Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-12-06

state Of Maryland, have proposed to do this up
on condition that the Government will endorse
their bonds; they binding themselves to sci
aside annually sufficient sum for their redemp-
ton at maturity, aud thus eventually release the
Government from any liability whatever, aud to
charge, for transportation, rates in no case 10
exceed four cents ton per mile for freight, aud
three cents per mile for passengers. During the
continuance OF the war, however, their charge
LOT passengers Is not to exceed two cents per
mile. The charge for the transportation of pms
sengers between the two cities is ut present 81
cents per mile, and for freight the rates per ton
wlll average from five to eight cents per mile
rhe large saving to the Government in cost Of
transportation would amply compensate for all
Inability and give TO the citizens of all the loyal
states greatly improved facilities for reaching
the national capital, and al much less rates than
they are now compelled TO pay. To the citizens
OF the District it would cheaper the cost of sup
plies, and prove Of immense value in every re-
spect.
recommend that railway be constructed
through this city from the navy yard, by the
Capitol, to Georgetown. forming connections
with the existing railroad depols, and using the
Aqueduct bridge for the purpose Of crossing the
river at Georgetown. By junction of this pro-
posed railway with the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad, not only would the communication with
our troops ia Virginia be greatly improved, but
mn easy access be obtained to the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad near Harper's Ferry, by means of
the Loudon aud Hampshire Railroad. To its
Importance as affording facilities for moving
troops nnd supplies in time Of war may be added
the future beuefls it would confer upon the Dis
uict Of Columbia. The outlay required would
be saved in few months by enabling the Coy
erment to dispense with the expensive Ferry at
Georgetown, and by greatly decreasing the cost
y wagon transportation of the army through
this city.
The injuries to railroads, instigated by the re-
bel authorities Of Baltimore, in order to embar.
rass communication with the North and West
| via harrisburg, and with the East via Phiadel-
pliia. hayo been repaired by the different COM
panies that own them. That portion of the Bal
imorc and Ohio Railroad west of Harpers Fer
ry, which was so rulhlessly destroyed by the re.
bells, has not yet been restored The great inle.
terests of trade require that this road should be
reopened MS speedily as possible by the compa-
ny, for the transportation Of the immense sur
plus OF tho agricultural productions of the West.
10 aid this Object the Department has rendered
to the company q sufficient force for its proloc-
lion during the progress OF the work. and will
render such facilities as it may be able to pro
vide, in oonnexion with its other important
public duties
For the purpose of facilitating tho transporta.
tion OF supplies to Alexandria. and to points be-
yond, it has been found necessary to rebuild
portions Of the Orange and Alexandria aul tho
Loudon and Hampshire railroads. and to lay a
track from the railroad depot to point on the
Potomac river, in this city.
Under an appropriation granted for that thr.
pose at the last session Of Congress- n Teu
graphic Bureau was established, and has been
found of the grestest in our military operations.
Eight hundred and fifiy-seven miles of telegraph.
ic line have been already built and put in opera
uon, with an efficient corps of operators, and
large extension is now in process of construc-
ton.
Congress, at its late session, made an appro-
priation for the reconstruction of the Long
Bridge, across the Potomac, which, in its then
dilapidated condition, was unsafe for military
purposes. The work, which has been carried
on without interruption to trade or travel, is
rapidly approaching completion, and, when fin.
ished, will be substantial structure.
On the first of the present month, Lieutenant
General Winfield Scott voluntarily relinouisbod
bis high command as general in chief Of the
American army. He had faithfully aud gallant.y |
served his country for upwards of half century.
and the glory Of his achievements has given
additional lustre to the brightest pages Of our
national annals. The affections Of a grateful
people followed him into bis retirement. Tho
President Immediately conferred the command Of
the army upon the officer next in rank Fortu.
nately for the country, Major General Mcclellan
had proved himself equal to every situation ia
whio hhis great talents had been called into exer.
cise. Ills brilliant achievements in Western Vir-
glnla, the untiring energy and consnmmalo abili-
~ lie has displayed in the organization and dis
cipllne of an entirely new army, have Justly won
for him the confidence and applause OF the
troops and Of the nation.
Extraordinary labor, energy, aud talent hive
been required Of the various bureaus of This
Department to provide for the vents of our i'm
mense army. While errors may have been ocon.
sonally committed by Huborlinates, and while
extrayagant prices have undoubtedly in some
cases, controlled by haste and the pressure of
rapid events been paid for supplies, it is with
great qualification that ! refer to the economical
administration Of affairs displayed in the various
branches Of the service. Our forces had not only
to he armed, clothed and fed, but had to be sud.
deny provided with means Of transportation TO
an extent heretofore unparalleled While |
believe that there is no army ia the world better
provided for in every respect than our regulars
mud volunteers, eandidly think that no force SO
large aud so well equipped was ever put in the
held IN 80 short space of time at 80 small an
expense.
While it is my intention to preserve the strict.
'st economy aud accountability think the last
iollar should be expended aud the last man
ihoud he armed to bring this unholy rebellion
% Il speedy aud permanent close.
The geographical position Of the metropolis of
he nation, menaoed by the rebels, and required ,
o be defended by thousands of our troops. in
luces me to suggest for consideration the pro
'rieiy and expedency of a reconstruction of the
boundaries of the States of Delaware, Maryland.
md Virginia. Wisdom and true statesmnnship
would dictate that the seat of the National Gov. O
rnment for all time to come, should be placed Il
eyOnd reasonable danger of seizure by enemies t
Githn, as we'll as from capture from foes with
ut. by agreement between the States named -
uch as was effected, for similar purposes by
iichigan and Ohio, and by Missouri and Iowa.
heir boundaries could be so changed as to rem
er the capital more remote than at present from
he influence of State Governments which have
rrayed themselves in rebellion against the 4
'ederal authority. To this end, the limits of n,
irginia might be so altered as to make her l.
ouudaries consist of the Blue Ridge on the east
nd Pennsylvania on the north, leaving those on y
ne south and west as present. By this arrange r
lent, two counties of Maryland (Alleghany and z
would be transferred to the jurs- ~
icton of Virginia. all that portion of Virginia ar
hieh lies between the Blue Ridge and Chcsa.
cake Bay could then be added to Maryland. -
lille that portion of the peninsula between th Q 5,
aters of the Chesapeake and the Atlantic, now dl
lnjointly held by Maryland and Virginia, could g
8 incorporated in the State of Delaware. A d,
ference to the map Will show that these are
reat natural boundaries, which, for all time \
come, would serve to mark the limits of these \
tates.
To make the protection of the capital complete,
consideration Of the large accession of terrific
: which Maryland would receive under the ar "
'ngement proposed, it would be necessary that
lat State should consent to so modify her con
tuition aa to limit the basis of her representa-
on to her white population !,
In this connection it would be the part of wis n
I'm to reannex to the District of Columbia that ea