New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04

Baltimore. A responsible company, with cnarter
from the State of Maryland have proposed 10 ~ 'iS
upon condition that the Government VIII h'"o,s g
their bonds; they binding themselves 10 ses asiue
annually sufficient sum for TIER q. 'us,
from any liability whatever, and to charge LOT Trans
portaton rates in no care to exceed four cents tu
per nile for freight and three cents er mic loI pds
sengers. During the continuance on the war, now,
ever their charge for passengers is not 10 eNoeeu
t,ro cspts ner mile The charge Tor the transports
80; - ,,oscnoers betWeeu the two cities is IT pres
ent "a cents per mile and for freight the rates per
nm will average from five to eight cents per mile
The large saving to the Government IN cost OF trans
narration would amply compensate Tor all liability
I'D Give 10 the cizens of all the loyal States greatly
mnroved facilities for reaching the National Capital
and at much less rates than they are now compelled
10 pay. To the citizens of the District it would
cheaper the cost of supplies, and prove of immense
value in every respect.
recommend that railway be constructed through
this city from the Navy-Yard, by the Capitol 10
Georgetown, forming connections with the existing
railroad depots, and using the Aqueduct bridge for
the purpose Of crossing the river at Georgetown.
BY junction Of this proposed railway with the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, not only would
the communication with our troops In Virginia be
greatly improved, but easy be obtained to
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near Harper's
Ferry by means of the Loudon and Hampshire Rail
road. To its importance affordiDg facilities for
moving troops and supplies in time Of war, may be
added the future benefits it would confer upon the
District of Columbia. The outlay required would
be saved in few months by enabling the Govern
ment to dispense with the expensive ferry at George
town, and by greatly decreasing the costly wagon
transportation Of the army through this city.
The injuries to railroads, instigated by tho Rebel
authorities of Baltimore, in order to embsrrss COM
munication with the North and West, via Harris
burg, and with the East, via Philadelphia, have
been repaired by the different companies that own
them. That portion Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road West of Harper Ferry, which ruthles.ly
DESTROYED by the Rebels has not yet been restored.
The great interests of trade require that this road
should be reopened as speedily as possible by the
company, for the transportation OF the immense sur
plus of the agricultural productions Of the West. To
aid this object the Department has rendered 10 the
company a sufficient force for its protection during
the progress of the work. and will render such facl
tiles as may be able 10 provide, in connection with
its other important public duties.
For the purpose Of facilitating the transportation
of supplies to Alexandria and to points beyond, 1T
has been found necessary to rebuild portions OF the
Orange and Alexandria and the LCudon and Hamp-
shire Railroads, and 10 lay track from the Railroad
Depot to point on the Potomac River, In this
city.
Under an appropriation granted for that purpose
at the last Session of Congress- Teegraphic Bu-
reau was established, and has been found OF the
greatest service in our military operations. Eight
hundred and ffty-seven miles Of telegraphic line
have been already built and put in operation, with
efficient corps Of operators and large extension
ls now in process OF construction.
Congress at its late session, made appropriation
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 without interruption to trade or
travel, is rapidly approaching completion and, when
finished will be substantial structure.
On the first Of the present month Lieut. Gen.
Winfield Scott voluntarily relinquished his high
command as General-in-chief Of the American army.
lie had faithfully and CALAMITY served his country
for upward of half century, and the glory Of his
achievements has given additional luser TO the bright
est pages Of national annals. The affections of
grateful people followed himnto his retirement. The
President Immediately conferred the command Of
the army upon the officer next in rank Fortunately
for the country, aj..Gen. Mcclellan had proved
himself equal TO every situation in which bis great
talents had been called into exercise. His brilliant
achievements in Western Virginia, the untiring en-
ergy and consummate ability be has displayed in the
organization and discipline Of entirely new army,
have Justly for him the confidence and applause
Of the troops and Of the nation.
Extraordinary labor, energy and talent have been
required OF the various Bureaus OF this Department
TO provide for the wants Of our immense army.
While errors may have been occasionally committed
by subordnates and while extravagant 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 eco
nomical administration Of affairs displayed i'll the
various branches Of the service Our forces had not
only TO be armed, clothed, and fed, but Rad to be
suddenly provised with means of transportation to
an extent heretofore unparalleled. While believe
that there is no army III the world better provided
for in every respect than our Regulars and Voun-
teers, csndidy think that no force 30 large, and so
well equipped, was ever put i'll the field III 30 Snort
space Of time at so small an expense.
While il is my intention to preserve the strctest
economy and accountability, think the last dollar
should be expended and the last man should be armed
TO brig this unholy rebellion to speedy and per-
manent close.
The geographical position Of the metropolis Of the
nation, mensced by the Rebels, and required to be
defended by thousands Of troops, induces me to-
suggest for consideration the propriety and expe-
diency Of reconstruction Of the boundaries Of the
States of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Wis
dom and true statesmansbp would dictate that the
seat Of the National Government for all time to come
should be placed beyond reasonable danger OF seizure
by enemies Within az well as from capture by foes
from without. BY agreement between the States
named, such as was effected Tor similar purposes by
Michigan and Ohio, a. by Missouri and Iowa, their
boundaries could be changed 10 render the Cap
tai remote than at present from the influence OF
State Governments which have arrayed themselves
in rebellion against the Federal authority 10 this
end the limits of Virginia might b. altered as TO
make her boundaries consist OF the Blue Ridge on
the east and Pennsylvania the North, leaving
those on the south and west at present. BY this
arrangement two counties of Maryland (hlleghany
and Washington would be transferred to the juris
diction Of Virginia. All that portion of Virginia
which lies between the Blue Ridge and Chesapeake
Bay could then be added TO Maryland, while that
portion of the peninsula between the waters OF the
Chesapeake and the Atlantic, now jointly held by
Mary land and Virginia, could be Incorporated into
the State of Delaware. reference to the map will
show that these are great natural boundaries, which
for all time to come would serve to mark the limits
OF these States.
To make the protection Of the capital complete in
consideration Of the large accession of territory
which Maryland would receive under the arrange