Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-12-21

"DANv1LLE, Dec 9Th, 1853.
DEAR SIR:-Your esteemed favor of the 18th
inst, is received, and would have been answered
sooner but for my absence.
Before proceeding to respond to your enquiries
it may not be amiss to state that l am one of the
few persons in this section who favor the proposed
Railroad connection between Greensboro and Dan
vile. large portion of our citizens seem to give
the subject but little concern expressing the opin
ion that it is to be of much benefit to North Car
DINA as Virginia and if North Carolina does not
want it. they entirely willing to let it pass.
In reply to your enquiries as to the number of
pounds of Tobacco manufactured in this place and
surrounding country, have to say, that Danville
manufactures about 100000 pounds and the sur
rounding country about 100000 pounds: making
in all some II, 10000 600 pounds in the state
market at least 100000 About 1000, 900 pounds
of the above tobacco passes over the Danvlle road
and the balance the Virginia and Tennessee
road and the North Carolina road except the small
portion that is carried to market on wagons. Thus
you perceive this is a great manufacturing as we'll
as tobacco growing country. Very little tobacco
grown in this section is shipped in the raw state,
but a considerable quantity is purchased in Rich
mond annually and brought to Danville and manu-
featured
It is we'll established fact that the tobacco grown
in this section is of superior quality, and better
adapted to making fine chewing tobacco than any
other, and thus far, finds better market in the
southern country. WIN the connection between
Greensboro and Danville very large portion would
60 directly south by Railroad and avoid the difficult
ties attending the present mode of getting to mar
ket which not only cause much delay but often Sc
rious loss from exposure to salt water and other
casualties attending its transit by sea- At present
a consi gnment of tobacco intended for Columbia,
S. c. and Augusta or Atlanta Ga is sent cia Rich
mond, New York and Charleston, requiring some
weeks. and by this air line road it could reach
either of the above named places in two or three
days. No manufacturer in Virginia or North Caro-
Ina would say that the saving in time, and the alb
solute security from the hazards of sea voyage,
are not more than equal to double freight on fine
tobacco. If any article of manufacture will bear
high freight it is fine tobacco. feel confident the
Danville road would be injured in the way of ton
mage by the connection, but the number of passen-
gers she would get by this air line would probably
more than compensate for the loss of FREE ghts I
am satisfied that neither North Carolina Virginia
would be injured materially by the connection, and
even if they were should favor it, in view of the
fact that this proposed work partakes so much of
national character The people of South Carolina,
Georgia, Mississippi Alabama and Louisiana are
looking to it with much anxiety as they are in
Virginia or North Carolina; and even though did
not think you would give passengers enough to
compensate for our loss in tonnage, do not think
could oppose work pregnant with such benefits to
so large number u