The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-29

VuDENsbthb, AusuSb 1900
Ogae"sjurg-hs Position and Pro,pects-Inera.s
q Population and Trade-Tse Canadian and
VtSfan Irade--!SieGmboois, Railroads aud Nal
Roods-Ne,c Enterprise and InrcstmsniS Sc, e..
The location of Ogdensburg, on the st. Lawrence
river, being above the rapids and at the foot of
lake and river navigation, gives it many natural
advantages. Its water power is large and the
country around it produ ;tive, which, united with its
connection with Boston and other Eastern cities, by
railroads, and the immediate prospect Of several
railroads to ra5ate from this point, must secure to
i. rapid extension in trade and commercial impor.
lance.
Previous to the completion OF the Ogdensburg
Railroad, in 1850, the trade of this town was mostly
confined to Montreal; but the channel that has thus
been opened has brought it into commercial connec.
ton with Boston and other seaport towns. The
population Of Ogdensburg since the opening of this
road, has nearly doubled being now over 5000, and
its business increased four fold.
This is the nearest point to which the shipping
Of Western lakes and the river can come to the
seaport towns, and, transportation being much
cheaper on natural than artificial channels, large
amount of the produce and traffic Of the Western
States and Canada is drawn to this port in finding
an eastern or fOreiy n market.
So large has the transportation from the West
throughthis pace become, that the Ogdcnsburg Rail-
road, although possessing great facilities for trans
portation, has not been able at all times to do the
business required, without considerable delay. Large
additions have been required and made to the sailing
craft running from here to the ports on the western
lakes through the Welland Canal. line Of ten pro.
rellers has been established by the enterprisng firm
Of Crawford Co., and several steamboats, have been
added to the steamboat line, to accommodate the in.
crease of travel.
Besides the advantages which Ogdensburg has
~ h..1a o1,re.
Railroad, there is bright prospect OF large add
ton to her prosperity and wealth by the construction
OF various railroads row in progress.
Our experience for the last three years has demon
strated the benefit OF railroads. Agriculture in
northern New York has received an impulse from
the commercial markets which have thus been open.
edthe resources Of this Siberian region are be.
ing developed apd the values created thereby
road.
A company has recently been formed to construct
railroad from Ogdensburg to Rome, aud
active measures are being taken to accomplish this
purpose. This project must be of vast consequence
to New York, as q large portion of the produce
which now passes from this point over the Ogdens
burg Railroad to Boston. would3take the Ogdensburg
and Rome road for New York, and much Of the
trade secured to Boston by this means would be
transferred to New York.
The subscription to this road is already sufficient
to form basis for its construction, and it it should
be necessary to seek foreign aid, 1t must be the
pOlcy u new lOrh 10 IdYOI luis unuertakluS III
this respect.
Besides these roads terminating at this point on
the New York side of the st. Lawrence river, the
Great Trunk Railroad of Canada will touch at Pres
cot, the opposite side Of the st. Lawrence, and
railroad will be mostly completed this fall from Pres
cot to Bytown, on the Ottawa river, thus opening
the finest agricultural and lumber regions Of Canada
West.
Ogden'b burg may be considered terminus Of this
road for most of the freight that will pass over it,
and much Of the freight Of the western branch Of the
Great Trunk Railroad will be here transferred to the
roads leading to New York or Boston.
The present trade of Canada with Ogdensburg is
considerable and, with these facilities for approach,
it is destined to speedy and very extensive enlarge.
ment. In fact, there is no reason why the retail
tradesman of Canada West as well as Northern New
York, may not purchase his supplies cheaper in Og
densburg than in New York or Boston. Our large
merchants purchase their merchandise Of the i'm
porter or at the auctions thereby having the profit
paid by the country merchant to the jobber in the
Eastern city, and their goods transported them
for a less price, because in large quantities. The
merchant here, then, may sell at the same price
the Eastern jobber with the addition of freight)
and make more money, for the expense of living and
doing business here is much less than in New York
or Boston. With such prospects, where can be
found greater inducements for the investment of
money, or more encouragement for the business mani
OswEG ATcHIE