Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-01-19
COMMUNICATIONS.
RAILROADS IN THE UNITED STATES.

opt such system of Internal improvements, as
the experience of other States clearly indicates tc
be necessary in the development of the nntold
mineral, agricultural and manufacturing resources.
The policy adopted by the States bordering upon
the Atlantic and gulf sea board, has been to eX-
tend their railroad arms across the Allegheny
Mountains TO the agricultural and stock raising
States. in the distant West aud Northwest and
embrace in their fold their rich products and con-
yev them upon their bosom, to the support Of their
mechanical and manufacturing citizens, thereby es-
tahlshing avenues of trade aud commerce TO the
mutual benefit of each other And those States
that have been slowest 10 adopting this policy Of
railroad communication have improved least and
are much less populous, wealthy and prosperous
In no other particular can the prosperity of
country be more strkngly manifested, than by the
perfection OF its railroads, and other Of inter-
nal communication The system of railroads pos
sessed by some of the States presents indication
of their advancement in power and civilization
more wonderful than every feature Of their pro-
gress As stated above, the policy of the seaboard
States has BEEN and is, to connect themselves by
railway communication with the Ohio and Missis-
sippi valleys, and the North western States
The following are some Of the vast enterprises,
which have either been finished, or in such state of
progress as leaves no doubt Of their being brought
to successful issue within few years
First The railroads connecting Portland in the
State of Maine, with the British Provinces, and
northwestern States by the St. Lawrence river
and the lakes of the north.
Second The railroads Of the State Of Massachu-
Sets radating from Boston westward, and to the
Canadas.
Third The New York and Erie railroad, extend
ing from the city of New York to Lake Erie-length
469 miles, nearly its whole course is through a
gon of mountains the aggregate cost was $685.,
580,000 the expense of construction per mile was
S42 1888 This road is intended to form part of
continuous line from the Hudson to the Mississippi
river
Fourth The Pennsylvania Central Railroad, con-
Meeting the city Of Philadelphia with that of Pitts
burg This great route is intended to be extended
due west through the states of Ohio Indiana and
Illinois to St Louis, on the Mississippi river, one
of the most magnificent works of railroad in the
world
Fifth The Baltimore and Ohio railroad passes
from the city Of Baltimore through the states of
Maryland and Virginia to Wheeling on the noble
Ohio river, where it is connected with system of
railroads traFersing the western and northwestern
States.
Sixth. The State of Virginia has recently pro
ected and isin progress of constructing line of rail-
roads, that will extend from tide water westward,
through the entire State and connect with the East
Tennessee and Virginia, and the Cincinnati Cum.
berland Gap and Charleston railroads.
Seventh. The North Carolina Central railroad
extends from Beaufort to Charlotte and is contem-
plated to be continued to Ashvi!le, where it will
connect with, and become part of the Cincinnati,
Cumberland Gap and Charleston railroad.
Eighth. The State OF South Carolina contemplates
the construction Of two great lines Of railroads, to
connect with, and eanate from the City Of Charles
ton; one theCincnnati Cumberland Gap and Charles
ton road that will extend from the City of Charles
ton direct line, via: Ashville, North Carolina
the French Broad river, Cumberland Gap Richmond
and Lexington, Kentucky, to Cincinnati on the
Ohio river the other viii extend from the City Of
Charleston, 10 Ra5un Gap, where it will bfurcate
one arm extend TO Chattanooga and there connect
with continuous line of railroad to The Mississippi
river; the other to Knoxville, where it will form a
communication with the East Tennessee and Nlr-
ginia and the East Tennessee and Georgia railroads.
Ninth. Georgia has gone forward in advance of
the Southern States and com leted system of
railroads, lntersecting the State in various directions
and line Of railroad extending from the cities of
Savannah and Augusta 10 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Tenth. The State Of Alabama has in progress a
railway from the City of Mobile to the mouth of
the Ohio river; styled the Mobile and Ohio Railroad
Eleventh. The State Of Florida has in view
the construction of the contemplated Pensacola
Alabama and Columbia Railroad
Twelfth The States OF Mississippi and Louisiana
have in progress of construction, the Mississippi.
New Orleans, and Jackson Railroad which Will
viii connect New Orleans the great mart of the
Southwest, with the Ohio and Mobile road at Jack
son. Tennessee. 1t will be seen at once that the
main idea IN all these vast enterprises was to over
come the difficulties presented by this chain of
mountains and other natural obstacles to a direct
and free Intercourse between the Atlantic and Gull
seabord, and the Northwest and 10 supply the want
OF natural channels OF commerce. extending into
those State5-so well adapted to agriculture and
stock raising-a connection iniispensaby necessary
to the success of the Manufacturing interests of the
North, and the Cotton, Sugar and Rice raising in
terests Of the South. But many Of those States
have not contented themselves with the cOustrrc-
ton of these vast railroad tracks extending to the
Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. for sub
sStence, as the delicate radicals of the shrub upon
the bank OF the rivuet reach their tender lac
teals to absorb aliment. They have completed. or
have in progress a system of railroads at an enor-
nous expense, that present the appearance Of net
work, and enjoy degree oprosperty to be ascribed
alone to the number and extent OF their railroads
and other wofkS of Internal Improvement. as the |
sequel will show
The State Of New Yok has 2 l2S miles of rail- I
road IN actual operation which cost about S95 OOO- |
600, and 92t in progress Of con truction, aud con
talns an area OF 10000 square miles, or l9ll9OSS /
acres OF land, valued at S554 546 642 average value
per acre $50 90, value OF the product Of Manufac-
lures 81, 100000, population 3,007 ,394
Pennsylvania has 244 miles of railroad in one
ration which cost Sj0O00O00, and 903 miles in
progress Of construction, when completed will make
l4l miles-total cost about $50, 5000 and con-
AIMS 10000 square miles, or l9,ll9066 acres Of
and, valued at S4O7 $4,000; average value per
acre S27 49, value of the products Of manufactures
$4,000; population 2.3ll756.
Massachusetts has l. l49 miles of railroad in one ]
alton, which cost near SD 600 GOO and contains