Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-07-28

mitted by published speech in favor OF project TO
connect Wilmington and Beaufort through the Cape
Fear valley, with the great West, as would be done
by tapping the East Tennessee and Virginia Rail
Road at or Jonesbore' in the former State, as
Won propose to do Subsequent reflection has tended
to confirm the opionion then expressed and whether
occupying public or prive station, the friends OF
this measure may ever rely on my active support and
cooperation. The immediate extension OF the pres.
ent Central Road east and west, is a question OF
prime interest: but that project is not incompatible
with the one proposed; both are indispensable 10
complete the system OF Improvements already begun,
and necessary 10 secure justice TO all parts OF the
State, and of placing her at where she is capa-
BILE of being placed, among the greatest, most desl-
rable and prosperous States of the confederacy.
With an anxious desire that the deliberations of
YOUR convention will tend to arouse public attention to
the importance OF the enterprise,
am, with great respect, your friend and humble
servant,
Messrs c. j. Fox, John A. Young Jas. w. o.
borne, Committee.
MARION C. H., S. c., July, 1854.
Gentlemen Il have the honor to acknowledge your
kind invitation to attend convention at Charlotte
the 4th inst for the purpose of taking measures
for the construction of Railroad from that point TO
Wilmington, and for its extension to tennessee, anu
very much regret that engagements OF an lmpera-
tive character will deprive of the pleasure OF
availng myself of the pleasure which the meeting
would afford me.
Though citizen of another State and second
trust to in devotion to her interests and hon.
or, my official connexion with an improvement In
which North Carolina is deeply interested to which
that State and her citizens have contributed more
than half of the stock and in which the section of
country in South Carolina through which it passes
have deep stake it is but natural that should feel
deep concern in everything which may be done by
your citizens, calculated to add to it's prosperity, and
10 that of its important eastern terminus, the city of
Wilmington
The important region of your State 10 be traversed
by the improvement proposed as we'll as that to be
embraced by is extension, makes the enterprise and
its object well worthy of being originated by the
citizens Of timehonored Mecklenburg, and none but
the hearty aspirations for the of such OBJ
iect animate the hearts of every true friend of
the South. 1t will be another link betwixt the val
ley Of the great West, and the Southern Atlantic
coast and must tend more strongly to unite sections
allied by institutions, and by nature to each other,
and at the time strengthen and build up each.
Daily occurrences teach the South the necess-
ty OF increasing our strength physically and pot-
cally, and in the very proportion that mineral
and agricultural resources developed, our sub
stanaI wealth and population increase, will be the
security and permanency OF our Institutions and their
exemption from attack at home as we'll as abroad.
But ii is not so much in respect to its bearing as
great sectional question, that the connecting of the
Western and Eastern sections of your State in an
lndlssoube bond, assumes importance it is to make
one State and one people in old North Carolina, by
the means Of ready INSTRUMENTATION and trade
which now seems 10 animate the whole of her cit-
Zens, and this is OBJ ject worthy of her sons for
with the improvement of the approaches to her cities
on the seaboaFd, which there is every reasonable
hope of securing the of efecting especially in
regard 10 Wilmington, and facilities of transportation
TO her mites of COAL copper and iron, and to enrich
her agricultural districs-a prospect opens up before
her even brighter than her most sangune sons can
now look forward to.
10 do this without unnecessary injury to her 9TH
works of improvement, by an enterprise in which
her people all unite, is the province to those to
whom her destiny is committed in future. That their
combined wisdom will project some plans in addition
10 those already patronized by the State, to effect
desirable object, their patriotism and intelligence
affords sufficient guaranty.
That your assembage, under so many favorable
auspices, may exert influence these great events
to the benefit of all concerned, there is every reason
to believe and hope for
have the homer to be, gentlemen, your obedent
servant. W. W. HARLLEE
LUMBERToN June 30th, 1854
To the President and Members Of the Charlotte Rail-
road Convention.
Having been appointed delegate to your Conven-
ton, but being too feeble in health undertake the
trip, thought it my duty to lay before your body
my views on the subject. And first, will say that
the road ought to at this end of the route
at WhitesvilIe Depot, running from thence to Lum-
Lumberton, it being almost perfect level, with the
finest kind of pine timber. From Lumberton it should
60 to Rockingham, that also being fine level route,
Astounding in fine pine timber, good farms, &C. From
Rockingham through Arson County, then through
Union and on to Charlotte This, gentlemen is the
best and only route that really make Wilmington
city and Charlotte City-one city on the coast.
| and the other city on the hills.
| suppose Fayetteville will make an effort to get
the road by that place. Fayetteville is out of the
| nrOn oSnd 4hot &c hor md he
should not blame for trying to benefit ourselves,
if in in promoting our own interest, we do not pro
mote hers.
| am we'll acquainted with many of you and am
also we'll acquainted with the route above stated and
can say know il to be the best route that be
proposed between Wilmington and Charlotte.
Let US have the Road. Good old Robson County
will do her part towards building it. So will all the
counties named above.
| [ would most respectfully suggest that the Con-
vention make arrangements to have the route sur
vcyed, and report thereof ready to be laid before
the Legislature at it's ensuing session. We should
also insist on the State taking the usual amount Of
stock in our road.
| have now given you my views as one of the
delegates from Robson. Il would have afforded me
great satisfaction and pleasure to have done SO in
person. To have seen and conversed with my old
friends and associates after lapse of nearly quar-
ter of century, would indeed have been treat to
me.
will say this, when we get the road TO this place,
pledge myself for barbecue, and you must all come
if am living and able to travel, will pledge my
self and friends in this quarter visit you and assist
at the same kind of feast.
To conclude-let Wilmington and Charlotte be
joined together by iron bands, and let those rails be
LAID on the soil of Columbus, Robson, Richmond,
Arson, Union and Meckenburg Counties.
send my to deliver this letter and be my
proxy.