Washington telegraph., 1852-01-21

iact mat the country from the crossing of White
River to Helena is much. more fertile region
than the route to Memphis the route after cross
ing White River would be the same
Your Memphis correspondent, who was kind
enough to furnish or propose system for Ark an.
sas, did not understand the country The road
pointing up into North Arkansas and South Mis-
souri,, instead of leaving the main trunk at a point
40 miles from Memphis ought to leave it at a point
ten or fifteen miles west Of White River, aud TAX
ing a north course, cr0ssing White River about
Batesville aud On north into Missouri, this route
would be central to the great agricultural and
minera! districts Of this region A road west from
Little Rock to Fort Smith. with the Southwestern
road to Red River, would petfect a system for
Arkansas.
But to return to the main trunk from the Mis-
sssippi to Little Rock. Suppose the routes.
equal, would it not be the interests OF New Or
leans that the road should terminate al Helena,
rather than at Memphis? The for this,
Think will be obvious to you. II the products of
Arkansas are taken to Memphis would there not
be more probability Of its being diverted to
Charleston Or Mobile than if brought to Helena,
ninety miles by river, South. The interests of
New Orleans are undoubtedly with the Helena
terniini-for if the product is brought to Helena,
it goes to New Orleans but if taken Memphis,
it may be diverted to Charleston Mobile. In
article in the November number Of DeBows
Review, pages 52l and 522, 'On the Course of
Trade on Railroads. New Orleaus is admoDished
to look to home fer her future trade.
Arkansas, Texas, South Missouri, the Indian
country, with Louisiana and the portion of Mis-
sissipp necessarily tributary to New Orleans, i,
the country that must supply New Orleans with
the trade which is being diverted from her by the
energy Of the Eastern and Southern Atlantic cit
les; and it will be more than sufficient, when de-
veloped, to forever sustain New Orleans in the
i,L,I Oh, Ia
City of the South. Bui New Orleans, to secure
this, must not frilter away her means and waste
her energies roads leading to Charleston aud
Cincinnati; but she must adopt system that will
penetrate and develope the country naturally
tributary to her, aud, by means and energy, pros
rcute it to completion. Then New Orleans will
be what YOU would wish to make her-the great
city OF the South. A different policy will ult-
matev leave your city ruin These my
honest convictions, frankly expressed You, Of
Course will attach only such Importance to them
they deserve.
But 10 the point. We have determined to
struct a Railroad from Helena to Little Rock
have made an incipent organization OF compa-
ny--have ss 50 00) stock subscribe la directory
elected: and if can convince you, and through
YOU the citizens of New Orleans, that is
the enterprise that will promote the interests
and prosperity Of New Orleans, We want you to
As to the necessity Of the Road, with its d-
rect benefits 1 will add at present; but
will the stock in the road paw direct profit!
haz ,rd the opinion that it will not only pay in
terest but W i'll prove very profitable and ultimately,
when The various laterais and extensions are made,
il wall be the very bsst paying stock that can be
had.
Road from Helena to Little Rock over
route almost natural grade, above overflow,
with the exception of four miles over White rlv-
er bottom) can be constructed cheaper than any
projected roao in the South. Sb,50o per mile
vii, max i'll | mii-s--S III 500. Add S2Oo,-
900 for White and Arkansas river bridges, and
the cost would be, say 3 100000 Looking TO
the travel, the lowest estimate | have heard
made Of through passengers is 10000 the first
gear at Sc each, gives ssiS0,0O0. The produce
brought down the Arkansas and White rivers, and
sent over the road for eXped ton. with that wag-
oned TO Little Rock and intermediate points on
the road, would be very considerable All the
merchandise (and it is already immense,) going
to the Northwest the West and Southwest, as
we'll as that for the Ind.an country would take
this route The receipts for freight would at
least pay the expenses of running the road, say
S45, 900 per year, and think it would more than
do it. But grant that, and we have stock pay
ino I6 per cent on the investment of 81 ,0Oe,
600, at the art, with absolute certainty OF a
rapid increase ia it's paying capacity, to an extent
that will not admit of calculation And 1t IL
should ultimately become part and parcel (as
believe it willy of the great Southern Pacyte
Railroad that man " no owns stock will be rich.
But to make the road, New Orleans must give
us liberal aid We raise S300,OO0 the
balance must be had from other sources. IN the
way Of direct subscriptions or oans-but will
add no more. The Importance of the proposed
work to New Orleans and to Arkansas, is the
only apology l have for troubling you. Ii you
think the project worthy Of consideration, you
will please agitate it among your citizens, who
will likely take an interest in it. ] will be in ~
Orleans the week before the Convention of the Isl
Monday in January. and would ike TO enforce
the above views upon the consideration of your
citizens.
Please ack uowledge receipt Of this
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN MARTIN.