The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-16
DECEMBER Id, 1852.
From the Ne,D York Courier and Enquirer
Railroads I'm Spain.

magnificent system of railroads has been COM
menced in Spain, under the patronage OF the gov.
and Englishmen. We have before spoken OF the
enthusiasm Of the people in favor of these great
works of internal improvement, and OF the tempo
rary embarrassment under which they have for
some time suffered In spite Of all difficulties they
progressing, as we learn from the latest ac-
counts; and it is time for commercial readers to
be made aware of the advantages which they must
produce to our trade. ......
. The following railroads, says Ell Ciamor OF Ma
drd. are TO be soon completed: From Madrid to
Valencia, from Barcelona to Madrid, and from Altar
to Santandcr. The Canal of Isabel H. il is said Is
to be 'inaugurated" on the same day with the first
, of these works. The barcelona Ancora states that
the work on the Great Northern Railroad is proceed
ing with remarkable activity. Among the works
mentioned in construction are the bridge of
Montalmo, that on the road of San Martin de Pro-
vensais, and the Aqueduct over the Horta; and the
foundations OF that of San Andres de Palomar are
about to be laid ~,
Seville newspaper mentions that the railroad
had been graded fifteen leagues from that city
the route to Cordova. The Diario, of Alcant,
states that Prussian engineer was about to leave
that city to lay out the railroad to Aimansa
Each of these roads has something to invite at.
tention, on account of the productiveness of the
regions through which they to pass; and we
the articles of produce appropriate to each SIEVE,
raj OF those articles OF great value to u.s. and
will be offered to in unprecedented abundance.
At present we shall limit ourselves to a few gene
raj remarks. AH # t.t..
The five great railroad lines now in the progress
of construction in Spain, are planned with all the
judgment and science which the great English and
Spanish Company, which has undertaken them,
have been able to command A glance at the map
IL sufficient to discover that they wei devised
to open a communication between Madrid and the
principal productive regions in the Peninsula, and
at the same time to connect these with the Medi.
terranean, France and the Atlantic. great and
important revolution will thus be brought about in
the commerce of Spain, to which other maritime
49, and
for which also ought to be prepared Being
that part Of the Old Continent which is nearest
own shore, possessing variety OF climates md
Astounding in rich products, with population OF
seventeen million, always accustomed to laboring
for low prices, and for centuries the producers OF
acme OF the most valuable Spain at the
present moment ofers US very encouraging pros
pect the aspect she presents to us ia one OF
very peculiar character. 1t is not the government
alone who have decreed that internal trade shall be
promoted and foreign commerce fostcred on new
wonderful zeal in seconding their efforts 1t is evil
dent that the great railroad projects not mere
schemes. and that no subsequent monarch or min.
istry, or any change, can prevent the completion
or these magnificent works, already far advanced
in many of their parts Weare accustomed to re-
gard the Spanish nation too ignorant to know
The improvements made by others, and too proud
to adopt them IL they knew them; but it il most
gratifying fact, directly opposed to this idea, that
the peasants have practically shown an enthusiasm
in favor Of railroads far superior to any other peo
pie. lhey nave come spontaneously In various
places offered their gratuous services, and actu-
ally performed work on the roads without reward
The low prices at which various products are
procured in Spain " i'll enable us to import them
on very favorable terms; and may anticipate
with certainty, not only large increase OF our
commerce with that country, but certain changes
in the course of trade greatly to our advantage,
One of the most important of these will be the trade
in olive oil, which, although yet applied by us
to but few Of the to which il is adapted,
forms a considerable article OF import, though
chiefly by an indirect route from France, i may
not be generally known that much Of the olive oil
imported into the United States from Marseiee is
Spanish, being chiefly OF inferior qualities, which
is fret taken to that port and then sent to this
country. One of the projected railroads is to pass
through the wide and fruitful plains Of Valencia,
which are covered with uninterrupted plantations
Of the evergreen olive. presenting scene OF per
pctuai verdure, and yielding, under the new and
improved system Of culture, an ipcalculablc
amount of the inest oil ....
This new system has been introduced since the
suppression of the Spanish convents, and the sale
Of their rich estates to capitalists, who have made
entire revolution in the agriculture of that re-
gion. Long neglected olive groves have received
the most judicious care; and many superannuatcd
trees, which bad become almost barren from OK
treme nae and bad management, have been sup
kinds which already yield rich harvests. Far
OF oil, when direct trade shall be opened between
ports and those Of Spain, md our merchants
shall becom. acquainted with the business by
direct Intercourse with the people. Reduced
p ices and a sufficient supply are alone needed to