Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-06
louisa RAILROAD.

To the Editors of The Enquirer
Gentlemen. AS a farmer, am rejoiced 10 see 'hd'
The peope West of The Ridge are manifesslng so"i0
interest in the extension OF the Louisa n'"1
The Eastern base. II is proposed 10 ho'u I" eon
ven,on al Slaunton, believe, and II IS a very
suitable place. on account OF The convenience " y.
access There are many persons ANXIOUS 70
have this work extended, who shrink from Inc y.
necessary effort for fear OF some anticipated am.
cuties. A heartess, hesitating, Irresoiue spun
never accommodates any thing; on the contrary
nerseverine energy and industry never fall uiu-
maIelv 10 Jain their end We have every reason
- believe Thai The Legislature will do whatever
l. r;ob, and The only question is, will The farming
;n,eres, and the commercial interest IN hicn-
mond do wha, their interest plainly dictates
Al present Virginia railroads are charging iass 60
too high for their own interest," as WEI, d. .na. "
farmers, bu, the spread OF light ana lhe ausane.
OF truth are irresistible, and The DAY Is NJ. u'sa L
when they will profit by The experience u VIC
North and reduce their rates
Although appeals might be made TO Virginia
nr;de thai would no, be altogether inappropriate,
70 onicken their laggard pace, and not permit
evely Stale in the Union 10 outstrip her IN me
achievement of public good, yet know that II
Il arr nsres, al last which decides our action, and
- ,ha, desire 10 address myself. Will mol the
r,,o,ers and the merchants OF Richmond, raise
The NECESSARY means to extend this road so as 10
ce, a fair share Of the trade OF The Valley !
lrusl they will Whilst there is almost certain
~ that The stock would yield far better interest
than funds ordinarily invested in land, &C, yel'
what desire The farmer TO consider Is, that I'D
The most unfavorabe result, without any diyi-
dend il is The true interest Of The grower OF wheat,
nork butter, clover-seed, &C.. &C., 10 contribute
ralably. according 10 their means, with view oi
cheapenine the cost OF transportation.
AS have not time nor talent for long essays,
will lake The single article of flour, on which
each farmer may calculate what his saving
would be. II the investment OF 81 GOO enables
The farmer TO get his produce 10 market for 500
less than he did, he is as well paid as II ne gol an
interest of ego on that sum loaned ont. suppose
the road extended 10 The Eastern base, take il
for granted that good road or roads would con-
nect il with the turnpike from SlauDion 10 WIN
chester; and, then, believe that 81 900 bbls. Of
Aour al The lowest calculation weud be carried
from the mountain depot, if the freight was pu
AT proper scale. As | have remarked above
The most valuable experience has proven that il
enough of The article is offered for transportation
proft may be made by much lower rates than
most roads in Virginia charge. | will suppose
| that 30 cents IS charged from The Eastern base
land j, could no doubt be carried as low as 81
cen,s;) but al 40 cents a Dbl there would be q
saving OF something like GO cents OF the presen
cost. Taking that as a basis for calculation, eve
~ man who has 10 bbls. OF flour Tor marke
| could afford to take one share, and, without dvi
dends, The saving would be 6 per cent. interest
The people Of Augusta, Rockingham, Page
Pendleon, Bath, &C.. &C., know, are intelligent
and capable OF approaching The value OF any ar
gumen addressed 10 them: ! ask them 10 max
calculations OF The probable saving in the cost Q
transportation on the various products OF lhe
country have singled out one, and assumed
as a basis for calculation that il might be carried
at forty cents from The sase OF The ridge 10 Rich
mond, which is about tour cents per ton pc
mile. / am informed on good authority, lha
some OF the Northern roads make profit a
less than Two cents per ton mile. Let US, then
make an effort TO extend the benefits OF railroad
transportation TO THE VALLEY.