A OF THE SURVEY OF A RAIL ROAD ROUTE FROM PORTLAND ΤΟ LAKE CHAMPLAIN, WHICH IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE STATE OF MAINE. BY WILLIAM L. DEARBORN, CIVIL ENGINEER. AUGUSTA: WM. R. SMITH & Co., PRINTERS TO THE STATE. PORTLAND, February 18, 1840. His Excellency JOHN FAIRFIELD, President of the Board of Internal Improvements. SIR, I have the honor of transmitting a Report, on the survey of that portion of the route of a Rail road from Portland to Lake Champlain, which is included within the State of Maine, that was commenced in conformity to your instructions, on the twenty-eighth day of August, and completed on the eighth of November last, and also the Plans illustrative thereof, which are numbered from one to six. . I was assisted in this work by R. Douglas and and L. L. Cummings, and consider it due to them to state, that they faithfully and efficiently performed the very arduous duties which devolved upon them. The aid rendered by the Hon. John Webb, who acted as Commissary to the Corps, was of very great importance, as it was thereby enabled to advance more rapidly and economically with the survey. Very essential assistance was also afforded by many of the persons who reside on the line which was followed, as they were intimately aequainted with the local features of the country, and were ever ready to impart such intelligence as it was in their power to communicate. It is likewise proper that I should state that they expressed great anxiety that the project should be promptly carried into effect, as it was universally considered that such an avenue of communication would be of incalculable advantage to this State. With the highest respect, I have the honor to be Your most obedient servant, W. L. DEARBORN. REPORT. PORTLAND, February 18, 1840. His Excellency JOHN FAIRFIELD, President of the Board of Internal Improvements. SIR,-That portion of the route for a Rail Road from Portland to Lake Champlain, which is included within the State of Maine, and was selected by your Board to be surveyed, was that which was designated as the northern, in the Report which I had the honor of submitting last June, on a reconnoissance of the whole line. Commencing at Portland, it passes through the towns of Westbrook, Windham, Raymond, Otisfield, Norway, Waterford, Albany, Bethel and Gilead, to Shelburne in the State of New Hampshire. On a more exact examination, it was deemed advisable to deviate, at some point, from the route which had been recommended in the Report, as it was ascertained that the line which was ultimately surveyed, presented less obstacles to be encountered, diminished the number of curves, as well as the cost of construction, and would, in all respects better |