From this estimate it appears that a railroad for a single track, with iron founds to the yard, and otherwise well constructed, will cost about three and a half millions, or less than twenty thousand dollars per mile, which, compared with similar works in other parts of the country, is a moderate cost. In case it be deemed best to strike the Red river below Fulton at Conway, we leave the present line at the Dorcheat, and instead of turning northerly, as at present, continue the general west course, by which we will be brought to the Red river at Conway in a distance of 20 miles, in place of 40 miles, as by the precedent line. We thus save 19 miles of distance, and $272,563 of cost in construction, (equipment, engineering, &c., remaining the same,) provided the cost per mile be the same as on the other line. But as the projected route to Conway will hare to cross the ridges, it is possible it may cost more per mile; and for this allowing $50,000, leaves the total saving $223,000; giving the cost of the whole road $3,342,000, and its length 175 miles. In case we diverge at Beechland to take the route to Fulton by the way of Springhill, we reach Fulton in a distance from Beechland of 58 miles, instead of 67, as by the route surveyed; thus saving 9 miles in distance, $128,000 in cost, giving the cost of the whole road $1,437,000, and its length 185 miles. In case, after crossing the Washita, we do not cross the Loutre, but keep between it and the Washita, turning the heads of the Loutre near Eldorado, and falling into the present line at Darden's, ten miles from Eldorado, the distance will be about the same, and the cost and repairs of a bridge and heavy embankments over the Loutre and its bottom lands sared. This will not be less than $30,000 in first cost. It is probable," moreover, that the ten miles between Eldorado and Darden's has more favorable ground than any continuous ten miles on the present route. Hence I judge the route by Eldorado to be preferable. Just east of the Washita, in case we wish to avoid the bend to the southward which the Bartholomew makes before entering the Washita, and run more directly to Washita city from a point in the present line south of Bastrop, we will have to cross the Bartholomew once with a draw-bridge, and the Washita at a place inferior to the present-Collier's point. The line will, besides, on lower ground require heavier embankment. But we will save the two bridges over the Saira and Bœuf bayous, and also three miles of distance. The cost of the two routes will be nearly the same, and the question of a draw-bridge over the Bartholomew on the one hand, and three additional miles of distance on the other, must influence the choice. The above communicates all the information I have gathered in relation to a railroad between Lake Providence and the Red river, near Fulton, constructed in the best and most permanent manner usual in the United States. Modifications may be made to lessen the cost, and in some cases temporary constructions may be adopted. Thus, through the swamps it would be expedient to build the abutments and piers of all the bridges of timber, and make the approaches to the bridges over the low grounds of trestles. By this two points will be gained: the exact necessary amount of water-way may be ascertained by observation, and a road provided by which to transport material for the permanent construction. A piled or trestled road across the swamp, of the necessary height and properly braced, would not cost less than an embanked road, and v not have the quality of permanency belonging to the latter. A common road from Lake Providence to the Washita, to be kept a water at all times, would be located near the line traced. The earthwould cost $400,000; timbers, piers, and trestles for the bridges, $5, and their superstructure, $13,000; total, $418,000. But if built so be serviceable eight months in the year, and then given up to the flow, it might be built for $100,000. But no road built of merely earth of the swamp could be kept of a good surface without protec Plank is by all means the best covering for the locality; and to cor either of the above into a plank road would require, from Lake P dence to the Washita, $60,000 in addition. Beyond the Washita, w would be crossed by a ferry, the line traced by our survey indicates well the proper route for a common road; and on this line a road embar sufficiently for drainage, with good side ditches, culverts, and brid may be built for $1,000 per mile, or $140,000 to Fulton. This, howe does not contemplate any other surface to the road than the contigu soil. If covered with plank the cost would be double, or $280,000. good common road above freshets may, then, be built from Lake Pi dence to Fulton for $558,000, or a plank road for $758,000. Consid merely as a local work, without reference to the extension towards Pacific, a plank road from the Mississippi to the Washita, and a com road thence to the Red river at Conway, would be such as would subserve the interests of the community. This would cost $593,000 All of which is respectfully submitted by W. H. SIDELL, J. J. ABERT, Session. No. 43. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMUNICATING, ompliance with a resolution of the Senate, information in relation to the difficulties between the British authorities and San Salvador. MARCH 1, 1851. Read, and ordered to be printed. the Senate of the United States: n answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 16th ultimo, requestinformation touching the difficulties between the British authorities 1 San Salvador, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, and the uments which accompanied it. WASHINGTON, February 28, 1851. MILLARD FILLMORE. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 28, 1851. The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the nate of the 16th ultimo, requesting the President "to lay before the nate, if not incompatible with the public interest, all the information in s possession touching the difficulties between the British authorities id San Salvador; the blockade of the coast of that republic by the Brith fleet; the invasion of Guatemala by the forces of San Salvador and onduras; and such other matters connected herewith as materially affect threaten the independence of the States of Central America;" has the onor to lay before the President the papers specified in the subjoined list, which contain all the information in this department called for by the esolution. This report has been delayed by causes beyond the control f the department. It will be noticed that many of the accompanying ocuments are voluminous translations. The task of preparing these has evolved upon one individual only, who has also been obliged to attend 0 other indispensable business of the same kind since the date of the esolution. Although there are several clerks in the department capable of translating Spanish, they could not be spared from other indispensable duties. Respectfully submitted: To the PRESIDENT of the United States. DAN. WEBSTER. |