Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-08
Railroad Convention :at Portland

4 great Railroad Convention was held in
Portland last week, TO consider the expedien-
cy of opening continuous line OF railroad from
New York, through Maine, to the eastern ex-
tremity of the British Provinces. in order to
shorten the voyage to Europe. The conycn-
ton was permanently organizedon Wednesday
by the appointment of Gov. John Hubbard as
president, and Admiral Owen. the MAYORS of
Halifax. St. John and Fredericton. and the
mayors of all the cities of Maine as vce-pres-
iden,s, besides Mayor Dearborn, of Roxburv
Prof Allen of Cambridge, Messrs. Forsyth.
of Quebec, La ROGUE of Montreal, and 9TH
ccs and elsewhere We're welcomed by Cover
nor Hubbard. who said he would favor all the
measures tending to promote the good of the
two countries. 4 prayer was made by Rev.
Mr.. Chickering, and committee of twenty
two were appointed to prepare the business of
the convention. In the afternoon Robert Ran
tout, Jr Esq, spoke upon the importance of
the proposed railroad between Maine and the
Provinces. Mr.. Wilmot for the business com
mittee, stated that their report would not be
ready till Thursday. Memorials were then
presented and lots of letters read from AIessrs.
Fillmore, Everett, Woodbury., Silliman, and
twenty others. Mr.. Watts and Attorney Gen
eral Uniacke of Nova Scotia. made effective
addresses, calling forth repeated applause
when the assembly adjourned
On Thursday, after addresses BY several pro
vincal and Maine members, the business COM
mittce reported nineteen resolutions, the sub
stance of which, according TO the Journal, was
that the state of Maine and New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia be called on the grant con-
current charters for constructing a railroad from
the valley of the Penobscot to the eastern ter
minus of Nova Scotia. and that resources be
solicited in grants of public lands that APP
peals be made TO railways between New York
and London for aid, and an appeal to the gen
eral government for contracts for mails; that
no subscription be asked till public aid be gran
ted that the present legislature of Maine be
asked for a charter TO the state line and that
central executive committee of seven be ap-
pointed to carry out these objects; and also a
local committee along the line. s ....--
We copy the following general outline OF
the undertaking from the Advertiser -
THE route indicated pursues first the rail
roads already constructed from New York and
Boston to Portland, and thence 10 Waterville,
in Maine. On this side of Watervlle it will
connect with the Atlantic and Montreal Rail-
rond, now under construction, BY means of
which a communication will be formed with
the upper British provinces. From Water
vile to Bangor, several routes are ascertained
to be practicable, between which a choice must
be made. Thence the route remains to be in
Dictated TO the eastern boundary of Maine. and
thence 10 St. John in New Brunswick. 4 dis
lance of 290 miles from Waterville. Thence
around the head of the Bay of Fundav. and
passing near Pictou through Nova Scotia. 10
White Haven, near Cape Canso, at the eastern
extremity of the province, a farther distance Of
$50 miles. The distance from Boston ia
White Haven, if supplied with well built
railroad track, would afford a Journey of con-
tinuous travelling, of about "a hours.
lhenCe W tiie loutc Hulcdted 1Or steam nav
igation, turning Cape Race at the south easter
" extremity of Newfoundland, the distance to
Galway, the most westerly seaport in Ireland
Is 2oo0 miles, distance which may be, trav-
ersed under favorable circumstances by steam
tts OF the first class i'll seven days Thence
~ ,faiiroad to Dublin, over roads partly built.
the RrSi.iy IN progress-by steam packet across
,he n nta.sh channel and by railroad across
the nn INV britannia tabular bridge to London.
,ne eheite distance is some 500 miles and il
rnay De iraversed in about 81 hours bv hi
st Sa n provided d with the proper railroads
steamships and machinery, it IS con,ondaI aus,
lne passase may be made from New WI ,'' a.
other 'e 'itan by any