Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-02-27
North Carolina Coal Fields.

The following communication appears in the
Charleston Mercury of Thursday last, with appro
batory remarks. 1t is from writer in Fayetteville
We insert it that readers may be advised of the
different projects foot and proposed to be-
plished
Should the city of Charleston wish to reach the
Coal Fields on Deep River, far better plan can be
suggested than the Cheraw and Coal Fields Railroad
Company, chartered by the last Legislature, offers.
There exists company in North Carolina, " the
Western Railroad Company who have chartered
privileges W hch be made available to the city of
Charleston terms far more favorable than those
offered by The Cheraw and Coal Field charter. The
Western Railroad Company was chartered for the
purpose of building RAJ road from Fayetteville to
the Coal Fields, Deep River with the right of the
22d section of the Act of Incorporation, ito construct
branches to the same, to connect with any other
Railroad that may be constructed" Under this clause
the road can be extended from Fayetteville 10 the
Wilmington and Manchester Road, at the State line,
and the Northeastern road can be made 10 terminate
either by its main stem branch at the same point
the Wilmington and Manchester road can be used
from the State line to the point where the Northeast
road is intended to strike the same, which is
derstood to be Florence.
Under the 22d section of the charter, the "West-
ern Railroad" can likewise be continued to and con-
nected with the North Carolina Railroad at any point
which runs almost the entire length of the State, and
the City of Charleston will thus have 10 the
entire productions of the State. Ten miles of the
forty between Fayetteville and the Coal Fields is
ready tor the lrOn and every means possible is being
used to complete the work. Fayetteville enjoys a
large trade and its commercial Importance is worth
the attention of Charleston.
1t is understood that the Cheraw charter requires
tax of twenty per ton on Cool and other pro-
duce, and twenty cents per passenger, to be paid in
to the State Treasury by the Company. No such tax
is required of The Western Railroad Company, which
Is an item of vast importance. From Cheraw to the
Coal Fields must BIO eighty miles, through barren
and unproiucve country poor as any In the State,
upon which no subscriptions be had ; while, on
the other line every mile from the State line TO Fay
ettevle is well settled and productive and able to
make liberal ripons-Robeson county being
of the wealthiest in the State-al of which
would be tributary 10 Charleston if this road was
built while the length of line would not be materi
ally changed and in all respects the Robson coun
y and Fayetteville line would be greatly preferable.
Are not the advantages alluded to. worth the at
tention of Charleston? If you intend to make
effort to secure portion OF the North Carolina trade
and free access to the rich mineral region of Deep
River, is not the securing of the trade of Robson
county, and of Fayetteville, eminently desirable in
the first instance with prospective connection with
the North Carolina Railroad point worth struggling
for 1t can be obtained through the " Western
Railroad" which has the right to connect with the
North Carolina road at ANY desired point, and
through no other channel. Is it not of vastly more
Importance than eighty miles of unproductlve coun-
try, and heavy tax all you transport, on the
Cheraw line robson COUNTY.