The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-18

ofthe message, it does not expect tostand at ALL"
[DANIEL WEBsTER's Letter 10 the Union Meeting
at Westchester.
Our City.
We take shame to ourselves that in the heat
of party controversy we have manifested less
interest in the local prosperity of the National
Metropolis than we have actually felt. We
cannot be Indifferent to the private dwellings
and public structures which are ascending
around US, establishing at once the highest evil
dences of the prosperity of the citizens, and Of
confidence in the pennanence OF the Union.
With commercial advantages inferior to those
of other cities adjacent, Washington must ever
depend for its prosperity upon the Federal ex-
penditures and upon the aggregation of popula
ton which that expenditure justifes.
We cannot, therefore, in our opinion, render
more valuable service to the property holders
and citizens of Washington than by calling
their attention TO consequence Of the internal
improvements of the States north and south
ofrhem. We think it may be readily de-
monstrable that the great line of travel, mail,
and perhaps merchandise transportation be-
tween New York and New Orleans, will in
few years be established through Washington,
as the nearest line of communication prac-
ticable.
We therefore republsh the following report
of the Postmaster General in 1924 upon the
nearest post-route practicable between Wash
ington city and New Orleans.
On the subject of the most practicable Post Route from
NelD Orleans 10 Washington City.
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
December 5, 1924.
SrR In obedience to a resolution of the Senate
of the United States, adopted at their last session,
recurring the Postmaster General to report to the
Senate ut the present session the most practicable
post route from New Orleans TO Washington city,"
have the honor to state that the route on which
the mail has been transported for several years past
from this city to New Orleans is by the way OF
Fredericksburg and Abingdon, in Virginia; Knox
Vile and McMinville in Tennessee; Huntsville,
Nashville, and Pikeville. in Alabama; Columbus,
jackson, Fort Gibson, Washington, hatcher, and
Woodvile, in Mississippi; thence by st. Francis
Vile and Baton Rouge, to New Orleans. This route
is estimated to be $50 miles, and requires travel
of "a days.
The military road, as it is called, from Columbus,
in Mississippi, to jacksonville in Louisiana, Is on
nearly direct line from the former to New Or
leans, and much nearer than the road by the way
of Washington and Natchez But this road Is rep.
resented to be 30 much out of repair to render
the regular transportation of the mail upon it i'm
practicable. The bridges and causeways have fall
into decay, and in many parts the entire space
opened for the road has become filled with young
growths of timber.
Some years since contract made by this
Department to transport the mail to New Orleans
from this city by Salisbury, in North Carolina;
Spartanburg, in South Carolina; Athens and Fort
Hawkins, in Georgia. and Fort Stoddart in Alaba-
ma; the distance being computed at 300 miles;
but there many distractions this route,
arising from streams of and other Causes that
it was found impractcabe to perform the contract,
and it was abandoned
There is mail route from Knoxville, in Tenncs-
zee, by the way of Kingston, in the same State,
Bennetsville, Cahawba, and st. Stephens, in Ala
bama, to New Orleans, which makes the distance
from Washington to that place ,222 miles. But
the distractions this route known to be
nearly as great the route by the way Of
Athens and Fort Hawkins.
The post route to New Orleans, which passes
through the capitals Of the southern States, is est
mated at ,3l2 miles. This distance might be re-
duced TO 100 miles, il no greater deviations from
a direct line were made than would be necessary to
obtain good ground for road, and to pass through
Richmond, Raleigh, Columbia, and Milledgeville;
and thence, by Coweta and st. Stephens to New
Orleans. A part Of the Alabama and Mississippi
mail, and the mail from the South to New Orleans
is transported on this route But, in the winter and
spring seasons of the year, the numerous streams
of water, over which there neither bridges nor
ferries, present insurmountable obstacles TO the
regular and rapid transmission of the mail on this
route.
On direct line from Washington TO New Or
leans the distance lie geo miles. This line passes
near Warrenton, Charlottesville, Lexington, Big
Lick, Grayson Court house, in Virginia. Ashvillc,
IN North Carolina; thence, through the Indian
try by Cahawba and st. Stephens, in Alabama, to
Pearlton, near Lake Borgne; thence to New Or
leans
The northwestern part fNorth Carolina, throup
which this line passes, is mountainous es to rem
der deviation TO the south or north, in construct
ing a road, indispensable. deviation to the north
80 as to avoid tho mountains, will pass by or near
Fotheringay, Wythe Court house, Chrstiansburg,
and Abingdon, in Virginia; Knoxville in Tennessee;
thence through the Tennessee Valley, by Cahawba
toNew Orleans, nearly straight direction. This
route is estimated at ,056 miles, including ten pei
cent for the variation from a straight line, from
Washington to Knoxville, thence to New Orleans
and il believed to be the nearest direction practca
BILE for a post road from Washington to New Or
leans. The variation, 60 as to pass by Knoxville
would not increase the distance more than si1
miles. deviation TO the south, so as to avoid th'
principal mountains, would pass Salem, il
linn Cronr H., -, Inn anf