New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-07-26
ESGISEER's OFFICE, N. O., o. ASDG W RAILWAY,
Brashear, st Mary's parish, La, Judy 25 1860.

s'ia3 Il M, ~ - II = - .sAiLs IN. ~
William C. Hewes Esq, President:
Dear Sd-My report to you on the railways of
Texas, published in the Crescent of the 18th inst,
having, as you tell me, attracted some attention,
and induced inquiries as to the progress of our
road, now, agreeably to your suggestion, give in
this form the desired information.
Our road from Algiers to Brashear, so miles in
operation, is now in perfect order. The present
terminus of the road at Brashear is upon the east
bank of Berwick's Bay, or the Atchafalaya river
Here, as is well known, is our sea connection with
Texas by a tri.weekly line of steamships, to which
another, now being built, will be added in October
or November next. As it is intended that the new
steamship shall make two trips per week to Calves
tom there will then be five arrivals and five depart
ures weekly.
Continuing the line of our road, we here cross
the Atchafalaya, 100 feet wide, by steam ferry
boat now building, that will transport the trains
without breaking bulk, aud with but little deten-
ton Near the west bank the line crosses point
of cypress swamp and marsh about three miles
wide; the embankment across this Is half done
and steadily progressing, under a contract with
Mr. Knox, who will finish the work by the 1st of
November. From thence, our line passes UP the
south bank of the Bayou Teehe through the rich
sugar plantations Of 81, Mary and ST. Martin, to
New Iheria As miles from Brashear The whole
line, from KnoSs work to New Iberia, is under
contract with Mr.. Bisbee, and is being rapidly
pushed forward to three different points. The
tross-tiea are all contracted for, and portion of
the rails, SO that il may be set down as sure that
this, our second division of The road, will be en-
rely completed and in running order by the lst Of
July next. New Iberia is l25 miles fom New
Orleans.
At this plaee-New Iberia-the whole Of the
Texas railways, feeders to the Texas and New
Orleans Railway, will by that road unite with ours,
bringing to New Orleans as stated in my former
communication, the immense business of country
tributary to about $50 miles of finished railway,
Immediately after this contention is made, which
will be done by the close Of next year and as the
railways of Texas are being rapidly extended in
several directions from the city of Houston, the
extent of connecting roads will be annually in
creased "@
There will then, very shortly be continuous
railway from New Orleans to the city OF Houston,
in Texas, 3i7 miles TO the city of Austin. 500
miles, and to San Antonio, 900 miles; and this
alone, in view of the immense business in passen-
| gers, cotton, cattle and other freight thai must
necessarily be added 10 it by the connecting link,
the Texas and New Orleans road will make the
| New Orleans, opeousas and Great Western Rail-
road one Of the most Important and best paying
roads in the United States.
But this is not all. At this pointz-Ne IBERIA
we are only haIf way with cur main trunk road to
] our western terminus on the Sabine river Here
1 commences our third division, which extends to
i epeleusas- miles through rich. fertile and
beautiful prairie country, capable Of producing
| sugar, cotton and Germ in abundance where lands
are now in great demand, at prices ranging from
ten to thirty and even forty dollars per acre Near
| one,hali of the graduation of this division is al
ready completed, and if the work is steadily con
tinued We should reach opelousas with cur ears
by the slose Of next year.
By the construction Of this division onr company
will acquire full ownership and possession of {
) very large body OF the most valuable lands il