The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-03-01

Hall spent in the United States, and he said in
his book that we had scarcely any winter here
at all. We know not what he would have
thought had he passed here the winter of 81
so, when the thermometer was forty degrees
below 0, at Franconia-a spot which we have
never visited but which we take to be the cold
est this side of Greenland-when even in Vir-
gnia, at the White Sulphur Springs, it was, .at
one time, Is degrees below zero. We have un-
ierstood from farmers, that winter with
large proportion of snow, is most favorable
to wheat, and is in general indicative of a good
crop the year to come. Ofthis we know moth.
ing but ifii be true, we should think the pros.
pect, just at this time, quite bad one.
Connection betueen the Fredericksburg and
the Alexandria and Orange Railroad.
Sometime since the people of Fredericks-
burg held meeting on the subject of connect
ing the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad
with the Alexandria and Orange Railroad
The proceedings indicated a strong feeling in
favor of the connection. The chairman of the
meeting, DR.. WEXFORD, sent a copy of the
proceedings to Mr.. EDWIN ROBINSON, Presi
dent of the Richmond and Fredericksburg
Road, and that gentleman responded in a very
sensible letter, setting forth the advantages of
the proposed connection TO Fredericksburg,
and the tide water counties which fringe the
Rappahannock and Potomac, viz: the cheap
and rapid interchange of commodities between
two regions very dissinilar, as well as the pro-
motion of social intercourse between them,
greatly to the advantage of both-increasing
their prosperity and happiness. This connec-
ton may be effected by the construction of
about twenty-five miles Of railroad from some
point on the Fredericksburg road to some point
on the Alexandria and Orange Road. This
short road will be somewhat expensive in con.
struction; but a very important advantage it
will have, will be that there will be no mo
tive power to buy for it-as that of the Rich
mond and Fredericksburg Road will be en-
ployed. Though there may be considerable
grades, Mr.. f. suggests that they will be favo-
rable TO Fredericksburg, as they will mostly in
cline towards that town. We shall be happy
to see that ancient town rapidly prospecting,
and feel satisfied that this short link would do
great deal for her.
Another very important view of the project
is, that its accomplishment will according to
Mr.. Robirson's idea, which is no doubt cor
rect) stimulate the extension of the Manassas
Gap Railroad, and through that channel and
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, give the first
railroad connection within the State of Virgi,
MIA between her Atlantic cities and those of the
Ohio.
But this connection will enable US to avoid
the river passage from Aqua Creek TO Wash
ing ton, and relieve both mail and passengers
from the delays and troubles occasioned by ice
in winter, and by the low water al any season
which strong winds occasion. 1t is for all
these considerations most important work
and we trust it will be taken hold of with zeal
by the company, and by both Fredericksburg
and Richmond, and completed at an early
day.
DAN RIVER MINES-THE ROANOKE NAvI.
CATION CoMPANY.-The Danville Register
speaks Of the Dan River Mines-coal and iron
the Roanoke Navigation Company will do no
thing to improve the means of access to them.
1t calls this corporation " superannuated and
lifeless old terrapin," and hopes that unless
it does some thing adequate to the wants of the
locality, that some scheme of improvement
may be adopted to supercede it altogether
Certainly that is very reasonable demand
But We are little surprised that the Roanoke
Navigation Company has not made some ad'
vances in keeping with the age. we remem'
Der il in DAYS by-gone, when old MIR. Pannill
and old Mr.. Brodnax, and Gen. b. w. S. Ca
bell, and others Of their contemporaries, were
the controlling characters of the enterprise
They had great deal of public spirit, but very
little science in those days. That excellent
q nd most estimable gentleman, Gen. c., fur.
nshed the enthusiasm that kept the hope and
zeal of the valley alive. and enabled the peo
pie of Danville to see in the dim future the
consummation of perfectly safe and prompt
communication for batteaux (something short
of month y between Danvills ana the Abe
marie Sound! The company locked and
damned and sluiced the river, and marked the
channel with little bushes; and met once a
year, and read reports, and took dinner at
Sullvan's famous old tavern. One year we
remember their enterprise and liberality reach
ed the point of constructing basin for the
boats that came down from above DanylIe,-
The basin was made by running dam across
deep rayine, at the bottom of which flowed
very smart branch, which drained con.
siderable part of the town. As thew made NO
cuiverI Tor the escape of this little stream. bv
the time the grave corporation assembled AZ
their next annual meeting. the basin was filled
up with the earth this little branch had 40 in.
oustriously conveyed to it. They were yery
much in want of science in those DAVIS. But
nevertheless, we are surprised TO hear the Regis
Ter speak so harshiy of company which we
had learned to regard with very considerable
veneralion. To call il an Old Terrapia,"
lsvery irreyerent. But we yet hope that il
will vindcate its name from these reproaches.
The CALoRIc EksIsE.-The Secretary of
the Navy, Mr.. KENNEDY, has written letter
TO the Chairman of the Naval Committee of the
| House of REPRESENTATIVES. recommending n