Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-25

want oil support from other improve
ments which ought at the same time 10 be
Carried on. 1t is extremely possible for
ten distne, and distant canals or roads
entirely 10 fail of producing profit, while
a few connected or adjacent ones shall
make that profit abundant; sin the natu-
raj world detached rill.soon loses itself,
while multitude OF streams, each equal
small, by junction, form the boldest ri.
vers and the deepest oceans.
There is likewise one serious inconvc-
nience attending the operations o indivi
duals. They always pay special, Offer
an exclusive regard to the promotion Of
their own interest, TO the sacrifice, in pro
pori'ona'e degree, ofthe public good; and
'hey generally pursue plans which have
altogether FOR their obiect an immediate
benefit. Hence works which ought to he
so devised as to subscrve the interests of
the whole community, by being partial in
their eEects, prejudice what they would
otherwise rropore; and hence their ex.
ecuuon IN soimneriect a manner as to rem
der them entirely unified foi permanen,
util'y.n
These and many other considerations
tend irresstibly to establ IN the conclusion
that me 9rca. FEATURE ofinternaj improve
mrnt ought tn he laid oct on national
scale, free from local influence, aud caicu.
lated Tor permanent, duration.
l. will not BE improper here to meet an
argument, which is usually urged against
the lnierposition Of public resources to-
wards the promotion of the interests orin
dIwdnais. It is said TO he the peculiar
trait of our political institutions to inter
iere as little as possible wt;n The concerns
OF individuals; aud that !; 5 principally TO
this circumstance that Our unrlvallcd pros
perity is 10 be traced. OF the accuracy
OF this remark there can be no doubt; but
Il IS no difficult task to shew tina it IS inap-
piicable to The point under consideration.
ne refusal OF the governments - estab
iish under pretext of the public good mo.
nopolies, either of lana, oftrade, or OF ma
nutaclures, has certainly LETT TO The euter-
puzs oil oar citizens i fed well Fl tc o
unfold and engage their greatest exerli-
onS; and these exertions having been
made, Tree from all foreign interference,
and under conviction thai no such n,er-
ference would take place, have undoubt.
ediy added more 10 the common stock
than oil our pubic associations with their
united resources could have done. This
result is so universally acknowledged by
economical writers il is unnt cessary fur
her to dwell upon 1t.
While, however, the fac( is allowed in
rs fullest latitude, it is denied that it has
any application to The great internal i'm.
provemeuts ui d ration. ihese arc road,
and canals. Il is obvious that both these
organs Of ihterc use mus; be regulated
by government IN the first instance, by
designating their route, and in the ne :,
place, by prescribing the manner in v l,ich
they shall be made and kcp IN repaIr.
he terms also, on which they shall be a..
scd by individuals, must nece ssar.iv be q <
ed by public authority. so far then as r..
latcs to their designation, to their form y.
ton, to their maintenance in repair ana o
The terms on which they shall he used,
they are the necessary and newt. bic sub.
Jects oil legislation. Without the interpo
sitlon OF government individuals hav, no
rgh! TO act. 1 he only points that rena.n
Ia be considered are, the creation of funds
with which they shall be made and main.
tanned, and the application of the profts
resulting from them.
1t the necessary funds could be derived
from individual contribution, some plausi
bic reasons might perhaps be urged a.
gaihst the use OF the public treasure !;
though even then, it would be unsafe to
leave the entire management Of the i'm.
proVements made TO the persons corccrn
cd and If it were taken from them, they
would scarcely consider their interests ct
cure under an authority over which they
mad either no control, or one OF a limited
na,ure.-But il is fact that the necessary
funds cannot be obtained from individual
contributons.y With regard 10 the pubic
roads, evenlthe main road travelled by
The mail, 50 Ear from being fitted for rapid
and easy progress, is at all seasons, ~ a
state Of miserable repair, and at some sea.
sons, impossible but with great personal
rsfuc while the State Of our rivers, ard
sometimes The lesser streams, for the want
Of bridges, present insuperablc Obstacles
To their passage. On the importance nf
placing this road in a state of good repair
there can'ot BE- a dissenting voice and he
who Tor The accomplishment of this Object,