Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-25

,ry know him and regard him a. safe, careful erpe
rieneed and faithful engineer, and In this opinion am
sustained by all professional gentlemen acquainted with
him lie reports the grades be exceedingly favorable
exceeding S5 feet tbs mile, 90 that engines will ex
ercse their power most avorab shall not go into any
professional examination Of the report and its recommen'
datons for that does not need ony endorse
ment from OF the merits Of this route 10 the capes
OF Virginia shall not much, for they must be papa
/ BILE to any who will examine them.
The length Of the road will besay SO miles; time oi
running il hours length of the river from Ethan
to the Chesapeake Bay 40 miles and to the eapes OF VIZ
giua 65 miles The York River bold and straight and
the wind that will bring ship into the capes will take
her up this river, and the wind that will take her down
the river will waf her into the broad Administrators
ges OF immense importance WEIGH NAV understand,
but which none but a sailor duly appreciate Not m
~ will this be favorable route for tonnage but our coast
ing passenger steamers running between our city and
Baltimore Philadelphia and New York, will certainly use
this route not less than hours WI be saved IN time
and all shoals bars and short turns Ill be avoided Thus
time hours 80 miles of railroad, half an
hour delay At the depot at Ethan hours the mouth
of York River in all from Richmond l-2, say hours
Now by James River in that time (6 hours) at the
speed allowed upon the York River steamer would
have reached Hampton Roads by hours add to this the
time necessary reach opposite the mouth OF York Rv
er and have least six hours the difference OF
time in these two routes going 10 Baltimore, and about
hours going out Of the capes Philadelphia of New York
This, in this age of time annihaton is an element Of
influence.
But il is said that Richmond can be made
mercia city, aud is a Of time and money TO
tempt il. Why Because she is situated too far from
deep water; ships cannot favorably approach her.
This has been true, when her tonnage had to depend
upon the slow and expensive operations of ghtersge and
wagonage reach these ships but is longer since
by this York River Railroad her tonnage pass and
from the cape of Virginia in far less time and certainly
at expense than il Norfolk were her shipping
port.
Nature made Norfolk the Liverpool of the South Rich
mond the Manchester; give TO Richmond
happy combination of beth
Norfolk will be the great commercial mart Of North
Carolina and Southern Virginia, Richmond Of all the
No
dria, running the West; but all Norfolk, Alex
sndria and Richmond, will have trade enough
great works shall be completed.
is said by that if yoI this York river
road you will build mp an opposition city the banks OF
York river.
l. reasonable expect this when here the banks
the custom house. the merchants the capitol the health
and upon the Danvile Ril Road the South
side Rail Ra' the James River Canal, the Central Rail
Road and through US the great line ofmi and rav
e between the North and the South when the point
York river will be isoa;ed-a Port RrbaoRii Why
has not Petersburg moved to City Point Richmond TO the
Cat Holes
will now draw a close my opinion, anticipating We
fyou with me shall be regarded visionary
enthusiasts" theorists &c, &c, by few; and this
because these persons have been accustomed consider
the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains usumounta-
ole barriers extension Of commerce; but it these
good people will compare the tong numbering, six horse
wagon, turning it, SLOW wheels mud turnpike,
aud up the mountain sorges, the OF - is mil
per day transporting not exceeding three tons; with the
steam engine rushing onward and valleys,
the Of 2jp miles in the time consumed by the way
go l5 hauling $50 zoo each trip-aud |
len extend their commercial vision in something hike
this ratio, there will be accession fraternity of
enthusiasts &c.
In conclusion, then my opinion IS that the Norfolk aud
Petersburg railroad ought be constructed; James river
improved 20 it. greatest capacity, aud railroad made
from Richmond Gork river; until which, Richmond is
ready or the trade she is ardcuy and euergcuci
~ striving 70 obtain.
Yours, respectfully, CHARLES DlMNOCK. /
De Bows Review vol 20 n. l5S
Address to the people of the southern and Western States