Virginia and Tennessee Rail-road-Louisiana Subscriptions. 169 Making total for the year ending 30th November, '53.. for 1853, based upon the Estimated current expenses $57,000 00 8,000 00 255 5,000 00 65,000 00 60,351 07 and to the southwestern terminus in 1854. The cars are already running 58% miles. When this road shall reach the Tennessee line it will be 565 miles from Memphis, and will connect with the Tennessee Road to Knoxville, 130 125,351 07 miles now in rapid progress; the Georgia and Tennessee Road, towards Chattanooga, though leaving that road at Cleveland in order to make a more direct route than that by way of Dalton. (This road is now in operation, except 26 miles, next to Knoxville, which are under contract.) The route will then be 40 miles over the Chattanooga and Nashville Road, nearly completed, and then over the Charleston and Memphis Road, the balance of the distance, now &c. At Cleveland the route connects under construction, with ample means, Orleans, and on the completion of the with the road of Georgia and of NewAlabama and Tennessee Road from be as near as possible to an air line from Selma to Rome and Dalton, the line will New-Orleans to Washington City. On the road, 84 miles from Lynchburg, it is proposed to make a road towards the within 596 miles from Richmond. But Ohio, which would bring Cincinnati this is not essential to the plan and is opposed by other interests. Capital stock of the company 5,000 shares 500,000 00 The The receipts on the Central Rail-road of Virginia for the last year were $176, 485, an increase of $32,684 over last year. The net receipts were $74,902, nearly 6 per cent. on the capital. As compared with the previous year the Winchester and Potomac Rail-road in their last report show: -$29,161 08 Increase in annual revenue.. 26,826 09 72,900 00 $291,134 49 We learn through Mr. Garnett, the engineer, that the present capital of the Virginia and Tennessee Rail-road Company is $3,000,000, of which the state takes three-fifths, and only $75,000 are wanted to complete the capital. The whole cost of the road will be $4,500,000. The deficiency is to be raised by the issue of 6 per cent. coupon bonds, redeemable in 20 years, on the mortgage of the road. One million of dollars, it is thought, will be loaned by the state towards the purchase of iron. Whole length of road 204 miles. All the heavy work is finished-the grading of the first 72 miles and four-fifths of the next 63 miles. In a few months the entire bed will be ready to receive the superstructure as far as Wytheville, 135 miles from Lynchburg, and if the iron be ready it will be completed in 1853, At Lynchburg the rail-road connects with a canal, of dimensions larger than the original Erie canal, which leads to tide-water at Richmond. It is 140 miles long, and has 500 feet of lockage. When the tide-water connection at Richmond is finished, as it certainly will be in the year 1854, boats loaded at Lynchburg may pass to the shipping at Norfolk. There is now a rail-road being constructed from Lynchburg, with branches to Richmond and Petersburg, being 122 miles to the former, and 120 miles to the latter. From Petersburg to Norfolk a rail-road 80 miles long is chartered. Petersburg is connected with City Point, her present shipping port for foreign vessels, by a rail-road nine miles in length. Our neighbor of the Bulletin is authority for the following, and has based his statement upon those of Mr. B. H. Payne, agent of the Opelousas Road. The following parishes have voted the following sums to aid in the work:Natchitoches, $250,000; St. Landry, $116,000; Lafayette, $36,000; St. Martin, $104,000; Terrebonne, $140,000; Lafourche Interior, $100,000. $746,000. The following parishes are expected to vote the following sums, and there is little doubt they will:-St. Mary, $157,000; Avoyelles, (private,) $75.000; De Soto, $100,000; Rapides, $260,000. Total, $582,000. Parish of Orleans, (right bank,) $75,000; the city of New-Orleans has voted $1,500,000: private subscriptions, after deducting tax subscription, $600,000. Grand total, $3,503,000. A little over three millions and a half of dollars voted and subscribed. This, it is desired to increase to four millions. It is proposed, also, to increase the capital stock of the company to $5,000,000, and application will be made to the state to take one-fifth, or one million of dollars. Such an amount will enable the directory to construct the main trunk road to Logansport, on the Sabine river, a distance of 324 miles, and to build the branch to the Arkansas line, on its way to St. Louis. Total soon be completed, when the boat line to Wilmington will be discontinued. The Metropolitan mail will then be transferred to the Wilmington and Manchester Road, pass from Wilmington via Branchville to Augusta; leaving Charleston out of the great national mail route, and carrying with it the valuable and inseparable attendant-the travel. From that moment Charleston ceases to be the thoroughfare between the North and South, and becomes a mere way-mail station. It may not be amiss here to refer to the road from Pensacola to Brunswick, in Georgia-a work which has suddenly risen to our view, and it is destined to control the whole southern seaboard travel, the course of which being through Savannah, will pass thence, by the railroad to Augusta, (now nearly completed.) where the traveler will meet the continuous line of rail-road, via Branchville to Wilmington-leaving Charleston entirely out of his route. But I proceed to considerations of a more direct and im mediate concern. The Cheraw and Darlington Road, which is designed to connect Cheraw and its tributaries in North and South Carolina with the seaboard, will very soon be commenced, having its terminus at the Darlington depot, on the Wilmington and Manchester Road-the distance from which to Wilmington is 110 miles, with grades of fifteen feet and less to the mile. While from the same point to Charleston, via We observed in our last number that the Camden, Columbia and Hamburg the construction of the Manchester and Road, is 165 miles, with some grades as Wilmington Rail-road would lead to high as 30 feet. It follows then, obvicountervailing movements upon the part ously, that the trade of the Pee Dee secof Charleston. In the construction of tion of the state must be lost to Charlesthe Northeastern Road that city should ton; for it could not bear the charges be actively employed. Its line would and delays of this circuitous transportabe from a point on the South Carolina tion. That 40,000 bales of cotton, at Rail-road, near Charleston, crossing the least, and everything else that the counSantee river near Maltessee Lake, ap- try may produce, will go to Wilmington, proaching within a mile of Kingstree, while, for the same reason, the comparathence to a terminus on the Manchester tive cheapness of transportation, WilRoad, two miles from James' Station. Length of road 103 miles; estimated cost $1,240,337. The following is the argument for the road: We look upon the building of this road as fully as necessary to the city as the Northern road. It will pass through a country of unrivaled natural advantages, and will open and foster a trade, the vastness and value of which, to this city, cannot now be calculated. We hail the progress made with unaffected gratification, and say, with all our heart, push on the good work, so auspiciously commenced and under way. The importance of the Northeastern Rail-road to Charleston, demands prompt action. At every point she is threatened with diversion of her trade and travel, which, unless counteracted by this, the only means within her power, must prove disastrous in the extreme. The Wilmington and Manchester Road will mington will furnish all their supplies. To the argument that the bar off the Cape Fear is an insuperable obstacle to the advancement of Wilmington, and that she never can interfere with the trade of Charleston, we reply that although large vessels cannot enter the river, the passage is perfectly safe, as is well known, for vessels of sufficient burthen, to make her a formidable rival in many branches of commerce. The value of the real and personal South Carolina-Liberal Views of Gov. Manning. estate interested in its construction, is estimated at ninety millions of dollars. The aggregate population at 210,400 and both increasing rapidly. The number of bales of cotton produced, is 78,000. The number of barrels of naval stores may fairly be estimated at 100,000. In the last annual message of Gov. Manning, we have these liberal views upon the Internal Improvement System of South Carolina : "It gives me pleasure to inform you that the rail-roads of our state are rapidly progressing. The Columbia and Charlotte Rail-road, and the King's Mountain Road, are completed. Although heavy damages were sustained by the Greenville Rail-road from the late freshet, they will soon be repaired, and, under the energetic management of its president and directors, will ere long be completed. The Manchester road is also progressing rapidly. Already do we see the potent effects of these roads in developing the resources of the state, and springing into life the energies of the people. The prosperity which follows in their track is no longer problematical. Living witnesses of it are all around us. Yet this grand system, which is to bring wealth and prosperity to us, and energize into action resources which were heretofore dormant, has just begun. If we would realize their full effects, they must be extended, until the rich commerce of the mighty valleys of the West is poured into Charleston. This can easily be effected by pursuing a liberal and enlightened policy towards them-a policy worthy of the age in which we live. The golden opportunity to command this trade is within our reach. Charters have been granted by the several states through which it will pass for the Blue Ridge Road, which is to cross the Rabun Gap, and extend through Clayton and Franklin to Calhoun, where it will inter; sect the Knoxville and Dalton road. Through Knoxville a communication will be opened with Cincinnati, (as a charter has been granted by Tennessee for a road to the Kentucky line, and a company is formed in Kentucky to carry it on to Cincinnati.) A road is now in progress to connect Calhoun with Chattanooga. From Chattanooga to Memphis, a road has already been built, and the 171 Chattanooga road connects it with Nashville. A road is also about to be made between Nashville and Cairo. Thus you will perceive, that if the Blue Ridge Road is built, commencing at Anderson Court House and extending to Calhoun, Charleston will be connected by a system of roads, not only with Cincinnati, but with Memphis and Cairo, two important points on the Mississippi river, and at a distance from each other equal to the entire breadth of Tennessee, and nearly one-third of Kentucky. All the immense trade which the Mississippi and its tributaries bring to this important point, together with that of the fertile regions through which these roads and their numerous feeders pass, must find its outlet through Charleston. At a single glance you must perceive the magnificent prospect it presents. It would be a suicidal policy in our state not to secure this gigantic commerce, now that it is within its reach. But to secure it, the legislature must subscribe liberally. So great are the advantages it presents, so great the prosperity it will bring, the state could well afford alone to build this only link which is now wanting in this mighty chain. But there is no call for this. Charleston, I am informed, will subscribe half a million, and even more, if necessary. Enough has already been subscribed in North Carolina to secure the charter of that state, and Tennessee, by her general system of liberality to her roads, gives $8,000 per mile. As deeply interested as all these states are in this grand scheme, none are so deeply so as South Carolina. I therefore recommend that you subscribe a million dollars to this road, or even more, if it be necessary to complete it. Even if the stock never paid a dollar of interest, it would be a judicious expenditure on the part of the legislature." The subject of a rail-road from Houston to Austin, in Texas, is receiving much attention. The distance is 53 miles; and the committee, in their report, propose to raise the capital as follows: They believe that three hundred thousand dollars can be raised by subscription in Houston and parts of the country interested, payable in instalments, within twelve months after the 1st of January next. But suppose individual subscriptions should not exceed two hundred thousand dollars, they pro pose that the city of Houston subscribe built, too, though not in as short a time as it otherwise would be, whether Congress gives a foot of land or not. In referring to the projected rail-road from Port Gibson to Grand Gulf, the Port Gibson Herald says: We are gratified to find that the full amount of stock will soon be subscribed, and we look with confidence to the completion of this work by the next crop. Many of the larger subscribers have not yet come forward, but they are of those who can be relied upon. A deep inter est seems to be felt by all persons in our vicinity, and we find a growing spirit among those who have small means to invest-they are coming forward freely, and we hope soon to be able to announce that an amount fully sufficient to complete the work has been subscribed. The large amount of cotton coming into Port Gibson this year surprises many who were not familiar with the extent readers that our cotton buyers purchase of our business; and when we tell our cotton from a distance of seventy-five miles in the interior, it will afford them good basis for forming an estimate of the extent of country to be added to our business; and, certainly, may we rely upon a very considerable increase of trade from all directions and sections of the country. Our streets are crowded daily with teams, sheds full of cotton, and ample means in the shape of "material aid," produce, dry goods, and everything to supply all demands. The report of the Central Rail-road of Georgia furnishes the following statistics: The Ouachita Herald says that the action of the Rail-road Convention, which assembled in this city on Monday last, as well as the action of the board of directors, was such as to inspire new confidence in the breast of every one with regard to the Mississippi, Ouachita, and Red River rail-road enterprise. The It is proposed, in a few days, to organfriends of the road have gone to work ize a company by the election of direc in earnest, with a fixed determination tors. never to cease their efforts until the road is built. They have now effected a thorough and permanent organization, by the election of competent and trustworthy officers. The board of directory is composed of the very best men, (we speak for eleven of them, of course,) that could possibly have been selected on the line of the road. All of them are men December possessed of good sound practical sense February...... and of undoubted moral integrity. Most March of them are men of wealth, and are large April May stockholders. With such men, in addi- June tion to the efficient agents appointed in every county, and a sufficient amount of money in the treasury to meet every contingency, what may we not expect? Why, that the road will be built-and from 1st December, 1851, to 1st December, 1851, în Statement of the Number of Passengers transported the Central Rail-road of Georgia. Months January July -THROUGH. Up Down WAY.- Up 522 1,409.. 2,436 829 653 2,164 2,315 664. 762 1,622. 1,640 700. 609. 1,936. 1,863 1,950. 1,776 1,978... 1,744 1,622 1,560 1,563 1,596 1,909 1,827. 1,845 Total....8,630....6,747.... 22,530.... 21,929 August.. Rail-Roads of Georgia and Mississippi. Statement of the Number of Bales of Cotton transported on the Central Rail-road of Georgia, from 1st December, 1851, to 1st December, 1852. MONTHS. December. January February. March.. April May June.. THROUGH. WAY. TOTAL. 173 Then the sur River, in Elbert county. face of Georgia will present a grand eross of iron way, reaching from the northwest corner of the state to Savannah, in the southeastern divisions, and 29,499.... 7,503... 37,002 from Mount Vernon, the southwest cor24,827. 2,909.... 27,736 ner, to Elbert county, in the northeastern 1,119.... 16,440 division-Macon being the central point. 3,886 How much money will it require to do 2,700 this great thing? Not more than one 993.... 4,198 million and a half of dollars. 8,244... 23,879.. 9,507 15,321.. 827... 188. 3,698 July. 2,644.. August 1,815 137 8,632 1,952 25,918 Under the new administration of the Western Rail-road of Georgia, running .182,320....48,890........231,210 into the State of Tennessee, the net Statement of the Earnings of the Road for the year just closed, compared with the previous one. Total earnings...... 748,207 86.... 945,508 28.... 199,251 08. 182.320 00.... Bales cotton through.. $111,433 00. upon this, the Republican continues: Savannah This profits have run up in eight months to $141,533 59. The road is being heavily ironed with T rails, and only fourteen miles remain to be re-ironed in this manner. New warehouses, depots, etc., are being constructed at Atlanta, Marietta, Chattanooga, Kingston, Calhoun, and Dalton. The people of Mississippi are pressing their great Central Road, which is to extend from Canton, Miss., on the line of the New-Orleans and Nashville road to Jackson, Tennessee, there connecting with the Mobile and Ohio road, etc. The length of road in Mississippi will be 180 miles, a portion of which will be put under contract in April or May; and one million and a half of dollars have been subscribed in Mississippi to the work. The road runs through or near some of the richest counties in the state: Marshall, Lafayette, Yallabusha, Carroll, Holmes, Yazoo, Madison, Tippah, Pontotoc, Chickasaw, Choctaw, De Soto, Panola, Sun Flower, Tallahatchie, Washington, Issaquina, Leake, and Attala. The cost per mile is estimated as low as $12,500, total $2,250,000. On the subject of the proposed road from Savannah to Pensacola, Mr. Hodgson, of the former city, has prepared an interesting paper: We have but just entered upon the fruition of the blessings which our system of rail-roads have produced. In the The route from New-York to Newcourse of a little over a year there will Orleans or California, through Savannah, be added to the present miles of traveled has striking advantages over any other rail-way in Georgia, 137 miles. line, by sea or land, in time or distance. addition will connect Savannah through The following tabular statement will the locomotive engine with Columbus, exhibit a comparison of these routes: West Point, Americus, Eatonton, Washington, and Augusta, in addition to our present connections. The crowning work is yet to come. Let the southwestern road be extended to the junction of the Flint and Chattahoochee, and let the Wilkes county road be extended to Savannah |