The true Democrat., 1856-07-29

We have had the pleasure of meeting in our city with Judge Cross, of the Upper Red river country, in Arkansas, and $. G. Kitchens, esq, of Southeast Missouri. With the former we had some acquaintance when he represented his State in Congress. These gentlemen are so-ourning with us for a short time on business connected with the Cairo and Fulton railroad, to aid in the construction of which Congress granted, between two and three years since up- wards of three millions of acres of land, on terms similar in every respect to those of the grant of our State for the Central railroad.- Through them we learn that survey from a point on the Mississippi opposite the mouth of the Ohio river has been made to the Texas boundary, near Fulton, on Red river; that the route passing along the margin of the spurs and knobs of the Ozark mountains on the west, and the great Mississippi swamp on the east ap- proximates an air line, the increase on account of curves being only seven miles from one ter minus to the other in distance of 372 miles, whilst the maximum grade is 52 feet only at two or three points south of the Arkansas river. From the terminus on the Texas boundary, near Fulton, road is being constructed centrally through that State to Galveston, on the Gulf o Mexico, with ample means already provided for its completion. Indeed, we understand from twenty-five to seventy miles are already com pleted and in operation or will be in short time.
 These gentlemen inform us farther that fa- vorable charters have been obtained from the respective States of Arkansas and Missouri; that the two companies have by agreement placed the entire line under the control of a joint committee, that the right of way has been procured from one end to the other, the expen- ses thus far alhmet the lands appertaning to both divisions under the act of Congress main. ly selected, and all the titles now nearly closed up and adjusted, and that the grade of the road will be in all probability commenced early next fall, with reliable arrangements for its ac- complishment. From such examination as we have been able to give the subject, the bylaws as well as regulations and proceedings of the respective companies, as we'll as the joint com mttee, seem to be characterized by prudence and good judgment and to evince determi. nation to build the road. We can perceive nc reason why the enterprise may not succeed To our city and State the success of the Fulton road cannot be otherwise than interesting con- stituting, as it will, in an almost direct line, an extension of the Central Road through south east Missouri the interior of Arkansas, and by it's connection with the Galveston and Red river road. through central Texas, thus providing the speediest, shortest and cheapest possible route to the heart of the most extensive and produc. tive cotton and sugar region of the United States, and at the same time affording market for our flour, pork, corn, and fabrics without the possibility of successful competition. The States of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Ken lucky and Tennessee reach the interior of Ar kansas and Northern Texas by way of the Mis- sissippi river and the tedious, uncertain and ex pensive navigation of the Arkansas and Rec rivers. Access through the two latter rivers is periodical, depending on the spring floods, and occasionally for more than twelve months who
 ly impracticable. Other portions of Texas would be reached by passing out at the mouth of the Mississippi, and by way of the Gulf tt Galveston, and thence on wheels to the interior The Cairo and Fulton road, with its connections