Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-05-10

10 the Citizens Of NtiC York, Boston, Nesr
HaUtn, Hartford, Springfield, North
amptoa, amherst, Greenfield, Brdtfie5oro,
and Of the vaiiey Of The Connecticut gen
orally.
The extension Of the New Haven and
Hartford Rail Road to Springfield now ia
progress, the charter granted last winter by
the Massachusetts Legislature Of Rail
Road from Fitchburg to the mouth of Mil
ler's River, aud the general excitement that
exists on the subject. make it almost GER
tain that Railroad will soon pass from
Springfield norhward 10 Bratieboro at least
For from Springfield to the mouth Of Mil
ler's River is only about 36 miles, and the
country excellent for Railroad.
In such work all the places mentioned
at the head OF this article are concerned.
For when such road is completed, the bus
mess of the rich valley will find an outlet,
either to Boston on the east, or to N. York
on the south, through Hartford and New
Haven. They cannot therefore but take an
interest in having the proposed road so To-
Gated as best TO accommodate the entire val
ley; especially those persons who may fur
nish pecuniary aid in the work. Will the
citizens Of these places, then, allow an hum
BILE individual, who has spent fifty years in
the valley Of the Connecticut, and several
years in exploring its surface professionally.
for purposes Of science, to point out the diff
ferent routes where such Railroad may
pass, and the advantages and disadvantages
Of each.
We will suppose in all cases, that SPRING
field 10 ba ef.rtiosr t,f,ir,t and that nraesla
boro is the terminus and that the road must
pass through Cabotville, or between that
place and Chcopee Falls; though doubtless
this road will ultimately be carried across
Vermont TO Lake Champlain. Let the read
er now take good map Of the valley of
the Connecticut, and he will be able to trace
Out the several routes.
The writer does not profess 10 have sur
yeyed these routes with the odolite, lever
and chain. Fortunately so favorable is the
surface generally for road, that it needs on
Iy practiced eyeto decide upon that which
is the best The distances mentioned in
this communication have been obtained
chiefly from the new map Of Massachusetts,
proof copy Of which happens to be in the
writer's hands and so accurate is IT, that
he feels confident that all the measurements
taken from il are near enough 10 the truth
for all the purposes aimed at, which are, let
il be distinctly understood, TO find out what
route will best accommodate the entire bus
mess aud population Of the valley, irrespec-
tive Of local prejndices and preferences -
The distances given cannot think vnry
more than half mile. certainly not over a
mile, from the truth, in any case.
The first route shall mention, and for
which charter has already been obtained as
far as Northampton, passes through Cabot
will and South HadIey to Hockanum in Had
ley, on the east side Of Connecticut river at
the west foot Of Mount Holyoke; thence
across the river TO Northampton; thence
through Hatfield, Whately, Deer6eid Green.
field, Bernardston, and Gailford TO Braitle-
boro. The length Of this route TO the Yer
mont line is as IA miles, and TO Brattlebo.
70, "a miles,
shall speak OF this route south Of Hook.
anum in another place. After passing the
ly through the shire Of Northampton and
Greenfield. and accommodates all the west
side Of the valley. Between Northampton
and Deerfeld, also. the surface is very level
for about eighteen miles. The difficulties
and disadvantages Of this route, are, first
the great expense of a bridge across Con.
necticut river and through Northampton
meadows, which for the most part are over.
flowed annually. And, moreover, any con.
siderable obstruction Of tine water would
throw II back so as to submerge the village
Of Hadey, which has several times been
greatly threatened, Besides, believe the
bottom of the river at Hockanum has no;
yet been bored, as was done at Springfield
to ascertain whether il is solid enough to
sustain piers. If a deep layer of such soil
as forms the banks, lies on the bottom, be.
fore the clay and gravel are reached, no en-.
gineer would trust bridge upon it. When
this route approaches North DeerfeId, il
must either descend some so or 30 feet 70,
four or FIVE miles. and then rise as much into
Greenfield, or else follow the side of Deer.
field mountain F; in some part of which the
lateral ravines will be very expensive. Ailel
this route cutters Vermont, il passes through
a very billy and rocky region; and though
we have the testimony Of an engineer tha
a Railroad can be made there, il must b.
quite expensive. But the great disadvan
tage of the route is, that it will afford yer,
little accommodation to the towns east o
the river north of Hadley. In going to N
York, they might indeed, pass over the riy
er to the Railroad, but in going to Boston
! il would so increase the distance and The ex
(, pense, that the present routes would be de
cidedly preferable.
The above is the only route that can b,
followed on the west side of the river Or
she east side very level route lies through
CabotviIle and CRANKY. passing near Souil
Hadley Canal, to the east end Of Noun