Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-23
COMMUNICATED
PrOpOsed Railroad Route.

proposed kSallrUitU ShVutc'
RossLYN. Va, Opposite Georgetown jan
uary Is, l869.-Col. Reid. j. Coz, Aldte,
Vd.-DEAR SIR Your letter of the 9Th De-
cember was received, and as you observe
took the liberty Of publishing 1t In the
"Chronicle. "
You may we'll congratulate your seetion'
that feeling corresponding with your own,
has sprung up, and which, | doubt not, Will
result in railroad enterprises that will change
the prospects Of the cities of the District, and
collateralIy deyelope that section Of Virginia IN
which you reside, and that your efforts to this
end will be successful.
The citizens of the District OF Columbia,
with their friends in Congress, and the people
abroad, East and West, have determined that
the projected lines of railway shall be put
through. Western members and their constlt-
uents see the importance OF the two roads dl-
verging from Washington, one to Cincinnati,
and the other to Clevelani on Lake Erie, not
ONLY that easy and quick transit can be had tor
passengers and fregbts, but it will settle at
once and forever, the question OF the perpetul-
ty of the National Capital in its present loca-
ton.
The route you propose for the line to Cincin-
Mathis undoubtedly the one to be chosen, judg-
inc from the indications abroad. 1t will, as
YOU say, cost comparatively little to construct
such road, taking in the course, from point
on the Loudoun and Hampshire road, Aide,
through the Gap, following Little river to the
Plains in..Fauquier county, on the Manassas
Gap road, and thence to Staunton, and con-
meet with the Chesapeake and Ohio road, OF
which 240 miles is now built with Its western
terminus Cincinnati. With the inducements
of triAing cost in this connection to Stanton,
rrho
that the majority of the capital can be used to
assist the Chesapeake and Ohio road (which
needs it, to finish their line as projected, quiets
their apprehension as to the rival line, and yet
directs the trade eastward via Washington all
rail, rather than by Richmond which it might
seek if connections were made near GordoHs-
vile. In locating railway, it is very neces-
sary to look to its resources Tor freight patron
age The Philadelphia and Reading road
probably carries more tons to market than pass
out of the State of Illinois. Agricultural pa
tronage is limited, whilst mining resources are
inexhaustible A single county underlaid with
mineral deposits may be made to afford more
freights by rail than all the agricultural pro-
ducts of State.
Whilst you exhibit in large figures the pro
duce annually sent TO market, and the value of
live stock from the counties of Loudoun, Fau-
quier, Clarke, Jefferson Berkeley, Page, Au-
gusta and others, approxmating So, 900 600, it
would be but drop in comparison to the value
of mineral beds, which now lie, and have for
centuries been undisturbed. Virginia has more
undeveoped wealth in her bosom than the Cal
ifornas. What she needs is outlets. She was
among the first OF States to urge onward the
car of progress She has everything which a
bountitul nature could supply in the way of
soil, climate, and mineral resources. Yet things
worked slowly, and she is iDnocently the vic
tim of precocious enterprise but 1t IS TO be
hoped a new era is dawnng. What Virginia
lost in the old system OF turnpikes, canals, &C.,
is being gained now by new forces. Foot paths
must give way to county roads, county roads to
turDpikes, turnpikes 10 canals, canals to rail
roads.
need not say to you that such road would
pay any judiciousy located, fairly patronized
railroad always does and always will pay a
fair interest on its real cost. Your people, If
inclined to take stock to such road, need not
hesitate the country must be developed
given remunerative employment our pro-
ducts taken to market, all that is required Is to
get the road on a solid financial basis, and put
it on the plan of the greatest freight capacity,
opening it to the equal right OF III carriers de-
string to transport over 1t, dividends Will come,
and rapidly, to the proprletoTs.
1t may be questioned by some, and amfree
to confess that the subject is agtating Congress,
and the States especially, which will feel first
the results of perhaps an innovation, but Con
gress, for self protection to the Federal Coy
eminent, will exercise the right to build roads,
in any direction, through any part CT the do
main under its jurisdiction.
The more railroads you have the greater the
immigration This secures wealth, fosters
enterprise, and develops what has lain dormant
for so many years. eschewing the distinct
party lines OF the present day, accept the broad
principles of the Democracy of 1870 universal
liberty, free Speech free press establish schools,
encourage domestic manufactures and advance
internal improvement. .-
Let material craftsmanship control her future
and Virginia will come from the darkness
which now enshrouds her, as Of DID, mighty In
the councils, but mightier and more powerful
in the effort which elevates humanity.
am, with great respect, yours, &c.
VIM w. DUNCAN.