The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-08-04
The commencement OF a Great Work
Breaking Ground for the New York and
Albany Railroad.

Inc long tdlktu Oh, long contemplated, ana Ions
desired commencement of the New York and AL
bany Railroad, so long batted for by the New York
Herald, so important to the welfare and interest Of
our fourlshing city, has at length been brought to
an Issue, and II halt the spirit existed in New York
that is made manifest along the line of the road moi
a year would pass without its completion. The
company invited to attend the ceremony of break
ing ground, IN the town of Paving, Duchess coun
ty, at the source of the Croton, about sixty mile,
from New York, left the city at o'clock on Mon
day morning, in the steamboat Columbus, for Sinl
sing, with the attendant comforts of cool bracinl
breeze, clear blue sky, and keen appetites fo
breakfast Mr.. Dodworth's excellent band were
stationed upon the promenade deck, and entertain
ed the company with lively and spirited airs on the
passage up the magnificent Hudson. We noticed
among others on board, Judges lngraham and
Ingis, and Sherman, Aldermen Leonard, Lee,
Smith, Martin, and Bonnell, and Assistant Alder
men Adams, Rawson, Nash, Nesbitt, Atwell,
Scoles, Pettigrew and others, but not Wing Alder
man was to be seen or heard from-the why or
wherefore is best known to themselves. Among
other gentlemen in attendance were J. G. Coddng-
ton, Esq, our late Post Master, Messrs. Baldwin,
Grout and McMurray, Of the Legislature, Colonel
Peers, Alderman Rich, Alderman Kanouse, of Jer-
sey City, Colonel Hamilton, Colonel Young, the re-
cent efficient contractor the Croton Aqueduct,
with the President and attentive Secretary OF the
Company, and number of directors and stockhold-
ers. On arriving at Sing Sing, where carriages were
prepared TO convey the company to the opening
ground, procession was formed with the music of
Dodworth on the lead, and twenty-nine vehicles in
the rear which soon moved off towards the place Of
destination. Passing up the HILL we requested our
friend Ryder who managed the reins, to pass in view
of the Croton Aqueduct BRIDGE constructed by Col,
Jones, of Philadelphia, which is one of the most
specimens of mason on the route of
this noble structure
We then pursued our winding way, and soon were
brought In view of the pure and refreshing Croton,
at the point where reservoir is formed about two
miles above the dam, which in extent contains suf-
cent water to supply the city for months in case of
severe drought at any of the year. We then
passed on through beautiful rolling country pre-
senting the most luxuriant appearance and at two
o'clock reached the neat little village of Somers-
town, known as the vicinity of the headquarters of
all the Purdy's, Bailey's, Angevine's &c. of me-
lagerle memory. Dinner was here announced at
Bailey's Hotel; and with tune from Dodworth's
band, by way of grace, we proceeded to digest the
PRODUCTS of the vicinity in the shape of all that was
easonabe, and some that was salt The feasting
'eing over-no champagne-the line of procession
was formed, and at distance Of about two miles,
we crossed the Croton for the second time,
and came in view Of the line of the intended
road at Owensvllle, near the junction of the two
main branches of the Croton. The country through
which II passes requires but TO be seen by capitalists
in New York to induce them to thrust their hands
into their pockets, and finish this road without de-
ay. The main route as surveyed, commences on
he north bank OF the Harlem river, at point from
which convenient entrance may be made into the
,lty, either by the Harlem railroad, or such other
quite may be preferred. From thence it proceeds
,orth, through the county of Westminster, occupy
ng tor the first 30 miles, nearly middle ground be-
ween the Hudson river and the waters of Long
Island Sound. From the north line of Westchester
county, It passes through the eastern part of Putnam
md Duchess counties, nearly the centre of Coum-
ia and thence to the town Of Greenbush, opposite
Albany, and also to Bath, where we break ground
m Thursday; thence to Troy, in Rensselaer, coun-
y. The line from the Harlem river traverses sue
esslvely portions of the valleys of either the Saw
Will, or Bronx, Croton and Ten Mile rivers, the
after of which is a tributary of the Housatonc II
on, Ancram Creek, and Cline Hill, branch of the
he Undertook, and from thence over the
and Scholar Plains to the termination
At Troy. The whole distance is l47 miles. being
ranging In distance from ii from fifteen to twenty
i've miles. The traveller upon the Hudson or by the
post road on Its eastern side derives correct idea of
the true features OF the productive country as they
exist along the proposed route of the railroad as
the deep ravlnes and PERCEPTIONS banks which appear
in many places along the eastern slope of the Hudson
river valley, and which from their unfavorable d.
recon, would present serious obstacles to the con-
strucuon OF a railway In the vicinity of the river
are all avoided by the line surveyed and now Sc
ected by the company. The construction of this
road to completion, with all necessary appendages
tor use, is estimated at about two and a half mil
hons OF dollars, and we are happy to add that the
whole extent OF line has been placed under contract,
in the hands OF gentlemen every way qualified and
capable Of performing such an important task.
The inhabitants Of Duchess county have the right
for their interest that New York city should in
crease and thrive IN point of wealth and population,
such increase adds to the value of their property
and extends the limits of market for their pro-
duce. The rich grazing districts of Putnam,
Duchess and Columbia counties would turn their
products into our market, which, combined with
other advantages and benefits resulting from sup
ply of all the necessares life at all seasons of the
year, without the hazard of interruption by ice,
seem almost in themselves TO produce reasons sufi.
cient TO cause this work to be completed without
delay. In addition to this, a route will then be
opened to successfully compete with Boston in the
new line OF communication between that city and
the west and at no season of the year can our
markets be prestalled, or monopoly be created in
bread sus, has often been the case during long
and tedious wipter.
During the progress of the procession which fol-
lowed within sight of the line of road for upwards of
twenty miles we were received by the cheers and
of qualification of almost every farm
house that was passed, and the sun sank behind
The western hills, we approached the consecrated
ground in the town of Pawng, Duchess county
where Gen. Washington, laid encamped in the year
us, previous to the tratorous conduct of the dis
graced and polluted Arnold. The Company were
then distributed among the liberal and wealthy far
mers of that vicinity who received all with that hos
pltalty that makes a hearty welcome. We were
50 fortunate to fall into the hands of Mr.. Cyrus
Tweedy, wealthy and intelligent farmer whose
agreeable family and generous characteristics will
not soon be eradicated from our memory AT one
0 clock we retired to rest, and when morning dawn.
ed, rose with the sun to snuff the pure bracing ar
as it descended from the rolling and romantic cliffs
Of Quaker Ridge: In the eastern view rose Cobble