Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-06-18
The Ogdensburgh Road.
For the Free Press.

Mr.. CLARKE In my last communication reFfieu ,
particularly to some Of the more important errors oil
Mr. Hayward when he decided upon route so Tar to
the north Leaving that route for the present out oil
the question: is proposed to speak oil another WHICH,
in the opinion of some is far more desirable, and
which, il investigated imparally, will be found to
harmonize much better with public interest. however
much it may seem to clash with the local or indvid-
ual interests 1t is too often the in the construc-
ton of any public work OF this kind, that the local and
private interest of small section, or Of certain
individuals, has more than its proportion Of influence
to the detriment of the common interests Of the COM
munity 1t will not be our object to NEEDLE in the
petty striles that have arisen, may arise, between
the villages upon Lake Champaign, which are quarrel
ling for the terminus of the read for the interests OF
Port Kent Plasburgh Rosse's Point of but lit
tie importance to the public 1t is now some years
since this rail road has been before the public 1t has
been discussed in form, and every thing has
been Obtained which seemed necessary to set lie the
question, except actual information in regard to the
geography and resources of the country 1t is aston
ishing to how little is known by most upon these
points; and this not only by people in general, but by
the engineers who have been out to explore these
routes. They have in most been sent to the
ground from abroad and been forced to colec, inior
nation from those who know little nothing Of the
country they wish explore. An engineer, before he
can decide upon the location Of this road mus, be
well acquainted with the general features of the
try; then by his explorations he make himself
familiar with oil the particular features requisite to set
tie the point Of feasibility. So far as can learn, am
not aware that single engineer, who has been
ployed explore this region, has ever extended his
, explorations through the interior to what nigh,
there be found. II DEPRESSION like Mr.. Hnyward's Is
ltna .I and that ,t li,, IL
wished to have traversed, why would i, not be the
part Of wisdom to make further investigation in this
unexpored region, and see if by any possibility, by
curng far to the south he did to the north, the
road could not be made penetrate the Of the
State, and thus open from state of nature a region
Il rich in treasures Of timber and ironl
: 1t has been the general impression that the whole
i surface of Northern New York south Of the route
veyed by Mr. Hayward is broken by ranges Of noun
tains which render the construction of n railroad or
IL canal impossible So far is this from being the
y that mountains Of any magnitude found north
of line drawn from Oswego Lake Ontario to Port
= Kent OH Lake Champaign The whole interior of the
T. State consists Of Land, which is from 1000 to
= 1900 feet above the lakes, and which contains the
greatest amount of its natural resources The descent
~ from this the west, north and east into the valleys
ID Of the ST. Lawrence and Chnmplan is very moderat,
and UNIFORM when taken along the course OF any OF it
n streams. When approached upon courses at RICH
" angles to the streams, the grades OF railroad will b
he found to be somewhat more difficult remarkable
he valley extends quite the State from the mouth
" An Sable River to Black River forming through
" its whole extent, the lowest depression for rail
road in that direction This valley seems to be no les
IL favorable for road this account than for its uni
formity of direction and its central position. Th.
l., I..J
through the country and the only one which wi
NJ, reach the almost unbounded natural products of Il,
interior This, too, will best satisfy both public an
private interest," for the way business OF the road wi
Ill be very much increased, while the amour,
n through business will be secured, and in addition
lat large tract of fertile land brought into market for ayr
he cultural purposes.
1t is plain that this interior portion must be render,
les accessible to the railroad in way, either
,a shifting the contemplated western terminus Ogden
burgh TO some point much further TO the south al
&c" enter the valley by way Of the Black River, s,a
I'm ing at Ogdensborgh to pursue course considerat
ud TO the south until the valley is tapped at some adva
st ageous point upon the summit where it will interse
on. the route of the contemplated rail road and slack
d ter navigation from the mouth OF Moose River TO La
0' Champain at Port Kent. The necessity of curvi
ISL H. 1T % &C.,, ,h;s ;,,,,,;o, ;,s.,1 -, c,uo;
H. down the ST. Lawrence River to the foot OF La
ned Champain, will be seen without argument Assn
uld ing then, in the frs, place, las TO have be
ur. dohe) 'ha' osde"sou'en Is !" DC the western er
d it is only necessary form the intersection spoken
before. To do this, the old be followed
''' Potsdam, from which take southeaserly direct
ON between the north and south routes formerly $
UGH veyed but the latter, and enter the valley
Ugh Saranac at or near Union Falls, thence
of some what elevated land the Forks of the Au SAT
h. and follow the river to Lake Champlain This, W
some variation, corresponds with the south route
~" surveyed some years since by Mr.. Casey which v
Ter abandoned account OF the high grades encounte
upon that portion OF it lying between the Saranac
Au Sable Rivers
The grade Of nearly 100 feet per mile, which
Casey found in attaining his summit between tn
,co- streams formidable obstacle, and of course
hip- the time decided the impraccabilty of that ro
and This route at that time acknowledged to hav
orr decided advantage over all others in every thing
grades at this point and would without doubt
=, been decided upon had it been for these gra
Wv Withou, stopping to call in question Mr. Caseys ca
inc biy detect the features OF REGION whetl er su
are BILE or not for the construction of a rail road we
of only remark that when that survey made. Il
tho were persons residing in that section upon wi
Judgment We could rely who were not satisfied
u''e the hurried in which it was prosecuted
nose that important, but difficult portion OF the route.
the objections of those gentlemen treated with
little respect. and the fate Of that route was consid
I of a. settled These remarks not made to depree
stin. Mr. Caseys character engineer ior rom
eral- '"'ns we know 70 ''e contrary w h.. r.rd
a.. profession. Many circumstances might nave en'
"e it necessary 60 that section IN the mahne
"oW' did.
'ang Since that survey several attempts have been
uiar to explore again that portion OF the route where
spite high grades occurred but nothing decisive was
at il till last May, when survey was made, as
he ia ders,and by gentleman from your village.
I. learned from good authority that he found by S
deviation from Mr. Casey's line much more iay
ever bic route for road The summit was found 20C
these lower than Mr.. Caseys which reduced his grad
are about ~ feet per mile TO within 50 feet per mi
be- grade that is practicable for doing an immense
has ness. A grade no higher than this should for
IN os obstacle when the advantages be secured a
r Al