Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-25

4
! provement, and who are not only competent fror
/ scientific attachments TO decide, but also init
I natey acquainted with the country.-several q
whom are regularly educated engineers, thong
perhaps at this time following different pursuits
| The first report to which l shall refer is tina
made by Col. Crozet in 1899, then Chief Engi
neer for the State. of the route from Gordonsvile
across the Blue Ridge mountains. at Rockfis
Gap, to Stanton, which portion of the road pre-
SCENTS much the most formidable obstacle through
out the whole line, and which is reported by hi,
10 be perfectly practicable; and the cost eslima,
ed ut not more than an average of about . 100
per nile, with the exception of small section
OF about seven ruiles, in the passage OF the noun
tain, which he estimates at a much, greater cost
But another gap, cattsi Harncr's Gap, somewha
north of Rockfislass hlSeen ascerlained 10 be per
haps much cheaper and more desirable route
thanby >ltockfsh. From Stanton 10 Covipg
ton ann not aware that tho route has been aclH
ally surveyed but it is as to this point that have
enqulred and received information that has re.
moved every particle of doubt from my own
mind as 10 It's praciicability, it will perhaps be
found, as is the opinion o.! many wel.informed
persons in that section Of the country to presen,
lever difficulties than any other portion of the
road sand as for the road from Covington t.
Guyandolte, it has been surveyed over and over
again; but, for the present, will refer YOU onl
to the reports of Major Mcneil, of the u. S.
corps OF Engineers, made in 1887, 10 the Secre-
tary OF War, and 10 the report of MIR. Elicit.
made in the year 1888, 10 satisfy even the most
prejudced and sceptical, of its entire practical
bility. But this can all be settled by having the
whole line surveyed and reported upon, which
would of course be done before either the State
or individuals could he asked TO embark their
means In the enterprise. And will conclude
this branch OF the subject by remarking that in
the selection OF Il route for work OF this ,pauni-
tnde, no slight obstacle should be permitted TO
operate as Il barrier TO the choice of the most iu-
dicious location in the first instance; and will,
the additional remark, that there is nothing im-
possible 10 overcome In the construclion of a
road by proper and judcious application of
means, energy and enterprise.
4 lie next question TO be considered is-would
thls line OF improvement successfully compete
with It's great rival, the Baltimore and Ohio road.
and accomplish the great ends for which it is de-
signed
Let us compare the advantages and disadyan-
tages oil the Two routes to determine this
In the first place, the distance from Guyand otte
TO Wheeling is two hundred and forty miles be-
tween which two points the chief difficulties in
the navigation OF the Ohio are TO be encountered
occasloned by low water in the summer, and ice
In The WHITEHALL of which would be avoided by
the Guyana tte route. From Wheeling to Cum-
berland is one hundred and eighty-fve miles
and from Cumberland to Baltimore, 1872 miles.
making III all six hundred and two miles from
Guyandotte TO Baltimore; two hundred and forty
OF which is to be travelled over in small, uncom-
Portable and announcement steamboats,; for il is
only the smaller class of boats that can ascend
the ONO 10 Wheeling; and many seasons oil
the year, both in summer and winter (from low
water and ice, as mentioned before even their
passage is obstructed, and frequently altogether
suspended.
On The other hand, the navigation of the Ohio
river Is never, or rarely ever, interrupted from
Cincinnati TO Guyandotte, from which point YOU
Will have, by the route proposed, an uninterrupt-
ed railroad ilIe oil communication TO Baltimore
with the exception of sixty miles ON the Potomac,
which, with the ice boats now used by the com
pany on that line never occasion delay even when
the Potomac is frozen. Them again, as TO dis
lance: from Guyandotte to Charleston is so
miles, from Charleston 10 Covington 1863 miles.
from Covlngton to Staunton 80 miles, from
Stanton TO Gordonsville So miles, from Cor
louisville to Junction SO miles, and from Junction
TO Baltimore ISL miles, making in all 555 miles
from Guyandoite TO Baltimore, being AZ miles
nearer than the Wheeling route, TO say nothing
Of the increased speed of the railroad route over
the steamboat route 10 Wheeling; so that a ira
weller, when he reached Guyandoite, on his way
to The East or North, would find that he would
be in Baltimore by the Virginia route almost if
not quite soon as he could reach Wheeling
even when there were no impediments to the ma
viga.Ion. Add 20 this that the Virginia route
passes through rich, romantic country, by the
most fashionable watering places in the State,
within 23 miles of the capitol of Virginia. and
through The capitol of the Union circumstances
that are never overlooked by the curious and en-
curing traveller, who always desires TO see the
most that is TO be seen.
But this view OF the subject relates to travel
ing only; let us see how it would operate upon
trade: Without recapitulaling the delays occa-
stoned by the difficulties Of the navigation of the
Ohio above Guyandoite, the farmer or producer
would find himself at Guyandoue, within 4O4
miles of Richmond, and Coz miles from Bati-
more, making 1913 miles in favor of the Richmond
market; which, however il may strike some with
surprise, is the better market of the two. | will
here content myself with saying ii is in all re-
spects, and at all seasons, AS GOOD a market as
that OF Baltimore; but before conclude | shall
undertake to shew, that for every article likely
to be brought from the Valley of the West, it Is
a superior market.
Thus, it appears 10 me, have demonstrated
the advantages Of this route, both for travel and
trade, over that OF the Baltimore and Ohio road /:
the effect of which must be, if the plan | have
proposed is adopted, to cut off that formidable
and powerful rival to Virginia interests at the
knees and arrest It's further progress at Cumber-
land; rival, powerful for it's means, its public
spirit. lis energy, and the ability with which its
affairs have been conducted, and with which a.
lone we have TO contend for the trade and travel
OF The Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.
twIl not be amiss now TO contrast the atyaD.
tages OF this route with the other that is proposed
IN connection with the James River and Kanaw.
Sincc the above speech was prepared for the press
my attention has been directed to publication IN III,
stanton Spectator The 9TH ust ofcxracts taken from
The report oil MesSrs. Howard Long & McNcil in the
recognisance ana surveys made by them in 1929 re-
terence TO The extension Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, which establishes beyond all doubt, far as sur
Vcy aud report from professional and scientific men car
Gsiaoisn IT. not only that IS practicable TO construct
Railroad from Stanton to Covngton by jennings /;
not bujao Zap, but that IT is rot uniavorabc If u
BY no means adj anlarrnns locnfinn r,.I. -.