Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-09-08
FROM THE RICHMOND REPUBLICAN,
THE LOUISA RAILROAD.
TO the Citizens of Richmond, and the StockhoId.
GrS of the Louisa Railroad.


very interesting question is soon to be decided
as to the direction in which this road is TO be ex
Tended. The competing routes are by the way of
Sianardsville to Powell's Gap, and by way of har
ottesvile to Rockfish Both routes are practice
BILE, but ii is not my purpose to discuss their relative
advantages IN respect to the facility of continuing
the road. That question must he settled by the
reports OF scientific engineers, and with the lights
now before the public, any opinion which any one
might hazard would be entitled to but little WEIGHT
MY purpose is to call the attention of the GOOD
people OF Richmond to few considerations which
ought not to be overlooked in making up their minds
on the subject
Among the disadvantages of the Northern ,oute
are the following:
LIST. When you get to Powell's Gap, there is no
good wagon road to connect with the Railroad. and
consequently that portion of the road above Cor
louisville will afford but little present accommoda-
ton to either the trade or travel. PASSENGERS 90
ing westward must still get off at Gordonsville to
take the stage-line by way of Charlottesville.
<. when you get to POwell's Gap, it is conce-
ded on all hands, that unless the State will consent
10 tunnel the mountain on State account the expen-
dlture above Gordonsville will be, comparatiyely
speaking, thrown away. Now, the inquiry arises.
VIII the state tunnel the ridge on its own account
All familiar with the Legislative history of VIRGINIA
VIII admit that 1t is at least very doubtful Is it
prudent, then, to make so large an expenditure.
when lis Productiveness will depend on 50 remote
a contingency
8. III you have the mountain tunnelei on State
account, and preserve the same line of direction
you VIII nave to cross the Shenandoah river, and
either tunnel the Massanutten mountain. or on nm
the river in Southern direction. to oct around the
mountain, and then bend back northwardly. cross
ing hllly, ridgy country, to Harrisonburg. And
when you reach 11arrIsonburg, how are YOU to oct
along HE North mountain stares YOU in the
race WIN Its two gaps-Dry riUer and Briery
Dranch-both much worse than Rockfsh Gap, be.
ing some eight or ten miles from base to base =
There Is no sensible man in Rockingham who
would say tnat the road ought to pass in either of
these directions. What, then, remains for the
company? The only alternative is to defect from
the original line, to the South so as to pass through
Jennings Gap, or still farther South, through Buff
iaIo zap. If 1t had been necessary, | might also
have ad'erted to the difficulties arising from the
mountains upon mountains which lie west of Briery
branch and DRY river Gaps, and TO the comparative
serity OF The country with the exception of strip
OF rich alluvlal soil, here and there along the water
courses.
a. After having made the elbow in the line of
tne road, 10 get to Harrisonburg, what is accom-
pllshed by ltl DO you gain much additional trade
or travel? Let a few facts answer the question
from iiarrlsonburg to Winchester is 81 miles, and
iroih the lower end of Rockingham to Winchester
Is ABOUT ~ miles, and there is a good McAdam
turnpike. Does any man in his senses believe that
.he people from the lower end of Rockingham will
turn up the Valley, and wagon their produce some
10 OF ~ miles to get it on the Railroad to be sent
near LOU miles TO Richmond, when by hauling it
~ niles they can get 1t to Winchester, large
Town, where they can buy their groceries. SC. q
What' then, do You gain e All you can expect, is
.ie trade oil the central and upper parts of Rocking
NAM But do you really gam tl,at2 BY no means:
lor large portion of that trade now goes to Rich
mond by ScOtSyille and charlottesville and IL the
Railroad were TO be made to Rockfish Gan. all of
1t would Concentrate there
D. But how would it be with the travel2 Take
me road to HarrSonburg and you draw all the trav
ell from the West and Southwest down the Valley
to HarrSonbuTg, TO get it on the Railroad. When
me passengers get there, they will find they are
within bI miles of Winchester, with a deli1htGpI
McAdam road TO travel ever, and thew are about
!3O or 40 miles from Richmond by Railroad =
Which route would those roinp to the North t,Le 2
would they go directly TO Winchester in coaches
OF would they go to IaylOrsville or Richmond. and
thence by Fredericksburg and Washington 10 Raj
tmore. laPprehend there can be but little dificnI-
ty in answering that question.
D. but again: Take the road to Harrisonburp.
ana can Richmond expect 10 prevent union be-
tween the Winchester road and the contemplated
Ioad Is 1t not obvious that this is what Harrison
ourg is aiming atl Bring the road to Harrisonburg,
ana no power on earth prevent the extension OF
lhe winchester road to that point Public opinion
VII force 1t through. There is something so re-
pulsve in the idea of Rchmond's monopolizing ey-
Fry thing at the expense Of every other town in the
State, that enemies will spring UP in all quarters
Winchester has claims on the States support as
we'll as Richmond. Why should she be crushed to
swell the prosperity of her great rival? The halls
If legislation win be beseiged until members will
DC compelled TO listen to the demands OF the people
or ifa charter were refused, the right of way |
,ould be bought, and road constructed even with
mt charter, which would draw off the travel
How, then, would Richmond and the Louisa Road
and2