Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-06-09
From the Baltimore american, Jane2.
Baltimore and Hancock.

Baltimore and Hancock.
At the invitation of the Board OF Dlrec
tors of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Roat
Company, his Honor the Mayor and th'
Members OF the two Branches Of the City
Council, with few other gentlemen
started from the Depot in Charles street
on Monday morning, to view the new por
ton Of road just completed and opened
for travel, between Harper's Ferry anc
Hancock. The occasion was not one O
a general celebration, which will be defer
red until the road reaches Cumberland
next Fall. The Company therefore was
not large, and found ample accommodate
ton in three cars, leaving room for &C.
cessions to the number at Harper's Fer
ry and Martinsburg.
The weather was such as is best adapt.
cd to render such an excursion delightful;
the sky was clear, and the air, cooled by
the showers of the previous day, mingled
an agreeable freshness with the balmy
temperature Of the season.
Within a few months--that is in Octo
Der next-the road, i, is confidently ex.
pected, will be opened to Cumberland
In view Of the progress already made and
the additional advance which is soon to
take place towards the West, we cannot
but congratulate the untirng friends oil
the work, and the community at large,
on the agreeable prospect that now opens
clearly upon our city. And we DO this
the more heartily because OF the many
previous dsappointmerts, delays and dis
as,ers which for long time consplred to
battle the enterprise, and by continu-
ance Of hope deferred, to induce doubts
of its ultimate success. A few years ago
indeed the undertaking seemed well nigh
desperate. Much money had been ex-
pended without tho results which it seem.
ed might have been expected from such
expenditures. The receipts from the road
fell short Of its annual cost for services
and repairs the road itself was in d.
lapidated condition, and the facilities Of
transportation inadequate even to the a
mount of trade that was offered: its pro-
gress Westward was impeded, embarrass-
ed, stopped the Company's financial con
d,ion in respect to credit and resources
was anything but encouraging; and II
appeared that unless some speedy relie
were had, the long train OF mshaps which
had beset the early advancement OF The
work must terminate, at last, along VILE
the work itself, in utter ruin.
The changed aspect of things under the
efficien, and able administration oil tn.
distinguished gentleman now at the head
of the company's affairs, the Hon. LOUIS
McLANE, the present condition OF the
work, and its hatterIng prospects, consti
tu,e the commentary upon the character
of the officers services. We need dwell
no further upon them than to say that thu
greatest order and regularity, toge,he
with rigid economy, mark The whole
routine Of business in respect to trave
and trade the road is in an exceilen
state of repair throughoutits whole length
and well provided with engines, cars ant
all necessary facilities for transportation
and for the two last years dividends hav
been declared upon the capital stock
The branch road to Washington has bee
in the meantime completed, the extensio
to Hancock accomplished, and the wor
for the remaining distance to Cumberlan
so far advanced as to be within n fe'
mouths Of the finishing stroke.
We may therefore with reason CIV
expression to the feelings of hope an
confidence which now rise high in II
strong assurance that the great undertal
inc which has so long held a promiuei
nlece in the minds of Baltimoreans as a
obiec, OF vast concern to the city's int
ests, is soon to repay by It's substanil
benefits the anxious scIlcitude and the ~
eral expenditure which have accompanI'
every step OF it's progress.
That portion Of the road between tn
city and Harper's Ferry need claim
remark, since it is familiar to the trave
ing public. We may devote some spa
10 such observations as transient spe
tator might make upon the new portion
the work extending westward from q
Ferry.
The division Of the new Road which h
JUS, been opened for travel is al miles
length, beginning at Harper's Ferry al
running westwardly through the rich al
fertile Counties Of Jefferson, Berkeley Al
Morgan, to point on the Potomac rive
directly opposite to the town OF Hancoc
in Mary land. This region OF country
the most productive and hourishing IN v
ginia, comprising as it does the fine
grain-growing district Of the State. II
IN truth lovely region, and our grattic
ton in beholding it was enhanced by 4
reflection that the enterprise Of our ov
community had effected the means Of
Accommodation by which the citizens
both were now brought within fe
hours easy ride OF each other.
The road has been constructed und
tho direction Of B. II. Latrobe, Esq.
Chief Engineer, in the most substanti
durable aud mastery manner, and,
feel ourselves warranted in saying IS
quail to any work Of the kind in tins cot
try. The rail used on Il IS the heavy
rail. weighing Sc lbs. TO the yard ana