Year: 1866

then ought build the possible
Blue Ridge Railroad provided they get cheaper and
still shorter line to the South Atlantic


Let We learn from the that Louis
vile to Charleston Cumberland Gap and the valley of the
French Broad the distance is only 629 mes4 miles shorter
than by the Blue Ridge The saving per ton miles,
would be 25 which, in the aggregate for one year would
be 81 $50 OOO or the interest per cent on capital of
S22 000 third of which would be ample build
this whole road from Paris Kentucky to Sparanbu South
Carolina.


1t would appear then that the Cumberland Gap and the
French Broad valley the shortest and cheapest line the
city of Charleston and would unreasonable to
cude that would be greatly to the interest OF Louisville and
Cincinnati to unite their respective roads at or near London
and push boldly forward to the Cumberland Gap.


There be doubt but that Virginia Tennessee and North
and South Carolina will meet them at that point.
Gap distance of 95 miles, is already under way.


General KIRBY SMITH has recently been chosen President
accepted the position and believe that he the best
calculated to push through at the earliest possible day The


friends of the French Broad road wish the Virginia and Ken
lucky road good speed The distance from Cumberland Gap
Norfolk by this route will be miles only miles of
road build whilst the distance from Cumberland Gap
Charleston is 435 miles with 212 miles to build and 80 miles of
which under way and mainly provided for.


At Ashevie North Carolina great lines thrown off
Salisbury Greensboro Raleigh and Newbern to Beaufort
Harbor and the other the borderpassng through
and Charlotte to Wilmington at the mouth of the
o1Rs sa EsaF distance from Asbsvs to Beaufort North Carolina
416 miles with link of 20 miles, extending from Ashevile to
Morganton remaining to be built.


From Ashevie to Wilmington the distance by rail will be
about $50 miles and the work most of the line in ad
vanced state of progress.





there 297 miles with link of only "A miles from Asheve
to Spartanburg remaining to be built.


These great lateral lines penetrating they will do that vast
region of fine agricultural and mineral country from the Chesa
peake Bay to the mouth of the Savannah add largely to the
ducements for adopting the Cumberland Gap and French Broad
Valley line the most direct outlet for the great Northwest to
the South Atlantic seaboard


If the line is thrown off that great of circle described
by the Blue Ridge route then it will pass far to the West
but should such visionary scheme be carried out the
influences which at work will continue until the
French Broad line is built.


LASER he
continue until this great national highway completed in all
its parts When accomplished will present the
Charleston by least II miles the very nature
of things will control the great bulk Of the tonnage moving
South.


to make Knoxville point Suppose they unite their
specve roads London and thence proceed through Whee
Gap Knoxville Why, then, should they prefer the Blue
Ridge route to that of the French Broad?


The Blue Ridge route would open line 452 miles long
from Knoxville to Charleston with 164 miles of road to
build cost of from four to six million dollars old prices
whilst the French Broad road would line only 423 miles
long from Knoxville to Charleston with l6l miles Of new road
to build at cost OF only s235OOo old prices and with II
miles of this distance under way and amply provided for


Let Knoxville friends then push forward their road
North rapidly possible We hope at an early day to give
them outlet to Charleston through the French Broad Valley
miles shorter that is greatly cheaper and throwing at
time this heavy tonnage IL miles of the East
Tennessee and Virginia Railroad from Knoxville Mostown
every aspect the hen the French Broad route has
superior claims to that of the Blue Ridge


Now would most respectfully appeal to the immediate
friends of the French Broad route and the OF
greater determination to push the
good work Let agate, let work. all zeaousy labor
for the general good and the day not be far distant when
shall ondes hopes realized Let the friends each
State organize and go work in their respective States Let
them have early meeting which all the States interested
shall be represented and let them counsel fully together


Let them invite they choose the friends Of the different
lines interested say the Virginia and Kentucky the Lebanon
Branch the Paris Irvine and East Tennessee the Western
North Carolina the Wilmington Charlotte and Ruthertordton
the Knoxville and Kentucky and the Virginia and Tennessee
Roads


We would also suggest that the President of the reenve
and French Broad Railroad Company fix the time and place Of
meeting,


In conclusion beg leave say the friends of this great
favored by natural advantages will step and grasp the golden
prize They will Appropriate themselves what has been given
you by nature your own birthrght


viii you it to yourselves and your children will you
content yourselves with repose and give up this rich nher
tance your enlightened and energetic neghbors If
you would avert this latter dire result would again admon
ish you to be up and doing.


R. c. McCALLA CHIEF Engineer


Cincinnati Cumberland Gap and Charleston Railroad.


MoRRIsrowN Tenn, Aug. 9Th, 1866