Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-12
ANTHONY HoUsE, LITTLE ROCK. ]

MR. EDITOR: Having business in your town we availed ourselves of the facilities offered to us by the new line of mail coaches just put into operation between Madison, the termination of the Memphis and Little Rock railroad, and this place by those enterprising and energentic men, Chidister, Rapley Co, and although owing to the heavy rains which had just fallen, the roads were in the worst possible condition, 1 we With the mail, were safely landed at our destination yesterday afternoon, making the time from Madison, our starting point, in about twenty seven hours, and the connection between Memphis and this place in about thirty hours. After the journey was safely accomplished we could not refrain from contrasting our speedy trip in comfortable coaches with the slow, wea- rsome tugging and plodding through mud and mire have heretofore endured in passing over the same on horseback. When first in formed of the great enterprise of making the nial connection between Memphis and this place in but lttls more than one days time by means of coaches, we were inclined to doubt the possibility of effectng so desirable an object; but now we know that, in the worst of weather and most unfavorabe condition of the roads there has not, since the line went into operation, been a single failure to deliver the mails in due time, and to carry passengers with safety and comparative comfort. Indeed, those who know MT. Chidister well, also know that there is no such word as fail in his vocabulary. From an acquaintance with him, and from witnessing the energy which has been infused into all the employees connected with this line we are fully assured that the contractors will not only be successful in carrying the mail in schedule time, but that they will also be able to transport any number of passengers in comfortable coaches, drawn by fleet horses, and driven by eXperienc- ed, careful and accommodating drivers.
 We feetno hesitation in saying that the citi zens of the state ought to consider themselves fortunate, that this and all the other lines of coach mail transportation in their midst have fallen into the hands of such a company of eu- terprsing and thorough going men as Chdister Rapey & Co.
 The line from Memphis to this place is more important than any other in the state because it is the pioneer which marks out a route to be followed by the great Pacific railroad, which must sooner or later be built by the general go- vernment or by private enterprise. The pro- tection of immense territory and the urgent de- mands of the commerce of the world require it, and render 1t work Of necessity. It's constuc ton is sure. being now only question of time In this point of view the immense importance of this line to the state, to the south and to the whole Union IS too apparent to need comment
 Now it may be safely said that the days of old fogyism are waning and days of advance ment and improvement are beginning to dawn even upon Arkansas which has hitherto made so little progress in developing the mighty re- sources of wealth and greatness, so long con cealed and unknown within her borders. And may we not hope that the citizens will arouse to press forward every movement which will promote our progress and improvement
 Ii is understood that Col. ButtertieId, who is now here, is engaged in supervi ing the trans portation of the overland mail to California, thus showing that at least one arm of the great Pacific railroad must pass through our midst. In wishing success to Chidster, Rapley & Co. we cannot refrain from consratulatng our most excellent post master general, Aaron V. Brown, for his success in establishing aud and putting in operation by means of such active and go ahead agents the important mail connection by overland with California, thus binding with another cord the golden state of the Pacific coast with her older sisters of the east
 yours truly,
 J. F. GRAVES,
 E. MALLORY,
 C. M REAuI EX