Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-05

1lse r-eso-t ,->o;l ~o.>to f.-ar. Nan Vol, a..
New Orleans is by way of Atlanta, Georgia,
and Montgomery, Alabama; thence by steam
boat to Mobile and New Orleans. The link be-
tween Knoxville and Danville l2O miles, is the
only portion of the line unprovided for from
Cincinnati to the New York and New Orleans
mail route. Before the McMninville route from
Cincinnati to New Orleans can be made availa-
BE, 63s miles of road must be built, exclusive
Of the Covington and Danville road, and about
the same number of miles of new road are re-
quired to perfect the route via Louisville and
Nashville. As soon as the East Tennessee and
Virginia road and the northern connections are
route to New York and New Orleans the dis
lance being upwards of 100 miles shorter than
bJ any other route. The Knoxville and Dan
vile road is important in another view, being
upon short lire from Louisville and Lexing-
ton to Richmond and Norfolk as the line via
Maysville and Big Sandy, and the Virginia CEN
trail roads, but with this great advantage, that
70 open railroad communication from Lexing-
ton to Richmond, Virginia, means for the con-
struction of 100 miles only are required, every
other link in the chain being either in operation
OF in rapid progress.
The East Tennessee and Virginia road is
progressing rapidly at its upper end the design
ofthat Company apparently being to form their
first connection with the Virginia road. It,
therefore, becomes of the utmost consequence
to us to make every effort to complete our road
TO Knoxville at the earliest possible moment,
in order to induce the officers of the upper road
to modify their plans, and commence work at
Knoxville. We have 20 miles Of comparatively
Gaht- work to reach the southern terminus of
mat road. Inc VIrginians have 145 miles of
very heavy work to reach the Tennessee line.
Certainly with SO great odds in our favor, we
should beat our Virginia friends in the race
for the trade Of upper East Tennessee, and the
transportation Of rails and materials to be used
In the construction of the East Tennessee and
Virginia road. To win in this honorable race
is not for our advantage alone, but the roads of
Georgia, and the cities of Augusta, Charleston
and Savannah, are deeply interested in our
success. If we fail to improve the ADVANTAGES
we possess, and allow the upper road to be built
from the Virginia end, this way, the trade of all
upper East Tennessee, of which Augusta.
Charleston and Savannah, are the legitimate
markets, will be diverted to Lynchburg, Rich.
mond and Norfolk, and its transit lost to the
southern line of roads. The struggle between
the northern and southern cites is ultimately to
be close and severe one-let us then improve
all the advantages we have got and strain every
nerve to get first possession.
In conducting the various operations entrus-
TED to my charge have received most valuable
AID from my assistants, Messrs R. C. Morris
and Charles Stor-ow Williams, and l take
great pleasure in thus publicly expressing nv
grateful appreciation oftheir industry efficiency
and skill. Mr. Morris has recently left the
employment of this Company, to accept an
sppointmsnt upon the Fest Tennessee and