The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-17


Having observed that you have advocated
with zeal and ability the more close union Of
the national with the commercial metropolis, by
a direct and continuous railroad between the two
cities, permit me to add my mite in support Of
the same object.
Let there be continuous railroad, not only
from Washington to New York, but also, by
its branches west of the Chattahoochie, from
New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola by the com.
petion of the few links still wanting in the present
long chain OF connection, especially the direct one
from Aqua creek, in Virginia, to Washington
city, about forty miles only and the only deficient
link that will remain in the whole distance from
Montgomery, in Alabama, to Washington, on the
completion Of the Manchester and West Point
Railroads. that are now in progress. Is not this
short link, in such long line OF railroads. 30 i'm
medatcly under the eye of Congress-, worthy OF
the special interposition OF the General Govern
ment? Who does not remember the experience OF
tho last winter, when the Potomac was for several
months locked up by ice? Let there be also con-
tinuous railroad from Cincinnati to New York,
through the city of Washington. Should such
roads DO made, they would be the most direct line
Of communication from the far South and the far
West. This is clearly indicated by the map.
Nearly the whole country has an interest in their
which copious streams would flow. through the
various branches along the route; besides their
connection with many of our nayigable rivers.
between New York and Boston, east Of New
Haven there are no less than four parallel lines of
railroad, some running in connexion with the
Sound steamers; yet the project Of one MORGAN
" air line road' meets much encouragement.
Why should there not be an line railroad be-
tween Washington and New York? The country
is particularly well adapted to such an one. The
present route was laid out with view to the sup
port to DO derived from the intervening cities. The
shortest route would command the travel. The
time spent upon the road might be reduced nearly
one half At the rate Of speed the Hudson River
Railroad, one might travel now the $50 miles (were
there a continuous railroad through the cities) be-
tween Washington and New York in six hours,
including the necessary stops and, as on the
Boston and New York railroads, passengers might
breakfast at one end of the line and dine at the
other. There il but small difference in the
length Of the two roads, however different the time
Of travel and the expense. II necessary prevent
delay and imposition in the intervening cities along
the route, they might be avoided.
Under the existing monopoles the traveller need
not look for that accommodation to which he is
entitled. Aid from the General Government is his
only nope lor ID IL NOT Clear tnat the OOV-
ernment has the constitutional right to construct
and " establish post-roads?" Would not our wsest
statesmen aud jurisis, Clay and Webster, 30 ex-
pound the Constitution Ought not the Govern
ment to have the control over the important com
munication between Washington and New York,
for tho transportation Of the inails troops and
nitons of war? Surely, from local considerations,
the patriotic States of Maryland and New Jersey
would intcrpose obstacles in the way of such
a great national object, in which all who travel
have an interest.
Let The suggestion Of "Montgomcry," in re-
gard TO the "short railroad to the West" be
adopted, in order "to meet the demands Of the
travelling community" For this object, and for
the transpor tation Of the malls going west from
Washington, a railroad should be constructed
from the city to unite with the Ohio and Balti-
moro Railroad al the Point of Rocks on the Po-
tomao. circuitous journey of ut least fifty
miles might be thereby avoided. Is not this saw
ing Of fifty miles TO the traveller, and in the
transportation Of the mails, an important objectf
Is il not Of small interest 10 the whole
OF our western country, and especially to parts
OF Maryland. Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio. and
kentucky Were ouc OF the rout~s from Wash
ington, as proposed by Montgomery, adopted-to
pass down the milestone to Middlebrook lit would
there unite with tho old post-road half. way from
Washington 10 Fredericktown. For the remain
ing twenty two miles TO that place. and the rich
country adjacent, plank road might answer every
purpose. with the prospect Of its extension to
unite with the plank road now being constructed
at Washington.
The whole distance from the Point OF Rocks, 1t
T. calculated, would scarcely exceed forty milcs.
On bong brought into the city through Roc X
val 4 mi he Cd
along Massachusetts avenue to a suitable locality
the Northern Market, on Seventh street, for
general depot for the western and eastern rail.
roads that might unite at that point. The position
would be more convenient to tho post Office, and
as central point, from which many of tho lead
ing streets diverge, and 10 all the principal hotels.
and TO every part OF the city, than any site for a
depot which can be selected. The strect running
cast is admirably suited 10 tho continuation Of the
western railroad towards Baltimore.
In promotion OF the general welfare. the reguIat.
ing Of commerce between the several Staics, and
the establishment Of the best mail routes from tho
farthest South and the far West 10 the National
Metropolis. IL seoms to be the duty of the General
Government 70 construct tho railroads proposed.
There can be no doubt they would furnish good
interest on tho investment made in them, without
having the rn,os Of travel at all too high.
These should be national works, unsurpassed by
any in the country. They might be leased out to
companies that would be ready 90 take charge OF
them, under the proper and salutary control OF Tho
General Government Once made, the Govern
mcnt could readily cell them without lose, were
IL deemed inespcdient 10 retain the ownership.
The country has la,tcrly become proud Of "tbc
Federal city," las II called in the carly days
Of the Republic before federalism became an un
popular name,) that has grown 10 be a flour
ishng metropolis under the auspices Of the repre-
sentativcsof the pcople-being in fact bond Of
union between the different parts Of the country, in
which all have one common interest the seat oil
Government II tho whole country.
Let lie improvements go on, under the fostering
Of Congress, 10 keep pncc with the exiraordi.
nary progrcss Of the country in wealth and popu-
lation, as they have advanced Of late ycnrs; and
will not every patriotic heart throb with emotion
on Witnessing its public works and monuments Of
art. such as arc nowhere met in any other part Of
the country; lie uDrivaIlcd Capiin its magnificent
Patent Office; i,s Smithsonian Institute "lor the
extension Of knowledge among men, its noble OBJ
servptory; its Navy Yard. distinguished for its
work shops; lie grand monument in honor OF the