Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-05-09
For he Herald

OF opinion With regard 10 the best route lot Iuiu
to connect the interior Of Vermont with the Allan
tic cities few remarks concerning the relative
advantages Of the several routes proposed may
not be unintercsiing 10 SOME OF your readers
The impression seems to be very general, with
those who have paid attention 10 the subject that
whilst railroads are beng extend, i ont from the
grea, commercial cities like the radii Of a circle
in almos, every direction, Vermont is no, long
destined 10 remain SOLITARY and alone tina, she
will no, long conson, to see her interests Frustrated
and her vast resources neglected and rendered
comparatively valucless for want oil those Incrcas
ed facilities for transportation which have given
our sister states such decided advantages over us.
flhc several routes which have been spoken
of there are three which have excited some at,en-
ton. and each doubtless have their strenuous nd-
voca,cs One from Burlington VT, through
Montpelier, down the valley of the Connecticut
River to Brat,leboro', thence to connect with
the Boston and Fitchburgh road which is now in
progress Of construction.
Another from Burlington through Vcrgennes,
Mii1leburv Rnlland thence across the mountain
through Mount Holly to Brauleboro' and Fitch.
burg. The other route proposed is from Burling-
ton south, through the whole length Of the valley
west Of the Green Mountains to Pisfeld Mass,
to in,erscct the western railroad from Boston to
A albany.
The distance from Burlington through Mont.
pelicr to Fitchburgh over any possible route for
railroad, would be over 200 miles nearly 100 of
which would be occupied in winding through the
mountains, and among the rocks from Burlington
to Connecticut river. This route has not vet been
surveyed, and consequently its practicabiiy is
not determined
The route through Rutland and Mount Holly
to Fitclbrgh, is about $50 miles This also
has to cross the Green Mountain from Ru,.
land to Bellows Falls, distance of nearly fifty
miles. This route has been surveyed from Rut-
land to Mount Holly, and is said to be practicable
The distance from Burlington through Ru,land
Manchester, Bennington, from thence to piusfield
Mass. is l54 miles. This route passes through
the whole length Of the valley of Otter Creek. a
distance OF nearly 20 mis-from Is to 20 miles
in the valley of the Baenkii, near the foot ofthe
Green Mountain range, distance of 40 or 50
miles through valley which is nearly level
through its whole length to pntsGeld This route
has not yet been surveyed but from an examina.
ton OF the valley west Of the Mountain, from
Burlington Vt, to Piusfeld Mass, think haz.
ard nothing in saying that no route of the same
distance, can be found in New.E gland which
presents SO few obstacles, and which is so admira.
bly, adapted by nature for the construction OF rail
road as this.
1t is well known to those acquainted with the pe.
illogical and neurological features of Vermont.
that nearly nil the mineral wealth OF this State, is
deposited in the valley lying west of the Green
Mountains There is valley extending nearly
the whole length ofthe State, Of from one TO ten
miles in width, embracing one ofthe mos, produc-
tive agricultural districts in New. England, and
probably containing more mineral wealth than
any other district of the same extent in the Union
[ ma a., n.
tremhy of the State 10 the other the deposites of
iron ore are inexhaustible the western range is
bounded by one continuous range of marble.
which. for TEXTURE durability and beauty vies
with the best specimens Of European importation
The streams flowing into the Bauenkill and Otter
Creek from the Highlands OH either side furnish
an amount Of water-power perhaps not cxeelled by
any other section of the same extent in the world
The mountainous district from 20 to 50 miles in
width running tn, whole length of the State, is
covered with valuable timber, which, for want of
facilities of transportation to market is compare
lively valueless This would all find ready
opening to market by rail road west of the /
mountains. Were a road to cross the mountain
at Montpelier or Mount Holley, the northern part
Of the State would be benefited, bu, no other. and
We should only be connected with the Boston
market. The southern route from Burlington to
Phsfeld Mass, would not only connect us with
Boston, Albany and Troy, by the Western rail }
'oad. but, in connection with the Houstonc road
wouli open direct railroad and steam boat com
with New York.
Taking into account the rclatye distanccs of
he several proposed routes, the natural obstruc.
ions in the way OF the two routes across the
mountains, the relative cheapness with which a
road may be constructed on the west side of the
compared with those across the noun
ain, the vast amount Of heavy freight which the
marble quarries, iron mines ami timber lands
would furnish, oyel any other section of the State
ogelher with the facthat the northern route would
open one OF the richest sections OF Vermont in the
NOS direct manner possible to all the great msv-
kets OF the country, no one can for a moment
question the superior advantages. not only to the
State, but also to the stockholders. of The road
proposed through the State on the west side ofthe
Green Mountains
Efforts are being made to excite the public at.
ention to this subject for the purpose of securing
! survey OF the route from Burlington 10 the south
line OF the State; also TO make a peogrsnbicaI
examination, so far as will be necessary TO bring
prominently before the public, the vast resources
II western Vermont. | doubt not the pcople will I
be sufficiently interested IN the subject TO raise suf
lcient means to accomplish SO desirable an oh.
Get u
THAT SAME OLD COON"
The Petersburg Republican, by way Of ridcul.
hg Inc W hig party. has procured wood cut of