| Browse this collection | This entry describes an individual archive record or file. Click here to browse the full catalogue for this collection |
| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D3580/C/677 |
| Title | Copy letter J W Perkins, President pro tem, Illinois Central Railroad Co Office, New York to William Longsdon |
| Date | 1854-1855 |
| Description | 28 Dec 1854 and 11 January 1855
Road constructing by this Company in Illinois is approaching completion. Main line Cairo - La Salle will be opened on 1st proxime and trains run through to Galena early in January.
Cost exceeded original estimate, partly because of high rates of labour prevalent in last 2 years, character and number of permanent structures exceed those of most Western Roads.
Very desirable to have carefully prepared report from personal observations on nature of country adjacent, prospective advantages of freight arising from local circumstances, crops of prairies, transportation of coal, lumber etc and especially situation of Road with reference to markets of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota etc - in short every observation of interest to parties interested in bonds and stock in England.
It has been suggested Longsdon would find himself sufficiently at leisure to take a trip over the Road and report on course and that Longsdon's personal relations with some of gentlemen interested in England would give his opinions peculiar interest. Especially gratifying to Directors if Longsdon would undertake this at early date. Writer would give especial instructions to Colonel Mason to facilitate his progress on Road and of course will desire to compensate Longsdon for this Service - expressly stipulating report should be his full and candid opinion and in no way shall he be considered bound to make a mere `Rail Road Report'. They want an independent individual opinion even if his judgement differs from their expectations: Longsdon to express himself decidedly and clearly.
Mr W B Ogden of Chicago will say to him in more detail the views of the Board. |
| Level | file |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Archive Creator | Longsdon family of Little Longstone |
| Format | Document |