Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-02
METROPOLITAN RAILROAD.


Messrs. GALES sEAros: On receipt Of your last
weekly Intellgencer was delighted to see that you
had published an abridged report Of the acting Engineer
In Chief Of this road, and more particularly with your
accompanying editorial in regard and most sincere
~ hope that recommendation may be carried out by the
City Councils of Washington. Your compositor, how
ever, Gin his synopsis) has, think made small
in his endeavcrto convey the meaning Of portion
Of that report when he says The above estimate for
equipment, &C. provides for the commencement of bust
ness with ten locomotives and corresponding number of
passenger and freight trains, sufficient for daily
ngement passenger and freight trains each way
Instead OF which, by referring to the 9th page of the
report in pamphlet FORM you win discover that it ought
to have been as follows: One passenger trip between
Georgetown and Frederick; passenger and freight
train accommodation between those places J one pas
senger trip between Georgetown and Hagerstown one
passenger and freight trip between Frederick and agor
town. in connection with accommodation train between
Georgetown and Frederick one freight trip between
Georgetown and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad one
freight trip between Georgetown and Hagerstown This
would leave two extra locomotives for repairs Of track
and contingencies; thus making (as / understand t)
three round trips day instead Of one, the
ment Of business the road; very material difference
in favor Of the advantages to be derived from t*
greet that this able report could be placed in the
hands Of every individual in your city, showing as it
does the great and permanent benefits that will
all and each OF them this road is completed
But as forcbe as the facts and deductions from them
there set FORTH it not to be expected that in brief
outline such that necessarily is the half has been told
And, oh that had the ability and leisure to portray
them as they have presented themselves There
would not then be amongst You who would cheer
fully contribute agreeaby his mean towards its con-
struction. What let me ask is to prevent Washington
from becoming commercial emporium when THIS road
is completed through her to the Eastern Branch
where (as understand there is sufficient depth of water
and much harbor at all seasons than at
Alexandria and the distance from Paddy Town Queen
Pedmon by this road greater than to that place by
uapop ha pnym ~
memory is correct of the report OF the engineer of that
road eighty feet to the me whilst that of the Metro
potan is but fifty feet, and that only for short distance
and the it SO ring be but little inferior
to straight line? know the far to the Bal
tmore and Ohio Railroad and therefore feel and speak
with confidence, and say Washington city, with such
road secured to her. may become successful rival of
Alexandria only in the coal trade but surpass her
all the others arising from the transportation of the gene
raj products Of much more extensive and fertile
try connecting this road will with al the great works
west and northward Indeed the superior advantages
and facilities afforded by this road any other from
the lakes navigation the Atlantic seaboard will
have doubt draw to it for shipment abroad or coast
wise either to the North South large portion Of the
staples Of the country through which those connecting
lines extend, and where those articles be made to
concentrate there will also of capital and enterprise
fix themselves meet and embrace the advantages afford
ed them and thus Washington by the expenditure of
comparatively triaing sum, may become to certain
extent, rival of Baltimore ITSELF who has expend
ed millions draw this very trade her harbor Trade
streams OF our Is certain TO take the
easiest and best channel it find to tide With COM
nerce added her other advantages your city must rise
to great Importance all of which, think and will
be realized by subscription Of five hundred thousand
dollars at this time to the Metropolitan Railroad by
your Corporation. Such subscription will inspire conf
dence and insure liberal additional subscription by Others
and the work will then proceed with spirit completion
Washington has now understand assessable property
the amount Of twenty-five millions Of dollars and her
liabilities compared to other cities dwindle into insight
oance She could therefore make this subscription al
without its being felt known by her inhabitants
which would Immediately enhance other portions of her
that of but little value to immense ex-
tent, and at the time give active and profitable
poyment to every artisan and abore well increase
the means of the more opulent, and thus afford OPP
porunity for al improve their condition And posi-
bly, this gerry subscription may stimulate the Congress
to with libcrality in their appropriations
wards your water for it is natural for
sist his fellowman where he discovers determination
in his fellow ahead in improving his condition. ALI
the advantages however, to be derived from the trade
thus drawn to the District will be equally participated
IN by the citizens Of Georgetown and Of mutual adysn-
tage to both cities. Competition is the life of business
and the emulation thus created will fair prices
the producer well as the consumer, by which all will
be benefited the trade increased and your citizens no
longer dependant Baltimore and Alexandria, win be
pleDtully supplied at home with all the necessary pro-
ducts Of the soil on fair and reasonable terms
Thus far my hobby has carried at gallep, and
is time to stop, may be thought prolx and tedious.
Permit me- however, add that great benefits be
derived from this great work obvious that have
suffered myself to doubt for one moment that your
city would avail herself Of the opportunity of securing
them with ayidy, and permit failure through
Of her aid. 1t has, however, been suggested to by
some croakers that puere jealousy exists sub
ects between the citizens Of Washington and Georgetown
which possibly might have Injurious effect if extended
TO this work But surely this be the where
mutual benefit is be derived mutual effort in secur-
ing object OF much importance to both Away them
with all such nonsenscal IDEAS and let there be qici
pull q strong pull and pull altogether and that will
ensure the prosperity of all in the speedy construction
of the Metropolitan.
--
Since writing the above, my construction regards the
number of trips have been told by mutual friend in
conformity with the views Of Mr.. Grant himself.