Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-10-29
FOR THE SPECTATOR.

MR. EDIToR,-Ihe citizens of Augusta who are
In the habit of reading the Spectator will doubtless
recollect that some time in the month of May, l.,
through the medium of that paper, proposed to them
to suspend their efforts for a McAdamized road to
ScottsvIle until 1t could be ascertained whether or
not nearer, more level, and cheaper road can he
made to Howardsville. They will also recollect
that gave 1t as my opinion that the distance to
fiowardsvllle would not be more than 40 miles, nor
the grade more than four degrees. With view
10 proceed Understandings, and not to deceive my
SELF or others, have measured and graded the route
from Howardsville to Staunton, and find the dis
lance to be 43a miles, and at no point more than
three degrees.
There are from Howardsville to the foot of the
Blue Ridge in Nelson Ga distance of 90 miles, only
three miles and $50 poles of three degrees road;
the whole OF the balance being level under three
degrees-across the Ridge Ga distance of g. miles,)
1t is three degrees, except about mle which is
below three degrees-from the foot of the Ridge in
Augusta TO Staunton GA miles, there is not more
than one mile OF three degrees road the balance be-
Ing level or under three degrees In addition to
the above advantages let it be remembered that
from the foot of the Ridge in Augusta to Howards-
vile, at no point, would materials for Matchmaking
be to carry one mile, and generally they are imne-
diately In place. With these prominent advanta-
geS In favor of Howardsvile can any one for a mo-
ment hesitate 10 petition the Legislature to send
competent engineer to make survey and report Of
the IloWdfdSVille route; and II my survey Is pro-
ven to be correct by said engineer, then to make
McAdamized road thereon. As a further induce
ment to the citizens ST Augusta let say to them,
that there is a law authorizing company to make
a turnpike road from Howardsvllle 13s miles up
Rocltiish river, the books opened and $1,000 Of
stock taken and the work will be commenced the
first of next year, and the charter will be extended
TO the fork OF that river, 20 miles above Howards
vile. Thus you see are in earnest Now let
me ask you to cooperate with us in this work
which will be OF mutual benefit to us and Won and
be an indssoluble link TO bind the great Valley Of
Virginia TO the James river country, with bands
that cannot be broken. | had fondy hoped until
within the last few weeks that you would in solid
PhalanX unite with us, but see from proceedings
lately had in Staunton and other quarters that ano-
ther scheme has taken hold Of the minds Of some Of
you: mean the extension of the Louisa railroad
10 otaunton. ] wonder if the most sanguine friend
OF mat scheme expects to live to sec that road ex-
lehded to SauntoD, or does he suppose it will ever
reach that point2 If The does, my Judgment for it.,
he viii find himself wofuily mistaken. He may
hope for it, and have doubt the people East OF
the Blue Ridge will manifest much zeal for it but,
unless ] am much mistaken, there is not one man
IN twenty below the Ridge who expects il will
ever cross the mountain. They want it to reach
the mountain. and would not care il it would pass
over. They, by their representatives, will be at
Stanton on the 30th of October. and will tell yOu
many fine things about it, The Charlottesville
delegation viii tell YOU it ought, by al! means, 10