The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-07

4 htnc law aSSed fSr II IS astonishing that {
lsingle.Voice should DC raised against Il whei
reason and experience explain ,o'us, that Ii,
two parts of the commonwealth are situated
SO far distant from each other, or dissimiiar
i'm their pursuits, but that each OF them is
benefited by the population, wealth & pros
perty OF the ,o.her; more especially, in this
!, case, where the bill SO provides that each
County shall discretionary levy its own tax,
10 pay only It's own expense.
| line present law, 60 which some inconsi-
dcrately are devoted, is but relilue oil that
ieudal system brought over by the co,onists on
their MS. emigration from their mother coun-
try +; and attic with several other LAWS and
customs nearly OF the same tenclancy, mirh,
have answered the immediate purposes Of
the FIRST settlers yet, notwithstanding, un-
der our present happy government, * in
creased populations they do not by any means
/ quadratc, suit. or agree with the temper.
genius, or dispositions OF the citizens Of this
commonwealth, more than they Ito with strict
justice. sound policy, or equal right when
ever L law thus deyi2tcs from the strict line
OF those sacred principles. it must and will
! be considered odi.is, impolitc and oppres-
slve, and have "a tendency II s,bycrt and dis.
solve the mutual ties OF society, reciprocal
benefits, and good order on which are mo-
rally C essentially founded the prosperity
and happiness of the virtuous citizens of this
| commonwealth.
!, The expencc of making and maiat aiming in
good order the "publiC roads" of any coun-
| try must evidently increase with the,
product OF the land and labor. as we'll as with
Ithe quantity and weight Of the goods which
1t becomes necessary to fetch and carry o.
yer them but will not be Increased bv the
| operation OF the bill in question, which is most
evidently caiculatedto diminish the expcncc
LOT portage and to enable the Farmer TO
perform all his own waggonaet. without
mnch loss of time or Inconvenience the
roads being in proper repair, the hired wag-
goner also can afford toreducc his price in
TINS proht both the agriculturalist, the par
chaser and consumer will frequently share
'csides, Il will enable the landholder to send
to market large quantities Of lumber, slate,
lime and many other heavy articles which
viii not in the present situation of the roa Is
lbear portage.
Without an amendment to the present law,
concerning public roads" the,extemsivc up
land country within this state cannot increase
III wealth, population, or happiness in
wealth, because they cannot In.due time
carry their heavy surplus produce over the
roads IN their present condition to market ;
IN population, because they will emigrate to
countries more favorable to carriage ; i'm hap
piness, as they arc deprived of the means of
wealth, they will proportionably be depri-
we'd OF the means of information. 1t is an
undcnlab!e maxim in estimating the value of
lands, the produce of which Consists in hca-
| Wy articles, that they are III some degree
more or less valuable, according to the good
ness of the roads and distance of the way to
market +; nor is there amy subject of more
Importance, and that requires more the due
consideration, the wisdom and patriotic ex-
ercise OF the'powers, of cur Legislature, when
taken in any point of view, public or PR
vate.
| Many of the individual inhabitants of the
middle and upper countries of this state for
| want of tolerable public roads, are strup-
| CLING tor bare subsistence with neither time
| or money to spare on the education of the
rising generation much less able to provide
comfortable establishments for them as they
arrive at maturity ;; of Course, necessity COM
| pells many of them, untaught and unprovi-
Ged for, to emigrate to country, where the
produce OF the industry, can with more faci-
lty be conveyed to market wealth and the
comforts OF lite for that reason, more ca
silly obtained the mind from these causes.
more az liberty to preserve and procure in
tormation,ease and elegance hence some Of
the most healthy, prolific counties in this
commonwealth have not encrcased i'll white
| population since the Census of eighteen hun
! dred CT which lamentable truth, your own
County is a striking and conclusive example );
while the Population of Pennsylvania and
some other states possessing but small por-
ton OF the natural advantages OF ours, have
/ within the same period from bene fits deriv-
ed from pubic improvements, increased in
population more than thirty per cent, and in
wealth have surpassed US 5cycnd alculat:-
on.
| Thus, this extensive fair and fertile coun-
try, which has been the peculiar care of a
benetlcent providence, bestowing on US most
bountiiuliy, middle, temperate, and heal
| thy Climate; soil productive of every arti-
Gle OF human subsistence, luxuries refine
ments, ease and elegance, which can be
produced in any portion Of the northern
states; and most OF all the valuable articles
which can be made through every part of
the southern extent f the union, and many
which cannot be produced in either extreme !;
yet, from state of apathy and want of pub
lie spirit, especially relating to Roads, the
nett proceeds, or profits OF the Agricultu-
raiist when brought tomarke5 are but small ;
tor which cause the price and rents of land
are diminishing, our country impoverished,
nmmproved and Gepopul4ting!
am, dear siG,
} Your alicctionatc friend,
! - JOHN STROBE.
UNiiqm Banks, Esq
-. Of Cuh.HHer C2nafy, (Ha.
: mn k4e Order9 in Ceg7cl be re6eoled 2