New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-24
Hudson River Railroat-Leirer from the In
gineer.

Hudson River RalIrolt-Letter from Inc LII
gineer.
10 tic Edlior Of The Daily G0je
sIE in your paper OF tie 18th instant is an az
ice containing my report on The projected
Hudson Rive. Railroad 1t appears editorial! though
strongly suspect had oher origin but tnaii= not
muteria the projected enterprise the essential matter
You have made quotation from nay report 10 show the
lnpednents that are 10 be overcome IL the consiFuc
tion of the proposed work That quotation will think
satisfy any impartial candid thai the difficulties OF
The enterprise were fairly and fully presented Such
DISSERTATIONS are not usually reports, when from
inax,erDce or other cause estimates are presented
much below the required 10 perform the WORK IL
il httle remarkable that my own language Anond De
quoted 20 show the difficulties. and to sustain tne hsser
ton that the work would cost double my own estimate
The description ths prelude and laid me oundauo
OF the estimate presume no instance can De iouli
sh.r.. an insufficient estimate has been accompanies
with fair and u.i expose and description OF me diI-
cuties to te encountered. Having taken my descfl
ton had right 10 expect you would oaVe TAKEN my
slinate Is The fair conclusion from the premises But
you have thought proper to multiply ~ Two without
giving any other than tina; estimates have been
known 10 be insufficient. To which might reply That
such were accompanied with just 81 Insufficient cescrp
go nj the work estimated for BUt all estimates DO
moi prove materially deficient when made oy cope
,rrt and experienced Eagneerswho nave proper sense
OF the responsibility OF such duty they have
.uuroXimalion TO actual cost IL j. ioI thc pGo.c ~
Judge whether nave the Capacity. experience anu H0e
~ necessary 10 present fair estimate. 60 then the
estimate is fair ore and the public may rely upon lis
accuracy and sufticiency for the work Canas nave
been constructed under ny directions, where dlfcues
quite as great those the Hudson River l'eHroha
nave been actually overcome and the improvements put
in successful operation a. COS! NOT exceeding Hs es
mate for grading the proposed Railroad am aware
that TO Inexperienced persons sucn works appear iorni
dable but those coAversant with mem, they nave
definite and well known character, and many instances
could be cited from the Improvements IA inls state
where eoual diiuties have been successfully encoun-
tered.
In regard to your structures presume you haze been
misinforncd for cannot suppose you have any dspos
lion to attack my report or throw impedmenEs IN the
way OF an enterprise which the public. ana especiay
this city, have deep interest will therefore enoeh-
discuss the subject IN way tha VII! present II IN
its true light
Ills proposed in my report That are to travel a.
the rate IS miles hour. the pracucaoty oil Whch
you question. Inc Harlem company PtoPo1e
30 miles per hour. and the same power Iequfcu
on their road with III, heavy grades and extensive curVa
- miles hour, VIA run over 80 mics al
hour the Hudson line MS 50 mics an nouI - He
proposed running speed. On the Liverpool aid London
road they run 20 miles and the Great Western III
England they run - miles an hour Srch sfeeu oehS
actually accomplished, rs daly business ANA! IL Lug
land is there any doubt we can accomplish ON MI eus'
~ good road speed Of 80 miles an hour We already
run 80 miles an hour lines less favorable as TO grade'
and curvature aud having ae-5 perfect structure thans
proposed for the Hudson line IAefe Is no speeuaNoH
In the proposition has i, been hastily presented nor
have least doubt that IS miles hour and even great
speed will be accomplished!
AS regards tho idea of Sliding down HILL youwill perhaps
he surprised TO that there is no inclination on the
line exceeding Il feet The Re not sufficient for car
10 without other power than its rraviation; While
the Harlem line there IS more than double the ncna
ton and double the liability 10 slide down NIL!
and Il corresponding difficulty 70 get uN hill.
The draw-bridges are regarded difficulty Have you
ever heard complaint OF the draws in the several roads
tina: run out OF Boston where uacble channels are cross
ed having In some or them ID 10 20 times tie use Of any
draw the Hudson line, OF the draws IN the Troy ana
Philadelphia roads Probably were not aware o tue
that the draws in the Hudson line are Tor Small eFeeAs
where The channel ebb tide IN general not over TWO 10
three deep, and the amount OF business done Is very
small (sone OF iAem do not pass vessel week. quite
unimportant when consider taetrade passing the draws
on other 80 doubt what is successfully done on
other roads can he done on this
You seem 10 think the Harom road Will DC completed IN
Two wears and that ii Will be good Stock sc. on this
pr; have only 10 saw that If such be the views OF the
Harlem Company good reason their attacking
the Hudson line They the start and they should
he satisfied with that.
A. ia the river towns they vii! probably assert and
maintain that they entitled 10 equal privileges with
other citizens and the rght TO improve thtir condition.
do not know the friends OF The Hudson line make any
opposition the Harlem, ard ii certainly adds nothing TO
the value the latter they manifest so much anxiety about
the Hudson line.
For myself have no objection 10 the Harlem Company,
and should inerfcrcd with except in
know something their lneey their own reports they
have grades IS feet while the Hudson line has none over
feet The same power that would transport lUo tons
on the Harlem line would carry l5S tons or % per cet
more the HUDSON line.
NIy estimate provides the gradin. for douole-track
IRON New-York Poughkeepsie, and single track thence
10 Albany with masonry extended Tor double rack wren
i; will be wanted it provides saperstEnc'ure lor ~ mics
of double track, ana the balance single track ms nave
estimated including depot land cars. &c at SoOOouu
which am SATISFIED eH be SUFFICIENT ior he no'a My
estimate or shows proft OF over per cent
believe This will be realized. The estimate Tor the WIN
trade will be considerably exceeded the rs' year 'e
road Is put In operation
The enterprise is highly important one 20 !s C''! au
stale The progress al Railroads clearly Indicate tha'
i great change must take place IN the course OF trace
Freight Will not remain four months IN the year station
AIRY. and business shut up while means oil easy COM
nnica,ion are in existence and if NewYurA expects 10
maintain her present commercial position she must pro-
vide Railroads well others The great lines Tor us
are the NewYork and Erie and the New-loTk and Al
bany and commercial cities are competitors ard
have entered the lists with this city, is OF great por-
10 us that the best lines in should be adopt;
ed examined this subject with much care IN leia-
ton 10 Il communication With Albany ana the western
Re ads and fully satisfied That the HUDSON River Line
is decidedly superior any other for the general trade
and that will have LEGAL business In ieuT months OF
the year than the Harlem Line will have IN Twelve In
this am confirmed by several Engineers OF The hsHes'
character and creates; experience in this country ~ Inc
same time do wish 10 throw any impeachment IN the
way OF the Harlem which may be made valuable I'M
provemen; this city and large interior district; nor
would have made any comparison with H. had MOI us
friends thought proper attack report on the Hudson
Line. 1t is IN vain 10. the Harlem Company 10 attempt
10 break down the Hudson River route Nature has drawn
The line with rger OF light the public interest demands
its immediate adoption. and such Railroad constructed
thereon as will successfully compete only with the
roads in other States. but with steamboats, on the river
submit The preceding remarks with great confidence,
believing your desire aid, and not 10 enbarras or
undervaue those Improvements that are calculated 10 De
highly beneficial 10 the public.
Respectfully, your ob't servt.
NV ogS, Feb 20, lS4s. JOHN 3. JERVls
LATER FROM HAYTI.-Papers have been received
in this City from Port au Prince TO toe ls instone OF
which LIE MGRittse communicates the information that
the brig Independence which hsd been purchased by