Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-12-06


means OF the state in an exposed town, which has
once been, and may again be attacked with only
"a hours notice In proportion as our regu-
lar force is small our supplies of the munitions of
war should be large and well secured. The great
Importance OF tie subject, and our recent expert
ence, have given me feelings of anxiety regarding
1t, which, hope will be deemed sufficient apol-
ogy tor the earnes. 4. =: ~ :
on the General Assembly
The value and Importance of well regulated
Militia, ere too well known to make it necessary
for me to say word to enforce that Republican
maxim. 1t is an important part of the defensive
armour of every free country 1t is the only Sc
curly against usurpation, and the only means of
avoiding large standing armies in time OF teace
This subject merits the most serious attention.
Ourpresent Stilltia-system is defective mall its
Psrts-but, The powers of the State governments
over the Militia, SO limited by the CONSTITUTE
on ofthe U.States that until congress shall change
the present organization, no valuable improve
ment is to be hoped for. The confidence we
ought to feel in the Legislature of the union,
must lead to a belief that SO important an inter.
estwill not be longer neglected, as from our late
experience, the detects in the present system are
so fully understood.
Before the late war, the Legislature of this
state hsd taken measures To commence n system
OF internal improvements, by opening our rivers,
cutting canals and making roads. This grea.
and essential work was unayoitably suspended by
the war but its value and importance were man
ifesteJ ~ an eminent degree by that event II
unnecessary to state the political effects of this
great object they are too obvious to escape no.
'ce. Asa bond of Union it stands pre- eminent ;
ana rs asolrce OF wealth and property ii can.
not &c rivalled by any enterprise the state could
engage IN. The present state our means of in
tercourse within the states, has occasioned a re-
mark the truth of which there is M reason 10
doubt that the people of the United States ex-
pended more money in transportation by land,
while me war lasted, than would be sufficient,
10 erect an inland water communication from
Georgia to Massachusetts. This, it may Justly
o. s'ia, IS Nation i work but the cooperation
81 'he states IS Perhaps indispensable it would
eeTtarty greatly facilitate is accomplishments
10 virginia, more particularly, belongs the i'm
ProVement OF her own rivers aud roads, will
take ,ie liberty of asking your attention TO those
winch consider OF primary importance and to
the funds which might be appropriated to the IN
9ertaAinS. BY enumerating some improvements
am seTy TAT from wishing to exclude Others on
Tue conuary, think thig great Vofk should be
entered upon with y determination to extend its
advantages to every part ofthe State.
10 improve James river to its source, and con
meet IL WIN the waters of the Greenbrier and
hehaWna rivers by turnpike road, would confer
ncaeuiaoie benefits, political and commercial
am IN daily expectation of receiving from PHI
hoeiphia The report of the Commissioners with
the map OF james aud Kenawha rivers, and hope
10 have the honor OF laying them before the
oe'er" Assembly. Roanoke, including a CON-
niuihcatlon " In some of the waters of the Chesa
Peake presents the next great object, and is per.
maps ofinferlor value to James River, from the
slngle circumstance Of not being entirely with
an the Stale. What remains to be done on the
fotomac and it's tributary streams, particularly
shenandoah: and 10 remove the distractions in
me hapPahamock, merit the attention of the Lee
gislature.
With regard to roads, would recommend a
revision OF the laws, in order to embrace the i'm
proVement of all the market roads of the State
Those OF che' utility should be turnpiked; and
where all the funds could not be obtained bv in
dYiduai enterprise, proportion 10 be contribu.
ted by the state. The roads, that demand om
earliest attention are, The Mail rout from NORTH
to South, passing through our towns at the head
OF tide water; the road from Abingdon to the
fotowmac, west of the Blue Ridge the grea,
roads leading fram the westward to our mark ct
towns ; and a road from the North western part
OF the State to Rockfsh or Swifirun Gaps so a,
TO geve direct communication between the Sea,
OF Government and that section of the State 7,
IS believed, that few IF these reads in the present
state ofour population, would erure to be paw.
ed or gravelled, ard that, executing the vicinity
OF the large towns, it would be sufficient TO
Strengthen, graduate and shape them and to
have sufficient bridges and causeys In this way
ilis presumed auVenturers would be found to
make the necessary improvements, for reasonable
tolls, 1T the State lent assistance BY taking mart
OF the Stock The q eat impedrnent TO such i'm
proyenents, is the difficulty of COMMANDING
funds. 1t is in the power Of the State to draw,
money from several sources. First, the Stock
owned by the State, of the various companies for
improYeing rivers, in cases where such stock will
sell at or above par the stock of the State IN
the James River Company the stock of the
State in the Bank of Virginia and in the Farmers,
Bank or at least the dividends arising from thu,
Stocks and the interest upon the debt due by the
United States.
These various sources afford ample means for
the accomplishment of all these great objects
There IS still another subject to which earnest
~ solicit the attention Of the Legislature the
Education OF our Youth. In Republic where
every member of the society is called upon Go dis.
charge public duties, and may aspire 10 the
highest etnpioyments, Il is Of Indispensable i'm
portance, to place the az instruction within,
the reach Of all. Self-goyernment, our dearesi
privilege, cannot be exercised without inteIli.
sence; which can only be attained by means of
Schools widely snd equally distributed through
me country. That we are iamentably deficient
IN Seminares OfLcarI,ing, is eyinced by the fact
that many OF our citizens find il expedient To-
send their sois to other States for instruction.
This reproacl 20 our public spirit will, hone.
be removed By the wisdom uf the Legislature.
On the day that the 4 ct authorizing a reor,t.
Jar force for the Defence of the CONFERENCE.-The,