State journal & flag., 1846-10-23
VOLUME 3.
Rail Roads.

ne suDJolneo paragraph, from IeueT
written by Mr.. Gadsden, President Of the
South Carolina Rail Road Company-and
published in the Charleston pupers-Pre.
sents bold picture of the growing prosper
ity promised to Charleston, by the various
lines oflroads, connecting that city with
the interior country and, also, the BEN
eft the interior will derive from its con.
nection with the sea board. North and
East Alabama may compete successfully
with East Tennessee, or Kentucky, in sup
plying Charleston with flour, and the other
articles of consumption, of which Mr.. G,
speaks, both for home use, and expectation:
"Chareston is one of the best markets for
grain in the United States. 1t derives all its
supply for consumption from Philadelphia, Bal
timore, Richmond and North-C Carolina ; and
when the measure of compensation was filled,
it would be found the most favorable point to
ship from, not only for South-America and the
West Indies, but for Europe. There is no es-
timating the commercial prosperity of Charles
ton. Ifwhat is called Western produce and
meats could be articles of export as we'll as Cote
Toll dn0 hlC6-u OuI 1Ul6TlOT Gull pfpuuCC tUt55
to the same advantage as the more remote
points, It's beneficial and fructifying influences
would be felt as strongly in that quarter as on
the seaboard. Such would be the fruits of a
Rail Road to Greenville, and which, if once
constructed that far, would soon penetrate be-
yond TO the verge of East Tennessee, if not 10
Kentucky"
In another part of his letter Mr.. Gads-
den remarks" The pine region between
Charleston and Branchvile would not once
betaken as gift from 2 to cents was
considered good price anterior to the con-
struction OF the South Carolina Rail Road.
Now, lands on that line are from so cents
to 81 SO per acre, and every pine knot has
its value."
We would be glad to see the intelligence
OF Alabama directed to similar subjects.
Four lines of communication could be
constructed, in this State, which would,
doubtless, effect as much for its prosperity,
as the Rail Roads of South Carolina and
Georgia will for the prosperity of Charles
ton. A line through North Alabama 10 the
Double Springs, or to Gadsden-a line con.
Meeting Montgomery with the Georgia Rail
Road at Atlanla-a line connecting Tus-
caloosa with Gadsden--and line connect
ing Montgomery with the Gulf, at Mobile,
would give incalculabe impulse to the in
dustry of the State and develope her vast
resources, now lying dormant in the soil,
and in the bowels Of the earth. Tae two
lines of communication first named will be
completed, before many years pass away.
The people of North, and East Alabama,
are now receiving large shipments Of goods,
from New York and other eastern cities,
by way of the Charleston and Georgia Rail
Roads. Huntsville is brought within four
and half days of the National metropolis;
and the people, in, the eastern corner Of this
State--of Cherokee, De Kalb, Benton, and
other counties--are enjoying the same ad-
vantage. Planters who have, heretofore. at
great risk, transported their cotton in flat
boats down the Coosa. to Mobile, from
points as high up as Rome, are now sending
it by rapid conveyance to Charleston,
where they find a ready market, and better
prices than can, usually, be obtained in our
commercial metropolis. 1t is estimated, by
Capt. Lafe:ty, commander of the steamer
plying between Gadsden and Rome, tina.
he will carry from the Coosa. during the
present seas on, 10000 bales Of cotton.
This trade Mobile looses and her loss will
continue TO increase until rail road is
constructed from thence to Montgomery.
This would secure to Mobile the trode Of
Middle Alabama and would make her a
thorougfare for the travel from, and to.
New Orleans, Galveston, and other cite S
in that section of the Union.
The period is not far distant when his
subject of rail road communication in Ala.
bama, will be forced upon public attention.
We are surrounded by circumstances which
will compel our public men to look about
them for The means of developing the re-
sources oil the State--and there can be no
other plan devised which will produce, and
secure in perpetuity, so great degree Of
public prosperity to the State.