Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-05-29
y oJfoik, 6Aay 81.
THE ROANOKECAN


and prosperity of this town, should be
thoroughly acquainted with the advanta-
Ses which they and their posterity must
reap from the completion of this great oh
jet, to which we shall Continue to cal.
their attention as long as occasion may re-
quire.
With a b1ok country, extensive and
fertile, producing the staples of commerce
in the greatest abundance, Norfolk cannot
fail to become one Of the richest and
most hourishing towns in tne Union. Such
country is that through which we trace
the meanderngs of the Roanoake and its
tributary branches, the Dan and the Staun-
ton, and all the benefits of its commerce
may be secured TO Norfolk by means of a
Canal to connect the Roanoake with E,isa-
beth River. To effect this all-nportant
object. it is only necessary to cut thro'
about 81 miles Ill a situation for the most
part as favorable to the undertaking as
could be wished. The survey Of the settle
tor this canal has not yet been III ade, but
it is contemplated to commence it above
the falls at Halifax, n. &. and cut through
to Meherrn river, little above Muir
freesborough, a distance of about % miles,
the route OF navigation Will then be down
the Meherrin into Chowan r.yer-down the
Chowan to the mouth of Benefits creek,
up Bennetts creek, to Its nearest point Of
contact with Lake Drummond. From this
point Bennert's creek to the Lake will
require Canal Of about 25 niles, when a
junction will be formed with the ID small
Swamp Canal. The entire distance from
Norfolk to the Roanoake river Will then
not exceed $50 miles, the greater part OF
which will be tide water navigation. Here
is scheme, the practicabiity, nay, the
speedy execution of which, with even
moderate exertion, no one will pretend to
doubt, and which gives to Norfolk the
most positive assurances of uneXampled
prosperity.
The Legislature of this state, in Janu-
airy 1912, passed the law Incorporating
Company for the purpose Of cutting this
Canal, in which the state IF North Carolina
entered into compact with the state of
Virginia to grant certain privileges and af-
ford such facilities to the company, as CIR
cumstaDces were believed to require, for
the due completion Of the work. BY this
law three commissioners were to be APP
pointed by each state, TO employ an engi-
neer TO survey the country through which
it might be necessary to run the navigation.
The war prevented the performance of this
provision of the law, though the commits
sioners were appointed but surely a sui
ilcicnt time has elapsed since the termina-
ton of the war, TO justify us in eDquir.ng,
why the survey has not been made, why
the books have not been opened to re-
ceive subscriptions, and, in short, why
the work has not been commenced? Are
we to pause another twelve months or,
shall we at once abandon the undertaking,
through sheer Incidence and apathy
Citizens of Norfolk will you continue to
saunter about your half deserted streets,
viewing with calm indifference the daily
depreciation of your property and your oc-
equations Will you not make one bold
effort TO establish the prosperity OF your
town? Look at Richmoad--0ut the com
parison is too mor;ifying to our feelings
we shall therefore touch il Lightly. A
spirit of liberality and enterprise in her
citizens, has accomplished the most diff
cult schemes of improvement and Rich
mond, surmounting all obstacles, is ap-
preaching with rapid pace to the rauk Of
the largest and most opuleut cities in the
union. With the same spirit in her cii-
zens, what should hinder .NorJoik from
eclipsing Richmond for in point OF nat
ural means, Norfolk has every thing to
boast-Ri-hmond, nothing. WA the citi-
Gems OF Norfolk. then, consent that the
only obstacle to their prosperity shall re-
main as stumbling block IN their way
Rather let them appropriate thehalf oftheir
fortunes towards removing ,.--I5ut e
nough for tne present--NVe shall resume
the subject on future occasion, perhaps in
our next. [EcrGld.