Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-24
CORRESPoNDENCP
RtcmOND, Va, Nov. 9th, Is47

D, RICHMOND, ' A., Nov 9th, is47.
To DsRsy Ssl&eH, Esq.,
Dear Sir: have in accordance with your request made
thorough examination Of The country between Richmond
and Ethan FOR the purpose OF selecting the best route for
railroad, and Of estimating the probable cost thereof
now have the honor 10 report that your contemplated
road designed for heavy traffic in merchandise and for
great speed ct passenger trains il should be gcrnonsny
constructed rM hsary froH ind on the route feas.
bic 3r low gradients easy curves reduced length ard
cleapness Of construction.
To meet these requirements there is one route so deer
dcdy superior TO all Others alone merit your alten
ton IL begins two squares lying between Water and
Cary 18th and sth streets both OF which are now unoc
cupied 10y any permanent valuable buildings aud will
DC needed Tor passenger and freight depot sccommoda
tons isee city map Thence the line passes along Water
street the Of Haskus q Iabby's warehouse.-
thence, crossing 70 the lc il passes through tAe rear
building Of the steamboat Exchange tavern aud crSs
Ges creek by eongating the Rockets street ridse to
the south thence the and Up the lei, h,sk of
the creek about mile to Leyys mill (see map) Ieay.
ing the mill the left it the creek anal enters the
valley OF Soney rum large casterly tributary Of Gillea
creek thence, up this valley, passing the house of
Clement Jennings TO its head about ave and bali miles
from Rockets, where it passes upon the upper tab
id which divides the waters Of James and Chickahom
my rivers, IL continues along this table hpd IN very di
rect 70 the head of the western branch Of Boar
swamp passing near but generally north Of the stage road
avoiding the argest hills aud sases both sides; thence
doan the valley Of Boar swamp acfoss the Chickshompy
about feet above low water mark and up the VALLEY Of
Carters mill creek either TO the ht o. lc Of Dr Savage
residence and out upon ibe ridge that dvde the water.
Oi The Chickahomioy and Pdmunkey rivers thence a tol
ciaby direct course along the ridge New Kent court,
house. avoiding r practicable the tributary stream
shat ntcsect che sides Of the ridges thence aloaR ts ~
~ point about ls miles of the courthou.s .bes.
the line will leave the ridge aud pas down the et b,pcl
OF Cook mill creek, TO the right Of Richard Bos house
snd scross the creek shove the head oC the min pond
thence ON, aud under the bin sides 10 iones ml cresk
which U crosses about half mile above the head Of h
mill pond thence the line will sweep around the Grst bend
Of The Pamunkey river above Ethan on excellent ground
gradually cCnversmg 20 The river t feaches Ehsm ,nd
terminates the saw mill Il wil occupy the
immediate bank of the river upwards Of half mile above
the mill aud far beow you please This uin
De hc shots. practicable route the vorahle zoe
speed aud The gradients throughout loser hau %
tanned AZ rcasousbo expense eeghefe brtgecn Rich
mond and Eltham. TIE mashuuu asccnt from Eockf.fs
mile, will be- 80 70 25 feet per uie up the banss OF
the Chgkahomny 2s 20 ~ feet per nile sud from Fhhs
Cooks anil creek about 90 feet per nile Thsse ! not
piece 0f rock visible upon this route and nothing bsrB
than pirc chy but OF this IS very hard The ruf
face fum Rchmond for FIVE miles, Is ssnd and yrsrei uo
irfad by clay The remainder Of tho route Is and ana
clay.
Anticipating faH ia ne price Of iron, the GIosipg
Is fair estimation q the cost Of constructing h route ~
frt class rosd eqali 70 any New Eneand foad ub one
track laid sod masonry built FOR two tacks.
For one mile Qf sapsrsirvefurs
ID7 tons Of iron rails, 7 pattera 81 TO- per yard
o. s62 per ton delivered st Ethan ssss 90
fls cross ties of shesnut rhite oak or eeIhr
l-2 lee, iorg. 2 BY y, q "a Ct. go %
100 lus east rou chaiu, a 3 10. dslytrd gio W