Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-11-16
coaflHUNfcAT1oM
To the Citizens of Richmond.

the propriety of resurveying the CITY {: !,
may be acceptable TO some, by calling their
attention to a few particular points. that
appear necessary for public consideration.
In regard to bis, like most Other subie tls.
variety OF sentiments prevail: 1t is the
opinion OF some, that resurvey is abso.
iuteiy necessary while others think it had
DETER he dispensed with. In contrasting
THESE opinions, it will be necessary to
attend to the following facts:
Some time in the year l742, town was
established by a6 OF Assembly, at this
place (called Richmond and as business
and population increased, there were two
warehouses established, on the west side
OF ohockr creek, which induced nun.
Der individuals 10 take tenemeo,s in ,hot
neighoorhood these were of different
s'As ana hgure as viii appear by reference
20 the plan OF the city. No person a, that
ume' supposed, that this was to be the me.
T3Poiis oil Virginia. To these lots s tepe-
mcnts,there were anumber added on SING.
Kcs null, and disposed of by way OF lottery:
on these there had been Some imnroye.
meh,s made, when a law passed the Gene.
raj Assembly of virginia. al their Nav
~
session, IN TIE year 1879, for the removal
OF The seat of government from Will.
amscurg TO this place, and in the wear
,'oo' there we're appointed, sundry gen.
uemen, denomnated, Directors of The
fuoiic Buildings; to them was given, pow
er 10 lay OH and add TO The said town. two
huodFed additional half-acre lots-and
were thereby required, TO extend the
streets, through those tenements of ire.
guiar shape corresponding with the lots a.
bove ard below the hill, with Intervening.
streets, corresponding with the other parts
OF the Town; likewise to enlarge the
breadth OF all the streets on Shocko. hin.
20 be not less than 80, nor more Than 100
'ees. hese gentlemen proceeded to Law
OIL io4 lots 10 the east of the clcrtown &
IS additional lots, on the lands OF Ph,lip
iurp'n, on Shockc hill, making together.
40 lots. They also extended the Main.
Street through these tenements and lois,
10 the width of SO fee, from the wes, ex.
trenity, TO the Bloody Run, the east bonn.
dairy oithe same. They also enlarged two
streets on Shocke hill, one TO / 90 and one
TO 100 feet wide, reserving to themselves.
the right to lay off 81 additional tots fine.
cessary. A report of their proceedings
vas made and returned, together with
plans of these additions, to the clerks of.
hce OF the county OF Henrico.
In this report, nothing is said about ex-
tending the streets through these tene
ments, except the Main street. nor anv in.
terveniHg streets, lanes or alleys, as they
were specially required to do, by the said
aet. In this situation the city now stands.
The question arising from these circum-
stances, is, what course had better be Dur.
sued for the general benefit of the civ.
with due submission to the opinion OF
others, It appears to me necessary, in or
der TO secure TO each individual, free in.
lercourse through the city, and to the Sc
yeral proprie,ors, the advantage of the
same, that general survey should be
made, IN the most accurate manner. thar
circumstances would admit, shelving at
one view the original plan, together with
the present state of improvements, on the
several streets and alleys as they now
stand. This will enable the Common
Council, TO lay before the General Assem-
bly,, clear and distinct view of the sub.
jeel, who, | make no doubt, will give
to the city, competent power TO remedy
the approaching confusion.
There is nothing at present, to secure
a communication through the most popu.
lous part of the city, except along the
Man-street. Those avenues LEADING. 90
Mayo's bridge and Byfd's warehouse, to-
gether with that leading from the Basin,
to the shot factory, sc. are mostly private
property, and could be discontinued by
the obs,i0acy of an individual. These APP
pear 10 be things fmament, but they are
not the only reasons that can be adduced
IN favor of re-suryey---she present de-
scriplion of the conveyance of property in
this city, will very soon lead TO canfusion
and litigation, as there are a number of
lots designated by the same numbers.
Under these considerations am led to be-
IIeye great benefits would be derived from
Extending and enlarging, as well as con-
tracing and shutting several streets, lanes
and alleys in the city, as there appears
considerable variation between the plan
and the land marks OF the lo4 lots at
Rockets. The aforesaid power being grant.
ed, would propose that it be applied in
the following manner.
FIRST. That there be elected by the pro-
prielors Of lots IN each ward two compe-
tent persons, one Of which at least, with
one ar fanore of the cnf,o rnter;ocor, .,r IL