American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-04-08

.uesSrs. EdaorS,-Since my second commu-
nlcation, | notice that the action of the First
Branch permits the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road company to lay track in any part of the
city south of Camden street, to the water
Under this permission, the Rail Road Co. could
strike the harbor on the south side of the basin
at such point as they may select. This is GER
tainly better than going to the west Branch, but
still does not avoid some Of the difficulties re-
ferred to heretofore.
The value of property along the edge of Fe-
deral Hill is much greater than about the City
Block, and the paicr is not SO deep. Further
down, it is no deeper on that shore, until after
passing MILESTONE Point. The wash of the
Falls pressed over on that shore by the current,
as soon as the water has attained its level and
becomes steady, settles and has formed bar,
which leaves the water not more than or s
feet depth for great distance from the shore
and the Port Warden's line, Access to deep
and very expensive ,charf. If the Rail Road
Co. must spend their money, please let it be
done at the Cumberland end, where think we
want it most.
think that the objection to the track in
Pratt street arises chiefly from the Philadelphia
passenger cars, and not from the passage of the
Baltimore and Ohio Co.'S burthen cars. If |
am right, think no one except the Philadel-
phia Rail Road Co. would complain at these
cars being stopped below the bridge, as so far
from the action of that company being favora-
BILE to our city, it has ever been friendly to the
interests of Philadelphia.
The difference of expense in sailing vessel
of 200 and one of 800 tons is comparatively
trifing, consequently the larger of the two can
transport freight on better terms per ton than
can be done by her of 200 tons; and as increas-
ing the size, diminishes the freight, go a vessel
of 400 tons has advantages over either. Hence
it is necessary that the coal depot be at point
where there is good depth of water, Furnish
ing a good reason of carrying out the sugges-
ton relative to a wharf at Fells Point, the pas
sage to which shall not be over any portion of
the Philadelphia road, in order to avoid their
charge.
The barquc Daniel Webster recently took
cargo of coal to the West Indies for the French
national steamers; she was large vessel, and
probably drew Is feet water, and carried per-
haps 400 tons. Had the coal required to have
been loaded in shoal water, the barque could
not have competed for the freight, and it would
have required three smaller vessels (if the draft
of water accessible had been only eli ht feet) to
have carried the same quantity. The difference
of transportation of the aforesaid 400 tons to
the West Indies, under such circumstances,
would have been at least 81 to $3.50 per ton,
or $500 to $500 on the cargo of 400 tons. If
am right in my position, (and defy successful
contradictory you will see without further ar
gument that deep water is required at the ship
ping depot.
Fell's Point offers as great a depth of water
as can be carried out of the Patapsco-the next
best water is the City Dock, in its rear.
Pay the Stamp tax; provide wharf at Fell's
Point for a shipping depot; strengthen Pratt ST.
bridge, If necessary; permit the locomotives to
come down Pratt street, and then we have no
thing to fear from the canal, except perpetual
taxation to the State on IS 900, 900 bonds.
JOHN SMITH OF JOHN.