The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-06-17
THE DANyILLE RAILROAD.

We had the pleasure of flying trip to the
present terminus of the Danville Railroad, on
the. Staunton river, a few days since, and
were met by evidences on every hand of the
importance of that great Improvement to the
inhabitants of the country it traverses, and
to this city. The road crosses the Staunton
Just where it is joined by the little Roanoke
that stream SO famous for its rich lands
The bridge across the Staunton is ready for
the rail, and so is the embankment beyond,
nearly the entire distance to Danville. AS
soon as the expected cargOes from Liverpool
arrive, the putting down of the rail will 60
ahead as rapidly as possible under the super
attendance of that very enterprising and
skilfull contractor, Mr.. N. S. CARPENTER
The bridge at the Stanton is very substan-
tial structure, we'll calculated for the heavy
business the road is to do.
At the Staunton, bursts upon the view q
vide expanse of rich those bottom lands for
which the Roanoke Valley is remarkable,
and Of whose vast extent and great fertility so
little is known. The splendid plantations Of
Messrs McPhail, Bruce and Sims are there
spread out before the passenger, models OF
careful tillage and fruitfulness. Much of
these lands formerly belonged to the late
John Randolph of Roanoke. When the
traveller learns that they are samples of those
that abound in the Roanoke Valley, he can
have some slight idea of the teeming abun
dance of that favored country. 1t was a
grand enterprise to pierce that land with a
railroad, and we pray for the day when it
shall be completed. z si.-.
We learned from the polite and energetic
agent of the Stsunton depot, Mr.. w. w.
GRIGG, that lines of batteaux were established
on the Roanoke, the Dan, and the Staunton
rivers, to convey freight to and from the
Railroad. That on the Dan goes some dis
lance above Danville, and brings to the rail
road great deal of tobacco and wheat that
never found its way to this city before. On
the Staunton, Mr.. w. McEwen has line of
boats which ply between the depot and
Brook Neal, Pannilfs Wards Bridge, Lees
Vile and the mouth of Pig River, distance
of IS miles up the Staunton. When we
were there boats of this line were expected,
having tobacco from the plantations of Hon.
WALTER COLES, of Halifax, and Captain
SAMUEL BERGER, of Pittsylvania both fine
tobacco growers. The inhabitants of the
: Staunton Valley as high as Pig river can,
therefore, now have their wheat and tobacco
taken from their doors and brought to Rich.
mond and their goods and family groceries
conveyed by the return trips and delivered
with equal convenience. Preparations were
making by the railroad company to construct
side track at the river for the purpose of
transhippiug goods to and from the batteaux
as they lie in the sSesm. The great amount
Of freight rendersS absolutely necessary.
The freight lists on the pad are continual.
ly increasing, and every mont Sthe attraction
afforded in the rapid apd, Compared with
former charges cheap transportation of the
road, is inviting freights from new sections
OF country, and we would advise our NOR
chants to keep well posted on their Roanoke
Valley geography and assist this tendency
OF trade from that part of the world to Rich.
nond. by extending their commercial rel,.
tions with the people there as rapidly as nos.
sible.
We had the pleasure of spending a dav
with Captain JOHN ID. RICHARDSON, of Char
lotte. venerable man who has served his
country in the Legislature for long series
Of years, who distinguished himself in the
last war with great Britain by his gallantry
and bravery at Craney Island. and who is
remarkable for his strong practical intellect,
bis Republican simplicity. and his genuine
hospitality. Upon the most rational concIu.
sions based on facts, he is an ardent friend
Of Internal Improvement He conyersed
with u freely on the subject. He declared
that the complaints against the taxation that
became necessary to carry on liberal sys..
ten OF improvements were entirely ground.