Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-09-13
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT MEETING IN ALEX


ANDRlA.
Al meeting Of the citizens of Alexandria, held N the
yceum Hail. the evening oi the 5rh Of September 1850
take consideration the subject oi Internal Improve
m.nrs William Massey called IL the chair and James
w Greene appointed Secretary.
The Chairman having stated the object of The meeting in
roduced William VI. Burwci, ESQ., Of Bedford who in
able eloquent address, enforced the Importance
the Southwestern States aud particularly u FiFgnia, OF
railroad connection between the cities "f Washington and
Memphis, Alexandra and Lynchourg. He stated upon
tie authority of Disurncll, that The distance from NewOr
leans New York, via Chicago is 2oi0 miles; via Monon
rahca 242l Sandusky 1865; via Wheeling, 2275 and
a taxes IL days make the trip via Chicago Mvuonga-
iela or Sandusky. and IL days via Wheeling
lie shove thai the distance from New Orleans 10 New
York via Memphis Lynchburg and Alexandria, ony 1850
miles, and that the oi Is miles per hour railroad
from Memphis 10 New York II would take only 6 days 10
make the trip from New y leans 10 New York He further
stated tha, Company has been Organized and S3O00UO
subscribed 10 build railroad from Memphis 10 Chaanoo
"a distance ot SO miles That The gradln. Is completed
and iron purchased railroad from Chattanooga
via Cleveland 10 Knoxville, distance OF ll3 miles; that
company has been organized and SGI5OOO subscribed 10
build railroad from Knoxville IL The Virginia line dis
Of ITO miles that the route has been surveyed, and Al
miles u II under contract. 4 Company has been
ganized 10 build railroad from Lynchhu'g the Tennes
line distance 2l5 miles and SIC000O subscribed by in
dividuals ana 100000 by tic State, with obligation
The part OF the State 10 subscribe bGrt passu to an amount
sufficient complete tie whole work; 90 miles of This road
has been pat under contract, and English iron bought
about s42 per ton 10 lay The 50 miles expec-
ted will be put under contract in October. The o
The country, with the aid Of the Stale, il is believed
fully adequate 10 the completion Of the whole work within
short time.
From Lynchburg 10 Charlottesville is about 65 miles. No
Company has yet een incorporated rail-
road between these points. From Charlottesville 1"
Goldonsye distance III 20 miles there Is railroad
connection IN full operation
4 Company has been organized build railroad from
Go'dnnsv lie Alexandria, distance Of about 81 miles and
90 miles vi ii uaGer contract 10 b. finished by tic lst
Of January, 1852
From Alexandra Washington is miles. The whole
distance from Memphis via Lynchburg Washngto ton is
932 miles Upon this whole line no innnellng viii he ne
esstry, and the grades will b" moderate. From Memphis
10 New Orleans By the River SUP miles.
Between Chattanooga and Charleston, 5. C., distance Of
430 miles, there is railroad in full operation. Com
pany has organized with State subscription
sruct a railroad from Lynchburg City Point the
James River Il distance vi ITO miles. City Point is 10
miles from Petersburg. part Of this road Is 5en. built.
From Richmond via the Danvie road, To Lynchburg, is
about l37 miles. company has been organized build
ar"ad between these two points and 50 miles OF
under contract. From Norfolk Lynch5urg via the We'll
don road about SO miles An act has been passed ncor
porating company without any aid If The State
railroad between those points, and it is expect
ed the road will be built very distant day. From
LynchbuIg 10 Washington via Gordonssic is about l50
miles, via Rchmond and Fredericksburg about 270 miles
Mr.. Buwell in the conclusion of his address made an
earnest appeal u the pride honor and interest of Fgna,
exhong the different cities and sections of the State 10 lay
aside every feeling OF Jealousy and unite in one common e
fort the trade OF the great southwest than
ample 10 enrich the whole Of them.
On motion of George H. Snoot the following resolutions
unanimously adopted
Resolved That this meeting regards The construction of
South Western National Railroad from the city OF Washing
ton, via Alexandra and Lynchburg, Memphis with lines
connecting with the cities Of Richmond, Petersburg and
Norfolk, work of the utmost political and commercial
Importance to the National Government and 10 the South
ern and Souih-W esern States of the Union.
Resolved That This meeting is satisfied Of the following
statement Of facts and takes pleasure in publishing them:
l. That this whole line is under charter by separate but
continuous sections That the line will encounter serious
physical obstacle That il will pass through popuous and
productive country That the energy and engaged
its prosecution render its completion early period
very probable
. That comparison of this line with the several North
lines OF communications between the cities Of New Or
leans and New ork will present the following results
From New Orleans 10 New York via Chicago, 2540 miles
-l2 days travel.
From New Orleans 10 New York via Monongahela, 242l
mies-l2 days travel.
From New Orleans to New York via Sandusky, 1865
mies-l2 days travel
From New Orleans New York via Wheeling, 2275 mile.
Ill days travel
From New Orleans to New York via Memphis and
Lynchburg 1850 miles, and the of Is miles per
on a Railroad om Memphis TO New York; days travel
from New Orleans 10 New York.
Resolved As the opinion OF this meeting that the
ca advantages ot this Railroad ought not and cannot be
monopuized By any of the cities OF Virginia. Maryland
The District Of Columbia, but that they will be ample and
adequate 10 ensure The prosperity Of them all.
Resolved That We hereby invite the cordial cooperation
OF these cities in promoting by every leg tnae of
their legislative or corporate influence the successful prose-
culion Of this great line Of travel and transportation.
Resolved That We approve of the Convention to be held
Wythevle on the lth inst, and that Edgar Snowden,
L. Mckenzie, VIM. H. Fowe VIM D. Massey VIM H.
Irwin, F. L. Smith, VIM L. Powell, Henry Dainger6eId,
Geo. n. Smoot Stephen Shinn r. Zimmerman L. A. Gaze
J. Wheat, p Janney Robert JAMESON L. B. Tay.
lor, R. g. Violet A. j. Fleming R. c. Smith and Daniel
on behalf OF the city of Alexandra.
Resolved That the thanks OF this meeting he returned to
W. NJ Burwe Esq., for his able and instructive address,
On motion, the meeting then adjourned.
J. W. GsrIrr, Secretary.