Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-25

ALEXANDRIA LOUDOUN, AND HAMPSHIRE
t. R-From communication in the National
Intelligencer, signed Clarke, in relation to the
proposed extension of this road, we extract
the following: .V .s5,,.D.,. ...,.... r.
Permit me TO call attention to some consi1era-
tons seeming to require the complexion OF tins
road to Piedmont, upon the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, and on the edge OF the Virginia
coal field. This. coal, known In the market as
the Cumberland coal, fluids Its only avenue. 20
market in the Baltimore and Ohio railroad aud
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. .-..5,
By the surveys for the Loudoun aud Hamp-
shire railroad, Washington is distant from Pied
mont about 40 miles. By the Baltimore and
Ohio road, Washington is about 100 miles froa
Piedmont, making difference in favor Of the
former road Of about SO miles. | speak only
from memory, but these figures in the main, |
think, viii be found correct. The baltimore
road will diminish this difference by Its project
cd branch from the Point OF Rocks, but with
this completed, there will still be difference
in favor Of the Virginia road OF FROM % TO 80
miles.
The Loudeun aud Hampshire road-sup-
posing il to be independent OF the Baltimore and
Ohio RAILROAD influences, which, whenever
there is a prospect of Its being made, will seek
to control itsterminus, and to effect o juncture
with itself at Harper's Ferry-taps the richest
portion Of the Shenandoah Valley at point
nearly cquidistapt from Front Royal, on the
Manassas Gap road, Winchester, and Harper
Ferry, Here is section of the Shenandoah
Valley, over 40 miles in length, by about Is
In width, which awaits in anxious expectancy
the approach Of the iron horse, and longs. TO
pour OF Its abundance into the lap OF the Dis
uiet. Keys Gap, the projected point OF en-
trance is between so and 60 miles from w ash
ington.
We don't want the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. We have to haul our produets from
II to 20 miles for the privilege Of having them
transported 70 Baltimore at cost for trans
portation alone of from 10 to 20 cts per bush
e.. Add to tits, 10 cts, covering commissions
at depot, for selling, drayage, .&c,, and you
have 80 cts, the cost of marketing q bushel OF
wheat OF corn IN Baltimore from this country,
after it. reaches the railroad. 1t corn was at
the old price of 60 cts /, it would just cost one
bushelto sell two Alexandria or Washington
Is the natural outlet for this portion of the
Valley. Our products, BY the Loudouinr and
Hampshire road, would reach the consumer
resilient in the District atac0st doubly reduced
Joy our proximity to market and by the COM
Detition between the two roads. If amalgama-
ZION with the Baltimore road ever occtrS the
advantages of competition will be lost to both
consumer and producer, and Baltimore and
the Baltimore road, through itself and the
various roads it controls, may then be said sub
stantially. to own the Shenandoah Valley; for
it may We'll be questioned @hetherit is not bet
ter to own the privilege of carrying its sur
plus products to market at a cost OF 70 cts,
per bushel, than to own. the land that pro
duces them. ''e 80 t'~" f''' '''
ALAsKA.-The steam cutter 'Wayanda has
just returned to San Francisco from q summer
cruise to Alaska, After undergoing repairs,
the Wayanda returns to Alaska for the winter
South of the Alautian Islands coal has been
found in numerous localities along the coast
and of good quality. The Indians have been
visited at various points and found we'll dis
poed and peaceful, even those from whom dit
Gculty had been chiefly anticipated. A num-
Der of valuable harbOrs not laid down in the
charts have been visited and described With
such accuracy as was possible, consistently with
the rapidity of, movement necessary to. accom-
pllsh the widely separated objects In view