Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-07-30
VT. CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE d.
RECTORS.

road Company:
THE Board of Directors respectfully report, thai
they commenced the business of organization OF
| the 2}d Of July, 1915, and completed that part Of
! their duty by adopting bylaws, copy Of which
has been delivered to the clerk for tie use of the
| Stockholders.
AT that time, the amount of capital subscribed
was two millions, and the Board, under the author
ty given by the charter, resolved to increase the
capital stock to three millions, at the same time
authorizing the books to be kept OPEN and appoint
ing committee with power to employ agents to
receive subscriptions in Vermont. Until recently.
the Commissioners the Northern Railroad in New
York from Lake Champain to Ogdcns5urgh) have
been IN the Boston market soliciting subscriptions
to the stock of that company and their success be-
ing deemed Of great Importance to the interests Of
the Central road, by Establishing thus connoc-
ton between your road and the great Northern
Lakes, II was determined by your Directors to leave
the field in Boston, for a time, open to the friends
of the Ogdensburgh road, and to refrain from So
hcung additional subscriptions to the stock of the
Central road. The Committee, appointed to receive
new subscriptions in Vermont, did not think it
advisable to act until the final location of the road
was definitely settled. For these reasons, the ac-
cessons to the stock within the year have not been
large, and have come without solicitation. 1t gives
us pleasure to report that the Northern Railroad
Company lin New York; was organized in June
last under highly favorable auspices, and the way
may now be considered as open for completing the
subscriptions to the stock Of the Central Railroad
Company.
At the earliest period practicable, the Corps of
Engineers organized under the direction of S.
NJ. FELTON,, Esq, OF Charesown, Mass and they
proceeded at once to make the surveys required for
the final location Of the road, and the letting of con-
tracts.
In view of the probable extension of the road
from Burlington to Montreal at early period, it
became necessary TO examine the country in that
ntersec that line at the best point as well as to
meet the Ogdensburgh road. On the 2Sth of Au-
gust last examination of this route was ordered
by the Directors. The results of this examination
were highly favorable. That section of Vermont
was found densey peopled rich in agricultural and
mineral resources, and atOrding remarkable iaciii-
ties Tor the construction OF road, as well as
pie business to support it when built. The Com
mittee Of this Board who visited Montreal, in re-
laton to extending this project to that place, re-
ceiyed strong assurances of Il hearty cooperation
in Monlreal-and we confidently anticipate that
ere long this part OF the enterprise will be happily
consummated. A distinct charter being preferred
by the friends of that road one was asked and OBJ
tanned from the Legislature Of Vermont at their
last session, by the style Of The Fremont and Can
ada Rdiiroad Company"
Notice given, on the LIST of October last
that the Board would proceed on the 10th of that
month to locate the road--and that proposals for
grading would be received from the 25th Of that
month until the 9Th Of November. The Board met
ON the day proposed, and on the lcth OF October
commenced making the location, from point near
Chase's Island in Windsor;-and on the 9TH of No
vembcr they completed the location as far as Bur-
lington with the exception Of the portion between
Montpelier and Royaton, upon which portion there
were two llnes,-one, known as the Gulf line"
and the other as the Mortified line"
The Board did not feel authorized to act finally
upon so important Il question the location Of
nearly one third Of their whole line, without the
most mature dellberation and with this view. eX-
amnatlons were made Of both the rival routes by
the Engineers, and their reports were all in favor
Of tn NcrIrield route. But such was the inter.
est manifested by the people on the Gulf route
that the Board ordered more critical survey of
these routes to be made and from the most ciub-
rate examinations by the Engineers, and second
report the conclusion was irresistible, that the
Northted route was the true route for the interest
Of the stockholders and Of the public nasmuch as
that was remarkably favorable route, presenting
no bad points, and the Gulf route was extremely
difficult to construct, through the Gulf and inyoy-
ing an enormous expenditure, to ensure safe and
permanent road, at that point. The reports of the
Engineer, upon the two surveys, are herewith sub
mtted, from which it will be seen, that the second
and most thorough survey being conducted more
in detaill developed difficulties on the Gull route
that the first survey did not discover
The question OF these rival routes having been
at last decided in favor Of the Mortified line the
Engineers proceeded to make the final locations of
the remaining part of the road and it is believed
that no better route, in every respect can be found
in the country. For the character of the route.
the material and the grades and curves, we would
refer you to the Engineers report" upon that sub
jcct which is also herewith submitted
The time for receiving proposals for the grading
OF the road having EXPIRED the bids were referred
ain January last the duty of experimenting the building
the road confded j. c, CHTsBno' EngneeT-Nt FEL
Ton Continuing to act as Consulting Engineer