Year: 1866

THE YORK RIVER RAILROAD.-This line
is now progressing finely toward compile
ton, and ere the approaching winter ex-
pires, with its accustomed bleakncss, the
iron horse will be dashing proudly through
the rich and productive valley Of the Pa
Ipunky to West Point, and bringing to this
mart the invaluable treasures of York
river and its tributaries, together with other
desirable products Of the Tidewater re-
gion. The people along this line, who
have suffered almost beyond endurance by
the rayages of war, will hail with delight
the sound Of the shrill whistle and the
graceful train as it glides once more over
the land they love. This win, indeed, be 8
happy era for an enterprising people who
are now shut out from this city for the
want Of requisite facilities to transport
them and the products of their indefatiga-
BILE toll, nearly all of which now find access
to Baltimore, Norfolk, and other cities, at
tributable to the extreme isolated position
this country bears to this city since the de-
struction of this road. We have watched
and felt profound interest in this i'm
provement from its earliest inception to
the present moment, and know that previ-
Gus to the war the most sanguine anticipa-
tions Of success had been more than re-
allied by ardent friends. The extensive
travel and immense freight over it en-
hanced the thrift of this city no little. A
greater portion Of this trade justly belongs
here, and will naturally come when this
avenue has been opened sufficiently for
its transition. Till then 1t will seek other
markets, to the great detriment of Rich
mond, which has already lost materially by
unwise legislation on other lines of internal
improvement.


The road is now in excellent running
condition to Chickahominy river, dis
tance Of twelve miles from the city, with
material train passing over it daily. A
splendid bridge now spans this widely
famed stream, and is ready for the trains
to pass over, with the exception of putting
the rail down, which, we are informed, will
be done in few days. The grading north
of the Chickahominy is of lighter charac-
ter than that already finished, and conti-
nues to the White House. There will be
a passenger car placed on the road when
completed to Dispatch station, for the ac-
commodation of the public. This is only
two miles north of the bridge, and will soon
be ready, from the fact of the large num-
ber Of hands employed.


General William II. F. Lee has contract
ed to furnish all the material for construct
ing q bridge across the Pamunky river,
and with his usual promptness will have the
whole of it in place at the time specified.
The building of the bridge must necessarily
consume much time, owing to its large di-
mensions, etc. There are laborers at this
time engaged in putting piles in their pro.
per places for superstructure of bridge. II
there is nothing to retard the present ope-
rations on the road, we can with safety say
that it will be completed to the White
House by the LIST of February next.


It will be ineffable pleasure to see this
line opened to West Point. The enormous
prices that fish and oysters now command
In our markets will suddenly collapse, and
oil will be enabled to indulge in the luxu.
ries of salt water without fear of being
made bankrupts by paying the exorbitani
prices Of Sl.50 per gallon for oysters, and
| In the same ratio for fish.


Mr.. Williams, do continue to hurry uI
the road, SO that we can get to York river
and feast on bivalves, trout, sheepshead
drum, and hogfsh.