Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-28
ALEXANDRIA, LoUDoUN, AND HAMPSHIRE
RAILROAD.

RAILROAD.
The adjourned meeting of the Stockholders Of this Com
pany held at Alexandria the 10th inst good spirit
seemed to pervade the meeting and determination was
evnced to push the work to consummation. The fol-
lowing portion Of the proceedings is of interest to the
people Of Washington;
Mr. LUKE on behalf of the State offered the following
preamble and resolution which were read and adopted
all the votes but share being given in the arma-
tive viz:
WHEREAS the Stockholders of this Company at their
annual meeting held the Goth of October 1853 by an
almost unanimous vote, on the motion of JOHN BRUCE,
ESQ., one OF the States proxy adopted the following
uon esousd That the Board of Directors be and they
are hereby authorized to construct branch of the Alex
andra, Lopdoun and Hampshire railroad to the Potomac
river at Sch point opposite the city of Washington
they may deem most expedent, and soon as the
cessary authority be obtained from Congress- to ex
tend the same into said city and that they be also auho
rzed to apply to Congress for all requisite facilities and
aid IN the premises including the construction of suit
able bridge over the river" EH
AND WHEREAS it is doubtful whether the bridge over
the Potomac will be constructed point opposite the
city OF Washington or at point above the corporate
limits thereof:
ResOlUed, That the Board of Directors be and they
hereby authorized to exercise all the power and per-
form all the duties vested in and required of them by the
said resolution in regard to the construction of said
branch road to connect with said bridge wherever
the same may be built
The Report Of the President and Directors gives an
encouraging view Of the prospects Of the company
raj striking facts having been developed in regard to the
coal trade since the meeting in April last:.
To Leesburg, by the air line the distance from Alex
andra is 34 miles, and by the located SO miles
To Hillsborough, by the airline is As miles and by the
location 4S miles To the west bank of the Shenandoah
is 492 miles by the airline and 63A miles by the loca
en which includes the passage of the Blue Ridge with
eai hS ~ S Sny RS feet at the summit and tunnel
tunnel nearly mile in length and of the costly and
difficult character, would be required From the west
bank Of the Shenandoah to Winchester according the
survey made in 1858, the distance would be III miles
making the total distance from Alexandria to that mpor-
tant focus OF the trade Of the great valley eghty-one
miles while by any practicable route, via Harpers Ferry
and the Winchester and Potomac railroad the reported
surveyed distance is ninety-six miles; showing differ
ence in favor of our road Of OF least fifteen miles
AT the last annual meeting the Board authorized
to construct branch Of the road to the Potomac river
at such point opposite the city of Washington as they
might deem most expeden and, the necessary
authority could be obtained from Congress- extend
into that city The Board caused the to be located
from point Alexandria to the southern end of the
Long Bridge and made report thereupon to the stock
holders in April last They also held an interview
with the Mayor of Washington on the subject of this
branch IN the hope Of interesting that city in enter
PRISE and have made application to Congress for the
structon OF permanent bridge the Potomac and
to grant this company the privilege Of passing upon it
with their branch Washington city desiring that the
bridge should be rebuilt upon it's present ste and George
town opposing it, nothing done by Congress at its
last session. and the question Of its site remains very
certain. Towards its construction, wherever located,
there can be no doubt Congress will literally contribute
as without it the whole South experience has often
proved is liable to constant interruption in its commune
cation with the of the General Government and the
North by the Ice and fgs of the Potomac below Wash
ington In making this connection the piers of the aque-
duct of the Alexandria canal may be found available and
sufficient not only for the purposes OF that work. but also
for railway and the ordinary private of travel.
1t hoped that the Of the Canal Company may
in caSe he deter
mined to build the bridge at Georgetown but if not
very advantageous location and in respects pre-
ferabe one, be found ut short distance above the
aqueduct The great and ndubitable advantages to
Georgetown or Washington which would result from
tending to either so important thoroughfare and chan
mel of trade should enlist their hearty and liberal
operation The Board would suggest that authority be
granted them to construct the branch upon such
circumstances may Indicate and to bring the subject of
the requisite bridge before Congress-"
The Importance to our citizens of having direct
communication with the South than suggested in
the paragraph last quoted is clear that argument
needed but the necessity of early and active interven-
ton with Congress is equally clear Our people GER
ainy interested in the multiplication of facilities for n-
tercourse not only SOUTH but towards the coal
regions, and they should manifest this interest in
prompt and substantial manner.
LEWIS MCKENZIE Esq, the able and energetic Presi-
dent Of the Railroad Company deserves much credit for
the zeal with which he presses the work forward He
says, in behalf of the Board of Directors
ssThe great object we have in yiew the construction
of railway outlet in addition to the present very made
quate Ones for the coal and other minerals of the region
lying at its western terminus, believe to be worthy Of
the attention. the favor and aid of all those whose
rests and intelligence would lead and enable them take
an enlightened view of the subject In the prosecution
of this great leading purpose they have been fully alive
to other important advantages their scheme
such tho transportation Of the agricultural and
featuring products Of Of the richest and popu
lous countries in the United States including much which
finds its centre at Winchester from regions beyond the
immediate attraction of work. and the connection Of
the cities Of Alexandria and Georgetown and the capital
of the United States with the great railway lines leading
to the Lakes and the Far West by line considerably
shorter than any other either practicable proposed
Speaking of the thorough and accurate character of
the preliminary surveys and exploration, the report
says:
The Board convinced that money could not have
been advantageousy expended and that the amount
could not have been lessened consistently with full at
tainment Of the desired end The preliminary surveys
that Notwithstanding the rugged character
Of the country beyond Winchester o railway adapted to
the cheap and profitable carriage of coal be made
from Alexandria to Piedmont in distance not exceeding
7Omiles with grades nowhere exceeding 3d. feet per
mile against the heavy transportation and with curve
OF less than 1000 feet radius admitting Of the profitable
carriage OF coal at the rate per per mile present
charged upon the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, with
saving in distance Of thrty-six miles navigation and
proportonate reduction upon the cost of ransporta-
ton"
After describing the increased demand for coal as
hbited by the last years experience the report
The Board think that nothing more need be said to
satisfy all of the absolute necessity of the Alexandria
Loudoun Hampshire railroad and they submit to the