FACTS AND ESTIMATES RELATIVE TO THE BUSINESS ON THE ROUTE OP THE CONTEMPLATED PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER RAIL ROAD. K PROVIDENCE: KNOWLES & VOSE, PRINTERS. 1 845 . The Committee appointed by the Directors of the Providence and Worcester Rail Road Company, to open books of subscription to the stock of said Company, preparatory to opening said books, submit to the consideration of their fellow citizens, the following REPORT of their Sub-Committee appointed to collect information in relation to the business and travel on the route of said Road, and the accompa- nying documents. ALEX. DUNCAN, WILLIAM JACKSON, A. O. PECK, JOHN W. LINCOLN, JAMES Y. SMITH, WILLIAM FOSTER, MOSES B. IVES, PAUL WHITING, EDWARD H. SPRAGUE, CHRIST’R. S. RHODES, GEORGE C. BALLOU, ISAAC THURBER, HARVEY CHACE. October 7th, 1844. ~bV 5A C> REPORT Of a Committee appointed to collect informa- tion in relation to the business and travel on the line of the contemplated Rail Road be- tween Providence and Worcester . The surveys of routes for a Rail Road between Provi- dence and Worcester, by T. Willis Pratt, Esq., Engi- neer, a copy of which is annexed, shows that such a road is entirely practicable at a cost, by one route, of $1,000,- 000, by another, $900,000; and the following state- ments are presented, to exhibit the inducements it offers for capitalists to subscribe the means necessary for its construction. The population of the towns through which it will pass, including Providence and Worcester, was, accord- ing to the census of 1840, as follows ; Providence, North Providence, 23.171 4,207 9,554 5,225 3,524 2,004 1,449 2,370 2,943 2.171 7,497 Smithfield, & rJ Uxbridge, Northbridge, Cumberland, Mendon, Making an aggregate of Sutton, Grafton, Millbury, Worcester, 64,115 4 To which should be added that of Pawtucket, 2, 1 84 Milford, 1,773 Douglas, 1,617 Upton, 1,466 Making in all, 71,155 At this time probably 82,000. The business of Providence embraces all departments of trade and manufactures, and extends through the whole country. The city is easily approached from the ocean, has a large commercial interest reaching every ocean and land, and being nearer to Worcester than any port south of Boston, it may be fairly presumed that large portions of the heavy articles of consumption of Worcester and its vicinity, such as cotton, coal, iron, salt, oil, southern corn, and leather, will find their way there by way of Providence, when the facilities of transporta- tion between these places are as great as through other channels. The town of Worcester is, by the surveyed route, about 43 miles from Providence ; it is the point of junc- tion of the two roads from Norwich and Albany, with that from Boston, and in the line of travel, or rather, is the great centre of travel, between the central and west- ern parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and Vermont and the cities on the sea board, and the depot of large quantities of merchandize going between those places. Its business is very large ; besides the trade usual for the supply of such a population, there are extensive manufacturing establishments, using coal and iron, and producing rail road cars, machinery, farming utensils, shoes, and various other articles ; among these are the following : A paper maker employs fourteen hands, pays freight on more than four hundred tons of merchandize, and ships to New York one hundred tons annually. A manufacturer of card wire employs forty men, and purchases an hundred tons of wire annually. A manufacturer, employing thirty-five hands, uses two hundred tons of iron, and makes four thousand ploughs and other agricultural instruments, annually. A lead pipe maker uses fifty tons of lead annually. A manfacturer of woollen machinery uses about two hundred tons of iron, and makes thirty-five setts of ma- chines. Thirteen establishments for the manufacture of ma- chinery use large quantities of iron, lumber and coal. The business of one is about sixty-five thousand dollars annually ; another, fifty thousand dollars ; another, twen- ty thousand dollars ; another, sixteen thousand dollars ; and that of the others, in the aggregate very large. A foundry employs about one hundred and twenty hands, and uses about twenty-one hundred tons of coal, iron and moulding sand annually. A paper and calico machine manufactory, occupied by several concerns, makes about two hundred thousand dollars worth of these machines annually. At an establishment, twenty thousand dollars worth of machine cards are made annually. In Worcester there are 3 Woolen Mills, with 9 setts of machinery, Leicester, South Leicester, Auburn, Wei den, CC West Boylston, and 2 Cotton 3 Woolen 2 1 Cotton 2 Woolen 4 Cotton 4 “ 1500 spindles. 8 setts of machinery. 6 “ “ 2000 spindles. 4 sets of machinery. 8000 spindles. 9000 An iron dealer in Worcester purchases two hundred tons of iron annually. The sales of shoes, exclusive of those at retail, amount to about $572,000. About 120,000 bushels of southern corn, 4000 tons of coal, 50,000 bushels of salt, and 1000 tons of lime are consumed annually. 6 The estimated annual amount paid for passengers by public conveyances, from Providence to Worcester and back, through, is #1 0,000; but no estimate has been made of the sum paid for freight of merchandize between these places, though it must be evident upon view of the kinds of business done in each, that it might fairly be estimated as an important one. The annexed table presents the villages between Prov- idence and Worcester, with the general business of each, as follows : 2. Pawtucket, including the village in North Provi- dence, and Massachusetts, 5 miles from Providence, 40 “ “ Worcester. Population, 5,548 In this place are 15 cotton factories, with 35,920 spin- dles, 694 looms; making 90,100 yards of cloth per week, and working 3,071 bales of cotton per annum, employing 431 females and 1,043 males. The Frank- lin Print Works print 160,000 yards of cloth per week. There are also a manufactory of Plane Irons and Augers ; two Foundrys ; a Planing Mill; a Reed Maker’s Shop ; a Lock and Knob Shop; a Comb Fac- tory ; a Sash and Blind Factory ; three Curriers’ Shops ; a Sheet Iron and Tin Shop ; a ’Dye House ; two Engra- ving Shops for Copper Rolls ; three Printing Offices, and a large trading interest. Annual tons of merchandize, 30,805 Estimated amount paid freight of merchandize annually, $30,805 “ “ “ passengers by public conveyance, 9,660 See note on the annexed table. 3. Central Falls, in Smithfield 6 miles from Providence, 39 “ “ Worcester. Population, 1,307 This is a manufacturing village, in which are 7 Cotton Mills, with 19,714 spindles, 425 looms, making 85,000 7 yds. of cloth per week, and working 1,875 bales of cotton per annum ; 3 Machine Shops, and 4 small Thread Mills making 1,200 pounds per week. There are 284 fe- males and 240 males employed. There are also 2 Spooling Shops, 2 Turning Shops, and 1 Bedstead Man- ufactory. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 2,500. “ amount paid by passengers in stages, $1,250 “ “ “ for freight of merchandize, 3,125 4. Valley Falls, in Smithfield, and Cumberland. 6 miles from Providence, 38 from Worcester. Popula’n, including Home Print Works adjoining, 1,500. This is a manufacturing village, in which are 5 Cotton Mills, with 22,340 spindles, 627 looms, making 101,970 yds. of cloth per week, and working 2,548 bales of cot- ton per annum, and 3 Machine Shops. There are 276 females, and 205 males employed. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 1,900 “ “ amount paid by passengers in stages, $2,400 “ “ “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,900 5. Home Print Works has a Machine Shop. They employ 8 females and 75 males, and print 80,000 pieces of cloth per annum. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 1,100 “ sum paid freight of merchandize, $1,100 6. Lonsdale, in Smithfield, 6 miles from Providence, 37 “ “ Worcester. Population, 1,200 This is a manufacturing village, in which are 4 Cot- ton Mills, with 22,000 spindles, and 560 looms ; employ- ing 250 females and 150 males; producing 60,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 1,200 bales of cotton per annum ; a Bleaching and Dyeing establishment is just ready for operation. a Estimated annual tons of Merchandize, 1,500 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $675 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,500 Lime Rock, in Smithfield, 8 miles from Providence, 35 from Worcester. The production of this place is Lime of a very supe- rior quality, very large quantities of which are transport- ed to Providence for consumption and shipment ; it is preferred to any other lime in New England, is used ex- tensively at Worcester, and all along the route between Providence and Worcester, and persons of the best judg- ment in the matter, say that with facilities to obtain it at the same cost with that now more generally used in Worcester, brought there from Glens Falls, would be preferred, and used there to the extent of 500 tons annually. 7. Albion, in Smithfield, 11 miles from Providence, 32 “ “ Worcester. Population, 400. This is a manufacturing village, in which are 2 Cot- ton Mills, with 8,500 spindles, 206 looms ; employing 115 females, and 102 males; making 20,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 600 bales of cotton per annum. There is a Machine Shop for repairs. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 550 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $225 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,100 8. Mansville, in Smithfield, 12 miles from Providence, 31 “ “ Worcester. Population, 700. This is a manufacturing village, in which are 2 Cot- ton Mills, with 12,000 spindles, 300 looms; employing about 80 females and 1 50 males ; making 30,600 yds. of cloth per week ; working 850 bales of cotton per annum. 9 Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 700 “ sum paid for passengers in stages, $700 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,000 9. Cumberland Hill, in Cumberland, 12 miles from Providence, 30 from Worcester. Population 160. This is a country village, and chiefly interesting as being in the immediate vicinity of an inexhaustible quar- ry of iron stone, which is extensively used in Massachu- setts, and other places, in the manufacture of iron ; and because teams with boots, shoes, bonnets, and leather, between Providence and Mendon, Milford and Upton, pass directly through it. Estimated sum paid by passengers in stages, $150 “ “ “ freight of merchandize to and from places named, 2,500 10. Mansfield & Holman’s, and Branch Works, in Smithfield, 14 miles from Providence, 29 “ “ Worcester. Messrs. Mansfield & Holman employ about 40 men, and manufacture 5000 doz. of Scythes, annually. The Branch Mill, so called, is partly occupied for spinning cotton and wool and making woolen cloth ; in it are 800 spindles, and 1 set of woollen machinery, making 2,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 100 bales of cotton, and 25,000 pourfds of wool per annum. There are 15 females and 20 males employed in the mill. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 660 sum paid freight of merchandize, $1,560 11. Hamlet, in Smithfield, 15 miles from Providence, 28 “ “ Worcester. Population 250. This is a manufacturing village, in which are 2 Cot- ton Mills, with 5,832 spindles, 120 looms; employing 67 2 10 females and 74 males ; making 20,000 yards of cotton cloth per week, and working 650 bales of cotton per an- num. Annual tons of merchandize, 400 Estimated sum paid by passengers in stages, $400 “ “ freight of merchandize, 700 12. Bernon, in Smithfield, 16 miles from Providence, 27 “ “ Worcester. Population 750. This is a manufacturing village, with 2 Cotton Mills, in which are 11,000 spindles, 288 looms, 175 females, 75 males employed, making 38,500 yds. of cloth per week, and working 1,000 bales of cotton per annum. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 633 “ sum paid for passengers in stages, $633 sum paid freight of merchandize per annum, 1,266 13. Woonsocket, in Cumberland, 16 miles from Prov., 27 “ “ Worcester. Population 4,000. This is a manufacturing village, with 17 Cotton Mills, in which are 34,456 spindles, and 812 looms ; making 151,039 yds. of cloth per week, and working 5,251 bales of cotton per annum ; also 3 Woollen Mills, with 10 setts of machinery, making 4,700 yds. of cloth per week, and working 281,500 pounds of wool per annum. Also 6 Machine Shops, an Iron Foundry, 2 Grist Mills, a Saw Mill, 2 Thread Mills, a Spool and Bobbin Shop, a Soap Works, 2 Stores for corn, flour, lime and groceries, at wholesale, and the other business for the ordinary sup- ply of such a population and the neighboring towns. In the mills, 413 females and 456 males are employed. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 15,233 “ sum paid for passengers by stages, $10,100 “ “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 30,466 11 14. Waterford, in Mendon, 17 miles from Providence, 26 44 “ Worcester. Population 800. This is a manufacturing village, with 3 Woollen Mills, in which are employed 125 females and 325 males ; there are 26 setts of woollen machinery, 146 cards ; mak- ing 8,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 900,000 pounds of wool per annum. There is also a Wheelright Shop. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 2,200 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $450 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 5,000 15. Blackstone, in Mendon, 18 miles from Providence, 25 6 4 44 Worcester, Population 1,100. This is a manufacturing village ; there are 3 Cotton Mills, with 36,000 spindles, 750 looms; making 150,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 3,000 bales of cot- ton annually ; there is also a small Machine Shop ; there are 350 females and 200 males employed. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 1840 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $600 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 3,680 16. Slatersville, in Smithfield, 17 miles from Prov., 1 8 44 44 Worces’r. Population 1,200. This is a manufacturing village, with 4 Cotton Mills, with 12,000 spindles, 305 looms ; employing 212 females and 108 males ; making 55,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 2,400 bales of cotton annually. There is also a small Machine Shop. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 900 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, “ “ freight of merchandize, $2,840 2,160 12 17. Millville, in Mendon, 20 miles from Providence, 23 “ “ Worcester. Population 600. This is a manufacturing village*; there are 2 Cotton Mills with 1,400 spindles, and 16 looms ; making 3,000 yds. of cloth per week and working 150 bales of cotton per annum. Also 2 Woolen Mills, with 6 setts of ma- chinery, making 4,000 yds. of cloth per week, and work- ing 200,000 pounds of wool annually. Also a Scythe Shop, making 2,000 doz. scythes, and a Wheelright Shop making 150 wagons per annum. Females 100, Males 100. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 825 “ sum paid for passengers by stages, $100 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 2,520 18. Iron Stone, in Uxbridge, 22 miles from Prov., 21 “ “ Worcester. Population 90. This is a manufacturing village, with 1 Woolen Mill, employing 15 females and 24 males ; making 1,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 30,000 pounds of wool per annum. Annnal tons of merchandize, 100 Sum paid freight of merchandize, $333 19. Uxbridge, 25 miles from Providence, „ 18 “ “ Worcester. Population, exclusive of Rogerson Village, 2,000. This is a manufacturing and agricultural town, in which are 5 Woolen Mills, with 17 setts of machinery, and a Machine Shop, employing 71 females and 115 males ; making 12,000 yards of cloth per week, and working 624,000 pounds of wool per annum. There is also a carriage Maker’s Shop, a Boot and Shoe manu- factory, and a Tannery. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 1,500 “ sum paid for passengers by stages, $3,744 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 3,375 13 20. Rogerson’s Village, in Uxbridge, 26 miles from Providence, 17 u a Worcester. Population 400. This is a manufacturing village, in which are 2 Cot- ton Mills, with 8,200 spindles, 144 looms ; employing 124 females and 80 males; making 18,000yds. of cloth per week, and working 550 bales of cotton per annum. There is also a Saw Mill, a Shingle Mill, a Batting Mill, and 2 Stove Manufactories. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 350 “ sum paid for passengers by stages, $500 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,400 21. Whitingville, in Northbridge, 26 miles from Prov., 17 “ “ Worcester. Population 500. This is a manufacturing village, with 2 Cotton Mills with 1 1 ,400 spindles, 240 looms, and a large Machine Shop ; employing 130 females and 215 males ; making 70,000 yds. of cotton cloth per week, large quantities of machinery, and working 2,000 bales of cotton per an- num. The shoe manufacturers and curriers in North- bridge, employ 120 males and 80 females, and make about 100,000 pairs per annum. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 2,000 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $1,000 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 8,000 22. Douglass, 26 miles from Providenee, 17 “ Worcester. Population 1617. This is a manufacturing and agricultural town ; there are 2 Cotton Mills, with 7,660 spindles, 196 looms; mak- ing 25,000 yds. of cotton cloth per week ; working 750 bales of cotton per annum ; 1 Woolen Mill with 1 sett of machinery, making 1,800 yds. of cloth per week, and working 51,200 lbs of wool per annum; a large manu- 14 ufactory of Axes, &c., employing 77 hands ; 2 Shoe man- ufactories, employing 86 males and 65 females, making 38,000 pairs of shoes per annum. The number of fe- males employed in the cotton and woolen business, is es- timated at 65, and males at 100. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 2,400 “ sum paid for passengers in stages, $725 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 9,600 23. Manchaug, in Sutton, 26 miles from Providence, 17 a u Worcester. Population 200. This is a manufacturing village, in which are 3 Cot- ton Mills, with 5,000 spindles and 132 looms, employing 45 females and 75 males ; making 20,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 450 bales of cotton per annum. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 300 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $100 k “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,200 24. Plummer’s in Northbridge, 28 miles from Prov., 15 “ Worc’r. This is a trading establishment. Annual tons of merchandize, 300 Sum paid freight of merchandize* $600 25. Holbrook’s Village, in Northbridge, 30 miles from Providence, 13 “ “ Worcester. Population 550. This is a manufacturing village, in which are 3 Cot- ton Mills with 11,600 spindles, and 280 looms ; employ- ing 40 females and 120 males; making 50,600 yds. of cloth per week, and working 2,100 bales of cotton per annum. There is also a machine Shop. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 1,390 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, “ “ “ freight of merchandize, $1,600 7,000 15 26. Farnumsville, in Grafton, 33 miles from Providence, 10 44 44 Worcester. Population 375. This is a manufacturing village, having 1 Cotton Mill with 4,000 spindles, 104 looms, to employ 50 females and 25 males, make 20,000 yds. of cloth per week, and work 800 bales of cotton per annum. Estimated annual tons of Merchandize, 287 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $1,000 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, ' 1,148 27. Fisherville, in Grafton, 33 miles from Prov., 10 44 44 Wor’r. Population 125 This is a manufacturing village, in which is a Cotton Mill with 2,600 spindles and 60 looms ; employing 25 males and 25 Females ; making 13,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 500 bales of cotton per annum. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 350 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $300 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,000 28. Grafton, 35 miles from Providence, 8 44 44 Worcester. Population, 2,877. This is a manufacturing and agricultural town ; there is a Cotton Mill with 1,300 spindles, and 31 looms, mak- ing 7,000 yds of cloth per week, and working 200 bales of cotton per annum. The Shoe business of this place is much larger than that of any other on the route, as will appear on comparing the number of persons employed, viz : in the mill and shoe manufactories, about 200 females and 400 males. Annual tons of merchandize, 800 Sum paid by passengers in stages, “ “ freight of merchandize, $800 2,400 / 16 29. New England Village, in Grafton, 28 miles from Providence, 7 u u Worcester. Population included in Grafton. This is a manufacturing village, in which there are 2 Cotton Mills with 8,800 spindles, and 250 looms, mak- ing 45,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 2,400 bales of cotton per annum. There is also a Batting Mill, a Grist Mill, a Machine Shop, a Sash Factory, a Hoe and Scythe Shop, and a Tin and Stove Shop. These works employ 200 females and 100 males. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 2,360 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, $4,000 This village is near the line of the Boston and Wor- cester Road and no estimate is made of the passengers to or from it. 30. Saundersville, in Sutton, 35 miles from Prov., 8 “ “ Worc’r. Population 200. This is a manufacturing village, in which there are 2 Cotton Mills with 2,300 spindles and 35 looms ; employ- ing 15 females and 25 males, making 10,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 225 bales of cotton per an- num. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 200 “ “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $100 “ “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 600 31. Wilkinsonville, in Sutton, 38 miles from Prov., 7 “ " Worc’r. Population 2,370. This is a manufacturing village ; including its imme- diate vicinity it has 2 Cotton Mills with 6,184 spindles, and 100 looms; making 16,000 yds. of cloth per week, and working 400 bales of cotton per annum. There is 17 also 1 Woollen Mill with 2 setts of machinery, a Machine Shop, 2 Shuttle Shops, a Machine Shop for Joiners Tools, a Machine Shop for Shoemakers Tools, and 2 Shoe manufactories, making 20,000 pairs of shoes annu- ally. In these Works, the estimated number of persons employed is 56 females and 94 males. Estimated annual tons of merchandise, 300 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $1,992 “ “ “ freight of merchandize, 1,500 32. Milbury, 38 miles from Providence, 5 “ “ Worcester. Population, 2,500. This is a manufacturing town, in which there are 6 Cotton Mills, with 16,000 spindles and 405 looms ; mak- ing 96,600 yds. of cloth per week and working 3,068 bales of cotton per annum ; also 5 Woollen Mills with 1 7 setts of machinery and 81 cards ; making 15,100 yds. of cloth per week, and working 1,170,000 lbs. of wool and rags per annum. There are 2 Machine Shops, a Paper Mill, an Armory for making small arms, an Iron Foundry, a Scythe Works, making 3000 doz. scythes per annum, 2 manufactories of farmers tools, and 3 Shoe manufacto- ries, whose business amounts to about $ 150,000 per an- num. There are employed in this place 228 females and 466 males. Estimated annual tons of merchandize, 8,000 “ sum paid by passengers in stages, $5,000 “ “ freight of merchandize, 24,000 3 18 These estimates, most of which are made from actual returns, and in which are included some Cotton Mills which are not yet in operation, but in progress, and some of them nearly ready to start, present, in addition to oth- er matters, the following aggregate, viz : Cotton Mills, 94 a Spindles, 307,006 “ Looms, 7,092 Yards of Cotton Cloth per week, 1,197,800 Bales of Cotton used per year, 35,138 Woolen Mills, 22 Setts of Woolen Machinery, 81 Yards of Woolen Cloth per week, 50,900 Pounds of Wool per annum, 3,341,700 Scythe Works, 4 Dozens of Scythes per annum, 10,500 Machine Shops, 30 Females employed, 4,288 Males do. 5,205 Sums paid by passengers in Stages, $57,144 “ “ freight of Merchandize, 155,338 Total paid passengers and freight, $213,482 From the foregoing estimates and statements, and the annexed tables, it appears that the sum now paid for pas- sengers by public conveyance on the route between Providence and Worcester, is $57,144, and for merchan- dize consumed at and sent from the various places on the route, $156,338. Of the number of passengers by private conveyances no estimate has been made, as there are no known data for making it ; in other similar state- ments for other routes it has been set down at twice or three times that by the public, and it is thought entirely safe to consider it at least as equal. On the Eastern, Lowell, Worcester and Boston roads, the number of passengers 19 has been three or four times as large as passed over the same routes in stages. Many persons on this route go from various points to Boston by way of the Boston and Worcester and the Boston and Providence roads ; many go from Providence to Worcester by way of Danielson- ville ; many also, particularly the farmers, and owners or agents of the mills, travel in their own carriages, and in almost every village there are large numbers of horses kept to let ; and it may be fairly concluded, that when these various classes are accommodated by the facility of a Rail Road, their aggregate number will be as large compared with the present number by stages, as that of any of the roads named. The connection of this with the Western, and Wor- cester and Norwich roads, is undoubtedly of great im- portance in estimating its value and income. It thus be- comes the direct line of travel from Narragansett Bay to Albany and the Lakes, and between Newport and Saratoga and Niagara, the most interesting and attract- ive watering places in the country ; and is a medium by which the people of Providence, owning mills in Web- ster and the valley of the Quinnebaug, can communi- cate with their establishments with their supplies, and re- ceive their productions. Much the same may be said of the freight ; that from the western road, which goes to Boston, being made up of articles of supply for the ordi- nary consumption of the inhabitants of that city, will of course be equally wanted by the inhabitants of Provi- dence and the valley of the Blackstone, and as in Boston, can be by no other means so readily or cheaply supplied. How much business or income can be expected from these sources, time alone can determine. There is perhaps more analogy between the business and population of the Lowell route and this in their gen- eral character, than between this and any other. The manufacturing business of Lowell has gathered its popu- 20 lation, furnishes the passengers, and gives occasion or the immense travel and transportation upon the Lowell road. The folllowing will show how the business re- turns of Lowell in 1841 will compare with the statistics now presented, as to that of the valley of the Blackstone River : Blackstone Valley. 307,006 15,812,000 62,285,600 3,341,700 9,298 Lowell. Spindles, 178,868 Cotton used, 21,424,000 per annum, do Cloth, 65,803,400 yds. per year, Wool Man’d. per annum, Hands emp’d. 9,092 The estimated number of passengers for the Lowell road was originally 37,440 per annum ; the actual num- ber exclusive of those to and from the Concord, Nashua, and Maine roads, has for several years past varied from 90,000 to 120,000, and will probably this year reach 140,000. It is not of course supposed that there will be as much intercourse between the business and population of the Blackstone and Worcester with Providence, as there would be between the same amount of business and pop- ulation with so large a city as Boston ; but if the busi- ness communication between Lowell and Boston is suf- ficient to give a profit of 8 per cent, on $1,800,000, it is thought by the Committee not unreasonable to suppose, that a much larger business in the valley of the Black- stone, with that from Worcester and vicinity, that from the west by the western road, and some from the Nor- wich and Worcester road, which may be considered very certain, to pass a road between Providence and Worces- ter must at least afford an equal profit on $1,000,000. It may be said that a part of the business stated in the table is too near Providence to afford a return to a Rail Road on the route corresponding with its amount ; this is true, and on this account reasonable allowance should 21 be made, but it should be remembered that all the busi- ness for a greater distance than 26 miles, the length of the Lowell road, will pay a greater corresponding profit, and it is probable that the average distance by each pas- senger, and each ton of merchandize, would be quite as great on it as on the Lowell road. It should always be remembered as an important fact in relation to this route, that a road upon it can have no competitor for passengers, except teams and stages. The estimates of the Engineer upon the result of the operations of the road, are annexed. What effect these statistics, statements and sugges- tions, as to the sources of revenue for a Rail Road be- tween Providence and Worcester, will have upon other minds, the Committee cannot attempt to tell ; they feel very sure that no case in relation to any proposed road on any route in New England, has been presented, in which the various elements upon which the confidence of persons seeking secure investment for their capital, can safely rest, have been more evident ; and with great con- fidence they submit this Report. A. O. PECK, ) WILLIAM JACKSON > Committee. CHRIST’R S. RHODES, ) 22 An Estimate of the Probable Receipts of the Providence and Worcester Rail Road from Freight. TO PROVIDENCE. STATIONS. MILES. KATE PER TON. NO. TONS. AMOUNT. Lonsdale, 6 75 1500 $1125 Albion, 10 160 550 880 Manville, 12 180 700 1260 Hamlet, 15 175 400 700 Woonsocket, 15J 175 17000 29750 Waterford, 17 175 2200 3850 Blackstone, 17£ 175 1840 3220 Millville, 20 220 925 2035 Uxbridge, Roger son’s, } 25 250 1500 3750 Whiting’s > Douglass, ) Holbrook’s, 26 250 5450 13625 30 260 1390 3614 Farnumsville, 33 260 1500 3900 Wilkinsonsville, 35 270 500 1350 Millbury, 37i 280 2000 5600 Worcester, 43 300 4000 12000 41455 $86659 To this amount should be added the income received from freight transported between the several way sta- tions and Worcester, and also that transported between the way stations only. This, in the course of one year, will probably amount to $5000, making the sum total for freight receipts, 91,659, 23 An Estimate of the Probable Receipts of the Providence and Worcester Rail Road from Passengers . To Providence. To Worcester. Stations. Miles Fare. Cts. Numb’s per ann. Am’nt. Miles Fare Cts Numb’s per ann. Am’t. Lonsdale, 6 20 7825 $1565 37 130 900 $1170 Albion, 10 35 2500 875 33 115 300 345 Manville, 12 40 3000 1200 31 110 500 550 Hamlet, Woonsocket, 45 50 1200 600 28 100 250 250 15i 50 36000 18000 27J 100 3000 3000 Waterford, 17 60 1800 1080 26 90 1100 990 Blackstone, m 60 3600 2160 25J 90 1500 1350 Millville, 20 70 600 420 23 80 600 480 Uxbridge, Rogerson’s \ Whiting & > 25 85 3000 2550 18 65 3000 1950 26 90 2400 2160 17 60 3000 1800 Douglass, ) Holbrook’s, Farnumsville, 30 105 1200 1260 13 45 1800 810 33 115 1500 1725 10 35 2500 875 Wilkinsonville, 35 125 1200 1500 8 25 3000 750 Millbury, 37J 130 2000 2600 Oi 20 30000 6000 Worcester, 43 150 15000 22500 60195 20320 $80515 20320 In this estimate, no account is taken of passengers be- tween Pawtucket, Valley and Central Falls and Provi- dence. This being the only part of the route on which any competition can prevail, or on which there can be any doubt but that the Rail Road will secure the whole travel, it is thought advisable to omit any estimate of the amount. To the above should be added the amount paid by pas- sengers between the several stations on the road, which may amount to about $5,000 annually, making the whole amount of passenger receipts, $85,515 per annum. These estimates are based on the returns received by the Committee appointed for the purpose of collecting 24 the statistics of business in the Valley of the Blackstone river, which returns are believed to be within the truth. Annual receipts from freight, u “ “ passengers, Supposed “ “ mail, 91,659 82,515 4,000 $181,174 To do the business here estimated for, there will require to be run, 2 Passenger and 1 Freight Train, over the whole length of the road, and 3 Passenger and 1 Freight Train to Woonsocket, from Providence and back ; making 392 miles per day, or 122,696 miles per annum, which at 50 cents per mile, which is supposed to be ample to cover the expense, amounts to $61,348 for the annual expense of the road, leaving a nett income (from the above gross receipts) of $119,826, being nearly 12 per cent, upon a capital of $1,000,000. T. WILLIS PRATT. Wool Setts .Yards ofi Pounds of \ Ma- .Scjt’e (Ltoz. of . Fe- . Males . Estimated. 25 mu = 1-0 to to O 1-HrHHpCDi^HPCDGOrH CM ® 01 tP O © CM MOON CO T-t O O O O O O CM ©©©©©©© HCOOCOOOhCJ O s o a S 05 °g J ,!iM M 13 O.JJ all O to to ■ TfOj> CM CM ©TplOCDtD©0O© COi>l>tOCMOOO i^WCMHH I to © to © ! ,-H 00 hH o rH CM 1—1 tO © tO to © tO hP J> CM CM © CM CM CO © © © © i> CO CO 281 50< 900001 o © © o © © © © HP O CO CM CM CO CM to © © © © tr O Tp 00 © © © © © © © © © HP rH CM © © 00 (U at a * a) © © © © 00 rH CM tO HI cO i— i i> CMHtO to 3071 1875 2548 © © © o © to CM CO GO rH 100 650 1000 4251 © © © © © to © rp rH CO CM © © © to © to to © i> CM 90100 85000 101970 60000 20000 30000 2000 20000 38500 151030 © © © O © © © © © o to CO to to rH 18000 70000 2500C ■OOOOO'OOO® vo©©©©(M©©© Tp-HODtOCMCMHpTP© CM ©* CO ©©©©©©©©© ooooooooo ©cd©©©©©©>2 o©©coi>©coto© (M to CM rH i-H H Hp © § -S| 3--S-® X> m a l |i © m CJ 1 si =r O'" HP ^ ^ •h> —2 © tr 50 .2 « ■H> © "is © *3 * g § CO S2_ ► *» © o • — © *H © Ph © _ bn to g 3 o o 30 & -5 — — JH «» I o o rP lO N © CM (M COhpCO © © © sss CM © 00 CM H CM 00 rH 1-H CM GO © VO © tO © rH i> CO rp © CD HP TP © rH CM rH Cotton I spindles. 35920 19714 22340 22000 8500 12000 © CM © CO © CO © to °° °e 5 2 to rH rH CO 36000 12000 1400 8200 11400 7660 ff{C^©ritOOOtO cooo©cdcoco©io© H CM H rH CM Hp _ 0 ©©©©©HP©© OOOCOOCDOO (— 5 50 O © © © rH GO © g 5S § ©* rH CM CO 00 CO CM CM CM CO CO I CM CM © © © g^g^Sf) §8kSgcM« to i> ^05 , *►! o> » ~ ™ ^.a „ §§g : 5#of§M8«SoS tf*TS«gis gSSs 1 . 941 -g 2 I © Sr -P he© 5 3 B ^ M 1 > 3 o in 3 .3 - © at > be ^ a •> £ s o 2h£ rg ^-s rg J^S § S s 5 E:^s1£ S jj|f 5 h ® fl ».2 d S fl S fl CP ^ g g § o H'S g S ■ fe O 1=3 s « IS 5 S B E »r O ed etS ed r3 O * OfT ° Ph Jh u2 «* • - 1 r h 5 : l42ffij3SQSCEm^&SffiSiDos^Qo-Safefc.Offi tnZS io5coHPtocoi^oo©©’- , ej£3^j2^^SSwwwc5wW' g .S3 H 4, z-5 <2 . H-> 4) 3 H XI g he o s •© *§. _ o gLfa-^ ^cH 4) rl ■ © m cd © . a .-I 13 ^Chs fa 03 ° « a s o* a S •Sfl 5 §5-g 1J § fa at a> JS JZ 4 ENGINEER’S REPORT. To the Committee of Surveys of the Providence and Worcester Rail Road . Gentlemen : — Having so far completed the surveys for the proposed Rail Road as to be enabled to make an estimate of its cost, I have the honor to make the fol- lowing Report : On a general view of the country lying between Prov- idence and Worcester, it appears very evident, that the most proper route for a rail-way will be through the val- ley of the Blackstone river. But little observation is re- quired to satisfy us that this route is the most feasible, at the same time that it will accommodate the largest amount of the population and business of the country lying be- tween the two places. The waters of the Blackstone afford a large amount of power for manufacturing pur- poses, a great portion of which has been improved, and factory villages are scattered along the whole length of the route. It becomes certain, then, that a large pro- portion of the income of the road will be derived from merchandize transportation ; and this being the case, particular attention should be paid, and some sacrifices made, to obtain a line with as low a maximum gradient as possible. The principal village on the route is Woon socket, which will afford a large portion of the income of the road, for freight and passengers to and from Prov- idence. Could a lower gradient be maintained between these two places than the maximum on the whole line, it would be highly advantageous to the practical working of the road ; for an engine which is loaded for the max- imum grades, could still take on an increased load to Woonsocket. To this place, the line on which the es- timate isubased has no inclination exceeding 17 T V