The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-29
TlAc Erie RallrOaSl.
THE ERIE RoAD-sHALL IT TERMINATE IN NEW
JERSEY.

A few days since an address appcared from g.
committee o. gentlemen consisting Of NJ Brad
Murray, James r. Whiting, Philo I. Ruggles,
Orsamus Bushnell, Thomas Z. Davis, VIM. Whit.
lock- Jr., Henry OReily, Hickson w. Field, Victor
G: Audubon-warnng their fellow citizens of the
efforts now being made by New Jersey SPECTATORS to
bring tn Erie road under the control Of that State,
and diyerts trade from this city, showing from the
| "card' Of the Erie Directors, that they had made
long earnest and faithful eferts to resist the d.
version but had been only reluctantly driven
into it, and calling upon our people to second their
honorable endeayors to secure this immense trade
for our own State and seaport. Inc yo.a"a! Of
freS :uu,. Mr. Van Setback has replied 10 the TIVE
following letters
TifE ERIE RAILROAD TERMINUS.
Mr.. EDIToR:-When you class the question
whether the terminus Of the Erie railroad shall be
located in this city, its act OF incorporation in
| tended or whether it may be taken to the Jersey
shore opposite to this city, among questions Of frees
trade think that you generalize further than the
Of dollars towards the construction of the road, and
| $4,000 to complete its surveys In every law re-
ferrng to the route and termination Of the road the
Legislature guarded the interests Of the State and
city, they had the right and power to do by ex-
| press enacnents; and undertake to say from per-
| sonal knowledge and observation in the Senate Of
this State, that its act Of incorporation could not
have been procured, and the grants Of money would
not have been made, if the Legislature had known
believed that its termination would be transfer
red from its own city Of New York to city in New
Jersey.
These grants Of credit and money were fought
through the Legislature with great difficulty; but
he benefits which the city and the southern tier Of
counties would receive from the road, portrayedin
glowing terms by every member OF the Legislature
who advocated the appropriations, prevailed over
he councils Of the timid directors who opposed
hem.
II was not for the benefit Of Jersey City; it was
not for the purpose Of creating new rival to grow
out Of the immense trade Of the West, that the
road was authorized to be built, and assisted by
legislation and grants OF pecunary means through
many stages of its progress.
Ii was not considered to be question Of free
trade whether passengers and freight flor the will
inevitably follow the direction of the other in tmc.)
should be carried to Jersey shore, opposite this
city, or whether the benefit arising out Of the trade
should be confined to our own State and city.
The policy which has diverted the travel will
also divert the trade and will the bulky productions
of the West be transported across the river from
Jersey City to New York, or will they remain and
be stored at Jersey City, and from that place be
shipped abroad!
The immense capacity Of the New York and Erie
Railroad, and the vast sweep of its connecting com
muncations, promise for it corresponding great
ness of trade; wherever it terminates, important
city will arise out Of it. business.
The resident population Of New York is heavily
taxed for the support Of its municipal government
and are we to carry the principle Of free trade far
as to dispense the profits Of large branch Of our
internal traffic to u city to be erected in Jer-
sey with its docks, stores and houses for the benefit
of those who sustain no share of our burhcns.
You disntcrested, Mr. Editor, and so am | /;
for when had the opportunity to subscribe to the
Jersey road built for the purpose Of dycrting the
business of the Erie at Suficrns from New York to
Jersey, | refused to be concerned in the underta-
king the ground that it was interest adverse to
that of this city.
The subject no further concerns my expectations
or apprehcnsions, than suppose to be common to
every tax payer, merchant, and mechanic, in this
city; but Knowing the transfer of the direction of
the trade and travel Of the road from the metropo-
lis of the State to Jersey City, to be violation Of
the charter of the company and Of the intentions of
the Legislature and that a perseverance in that
line of policy threatens "A continued and increasing
injury to this city, have performed my duty in re-
peatedly opposing scheme which, rs believe, de-
rives its origin, not from the principles of free trade,
but from private speculation alone.
therefore hope and believe that the Legislature
will not permit an immense depot for the products
and trade of their road, to be established out
OF their own Jurisdiction N Yours respectfully,
MONDAY, March p, 1851. "
ERIE RAILROAD TERMINUS, AND TAXATION or THE
CITY OF NEW YORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
WHOLE STATE, AND or BIooKLYS, wlLLfAMSBURGu,
AND JERSEY
When in my letter of yesterday came to the
conclusion that every merchant, mechanic, and tax
payer, in this city, would be opposed to course Of
policy and legislation b. the constituted authorities
of this State, which should permit the Erie Rail-
road Company to locate the terminus Of it, road at
or near Jersey City, did not advert to the maguf-
cent power which that corporation possesses through
out the city and State, by the influence Of its debt in
bonds and stock, amounting to some twenty million.
Of dollars. There many hopes and some ap-
prehensons suspended the operations of 80 vast
capital in trade. IL impends over free opinions
with aspect by turns threatening and inviting:
and If parties who own the property are consequently
inclined to favor the views of those distinguished
gentlemen, who, with consummatc ability and I'M
hinchiDg perseverance have successfully managed
(by constructing the road) that large portion ofthe
az. AE. st.lta al
bonds and stock, it will not be a novel or surprizng
circumstance that the general aud future interest.
Of the city shonld be ne elected and contemncd, to
favor any measures which may be supposed to be
destined to secure their property and improve it
profits.
The expectations arising from such view of the
advantages which may be derived, from any course
Of policy or system of measures which the company
may adopt, viii most assurcdly convert to the pro-
jccts Of the company some or many active friends,
who belong to that class OF men whose immediate
interests arc paramount every other consideration
To persons Of this description the circumstance
that large portion Of the trade of the Erie Rail-
road should be diverted from the city of New York.
and finally the whole Of il be lost weighs not u
feather ia their estimation Of the justice aud propri
city Of establishing new city in Jersey, in opposi.
tion to the interests Of New York.
If, therefore, the general mass of our citizens d.
not take serious and determined stand gainst tn.
diversion Of the road from it, charte termination
in this city, young men may live to the day
when scores Of vessels will sail from New Jersey
loaded with the produce which the road will convey
to q port Of entry and clearance.
This Is not a visionary apprehension; for when
the terminus shall have become irreyocaby cstab-
lished on the opposite shore, the natural Of
the foreign and coastwise portion Of the trade will
be fully developed in this form, and can take no
other or less convenient direction than to be export
cd Immediately from it place Of deposit
How many millions Of taxes has this city paid
more than it, equal quota of State taxes. aud how
many millions for the benefit of Brooklyn, VII
liamsburgh and New Jersey!
To the injustice so gross which VIC have suffered.
must there now be supcraddcd the wickcdncss o
founding and fostering new city, the creature o
private adventure and speculation, and New York
be compelled, by a power more mighty than thG
sovereign will to submit in silence, or 6s branded
as illibersl and opposcdt,., trade
do hope and believe, buty,v- fear aud trtn5i:n-,