Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-19
RICHMOND wHIG.
TIRE BRAZILS.
THE DON PEDRO H. RAILwAY-P0RTI0N BUILT a
BY AMERICAN CONTRAOT0RS-AN IMPERIAL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. NEWS +

TIE BRAZILS.
THE DON PEDRO H. RAILWAY-P0RTION BUILT
BY AMERICAN CONTRACToRS-AN IMPERIAL
VISIT-MlSCELLANEOUS NEWS.
Rio DE JASErRo Friday, June 8, 1860.
| wrote YOU few days since, by the Champion, Van
derb steamer which vessel touched here to fill up with
coal on her return FROM the Pacific Since then the En-
peror has made most interesting tour OF inspection oVe
the American portion Of the Don Pedro H. hallway, now
in course of ructon His Majesty LETT the Palace oil
San Cristov daylight Saturday last by special train
and arrived at Beem the terminus Of the first completed
section, at A. N. the morning, the distance
being about 20 miles At the station he met by Con-
seheiro Ottoni President Of the Road Major Andrew
Ellison Jr Chief Engineer; VIM. Ellison, Assistant En-
gneer Charles J. Harrah, Esq one of the contractors
aud all the principal functonaes of the Nassouras Dis
tric After partaking Of superb djenner, served up
in the depot the Imperial party mounted their animals
and commenced their OF inspection accompanied by
the several Americans aforesaid The Don PEDRO Kali
road which will when finished, extend some three nun
ded niles into the interior Of the largest coieegro~ng
district was originally the scheme Of Dr. Cochrane, an
English resident of this place he having succeeded IN pro-
curing grant from the Imperial Government for It's con-
struction Finding however, that years passed away
without the work being commenced aud that BONA nae
company in formation the Brazilian Government
gave Dr. Coehrane the Of OoO for bis right and
issuing guarantee OF per cent. upon the Stock the
new company under the direction Of the Government,
came into tx seuce aud the first section OF the work was
commenced by Messrs Price Co., English contractors.
This first section which extends to Belem has been COM
peed about three years, but the work has not been
done to the satisfaction Of the company and was evidently
pushed through with view Of outside show more than
/ substantially.
| When proposals for the second section of the work
we're issued 10y the Company, Messrs Roberts Harvey
Co. American contractors, entered the field, and we're
the successful competitors The firm consisted of Messrs
Robert and George Harvey, iIom Virginia, w. Ii. Ro-
berts Jacob Humbird and Charles j. Harrah-the latter
gentleman being long and fayOrably known in Brazil as
enterpisng ship-bulder in Rio The portion oil the
road embraced as the second section although but seven
teen miles in length is perhaps, viewed in scientific
| light as stupendous piece OF work as any OF our
mountain the United States IL has to traverse
mountainous range 900 feet above the level oil
the sea and some of the filings required enormous,
while the shafts for the tunnelng have 10 be sunk in
some places upwards of 45O feet and these have TO be
cut through the most solid kind OF trap rock. To ac-
tOmpish this work the contractors are allowed seven
years of which have already expired and the work
has advance beyond the expectations OF the conrac-
tors themselves and much to the surprise Of the most
scientific resident Cngueers. At tue time the contract
was awarded to Messrs. Roberts, Harvey Co.. Colonel
Garnett of Virginia. (unele OF Hon NJ. r. II. Gar
net ~ c., the CUmpauy's Engineer-in'C Chief, but
his position was soon after filed by Major Andrew Eli
son. Jr the present incumbent col Gsrnett having re-
tired account Of i'll health. Major Elsons stall oil
assistant Engineers who are all Americans consists OF
Messrs. Moreno r. W. Chandler, (son Of our Minister
resident at Naples) William Ellison, Spear Nicholas, Ca
Beckham Whose father killed at Harpers Ferry)
and one or two others whose | am unacquanted
with. The subcontractors Aessrs Sampson, Muh
lenburg, Dr. Davis, aud John lumbrd. DIR. L. d. Could
Of Philadelphia, is the Physician Of the road.
But once more TO return the Emperors visit. The
whole OF the fist day consumed by inspection Of
the FIRST eight divisions, when the imperial cor'ey arr
we'd at the hazenda OF Senor Commeudor Faria which
had been arranged the stOppingplIce for the night
The Emperor dlued and slept here and started the fol
lowing morning at daybeak TO resume his Inspection
short distance further along the line marquee tent
was erected aud breakfast served, which partaken
of by the Imperial party. On arriving at the mouth OF
the grand tunnel the Emperor dismounted, and accom-
panied by Msjor Ell son Messrs llarrah and Sampson
went in aud remained time highly interested in the
mining work On their reaching the grand shaft which
has already been snnk $50 feet the Emperor signied
his intention descend aud requested )r Ellison,
being about his own size and weight IN the most
afable manner 10 20 down with him. The Major hay-
ing seated himself the other side Of the tub, the
der lover given and his Imperial Maj ssty wac
lest sight in the darkness below. They remained
below unusual length of Time, his M'jesty being so
much interested in The nature OF the work. and on his
re appearance in safety at the mouth he was spon-
taueously greeted with the Uirds Of all pres
ent. After descending the other shafts, and
entering the completed portions of the tunnel he pro-
ceeded 20 Brandon the residence OF Mr. Jacob Humbrd
who is the oorkiHg Of the line Here the Emperor
desired Mr. Humbrd to be presented, and compliment
ted him on the Advancement Of the work. Lunch was
then served aud after passing the remainder OF the
line the Imperial party r-taced their steps TO Macacos
the residence OF M or Ellison, where the Emperor had
arranged TO pass the night His Mejesty dined and slept
here Mrs Ellison, anaecomplshed Virginia LADY, being
permitted to honor his Majesty by facing him the din
ner table. The Emperor here inspected all the plans and
drawings Of the road and the morning after tender
iug his thanks to Major and Mrs. Ellison, and officially
expressing to Mr. Otton the President Of the road his
satisfaction the progress Of the work, and his in
teres its completion he left by special train for the
palace arriving safely A. A., where he received
by the Empress and the Processes.
There is nothing much ofinterest here since my last
The British steam frgate Euralyus having on board
Prince Alfred is daily expected here. The Forte with
flag of Rear Admiral Sir Henry Keppel is here her
way to the Cape OF Good Hope. The Prussan scientific
expedition have sailed for Japan via Singapore.
The United States Narraganset sailed for the
Pacific on Saturday last All we'll The Decoah is not
vet arrived The French flagship Acese is hourly ex
peeed her way France. At last accounts the Con-
gress was at Montevideo. Dolphin aud Bainbridge at
Buenos Ayres. Pulaski about TO sail for Paraguay.
Coffee still very high. Flour very dul; clrgoes being
reshpped and sent to the River La Platte. Freights
dull Exchange % S4 pence sterling TO the mireis,-
Arrived the barque Panama aud schooner Coggswel
from New York. THE MAJOR.