Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-15
Richmond and Ethan Railroad.

.ioners of the Richmond aud York River Rail-
road. The pamphlet embraces letters FROM
Captain Childe Charles B. Shaw, M. c. Pey
ton and Captain Dimmock. Captain Childes
letter was written several years ego, and is ad-
dressed to Mr.. Dudley Seden. He states that
he had made a thorough examination of the
country between Richmond and Ethan, and es-
Inmates the cost of constructing and equipping a
first class railroad between these two points Ia
distance of thirty-sx miles) at S662,O0O, or
$1s,3ss per mile. The estimate of Mr. Shaw
does not vary materially from that of Captain
Childe. Mr.. Peyton puts down the probable
cost OF the work at S517,924.
We designed publishing Capt. Dimmock's
letter to Mr.. Lyons in full. as this is subject in
which our city is deeply interested, but we fine
it impossible to do so at present, aud must there
fore coutent ourselves with few extracts from
its contents
Capt. D. argues that it would not be prudent
for Richmond to rely upon the Petersburg and
Norfolk connection and James River as outlets
for her trade. He says:
Do not understand me as being opposed to the
improvement of james river, for its bars, short
turns and lodges should certainly be removed,
and the difficult points of its navigation made dis.
ringuishable by buoys and lighthouses for the
West India and coastwise trade; but the general
depth and capacity of this river never can admit
TO wIarves such seized freightng ships and
steamers cross the to the old world, and
20 round to the Pacific: and to depend upon this
outlet alone evil be fatal to the commerce. of
city Aud then comes up this other ques-
ton--not often agitated, but nevertheless one of
great mporance-"Can two outlets meet
the demands of all the lines coming into Rich
mond from the in.erior?" If not, and the trade
is obstru cted on its way TO market, will more
come if any alternative presents itself? With
these few general remarks. | now ask you to
place the maps before you and let us consider
what is the probable amount of trade that in
few years will come into Richmond, and then
we can best Judge how to dispose of it..
Commencing the north side of James river.
we notice the Central railroad starting from Rich
moud, running out over the Blue Ridge, thence
to pass the Allegheny mountain to the waters
of the Ohio. Next we see the James river aud
Kanawha canal; next, nd the south side of the
river, we the Virginia and Tennessee rail
road, commencing a. Lynchburg on the James
river, thence passing over the Blue Ridge, up
the Valley of irgna, to the Tennessee line,
there to be aiken up by the citizens of that state.
and carried on Memphis the Mississi pi
river. Next is the Southsde railroad vir-
tuay continuing the last named Virginia and
Tennessee railroad down to the Danville railroad,
which last brings it into our city.
The Danyille road if it shall be permitted to
make connections WITH North Carolina, South Car
olina and Georgia railroads. will be vastly beneh
eiai to the commerce of our CITY, because neither
of those states just named have any good shipping
port for foreign trade.
Next we see the Petersburg railroad, which
brings much of the valuable productions from the
Roanoke river to
Now all these lines of transportation concen-
trate upon Richmond, and when finished, the ag-
gregate tonnage which they will pour in upon US,
you nor [, sir, dare now estimate.
But these roads are not finished, will they be!
Yes, because the state must finish them. We
know that unfinished, they pay the
interest due upon the state investments, loans
and guarantees, even if they pay their currsnt
expenses; the consequence of which will be, a
continuance of the rate Of taxation now being
fixed and which is SO Objectionable, specially if
this rate is to continue in all after tin =,
The people are beginning to uuders nd this
condttiun of things. and will insist the
prompt completion of these great works, sae
end, that when finished, they will retur the
sums invested in them, principal and interest,
beside imparting their characteristic advantages
to every portion of the state.
We may therefore put it down that these
works will be finished.
Capt. Dimmock here Introduces strong array
of railroad statistics designed illustrate the as
tonishing effects of these works in stimulating
production, encouraging travel building up cities,
&c. He then proceeds to say:
Looking to all these facts, duly considering the
ratio of increase OF products consequent apon in
creased facilities and increased population; con-
sidering, too. the vast tonnage of merchandise
that must pass through Richmond on its way to
these western States 10 exchange for their ship
ments of products ask again, we prepared
for the business! Remember. this tonnage must
not be obstructed in our city it must pass freely
onward to market-there must be outlets equal
to our iuets, if not, other routes and other mar
kets will inevitably be sought for and found by
those seeking them; Tor our commercial cities
aud towns along the Atlantic coast are contending
Tor mastery, and economy and rapidity of trans
portation are the weapons used
Shall Richmond then depend upon James river
tor her highway to the old world! None but
large ships find it profitable carry freight across
the Atlantic or on long voyages, because their
contingent expenses much less per ton
than are those of small vessels; and such is the
competition for this ocean tonnage now a avs,
that every economy is being practised The
modern class of ships come even as ia, as
City Point, for quite down tho river. some 100
miles from the city. there is not greater de pth
than about seventeen feet of water some of
the bars. aud this is insufficient for such ships
Besides, could these ships come up as far as City
Pont the extra handling, ghterage and delay
attending their loading aud unloading, would be-
serious drawback to commerce, even if
practicable tor 80 large amount of tonnage as
we must expect and provide for. Shall we re-
iy upon railroad from Petersburg to Norfolk
That this road should be made, and when
constructed will be advantageous city
and the country, [ have no doubt; but for
reasons already given and this further one, to
wit: that the river and the Norfolk road, both.
put up % their entire working capacity, will be