The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-12-04

Tome icheme OF general utility beeXtrdctedfrom
them, which il would be eafy TO underftand,
and rot difficult to bring into effective opera
ton:
LETTER WE
TO THE LEGISLATURES OF VIRGINIA.
o " 70 n d S.
TIE great advantages which will be derived
by agriculture, commerce and the arts, in confe-
quence of the Establishment of Bank, the GER
tam reiourcc for money to execute all rcafona-
Ole plans, has induced the writer OF the follow
ing remarks to lay before the public his opinions
concerning the e!tabliIhDent of roads. With
this fubect he has thought proper TO connect
Tome preliminary obftrvatons relating 20 the
union of the ftatss, with the peculiar adyanta-
ges which this aate would derive in cafe of diff
ioiaton OF the union, by an early and proper at
tention to this important fubie6t.
1t is well known that many of the northern
newspapers have frequently maintained the mon
indecorous language towards Virginia Ian
guage which ought TO fatisfy us that they have
objects or importance in contemplation, and
that they intend either to efabih an attendance
and coutroul over Virginia, or eiie to diilove the
union. Without determining whether this con-
LECTURE is exactly right or not, there can be no
doubt that the people OF the north do entertain
tentiments towards us, which are inconlittent
with that national cordially, which the people
of each fate ought to entertain for thof. of ano-
Their. In bringing this matter before the public,
there is no intention 20 excite among the Virgil
mans an improper degree Of jealouiy againlt
! TIER northern brethren, but rather to put them
on their guard.
There arc many politicians, who obftrving
our national concerns by Il fuperhciai view, who
eating their eyes along the feahoarl, and exa-
mining the rrtrofpettS, believe that the perpetu-
alton of the union is all-important to Virginia,
| and that we fhould be irreparaby injured by
difiolution.
In whatever point of view the more accurate
politician has conhdered the fubje6, he fees alto
that the union ought 10 be Imported even by
lconiderable facriices, and has therefore treated
the northern calumnies with that dignifed con-
tempt, which is the privilege of CONTIGUOUS vir-
tne. 1t is cafy 20 thew that the Virginians pof-
ieiS the means of promoting their own wealth
and ftrengtn, and occurring their. own indepen-
dence, without the cooperation of the north
ern itates. Thefe means, though in fome de-
gree dormant, now about to be unfoded
The readers who have not reflected on the fub-
Ject, will perhaps difcover fone entertainment
| BY patient At.ention to the following oblerva-
| tons.
Virginia potiefies greater advantages of eli
mate, foil, navigable firearms, productions, mo-
! raj department of her inhabitants, and mildnefs
or government, than any other diftrict of country
OF the fame extent upon this globe and there
is not another part of the civilized world, where
the people have done 70 little towards improving
the advantages which they poGefs. This is not
! intended to derogate from the character of the
people, but rather TO induce them to open their
eyes, and examine the fubie6t to its fource, and
to inculcate upon the minds of each other the
necsifity of adopting meafures which will pro-
mote our own internal DrO1DeritY
| James River being almoft in the centre of this
tate, affords navigation about SO miles from the
! ocean to the City of Richmond, and may be ma
vigated with boats about 1870 in the interior of
the country, embracing dadnce of more than
800 miles from the ocean 10 the foot of the AL
! leSana. Immediately beyond the Allegania
mountain, Greenbrier River affords the advan-
| t2ge of water carriage to the Great Kanhawa,
| ard that to the Ohio when the navigation of
James River aud Greenbrier River, are improy-
ed 70 the highcft practicable points, the wagon
axe or portage between them will not exceed
81 miles And though the road to make this
communication will pats among the mountains,
| yet there are no difficulties which moderate
| 'hare oflabour will not remove, 70 that loaded
wagon may i'll one day perform the Journey. II
VIII hereafter be feen that this Is the moR favor
able rout for opening communication between
the ocean and the weftern inhabitants. The en-
liNl 'HShI vi lniS piS-6inlnCnt advantage cannot
| iad to promote the wealth ofthe Fate, not only
by afIording an increafng demand for the necef-
iarles of life, but by inviting all travellers and
| traders to PsrtaSe of theft advantages.
| Having feen what nature has done, let us next
coniider the efforts which ought to be made by
art and induftry. Experience. teaches the fhal-
lowett understanding, that roads are absolutely
neceiiary among civilized people and the ex-
perence OF thole who have had an opportunity
| ct Judging, teach them, that when ever roads
are improved as far as nature will allow it,
all the circunliacent lands derive very great be-
nehts, and are greatly advanced in price there
! by. The reafon is obvious. The road being as
good as can be made, and being permanent, tine
proprietors of the lands ON each iide immediate
| W make improvements 70 that n road which
forms lafting communication between different
regions which have, and will always have, politi-
cal connections with each other, will be efina-
ted in proportion to- the extent of thefe relations,
more or lefs valuable.
I In proportion TO the goodnefs of the road and
accommodation TO travellers, it will be uisd in
preference to other roads. In proportion as
1t Is uied, the adjacent properly will become
more ard more valuable. The buildings will
Itncreatc, accommodations will become better
and better. The adjacent lands will be cult
vated and improved. The neighbouring PEG.
pie will find coniiant market for their grain,
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