Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-06-09

Mr. EDlroR.-I noticed in your paper Of last
week, the proceedings of a meeting of the citizens
Of Weston and vicinity for the consideration OF
Rail Road extending up the valley OF West River,
connecting Brattleboro with Rutland, and lis more
distant limits uniting Boston with Lake Champlan
II seems to me important enterprise 10 the citi-
gems of both Vermont and Massachusetts. Expert
ence for the last few years has demonstrated, be-
You'd question: the efficacy of Railroads aud other
inter nal improvements for facilitating transporta
ton. The lar distant West, by such means, has
become the neighbor of New England. The
produce of her luxuriant soil flows into our mar
kets abundantly, and in return manufactures
and merchandise are borne back to supply the wants
OF a new country. New England has not been in
active amid this hurried march of improvement
Many of the Eastern States nersected various
| ly with rail roads and canals, uniting many of the
principal places of industry and enterprise, thus
opening easy access to the large ctics--forming
a communication between the city and the country,
alike beneficial to each. The rail road which ben
ets the country is of like value to the city, the in
iluence is reciprocal Hitherto Vermont has been
but spectator amid these improvements. Her
virgin soil is yet untouched by them. Her rich
treasures are still in her valleys and on her noun
4 tains.
II might be questioned why we have not, ere this,
followed the example of our neighborng Slatcs.-
Our comparative want of individual wealth, our
mountains and our femoteness from any seaport OF
rail road route, have seemed as barriers against us
But as sister states near seaports ana market pln-
ces extend their routes to borders, il behoovcs
us To cast about us, survey our mountain passes
and enlist our enterprise IN the great work OF i'm.
provement, that we too may reap the reward Of ouI
labors and transmit the legacy 10 coming ages.
\ The Boston and Fitchburg route may be easily
brought to Brattleboro. From thence different pas
sagcs open through Vermont. 1t might continue
up the Connecticut river TO White river, thence NJ
that TO some favorable point TO strike off TO Lake
Champlan. Another passage is thought practicable
from Connecticut river up the valley of Black riv
or and across the mountain TO Shrewsbury and Rut
land. And another, alluded To IN the former par
of this article, up West river and across the noun
tain, intersecting the contemplated route up Black
river al Shrewsbury. Of the two former routes
f am not prepared TO speak with much precision -
The latter, upon partial survey, is thought entire
" practicable. The elevation upon the Easlerr
side is inconsdernble aud so gradual to the tol
of the mountain that il can, in all probability, b'
overcome with less trouble and power than many o
descent more gradual and less difficult than tn
Eastern. This course is shorter and more drec
than either Of the others from Brattleboro TO LAX
| Champain, and could probably be built at mucl
, less expense.
, There is still another route in contemplation b.
the people on the West side of the mountain n nt
New York, to extend the line from Lake Champlaii
through the Western part Of the State 10 Benning
ton thence ostensibiy TO Pittsfeld, Mass but NOR
e probably to Troy, n. Y. Should this plan prevail
) New York instead of Massachusetts, would form
r market place for the Western part of Vermont AM
the great trade from Canada and Northern New
York, while the Eastern aud Southern part Of tn
: State would derive but little benefit. would re
specinlly invite the attention Of those interested il
$ this subject TO examine and decide.
Yours respectfully, W