Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-20
RICHMOND, TUESDAY, JUNE 20.
NEW RAILRoaD-IRos STEAMBOAT, &C.

! RICHMOND, TUESDAY, JUNE 20.
NEW RAILRoAD-IRoN STEAMBOAT, &C.
| Within few days scheme has been started, ands
may predict, with almost certainty, will be carried
into execution which, with trng labor and expense,
will produce quite revolution in portion of the trade
and travel Of our City. Last week some Of the Di.
rectors of the Petersburg and Richmond Railroad with
few other gentlemen interested paid visit the
steamer Columbus TO City Point, at the mouth of
the Appomatox river, which empties into noble
James. From thence they assembled the Appomsttox
for six miles to place called Wal.hals Landing on
the Chesterfield side II the ftst time that any
large vessel had gone up that river Many had
predicted serious distractions, and danger, from
the sand bars and rocks juing out into the stream
The Columbus the fine large steamer plying between
this City and Baltimore draws 10 feet water. IL being
terra ncognita, (for the lawyers call every thing
land, though it be covered with lcater the Captain
moved along with great caution sounding every step
but TO the surprise and joy Of the party, they
found 20 and % feet water where they had anticipated
shoals The rocks turned out 10 be fabulous-and the
whole distance of six miles to Wal,halls landing was
accomplished with ease, there being water enough 10
float the largest ships. At the point designated fine
wharf will be erected, which will accommodate vessels
Of all sizes and descriptions The scheme follows
TO construct short railroad (of only two miles and
thee-quarters) from this landing TO point the Pc.
ersburg Railroad, only nine miles from Richmond Il
is almost incredible TO think, what saving of dis.
lance will ensue. From Richmond to City Point On
The eireuitous riper is As miles BY this from
Richmond to Walthalls Landing (six miles above
City PonD will be only eleven miles and three.auar
ters. In hour, will be enabled 10 accom-
plish what it takes four hours TO do. We
will merely hint at of the effects of this ar
angement-statng the facts, and leaving it 10 Others
better qualified, TO speculate al length the many be-
nehts social and commercial, which will naturally flow
from the execution Of the plan. We learn, that every
barrel Of flour pays 10 cents for transportation
from this City TO City Pont-by the new road, it
be carried TO Wal,Ias Landing for nine cents. This
is an important item for Richmond, deeply engaged
as she is the milling business On other articles the
saving will be prnportionate The of passage TO
City Point three dollars-by the ne " railroad 10
the landing it will be IS cents. The calculation is,
that the Norfolk steamboat instead of, as now making
trip every other day, will make daily TRIP that s the
boat will up 10 Richmond, but will stop The
landing, deliver her passengers and for Rich
mond, her passengers and freight Tor Norfolk,
and return to Norfolk the day, and so on for
every day. The fare 10 and from Norfolk will be
duced from So, So IS. We informed by those no
ought to know, that this will certainly be
carried through by The first Of ntrt SEPTEMBER and in
addition TO the materials belonging 10 the Petersburg
Railroad, on hand, an outlay Of only $1,000 in
ney, will be required The road will be made by the
Petersburg Company. The Depot house, just beyond
Manchester viii be removed 10 the new landing, and
there erected as a depot.
We have also heard il confidently asserted, that
lateral Railroad nine miles in length, will he construct
ed from Johnsons Coal Mines lin Chesterfield TO inter
sect the Richmond and Petersburg Road By this
means, rich minerals will, increased extent, be
brought forth from their "dark caverns and pour
wealth into our lap.
Last Saturday, the new Iron Steamer, destined to
ply on the james River and Kanawha Canal was
launched. 1t is large craft for these walersbeng
DO feet in lengh-breadth Of beam Is feet. To our
un practsed eye, it seems admirably constructed The
iron was wrought at the Belle Isle mandatory, and
the boat rIveted together by Talbot & Brothers,
a. H. 4, =.
The "drilling' done. 1t is shaped in peculiar
manner, like the breast Of duck TO dispace
little possible. She is already provided with
shaft acting Ericssons Propeller, which is nothing
more nor less than vertical wheel furnished with
veral wings like plou2 hshares which, the revolution
of the wheel, strike The water obquey, and produce
the same effect 'sculing' yawI.
This apparatus produces very little disturbance Of
the water, and thus velocity of miles may be
employed, without wearing away the banks ny washing
built in New York, will be al once put in-and the
cabin will be finished BY the first Of July. We second
the suggestion of the Compiler, that a"grund display"
be made on the glorious 4tb, in The shape Of pleasure
excursion, or something else. Why should we not
hail, with due honor, experiment, which is
empa,ed 10 work "revolution" in transportation
he grand "feeder" of our city. The boat with tie
propeer) is estimated to require 40 inches OF water
the boat itself draws about I2 nches) thence many
predict failure account of too little water. THIS
may be the case, now but understand that the Ca
nal Company are actively engaged in the construction
Of new lock on the "egh,een mile level, which will
afford sufficient depth of water-,hs lock would have
become necessary even for boats These boats
have been tried with great on the Northern
canals and We see no reason for failure here. Many
are the advantages predicted following close upon
successful experiment with this boat-anong other
effects, the safe and easy navigation by locks and
iams above Lynchburg, through the mountains will
be made certan-so we heard it emphacaly argued
oy shrewd citizen. We urge, therefore, those IIte
esed in the prcet to get every thing ORDER before
hey slip the cabies-a fauz pas at the commencement
nay throw cold water on the whole. Much IL expect
ID Of them-let them moi disappoint the public We
hope to be enabled, in glowing characters, TO record
heir triumph. The community is divided n opinion
Is to the feasibility of the plan. We not enough
earned in physics, to volunteer opinion. Our pro-
vince is, to throw in word Of and 10
,hroncicle their fortunes
We have thus briefly touched upon few improve
nents, which must enrich city. Her course must
onward, if she properly the elements of prospe
ty within her reach. Instead Of adopting the soubr
,uet Of "the Wing city" which has been assigned TO
ler, she should aspire be the ourishng Metropolis Of
great State composed Of both Wings and Democrats
We do not object TO her putting forth her Wing strength
and we acknowledge ii is great) on ell proper occa
,ons but let her citizens have some charity for the
Democratic portion OF the State. Let them give 10
he other party credit for little honesty dsnteresed
ness and love Of country. Legislature striving 10
the public faith and honor should not, because 1t
happened 10 be Democratic, be accused of improper po
tcal motives new tax, intended 10 act equally on
all parts Of the State should be pounced upon
yrannous oppression upon the Whg toions for the be-
neft of the Democrats Of The countrybecause j, bores
little hard upon the towns we'll the country Butwe
will pursue the subject-t intention 10
bring up the painful reflections connected with the
Spring campagn-,hey n,rudcd themselves on US
"by cones are By gones''-all that wished to say
was, that if The good people Of Richmond, I'm whose
prosperity We are deeply interested and have always
endea vored 10 promoie not SO fond OF looking al
every thing in political gh!- they applied their
energies, With concentration, TO the improvement
of the that Nature has given tem there
is telling what noble city would grow up around
We wished TO give force TO The idea that The Town
and The country were mutually dependant on eaca
other. the country has done much for Richmond
Here are concentrated magnificent works, which br'ns
US wealth, and send it back numberess forms
throughout the State. We, therefore, should cultivate
good will and respect between Richmond and the rest
Of The State. Every little jealousy is Ide-is injurious
he mora flroIa ndlP ssD