The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-12-11
ENQUIRE Err
RICHMOND
TO THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
LETTER g..

D.
ON RoADs.-Beingperfua Of thefrtbinrs.
the writer of thefe remarks will endeavor 20
make the necefiary imprelEions upon tn public
mind, 10 that the representatives, if they chute
hrlt to aicertain facts, may act without that
mott terrible of all terrors," the fear of lofng
their popularity. This caution win become ei.
ientia in another point of view, that is, the road
now alluded to, if it be made in the manner to
Iniure the objects which are deiircd, will require
the employment of well informed diliutercfed
and unprecedented men-will ALTO require flea
dy tyitematical pupfuit until finiihed, and will
moreover require the expenditure OF a large
fun OF money. To make tie road rs beneficial
as Pg5FbIeH OKgAt to be free. There is no doubt
that iuficient fun of money would be quick
iy iubicrbed, if it ihou!l be made a turn pike
road; but the writer is oppofee t,33hat pla.-
he wiihes that there ihall not be the linalIeft i'm
pediment IN the way of the intercourse, becaufe
every cent which is taken from the waeeoners
will become tax upon the commerce, and as
commerce is purified according to its profits.
70 thete eXpenies being added TO others, the
traders will afcertain the advantages and difad-
vaDtages, and thus be encouraged or difencou-
ragged according to their influence
Let thefe impediIncnts be withdrawn. Let
the road and bridges be free; and let principles
be eftablifhed, which will put it in the power of
every man who peafes TO take W his rsGidcTire
near the road. To this end, let ccmmiilioners
be appointed to furvey and lay off the road re-
gardIefS of any individual interefts, having in
view, that itone bridges are to be erected as Of
ten as neceIary. After they have agreed upon
the fituaton, LET the land OIL each lide for diff
lance not exceeding 400 nor Iefs than 200 wards,
be condemned by jurieS to be impanneled for
that purpoie, the value to be paid to the pro-
O1t nf ,bo FIRE atI Al
courie ofthe road is eltablifhed, the commit
oners may then lay off tenements near the
road not exceeding $50 or 200 yards in front,
and within one mile or there abouts of each o.
Their, connected with Reasonable regulations !
am aware that the expence Of making The
road in this manner, will appear an infurmoun-
table obnacle to the minds of many, they will
not examine, or will not compare the future
consequences to the whole fate with the ex-
pence. They will not comprehend the recon-
Penie which the public will derive by drawing
to the capital of Virginia, the annual expendi-
turc OF millions of dollars, which, if thefe ar
engagements are not made, will find their way to
the merchants of the northern towns-and. thus
multiply all the advantages which are TO be ex-
pecsed from commercial intercourse. Every
man ofthe fmaIIelt understanding, will perceive
that the fellers ofgoods in the interior country
mutt depend upon making purchafes in the fea
port towns of the Atlantic. And their interet
will prompt them to purchafe where they can
make the mott advantageous bargains The
City of Richmond from its petition, and its in
'terincdiate htuatlon between the ocean and the
wsiiern country, and being 70 many miles near
e FOR land carriage, (without the advantage of
tho navigation of James River) only wants the
aihitance which has been recommended Let
the river be cleared to the higheit practicable
point--let the roads be made as good as pofible
LET tie water cOurles and vallies be crofIed
with inbitantiaI bridges, and even though thefs
expenics Mould COZ the public one hundred s.
nifty, or two hundred tboufand pounds, vet the
benefits which would fucceed, would far iurpals
this ezpence IN avery lbort time.
1t will probably be arfwered, that at prefent
Richmond does not contain any, or a very fey
importing whole-iae merchants, this is true
! But the reaiun is very obvious-the mer.
chants know that the courfe of trade invites thc
| retailers to the northern towns. They ever
| perceive that retailers bring goods from the nor
| thern townsand fell them at this place. The,
I know that they can employ their capitals NOR,
ldvantageou1y in purcbaiing and fhipping tb,
| produce of the country, and they will not leo
Pardize their credit by making importations tC
| force trade which does not meet with the pub
nc patronage, whereas if "a good and perinanen
! road ihouid DC completed, It would not be ne
ceiiary to hold out any other public induce
| rnents, thoie who purchafe from the northern
merchants would find it TO their intereft to fenC
their goods by water to this place and take thc
benefit ofthe road.
The road TO which alludc, Mould be paved