| From the Raleigh Standard |
| |
| August 14, 1861 |
| |
| For the Standard |
| At a meeting of a portion of the citizens
of Moore County, at the Court House in Carthage, for the purpose of
drawing up a petition to the Legislature of North Carolina to grant a
Railroad Charter from Cheraw, S. C., by Carthage to the Deep River
Coal Region in North Carolina. |
| On motion of A. R. McDonalds, Col. W. B.
Richardson was appointed Chairman. On motion of A. H. McNeill, G. S.
Cole was appointed Secretary. |
| The object of the meeting was explained in
an appropriate address by the chairman. |
| The following petition was introduced and
read by A. R. McDonald, Esq., to-wit: |
| To the Honorable, the General Assembly of North
Carolina: |
The undersigned petitioners respectfully
show your honorable body, that a
Railroad from the Coalfield on Deep River, by Carthage, to a point on
the South Carolina line, where the most practicable route from the
Coalfields to Cheraw crosses said line, is necessary, and would be of
great public utility, not only to North Carolina, but to the Southern
Confederacy as an independent nation. |
| These Coalfields are about thirty miles in
length, and supposed to be from three to six miles in width. This coal
has not only been compared with the coal of this country, but of
Europe, and has been pronounced superior to them all. Coal is now
becoming more and more abundant in its use, and is an indispensable
fuel for almost every steamer. |
| But coal is not all; the iron ore is of
incalculable wealth, and is proven to be equally extensive and
abundant. The coal and ore are found together and in removing the one
you necessarily remove the other. These Coalfields are nearer the
ocean than any other on the Atlantic slope. Every Governor for the
last ten years has recommended the development of the resources of the
State. Whatever doubts may have been heretofore entertained in
relation to the vast quantity of coal and iron ore existing in these
mines, there can be none now. The reports of Professor Emmons, State
Geologist, and also the report of Commodore Wilkes -- by whom an
examination was made, in reference to the establishment of government
machine shops at these very coalfields -- will satisfy every
reasonable man that these mines are inexhaustible. |
| These are the only mines of coal and iron
ore known to the South Atlantic States so near the ocean. The day is
not far distant when their value will be felt. The question has been
asked by a Senator, "If this Union shall be dissolved, where is
your iron to cast your cannon and ball, and what will put in motion
your infant navy?" We answer, the iron for cannon and ball, and
all other purposes, may be found in the Valley of Deep River, and coal
sufficient to keep in motion the navies of the world. If Georgia or
South Carolina had treasures like these, they would have been heralded
to the world, and this iron ore would be converted into cannons and
balls to fight the battles of the Southern Confederacy, and this coal
would now be propelling our infant navy instead of remaining dormant
in the valley of Deep River. |
| Charleston, Savannah, Augusta and other
Southern cities are now looking to Deep River for their supplies of
coal, and a direct line of transportation should be established. In
consideration of the premises your petitioners ask the Legislature of
North Carolina to grant a Charter for a Railroad from the Coalfields
to the South Carolina line in the direction of Cheraw, passing through
or near Carthage, the most practicable route. |
| After speeches from T. B. Tyson, Col.
Davis, A. H. McNeill and others, the petition was adopted and signed
by the members of the meeting. |
| On motion, the North Carolina standard
and Fayetteville Observer were requested to publish the
proceedings of this meeting. Representatives from Moore County were
requested to present the petition to the Legislature. |
| On motion, the meeting adjourned. |
| Wm. B. Richardson, Ch'n |
| Geo. S. Cole, Sec'y. |
| August 3, 1861 |
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