The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-07

same euuoh mey FURNISH M bup-cHpcIs sfofts'
Ohio Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, and,
towards the sources Of the Missouri and Missssip.
p; for after that period i is unsafe to send produce
North, in the direction OF, Boston, New York, Phil
BY this line is its continuity There is no necessity
laden at the falls Of ST Anthony Of Council Bluff dis
Norfolk The extent and fertility Of the region through
which this work pass, sunsupassed by any accessible
country within the territories Of the United States sa-
ing into and resting upon the Ohio and Mississippi will
bring from the remote interior. which in every direction
ysh ds sa 4owns through the heart q
the Commonwealth. The trade in Indian corn, which
has recently sprung up, and is increasing with such sur
almost monopozed BY this line, and viii Of ITSELF pres
emily, build up and sustain great city Norfolk must
be the point for its shipment for can reach there and
be sent away without the injury which it is sure to sus
tain from detention at the more southern points, Indeed
this line will monopolze, in great measure the trans
poration Of all the principal articles Of food which are
Atlantic States and in Europe. Ills fact universally
known that provisions of every kind suffer injury from
the climate during their transit by New Orleans and
We have seen what the commerce OF the lakes has
done for the States Of Massachusetts, and New Yo!ki
but the country which supplies sinks into comparative
nsgnifcance when looked al by the side OF that have
just described These are some probably the most strk
ing, but only very few, of the reasons which present
to TIE mind IN behalf q inns great enterprise
earnestly recommend the steady energetic prosecution OF
the work TO its completion.
the central line accompshes all that is necessary that
be effected for the country through which il passes
The Louisa railroad is vending its way slowly but most
certainly to the banks of the Ohio The Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. together with the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal provides northern border with every facility
of transportation to market.
II has been frequently proposed, and very strongly
urged to construct railroad from some point this
side OF the Blue Ridge to the Ohio river at Pakersburg
1t would seem If even handed justice required from
the legislature for that extensive fertile and prosperous
country between northern line and the central canal
an Improvement which would penetrate and pass through
it about midway | would advise the examination OF
this route by competent engineers, TO ascertain its FEAST
biity and its advantages H. upon full information, this
work should be determined upon and carried out, then
four grand lines Of Improvement passing from the west
em limits of the State eastward across the Blue Ridge,
would pour the rich tides OF that really fine country into
the tide cities, and would unite in common and
familiar brotherhood the Inhabitants OF all "he grand
would be no divisions and instead OF the senseess leal
ousy which now exists one common interest, as one
common Paren.age and glory wGu ~ un,Ie mem ID sa
and prosperity OF all
Another connection between the idewater of Virginia
and the Ohio river by means OF railroad has been set
tied on in the public mind; nor will il be abandoned until
the work is completed Its importance, one familiar
with the results most likely to accrue from il will doubt
feasibility has Deem demonstrated Oy suTveySt
and the only question still in doubt OF material moment
to the project Is at what point the OHIO nver shabe
reached.
In determining this proper regard must be had to the
chartered rights already secured to other companies, and
care be taken TO prevent rivalry between the works,
which might endanger the complete success OF either.
This great object can be attained, in my opinion by
ecng Louisville in Kentucky, as the western terminus
for the road and II is OF no moment whether this road
be branch Of the Virginia and Tennessee railroad the
vile road, crossing through Manassas gap and passing
thence westward TO the proposed point The route Is ae
cessibe 10 each and will N my opinion, amply re%une;
unite in the work. and depend for their profit upon The
respective branches connecting with the main trunk,
construction OF railroad from tide water to Louisville
upon this route has been favorte idea with me for
many years, and am sure is one which will challenge
the appreciation OF all rejecting men who will take the
trouble to investigate the subject.
The surveys OF competent engineers have shown that
Covngton is OF easy access from hde-waer. From
thence to Louisville, although engineer has surveyed
it, venture the opinion route of easy accom-
pshment than any other now proposed, lying between
The northern boundary Of New York and the valley Of
Tennessee. The great barrier OF the Allegheny is upon
this line in the county OF Monroe depressed into gen.
tie ascent scarcely percepibe 10 traveller on horse
back The nsurmountable obstacle which ths Cumber-
tween Virginia and Kentucky al the head OF the
Sandy river, in the county OF Tazewe into low and
narrow ridge The residue OF the line TO Lexington,
Kentucky, lies along easy and accessible valleys and
plains From Coyington 10 the Kentucky line is less
Than $50 miles and the distance from thence TO Lexng.
ton in still shorter. So that, when the united efforts OF
Virginia and Kentucky shall have accomplished the con-
strucon OF less than three hundred miles Of railroad, the
falls OF Ohio and the falls OF James river will be united
by railroad and canal in bonds OF eternal fellowship
The advantages OF connexon al Louisville are nu.
merous and very striking The navigation OF the river
below that point is seldom, for any length OF time i'm
peded BY ice in winter or the drought OF summer and fall
Not so above With this connexon, the merchandise
intended for the winter and early spring supplies OF very
large portion OF the West would most certainly be dis
northern cities by this unimpeded southern route, while
the water communication at the North would have been
closed, remain for months afterwards Nor isthere
any railroad north OF which could compete success
fully with this combined water line and railroad IN the
OF merchandise or produce The dmin-
isbed distance and the mild climate must settle in our
favor beyond doubt, the question OF competition But
very short in the great chain, oil which II will GER
tanly form part stretching from the Atlantic ocean to
the shores OF the Pacific The energy OF the American
people is aroused the subject OF this worx, and its
has already been determined upon in the pub
lie mind cannot be believed that improvement IRON
which How the most momentous results consequent
upon any enterprise since the discovery OF the passage
around The Cape OF Good Hope will be long neglected ~
this great and prosperous nation The fruits oil our gor
Gus war with Mexico will be lmPenect-ihe monument
which the valor OF inyincible armies mas erected 10
our national grandeur and renown will be unfinished,
without the construction Of this most stupendous work
From The earliest history Of the world down to this
the nations OF the earth have eagerly commended From
the time when Hiram, King OF Tyre, sent his ships TO
hiring gold from Ophr TO decorate the temple Of Solomon,
down TO the last arrival OF British merchantmen at the
East India docks in London, there has failed
stream, bearing upon its bosom spices and rich silks,