Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-02-22
Internal Improvement.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM LIEUT. NJ. +
MAUKY TO JOSEPH SEGAR, ESQ.
OBSERVATORY, WASHINGTON,
Oct, 4th. lS4S.

Dear Sir The communications to which you refer
in yours of the 10Th, probably letter to Captain
Dimmock, Mr.. Calhoun and another to the Hon.
L. Butler King of Georgia for have written nothing
else upon railroads. | send you copy OF MIR. King
report ON line of steamers to China, in the appendix
of which you will find my letter to him touching
railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific
My letter to Mr. Calhoun is upon the subject but
more in detail. 1t published in the last May
June No. Of Hunts Merchants Magazine 1t should
be read with the chart which accompanies Mr.. Kings
report.
The letter to Captain Dimmock published in cir
cuar form by those concerned in the Lynchburg and
Tennessee Railroad.
There are many reasons why these two improve
ments (the Lynchburg and Tennessee Railroad and a
railroad through the heart of the State to point
the Ohio should be undertaken by the State now.
These works are essential to a proper Development
of the Of the State and they necessary
to the permanent prosperity and the true greatness of
the Commonwealth and, unless they be undertaken
soon it will be late. These improvements, there
FORE are works of self defence it becomes the good
old State to bestir herself and push them with
ergy else make up her mind to be forever bound
hand and foot.
They are works of self defence to Der in this way
The chief seat OF wealth and power and greatness of
these L. States is to be beyond the mountains in the
valley of the West, and blessings to be showered
thence each of the Atlantic States, in proper
ton to its facility OF intercourse, means OF commnni-
cation and closeness of connection with that region.
Aware of this, and looking ahead, the States to the
North and South of Vrg straning every nerve
to connect themselves with that region, order to
troll the channels of trade and travel with it. New
York. Pennsyivah and Maryland, each, has construc-
ted or has in process of construction canals to the
Western waters, and each has since run railroads on
the banks of those canals great the desire and so
eager the intent to be in close connection with this
Nn1la No. kTnyr gov nrk NJ
moment, has, in actual operation, two Southern lines
of travel in opposition to that your Potomac,
Richmond and Petersburg Railroads? From Sandus
ky to Cincinnati there is railroad complete, all ex
cept nine miles. | was in New York the other day,
and found that travel to and from New Orleans and
Baltimore and Philadelphia, is beginning take this
route through New York and Ohio, in preference to
that the Virginia railroads, to Weldon |
gentleman from Mobile who had actually come that
route to get to Virginia
To stop this, Virginia has but to push railroad
CO nnexion through Tennessee to Memphis and
point the mouth of the Ohio This would turn
the whole tide of inland travel through her borders.
As for Pennsylvania and Maryland it is only neces-
sary to tap the Ohio with railroad below them to
head them off.
If this all, Virginia might afford to wait and
slumber on, for she would be sleeping giant still
But shackles already being prepared for her the
South and, if she stir not, they will be riveed
upon her. South Carolina with the Chattanooga rail-
road, is now III actual possession of the Western trade
that used to belong to Virginia.
From this view think you will agree with me, that
the Lynchburg and Tennessee Railroads. matter of
self defence, and pretty nearly life and death to the
old Commonwealth.
take it that the time is coming when railroad is
to be built from point somewhere the Mississippi
between Memphis and st. Louis, to California. In al
few years. time, California will join with the people of
the Valley, and they will compel the General Govern
to build this road say the road is to commence
at point between Memphis and St Louis because
there is the geographical centre of the States of the
Union A direct line from San Francisco, the best
harbor the Pacfcto Norfolk the best harbor the
Atlantic. passes very this centre. There have
BEEN and believe there yet Statesmen in Virgin
Ia far seeing anG keen-sighted enough to shape the
policy of the State with eye to the Mississippi and
Pacific Railroad.
Let any one, with the map of the United States
spread out before him, contemplate the coming IN