Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-17
For THE TIMEs.]

Observing i'll your proceedings Bill to make rail
road connecting the Iynchburg and Tennessee with the
Alexandria aud Gordansvle load, propose submitting
suggestions which should exercise controlling
influence as to the starting point well to the par
tcular it should take, to conflict with
other interests, as well to affect of its own
Ifthe road should be made direct from Gordonsvle
to Lynchburg it must necessarily compete with the
Central road for the travel in the Intervening country
between those points it would parallel for about
twenty miles to point near charlottesville and the
manning distance it would take ALL mot only the inter
mediate but the entire travel arriving in Lynchburg
from the Tennessee line, well from other points,
destined for Richmond, Washington any of the Nor
thern Cities to the injury ofthe Central road
The interest of the James River Canal should asobe
protected To do this it is necessary that the rail road
should approach it. possible, ION its banks
would be preferable) This may some be considered
unreasonabe-let me explain If it should be located
from fifteen to twenty miles from the canal of
the friends propose, it would lose the travel from the
James River Valley and the South Sde belt of
try say thirty miles in width, while it could nordvert
the produce carried to the canal unless of
transportation that would pay profit the latter in
the last extremity would greatly reduce the tolls
attract it, that the rail road could not underbid her
The revenue to the canal from the travel is TIL
e 1.-THE of the boat deriving the profit If any;) on
the contrary if gained to the road it would be its great
of profit Locate it near to- the banks
of the canal, and the travel above las well the
nall would come to it, having no other way to go; the
canal could afford give up the travel for the garal
thus given that she could retain the produce, cher
greatest source OF profit, without uinous reduction
of tolls This great reduction would not only be
sary, if the road should pass fifteen or twenty
miles from it. inercepting it would all the market
roads leading to the CANAL but in the competition be-
tween the two lines the latter might not be able
tain the produce the rail road to profit by it, Place
the road the canal and this competition must
cease the waggonage this fifteen twenty miles
entering into the calculation of COSTS if the road should
| be that much to the farmer it being conceded
that without this difference hauling the canal the
| cheapest route.
In having thus established the position that if the
road should start from Gordonsville it would materially
affect the interests of the Central road and in ap
preaching very to the canal it would greatly IT,
lure the Jas River Company without promoting its own
have also established that by starting Chariot tes
vle instead of Gordonsve and approximatng the ca
nal in the direction of Scottsville Howardsvile it
would prove injurious the interests of either of
these improvements: Charlottesville being about the
dvergng point of the parallel line if direct from
Gordonsv;le Howardsville being in direct line from
Gordonsville to Lynchburg.
1t only remains to enquire the difference in the
of the proposed routes and starting points TO begin
Charlottesville. instead of Gordonsvile. would save
miles, the road being already made, which settles
the question of cost between these points; assuming
the Charlottesville the starting point, proceed to
notice three routes which will claim attention will
style them the lower, Tor cana the intermediate, and
upper rortes The lower canal route would pass in
the valley between the Monticello and Rugged
mountain ranges to about Carersbridge thence to the
canal Scottsville Howardsve and on its banks
Lynchburg. The intermediate route would be the
as the lower from Charlottesville Cartersbidge
thence in valley at the eastern base of the Green
mountain range to and through the gades of Nelson to
the mouth of Buffalo river thence mp said river valley
and of its southern tributaries, to and through the
glades of Amherst to Lynchburg l may say Of this
route that it would depart from direct air line be-
tween Charlottesville and Lynchburg, any point as
much as threeforths OF a mile would have no angles
or curves comparatively would miles in dis
lance, could not cost average. much per mile
| as the upper, by some $4,000 and would run
within two five miles of the distance of near
fifty miles. The upper route, commencing Charlotes
VILE would take the general bearing of the present
stage road Lynchburs traversng for the most part
mountainous country, crossing deep ravnes and noun
famous decvities departing also from the direct line
several miles, increasing the distance and consde
rably Its friends say it would pass up Moores Creek
and down Cove Creek, up Dutch Creek or over the
mountains to Lovingston. They may well say from
creek to creek and from mountain to mountain, 1t
| can be made on this route doubt but at a conside
rabe increase of money and distance the inter
| mediate one.
would write at greater length but know long pie
ces not often read. In conclusion would humby
suggest that ifin your wisdom you will stipuate in
the charter SHOULD be granted that the starting
point should be charlottesville and the canal inter
mediate route the location not to conflict
with other interests in which the State is large
stockhodcr that you will at least provide that the diff
erent routes shall be surveyed and the best aop
| ted. lfyou do this, it will satisfy
| FAIR PLAY.