likely 10 pass upon the line. million and half Of
dollars might probably be saved in the Of the work.
by reduction Of the road 10 single track The reno
val ofevery unnecessary burhen upon the ne whether
il be in the form Of original outlay of annual charge,
would enable it 10 operate at reduced and by ne
cessary consequence to enlarge share Of the Western
trade. The policy and proprety Of every such reduc
tion is too evident TO admit donb the ready and
cheerful cooperation Of the Legislature Of the Stale
and the stockholders are therefore, respectfully nyleo
to apply 10 that honorable body, TO modify the provl'
sons Of the charter as 10 release The company from Inc
Obligation in constructing the railroad, 10 make proVi
sion for more than single track.
II is also proper 10 state in suboinng TO the summary
view which has Just been presented, Of the progress OF
the Western SURVEYS the following brief description Of