The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-01-24

'beu' ihey iulned the basis of C.ntract which
has been entered into with very intelligent
frm, Messrs. Sheffield 4 Farnam, and there can
be no reasonable doubt that they will be able to
execute the work, and hand it over 10 the com pa.
ny IN complete Order with the necessary outfit
his contract essentially settles the cost Of the
work. On this point speak with great conf
dence, from the fact that the examinations, sur
veys, and computations have been so made as
to leave no doubt that the compensation will ad-
equately sustain the contractors, and enable them
to carry the work to an early completion. The
capital required for items Of expenditure not cm.
braced IN the contract is small ard probably
will not exceed S250,0 This will be liberal
margin on the estimate formed by the President
These estimates provide for all OUTLAWS chargea-
Die to capital except interest, that will accrue on
stock during the construction Of the road. The
interest on the bonds il provided Tor in the con
tract. The total capital will he four millions and
two to three hundred thousand dollars The to-
tai length Of the road is 1870 miles Commencing
at Chicago, 1t runs southwest, and at 40 miles
strikes the Illinois & Michigan Canal at Joliet.
From this point II fellows a westerly direction IN
the vicinity Of the canal, so miles, 70 Peru. This
latter place IL on the junction .. the Illinois Ca.
nal with the head Of navigation On the Illinois
hiTer. Thence, ~ westerly direction, from tho
Illinois River to the Mississippi River at Rock
Island. IL traverses IN its entie route o country
well adapted to agriculture 1t passes fine
coal field, between Peru and Rock Island, which
Will no doubt be ultimately a source of large bu-
siness to the Railroad. 1t strikes the Missi.sipp
at point where have passed, the past season,
500 steamboats,. 1t will open TO an eastern cut
let the trade oil Iowa, state Of great fertility Of
soll,and salubrity Of climate and through which
. n w M ha I..i f,,, D..cI
lslaud the western terminus Of your road, to the
Council Bluiis, on the MISSOURI.
The resources Of business will be so fully dis
cussed in the report alluded to, that do not con
sidcr 1t necessary for me 10 60 further into lie
tail. have examined the estimate Of business
which will be presented by your President and
Chlei Engineer and have no hesitation in saving
that there are the most reliable data to sustain
these estimates, and believe they will be fully re-
slIzcd ms early rs the traffic Of the country has
time to adapt itself to this new and highly i'm
portant avenue Of trade and intercourse And
tins new direction will be early sought by traf-
nc that has long sOugh! the inconvenience of
SLOW and more expensive modes of culnmuncn.
tion The citizens Of Rock Island and vicinity
will I've placed within few hours Of Chicago,
within 10 hours of Toledo, and within A to I3
hours of New York. 1t Is unnecessary, at this
day, 10 discuss the influence of such charge rs
will be made in the intercourse and trade of a
vast district of country a country unsurpassed
IN fertility OF soil, and rapidly settling with an
industrious and enierprisiug population.
The great benefit of the improvement will ac.
crue to the country through which it passes en-.
hanclng the value of all real estate-as for in,
stance, the government lands within few miles
OF the line, at the time it located have since
t.i...