Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-18

W. nave uDti uoW diioWou tAi0 ioHoWiuS ios- |
ter from Edwin Robinson, Esq. to DR.. Wexford,
of Fredericksburg in relation to a very impor
tant railroad Improvement, to escape our atten- |
ton sThe attention of our readers is particu
larly invited to it, aud through it to the most inn
portaut subject of which it treats
OFFICE OF r., f. 2. R. r. CoMPANY2
RICHMOND, Dec. 9th, 1852.
DocroR b. R. WELLFoRD-Dear Sir IL have the
pleasure to acknow edge the receipt of your commun
cation of the 4th inst, with copy of proceedings
the part of your fellow citizens, in relation to the
tempiated railroad between Fredericksburg and point
on the line Of the Orange aud Alexandria Railroad
1t would afford me great pleasure, TIT was within my
power to furnish any information Of conclusive
isactory relation to the scheme to which you
call my attention. but owing to the fact that the act of
on the part of the Richmond Fredericksburg
and P. Co., earlier than the gath March next the Drec
of this company have thus far taken steps in the
matter. Att proper moment however, have little
doubt, that comprehensive survey OF the route
will be ordered by the board, with view to
ton by the Stockholders at their regular annual meeting
the Both OF May next.
In every aspect of the Iregard the construction Of
the proposed road of the highest mpprtance
to Eastern Virginia To the people of Fredericksburg
addresses itself peculiar force because that point
he tide depot open it's transportaton
the trade of the rich country with whchit will connect
must concentrate
From general opinion on the subject am induced to
think that connection be formed between the road
of this Company, and that OF the Manassas Gap Compa
within distance of twenty five miles, and ough the
prove expensive yet the grades in favor OF the trade
coming east cannot be otherwise than highly favorable
The probability is, that in future they will assimate
those which are found on the Manassas Gap Road
ing arGiy in which locomotive will be
found lar more useful in checking the speed OF train
between the Blue Ridge and Fredericksburg than in
giving impetus to its motion ofcourse thereby justifyng
with profit to those concerned, minimum of trans
portatlon
To the tidewater counties which fringe the Rappahan.
mock and Potomac Rivers this connection promises many
advantages, (which perhaps but slight idea exists
cheap and convenient interchange extensive SCALE
OF the productions of two regions of the Stae
very dsslmllar In which at present trade OF the
mostimited character prevails whilst under its opera
ton an interchange of social relations will the
inevitable result OF which be- increase ofhappi
ard prosperity to both
In another point of view regard this connecting link
with peculiar interest. If constructed it will tend
stimulate the extension of the Manassas Gap Railroad.
and through that channel in my humble opinion form
the first connection, exclusively within the State of Vr
Ohio
glance the map will serve exhibit the fact that
with the completion of this link of twenty-five miles,
gap of only seventy five miles will remain unoccuped by
Railroad between the submits of the Blue and Aegany
ridges, thus demonsirangt feasibility of direct Rail-
road intercourse between Fredericksburg and the
of Wheeling and kersburg. with the advantage of
line much shorter and of better grades than that possess
ed by the city of Baltimore and equally with the
town of Alexandria to the same points
Need say more to stimulate the hearty aid and CO
operation cizens Fredericksburg and its vicinity
in the prose uon the scheme referredto trust
Its advantages are more then commensurate with any
than 0000A apa-t the certain oincome
which will attach to it, the contemplated road will be able
TO command the motive power of the Richmond Frede
ricksburg and Potomac Company and thereby prevent
the sacrifice which attends short road in
any attempt to provide the necessary for transpor
II ton over it.
Inconcusion permit offender my acknowledgements
fot the kind expressions which accompany your
nicaton, and you, that nothing my power
win be omitted which, directly indirectly can promote
the prosperity Of the town Of Fredericksburg
With assurances of warm personal regard and respect
i
EDWIN ROBINSON, President.
Here is an enterprise, in our opinion, in every |
way worthy of State patronage 1t would tend
still further toopen the Valley and put it in direct
connexion with Richmond. Its commercial and |
other advantages have been -capitulated in the |
foregoing letter, and we have nothing in that
point of view to add to its suggestions. That the
construction of this impr ovement would greatly |
add to the importance of the town of Fredericks-
burg is past doubt. What future lies before
Fredericksburg, aud what are the advantages in
cident to its position! It's in the power of the
Legislature by liberal policy convert that town
into the seat of the most valuable factories, aud
thus add greatly beyond the ratio of an appro-
Prlatlon to the taxable capacity of its people,
There are many causes which at this time con-
cur to produce this result, with but moderate |
share of the public money which the Legislature
Is now land we think wisely dispensing with SO
liberal hand. The abundance of capital which |
Is atttis time flooding the country, composed
not only OF accumulated domestic, but likewise of |
superfiuous foreign capital, seeking profitable in
vestment, constitutes the present an opportune
season for the State to impart impulse to the
prosperity of this town. But let us here insert
xplo ri IL,
misrepresentation. We do not advocate this i'm
provement in order to benefit the town of Frede-
Iicksburg considered as an Independent commu-
nifty, and as disconnected from the country. On
the contrary. we earnestly desire to witness its
growth and increasing importance on account of
the widespread beneftt will exert upon the
country peope-the farmers. We do not think
that cities regarded in themselves, and indie pend
emit Of their effects upon the country. ought to be
the first objects of public bounty. On the other
hand, they are proper objects of legislative pro-
lection, only SO far they minister to the conve-
nience or necessities of the country. Cities are
naturally mere deposits of the rural wealth. as it
sweeps by on its passage to ultimate consumption
They are nothing more than agents, whose inte
rests oughtnot to oe put in advance of the inte-
rest of their principal. Bat it is this account
we are enlisted among the friends of the pro-
posed road. Ifit is built, Fredericksburg will be
brought in direct competition with the venerable
town of Alexandria forths upper country and val
icy trade, and the extensive range OF country ira
ding over the Alexa ndria and Orange ruad will
feel the advantage.
This result is not conjsctural. but one which
has been recently verified by facts. During