The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-05

l Alternative
10 TINS branch OF the government, but an "a
abandonment of the public welfare, or a re-
sort to acts OF authority involving a hirl,
personal responsibility, and cOnseouent
embarrassment, which, IT possible, should
be avoided.
enclose for the CO, sideratinn ef the I.e-
gis'aturc, report (marketl No. y of the.
commissioners appointed 60 explore the u,-
per navigation of James River and ha.-s.
| the satisfaction. also. to inform YOU. that
the commissioners appointed to ascertain
the practicability OF Connection between
that river aud the western waters have
performed the duties assigned them, and
are now preparing a report, which shall be
transmitted rs soon rs received. These
SUBJECTS claim Your attention the first. fron
the circumstances that, if the Legislature
Go not interfere, the collection of tolls by
the James River Company will cease oa the
flrst or February next the second. on ac-
| count OF its great Importance.
lo iacititate the communication between
the Eastern and Western waters is an OBJ
iJect worthy OF Virginia. It's ADVANTAGES must
be mcaicuiable. 70 our western brethren
, ~ particular, whose facilities to market will
be augmented, it Is of primary considerable
OHIO the state in general, highly Interest,"
| ing; as it will cherish intercourse and nro-
mote connections friendly to union, with the
growing states of the West.-In a CONNER.
cial point OF view, 1t. will connect us with
| those vast and fertile regions, destined to-
become in progress of time, the emporium
OF wealth, portion of which, as from a
never faninS fountain, will continually pour
into our lap. --e.-- ~.
ms SUBJECT, important as it is, will net
however limit the attention of the Lepisla-
ture. The connection of the waters of the
~ 4noke with some of our navigable rivers
(the practcabiity of which seems univer-
| sally admitted.) is scarcely less important.
Indeed, various improvements in our inter-
nal navigation have been projected, and no
doubt, may be accomplished but either
through the supineness of those directly in
| terested. or from the want of funds, have
hitherto tailed OF success. Connected with
this subject, the documents marked s.
and 5, arc submitted, and recommended
to'your attentive consideration
Should these objects meet with the Legis-
fative aid, to which they are entitled. no ra-
tlonal doubt need be entertained that we
snail be indemnihed directly by tolls, and,
KtSi2idfely, by the increase OF wealth. which
improvements of this kind never fail to car
ry with them. cannot omit to press upon
the attention of the Legislature the state OF
our ROADS, which is to US a. just subject of
Ireproach. The condition of the public roads
is not untfequently resorted to for the pur-
pose OF testing the extent OF Improvement in
the country where they lie. Should we cast
our eyes over the map of America, & COM
pare the progress of Virginia with that of
some OF her sister states, whose territory is
not so extensive, whose population is not SO
numerous, and'whose physical advantages
In no one instance exceed hers how striking.
how humiliating the contrast New YORK.
for example, SO. Tar back as 1909, had three
thousand and seventh one miles of turnpike,
road, with a capital Of SIS, l4O, 900; and the.
mi he;
less, considerable.
Mnen these circumstances are coupled
with their vast projects OF inland navigate
on, one branch of which costs 1000 Coo dol
lars, it will shew the wisdom of her policy.
under whose benignant influence she has
been enabled to carry on these great works,
so honorable to her character.
report is preparing by the President Sc
Directors OF the Literary Fund. showing the,
manner in which they have vested the funds
OF that Institution. While upon the subject.
Sannot refrain from inviting the attention
OF the Legislature to the propriety of esta-
blishing some literary institution, Cores
pondng III magnitude, with the extent, the
population, and resources OF the state. Ii
is scarcely to De credited, that, in govern.
nent like ours, receiving its character from
public sentiment, no effort has beer made
TO eniighten that sentiment by fostering the
meas OF education but that a measure u
Universally admitted to be productive of such
vital consequences to free government.
should have been left entirely TO individual
exertion.. Our records exhibit the almost
incredible fact, that the Republican Leris,
lature of Virginia has never since the first
moment fits existence. contributed one cent
to an establishment of this kind. The result
has been such as might have been expect
ed Our youths, sent to other states, in
fiuenced by more enlightened policy; vast
sums OF money expended abroad; their af-
lection tor the parent state lesscned habits
formed, and opinions lmbibed unfriendlv to
the principles of the majority of her ci-
items.
A ]nerary institution, equal to Virginia.
could not but have the most sanitary effec,
The centrality of her position in relation ro
her sister states, the salubrty and pleasant
ness other climate, could not fail to bring
among us the future hopes Of America, from
every quarter of this extensive Continent
He only, who knows from experience. the
| tender and lasting attachments formed at
school, will duly appreciate the value Of
such an establishment, Youths, AFTER benr
educated together. di:persing themselves
throughout the continent, and finally, pre-
siding in the councils of the union, viii add.
to motives OF patriotism, similarity of mas
| ners, identity ofopinioSs, and sentiments Of
private friendship. What chord, it may be
asked, would bind the union so closely Or
what would be SO likely TO give it duration
| #, however, fhis expectation were disap-
| ~ taJ e.,o,tI =