Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-21
From The franklin Erpress

Mr. Editor have lately passed the route
of the Miller's River, and from particular OBJ
servation have become thoroughly convincediof
its feasibility as a railroad route. It's gradual
descent from its source TO the Connecticut, in
vte the attention of capitalists and manufsc-
turers, as the volume Of water is abundant for
manufacturing purposes. The bank and shores
of the river are ofsuch solid materials, that
dams may be thrown across at little expense,
and without danger of their being swept away
by floods. These considerations, together
with many others, led me to institute COM
parison between this route and all others that
have been advocated, leading from Ftchburg
to the valley Of the Conn, and the result Of
the comparison, on my judgment, has been
such as | am confident would be upon any 9TH
er unbiased mind, that Miller's River route is
the route before all others. II is the easiest OF
construction, and by far the cheapest and be-
You'd comparison lees liable to be obstructed
by winter storms. On this route, the prospect
for passengers and tonnage, cannot by any per-
son acquainted with the location Of the Mil
ler's River, and the surrounding country, en-
terrain a doubt. Upon the principles Of grav-
itation, water tends towards the centre of val
leys-so also do travel and tonnage seek the
best and lowest grades. Besides this route
brings you almost TO the geographical centre
of the county of Franklin, near 10 the confiu-
ence of multitude Of waters, rushing over
Turner's Falls at Montague, presenting to the
senses flood in loamiDg wdness and grand
eur-the Father OF waters in miniature. Yet
all these waters may be turned and taught 10
do the labor of thousands, and thus contribute
TO the wants aud necessities of dense popula-
ton that may hereafter inhabit its DO rders-
the favorite haunls of the red man of other
days. Who can compute the future tonnage
and travel TO and from these forever and lar
resounding waterfalls the frequent residence
OF the poor Indian, where kind Providence
annually provided him with food in great a.
hundance. There appears to be no obstacle in
the way to the railroads passing down on the
south side Of Miller's River TO some distance to
the westward of CIRCUITS in Montague, thence
crossing the Miller's River below Whtwell's
survey, and passing northwardly between said
survey and the Connecticut, TO Mortified.
CIRCUITS corner in Montague, as il is sometimes
called, would be q most excellent place for a
junction of the Hampshire and Franklin Rail
Road with the Vermont and Massachusetts,
road. This place would be very convenient
for the people in the western part oil the coun-
! ty of Franklin, as well as the eastern and
northeastern parts Of said county. Near this
place of junction Of the said roads, a Dam
might be thrown across the Miller's River,
permanent, and at little cost, and the whole
volume of The river conducted into a canal cut
upou tHC SUZUKI dlOiuiuB iOi tudu 9
mile in distance, as great accommodation .oI
Factories as at Caboive, From thence 10
the mouth OF said river, little over a mile,
are many natural advantages for water power
At this place OF junction materials for building
are abundant-wood, timber and stone of a
good quality. | am no prophet, neither am
the son of prophet, yet | have faith TO be-
lieve in case The aforesaid roads shall be CON-
pleted and united at fireplace designated-a
CIRCUITS corner, ten years from their compile
ton will not have rolled away without having
seen population upon the immediate border,
of the Miller's River, between CIRCUITS corne
and its entrance into the Connecticut. of thou
sands. Whoever may chance to look at tn,
: foregoing remarks, and be disposed to conside
them as Visionary have only 10 ask all sucl
TO suspend their decision upon the matter un
til they shall have visited the places, and dull,
, considered their natural advantages when adet
by art, as contemplated by the writer.
PHILo-VERIrAs.