Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-17
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PROJECTED RAILROAD FROM ALEX
ANDRIA TO HARPER's FERRY.

i
/ The importance Of this enterprise cannot BE-
too highly recommended to the favorable con
sideration Of the citizens Of Alexandra, anc
the country on the south bank of the Potomac
through which il must pass Men o. greal
experience IN matters oil internal improvement
regard this as the best unoccupied ground fol
railroad in the Old Dominion. II recon-
rnends itself on account Of its feasibility, utIli
", and useful results. beyond anr scheme o.
! the kind now in contemplation south o! the
| Potomac.
Wlihou: knowing the precise character o.
the ground over which it would pass, il is
presumed that road of easy graduation and
curvature can be constructed along the valley
of the Potomac, and az very moderate ex-
pense, probably not exceeding Il 600 OF sl2.-
900 per mile. and this for road TO be made
Of U rail Of from As TO so lbs.. to the yard
/ 1t is thought the gradients need no instance
exceed IS feet rise per mile, and that sur
/ face inclining all the way towards Alexandra
may be obtained--similar to the road between
4 Philadelphia and louisville. which is the only
road in America successfully competing with
canal for the transit of heavy tonnage. These
are features Of great importance in consider
| ing the useful effect Of such work.
| A glance at the map OF Virginia must con
vince the most casual observer that such a
work would be of great utility, connecting, as
it would, Alexandra with the valley of Vir-
glnia, the great agricultural and mineral re-
gion in the north-wes; Of the State, and uti-
mately the Ohio valley itself, thus placing
Alexandra in a position. with respect 10 the
west and to the ocean. inferior TO no city in
the Union. And whilst the State of Virginia
might Withhold from the rival city Of Baltimore
the right of way TO construct It's railroad
through north western Virginia, 10 strike the
the Ohio as low down as Parkersburg, she
might be willing TO grant this rlghtto her own
CITY of Alexandra.
Speculations as regard the prosperity that
would certainly follow such an enterprise, are
useless. A great deal of ink might be shed in
parading all its advantages Past experience,
and results already obtained under circum-
stances of a similar or even less promising
character, will lead US inevitably 10 the con-
clusion that this work would not only very
soon pay for itself, but must add value 10 eve
nv interest with which II has connecticut
Manufacturing capital must be arawn here,
because o. the increased demand for machine
ry. All productive industry as well as COM
rnerce, must thrive and look up, whilst more
extended circulation and business is built up
for the banks and banking capital Of the city;
all which must produce a rise in property,
both in the city, and through the interior.
1t is unnecessary for US TO seek aid from
our northern neighbors--we can do the work
ourselves. We can construct it through our
own property, with our own labor and mate
rails. What is the difficulty2 Why 5aga-
telle, if we will only consider il so. Say one
million of dollars is TO be raised in three years
at the end of which time every dollar Of il
pays an interest of from to 10 per cent
Well. how are we to raise III In the fist
place, the State of Virginia will take two
fifths, if individuals will take the other three
6fths of stock Every individual in the city,
and the district through which the work will
pass, is vitality interested. The farmer, the
planter, the property holder, the merchant,
the mechanic, the banks, the corporation, the
manufacturer, all interest must combine
We must put our sholders 20 the wheel. and
we will succeed, as they have done in Phila-
delphla, in raising FIVE millions TO construct
their railroad 10 Pittsburg. Now is the time
for mastery activity. We can make the road
without any aid from abroad. We have but
TO commence al once.
ALEXANDRIA,