The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-01-21
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
Z YORK RIVER RAILROAD.

YORK RIVER RAIIlROAD.
We know of no public event which has
riyen as greater plcasurethan the announce
rnens which was made in the D;spateA Of yes
seraay that the whole stock of this road had
been taken, securing the Subscription Of the
State. and that meeting of the stockholders
win be held to organize on the 9th Of next
menth at King and Queen Court House. We
congratulate tho people of the region through
which this railroad is to penetrate, we con-
congratulate the people of Richmond and of
the whole State. upon this most happy and
suspicious result.
The region which isto be more immediate
ly benefited by this road, is one of the most
fertile and delightful in Virginia but though
contributing its full share to the public bur-
thens, it has been hitherto entirely destitute
of those improvements to which it has so
freely contributed for the aid of others. 1t is
now to be brought il immediate connection
with the whole system of Virginia improve
ments, and to have market at its own doors,
to which its rich productions can be brought
IN few hours and command better price
than they now obtain at the distant port of
Baltimore. Its wheat, and other agricultural
and vegetable productions, and its fish and
oysters, without limit win hereafter be
brought to Richmond.
But this is small part of its benefits. To
Richmond, and all Virginia, its advantages
win be invaluable. Possessing already far
superior advantages to Lowell in Massachu-
sets for becoming great manufacturing city,
the construction of the York river improve
ment, in connection with the deepening of
James river, secures to Richmond golden
opportunity of becoming one of the first COM
mercial cities of the Union. Even without
the York river, and by the present channel
of the James-which viii never be abandon
editor our internal improvements will bring
here more than trade enough for every outlet
we can commando is better route for
expectation than Baltimore. The Central and
Covington roads present the shortest avenue
for central western trade to the Atlantic
At Staunton, the point at which it Is ap-
pretended by some that the trade may be
ulFSTtSu w DdltltuOlc, II 10 OhC huhdi Cu oAO
thirty-six miles nearer by Richmond and
the James river to the Capes than it is by Bal
fimore to the Capes. And when the obstruc
ti0ns in the navigation of the river are re-
moved-which it is hoped will be accom-
plished within a year-very little can be
claimed for Baltimore as to the size of vessels
which can approach her wharves. But, with
a shipping port for Richmond established on
the deep waters of the York river, -four or
tobacco from Stanton can clear the Capes,
by way of Richmond, three or four days soon
On than they can from Baltimore! 1t is impos-
sible to over estimate the advantages which
Richmond will obtain in presenting such
short cut to the ocean. The York River
Railroad places her virtually upon the banks
of the York. with water enough to float a
squadron of line-of battle ships, and within
four hours sail of the blue ocean.
The time was when the merchants of New
York and Philadelphia imported their goods
by the way of York river, and house is still
standing in Yorktown which was employed
before the Revolution for the purposes ofthis
trade. Since that period New York has
risen, and the waters of the bright and impe-
rial old stream, hallowed by the closing tn
umph of the war of the Revolution, have be-
come solitary and deserted The construc-
fion of the York River Railroad, will re-
store their life and animation. Nor do we
consider it too sanguine an anticipation, that,
when the system of Virginia improvements is
49, q. F..
completed. and direct trade established. with
Europe the waters of the York will be-
come the theatre of a commerce second only
to that of the Empire City, and Yorktown
will look down upon victory only surpassed
in its blessings to Virginia by that which fol-
lowed the surrender of CORVALLIS.