The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-11-30
By JOHN STROBE.
(CoHcLvDEn }

10 WHICH SVlCcNt bGNSntS may be added
Pipe, hogshead anh barrel slaves, hoop poles, &c.
OF all which articles there are now standing on
the wood land, bordering on the river K its brxu-
ches, enough to supply all domestic demands, be
side aiiording a large surplus for expectation
An amazing wealth of this Kind, both to the pro
prietor ana merchant, is left to waste i'm the to.
REST, or is cut down and burnt in order TO clear
land Tor the cultivation of a far less productive
crop tan bark is also an article deserving much
consideration, both for home consumption and ex-
pordion. There are ALSO other articles which it
would be extremely reprehensibie to omit, psrt.
ci'arly the slate and lime quarries of the
former there are several, perhaps nc good IS any
in Europe one of which belonging TO Landon
Carter, Esq. of Cleve, TN his estate in Fauquer
county, near Normsn's Ford, on the north branch
oft'e river and close to It's edge, so to require
no land carriage. Another of most excellent
quality is on tie land OF Doctor Peter Maryc, IN
i:ulpeper county, almost bordering on the Halle
river and ct the Latter article, lime stone there
is on the estate of Henry Field. binding on the
north branch OF the river, excellent lime stone in
plenty, and on the estate of Joseph Roberts, de-
ceased, on each side the Mountain run. about two
miles above where it emp,;cs into the said north
branch, there are some extraordinary good qua
ries III lime stone There is another inexFa.isti-
bile quarry Of the very best qualify lime stone, on
the estate of Robert Latham, deceased, now in
the possession OF Col. Asmistead Long, imme.
dately binding on the south branch of the river,
where the lime, when burnt, may be handed out
of Tie kiln into the boat. These lime Queries
are nearly eQm-dstant from the confluence Of the
two grea, branches of the river that is, about
I2or 8 niles From those resources of lime.
not only ell The towns on the can be supplied
but also large quantities can be afforded for dis.
tant and foreign markets.
1t sppears 10 be proper to enquire what have
been the causes which have heretofore prevented
the carrying into effect design SO extremely
laudable i'll pa .nciple, and advantageous to the
land holders hardening m tins cic.
60 the mercaptiie Interest OF fredericksburg
Falmouth aBd other towns thereon The enou.
ries will ne made, not muck to reflect on those
who in any shape, more or less, have contributed
toproduce the distractions, as to search out the
most easy and etho 2cious mode of removing the
causes which r,man and continue to produce
impedlnents to such desirable purpose
Among the different Causes above bnted at,
are the following
Est. The Potcwmac approached so near the me
tropohs or seat OF general government, and
was fostered by the power and influence of
our great benefactor Washington, who most
properly made that the first object of his
patriotic sohciude Had that great man Ii.
we'd, there is no doubt but that he would have.
extended proportionable ca TO all other ri
sers IN the Union, capable of similar i'm.
provemen:s. That James river should be-
come the first object of the Legislature of
this state, il no more than might nationally
be expected the sea; of government and of
Legislation laying OLE the head of lis tide ad
ded TO the great influence which the inha-
bitants of that place have on the legislature
and the very manyinhuential characters who
reside on its extended Branches, have al
combined to eject those great objects which
have been achieved
ed. Since which, those characters who are inte-
rested in the promotion OF the other rivers of
this stale, although not near so beneficial, in
proportion 10 the necessary expenditures of
opening them, have, Notwithstanding, made
their way TO public notice, and have obtain.
ed aid OF the state, while those interested III
the improvement of the navigation OF the
Rappahannock, have been inactive, so far at
least, as related to any essential good.
ID. Alaw, which, by its preamble, seemed to
be intended for the purpose, of opening the
inland navigation of the Rappahsnnock, pas
sed by our legislature, i'll the year 1898, but
not comprehending or properly embrace g
the subject, has hereto altogether defeated
the insended purpose and beneficial effects
which Otherwise might have been derived
theretrcm.
9TH a law OF congress which past in the wear
1879, prohibiting (among some others) the
town OF Fredericksburg the privilege of be
ing port OF entry, which prohibition. in the
opinion OF msny wise and considerate per.
sons, was very detrimental to the trade and
prosperity OF that town and its dependen
cles. as well as 20 The adjacent country -
This Injurious prohibition calls aloud for the
most endcaYcrs TO obtain relief.
18th. Among the many causes which have contri-
bu,ed 10 retard the Improvement Of The navi.
cation CT THIS river, II IS considered 10 be un
fortunate indeed tlIat in theverv III jntus
important and Interesting report made by
the Secretary Of the Treasury, on tue i'm
provcaple iliand navigation throughout the
United States; either for want u! proper in
formation, or through the magnitude and d.
yersly OF the different duties OF his Off e
and eEtEsordinary objects 10 which he is Ire.
Guengiy called, that he entirely omitted 10
take any notice, more or less, of the waters
of RsppaIsnuOcjs although others OF far
less consequence, have, in that report been
carefully LAID down and their natural ad van.
tages highly extoled
Exclusive of what is above stated there are
other material and obvious circumstances which
have had and continue to have tendency to re-.
tard the trade prosperity and general interest OF
the towns Of Fredericksburg end Falmouth In
particular, and have extended their influence.
more or less, to tie other towns on the river the
foregoing evils being once removed, will no doubt
effect change which will also remove tie eau
sec above alluded to--maBy others, although of a
MINOR consideration, all combine at present to
prevent the growth and welfare Of these towns.
Whatever effects the interest, wealth and pros.
perity of trading towns IS prOpOrtiUnaby felt by
Ihe adjacent county and whatever promotes
the wealth and interest Of the COuhtry, promotes
IN equal proportions, their next market towns -
Each landed estate aiid real property of every
DESCRIPTION, is more less valuable, M pr0pOrti.
on to the4enEtb of way, cheapUess, ease and fl