The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-04-14
Mr.. Painter.

ofyour paper. And as am Jun now returned from
an excuriion to the north, beg leave to fubnt to
your readers few remarks the fate Of the roads
as conceive it to be fubjea Of very general inn
pertance.
To the northward of the Forth, found the roads
in general bad. But beyond Perth, they were 70
exceilivey deep, as to be nearly mpafabe. Tired
and faded, as traveller nun be- in going through a
country in thofe circumtances it is natural think
that the fubjea fhoud be frequently arted in
verfation. This was my cafe; and wasnot little
furpried to md, chat, among numerous fet OF peo-
pie, who in general PoGeed of quick parts. and
found understanding, prejudiees fhould 70 generally
prevail againf the erection OF turnpikes-Ihis APP
Peared to one of the lrIrgeR inftances of the
force ofhaht and prejudice, that had ever obferv-
ed.
1t ia think impoiible to devife tax, that, in its
operation is 70 fair and equitable toll for making
and keeping roads repair beeaufe it the perons
who are benefited by the roads and they alone, who
thus made to pay for it and il is sxaeted only
from thofe who damage thoie very roads that the
ney they give sto repair Yet,in this nftance, we
lind that the multitude, nifeado Of wilhing remove
from themteves heavy load by laying part Of it
on hrangers and travellers, choofe voluntarily, lub
jea th.mfelves very heavy tax. that others may
be freed from it. Common fenie would dictate, that
national prejudices houd have been in favor Of
pixies, and againf the atute labor; had not expercee
dcovered the contrary.
In talking on this iuhjea, found one objection
very universally urged againt turnpkes, viz. that
thoie parts OF the country yet poor for admit
ting of them and travellers few pay for the ex
pence OF turnpike keeping, &c. But if the country
poor by what device they contrive enrich it
10 iuddeny, as that of carrying good roads through
the country For without roads it is obvious that
no improvements in agriculture be made and If
travellers are few, how their numbers be aug
nented 70 eheaualy, as by making the roads 10
az TO IN tbs
proportions ief evident bat as in cafes of thi.
fort, one fact is worth thouland arguments, fhal
here fate few facts that have fallen under my eb-
fervation which ought TO be entirely decive on this
fuhjeet
am old enough to remember the firt turnpike ad
for Scotland, and recollea the fate of the roads
from Clafgow to Edinburgh and in til. neighbour
hood of this Metropolis, well the country with
regard to agriculture and internal commerce, before
that period, And thus it was-believe it who will,
] sm confident no one, who then knew thele things
will contradict me.
At that time a journey from Glafgow to Fdin-
burgh was arduous undertaking at any feafon of
the year 1t could only be performed on foot or on
bareback; and, during the winter, it was matter
OF the utmof difficulty. The roads were 70 excel.
iivey rough and deep that hore then could fcarce-
ly attempt to irke rot, and the inns were 10 poor
and the accommodations 70 bad, that it made the
hostea hearts lhrink from the enterprfe for with
often moreFor the truth OF what is here faid APP
peal the honorable commander in chief of his ma
jeys forces iii Scotland, who fonetimes obliged
TO undertake this journey, at that period.
At prefeut it is well known to be an eafy Journey
of or hours only which can be performed by the
mott delicate lady, in all feaion by night or by day.
without riR or danger.
AT that time, am pretty confident, that not mora
than ten or twelve carriages Of any FORT carts inelud.
ed paGed in year between Glafgow and Edinburgh.
All commercial ntereourie being then carried on be-
tween theie two great cities, by firing of ten or
twelve pack hories who went and returned once
week the leading horfe being ornamented with
bells on purPoie TO give notice travellers not to
into narrow de6.es, where they could not PATS
this then formidable troop. Where could ak, is
the road in the north of Scotland between two conf
dcrable towns that 70 little frequented as th, road
then was ? What is its prefent ffate!
To anfwer this queaion with exact preeiiion re-
quires more knowledge than am poiIeGed of but
make no doubt, that ncludiug the roads to Olaf
gov, there fewer than 100 carriages pats the
turnpike every day, on average throughout the
year. The money borrowed on the turnpike act e.
nabled the truNees to make roads, and theGe roads
being made, have attracted travellers to FREQUENT
them which they could not otherwfe have done.
Inow proceed to cbicrvs .ha., with refpeG 10 the
improving Of the country, thegond roads have ena-
bled the farmers not only carry the produce Of their
diRance, expenee greatly les than they other
wife could have done. The conlequenee is, that
farms have riien universally, in their value TO more
than double their former amount and the farmers
at the fame time, are much richer than formerly
Many places converted into good fields OF
corn and hay where nothing but heath before grew
becsuie a market is brought TO their very doors for
thefe articles; in eoniequeEce of opening the roads
For it has been computed that efs than 10 or IL
thouland pounds year are left upon the roads, be-
tween GIaigow and Ednburg by travellers; 3 .4ths
81 which goes the encouragement Of agriculture in
ditria, that without this crcumltance, mutt have
continued delart waite.
Asto the effects Of turnpkes, upon the inhabitants
of the towns, they have bsen beneficial as thofe in
the country. Eay, which before that period, could
is brought from the d(tance Of 9 or s miles all
round and the average price of that article, which
uled TO be Sd per Zone, is now reduced about ID,
thonga the quantity confuined in Edinburgh is
perhaps thoL!and times greater, than at the time
allude to.-'Till the turnpikcs had been made, it
would have been nearly practicable rear palace
IL the moo have ereeled the buildings that have
bscn contributed within the laG 90 years in Edn-
burg. The ha ,dredth part Of the horles, that are
wanted for thele fabrieks, would have ocealiened
famine, for provender, IN one week Is time"
The inhabitants Of FdinbUrs, howev like the in
h2bitants Of avery Other place, who know no better
complained Of the hardAips they would be lubjee,ed
60 BIZ tbs tu=up:hes; the toll there exacled they
thought would enhance the price Of the pcteiares a
life, that were coming 20 them. What has been the
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