The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-02-06
From the MaysviIle (Ky.) Post Boy.
Maysville and Big Sandy Railroad.

From the Maysville (Ky.) Post Boy.
Maysville and Big Sandy Railroad.
We consider this road, for which charter has been
obtained as one OF the most important measures
considering its bearing upon Western interests at
large that has been projected. To that infu-
ental, important and predominant class OF popula
ton, which is composed of agriculturists, the pro-
dncers of the land, who develope the uncounted
treasures which Providence has locked up in the
bosom Of the earth-the advantages which will
flow from this work hardly susceptible of cal
culaton. We speak now, alone, of its importance
to the farming interest-the producing class of
Kentucky and other Western States. Its effect
upon the towns, villages and cities of the country
may be considered hereafter.
In estimating the results which will flow from
this work. we consider it as but link, but most
important and necessary link, in the chain of rail-
road communication, already projected, from the
city OF Richmond, Va, passing through the State
Of Kentucky, to Louisville, and from thence to
Nashville, and thus forming great thoroughfare
for trade and travel, through the richest and most
fertile portions Of the South, the West, and the
Southwest.
Our readers are not in ignorance of the fact that
there is settled determination in Virginia to push
railway, of which distance of ninety miles is
already completed, from Richmond to some point
on the Ohio River, most probably Guyandotte,
twelve miles above the mouth of Big Sandy River.
All classes of the people of parent State, with
their Governor at their head, lending all their
energies to the accomplishment of this great work
and there is not doubt but that it will be achieved
When completed, it will. entirely revoutonize the
course of trade, in that part of the Union through
which it passes. Ohio and Indiana, sensible Of the
important results which to flow from it, are,
under the lead of the ambitious and enterprisng
"Queen of the West" Cincinnati, making every
effort to invite trade and travel, which will follow
this route, into their hourshing and prosperous re-
gions; but there is reason why Kentucky should
not, it will cost small exertion, secure these ad.
vantages for herself.
The completion of this railroad is an object of the
first importance to the city of X ichmond and State
OF Virginia. and there is doubt that aided by
the vast Of the State and people it will be
built. They expect, and with reason, to make in
this way the city of Richmond the depot for the
contents OF the vast granaries and store-houses,
and the produce OF the fertile fields of the West,
intended Tor shipment to foreign ports. Possessing
unrvalled advantages over New Orleans, the pre-
sent depot of western produce, she expects to sup
plant that city in this business and there is no
question that if facilities OF cheap and speedy trans
portation existed, she would draw to herself the
entire exports OF nearly the whole West.
The causes which would operate to produce this
result follows:
Richmond is to the valley of the Ohio
than any other port Of shipment in the Union.
Some idea OF the advantages possessed by Rich
mond in this particular may be formed from the
following estimate Of distances: In direct line
the distance is
From Cincinnati New York 535 miles.
DO DO DO TO 10 RioRmond sii'mo1e do dS
These are air lines; but by practicable railroad
routes the distances will stand as follows:
From Cincinnati to New York
Via baltimore. lso miles.
Via Buffalo. sGU seo do
From c9sIprali 70 Baltimore -0o ~
From Gncinnat 10 Richmond o'
Via Chilico.he sqd Gnyandotte ...........5s6 do.
Via Ohio and Mississippi 1857 do.
From the above statement, which does not, how
ever pretend to entire accuracy, taking Cincin-
natl a central point from whence to calculate, it
is seen that Richmond is the nearest, and with
railroad communication would be the cheapest,
and most accessible shipping port for the West, in
the United States.
When, in connection with this fact We consider
the many objections to New Orleans as a shipping
port, objections which nothing but necessity could
cause to be overlooked, become still more apparent,
and make it clear that if the projected road is built,
it will be through that channel of transportation
ocean.
1t is a fact known to all persons engaged in the
business, that New Orleans is unsuitable port
of shipment for of the srticles of export pro-
duced in the West; and that the interests of that
branch of trade sustains annually serious detrl-
ment from being compelled to resort that point.
The losses and injuries which result from going
that route, would, if the statistics were collected
and published, show very serious diminution of
the profits OF Western agricultural labor, sufficient
to render it object of the highest importance to
discover a safer route to the ocean.
In forming estimate of the average extent of
the loss we are to take into consideration-lst The
danger of the navigation of the Mississippi river,
account of snags and the very high rates of in
surance, in consequence OF these hazards. ID, The
storms and hurricanes in the Gulf of West India
climate. Sd, The climate of New Orleans and the
injury to articles liable to damage from heat.
Estimates have been made, which show that the
articles of tobacco, four lard, bacon butter cheese
ETC., would pay two cents per ton per mile from
the Ohio river to Richmond, and net the producer
more in the average, than if taken to New Orleans
free of charge, for the following reasons: These
articles all materially injured by passing through
warm and humid climate. They have to pay al
exorbtant rate OF drayage, storage, fire insurance
and commission and when shipped from them t,
other markets. have to pay freight at SO per cent
higher than from James river.
Every avenue from the Ohio to the Easter,
cities, at all practicable, is used in preference
to the New Orleans route; and this will always b
/ the case. The climate and the dangers of the one
against the certainty of the other will always max
the inland passage the favorite one.
The climate of New Orleans renders it tota
unfit as an exporting city, for provisions and bread
/ stuffs. In Illustration Of this tact, it was state
recently in speech by Hon. George Summers, o
| Virginia, upon the authority Of Mr.. Wise, the lat
representative of the United States to Rio, that tn
bacon OF Ohio and Kentucky, shipped at Ne,
Orleans frequently arrives at Rio SO saturated wit
turpentne used for its preservation during tn
voyage, as to be unfit for The same frequentl
happens to the pork and bacon shipped from Ne,
Orleans to the Eastern ports of the Union ~
These estimates and facts make it palpable tina
if the railroad to Richmond is constructed it wi
become the channel for nearly the entire expo
trade of the West. 1t will thus become one of Ii
most important works in the world
1t will be of incalculable advantage to the pr.
dneer, by furnishing him nearer, a better an
safer market for his produce.
1t will be paying road. The travel and tran
nOrtatlOn which will hIu salocf II in profo
ence TO all other routes, will make it one Of tn
most profitable investments for capitalists ar
others that the stocks of the country afford
And finally it will enrich the country throue
which it passes by making it the thoroughfare /,
the commerce Of the richest part of the country
n Need any other be adduced to show
l Kentucky the importance Of connecting her ov