Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-01-31
sUsaUEnANNA RAIL ROAD.


the City Councils, in relation to the rail
road from Harrisburg TO this place and
Willamsport.
On the i4,h Of April 1851, through the un-
remit,ing exerlions Of The friends of the mea
sure, an act was passed by the Legislature Of
Pennsylvania, incorporating The Susquehanna
Railroad Company with authority TO cons,ruc,
a Railroad leading from the terminus cf The
York and Cumberland Railroad a, Bridge.
port, opposite Harrisburg, 10 Wiliamspori,
Lycoming county, Pennsylvania.
The importance of ,hi. work to our city.
will in my humble judgment justify me in
alluding 10 some Of the many inducements
for its prompt and early construction. The
route Of this proposed railway connection is
highly favorable, and opens TO the enterprise
of Baltimore a rich and fertile prospect in the
future, following it as it does, the Valley Of
the Susquehanna River the entire distance,
say ninety miles, with an average grade of
two feet and half 10 the mile. Within the
first six miles Of its line, it consummate
direct and perfec, connection between the
York and Cumberland, and the Pennsyl-
vania Rail Roads, on the west bank of
the Susquehanna River. This division when
completed, will, besides saving the expense
and avoiding the risk of crossing that river
| twice, give 10 Baltimore over Philadelphia
an advantage of thirty miles in the distance
10 and from Pttsburg the grea, emporium of
western trade.
The next important feature is of local
character, being connections with four dis.
tinct rail roads leading to as many coal
districts, namely the Dauphin and Sus-
quehanna, Lykens Valley, Mahonoy and
the Shamokn. These roads penetrate the
heart of the great Southern Anthracite Coal
field and are all completed and only await
the construction of the main line, TO pour
the rich treasures Of that region into the lap
of our city.
The next division of this proposed work j,
through highly cultivated agricultural por-
tion of the State, densely populated, and all
along IFS line are several large and imporian,
towns, which alone, i, is believed, would
afford trade and travel sufficient for its sup.
port. At Northumberland the road connect.
with the North Branch Canal, and at Will
Transport, lis northern terminus, with the
West Branch Canal, the William.port and
Elmira Rail Road, and also with the projec.
ted line of rail roads TO the city Of Ere.
lis direct railway connections at Elmirs
in New York State, with all the grea, thor
oughiares leading from the city Of N. YorI
to the Lakes, mus, be regarded as the grea
feature in this enterprise, one that opens tc
Us the rich harvest of the trade and com
merce of The Lakes, the extent OF which il
to be limited only by the enterprise anC
energy Of our own citizens
The connections al this point may be emu
merated as follows namely: the Hornels
vile Rail Road, with its terminus at Buffal,
and with the New York and Erie Cana
through the Chemung Canal and Senec;
Lake. By this Ioute Baltimore possesses al
advantage over the city OF New York in III,
contest for the trade of the Lakes of fort,
> miles in her favor EImira being ,ha, mucl
| nearer TO Baltimore by the proposed rou
: than il is 10 the city of New York by any O
her lines Of communication. Besides this
presents line more favorable for the con
and with local trade for lis support unsnr
4 passed in extent and value by that Of an
line Of inercommution in this country
take pleasure in saying thai | shalt hav
!, a map nocv in course of preparation, exht
= i,ing the connections and relative position {
, all The points, of this work, by glance a
which you will be able TO realize the iru
position of our city towards it. AS lin
for travel between the North and South, an
to and from the seat of our National Go,
:. eminent, its importance cannot be over esi
;. mated, while the vast coal trade which mu
:; as matter of necessity, seek ,h. work
its most profitable outlet, will place our cit
far ahead of Phadel phia as market f
4 that article, and make it, in fact, the erei
a coal depot Of the country. This alone,
conceive, should be a sufficient incentive ,
p induce the bniidng of the road.
:, 1t would be deemed superhuous, perhaI
. for me 10 add that the time has arrive
d when Baltimore, in justice to herself, mu
@ make extraordinary effort to secure III
e great advantages of her geograp phical pos
tion, and contest with her eastern rivals h,
-, claims TO the trade OF the West and Of tn
+, grea, lakes.
-. In this work above referred to, she po
se.ses powerful lever TO the accomplish
ment Of that great object. | have bee
r. waited upon by some of our most activ
=. enterprising and influential citizens, VT
give every insurance that steps will be t;
ken TO Immediately organize company VI
der ihe act referred TO, TO secure the earl
completion Of this most important line
communication.
. These gentlemen further assure me, an
cheerGul.y commend it TO your honorabl
body, that a subscription to the work on th
) mart of the CITY Of $500 900, secured by