Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-26
sOUTIIwEsTEHN ROAD.
PRINCIPAL ENGINEERS REPORT.
PRINcIrAL ESGISEER's OrFtcg ,
fnuttaru IN 1910
Sp'ak'r Of he House IF Dei,ga,e,.
To ' " SourmALI, E.e.

""""Wy l'Ai lSl2.
To w SournALL, Ese
SPssk'r of ne House IF Delegates.
In obedience To the resolution of tho House over
which you reside, calling for my opinions ON the
following points '''
'lst. AZ to the mos, eligible route to be ,dontcJ
ior road from james River to the Tennessee line2
'2dly. At what point the said rond should un;,o
with the James River and knnawha Canai7
"Sd!y Whether the Improvement should 10 n
Madam ed or tai'toadl
amy What will he the probable cost OF such
mode OF Improvement
5lhly. What will Toe the estimated price of INN
spor'hion on the same per ton per mile ~
nave the honor TO submit The following answers.
, Is'' i nat me best route for a road from James
River 10 the Tennessee line whether il be rniiroad
or turnpike must oe through Botctourt Roanoke and
Montgomery counties to New Riverh-yond wbcL ~
viii proceed along the valley the Bos,or 10 rem
nessee The genera: course of both modes of i'm,
provement will be the samey6ui they cannot, *
cept IN lew instances, occupy exactly the same
ground. For particulars, leg TO refer To the ac-
count OF the surveys and the maps which aye de-
posted IN the Office Of the Board Of Public Works.
IDLY. There are only two poiniI on the mes
rlVerol easy access, and at which either improve
ment can unite with the canal, viz: Lynchburs and
Buchanan, both routes dvcrging at or near Salem
IN Roanoke county. The choice between these two
points has excited much sollctude in both places.
IL Is a question OF cost aud revenue and believe
that these two considerations will decide IL in favor
OF buchanan. Bat while give lis opinion in can
wi 70 - Pi"pti mat euoulu aLQuce reasons.
Tor the satisfaction OF those who may have entertain
ed contrary opinion. In order TO do this | must
IN the hrs, place, give the three last in
guirIes, which will appear as data in the decision
Just stated.
The 81 Inquiry IS fully answered in all my re-
poris and especially IN that Of this year. from which
my preference for railroad may have been antici
pnied. Convinced as am that railroads are vastly
superior to turnpikes, where an adequate business
may bo expected. and that the trade and travelling
will be very active In that direction, would un-
hesiaunsly pronounce the railroad the better o. tho
two modes OF Improvement suggested. BY its great
or speed and cheapness Of transportation, il would
invite aud secure business from "a much more re-
moe distance, ard pour consequently into the ca
nal, NJ lower rates, greater amount OF traffic and
travelling, and afford more revenue in proportion TO
its cost
Bot while express This preference. fear that tho
aggregate expense will under the existing pecunia-
~ difficulties, deter rum vast on undertaking, IN
which case no other alternative will remain than tho
construction Of the NJ Adamized turnpike, though
Otherwise Inferior
4ihlY. 10 order TO make correct statement Of tho
cost Of zach mode Of Improvement ii is necessary 10
introduce, first, the respective distances on each
improvement.
From Lynchburg to Buchanan by canal,
wi be dc