Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-19


have influence in this Board, or ia the As
sembly of local nature, but taat tue fund
viii be faithfully applied to al the differ
eut objects in turn, giving priority to those
of most importance, and 90 which the cc,.~
tributions of individuals required by law,
may BE- cbteined. To me it is immaterial
whether the first expenditure is made in
this or thGt ? IT OF the country. Al that
ask is, that the improvement shall be
practicable and valuable, and that the
public money shall be laid Gu. with due
rggar! to ecbnooy and the public interest.
iiatter myself that our example CT fer
b.arance and devotion to the great object
of the general II provenent Of the STATE,
without any consideration Of particular or
local ben TT. Will reconcile the people
in every part Of the State to the opn-
ion, that the Improvement ct the whole
country is not TO be end ngereG or
defeated by local jealousi-s, or per-
t;nacious adherence to preference of
particular objects. For myself, l give
YOU the most solemn pledge, that l en-
upon the dis charge OF MY duty, as a
member Of this Board, as representative
of the STATE, and that no personal nor losal
considerations. shall ever have tie small
est influence upon my conduct and have
the utmost confidence, that every member
viii do the same with equal sincerity.
tho't it INV duty to convene the Beard
of Public Works at this time, t. communi-
cate to you the measures taken 70 procure
an Engiueer, and that il vas impracticable
% effect that object, unless the comp .nsa-
ton Co be given, shou,', be first fixed. a
delay in procuring an Engiaeer, must UNI
ayoiisbly procrastnate the Commence
raent CT every work OF improvement.
1t is ind spensablc to the exc
cution of the law, that provision should
be- made by this Boarh 10 defray the
exponcos t. be incurrcd under he act
"To provide an accurate Char. of each
country. ant! General Map OF the ferE-
tory of the Commonwealth" / believed too
that some concert and interchange of opin-
ion should take place pre- viou, to the meet
ing il November, AS to the objects which
should he fi.st uAd rtaker, and that the
public interest WAS more hSeiy to be pro-
NOTED by the early developement OF the
views CT the Board, than by their being
called upon suddenly to propose and to de
eide upon sab!ects of sut II great Importance
and general interest. The ffsrent views
that are entertained can now be disclosed
Il deiiberated upon until November,
when hope we shall BE- able to act wiki
sff>ct.
Our highly distinguished fellow t,zen,
Thomas Jefferson, having declined the &C
ceptance of his appointment TO seat at
this Board, the law requires the vacancy
10 be filled bv US during the recess ofthe
Leg stature. While regret the loss which
the publ: must sustain from this res;gna-
ton, cannot reGase my assent to the rea
soas which dictated it. After nearly fifty
years Of unrem,tted exerton in the public
service. no man can complain of his resclu-
ton TO SEEK that repose which nature de
manis.
Your great Intelligence renders it unne~
cessary for me TO suggest any particular
objects to your consideration, and nothing
remains for me to do but to give you the
strongest assur noes Of the most jealous
co-ops ration on my part, to promote the
great and good work coniided tous, to ex-
press my most ardent wishes that our eX
erlions may be crowned with success, and
that we may have the satisfaction OF know
ing that we have essentially served cur
bel we'd country.
The President laid before the Board a
letter from Thomas ] FIFE so'. Esq deriin
ing his ap ointment, AS Dirrctor--And al
S, various lie tcrs on the subject OF procur-
ing a fit, able, and experienced Civil Engi
neer.
On motion. Resolued. Taatthe President
Of the Board. the Attorney General, and
Treasurer of the Commonwealth, be su-
thorsed to provide - common seal for
the President x Board of Pubic Works"
with. suitable dew ces therson, and that
sum net exceeding nuc hundred dollars be
appropriated to dcfray the expense there
Of.
Pc8ofvcd That the salary to be allowed
the principal Engincer or Surveyor OF Pub
lie Works, shall be for the present three
thou AID dollars per annum, payable quar-
tery---ar1 that the said principal Engi
neer or Surveyor OF Public WORKS, during
his continuance in Office, be not permitted
TO engage in any ether professional business,
without the permission of this Board while
in session, or OF the President and any
two members thereof during the recess
of the Board, being first obtained.
Rcsoived, That the Secretary of this
BOARD be Instructed to address, in behalf
Of the Board, circular letter To the Pres
ident and Directors of each Of the incorpo-
rated companies. the stock Of which con-
stitues n part Of the Fund for inter
nal improvement, requesting OF them
such information as they may have
+ it in their power TO communicate 10
4 the Board, rel tive 60 the present state
4 Of The several public works under their
4 direction, and especially the ext nt in miles
4 e the road or navigation already tufnpik-
B ell or improved by them, the total cost q
+ Such road or ct such Improvements, the
debts, IL any, due by the said companies,
a..