Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-02-04

ted, is secured by the Company'se Bonds paya-
BILE in years with interest at per cent. per
annum in mail service under the act Of Congress
passed in August last. -
This action of Congress passed through by the
perseverance and zeal of Hon. Messrs Ashe and
McQeen, the immediate representatives ofthe IN
terests of this road, is ofno little importance to
our interests, as the extension OF credit enabled
us to apply that amount of funds to the vigorous
prosecution of the work in the first place. And
the provisions of the Bill making it the duty of
the Postmaster General to place the through
mail upon our road so soon as we are in condi-
ton TO receive it, at the prices paid other roads
for the same service, which is the pay to first
class roads, (now paid the roads connecting us,)
It's of the greatest Importance, and will secure to
your road the great line OF travel from North to
South carried with the mails, and will it is believ,
ed, greatly increase the travel on this Road and
its connections, freeing the passengers entirely
from the sea route, and thus attracting large
patronage from the travelling public, many of
whom take Boats to and from the Southern and
Western Atlantic ports, who II accommodation by
Land were practicable, would prefer and adopt
it. With the view Of attracting travel, and pro-
viding for carrying the mails at the earliest
practicable period, the Board has made arrange
ments with an enerprising company OF contrac>
tors to connect by horse post>coaches the eastern
and western termini of the road, which has re-
Gently gone into operation. The time has been
too short since the stages have commenced run.
ming, and the notice of the arrangement loo lim>
tied, to test its effect AS the track progresses.
however, and the distance by staging is lessened
it is not doubted but that the arrangement will be
mutually beneficial to the contractors and the
Company.
So soon as the same time can be made. the Board
will feel satisfied that your road will at once be-
come the thoroughfare ofthe mail and travel, and
for information on this head you respectfully
referred to the report of Mr.. Fleming, the Su-
perntendent and Engineer.
Operations were suspended at the Pee Dee
during the summer, in consequence OF the dlfh-
Guilty of retaining force there on any terms,
but in the mean time all the necessary prepara-
tons were carried on, and now an adequate
force being employed for the work, with ample
provision for its prosecution, it will be carried
forward with all the despatch circumstances will
permit While the Board felt the importance of
pushing the track over Eagles Island without
delay, they were unable from the causes men
toned by Mr.. Fleming to do SO by contract,
and the force they were able to secure for the
Road they thought and still think, were employ
ed where they were, to better advantage and
to the Company's interest, as they considered
the OF the track from tne eastern Ter
minus TO Whtiesve, where it is now is, mat
ter OF the first importance, as by reaching that
point business would at once open, which
would not only be remunerative in point of ins
come to the Company, but would facilitate
greatly the securing of the Southern mail,
whereas to have waited and expended the Cons
pany's resources on the Island before proceed
ing farther, would have delayed the track for
at least months, and deprivedthe Company
of its advantages. In this opinion they
have not been disappointed, as with the facili>
ties they have Of connecting with the track at
Brunswick River by Steam Boats, one of which
is now in the Company's use, freights and travel
can be brought to and from Wilmington without
serious interruption or expense. The rapdty
with which the track at that end has progressed,
and the character of the work, arc highly credi-
table to the energy and efficiency of the con-
tractor for that service. You will See, however,
that this work across the Island would soon be
vigorously begun and prosecuted to compile
ton. In view of the communication the Com
any had in prospect during the year by Rail
Road, and the risk and expense of keeping
the ferries ana causeway across the Island, the
| Board thought it TO the interest Of the Com
pany to sell it, reseryDg the privileges of eros
sing the Island with travel and freghts by our
Road, which was prohibited by the ferry char
ter under heavy penalties, and also a portion of
the land for 400 feet along and west of the
causeway for the Company's use; and in De-
cember last, after due notice, the sale was pub.
licly made for the sum of $500, at II months
credit with Interest. This purchase has been
complied with, and deed executed with the
reservations above mentioned, and with the con
dltiOn that the agents, contractors and servants
of the Company, pass free Of charge till the
completion Of the track across the Island
| Though below the price for which the property
was purchased, yet when it is considered that
when one of the principe objects of the purchase
was abandoned, and the right to transport across
the Island at another point free of penalties and
litigation were obtained, it will, i: is believed
evidently shew the proPriety of disposing of it
rather than being incumbered by the risk and
expense incurred in maintaining it.
The time it is believed will soon be made eq ual
and the Board have made every effort in their
power to hasten the laying of the track, to effect
a connection with the South Carolina Rail Road
and the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad in
the present schedule time of1he mails
For the present condition of the work, it's pro-
gress, the business of the road, motive power
machinery, and the preparations for pushing i
forward this year, the Board take pleasure in re-
ferring you to the report of the Superintendent
and Engineer, whose statements of the same
are presented in concise and systematic man,
ner and will furnish all the necessary informa>
ton under the proper heads. The condition o
the work at the Great Pee Dee Bridge and OF
the Island opposite the town of Wilmington, the
points ofthe creates, interest now as being mos
formidable and expensive will be seen by refer
ence to this report.
The oaucoc of IoIax7 in H. 4,ooI, -