Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-11-07
THE EXCURSION.


1t ramed Saturday morning at 20 minutes past
S, just as it had all the proceeding night. To
this fact some two hundred and seventy-five
members of the three branches of the Legislature
can testify. At that precise time the Excursion
was advertised to commence, and the large num-
Der present proved beyond doubt that Legisla-
tors IN Vermont do not consider themselves su-
gar, salt, or any other soluble substance; albeit
the roof of the depot did leak some ,r1.at.
The cars took us safely through to St Adams
village by 1-2 A. NJ, where some of US hungry
ones, by the kindness of Mr.. Cole, were enabled
to breakfast, but the time allowed was not half
enough to do it justice.
The only thing very noticeable on our route
was the bridge across the Lamoille. 1t is deck
bridge 7l2 feet long, and IS feet high, and look
ed as though it would hold up the combined wis
dom and virtue of all New England, at once
from the village to the bay, notwithstanding the
very severe rain; in carriages furnished for the
occasion.
The Ethan Allen was we'll fitted for the occa-
sion. Captain N. B. Proctor is a very civil
man, and to our landsman's eyes a very good
captain. We first visited Missisquoi Bay,th OBJ
ject being to see the bridge built across it. This
bridge is nearly mile in length, and is con-
structed with wooden piers, 80 feet square, made
of hewn timber like box, and sunk, confined by
piles, and filed with stone. They are 30 or SO
feet apart Piles are driven in the intermediate
spaces on which is to be laid the timbers for the
track. In the middle is draw, 20 feet broad,
for the passage OF vessels. 1t looks like work
of immense magnitude to make such bridge as
this, but " the old bridge builder" III. R. Camp
belly showed US that it can be done.
The next place visited was the channel at
- D. H., LII L.. = II. Al
breadth of the bay already bridged, and the
channel about 400 feet broad in low water
Across this, the Vermont and Canada Company
wish to make a bridge, forming a direct connec-
ton with the Ogdensburgh Road. 1t is intend
ed to build it like the one already described, with
a draw Of any width necessary. There is no
question about the practicabilty of building it.
There are many objections raised to the project,
but it is impossible to discuss them without accu-
rate estimates. 1t seems, however, that the main
objections, las to the impeding navigation and the
flow of water, are entirely answered by the facts
that the channel above, at place called Bloody
island" is less than LOG feet broad, while the en-
gineer proposes to make draw 200 feet broad if
asked for, in the proposed bridge-thus giving
double the width of waterway and channel for
vessels that is found at Bloody island"
We proceeded into Canada as far as the first
Fort Montgomery, formerly British fertilization,
which came into the possession of the States by
the last location of the line. The old Fort look |
ed deserted and dreary, but the walls are yet
standing entire, and might be occupied with good
now if necessary.
We touched at Rouse's Point on our return
Here are the buildings of the Ogdensburgh
Road, large machine shop, store, freight and
station houses They are a short distance north
of the village, which, from the immense bust
ness that must be done here, we predict, will be |
a large place. The road, of which this is the /
eastern terminus, is opened to Ogdensburgh,
distance of ll6 miles, and the business on it sur
passes all expectation.
The General Government has regarded the
Railroads centering here as a very important ad-
dtion to the means of national defence, and read
lily granted the facilities desired.
At eight in the evening, we were safe in Bur-
ington great many regretted that they could
not see this beautiful village by day light.
A good dinner and supper were prepared on
board the steamer after Rogers own style, which
was wholly satisfactory.
The day passed quickly, a sure evidence oft
passing agreeably, although it rained all day.
The whole affair, from beginning to end, was
conducted in admirable shape; and all seemed
,ery much gratified with the President of the
Central road for affording them SO good an OPP
,ortunity of seeing our beautiful lake scenery,
md OF ascertaining, by observation, the expedi-
,ncy of the contemplated bridge.
We apprehend that not little valuable infor-
nation was obtained by the excursion. Gov.
Paine, Mr.. Campbell, Capt Proctor and Capt
Lyon gave us many ideas respecting the pro-
ect which were valuable to Legislators and
to outsiders.
The question of bridging the lake will now be
airly up in the Legislature, and it is hoped that
Vermont will not be backward in doing its part
owards work SO important to the public, as
we'll as TO all the railroads of our State. Ger
ainly it is to be hoped that we shall not drive
he Vermont and Canada Company into British
iominions to get the right of bridging the chan
rel; when the project is one that is eminently
,ationai- including directly the interests of New
England and the West, and commanding, as it
,as done, the appreciation Of our national govern
nent.