The Portland daily press., 1869-03-03

NEwFIELD, Feb. %, 1869.
To the Editor Of the Press;
To those interested in the project Of making
a railroad to connect the cities of Portland,
Saco and Biddeford with the Great Western
railroad, the undersigned thinks it proper to
make a few suggestions.
From all that have seen published it seems
to be understood and admitted that the Great
Western railroad will be made to the valley of
the Connecticut river-and there are various
routes proposed to meet that road.
have read with some care all that has come
within my notice, and from what can learn,
there SEEM to be conflicting interests and
views in relation to the route to be chosen, to
meet that road in the Connecticut valley-and
although have but little interest in any pub
lie works, I fancy that have as much person
al knowledge of the proposed question, as any
one person now living, and take the liberty
to call the attention of those interested to the
foregoing subject.
The people of Portland are extremely anx-
ious to open communication with the Great
West. Biddeford and Saco combined, seem
also desirous to open an avenue in the same
direction and the question to be settled seems
to be to select the route that will be the most
direct, and made with the least expense
From my knowledge of the country between
our seaboard and the Connecticut valley above
the mountains think there is better route
than any that have been described; which
will here present.
Let Biddeford and Saco make the road to
the station, on the Portland and Rochester
road at WATERFORD. Let Portland take the
Portland and Rochester road to the same point
let the united means of these cities proceed
westerly through WATERFORD to the Little Ossi-
pee river little above Stimson's mills and
Hollands faetory-from thence cross the river
to near the mouth of the Fogg Mill stream so
called-thence through the south part of Linn
erick, following that stream to its head, which
is little west of the centre of the town of
Parsonsfiela. Thence valley lies open into
bingham, New Hampshire, extending to the
Green Mountains; thence pass round the
north side Of Green Mountains to the valley of
the Great Ossipee river; thence cross that river
and the plains ON the north side Of the Great
Ossipee pond to the principal inlet to that
pond called Bear Camp river; thence follow
that river to near its head in the town of Sand
wich.
have no doubt that if an examination of
thisroute couldibe made by disnterested com
mittee that it would prove more satisfactory
than any route yet proposed.
When it could be once determined to make
the road to the heart of the town of Sandwich
through Tamworth by the valley of the Bear
Camp river, the expense of crossing from
Sandwich over the Pemigewasset river and
south of the Moosehillock mountain to the
Connecticut valley, would appear trifing
when compared with an attempt to cross the
White Mountains through the Notch.
On an examination of this route il will be
seen that the streams to be followed are more
straight and direct than common; and that
there are no great lodges or deep holiows TO
encounter-and that the people on the route
are as able to aid in the construction Of the
work as on any other route.
Perhaps the people of Limerick and Par
sonsfield will not thank me for interfering with
subject that properly belongs to them. but
INV only apology is, that have long wondered
that some persons who were deeply interested
had not before now brought the question to
public view.
have no wish to tire the reader with argu-
ments-a perambulaton and survey will settle
the question better than volume Of labored
Arguments.
leave the subject to the consideration Of
those to whom this address is made-and
subscribe myself your humble servant.
1t GAMALIEL @ SMITH.