Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-01-28

Wilmington & Manchester R"ilrcsd Company.
The annual reports of the President md Directors
of this company, and L. j. Flemmng, Esq, Resident
Engineer are before US. and are we'll written and
valuable documents. The demands upon our space
prevent our laying them before readers to-day,
but VIC will publish Them or such extr cts from them
as may seem most important, at an early PERIOD
The official report of the proceedings of the conven
ton has not yet been handed in, but we give the
most important items in another column.
The affairs of the company appear to be progress
ing satisfactorily, and the fortunate circumstance OF
the whole amount of iron for the road having been
secured at prices little ii anything above half the
present rates. offers security to the purchaser of
which, it is believed, will enable the 100000 of
bonds authorized and still remaining unsold to
be disposed of on favorable terms. The work
at the Pee Dee River has been retarded by the unu-
suay high state of the water but is under the su-
pervison of efficient superintendent, and will be
vigorously pushed forward. The laying of the track
on the Western end of the road has been delayed by
the failure of the South Carolina Railroad to deliver
the iron as rapidly it should have been done. 1t
is believed, however, that by the first OF July next
the amount of staging between the track on the east
ern and western crds of the road will have been
duced to forty miles, when it is reasonable to sup
pose large portion of the through travel will take
this route in preference to going to sea on the boats
! Among the most important recommendations con-
tanned in Mr.. Fleming's report, is that with regard
to line to the Coal fields in this State by means of
q branch from the Manchester Road at point ~
miles from Wilmington intended to connect at Fay
cteville with the projected road from that place to
the Deep River Mines We subjoin the portion OF
the report having reference to this subject which
will fully explain ITSELF merely remarking here, that
it is believed that the people of sister town of
Fayetteville will cordially cooperate in the project
James Banks, ESD of Fayetteville, who was present
last night and invited to take seat in the Conyen-
ton although of course; he could not undertake to
pledge the people ofhs town. still had no hesitation
r in expressing his opinion to the above effect.
Mr.. Fleming concludes his report as follows:
cannot close this Report without calling your at
# tenton to route for Branch Of your Road, which
6 consider worthy of consideration and as offering
- extraordinary inducements for its construction 1t
: is known that recent examinations and discoveries
c by scientific and capable men, have resulted in es
tablishing, almost beyond doubt, the high value,
perior quality, and almost inexhaustible quantity
of Coal the Deep River and its tributaries. The
transportation of Coal by Railway, even for a much
5, greater distance, and under more unfavorabe Cir
Is now u settlcu question al
9 but few Coal fields IN our country which are not
" connected with market by Railway.
10 At the late session of the Legislature of North
lie Carolina, Charter granted for the construction
of Railroad from Fayetteville to these Coal fields
and measures will soon be adopted for its construc
- ton. An examination of the map with view tt
IL the selection Of route for Railway from the Sea-
1t Board to the Coal fields, will point out the Ridge
route on the Western side of the Cape Fear River
and pasSin through or near Fayetteue asthe short
est and best natural route and your Road occupie
. this route for distance of about 80 miles, and thu
re remaining distance Of so miles less, to a
st ton with the proposed Road from Fayetteville vii
= pass over almost unbroken ridge between TIL
waters of the Cape Fear and Lumber Rivers. Oh
rs your Road, this traffic would only encounter maxi
Or grades of Is feet per mile, and it is believed
to these grades may be extended to the Mines.
w. These Coal fields cannot be reached by arg othe
route qrithin the distances and by other rot
can light grades be used In addition to this, tn
OF terminal arrangements with water front Of near
of II miles in length on which, at small cost, wharve
a. be constructed to water of sufficient depth 70
the largest class of vessels which enter this port
render it peculiarly adapted to this species traffic
1T While the construction of this work from the neS
of haustble quantity of Coal supposed to be in tn
ba mines, will not damage other works already proee
- ted and commenced, it will add materially to tn
resources and receipts of your Company q con
paratively unproductive portion of the Road an
CHI unite by the ndissouble tie of mutual interest tn
on largest and most prosperous towns in North Caroline
STATEMENT of the comparative distances from Norfol
N Charleston, and Wilmington to the Coal Fields of Mort
-; Carolina:
From Charleston via North Eastern and CheraW and DG
be lingtOn Railroads, POS mile
at From Norfolk via Seaboard and Roanoke and
Mt CASTOR and Raleigh Railroads. 203 do
From Wilmington via Fayetteville, $50 do.