Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-03

he circumstance that, ifthe Legislature 10 rot [
interfere, the collection OF tolls by the James
RIVER Company, viii cease on the first of Fe- |
bruary next the second, on account OF It's |
great importance.
To facilitate the communication between the
Eastern and Western waters is an object wor
thy OF Virginia. Its advantages must be in
ca'cu,sblc. To orr western brethren in par
ticu'ar, whose facilities to market will be aug
men'ed, 1t is osprimary consideration - To the
state in general, highly Interesting as it Will
cherish intercourse and promote connections
friendly TO union, with the growing states OF
the Wcst.-ln commercial point of view, it
viii connect us with those vast and fertile re
gions, destined TO become in progress of time.
the emporium of wealth, portion oe which, as
from never failing fountain, will continually
isr'ir into ourla
This subject, important rs il is, will not how
ever limi; the attention ofthe Legislature. The
connection of the waters Of the Roanoke with
some one of our navigable rivers (the practi-
cability OF which seems universally admitted
is scarcely less important. Indeed, various i'm
provements in our internal navigation have
| been PROBE ted, and no doubt. NAV be accom-
plished but either through the supineness of
| those directly interested, or from the want q.
funds, nave hitherto failed OF success. Con
ncc'cd with this subec', the documents mark
ed 3, q and S, are submitted, and 'recommen.
ded 10 vonr attentive consideration.
Should these objects meet with The Legisls-
tive aid, to which they arc entitled. no rstion-
| al doubt need be entertained that we shall be
Unidentified directiy by tolls, and, ultimately,
| By the increase of wealth, which improvements
| of this kind never fail to carry with them. |
cannot omit to press upon the attention of the
| Legislature the state of our roads, which is to
us II Just subject of rcproach The condition
of the public roads is not unfreqnently resorted
| to for the purpose oftesting the extent of i'm.
provement in the country where they lie.
Should we cast our eyes over the map of Anne
| RIGA, and compare the progress oil Virginia
| with that of some of her sister states, whose
| territory is not so extensive, whose population
is not numerous, and whose physical advan-
| tags in no one instance exceed hers; how
striking, how humiliating the contrast New
York, FOR example, so far back as 1909, had
three thousand and seventy ono miles of turn
| pike road, with capita, OF S5.t40,o00; and
the increase of both since that time, is doubt
less. considerable.
| When these circumstances are coupled with
their vast projects of inland navigation, one
branch of which costs 5,300,000 dollars, it will
! sbew the wisdom of her policy, under whose
benignant influence she has been enabled to
! carry on these great works, so honorable TO
| her character.
| A report is preparing by the President
and Directors ofthe Literary Fund, shelving
| the manner in which they have vested the
| funds of that Institution. While upon the
subject, caurot refrain from inviting the
attention Of the Legislature to the propre-
| " ct establishing some literary Institution,
corresponding in magnitude, with the eX-
tent, the population and resources Ct the
| state 1t is scarcely to be credited, that.
in government like ours, receiving its cha
ractcr from public sentiment, no effort has
| been made TO enlighten that sentiment bv
fostering the means of education ; but that a
4 measure universally admitted to be Droduc-
| tive of such vital consequences to a free :
vernment, should have been left entirel, TO
Individual eXertian. Our records exhibit
| the almost incredible fact, that the Repub-
| lican Legislature of Virginia has never, since
the first moment Gifts existence, contributed
one cent TO an establishment of this kind
The result has been such as might have
| been exnected Our youths, sent to other
| states, influenced by more enlightened poll
CIV; vast sums of money expended abroad |;
| thsir affection for the parent state lessened !;
| habits formed, and opinions inhibited un-
friendly to the principles of the majority of
her citizens.
literary institution, equal to Virginia,
could not but have the mast salutary effect.
The centrality of her position in relation to
| her sister states, the salubrlty and pleasant
ness Of her climate, could not fail to bring
among lis the future hopes Of America, from
every quarter of this extensive Continent.
He only, who knows from experie ce, the
tender and lasting attachments formed at
school, will duly appreciate the value Of
such an establishment. Youths, after being
educated together, dispensing themselves
throughout the continent, and finally, presi-
ding in the councils of the union, will add, to
| motives OF patriotism, similarity of manners
identity of opinions, and sentiments of Dri-
vate friendship. What chord, it may be
asked, would bind the union so closely Or
what would b. so likely 70 give it duration /,
If. however, this expectation we're disap-
pointed, we should find an ample indemnify
IN the diffusion of wisdom and virtue, her
h md maid. amongst our own ciizcns In
| short, the advantages which would fiw from
| such an institution. must be apparent tohim
whose good fortune it has been to profit by
education, as we'll as to him whose portion
| it is daily to lament his being deprived of so
distinguished a blessing. have presumed
10 press this subject upon your consideration,
not only on account Of its importance, but
| because fund adequate to the object, with
| ont recurring 10 new taxes, has been recent
" placed under the controul of the Gene-
raj Assembly. The establishment might be
So arranged as to dispense portion OF it's
benefits 10 the orphan and the friendess
Such anappropriation, connected with .he
literary fund, INTENDED exclusively for the
poor) would. in a great degree, produce an
| equality Of literary advantages, and no, nm
frequently redeem from obscurity, genius
winch, but for the fostering aid ofthe public.
would be lost to society. Although It NAV
be thought by some that the present time is