The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-12-13
TO THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
LETTER


lers 4; line of itages would foon be eHablilhed
other roads from different quarters would COM
municate with Il, all having inevitable tenden-
cies to elevate Virginia from that fate of COM
mcrcial dependence, with which ihe has been
heretofore overwhelmed.
In the preceding remarks, the writer has re-
commended to his fellow-citizens, the execution
of work, which viii cot large fun of mo-
ney: this is, or will be, the only objection.
Every man will admit the general utility will
acknowledge the praStcabiity, and will alto iav
that he wiihes it would be accomplished. IF n
majority of the people are influenced by par
fmonious coniideratioDs, then let it be etablifh-
ed as turn-pike-road if on the other hand it
is deemed more fuitable to the interel or dlgni-
nifty Of the commonwealth, that the road lhould
be made at public expence and TO be free from
toll, then it behoves us to afcertain what refour-
ces ihoud be uicd as proviiion for the eXpenie.
Taxes will be necefary. This is delicate and
difficult part of the cafe. II is not expected
that immediate fuccefs will attend any propo-
fl which will increafe the public burthens, un-
I'll the public voice has hrt fulfilled it. This,
therefore,is all that will now be attempted. At
ter public opinion ihall loudly call for the mea-
fure, the taxes will not be denied. Obiervations
upon this part of the fuhie6f, and a general de-
tailed plan, will be hereafter publiihed.
Ye patriots of Virginia, and We friends of man
kind, with what ientdtions Of delight will you
behold or anticipate road 70 good and 60 direct
shat Inc OF ttages may be eftabliihed from the
city Of Richmond 20 the Ohio 70 that travel
lers may perform the journey in about fonr
days, nayin lefs time? Such road will certain
ly COT great deal of money, but the coh will
bear no comparison to the bspefits.-Afer
while, even the tayings Of Jingle year in wag-
gonaSc may De equ2i TO the whole colt. Such
a road, rs can BE- made and ought 10 be mad,
will enable teams to carry more than double
their ufual burthe1--lands in the interior will
be cultivated; tobacco, hemp, &c. will be tranf-
ported to ycLr capital from that which is now
wilderness. Our wsfteru hretheren when
they perceive that the people Of Virginia have
adopted fuch liberal meafares for their convent
ence, that we alDof folicit an intercourie with
them, will bedoubly united TO us by nteref and
by gratitude.
In prefering the fouth fide of James river for
The iite of the road, the writer has aetea,not on
~ upon his own obferYations as to the ftnefS
of the ground, and the opinion of others whole
information is hyperion to his own, but becaufe
the road being on that iide of the river, will ia
citate communications with the foath wettern
inhabitants who can by crO!$ roads from differ
ent quarters, interfeet where ii may be futabe,
and II will fooner Or later he the means of open
ing hmilar communication from LyDchburg
OF Crows-Feiry with the inhabitants of Tennef-
f-r-fo that it is not objectionable TO expect that
the market of Richmond will be fuDplisd with
hemp from the riIh bottoms Tenneiiee as well
from thof- of Kanhawa and Ohio. But as the
utility of their roads does not depend 70 much
upon thefe proipeGts as upon the advantage of
the rate of Virginia as a commercial thorough
fare, not only for the inhabitants beyond the
Ohio, bnt likewife for thofe who refd: on the
waters Of Cumberland and Tennedee, Pts ex-
pe6ted that the great Object win not be forgot
Ten, h7catife the writer may express tG!ne opiHi-
0ns which are too finguine.
The rapid incrcafe of population in the welt
ern country, the pTeernent advantages which
tte commonwealth of Virginia will derive by o.
pening an intercourse which can never be rivaled
by any other, affording fate and ihort commu.
nication between the two countries, viii open
70 the rich, 20 the inhuhriors, and to the enter
pricing an infinite variety of objects which the
mott prophetic mind cannot entirely embrace,
but which in general view may be forefeen.
IL ipite of all the advantages which the northern
ttates derive from their commerce, their capt.
;a's and their combinations, and in fpite Of that
fatal blindncis which has 70 long obfcurcd the
understandings ofthe Virginians concerning OBJ
ic1ts of internal policy as well as all commercial
relations, the connections now alluded 10, will
operate with rreifihle Influence, and this tate
NUT rife into majeffic importance, not merely
ATOID DCI IST tST.lIity 'siu ncF DOpUldIl
on, but from he rwifdom, moderation nd viz
the.
Among tho!e evils which may be avoided, the
[difunion of the ftates win be among the mott
important. The wefcrn people, except thofe
very low down The rivers will fee that a clofc
a1d friendly intercourfe ought for ever to be
cherhsd By ;hen and the northern calumnia-
tors, when they perceive that the Virginians
can form 4 fyfem, whereof their own capital
will be the centre, and which will afford ems
ployment for numherlefS pertons of all defcrip-
tions-a fytcm which if properly cheriiled
may extend to the wcfern ocean; | fay when
or eai,tmniqiory judge difpaflionately concern
ing thcfe things, it is very probable that they
syill find it morc prudent TO cultivate the conf
'ieuce and friendiliip ofthefe, concerning whom
they have heretofore written, printed and fpo-
ken with 70 much unprovoked indecorun.
The writer Of this is totally unqualified to
express to its extent the importance in which he
views The perpetual union of the Rates. He
looks 70 diholutiou with fich unpleaiant fen
f1tions, that be always haltens TO draw veil o.
yer the fubiect, and fncerely regrets that any
thing ihould exi0 20 make even this fnperfcia
vieg necefary. BIT rs ii is impofIibe to ihut
his eyes and ears againt facts whole exifteDce Is
a,evident az the difference between light and
darkness, il behoycs him 70 NEW the evil and to
recommend an evera0irg. remedy.
Let US fuppofe that thefe dicontented calcu-
latOrs and defam. rs who try all auctions in the