Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-05-10
VOL. x.NO. 81.

il. This route goes through Cabotyille, or
between that place aud Chcopee Falls:
through South Hadley Canal village IA
mile or two west Of The centre of South
Hadley, where is large Female Seminary:
within less than two miles Of Northamp-
ton at Hockanum: little east of Hadley:
about two miles west Of Amherst Col
lege. and the factory village in the north
part Of that town; through Sunderland aud
the factory village at Whiimores Ferry -
within mile or two Of Hatfield, Whately,
and South Deerheld mile west of Mon
tague, through the factory village owned BY
Mills g. Co. in Greenfield, aud within three
miles of the village Of Greenfield, over
perfectly level route, where branch might
be constructed at very little expense, if de-
sired within two miles OF Bernardsion and
Gill and less than that distance from North
field village; and lastly, through Vernon
II ought also TO be mentioned tina, along
this route, especially on Mount Toby, is a
larger amount Of timber and wood than in
almost any other part Of Massachusetts
and in the south part Of Montague, is one
of the most extensive quarries Of stone for
digging and other purposes that ! have seen
in Massachusetts; being of the same kind
as the Chatham quarries in Connecticut, and
more accessible.
| In case this route were adopted, there
can hardly be doubt but the Fitchburg
road, instead of turning norih from Groui's
at the mouth Of Miller's river. and passing
through Mortified village, would be ex.
tended TO Turner's Falls and unite with this
road. which passes through the west part Of
Mortified. This would increase the dis
lance from Groui's TO Brattleboro about two
miles and quarter. Such an extension
would open to the river route the extensive
wood and timber region along Miler's riv-
er. rs
Another advantage of prospective char
acter, connected with the route we are con-
sidering, is, that it leads by one Of The most
eatensire ,oofr p,icsLges in M~ England,
as get mostly uRoctupied. AT Turner'S
Falls, Connecticut river descends within the
distance Of little more than a mile, about
eighty feet; and on the east bank Of the
river south of the Falls, is tract nearly Lew
el, two miles long and one mile broad adj
mrably adapted for tie construction Of ca
mails Of the requisite slope, and for the build
ing of factories aud common dwellings,.
Indeed, the whole Connecticut river NAV
here be diverted into canals, taken ont al
different points, for propelIing machinery,
while there is ample room for large town:
and some capitalists in our cities, who have
visited this spot, will attest, that I am moi
exiravagant when ] say, that there are uofcr
potoer and other facilities, at this place, for d
\ .Oson tioice as large as L0sreU Most OF this
site is owned by the Connecticut River Ca
nal Company, who have here built dam 30
feet high, over the Connecticut, and taken
out Canal. The difficulty Of access 10
the spot, the water privileges that lie near
to the large cities, and the magnitude OF
the enterprise, have hitherto prevented the
occupation Of this spot. But let Rail-
road pass from this place, both TO Boston by
Fichburg, and 10 Hartford and New York
by Springfield, and il would be very strange
if a location like this. certainly one of tie
most remarkable in New England, should
not speedily be occupied And if laree
town were TO spring up there, land am no
prophet if our posler,y at least do moi see
such town. of what immense importance
would it be to Franklin County hone.
therefore, that the discerning inhabitants of
that county will not suffer any local prefer.
ences. or narrow policy, TO divert their at
iention from this spot,nor lead them 10 pour
out their treasures for a Railroad on. such
route as will retard the occupation of tEis
most eligible site for manufacturing CITY
ISuppose for instance that road should be
constructed on the west side of the river.
through Greenfield and Guiford 10 BrattIe-
boro. Then another, (ihe Fitchburg road)
will pass from Mller's river to the same
place, through Norihfeld and since the
distance from Mlllers river to Hockanum
is only 20 miles, and the surface very fa-
vorable, there can be no doubt but the citi.
zens east of the river, not being accommo.
dated by the road OH the west side. will IN
a few years connect these two points: and
then there will be two parallel roads throuvb
the valley, neither Of them more than half
supported, while the nfp torn at Turner'S
Falls lies neglected. How much wiser for
all the towns along the river TO make some
little sacrifice of local feelings and preieren-
+ ces, and to unite in the only route that can
accommodate the whole valley. Then
might they be sure that such Railroad
, would be well supported, and the stock al
ways good.
: have ventured to make these statements.
because l am not aware that any one has ey.
: er suggested the route which prefer, viz,
that past Turner's Falls. nor, indeed, scarce.
! y any OF the others which have describ-
ed knowing the strength of local prefer
cnces and prejudices. ! confess have but
little hope that these suggestions will be
r needed. or even read. shall send this
communication 10 one of the pspers in Bos-
ton. and to another in New York; and i
respectfully request the editors Of The sey-