Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-10
from the Quebec Morning Chronicle, April II
Rail WAY CONTENTION AT AUGUSTA
NAME

A CARD FROM THE QUEBEC DELEGATION.
The members of the delegation which had the
honor to represent the interests of this portion Of
Canada in the Railway Convention held at Angus
ia. Maine, on the Both Of March, 1876, desire &c
express publicly their full and hearty appreciation
of the extremely kind and hospitabe manner in
which they were received and entertained by theii
American neishbors during their attendance upon
the convention.
Having left Quebec, via the Grand Trunk Rail-
way, on Tuesday evening, March 18th, we reached
Yarmouth junction on the following afternoon
and were there met by delegation from Augusta
the capital of the State, and escorted in special
car over the Maine Central railway to Augusta,
where we were provided with comfortable quar-
tiers at the hotels.
On the following morning we were invited to
pay our respects to His Excellency Governor Con-
nor; and while at the State Capital, were called
upon by his Worship, the Mayor Of Augusta, and
the City Council who in company with his Excel
lency the Governor, escorted US in carriages about
the city for the purpose Of viewing the State lnsti-
tutions, Manufactures and other objects OF inter-
est.
AT the large and enthusiastic railway meetings,
which were held in the afternoon and evening of
the same day, were given the seats OF honor
upon the platform by the side Of His Exceency
the Governor who presided at the meetings, and
other dig nitaries of the State and City.
1t should be stated here, that this meeting was
called in the interests of the projected line of Rail-
way from Quebec, through the valleys of the
Chaudiere, and kennebec river via Augusta to
Wiscasset fIaIbor on the Atlantic Ocean-a dis
lance of about two hundred and twenty five miles
ninety miles Of this distance, composing the
Lewis and kennebec Railway lies within the prov
ince of Quebec, and is one half completed; and the
remaining one hundred and thirty five miles lies
within the d1ining State of Maine, of which about
thirty mics are now completed. And we have
only to refer to the published proceedings of these
meetings to show that an earnest determination
was manifested by parties representing both the
American and Canadian interests, to push the en-
tire work forward to completion, at the earliest
possible day.
On Friday morning our friends escorted us by
railway via Brunswick and Bath, to the city of
Wiscasset where we were placed on board com
Portable steamer and enjoyed most delightful
sail OF several hours around one of the finest har-
bors in the world. After a careful examination of
its entire length and breadth; its immense depth
of water; and its approaches and from the broad
Atlantic, We were forced to the conclusion that
nothing wanting but the completion of the
"Wiscasset and Quebec Railway" and the erection
OF It's terminal station upon its wbarves TO secure
to Wiscasset in the future the present commercia
Importance and surroundings of Portland, Boston
and other sea-ports whose natural advantages have
long since been utilized and developed through
the sole agency of the locomotive engine.
Alter most sumptu0us collation. on board the
steamer, we were again placed on board our spe-
cial car and accompanied by our hospitable fients
=
and, very much to our regret, we were forced to
part with them, after receiving their promise to
afford us an early opportunity of reciprocating
their kindness and attention by return visit to
our ancient city of Quebec.
As if 10 add however to the many obligations
which had already been heaped upon us, our sur
prise may readily be imagined when on the follow
ing Saturday afternoon, as we halted moment on
our return at Yarmouth Junction, several of our
friends who had made special trip from Augusta
rushed into our car for the purpose Of bidding us
final adicu, to which we could only respond by
giving them three rousng cheers from the rear
platform, as the train moved rapidly from the sta
ton.
After having been the recipients of so much
kindness and hospitality on the part of our neigh
bors upon the other side of the line, the feeling
could but be entirely unanimous, on the part Of
own delegation, that an important information
al enterprise, such as it had been our mission to
endeavor to promote, could not fail of early and
complete success, long as its destiny is control
led by gentlemen who are so united and persistent
in their efforts, so enlightened in their commercial
views. and so generous in their hospitality.
We have only to add, in conclusion, that 1t will