Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-03-09
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

FOR THE ENQUIRER.
] am plain Farmer, and know but lite ofpo-
ities but, | love my country, and with good rea-
son from my infancy. (and my ancestors before
me, have enjoyed the most perfect state offree-
dom Ger government is wisely constructed,
.iat oppression OF every sort is inpracticabe. We
hear OF kings, mobiles and priests, in other countries,
Who live upon the labour of the people. In our
happy country, all men are equal man holds
Office but at the viii of the people, except the
inlses, and ,hey accountable for their conduct
to political and civil liberty, the measure of
our happiness is compeat and have the utmost,
confidence. that the good sense, patriotism and va
our of the Virginia People make it impossible they
Should be deprived Of these blessings To the AL
IaiSaty Ruler of the Universe, bow with the most
heartfelt gratitude that my lot cast in this hap
py land.
Tie only modification have ever felt, as Yir-
gilman, las arisen from nsttention to- the i'm
provement of our country and the education OF our
children. The latter consider as the basis of mo-
rails and ofrepuBlicsn government and the former
the source ofafiiuenee and comfort, to tens OF
thousands os people, who would otherwise be kept
in penury all their lives.
This reproec to Virginia will soon cease, tanks
40 the wisdom of the last Assembly A foundation
is now laid. that promises to difuse the mean. of
Education throughout every part Of the State, and
will, trust, furaish in few years from tie most
Intelligent ps.fst,e, full proportion Of most
distinguished citizens, who have been educated at
tue public expence. Another tie will thus be adj
a a.
would have been lost to Tie State, will be associated
with those best able to serve it.
Upon the great Internal improvements that are
contemplated, and Fsnd created by the last As
sembly to execute them, reflect with admiration
AL delight. Can IL be, that man now living NAV
see all our rivers improved, and the great marke,
roads oIeur country put in such state, that an
ordinary team viii bring to market five or SIX thou
sand weight, with as much ease as they do 2COo
or $500 In my conscience, do believe this will
happen. The work is too great to he accomplished
al o'ce but, in common life, it will be effected.
and old asI an, expect to the produce of Pa
trick landed at Norfolk, at not than halt the
expence, that il IS now carried to Is, ohburg, and
the produce OF Greenbrier, Monroe and all that
x
pence than the produce snow brought by land GO
miles; and similar Improvements in other parts of
the State.
There never was viseror better nves.iture of mo-
ncy. It's full value will bcTepaid in the mproveme,,
the country; but this is mol ALI the profits derived of
from the improvements themselves, will, I have
no doubt, be greater than is derived from ordina,,
business, ii Is per cent be made from the Roaooe
Improvement, asis now made from the James M
yer Canal. 1t is better than Bank dividends and
We get the most important national improvement,
over and above and instead OF the Fund Go,. It..
nat improvement ever being exhausted, it will be
peIpetually ascumulating. This interest unon ;,-
serest, that would glut the avarce of even = Shv
lock.
let It not be feared, that in the zeal for pro,e
eating highly important and atlvantageou, sorl
the public money will be mispent Its apnIieation
must ofnecessty bedeliberated upon. f,- ,oor,,.
by the Directors Of Public Works, before tho ou.,.
ton viii be submitted to the Legislature M, ono
sent can be subscribed to any object without legsIo.
tive sanction, and then three dollars or the ,no.
ofindiriduals must be expended for evepv tyvo a.
lars OF the money Of the public; thus enssriny tte
proper application Of the public money after :, :.
Subscribed, and tlstit will not be employed. uo,,,
It IS Tor valuable purpose for, admit if pos.il;..
hat the Assembly should be indiscre, It if !, no, ..
3. presumed Individuals will be SO, in the usooe
own money.
do not Know which most to approve s,d 81
r're, Che wisdom Of the Assembly in provt,.. g.
tie commencement Of the great and peecs,ar,.
work, Or the prudence and caution with ,vh;ot
proper application ofthe public money Is s,,o,ed
In reviewing the history OF this State. froro o.,
comm 9eemsni OF our struggle with Creo, rr
t''o for Independence, and comparing the ao,. -
Che different Assemblies, hsye no be,i,a,io, -
e'1''ng '''he Sage', vino conducted the RsvouG.
o'''! var we ''r't niche IN the temple Of Fame
70 them' We owe every .liag: but for dem
"o"d yet have remained in the deba,ed a,J i.
Raced condition Of Coiooists. followed he a..
ae"ory and Goa fo.bil, quy nan Should ovsr.s