Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-02-15
For The Southern iStnndnrd.

MEssRs. CHAPMAN & SMITH-Gentemen: The let
ter herewith enclosed handed by the Presi-
dent of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad while in Mobile
few days since. This letter. together with the third
annual report of the Directors of said road copy of
which you have, will give you, to some extent, the
views entertained by the people of Mobile in relation
to this great enerprze-what has been done by them
and what they propose to do in reference the speedy
completion of this road through Mississippi.
If the people along the line of the road, which will
certainly be located along the western limits of our
county, will come forward with energy and in spirit
of hberality commensurate with their ability and in
eres and second and assist the efforts making by the
Board of Directors and Stockholders in Mobile the
Road can be completed to this county, in fact to the
Tennessee River in two years. Will the people of
Mississippi, who much interested, and will be
so much benefited by the completion of this road do
nothing to further its completion 1t is confidently
believed that they will come forward in their strength
and take hold of the matter, cooperating untedly and
efficiently with the Directors of the company at Mo
bile taking stock both in their individual and
county capacity sufficient to build the Roadbed through
this State
What would have been the advantages to the peo-
pie of this county within the last six months had this
road been completed and in operation The money
saved IN the prices which they could and would have
obtained for large portion of the cotton crop Of 1850
over what 1t is now selling for and the enhanced prices
paid during the and fall for flour bacon bag
ing rope, groceries, &c. which would have been saved
by the completion of the road would be sufficient per-
maps, to build the roadbed through our county The
losses and inconvenience we have experienced within
the last year for the want of and certain
munication with the coast, and the valley of the
Northwest, will again they have done here
toore, more or less every year. 1t is unnecessary
attempt to show by argument what is apparent to ev-
cry thinking man, the utter nsucency of the Bpbee
for the commercial wants of the people inhabting Eas
tern Mississippi.
! From May until December we are almost every
year, without navigation, and when the river becomes
navlgable we subjected to the whms and caprces
OF boat owners and officers, in getting off produce
The entire crop of the Bgbee valley must be shipped
II shipped at ALL while the river is up, generally be-
tween December and May, which throws our crops in
to market under the pressure of the crop from the en-
tire cotton growing region of country WHILE if we had
the railroad we could ship whenever we had produce
ready for shipment, Withholding when it suited our in
terest inclination, and when the river is navoabo
have the choice of routs for shipping
+ The Directors of the Road are ready to place tho
iron rails of the heaviest pattern upon the road with
the necessary engines cars depots. &C. whenever the
roadbed is finished. This is liberal on the part Of
the people of Mobile for so far as their interest is
cerned until the road passes above the navigabe wa
tiers of the Bgbee we are more interested in IT'S com.
peon than they are, produce being compelled f.
ma It's way to Mobile by the river and could only
reach the same destination by the Railroad, when. as
before
shipments OF both produce and merchandise if we had
the road
Il our people are really DESTROYS to have this road