Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-09-20

Massachusetts road passes throi oh o,e of these val
eys, and in fact the only one which will enable YOU
to c'oss the summit From Fnchburp it passes up
where you Immediately fall into the valley, through
which flow the waters of Millers river, down which
he fond pas es. SO that, hough the genera; face of
the country Is rough the particular route of the 'ni
road is very favorable. The cuts are genera " short
and the embankmenis are Of the same characters re.
curing but comparatively little haulage The char.
acier OF the country will he in the fact that on
this road the average amount of material, to be renov-
ed per mile is only $4,000 yards while on The Western
Road II is $4,000 yards The Western Rad, east of
Connecticut river, has work much heavier than any
thing found on this rond. They have ten cuts of from
" 10 thirty feet deep; three of from thirty five 10
forty feet deep; one each of foreythree, SEVEN
fty-iwo and eighty feet deep. They have emlank
ment> The following character: Nine of from twen-
tv-our to thirty feet high seven of from thirty 10
hrty-fve feet high two Of thrty-eight feet high :
one each of forly-eght, sixty, and sxy-tIree feet
high. Compare these cuts and fila with what you
lind on the profile of he Vermont and Massachusetts
Kalroad and you will see at once, the difference be-
tween The two routes mention these facts to sustain
The estimate of the engineer, and 10 show the compar
alive cheapness of this route.
Another comparison between This and the Western
Railroad east of Connecticut River, will go to sustain
his estimates. On The western rond their and
engines for the road eas of the river 500 000
Whitwe's estimate fnr this road is Sl00 ono. Whit.
well estimates $1,000 for d,pois. On the eastern
-
for depot buildings. furniture aqieducis wells, ma
chine shops, &C., and the directors apolorized for this
great expenditure by saving, that the expensive depot
arrangements nj Springfield are designed in part for
the rond west of The river Thus we see, that in all
things, which bear any analogy 10 other roads, these
estimates of Mr. Whitwel are as HIGH as the actual
cost has cen other roads; and in the great item
oi grading The road his estimate is less than the cost
o ohrr roads. for The plain reason that the route is
more favorable, and the quantity of excavation and
enibanknenti It's forty cent less than on the West
ern road. In this comparison we have selected the
Western ro'd, because it hears more analogy to this
than any other. II commences some forty five miles
from Boston nj the end of another road. and pnsscs
over the SINE. summit range. have no, Instituted
this comrarson, because ] supposed that the esi-
mates of Mr.. Whltwe nee led anv confrma lion from
me; hnt because his estimate being less by far than
The cost OF other ronds. il might he thought by some
that IT would not cover The cost Of the road.
have detained ,nn longer, perhaps, on this branch
Of the subject, than necessary hut no p,u 'ent
man will engage in nnv enterprise and invest his cap
inl, without first counting the cost. We all know
thai after the most careful estimate there will be OK
penses which no human wisdom could foresce. The
ennneer was aware Of this, ard hence he has nd ed
800 OC0 for contingencies. II onlv remains speak
Of the character of the structure. This we will give
in the Language Of the engineer 1.-THE supersr,mrIre"
SAYS he us similar TO those in The Western,
Boston and Worcester and Fitchhurgh roads hav-
ing rail of ffivsx pounds Ia the yard with heavy
sleepers and h-sils. The bridges will he bu'lt with
stone ahntmenls and wooded tress work" Having
given this general view Of the character and cos, Of
the road II only remains 10 speak If The amount Of
business, and consequent income ofthe road-but this
! shall reserve for my next letter.
] am. very res,ecifulv
Your o. edeni servant
CHARLES HUDSON
Hon. THOMAS H. PERKINS.