We find in the New-Orleans Emporium of||$25,000 after paying the current expenses of and the company; but the company will not the 7th of Dec. a report from the President of the road. From that time to the present the reap the benefits of them until more fully dethe Pontchartrain Railroad Company, which passing on the road has been much diminish-veloped. This makes daily progress, and the ed from causes which have operated alike on inhabitants of the city will soon experience the adds another evidence, if another was wanted, all business. advantages resulting from the introduction of of the great utility of Railroads to large cities, The restoration of the health of the city has wood and other articles of necessity through a as well as to their safety foo passengers; for a corresponding effect on the operations of the channel of communication subject to no interwhere else but on a Railroad has so few acci-road, while the transportation of freight has ruption. The experience already had in the opened an additional source of revenue. management of freight has led to the convicdents happened among so many (90,000) pasWhen we look back upon the difficul- tion that bricks can be transported on the road, engers as have passed on that railroad. ties that have been overcome since the last an-on terms satisfactory to the owners and profitaTO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PONTCHAR-nual meeting, there is room for congratulation ble to the company. The great trade in that arTRAIN RAILROAD COMPANY.-The period has at the prospect now before us. With many, ticle entitles it to the special attention of the arrived when, under the 3d section of the the construction of a sufficient harbor was then company, and its transportation will be recomcharter of the Company, it becomes the duty of deemed impracticable; with others, its utility menced as soon as a sufficient number of cars the President and Directors to lay before you for the purpose of commerce was wholly de- are provided. pany. the third annual statement of the affairs of the nied. With such impressions on the mind of The success of the company in the transcompany. In doing so they have the gratifica- the public, it should not surprise us that the portation of freight is a subject of such importion to state that the labors of their undertak-value of the stock should suffer a depression tance, that it is not thought out of place to ining are drawing to a close, and that the trans-from a momentary want of confidence. These sert a statement made out by the late Captain portation of freight has commenced, promising impressions will soon be removed by the evi- Loomis, for many years a respectable and inresults highly beneficial to the public, and to dence now offered by the works of the com- telligent captain in the trade between this and the company. Mobile. It shows what advantages would, in his opinion, be enjoyed by a railroad over the Bayou, shewing a result highly favorable to the former. The statement is as follows: "The tonnage of the Mobile is 67 tons, pays Bayou fees, $50 12 Average cargo in say 20 tons-out 65-85 tons at 75 cents, 63 75 $40 00 10 00 25 00 32 00 $107 00 18 00 89 00 On comparing the extent of the works now Apprehensive, however, that the change in nearly completed, with the plan upon which the value of the stock might prove a cause of they were originally designed, they will be uneasiness to many of the stockholders, the found to have been greatly enlarged. This cir- Board of Directors thought fit to prepare in cumstance has been the result of the increas- August last a circular, showing the situation of ed confidence of the Board of Directors in the the affairs of the company. To this report the success of the undertaking, and the necessity stockholders are now respectfully referred for of giving that public accommodation which the a more detailed statement of the affairs of the present plan of the works could alone afford. company up to that period. Since that time Difference in favor of the Bayou, $13 62 Since the last annual report, the works have the obligations of the company have been re- Contra. The time in coming up and going been prosecuted without intermission, but at duced by the payment of $15,000, while pay-down the Bayou, detention in consequence of the close of the summer the scarcity of me-ments were made on account of the works of low water, is at least four days each trip. The chanics, and their loss of time from sickness, the harbor to the amount of $9,000. expenses of the vessel's crew, consisting of have retarded by a few weeks the completion Soon after the date of the circular referred eight men at $1 25 each, 4 days, of the works to the extent contemplated. to, the steam car Pontchartrain, then just re- Two extra men up and two down, The works then in contemplation have been ceived, was placed upon the road, and after a at $2 50 each, completed, consisting of a great enlargement full trial, was found to realize the expectations Average amount of goods lighterof the road at the city depot. The construc-of the most sanguine. This engine is capable ed, say 200 barrels, at 124 cents, tion over it of an extensive shed on cast iron of transporting one hundred passengers at a Detention of vessels 4 days, at $8, pillars, and an enclosure by a wall and railings speed of thirty miles the hour, and can convey -a double track to serve as a place of passing to the lake in twenty minutes the cargo of the has been laid to the extent of half a mile, and largest vessel in that trade. In August last an To put the cargo on waggons and several thousand yards of earth have been de-order for another engine' and twenty freight discharge it, would take 12 days posited to widen and secure the embankment cars was sent to England, and one for twenty || work, at $1 50, through the lower swamp. In the lake, works freight cars to New-York. Advices that the of great magnitude and expense have been con- former were contracted for have been received, structed, and on its shore has been reared one while most of the latter are on their way. The of the most extensive hotels in the southern Directors were sensible of the difficulty of secountry, The losses which have been experi-curing a timely delivery of cars without the enced in the first attempt to construct a harbor presence of an agent, but did not feel justified If I were sure of plenty of water, say six feet in the open lake were not disproportioned to in incurring the necessary expense. With the at low water, I would bring in at least 80 tons, the inherent difficulties of the undertaking.cars now in use, the transportation of freight and take out at least 15 tons more, which would Those difficulties have now been overcome, and will be limited, but relief is daily expected. increase the amount of tonnage 75 tons each the advantages of such an improvement to the The road was opened for the transportation trip. We could always get plenty of lumber, commerce of the city will be soon felt and ap-of freight early in November last, and on the brick, and wood, which would pay a small preciated. The first effort to construct a break-16th of that month, the schooner Orleans, Cap- freight, as those articles are as low in Mobile as water was made under mechanics whose ex-tain Crocker, entered for freight. The day af-at Madisonville; but in consequence of the perience in works of the kind, on the northern ter, the Isabella, Captain Vincent, arrived; and low water, we do not like to bring those heavy lakes, justified the expectation of a favorable several vessels loaded with fire-wood, entered articles except for ballast." result, but it proved otherwise, for when the a few days after, discharged and departed, while Had this statement been given to the public work had progressed to an expenditure of ten from the low stage of water at the Bayou, no at the time it was made, it would have been rethousand dollars, it was entirely destroyed by a vessel could, during that period, either enter or garded only as something very fine on paper. It violent gale of wind. The break-water which depart with cargo. is now published when the vessels in that trade now protects the harbor was commenced soon The adaptation of the railroad for the trans-are loading in the harbor, and when the steam after the other, and has been put to the test in portation of passengers has been long since car and steamboats side by side saluted each a manner to favor entire confidence in its suffi- conceded, but some deny, and many have other. In favor of the road, 13 62 $75 371 ciency, side works on a similar plan have been doubted its success in the transportation of From this view of the subject, nothing is put down to the extent of four hundred feet on freight, especially such articles as constitute wanted to insure the success of the railroad the east side, and one half that extent on the the lake trade. The subject has received the but a judicious and active administration of the west. The pier has been carried out to six feet earnest attention of the Board of Direction, affairs of the company. water at the lowest tide, and will be completed and although they have had the experience of early in January next. The great expenditure incurred in constructThree sets of rails but a few weeks, they have the fullest convic-ing the harbor, together with the extensive hoare laid on it with crossings sufficient to afford tion of a favorable result. The construction tels and bathing houses, exhausted the means the greatest facilities in receiving and deliver- of the harbor offers the greatest facilities for of the company and made it necessary to coning cargoes. receiving and discharging cargo, while equal fa-tract a loan of $50,000, which has been obtainDuring these extensive preparations for cilities exist for handling on and off the cars.ed from the City Bank of New-Orleans on the transporting freight, the transportation of pas- Preparations are making to afford similar fa- bonds of the company, payable in five, ten, and sengers was carried on in a manner to give cilities at the city end of the road, and will be fifteen years, at an interest of 8 per cent. The complete accommodation to the public. This completed in ten days. A vessel engaged in Directors felt much reluctance in contracting a being done by horse power caused more than bringing wood has made her trips every 48 loan at that length of time, and rate of interest; double the expense attending the use of steam, hours, while the same vessel averaged a trip per but the importance of completing the works in while by means of the latter a power five times week when trading upon the Bayou. The pack-time to profit by the winter's business, induced more efficient can now be exerted when re-ets Orleans and Isabella are now receiving them to make the contract. The company is quired. During the first six months of the their second cargoes in the harbor of the com- therefore in a situation to meet all their engagesecond year commencing the 23d of April last, pany, and when additional cars are received, and ending 23d of October, the gross receipts may be loaded in a single day. for passengers amounted to $36,000-leaving These are advantages important to the public ments and complete their works. The rents of the hotels and bath-houses of the company, and revenue from the mail, will more than pay the interest on the loan, leaving the revenue of Ditton-Marsh and Walton-common, to Wey-|| down, the arrow carried with it 110 yards of the road from passengers and freight to provide bridge, thence south of Basingstoke Canal to line. a sinking fund for extinguishing the loan thus Trimley, where it will cross and proceed to “The cord and all the adjustments as in the contracted, pay the current expenses of the Winchester, and through Stoneham to South-other experiments, remained completely entire, road, and the dividends. This will leave the ampton. The whole distance of the line will and were not, in the most remote degree, injurcompany in possession of the proceeds of faux-be rather less than seventy-seven miles. The ed. The recoil, in the last case, however, was bourg D'Arcantel as a surplus revenue. railway from London to Brighton projectors rather too violent, from the additional weight of iniend to apply for a bill. Every preparation the arrow, and the degree to which the wadding has been made to commence the railway from had been rammed down: a circumstance which London to Greenwich. It will be continued to it seems necessary to state. Woolwich, thence to Chatham and Dover.The French have it in contemplation to make a railway from Calais to Paris.-[London paper.] One of the peculiar advantages of a railroad, as a means of transportation, over a canal, especially in this vicinity, is the great facility and small expense at which it may be extended and enlarged to meet the increase of business. To undertake therefore to affix limits to the works of the company, would be fixing a limit to the business to be done on it. This, it is believed, would prove injudicious in every point of view, and the Direction has accordingly adopted a system of administration which will enable the company to provide the facilities which the increase of business may require, without incurring any great increase in the expenses of the company beyond the mere cost of materials. With this view, and to insure a more efficient| administration of the affairs of the company, an engagement has been made with Mr. John Grant to act as general superintendant of the operations of the company. The skill and enterprise evinced by that gentleman in the construction of the break-water and pier in the lake, leaves no doubt of his capacity as well to carry on the operations of the road as to enlarge and improve the whole undertaking. For a general statement of the finances of the company, the stockholders are referred to the report of the finance committee herewith submitted. In concluding their third annual statement, the president and directors look with confidence to the epoch when the result of the enterprising exertions of the company will be felt throughout the city and fauxbourgs, and when the advantages of the Railroad will not be confined to a section of this great commercial city; but will, by the means of branch railways, be extended to each extremity. The immense value of such extensions cannot be properly estimated by our citizens, until they are made. When the wishes of the company are met in a proper spirit by our municipal authorities, New-Orleans will be second to no city in the Union in profiting by the unexampled progress made in mechanical science. [From the London Mechanics' Magazine.] 2 1 "The gun which has been manufactured by Mr. Pritchard, of Birmingham, under my directions, can discharge eight drachms of gunpowder with great ease. "The arrow, in this case, was formed of brass, with a sliding ring embracing the rod, and having the line attached to a loop, the whole weighing 6 ounces, carried a platted hemp cord, double the thickness of a garden line, more than sufficient to pull a considerable rope on board, from the shore, and adequate to form the requisite line of communication with the vessel. This arrow carried the line 57 yards, with only one drachm of gunpowder. IMPROVEMENTS IN MR. MURRAY'S PLAN FOR "In the second experiment the arrow carried INSTANTANEOUS COMMUNICATION WITH STRAND- the line 112 yards, with 24 drachms of gunED VESSELS.-In No. 441, we gave an account powder. These last experiments were made of Mr. Murray's excellent invention for saving at Birmingham, and in no instance whatever from shipwreck, abstracted from a pamphlet did the line break." published by that ingenious and very philan- Mr. Murray adds the following valuable practhropic gentleman. We have now before us a tical remarks:Supplement" to that pamphlet, in which Mr. Murray describes some material improvements which he has since effected. In the experiments which we last recorded, Mr. Murray had only got the length of being able to project his safety line from a common musket; but the purpose of the present "Supplement" is to anwith an arrow and its line will afford sufficient nounce that "in a thousand instances a pistol means to convey a rope and establish a medium of escape from the wreck to the shore." 66 "I. The Arrow.-The material of the arrow should be iron, and the more tough the better; perhaps old horse shoes, welded longitudinally and in separate pieces, will be the best, and finally wrought in the manner of the English twisted gun barrels, or the French "canons a ruban"-or ribbon barrels, which approach sufficiently near to them. "II. Gunpowder.-This differs materially in power and propelling force. It has, I believe, been estimated as high in some cases as equivThe improvements made consist in a better alent to a thousand atmospheres. Col. Mark construction of the arrows, and will be readily Wilks informed me, as the result of a series of understood from a comparison of the prefixed experiments made by him at St. Helena, that sketches with that given in No. 441. The ar- semi-burnt charcoal very materially increased rows, 1 and 2, are made of solid iron, and the the power of gunpowder. Willow, hazel, and spindle is polished to allow the sliding appen- dogwood, are the woods which supply charcoal dage and the recoil-spring to fly backwards for powder mills; and the last, if I am correctly with as little resistance as possible. The ar- informed, is preferred at Battle for the manufac The smaller grained row is of metal, because it is found to project ture of the finest kinds. much further than one of wood. The recoil- is inflamed more rapidly than the other, and it If the works already constructed, be found to have much exceeded in time and cost the limits spring is of steel, which answers better than should seem, from experiments made in referthe cork or catouchet originally proposed. The ence to the question, that the inflammation is first assigned, it must be remembered that the snapcord is intended to meet the first sudden also more complete. A little lycopodium powestimate was made without experience as a guide; that the works have been extended far jerk, and provide a double curb to the violent der mixed with the priming, while it would faimpetus of the projected line, so that a charge cilitate the ignition, would tend very materially beyond the plan originally contemplated, and of gunpowder donble or treble what is usual to protect it from wet, and therefore render it that there is every reason to believe that tho fruits of the undertaking will exceed calculation may be employed. The arrow, No. 1, weighs, much more certain. together with its appendages, 43 ounces, is one III. Wadding.-This may be formed of a in a ratio equal to the excess of time and cost. foot long, and inch in circumference. The slice of thin cork, or of an old hat or card In attempting to construct a harbor in the open arrow, No. 2, with its adjustments, 53 ounces, punched out, or of soft brown paper, which last lake, the company were pioneers in the under- is 10 inches long, and 1 inch in circumference. will seldom fall to the ground nearer than a distaking. The timber which is now procured at With the arrow, No. 1, Mr. Murray made the tance of 20 or 30 feet from the muzzle of the 7 or 8 cents the foot, then cost 25. This reduc- following experiments, making use of a pistol piece. Some attention must be paid to this cirtion has been the result of a successful effort 8 inches long, and inch diameter in the cumstance, since, if formed of too pliant mateby the company to tow rafts by steam, and pro-bore, and a cord 110 yards long, weighing 11 rials, such as cotton, &c. it will not be of sufmises great advantages to the public. It should ficient consistency for the purpose; it will, also be remembered, that the greater part of the therefore, lose in force, and the shot will not be works of the company have been constructed without the advice and assistance of an engicarried so far. On the other hand, if the wadding be too stiff and inflexible, or rammed down neer, and are the result of such attention as the too firmly, the shot will spread, and the piece will recoil considerably more. A medium in both, therefore, will be found essential. president and directors have been able to give them. In reviewing the benefits resulting from the establishment of the Pontchartrain Railroad, there is no circumstance to which the president and directors advert with as much pleasure as the fact, that more than ninety thousand persons have been conveyed to and from the lake, without injury to any passenger. M. W. HOFFMAN, President. ounces: "First experiment; at an angle of 40 de- "Second experiment; at an angle of 30 de- "Third experiment; at an angle of 45 degrees, with 46 grains of gunpowder, the line was carried 85 yards. "Fourth experiment; at the same angle, and with a similar charge, the line was carried 83 yards. Fifth experiment; at the same angle and with a similar charge, the line was carried 84 yards. "In no instance did the cord break." RAILROADS. The long projected railway from Birmingham to London, is again to be With the arrow, No. 2, the following results brought before the legislature. It is expected were obtained; but it does not clearly appear that the railway will be continued from Bir- from Mr. M.'s statement, whether with a musmingham to Liverpool, and from thence to Ed-ket or a pistol : "IV. Recoil.-This arises from the retro grade motion of the piece, and is dependant on The a well known law in mechanics, namely, that inburgh. The Southampton to London, by “At an angle of 45 degrees, with 46 grains moisture or expansion by produced temperaFauxhall, Wandsworth, and Kingston, across of gunpowder, and the wadding hard rammed ture; it is also, as has been stated, attendant on the wadding being rammed down too firmly.that the canals are unable to enter into compe-supposed to exist, viz: the probability, or rathThe butt end of the gun must be held closely tition with them for the turnpike road traffic; er certainty, of a great increase of expense, the coaching, posting, van and wagon trade on consequent on increased speed. The geomeand firmly to the shoulder. "V. Bursting of the Barrel.-This is a very which they expect to take from the road with-trical ratio of increased resistance on increasrare event, and easily prevented. Sometimes, out dispute. They consider that the canal com- ing the speed on canals has been transferred indeed, it is the fault of the workman, and pro-panies must stand merely on the defensive, un- to the increase of expense on increasing the ceeds from a defect in welding, but the reputa-til the railway company, having taken the road speed on railways, with this addition, that the tion of a respectable manufacturer being com- trade, begin the attack, and that then the canal increase of expense affects not merely the movpromised, very little danger need be apprehend-carriers and company can only protect and ing power, or locomotive engine, but the coached. The only other causes likely to occur in preserve a part of their light goods trade, by ales, wagons, and roadway. The ordinary speed this question is the danger of an over-charge, reduction of dues and charges to compensate of conveyance on the Liverpool railway is which a correct measure accompanying the||for the great rates of speed of the railway con- from ten to twenty miles an hour, and depends much on the weather and the weight dragged. powder flask or canister will most effectually ||veyance. The writer proceeds to argue, that by con- The railway engine, with its tender for carryprevent--the gun manufactured by Mr. Pritchard will bear 8 drachms of gunpowder, and not structing a canal of the same length as the pro-ing coke and water, costs about £1000, and more than 3 drachms can ever be required, posed railway, the coaching trade of the latter drags after it a train of eight coaches, the cost leaving a reversion of 41 drachms of powder. could not stand for a single month in competi-of each of which, if the same as in the estimate There therefore remains only another caution, tion with the canal boats, in which passengers for the London and Birmingham railway, should and that is, the end of the arrow must be can travel with perfect safety, at the rate of ten be £200, or a train of first class coaches, with brought in complete contact with the wadding,miles an hour, with a degree of ease and com- accompanying engine and tender, costs £2600. which will be effectually secured by the angu- fort which no other conveyance can give, and The coaches accommodate one hundred and Here are his calcula- twenty passengers. There are other coaches, lar elevation of 45 degrees-an elevation which at a tenth of the cost. secures the greatest range; the general cause tions, founded, he says, on experiments made and also uncovered wagons, which travel at an of bursting in ordinary cases is to be attributed on the Manchester railway and the Ardrossan inferior speed, and which will cost less. The fares are various: seven shillings, or nearly to the circumstance of the ball not being ram-canal: ined home, and a space left between it and the "The ordinary speed for the conveyance of threepence per mile, for each passenger in the charge of gunpowder. passengers on the Ardrossan canal has, for best coaches: and five shillings, or twopence "So simple an apparatus might be disposed nearly two years, been from nine to ten miles per mile, for each passenger in the common of in a small compass, and when put up in a an hour, and although there are fourteen jour-coaches, of what is called the first train,'-beconvenient case, kept on board vessels; it might nies along the canal per day, at this rapid speed, ing just double and triple the Paisley boat fares; thus be made available in a few seconds, in the the banks of the canal have sustained no inju- and four shillings in the coaches, and three hour of danger. The impulsion of the arrowry; indeed injury is impossible, as there is no shillings and sixpence in the uncovered wawould be materially assisted by the gale blow-surge. The boats are formed seventy feet in gons, of what is called the second train,' which ing towards a lee-shore, and it would have, in length, about five feet six inches broad, and, move at a lower velocity. The lowest railway relation to the line of direction and its success- but for the extreme narrowness of the canal, fare to the traveller is therefore three halfful receipt on shore, the combined advantages might be made broader. They carry easily pence per mile, in an open, uncovered wagon, of an extensive segment of a circle over a from seventy to eighty passengers, and, when moving at an inferior speed, exposed to wind merely central point." required, can, and have carried upwards of 110 and rain, and the steam and smoke of the enNot the least important feature of Mr. Mur-passengers. The entire cost of a boat and fit- gine-or double the fare on the Paisley canal, ray's plan is its great cheapness, compared with tings up, is about £125. The hulls are formed for being carried in a comfortable cabin under every other which has been proposed :-"The of light iron plates and ribs, and the covering cover." Having laid before our readers these obserexpense required for the establishment of a few is of wood and light oiled cloth. They are more stations of Captain Manby's apparatus will sup-airy, light, and comfortable, than any coach; vations of a man of science and experience, we ply some thousands of these, (blunderbusses, they permit the passengers to move about from shall encumber them with no remarks of our muskets or pistols)-in fact, suffice for the Brit- the outer to the inner cabin; and the fares per own. England has many splendid canals, and ish isles." Mr. M. states, that a "gun with six mile are one penny in the first, and three farth- we confess we should be sorry to see a fine arrows, two lines each 200 yards long, two timings in the second cabin. The passengers line-nay, a stream-of pure water exchanged cans to hold the lines, a powder-measure, a sup- are all carried under cover, having the privi- for a road, with its carriages moving along, obply of wadding, &c., will cost (only) from 4. leges also of an uncovered space. These boats scured in mud or in whirlwinds of dust. to 5. ;" and "the smallest gun (query, the pis- are drawn by two horses, (the prices of which tol!) with the apparatus complete, much less." may be from £50 to £60 per pair,) in stages of We are glad to perceive that the "National four miles in length, which are done in from Institution for Saving from Shipwreck have twenty-two to twenty-five minutes, including determined on forthwith introducing Mr. Mur-stoppages to let out and take in passengers, each ray's invention on the dangerous coast of Sus-set of horses doing three and four stages altersex; nor can we anticipate less than its speedy nately each day. In fact, the boats are drawn adoption along all our shores. Mr. M. adverts through this narrow and shallow canal at a with great modesty to the trouble and expense velocity which many celebrated engineers had which he has been at to bring the invention to demonstrated, and which the public believed to its present state of perfection, but rather by way be impossible. warded. First Annual Report of the Directors of the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad Company. In compliance with the provisions of the 7th section of the act of incorporation, which requires, "That at each Annual Meeting of the Stockholders, the Directors of the preceding year shall exhibit to them a complete statement of the affairs and proceedings of the Company, for such year," the President and Directors submit the following report: of apology for not doing more in its behalf, tha "The entire amount of the whole expense That on the 9th day of June last, the Direcwith a view to eliciting any publie reward. Wel of attendants and horses, and of running one tors, elected by the Stockholders on the 5th day trust, however, that a great and generous na-of these boats four trips of twelve miles each, of the same month, met, and having elected tion will not on that account be the less dispo.(the length of the canal,) or forty-eight miles John Savage, President, and Thomas G. Kensed to mark, in some suitable manner, its sense daily, including interest on the capital, and nedy, Secretary and Treasurer, proceeded to of the valuable present he has made to it. If twenty per cent. laid aside annually for replace-ascertain the state of the funds of the Company, Caprain Manby was thought well deserving ofment of the boats, or loss on the capital there- when it appeared that three thousand shares of 3,2001. for his imperfect apparatus, it cannot be in invested, and a considerable sum laid aside the capital stock, had been subscribed, on each that the inventor of one in every respect supe-for accidents and replacement of the horses, is share of which five dollars had been paid to the rior to it should be suffered to go wholly unre-£700 some odd shillings; or taking the num- Commissioners appointed by the act of incorber of working days to be 312 annually, some-poration to receive subscriptions to the stock, thing under £2 4s 3d per day, or about 11d per amounting in the whole to the sum of fifteen [From the London Athenæum.} mile. The actual cost of carrying from eighty thousand dollars, and that five hundred and RAILWAYS AND CANALS.-The question is to one hundred persons a distance of thirty ninety-seven dollars and six cents thereof had one of great importance to the parties interes-miles, (the length of the Liverpool railway,) at been expended by the said Commissioners, ted in the canals between London and Birming-the velocity of nearly ten miles an hour, on the while in the discharge of their duty; and that ham, as on the truth or falsity of the calcula-Paisley canal, one of the most curved, narrow, the balance of fourteen thousand four hundred tions of the promoters of the railway must de-and shallow canals in Britain, is therefore just and two dollars and ninety-five cents was paid pend the continuance of a considerable portion £1 7s 6d sterling. Such are the facts, and in- over by the said Commissioners to the said Preof the revenue of the canal proprietors, and the credible as they may appear, they are facts sident and Directors, and placed by them in the very existence of the trade or occupation of the which no one who inquires can possibly doubt. hands of the Treasurer, subject to the direction canal flyboat carriers. Unless the London and "The result of the experiment on the Liv- of the Board. Birmingham railway company obtain posses-erpool railway has been somewhat different That at a meeting of the Board of Directors sion, not only of the whole revenue or tolls paid from that on the Ardrossan canal.-On the rail- on the 28th June last, it was considered that to the trustees on turnpike roads, with a por-way, indeed, the expected velocities have been the whole of the amount received by them from tion of the canal tolls, and the entire income fully attained, and the calculations of t' a engi- the Commissioners, and now at their disposal, and profit of the carriers and coach-masters on neer, in this respect, satisfactorily demonstra- would not be wanted immediately for the pur. these roads and canals, no return whatever ted as possible and correct; but unluckily, one poses of the Railroad, and that it would be to could be obtained from their outlaid capital. very important matter had not been admitted the advantage of the Stockholders to place so The railway company take it for granted, into the calculations, or rather had not been much thereof at interest as would not be re ASHLAND, 10th September, 1832. Dear Sir,--I received your letter of the 2d inst. commu quired for current expenses: They therefore well calculated to insure success. The advan-work is much indebted for the fidelity and accuracy of its loaned on that day twelve thousand eight hun- tages of public improvements of this description execution in all its parts." dred and sixty-five dollars thereof, on good se-considered as a means of profitable investment curity, payable when required, at an interest of are daily becoming more apparent to our capi- nicating your views respecting internal improvements, essix per cent. ; leaving fifteen hundred and thirty-talists, and the immense public benefits arising pecially artificial roads, and your inclination to publish a seven dollars and ninety-four cents in the Trea- from them are too obvious to admit any longer work which will embody the principles which should regsurer's hands, for the purpose of defraying cur- of doubt. A railroad from this borough to the late their construction. I share with you in your zeal rent expenses. city, in connection with the Schuylkill Naviga- upon this interesting subject, and I concur also with you That at the same meeting of the Board, a tion and Pottsville and Danville Railroad, can-adapted to portages, and to connect points between which in thinking that, whilst railroads and canals may be best Committee was appointed to examine the seve- not fail to render Reading, in a great measure, there is a very great commercial intercourse, M'A lain ral routes proposed for the Railroad, with di- the entrepot between Philadelphia and the great roads are best suited, generally, to the condition of our rections to employ an Engineer, and such As-country drained by the waters of the north and county. On this point there cannot be a doubt, if they are limited to such an elevation as may admit the passage sistants as should be necessary to make a sur- west branches of the Susquehanna. The com- of locomotive carriages. vey of such route or routes as they should di-pletion of such a work appears, to us, to be Such a work as you propose to prepare and publish, is rect, and make report to the Board at its next equally desirable to the citizens of Philadelphia much wanted; and if it is well executed, I should think meeting. and the inhabitants of this place. We presume would be liberally patronized by the public. I am not in The Board met again on the 8th December the Charter asked for will be readily grantediately acquainted with your capacity for compilation and composition, but if it be equal to your ud mem and skill last, at which time the Committee made a re-by the Legislature, and we trust on such terms in the construction of roads, and of which I have scen port of the survey, accompanied with a draft, of liberality as to afford adequate encouragement the most satisfactory and conclusive proofs, I have full or map, profile and estimate of the cost of con- to a laudable and beneficial undertaking.-[Phi-coufidence that you will give us a highly useful and valustruction, by Mr. Samuel H. Kneass, whom ladelphia Saturday Post.] jable book. Wishing you great success and individual prosperity, I they had employed as their Engineer, in making am, with much respect, your friend and obedient servant, PARIS, KY. Sept. 16th, 1832. road. the said survey, together with a model of a Rail-roposals for publishing a Practical Treatise on laying out and constructing M'Adamized Roads: together with general Observations on the best Mode of making and improving other Roads. By JNO. S. WILLIAMS, Engi neer. H. CLAY. I was ten years engaged in making and repairing roads in England and Scotland, under the celebrated M Adam, in his life-time. Mr. Jno. S. Williams, superintendant of the Maysville turnpike, is following Mr. M'Adam's prinjciples much closer than is common in America. In fact, his are completely M'Adamized roads. With Mr. Williams personally, I have very little acquaintance, but judging from the goodness of his roads, and the system pursued by him in making them, I believe him second to no road-maker now living. ANDREW STEELE. The subject proposed to be treated of is one which directly or indirectly interests every individual in civilized communities. There is no treatise known to the author which embodies as much matter as the importance of the subject demands. Most of what has been written In writing and compiling the proposed work, on it is buried amidst masses of other matter, in it shall be my aim, neither to be tediously parvery voluminous works, or scattered among the ticular, nor obscurely brief; but as the safer, columns of newspapers, and alike unfitly situ-I intend to fall into the former rather than the ated to give general information in, or to im-latter error. My endeavors shall be to write a prove the art of, road-making. The attempt, plain practical treatise, and not to make any therefore, to treat it alone, and to make it the subject of a separate volume, needs no apology, nor will it elicit one. From the whole of the surveys and examinations made, it appears that the ground between Kensington and Morrisville, on the south side of the Frankford and Bristol Turnpike, is peculiarly favorable for the construction of a railroad; that the whole distance will be a little short of twenty-seven miles; and that the grading of the same for a double track, and laying a single track of rails, on the plan of the models presented to the Board, with seven turnouts, is estimated to cost $38,422 66. They further report, that at a meeting of the Board, on the 19th of December last, it was deemed expedient to place under contract the grading or road formation of the whole line, together with all the necessary bridges and culverts, and having appointed Mr. Samuel H. Kneass the Engineer of the Company, they directed him to proceed to the final location and The author in presenting the proposed work to staking out of the work, without further delay. the patronage of the public, is not ignorant of The Board then entered into, as they believe, the antipathy to book subscriptions that exists a very advantageous contract on the part of the in many minds, and although he has felt it himCompany, with Richard Morris, of the City of self, he is induced to adopt that course, under Philadelphia, to execute and construct the said a firm conviction that he can never undertake road formation, and bridges, for the sum of the publication of so expensive a work without $161,047.-The road to be graded for a double an assurance that he will not lose more than track, and completed ready for the laying of his own labor. A contrary course might inrails on or before the first day of January, volve himself and his dependant family in in1834, and the bridges to be completed on or be- extricable poverty, which would be a sacrifice fore the first day of September, 1834, by which that his desires to be useful do not require at it is believed the whole road may be completed his hands. and ready for use, should the superstructure For the purpose of inspiring public confibe judiciously contracted for in good season. dence in his endeavors, and not ostentatious The Board are therefore happy to present to display, he presents in the order of their dates, the Stockholders, in their first Annual Report, the following recommendatory extracts and and within a period of six months from the communications. time of their first coming into existence as a Board, the very flattering prospect of the completion of the road, on terms more favorable than those of any similar work in existence, and at as early a period as the nature, extent, and permanence of the undertaking will admit of. By order of the Board, JOHN SAVAGE, President. TH. G. KENNEDY, Secretary. January 14, 1833. unnecessary display of science or skill. The The matter in the work will be treated in something like the following order :-Introduction, Road Companies, Charter, By-Laws, Engineers, Mapping, Superintendants, Directors, Lettings, Contracts, Masonry, Bridging, Graduation, M'Adamizing, Repairs, Tolls, Artificial BALTIMORE, August 28th, 1832. Roads generally, Substitutes for Stone in the Esteemed Friend :—In relation to thy proposed publi- construction of Artificial Roads generally, Comcation of a treatise on laying out, making, and managing moun Roads, Street Pavements, Wharves, LandM'Adam and other public roads, I am free to say, that I think such a work much wanted in this country, and thatgs, Ferries, Viaducts, Yards, Walks, Vehido not know any one who could probably approach the eles, &c. &c. Believing that no man of obsersubject with greater requisite ability. vation is so ignorant that he cannot teach, nor I it is with unfeigned pleasure that I have an opportunity so wise that he may not learn, a request to express the foregoing sentiment, which thee can use as is made to all who can communicate any occasion shall appear to render necessary, and should I be able hereafter to serve thee in this or any other way, it J. KNIGHT, Chief Engineer useful matter on any of the above subjects to do so; but at the same time, the necessity of their paying the expense of sending their communications will appear to them, and be cheerfully borne by those who have the prosperity of their country at heart. PHILADELPHIA AND TRENTON RAILROAD.— At an election held 14th January, 1833, in Philadelphia, the following named gentlemen were unanimously elected Managers of the PhiladelCONDITIONS. The book will contain at least 450 octaphia and Trenton Railroad Company : I know of none more competent for the task than vo pages, and be illustrated with about 100 drawings arJohn Savage, James Worth, Simon Gratz, yourself, and that such a work is wanting, no one, I pre-ranged to suit the convenience of the reader. The workThos. G. Kennedy, Geo. Rundle, James Ree-sm, doubts. Your long experience in the construction manship throughout shall be no disparagement to the meside, Jos. McIlvaine, Cephas G. Childs, Jona-of M'Adamized ronds, together with your close habits of chanical skill of the West. It will be delivered, bound, at observation, and general knowledge on subjects of engi- three dollars per single copy, or at thirty dollars per dozen. than T. Knight, Charles Lombaert, F. G. Wol-neering, render you peculiarly fitted for the undertaking. My word upon it, I will never sell a copy at a less price, bert, Wm. F. Swift. hope then that your time may be so arranged, as to al-unless the number taken together be greatly increased. And at a meeting of the Board, John Savage low you to commence without delay; and if I can be of The work can be delivered in the principal cities of the was elected President, and Thomas G. Kenne-any service to you, which I doubt, you can command my Union, in large quantities, without extraordinary risk or aid, which shall be cheerfully given, to the extent of my expense. But at considerable distance from them, the patdy, Treasurer and Secretary. ability. Yours sincerely, ronage ought to be in proportion to the cost and risk of Sup't. B. & O. Railroad. serving it. An uncommonly large subscription will be ne* In order to show that the above named worthy gentle-eessary to justify a publication at the prices fixed. I man did not speak without sufficient acquaintanceship, therefore solicit states, counties, corporations, turnpike refer to Document No. 14, House of Representatives, 20th and other companica, as well as enterprising individuals, to Congress, 2d Session, being his report on the Cumber- patronize the undertaking largely; which may render ine, and Road between Wheeling and Zanesville, Ohio, in and perhaps the country, a service, by putting it in my pow which he says: "To the skill, untiring exertion, and pa-er to publish the work, and give it an extensive circulatient industry of my assistant, Mr. Jno. S. Williams, the tion. NEW RAILROAD.-The Reading Journal states that a project is on foot, to make a railroad from Reading to Philadelphia, and that an application to the Legislature of this state is about to be made for an act of incorporation. The Journal says "The project originates from a source C. W. WEVER,* AGRICULTURE, &c. An Extraordinary Jargonelle Pear. By MR. SIR,-The pear, of which the following Lancaster, England, October, 1832. Importance of the Silk Culture-Aid from the in manufacturing this, a great drawback to Many fruitless attempts were made by crowned heads to obtain the worms, and to learn the mode of their management, but for a long time without success. ture of silk. It must be obvious that something is materially wrong in the silk operations of our people, or the manufacturing of it would ere this be entered into much more generally. The prospect of great reward at length put a few eggs of the silk worm in possession of The culture of silk was attempted in Virgithe Emperor Justinian. From this small be- nia a century and a half before cotton was ginning all the silk worms in Western Asia, brought into notice. The growth and manuEurope, and America, have been produced.-- facture of cotton has progressed with astonishEngland, Holland, Germany, Russia, and Swe-ing rapidity-the value of our cotton manufac den, are fully aware of the importance of the tories is immense.* It is now only 25 or 30 silk business. France, more than any other nayears since it was thought the ingenuity of our tion in Europe, is deriving her power and great-people would not be equal to manufacture as est resources from the culture and manufac- good and as cheap goods as the once celebrated India Baftas and Hummums. A very short Our Treasury returns, for several years past, period of experiment drove these very inferior shew that the silk imported and consumed in trash from our shores. The bare mention of the States is more in amount than the bread such fabrics being once in so general use in stuff exported. Silk may be successfully and our country, causes almost as much risibility advantageously cultivated in every state in the as the fact of importing building brick from Union. Experiments have shown American Holland. Our cotton goods now find their way silk to be superior in color and texture to the to the Indies; our bricks are equal to any in silk of any nation. Other agricultural labor the world; and with a little national protection, will not be lessened by such culture. The we will soon cease importing silk, and have condition of the poor will be much improved; raw silk to spare for a profitable export. the young and infirm will make good silk culturists. The climate of England is too damp and cold to propagate the silk worm. America may yet reap great profit on raw silk as an article of export. Many of the states, by their public acts, have shown their very decided opinion of the immense importance of the culture of silk, as a great and commanding National object; yet still, this grand object lingers. The chairman of our Congress committee on Agriculture, 1832, speaking of the manufacture of silk, remarks, "On an experiment un If the manufacture of silk should ever be Jay made no mention of cotton as an article of American production, in his treaty with England, 1794. The present year's crop of tried in this country, and requiring consideracotton is worth about thirty millions of dollars.ble capital, a reliance on individual enterprise Many of our citizens, who about 38 years ago would be at least problematical; and it is not planted cotton seed, may be living witnesses of the fact, that cotton is the first staple in the be found to act in concert so as attain the reto be expected that the several states will ever states. A large portion of those who are now sult which a national operation is calculated to planting the mulberry seed, may live to see procure." OLD PRACTICES.-In some parts of Scotland, raw silk the second grand staple of our counin former times, the plough used to be drawn by try. The state of Connecticut has taken the four horses abreast, and required the attendance lead in the growth and manufacture of silk. of three men. The business of one was to drive. For that purpose he placed himself be- Many of her citizens are entitled to great credit tween the middle horses, with his face towards for their persevering and patriotic efforts. the plough to guide it straight, and in this posi- Mansfield has been engaged more or less in tion he walked backwards with the reins in his the raising of silk ever since 1760, and the a crooked staff, which he fastened in front of quantity gradually increasing. Windham and the beam, and by means of it regulated the Tolland counties have produced for the last year depth of the furrow, by raising or lowering the raw silk sufficient to employ fifty-five looms, plough as occasion required. The ploughman which would manufacture about 30,000 yards followed with a hold on the stilts; and in this hand. Another walked behind the horses with formidable and ludicrous manner, they repeated per year, say vesting and other broad goods. undertaken upon an extensive scale in the United States, Congress must give us a National School, to teach the whole process of silk work, but more particularly the important art of fil ature. The eight millions of dollars sent annually out of the country for silks, in its various forms, can be saved, and it is as well to begin now as wait another century. Lansingburgh, Jan. 1, 1833. A. W. The home consumption of raw cotton has increased 600 per cent, within the last 16 years, while that of Great Britain has only increased 220 per cent. in 21 years. keep it on a proper poise. It is said that this nia. Superior specimens of what might be ac- Rotation of Crops and Food of Plants. By practice was within a few years to be met with complished by a judicious National fostering AGRICOLA. To the Editor of the New-York in Galloway. was exhibited last Winter at Washington, by Farmer and American Gardener's Magazine. Many practices, subsisting even at this day the venerable and learned Mr. Duponceau.- SIR, The Rev. Samuel Deane, D. D. in Ireland, are still more ridiculous. Mr. Arthur Young tells us, that in Donegal he has actually Many other parts of the Union have produced Vice President of Bowdoin College, and Fellow seen horses ploughing, fastened by the tail.- specimens of silk stuffs and sewing silk; the of the American Academy of Arts and Scien[Lynn Weekly Messenger.] latter article is found the most profitable, yet ces, and author of the New-England Farmer, or |