Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-20
$44O,563
Total,

Total, $44O,56S
By throwing the above into tons, it is found to
be equivalent to 26,275 tons.
l am not informed from what landings ON the
river this produce was brought, but presume it is
the total amount from Watson's including down to
Newbern, a distance of l65 miles.
If this be the fact, can assume some certain
point, having regard to the probable amount taken
in above we'll as below, together with the prob
able amount of tolls above and below it, and sup
posing it all started from this central point, and
applying the rate of toll due to that point shall
make near approximation to what the tolls would
be if-they were charged from the actual points of
shipment.
Considering the various landings, and the prob
able amount taken from each, I have supposed that
it would be fair to assume Carriers landing as
central point This landing is So miles above
{" Red Old Fields" Then 26,275 tons, at b cents
per ton per mile, would yield in tolls, for the SO
miles, $40, 1888, which is fraction per cent.
upon the capital required to. Watson's Mill.
This calculation is based upon the actuafamount
of produce brought down the river in 1850, which
would be a contracted view Of the sub ject. Let US
see how it would stand with reasonable expan-
sion.
The navigation being interrupted for six months
in the year. the consequence and effect is, that the
producers of the country drained by the river not
being willing or able to hold a dead capital for so
navigation, undoubtedly send a vast amount of
produce, which the river would get if navigable at
all seasons to other markets. where the returns
more rapid and certain.
This fact, together with the want of that essen
tal stimuant to production, which regular and GER
tain returns always induce, would add largely to
the carrying trade upon the river.
In view of these undoubted facts and considering
also the large amount of the productions of the in
terror of the State which the North Carolina Rail
Road will shortly accumulate at its eastern terminus,
and for which this improvement will come in for
its share; and considering also the aoaoard carry
ing trade, which a regular navigation would render
absolutely certain, (which was not considered in the
above calculation it is believed to be fair assump
ton that from all these sources, with a reliable
navigation at all times, the carrying trade upon the
river would be increased 100 per cent over the az
gregate dorm trade of 1850. Ifso, the tolls would
amount to IL per cent upon the capital required to
Watson's Mill.
am aware that this may be termed mere specu
lation. Be it Yet all must admit that it has
some method, being founded in part upon undoubt-
ed facts and fair deductions. My conclusions then
are that reliable navigation upon the Mouse riv-
er, connected as it will be with an extensive and
productive back country through the Central Rail
Road, cannot fail to become paying stock.
But is this ala 1t is true that to capitalists
this is the absorbing question. To those, howev-
CT, IlOfe IunueuldCSIy IItcTcS-co III LILO
the mere question Of dollars and cents to weigh
down all other considerations? 1 trust, for the
sake Of old Newbern, the most ancient of North
Carolinas shipping ports, that other and more
weighty considerations may be allowed their place
in the scale; that she will not with all her mari
time advantages connected, she is, with one of
the finest harbors on the Atlantic coast, remain in
active, whilst her neighbors stretching forth
their Briarean arms to secure to themselves the
trade of the vast region about to open to them
through the Central Railroad.
trust that she will not remain satisfied with six
months navigation of the Neuse River now allowed
her until the trade becomes firmly established in
other channels, when all experience teaches us it
will be too late to divert it.
With timely exertions much may be done to Sc
cure to this ancient town her share in that trade
now in progress of development, which her own
Legislators in conjunction with the patriotic repre-
sentatves from other portions of the State, exerted
themselves to open. !
All of which is respectfully submitted by
Your obedient servant 3
w. B. THOMPSON,
no .. Cspal Engineer.