The Portland daily press., 1867-06-14

ChAWFOhD aOOSk,
White Mountains June 10, 1867,


White Mountains juno 10, 1867.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The party left St. Johnsbury at half past
eight o'clock this morning and arrived at the
Crawford House about seven in the evening.
When all were on board the two six-horss
coaches, three cheers were given for ST. Johns
bury and by help of Browns Bronchials,"
so generously given to the excursionistsat Mont
peiler, tremendous tiger was thrown in
which echoed along the valley of the Passump-
sic river and was responded to most heartily
by the people of St. Johnsbury. Away rolled
the coaches and soon we passed over the Pas
sumpsic into the valley of Moose river. Ten
miles brought us to the Connecticut river,
which we crossed and passed on to Litleton, a
beautiful and hourishing village some twenty
miles from st. Johnsbury.
Here We enter tho valley of the Amonoosac
river that runs quite to the Crawford House.
One side of the roof of this hotel throws the
water when it rains into the Amonoosac and
the other roof sheds itnto Saco river; so that we
are now on the highlands. In the evening the
party assembled in the spacious parlor, and at
the suggestion of Mr.. Spring, meeting was
called and j. B. Brown was called to the chair.
Speeches were made by Gov. Washburn Gen
Anderson, j. B. Brown, Mr.. Willard, Mr. Fair
banks and Judge Poland. Gov. Washburn
moved vote of thanks to the following gentle
men who accompanied the party from St.
Johnsbury to wit. Engineer Lindsey of
Burlington, Gen. P. P. Pitlnn, Col Levi
Boutwell,, w. G.. Ferrin, c. WI Willard of
Montpelier, and Judge Poland, Horace Fair
bsnks, Calvin Morrel, John Bacon and G. M.
Stone of st. Johnsbury. This meeting was a
very enthusiastic one and all came to the con-
clusion that the Railroad must be built.
just at sunset the party walked down from
the Crawford House to the Notch, the objec-
tive point which they have long had in view.
and as Fanny Kemble said when Niagara Falls
first burst on her view, Good Godl who can
describe that sceneP' 1t seems to me that this
great gorge between the mountains is one Of
the most sublime manifestations of natures
power to be seen about these noble old noun
tains. 1t does seem as if Providence intended
this mighty gorge between the mountains for
a passage way for the iron horse with his train
just at the time it is most needed. If the
sound of the locomotive is ever heard echoing
among the mountains, venture the opinion
that it will be esteemed by all pa ssengers who
ride in the cars through this Notch, as one of
the most sublime sights they have ever seen.
1 cannot do any thing like jnstice to this sub
ject in this hurried letter. and therefore post
pone it to some furthure day when 1 may again
speak Of it.
The Crawford House is on grand scale and
when the cars are heard laundering through
the gorge and coming up to the hotel filled with
pleasure travellers and the lovers of the truly
sublime in nature large as it is it will hardly af
ford accommodations for those who will wish
to linger about the locality. But our six-horse
team which has brought us thus far from
Montpelier is about to start to carry us through
the Notch and down the valley Of the Saco
river. Thus far the six gray horses have
brought US on our way in grand style and in
perfect safety. Our driver is fine specimen
OF Vermont humanity, and weighs about two
hundred pounds. With a skilful hand he
holds the ribbons, and his grays are under
complete control. He will not soon be forgot
ten by this party. Our ride across the coun-
try to this grand elevation has been one of es-
pecial interest, and the excursiOnists have
highly enjoyed it; not merely on account of the
magnificent scenery that everywhere greeted
their eyes, but more especially on account of
the great facilities it affords for the construc-
ton of railway to connect Portland with
that rich agricultural section Of our country
The effect resulting from the opening of such
a railway would immediately be felt by Port
land. The trade of northern Vermont and
New Hampshire would then come to Portland
and the advantages Of such traffic cannot
well be over estimated, to say nothing of the
great West to which another avenue would be
opened from the Atlantic. The more this
question is thought of and examined, the more
important it appears in all its business aspects.
In connection with this view of the subject the
Pacific railroad may come in for share of at
tention. When such road is built connecting
the Atlantic and Pacific shores, this contem-
plated route will assume more gigantic proper
tions, and its Importance become more deeply |
interesting. The time is coming when both |
these great roads will be constructed, and the |
people will wonder how those who had gone
before them got along without such facilities |
for travel and traffic.
But hear the sound of our carriage driving |
up to the Crawford House, and must close this |
hurried letter. There is so much to write about |
that don't know where to begin nor where to |
leave off. We shall probably find 3 rough road |
through the Notch aud for several miles down |
the valley Of the Saco river, but our stalwart |
driver and his noble grays are good for it.