FROM FLORIDA there is nothing of interest by the Steamboat, although we have Charleston papeis of last Saturday afternoon. Some extracts are annexed: Harrison of Ohio,) was among the number of these been received. The amount of loss in goods is eɛtimated at between 4 and $5000. They consisted MOBILE, April 14.-We have been favored with principally of American manufactured cotton goods the perusal of a letter from Col. Samuel M. Wil-(13 cases, 4 bales) and some foreign goods. No liams, who recently left our city for Texas, which account is received of the description of the vessel, states that he had received a letter from Brazoria of her force, destination, or whence she came. the 1st April, which informed him of the retreat of Gen. Houston to the east side of the Brazos, it seems against the advice of his officers. ST. AUGUSTINE, April 12. At a time when the attention of the observers of nature is more than usually called to meteoric pheFrom the Army.-An express arrived last night nomena, the following account of an observation of from Picolata, bringing intelligence of Gen. Eustis. The Mobile Chronicle of the 16th inst. says:- shooting stars, made by Sir John Herschel, at the He was encamped two miles west of Pileklikaha O further conversation with some of the psssen- Cape of Good Hope, last November, is not without on the 4th inst. An express from him arrived at Fort King, requesting information of Gen. Scott.ers by the Tensaw, we learn that the army of Gen. interest. It is taken from the London Atheneum of Houston was believed to be nearly equal in num-February 27th.-[Eve. Post.] Two or three Indians had been killed on their route. ber to the Mexican force,-and was preparing for ANNUAL METEORIC PHENOMENON.-Our TransTheir corn had become exhausted, and the guide a general engagement. Reinforcements were ex-atlantic brethren have, for the last two or three was unacquainted with the country beyond Pilakpected, and daily arriving. 300 men under Col. likaha. The army was in good health. Pilakli- Hustin, from Natchez, were on their way, and 1400 to 1500 from Kentucky and Tennessee, besides smaller parties from other places. kaha is 75 miles south west of Volusia. Capt. McLemore, with 75 men, and two flat boats laden with provisions, left Suwannee Old Town, west coast of Florida, April 9th, for the mouth of the Suwannee river, to proceed thence through Vacassassa Bay to the mouth of the Withlacoochee, and up that river to the battle ground, to join Gen. Scott. [From the St. Augustine Herald 8th inst.] We learn from a gentleman from the Suwannee Old Town, that it was reported in Alachua, that Major Reed, with 250 men from Tampa came upon the main body of Indians, as he supposed, on the Withlacoochee in the night, and surprised them.— He opened a sharp fire, and killed 30 of them, and wounded a great many. They fled precipitately. This report was generally credited there. It was also reported that Col. Lindsay from Tampa Bay, had joined Gen. Scott somewhere at or near the Withlacoochee. We learn by a letter received in this city from the St. John's, that a report prevailed at Mandarin last week, that an Indian trail of a considerable body of Indians had been recently observed, on the river opposite Picolata, supposed to be that of party reconnoitring for the purpose of attacking any escort from Picolata of supplies for the forts in the interior. a [From the New Orleans Advertiser, April 13.] TEXAS.-The gentleman from whom we have the following statement, (Capt. Horton,) and who left Goliad on the 19th ult., informs us that Colonel Fannin having taken up his line of march on that day, at the head of 306 men, was attacked by the Mexican army consisting of from 1500 to 2000, about nine miles from Goliad. Our informant commanded the advanced guard, consisting of only 25 men, which was cut off from the main army; they remained in view of the battle for about three-fourths of an hour, and in hearing of it about two hours During the time they were in view the Mexican cavalry made two unsuccessful charges on Fannin's army: the Mexicans, he thinks, must have lost half their number in these charges. The attack was made about 5 o'clock in the evening, and continued about two hours and a half.He is unable to state particularly how the battle terminated; he encamped within six miles of the battle field that night and heard the firing of cannon next morning. Having remained ten days within about ninety miles of the place where the battle was fought, he was unable during the time to get any correct account of its result. Capt. H. had two skirmishes with the Mexicans, about 250 in number, the day previous to the attack on Col. Fannin. They could observe three of the Mexican horses going off unmounted. Capt. H's. force, in these skirmishes, consisted of about one to five. FIRE AT ALEXANDRIA.-On Monday night, a little after ten o'clock, a fire broke out in the second story of the large and extensive Cabinet Manufactory, at the corner of Prince and Fairfax streets, owned by Mr. James Green. The combustible nature of the materials within the building caused the fire to spread with great rapidity, and in a short time the Furniture Room and the whole of the Manufactory were enveloped in flames. The building was a large three story edifice, expressly fitted up for the business carried on in it, with a Steam Engine and new machinery. Its owner, after the misfortune of the great fire, in 1827, by which he lost all his property, had labored diligently to raise up this establishment, and, after years of labor and great expense, he at last succeeded. A night of disaster has defeated his exertions! There was not more than three thousand dollars insured on the property, and the loss sustained cannot be less than twenty thousand dollars! years, indulged us with accounts of some most extraordinary meteoric appearances that have taken place in America about the middle of the month of November in each year, and generally on the same day. The phenomenon in question consists of a most brilliant display in the heavens of a grea quantity of that class of meteors called shooting stars, which, during the whole of the night above alluded to, keep up a constant discharge, and illuminate the whole hemisphere. The most remarkable circumstance, however, attending this affair is, that the phenomenon always occurs on or about the same day of the month, (namely, the 14th,) and that the direction of the meteors is generally the same, which has induced many persons to imagine that it is connected with some extraneous body revolving round our globe. Mr. Baily, in the course of his correspondence with Sir John Herschel, noticed these remarkable statements, and requested Sir John to re. cord any extraordinary appearance of this kind that might occur, during his residence at the Cape of Good Hope. The following is an extract of a letter which Mr. Bailey has just received from that distinguished philosopher:-"In all my sweeps in November I was on the look out for shooting stars, viz. on the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 18th. On the 13th, and especially on the day mentioned in your letter, I told Stone (my assistant) to keep a sharp look out for them; his attention being disengaged whilst I was occupied at the telescope. He saw none. On the 14th, I still desired him to keep watch for them. The sweep commenced at Oh. sidereal time, and we went on till 4h. 8m, without his or my At one o'clock during the night it was feared that noticing any. At 4h. 8m. 19s. sidereal time, he a considerable portion of the town would be de called out, "There goes the largest I ever saw. It stroyed. As many as ten or twelve houses were fell in azimuth north about half west perpendicu actually on fire at different times, and but for the larly. At 4h. 42m. 59s. he cried out again for an vigilant watch kept, and the constant wetting of other great one: this fell north, about two points the roofs, there is no knowing what might have en-east, not quite vertically, but rather inclining eastsued. The dwelling house and tailor's shop, owned and occupied by Mr. Robert Massey, on Prince street, next to the Manufactory, were entirely consumed; the three story brick dwelling adjoining the Manufactory, on Fairfax street, was partially consumed; and Mr. John Wood's dwelling house, and the house occupied by Mr. Z. Nicholas on Fairfax street, were much injured. The light of the burning buildings was seen in Washington, and many of the citizens of that place, with their engines, went down to the relief of their brethren in Alexandria.-[Nat. Intel.] ROBBERY OF THE PEARL.-Extract from the protest of Capt. Blackmer, of brig Pearl, of Boston, made before the U. S. Consul at Villa da Praya, January 23, only against the white wall of a house, but on the ground. You may be sure that I shall look out again next 13th and 14th of November, should I still be here; though I can hardly suppose the thing to be more than an accidental coincidence: however, I have seen no considerable meteor since." ward. This was as large, he said, as Jupiter. At 4h. 46m. 39s. another great one falling east of Jupi ter, and still more obliquely, elicited another call, At 4h. 53m. 59s. I absolutely started from the eye piece of the telescope, at the glare of a superb one, which fell about 20 deg. azimuth west of south, and obliquely. Stone thought that it lightened, though his back was to it, and it was hid from him by trees. It left a narrow, vivid and distinctly crooked train, which lasted 20 minutes, and admitted of being steadily contemplated. This meteor was equal to "I sailed from Boston, Sept. 28, and on Oct. 27, Venus, at her brightest here: and I ought to menlat 32, long 23 30, discovered a herm-brig to wind-tion that Venus here casts a strong shadow, in which ward. She bore down under Spanish colors: was all the most minute parts of objects, as the leaves boarded by her first officer as supposed, who de-of trees, &c., are perfectly well distinguished, not sired a few provisions; was furnished with all he required, when he returned to his vessel for the pay, but instead of coming back he hoisted in his boat, and soon after hailed in Spanish, saying if I wanted pay I must send for it, and bring a seven inch rope; informed him that we had not the article on board. He then ordered our main yard hove aback, and He also informs us that Col. Ward was despatch-fire into us, at the same time tricing up his ports our boat hoisted out and sent alongside, or he would ed on the 9th ult. with a mission, (only 99 men) and loading his guns, accompanied with threats about 30 miles from Goliad, to the relief of Capt.that he would sink me unless despatch was made. King, who had been taken prisoner by the Mexi- This being done, the men were ordered back for all cans with 23 of his men (six being killed.) An en- the rigging on board; and this being fulfilled, they gagement took place on the 11th. Col. W. was April 25, 1836. attacked within 23 miles of the mission by 1200 duck, canvas, chronometer, &c. and a hawser and the 10th May, for the graduation and masonry of 20 were ordered back again to bring all the leather, PROPOSALS will be received at this Office until Mexicans; he retreated into the mission without the loss of a man; 62 of the Mexicans fell. He stream anchor; and a third time demanded dry miles of the Road, including a deep cut at the sum fought them from half past four P. M. till 9 of the goods, the best on board, threatening to board with mit. same evening. Ward then retreated toward Co-is crew, cut the throats of us all, take what they This division of the road commences in this State pano. The latest accounts from him stated he was pleased and destroy the vessel, unless the articles and ends in Pennsylvania; running through a high, making his way into the settlements, between the specified were sent with all possible despatch.-healthy country, abounding in cheap provisions. There being no remedy for the salvation of the Satisfactory recommendations must accompany the San Antonio and Guadaloupe rivers, towards Co-lives and property, goods were sent until the pirate proposals of those, who are unknown to the under three of our citizens were murdered by the Mexi TO CONTRACTORS. A list of the articles taken from the Pearl, has 15-tm 10 HANNA RAILROAD COMPANY, ISAAC TRIMBLE, Chief Engineer. WM. GIBBS MCNEILL, Consulting Eng AMERICAN RAILROAD JOURNAL, AND ADVOCATE OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. [VOLUME V.-No. 16. PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT NO. 132 NASSAU STREET, NEW-YORK, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. Editoral Notices, CONTENTS: . Extract of a Letter from a friend residing at Adri- Report on Cotton; Gold Mines in the Uunited Description of an Iron-Trussed Roof, etc., New Mail Arrangement; Sowing Clover Seed, 241 212 243 245 247 248 so amended as to leave out Bedford as a believed that the road will be ultimately With one exception no grade over 50 feet per mile will be adopted. The entire route is 129,09 miles. "The construction recommended is the flat bar with a flange on the inner edge, laid on white oak string pieces let into the transverse sleepers and secured by a dovetail wedge; the iron to be two inches wide and half an inch thick with a triangular flange of half an inch deep and half an inch in width, slopes off at an angle of 45°, so as to make the inner edge of the bar one inch thick. The string pieces of the best white oak five inches by nine, supported at inter253 vals of five feet by transverse sills eight feet long and not less than twelve inches thick, imbedded in the ground, and on embankments on soft ground, supported by longitudinal sills. 249 251 252 254 255 AMERICAN RAILROAD JOURNAL. NEW-YORK, APRIL 23, 1836. ERRATA. In the article on a "New Instrument for measuring distances," &c., for "reaching of the smaller parts" read "reading of the smaller parts," p. 295, line 29 from bottom; and again, for "reaching" read" reading," line 17 from bottom. Any person owning lands in Morgan County may subscribe for stock, one share, at least, on every 40 acres, by giving a mortgage and paying 6 per cent. interest to the company, and the company may in turn raise money on these bonds and mortgages for the construction of the road. From the uncommon favorable character of the county, it is believed that the entire work may be completed for $130,000. The company is authorized to loan out any surplus money they may have at twelve per cent. interest, or any less rate as the Directors may determine. RAILROADS LEADING FROM NEw-York.— We ask for the communications of "CLINTON," number 4 of which is published in this number, an attentive perusal. They are from the pen of a gentleman of intelligence and character; one who looks at The total, including tunnel, &c. $915,622 59 the great subject of internal improvement An extension of the road to Lake Michi-with the eye of an AMERICAN-not as a man gan is recommended as offering great ad- whose ideas extend only to the boundary of These, and several other instances, in vantages to the stockholders, and at the same bis immediate neighborhood, or State. He which we have been made to utter non-time completing the line of communication has studied the institutions of his country; sense, will be excused, when our readers are through the State. understands well the character of the peoreminded that eight pages of the Journal ple, and the fertility of the soil of the vast were thrown into Pi, and all the labor exregion beyond the lakes, and equally well pended upon them, lost. the present and coming wants of the citizens of this growing metropolis, the natural outlet for the rich fruits of the west, and would convince others, as he is convinced, of the importance of opening another avenue from this city to the interior of a rival State, an avenue which shall not only in. tercept a good share of the Susquehannah trade, but also pass through the Anthracite and near to the bituminous, coal region. JACKSONVILLE AND MEREDOSIA ILLINOIS RAILROAD. This Road is to extend from Jacksonville in Morgan County to Meredosia LEAVENWORTH AND BLOOMINGTON RAIL on the Illinois River, a distance of 26 miles. ROAD. The route of this road from Indian-It passes, we are informed, through one of apolis, via. Martinsville, Bloomington, Bedford, Orleans, and Paola to Leavenworth, has been surveyed by E. N. Elliott of Indiana College. He has found the route to be in general favorable, but advises that the charter be the most level, fertile and highly cultivated The preliminary surveys have been made ||ator from this city. We can hardly cred-|| have transported in one year on their Rai" for a road, or roads, from this city to the it the report, as he must be indeed blind road and Canal, including coal, lumber and Susquehanna, and the route is by no means who cannot see and appreciate the import- other articles, about that number of tons! a difficult one. ance to this city of that work, and it is to Without bringing these two facts in juxtaone would not readily have be hoped that more enlightened counsels position, will prevail. thought that a little village, which has risen into existence by the influence of its No one can, as we should suppose, after a moment's reflection, doubt the importance of the road to the city of New-York. It M. T., dated March 8th. now entire wilderness, should have exported as many tons as the whole of the European trade in ships, from the great commercial city of New York. will open [a direct, easy, and—what is of Extract of a Letter from a friend residing at Adrian, coal deposites, within 7 or 8 years from an more importance-uninterrupted communi. cation with the coal region-by which a constant supply of fuel may be, at all times, obtained at fair prices, instead of ten and eleven dollars per ton, as during the past winter. Should this road be constructed in a proper manner, with twenty first rate locomotive engines, one thousand tons of coal per day may be thrown into this market, should there be, or be a prospect of, a scarcity of fuel. This coal could be brought from the mines and delivered at the dwellings of the consumers, even in the winter, at not to exceed seven, and in summer at six dollars per ton-and it would always ensure a supply. Is it not, then, of immense importance to the city of New-York, as well as to New-Jersey, that this work should be made? I would take the liberty to inform you, that the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad, constructing from Toledo, on the Maumee, The Duke of Bridgewater, half starved is uuder contract from that point to Adrian, himself to save funds to open a canal to his (this place,) a distance of 324 miles-20 coal mines. Whatever doubts or sneers miles nearly ready for the irons. The Commay have arisen while he prosecuted the pany expect to have the line completed to this work, no one now questions his wisdom place for business the ensuing fall. This,con- If, reader, you have, without trouble, an opsidering the newness of the country, (only portunity to do so, please to cast your eye six years since its first settlement,) I think over the pieces of Railroad and Canal stock is accomplishing a great deal. The prose-in Great Britain, and see at what very great, cution of the work thus far, has had the in some cases, what amazing advance there effect to increase the price of property from is on those which lead from coal districts. 50 to 100 per cent. We have given the chief matter of interest, from the Report on the Eastern Railroad, by J. M. Fessenden, Esq. We would direct attention to that gentleman's views as to the rail to be used, it being heavier, higher, and supported at greater intervals, than those generally in use. I am, with due respect, To D. K. MINOR. fancy. Yours truly, For the Railroad Journal. A. J. C. Will it not be so in our own country? By the last paper I have seen Schuylkill stock was up more than 200 per cent above par, i. e. 153 for 50 paid, owing to the coal trade. The Lehi was at 89 for 50. Could this company disembarrass itself of the reserved right of the State, to purchase its stock, at par, whenever she should think fit, the shares would run up to 200 per cent. advance. In the three preceding numbers I wrought hard to compress much matter in a small compass, multum in parvo, I believe the The proposed Railroad which I would' Latinists have it. My purpose in this pa- press upon your notice, from New York to per is to expatiate somewhat broadly and Pittston, in Luzern county, the very leisurely; that is to say, instead of travel-heart of the Anthracite coal basin is, as I ling thirty miles an hour, whisked along before stated, only 106 miles, in an air line ELIZABETHPORT AND SOMERVILLE RAIL- at the rate Lord Brougham was when he from the City Hall. The road, it is believROAD, N. J.-We learn that the first three rode from Manchester to Liverpool; or dart-ed, may be constructed to embrace a dismiles of this road is under contract, and ing forward like the streak of lightning in tance not exceeding 125 or 130 miles, perthat the workmen commenced operations chase of the Kentuckian's horse; I mean to haps less. A company exists, is organizseveral days since at Elizabethport, and it travel as whim or pleasure shall prompt, ed, and stock enough taken to secure the is expected that cars will run from the land-stopping by the way-side to gather a flow. charter, through New Jersey and is in good ing to Elizabethtown by the 4th of Julyer or pick up a pebble, as shall suit my hands. In the official proceedings I see next. This road passes through a rich and the names of G. D. Wall, Mr. Southard, fertile section of country, and will meet the The enterprise of Mr. Wurts and his and other distinguished personages. They, Delaware river at Easton, Pa. company in purchasing coal lands on the of course, mean no child's play, nor enter Lackawana, where Carbondale is now sit into it merely as matter of speculation. uated, and expending two millions and an Now further, the line from the termination of half in making a Canal and Railroad to their the New-Jersey Road, through Pennsylvania mines, was a bold one, and has resulted to Pittston, is also authorised by law-a think, they are working rather too near the But the money is wanting. I will not deny, successfully. Unfortunately for them, I company formed, and the charter obtained. outer edge of the coal basin, to get at the nor attempt to hide from you, that I am inpurest of their coal. Were they to extend terested in this matter; otherwise I should their Railroad a few miles lower into the hardly trouble myself to indite letter after letValley of the Lackawana, they would be ter, number after number, to you, in relation amply compensated for the expense in the to it. But the interest that I have cannct increased depth and purity of the veins of affect the statements I make; "they will coal. As they go deeper into the earth, bear the test of scrutiny and of time." Exeven now, where they are, the coal becomes amine them closely yourselves. Now, if more pure. How many ships sail from the thing does most deeply concern the New-York annually for Europe? It is bare-highest and best interests of your noble ly a guess with me, for I have no book of City, is it of any consequence who it is that reference. Are there 300? Do their aver- calls your attention to the subject? The OLEAN CANAL.—We have been informed age burden exceed 400 tons? Say so three great rival cities of Baltimore, Phila. that there is some doubt as to the passage 300+400-120,000. A hundred and twen-delphia, and New York, are in honorable of this bill-and further, that one of its ty thousand tons! A vast amount, truly. competition for the North-Western trade. determined opposers is an Honorable Sen-But the Hudson and Delaware Company The facilities which New-York possess MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.-This railroad, as we learn from a gentleman on the line, is to extend from Natchez, through Gallatin and Jackson, to Canton, in Madison county-its length will exceed 150 miles. So earnest are its friends and stockholders in pushing it forward, that 7 miles of it were put under contract two months before the charter was obtained. HARTFORD AND NEW-HAVEN RAILROAD. The Commissioners of this Road have determined to adopt the route hitherto designated as the middle route through Meriden, Berlin, &c. for foreign commerce, should stimulate her to open every proper avenue into the coun Pond. landing of the town, where it is more than in places low and marshy, but generally of a mile wide. a uniform and even aspect, quite to the SeThe mode of connexion had in view con- basticook, which it reaches at or near the try; for the foreign trade must depend on templates a branch of the Railroad, extend-place called the Pug Hole, about two miles the interior business. Rhode-Island, as aing downward from the upper bridge, on below the mouth of Twenty-five Mile Creek, mere port for shipping is not inferior to any each side of the arm or estuary above des-which flows from the Twenty-five Mile in the Union. A great portion of the trade cribed; both of which branches may be extended to the distance of two or three of Lake Erie and the upper inland seas— The distance from the point of entrance miles each, and as much farther as may be into the valley of Marsh creek to the Sebas. the new state of Michigan, as well as north- desirable both sides of the estuary, and the ticook, is computed at twenty-one miles, viz: ern Ohio, the great territory of Wisconsin, shores of the Penobscot Bay, being favora- from that point to the summit, five and one and much from the Canada side may be se-ble for such an extension. half miles, thence to Unity village, three cured to New York by the Railroad from fast can be most conviently approached, by ticook seven miles. The elevation at which the town of Bel-and one half miles, and thence to the SebasBuffalo to the city. the Railroad, can only be determined by With the exceptions already made, the Would it not then be wise, besides indvi- actual survey; which will probably show gradations on this part of the route, will be dual subscriptions, for the city corporation that an elevation between thirty and fifty easy, no where exceeding thirty-five feet per to take 500,000 dollars in the stock of the feet above tide, will be most appropriate. mile. The curvatures will be gentle, being At the narrows above mentioned, or at the limited to a radius of one thousand feet, in company; and should not an appeal besite of the upper bridge, both having the one instance only, viz: at Sawyer's mills. made to the State Legislature to take half same locality, the ground and shores are The road formation will be generally easy, a million or more? Would not, and should favorable for assuming the desired eleva-except where bridges and embankment are not New-Jersey, as a State, subscribe 3 or tion, and the estuary may here be crossed wanted, several of which will probably be by a bridge of the requisite height, and required on the streams along which the 400,000 dollars? about one hundred and fifty yards long. route passes, and a bridge of large size, at the crossing of the Sebasticook, probably one hundred and fifty yards long, and forty feet high. CLINTON. We have for some time had on our desk, the very able report of Col. Long, on a Reconnoissance for a Railroad from the coast of Maine to Quebec. document. Sub-division No. 2. Extending from the Sebasticook to Bingham, and embracing a distance of thirty-four miles. At the site just mentioned we shall commence the description of the route which proceeds thence northwardly as follows, viz: From the upper bridge it passes along The abrupt gradation of sixty feet per the eastern shore of the estuary, about half mile, included in this sub-division, may be a mile, on rough and broken ground, cross-avoided, and forty-feet per mile substituted, ing several ravines, and perhaps the point at the expense of considerable excavation, The report is a voluminons one, as a ge- of a cove, to the mouth of Wescott stream, and embakment, at the place where it ocneral examination of the whole coast was whence it ascends in the valley of this stream curs. With this exception, the gradations necessary. Several routes are given in de-nearly a mile on rough ground. It thence in very few instances, will amount to thirtypursues the same valley, nearly to the source five feet per mile, while the rout on much tail, but as the one from Belfast has been of Wescott stream, where it encounters a of the way will vary from a level but a very adopted, we have given that only. summit, elevated about thirty feet above the few feet in the mile. Much of general interest as to the matter flats of the stream, and dividing between of construction and location is to be found the waters of Belfast river, and Marsh stream, which enters the Penobscot river at in this report, and when space is found, we Frankfort. This summit is situated in an From the crossing of Sebasticook river, shall be pleased to make future use of the extensive tract of swampy ground, through the route traverses a level or slightly rolling which the route passes, and afterwards en-surface, to the valley of Twelve Mile stream, We have received the Charter of the Bel-ters the valley of marsh creek at the dis- and then ascends in this valley on favorable fast and Quebec Railroad, as formed recent- mouth. tance of twelve or thirteen miles from its ground, quite to its source, when it crosses a lower summit, at the distance of five miles ly by the Legislature of the State of Maine. The distance from the upper bridge at from the Sebasticook. At this summit the It may be well to remark in this place, Belfast to the valley of Marsh creek, is com- route enters an extensive flat stretching that, this route is, in the opinion of those puted at ten miles, through which the route northwardly ten or twelve miles, and emis somewhat serpentine, and near its en- bracing Sibly's, Height's and Moose Ponds, enabled by observation to judge, inferior to trance into the valley just mentioned, quite the elevation of the flat above Kennebec rinone of those communicating between the circuitous. Its curvatures however, inay ver, being about one hundred feet. The Atlantic and St. Lawrence, with the excep.be limited to a radius of one thousand feet; route traverses this extensive swamp, passtion of the route of the Erie Canal. and its gradations to thirty-five feet per mile.ing in the vicinity of Sibly's and Height's On ascending from the flats of Wescott Ponds, from the last of which the route ROUTE NO. 3. FROM BELFAST TO QUEBEC. stream to the summit a rise of thirty feet is passes over a very low summit, and enters incurred, in less than a quarter of a mile, the valley of Wesrunset near Athens village. the passage of which will require much em. The distance from the Sebasticook to Sibly bankment, and considerable cutting in rock. Pond by the route above indicated, is comThe flats at the summit present at exten-puted at ten miles-a route quite as favorasive quag, upon which the road bed must ble and somewhat shorter, between the be supported on piles or broad grillage, for points just mentioned, is said to exist a little the distance of half a mile or more. Ma. to the eastward of the route described. terials of the best quality for construction From Sibly Pond to the summit near Height's are abundant and convenient. Pond, the distance is computed at 9 miles. Length of the Maine Division, one hundred and thirty-three miles. Length of the Canal Division, ninety-four miles. Aggregate distance from Belfast to Quebec, two hundred and twenty-seven miles. Sub-divison No. 1. Extending from Belfast to Sebasticook river, and embracing a distance of thirty-one miles. The facilities afforded at Belfast, for a connexion between the Railroad, and the commercial and other business, likely to be done at the depot, where it terniinates, are equally commodious with those presented at Wiscasset, while they are to be had on a much more extensive scale. After passing this summit and entering the valley of Wesrunset, the route passes on uneven ground about one and a half miles, in the vicinity of Athens village, and ascends in the valley to Wentworth Pond, and after crossing a low summit, may descend by either of three routes to the immediate valley of the Kennebec, the distances being about equal on each. The routes from the summit downward are as follows, viz. one by the valley of Michael's stream; one by that of Fall Brook, both of which terminate at Curritunk Falls; and the third by the valley of a stream entering the Ken From the point of entrance into the valley of Marsh Creek, the route proceeds up wards in this valley, and on broken ground, about a mile to Brooks village, and ascends thence two miles, in the same valley, and on favorable ground to Sawyer's mills, The estuary of Belfast or Pasagasa- whence it ascends for about a mile at a grawakeng river, extends inland about two dation of sixty feet per mile, to flats situated miles from the head of Penobscot Bay, of near the head of the stream, where it passes which it is an arm, and is navigable for a very low summit. The flats just mentioned heavy shipping, about two thirds of a mile, embrace the sources of Haskell's and for sloops as much farther, and for smaller Half Moon stream, and present a favorable craft nearly to the head of tide. This arm passage for the route leading through an of the Bay varies in its width from one extensive cedar swamp, to the valley of the hundred and fifty yards to a mile or more. latter, down which it proceeds to the junc-nebec river, a little below the village of At the upper bridge which is about a miletion of this stream with Sandy river. From above the site of the present town of Bel- this point the route pursues the valley of fast, it is contracted to the width of about Sandy river, downward to the plains conone hundred yards, below which, it gradual-||nected with the basin of Twenty-five Mile ly widens, till we arrive at the principal Pond, whence it traverses an extensive flat, Bingham, near which this route approaches, and must cross the river, on a bridge about two hundred yards long. Although these several routes are about equal in respect to the facilities they afford for arriving at the The distance from the summit near Height's Pond, to Bingham, is computed at fifteen miles. The road formations on this part of the route will require much cutting and filling, in order to pass numerous ravines, and other inequalities, which it river, yet inasmuch as that last mentioned be carefully surveyed, before a decisive pre- The foregoing exhibit shows, that the enstrikes the river about eight miles above ference is given to either. The route al- tire length of Route No. 3, from Belfast to the point at which the others reach it, the luded to, leaves the valley of Sandy river, Quebec, is two hundred and twenty-seven route leading through Bingham, and cross- near the point above indicated, passes near miles; which is shorter by nineteen miles, ing the river at some point near the village, Twenty-five Mile Pond, probably on the than Route No. 2, from Wiscasset to Queis regarded as fairly entitled to a preference. east side of it, and proceeds thence to Peol- bec, and fifty miles shorter than Roate We shall accordingly consider the crossing toma Point, in the township of Chandler- No. 1, from Portland to Quebec. Of the of the river, at this place, as the end of this ville. From this point it ascends in the distance above stated (227 miles) two hunsub.division. valley of the Sebasticook, passes Moose and dred and six miles are attended by grada. Height's Ponds, and unites with the other tions not exceeding thirty-five feet per mile; route at the summit, in its vicinity. eleven miles by gradations varying from Sub-division No. 3, extending from Bing- thirty-five to sixty feet per mile; and ten ham to the mouth of Wilson's stream and miles by gradations not exceeding ninety embracing a distance of twenty-four miles. feet per mile. It also appears from the Sy. This sub-division from a point opposite to nopsis, that the average cost per mile, for Bingham, in the valley of the Kennebec, 8 road formation, bridges, &c. included, is The curvatures on this entire sub-division,||miles above Curritunk Falls, is coincident seven thousand five hundred and eightymay readily be limited to a radius of one with the 2d subdivision of Route No. 2, of th four dollars, and that the aggregate cost of thousand feet, and the gradations to thirty- Wiscasset and Quebec Route, from th this item, on the entire route from Belfast five feet per mile. Extensive portions of same point to the mouth of Wilson's stream to Quebec, with a road surface twenty-five the route may be kept free from curvatures, in the valley of Dead River, one mile above feet wide, is one million seven hundred and and nearly level. The country abounds in its mouth. Sub-divisions No. 4. No. 5 and twenty-one thousand five hundred dollars. timber, and other materials well adapted to|| No. 6, of this Route, viz:-the Belfast and the purposes of construction. Quebec Route-are also coincident and identical with the same sub-divisions of Route No. 2, to which reference is respectfully made. must encounter. In reference to this, and the preceding sub-division, it should be remembered, that instead of the route, leading from the confluence of Half Moon and Sandy streams, to the summit near Height's Pond, a different route may be substituted which may prove quite as favorable in all respects as that before described, and which ought to We shall conclude our description of this grand Route with a brief synopsis as before, exhibiting items of information 'similar to those contained in the synopsis of Route No. 1, or in that o. Route No. 2. To this amount, if we add as before, seven thousand dollars per mile for a single track, or thirteen thousand dollars per mile for a double track, we shall have for the aggregate cost of a double track Railroad from Belfast to Quebec, four millions six hundred and seventy-two thousand five hundred dollars. It will be perceived that in the several tabular views, comprehended in this Re. port, no allowances have been made for surveys, superintendance or contingencies of any kind; we shall accordingly subjoin a brief general Synopsis of the Grand Routes, in which the allowances of this character, deemed requisite and proper, will be included, and with which we shall conclude our description of the several routes. A SYNOPSIS OF GRAND ROUTES FROM THE COAST OF MAINE TO QUEBEC. Probable cost of a Railroad on under difDistances ferent gra dations. cluded except the right of way. each Grand Route, all things in Miles. Length of each Grand Route. 0 to 35 feet per mile. 35 to 60 feet per mile. Miles. Miles. Miles. Dolls. Cost of grading per mile. 60 to 90 feet per mile. Dolls. Cost of grading and railing per mile. Cost per mile including Dolls. 5 per cent. for contin Dolls. gencies. Aggregate cost of each |
