Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-12-10
Beaufort.

| The continuation of the Central Railroad to the
harbor of Beaufort is simply matter of time. It,
final accomplishment at distant day. we look up
| on fixed fact--an inevitable occurrence-and it
is well that people should make up their
minds to this, and be prepared TO meet ard combat
whatever adverse consequences to trade pros
perity may be expected to flow from such a eontin-
| uation connection.
Bill is now before the Legislature of this State,
providing for the incorporation of the Atlantic and
North Carolina Railroad Company, being simply an
extension of the Central Railroad from Goldsboro to
Beaufort, Uia Newbern. The capital of the Compa
ny is to be 100000, and the Bill provides for a
transfer to the Company of the State stock in the
Raleigh and Castor Railroad, ($400,O00,) together
with S25, 900 in the Wilmington and Raleigh Road,
and SIS 900 in the Fayetteville and Western Plank
Road; and it further authorizes the counties and
towns through which the Road runs, to subscribe to
it's stock This bill, we presume will pass since it
contemplaes no increase of the liabilities of the
State.
How far the proposed transfers stock may assist
the Road, we cannot undertake even to guess. Such
and so many have been the failures and msfortunes
the Raleigh and CASTOR Road, that even now, un-
der its new charter and organization, we fear that
its stock bears no value in the market, and
quently the transfer of the 100000 held by the
State in that work u.s. for the present at least merely
| nominal, and can confer real strength, con-
tribute any real assistance to the Beaufort project
The 100000 derived from our Road, and the Fay
ettvle Plank Road, is something more tangible and
available. But even surprising that the State sub
scription were to be made in money instead of un-
saleable stock take it that there would be very
considerable difficulty experienced in getting up the
remaining three hundred thousand dollars, since the
road could offer of inducements invest
ment being totally out of the great lines of travel
and forced to compete even for freight with larger
towns and we'll known and established markets.
Perhaps, however, something might be done by stir
ring up the counties and towns on the line
1t is thus evident that although the construction
of Railroad to Beaufort is among those fixed facts
which the future will certainly exhibit its compile
tion is by no means at hand. Long years must first
intervene, and many difficulties be met and over
come !; and we think it is neither a disparagement
to the section interested in it, nor an undue compl
| nunugton, TO say TnaE these dlthcuItles
are not likely to be met with that ndomitable per-
severance and enterprise which has distinguished
the people of this place, and carried forward every
enterprise in which they have been engaged to Fl
nal triumph over every obstacle which has been op.
posed to it. The Beaufort Road, if made at ALL is
likely to be finished in 1860 as at an earlier peri
| cd.
Allowing this time for its completion we will ther
stand towards it in this position The distance from
Goldsboro' to Beaufort will not vary much from tina
| to Wilmington We cannot tell the exact distance
but there will certainly be some miles in our favor
Az fro hor I,o Id
the advantage since it will not have to depend Who'll
ly chiefly upon freight as the other must and can
therefore, carry cheaper. Upon side will be al
the advantages of large and established market
a population which by that time may fairly be SCI
down at twelve Observation-Disclosures facilities, con
nections and enterprise, with corresponding capita
concentrated here, together with the advantages de-
rived from other works, and an invaluable river com
munication with the interior. On the side of Beau
fort will be the single, but inestimabe advantage O
a splendid port, easy Of access, and with depth
water sufficient for any purpose whatever.
Will our advantages of various kinds be suficien
to unterbaance the nferiority of port to tina
of Beaufort and enable US to retain and augmen
our trade without suffering any important diversion
by the construction of Railroad to that point q
For our own part, think they will, most abun
dainty; nor. indeed, do we look upon the depth O
water as being under the circumstances, so serious
matter as some of our friends might to regarC
it, Certain it is, that our port is susceptible of i'm
provement that vessels drawing fourteen or fteer
feet might easily to wharyes at an,
time, or under any state of the tides and this WI
f consider fully sufficient for all purposes-cer
tainly sufficient for any purposes of competition will
-FOUR proposed rival But this depth of water w,
ought to have-and must have-since its attain
} ment is considered practicable
t Of what great practical value, for years. nay 70
ages to come the possession of twenty four fee
water be to Beaufort trading place, surprising
trading town were built at that point, which nov
there is not For all purposes of coasting or Yves
India trade, fourteen feet is as good forty and
is hardly possible that that great City could expee
to enter into competition with New York in the Eu
e ropean importing trade. Freights must always rul
E lower to Wilmington than almost any other port
from the large quantity, and bulky nature of tn
produce shipped from her; and these must necessa
rily be largely increased through the operation
t causes totally independent Of the Central Railroad
I The low freights will make her point to whicl
goods intended for the interior will be shipped AM
0 carried over our various works. This will produc
acquaintanceship and reciprocity and those VIII
receive their goods through Wilmington, will be ap
to send ship their produce at the same port, an
t also to make such purchases they can make her
| with advantage.
Whatever others may think of the effects of Rail
road to Beaufort we must confess that attach We