Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-11-16
To the Editors of the Compiler.
quested to copy.


Gentlemen: Having recently visited Richmond
Tor the first na,e, after spending few days there
came up to this place via the Canal, on board
the new steamer Gov. Mcdowell We left
h,chmond about half past o'clock, A. M, and
reached here the next morning about half past 6
O'Clock. Although we did not ge, along as fast
as could have wished, yet we had a pleasant
trip OF IT, The fare is very good, and the officers
SO far as could ascertain, are accommodating,
pleasant men. Upon the whole, have been quite
agreeabiy disappointed. From the opinion which
had heard expressed by many persons previous
to my having seen the boat, was under the i'm.
preston II would prove total failure, and that no
boa. OF the kind would succeed; but now am
satished from the experiments already made and
what have seen, tina. it must succeed-and if
Ihis BOAT doeSnot answer, one can be built that
VIII. One great objection to the present boat is,
understand, that she draws too much wa,er-and
my own impression is, that SHE is loo blunt at the
DOW to run last. think by making a boat TO
draw less water and sharper at the bow the trim
can be made from Richmond to Lynchburg in
from "a 10 80 hours.
md there is considerable opposition 10 the
scheme In many parts OF the country, mostly,
mink, the result of prejudice; but despite of all
opposition, the scheme, if persisted in, will sue
ceed. by the way, great benefit TO the Canal
would be good McAdamized Road from this
place to Staunton--in addition 10 the great in
crease In the amount of freight on the Canal be-
tween here and Richmond, it would bring an i'm
A'ohsS ainouht Oh HaVeI on TINS route. All per-
sons from the West Southwest part of Virgin-
IA who now travel through Charlottesville VIA the
Louisa Railroad to Richmond, would take this
route as the cheapest and pleasantest; and MANY
Of those who now travel up the Valley Of Vr-
ginia from the Northern cities, would come this
Touie-at all events, many of the merchants from
The Valley and West of il, who now 90 to Balti-
more via Winchester and lIarper's Ferry, finding
The expense of getting 10 Richmond so much less
and The mode OF travelling much peasanter, to-
gether with the cost of getting their goods home
80 much cheaper, would be induced to make their
purchases In Richmond instead of Baltimore and
fhiiii,adelphla, as they are now doing.
Inc road must be greatly improved from here
10 Staunton. otherwise great deal of the trade
OF the Valley and West of it will go via Win
chester TO Baltimore. In fact much of it is al
ready taking that route, and during the present
year, goods have been sent from Baltimore via
winchester to the upper part of Rockingham, to
Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath, and Greenbrier, and
70 other western counties--al of which should
nave come this route, and would have come, were
!'e 'oao rom this place to Staunton such one as
~ ougnt 10 De. And even In the present c6ndi-
ZION OF the road, believe mere of the goods pur
CHASED In Baltimore and Philadelphia by the VAL
ley merchants would come this way if tbe,e wac
stage from here to Staunton, so that the ner.
chants might travel this route; and in that ,y,y
they would be better able TO ascertain the far,
(Which many Of them seem not to be aware ofI
mat al most seasons OF the year goods can be Ia
Ken from Baltimore 10 Stanton by this rou,e for
considerably less than via Winchester; and thew
would also learn ano'' thing, that the whole eX
pense OF travelling Din Slaunton via ScottsviIle.
kichmond and Norfolk to Baltimore, meals inci,,
yea, is only about one dollar more than via Win
chester. "
Below give The outside limit Of the present
charges ON hid. of sugar from Baltimore 70
stanton, estimating Tie bid. to weigh 1900 lbs,
and on box Of dry goods weighing $50 lbs.
Freight OH Sugar from Baltimore TO
richmond 81 so
Drayage and storage at Richmond so
freight and toll up canal 9 so
Storage at Scottsville o.
Wagonage to Stanton at 3Oc per 100 Iba 3 60
0'h' SO 35
Freight on dry goods from Baltimore to
bran oonI 81 90
Freight and toll MP canal CO
W,aen.t,h {. S,'.'in 125
'o'a'' SO l59
Il Citizen Of HE VaLleb.