Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-23
FROM OUR NEW YORK coRREsPoNDENr.
PohrIAkp, (Mk.l sErr. ls, ls4s.

PohTLASD, (MS.) SEPr. ls, 1s4s.
After couple Of weeks of wandering further north and
east am at last in this pleasant capital Of the spine
Saethe State of mountains rivers and water falls of in
Vulnerable lakes and ponds the State whose bays, harbor
and naygabe rivers together with lis bound strand
make up line of of more than fifteen hundred miles
Maine can hardly fail to become leading State of the Amer
lean Union Her extent Of territory, and her commercial and
manufacturing capabilities, will ensure her that prominence.
Her northern position is rather unavorabe general agr
culture but as grazing country she is not surpassed
haps by any other State Governor HILL, of New Hamp-
hre in some recent publications Of the statistics and
OF Aane gives her prospective rank in wealth. power and
influence second only the State Of New York and he
probably not far out ofthe way his estimate. Maine builds
more vessels than any other State and from her great
OF seaboad and her habos and rivers she is des-
tined to carry on extensive Her manuactur-
ing interests are now rapidly increasing, and her facilities and
advantages for extensive manufactures not surpassed by
any other Sate But what will probably contribute
than any thing else to develop her resources and give rapid
growth to the State the grand system Of railroads which she
has planned and is beginning build Already Portland is
connected with Boston by two lines Of railroad the Portland
and Montreal railroad, otherwise called the Atlantic and St.
Lawrence road Is going pospeousy, and WILL doubtless
be completed In few years. and central State road branch
ing OIL from the Montreal road twenty-five thirty miles
from Portland and running eastward the Kennebec
river at Waterve and the Penobscot at Bangor project
ed and will probably be built distant day. railroad
from Bath, through Brunswick Freepor, and North Var
mouh to Portland, connect with the Montreal road at
North Yarmouth, is in such Of forwardness as to he
likely be opened the coming winter. They were putting
down the rails between Bath and Brunswick last week.
Besides the Montreal road and the central State road seye
raj branches already projected and others in due time
will be- to different sections Of the State with the
principal roads, To construct these works of course re-
qure large capital than the State very we'll furnish
at present Buth capital will be found in reasonable time
and the roads will be built and for quarter Of century to
come Maine will be found to increase in manufactures COM
merce wealth, and power, with rapidly often exceeded
in this rapidly growing country. have already had ride Of
ten miles the Portland and Montreal nroad for the cars
regularly that distance between Portland and North
Yarmouth several times day. and for hedistance are doing
good business In the Of the preent week they will
run eight miles further to the town Of New Glouces-
ter; and before cold weather they viii probably reach Lewis
ton, and perhaps Mechanic Falls, both Of which already
places of considerable manufacturing importance.
Lest this road should be retarded for funds the city
Of Portland, which deeply interested construction has
obtained permission from State Legislature and will raise
million of dollars the credit of the city towards building
the road The Montreal people jealousy work on their
end of the line and expecting aid rom their Legis
lature towards the completion Of their portion Of the road
The Portland and Montreal railroad the most important
road yet commenced in the country the New York
and Erie railroad II must become the great thoroughare
through which tie Canadas and considerable portion Of the
lake country viii find their way the Atlantic and Europe
The distance will be about hundred miles less to Europe
than would be by the way of Boston, half being saved on
the land and hal the and the moment this railroad
completed Inc of steam packets will be established to run
between Portland and Liverpool Portland has an excellent
harbor, and nothing prevent from becoming place Of
good deal Of commercial Importance must say something
about this beautifully located city in another communication