Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-04-24


Address, sent to each member of Congress,
from this place, in view OF directing their
attention 10 This place as a suitable site for
the contemplated National Foundry, be-
Iieying ii will prove as interesting 10 our
readers as any other matter we could m
ser.
SnEpunRDsTowN, Jefferson Co., Va. }
April IA, 1858. )
The undersigned Committee
appointed al large meeting of the clti-
zens of Shepheris,own and vicinity, beg
leave respectfully 10 address you in re-
gard TO the superior advantages offered
! by this place as site for the proposed
National Foundry.
Whilst other places possess many ad-
vanrages, the undersigned indulge the be-
lief that none combine the many essential
requisites which surround this for such an
establishment, and they would therefore
invite The consideration Of the committee
to some of The peculiar features which
constitute this an admirable location for
the Foundry now in contemplation.
The water power here is abundant and
Iinexhausiable-a never falling stream pas
ses through the town, having fall Of
some 60 feet, upon which there are seve-
raj Mills and Manulactories-any Of
which can be bought at moderate prices
The entire volume of the Potomac river
is made subservient TO Milling and Manu-
featuring purposes by a dam thrown
across it Immediately y below the town.
This magnificent water-power which
is unsurpassed by any in the country
comprises the whole of the Potomac riv-
er, by means of dam seven hundred feet
in length. 1t is built upon a remarkable
ledge which runs at right angles across
the river, constituting thereby an indls-
lruclabIe natural dam of itself and afford
ing foundation unsurpassed for such
structure, as is evident, from the fact
that the dam has withstood the floods and
lice of tie Potomac for thirty years.
The extensive and substantial character
of the improvements connected there with,
consist in large Merchant Mill, Hydrau
Ilc Cement Mill, Houses, Shops, KiIns,
&C., and The main building could be read
lily ited for the reception Of any sort Of
machinery. II is 100 feet by so, 3 sto-
ries high, of l3 feet pitch each. The
walls are of brick three feet thick at the
base, and eighteen inches at the top, rest
ing upon lime stone foundation six feet
rhick, built upon arches sprung on solid
rock.
| The Cement obtained upon the proper
ly would in a few years repay the Gov
ernment the cost of the site, as there is
none superior to il in the Union, and
large quantities would Se consumed in
The construction of the Waer-wOrks in the
! District, in the extension OF the Capitol,
| tForliGcaiions and other National works.
Coal from the Cumberland mines can
be procured in any quantity, via the Ches-
apeake and Ohio Canal, which rurs along
The margin of the Potomac on the Mary
iand side, and 10 which there is Iill-ock
communicating with the river directly op-
posie tie town.
By means of the Canal ard the BaIti-
more and Ohio Railroad, which passes
near this place, every facility is afforded
at all lines for ihe transportation ol any
amount Of freight and communication with
all parts uf the Union.
In The vicinity large Forge is in sue
cessGuI operation, and the Ore near here
which supplies the Forge is considered
inferior TO no other, for the fabrication Oh
cannon.
Upon the completion of the expert
menis now Authorized, with the view Of
testing the qualify of the iron Of the Uni
ted States for cannon, scarcely doubt is
entertained that the metal from the Ore
bank near here, will receive the highest
Recommendation, as many Of the pieces
now in service we're cast from it,and they
have proven tough, durable and but little
subject 10 corrosion.
Real estate here is held al very mod
crate price, and therefore ibe water pow
er, site, hand-houses, &C., which would
be required for the Foundry and the oper-
alives, would cost the Government lille
compared with lhe outlay at other points,
where properly is held at much higher
rate.
Thoegh il is scarcely probable that q
foreign enemy viii ever again be allowed
TO deseerste our shores, as the numerous
lines Of raihoad would enable the Govern
ment TO cosceBlrais a hundred thousand
men upon every threatened point yet il
may be safe and advisable to tx our Foun-
drys for cannon. as are The Armories, at a
convenient distance in The interior, out OF
reach Of any danger, where even the mobs
,f cifias eannnf selza ii.a In, "a 10 I'm C nfs of