Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-05

IL was not poSsiDc 10 hdke passdpie ROAD AT
any expence, for about seven miles of that
district. Others reported, that il might per-
haps be possible; but, that at the lowest esti-
mate, which could be made, the expence
would exceed thirty thousand pounds.
II his was a sum SO enormous that the idea
of executing it, was for the time, abandoned.
Still however, the necessity OF having such a
communication occurred, aud il became an
endless subject OF conversation at the coantv
meetings. AT length one gentleman observed.
1t could never be done, it they did nothing bur
talk about il, and proposed they should try to
do something.
ut was Immediately resolved to omen a
voluntary subscription to make at least a be-
ginning, and try what could he done. Fifteen
hundred ard odd pounds were subscribed al
the meeting, and committee was appointed
TO see the money expended, and TO make a
report how far IL went. The work was com
menced and carried on with alacrity while the
money lasted and, To the perfect astonish-
ment of the next meeting, they laid their re-
port before il, when 1t appeared that the whole
OF the road was completed in the most perfect
manner, and better than one hundred pounds
OF the money remained at the disposal of the
meeting.
IF, before this trial was made, any person
in the county had said il might be effected for
fourteen hundred pounds, he would have been
laughed at Tor advancing such an absurd opin-
iOn."
SO far, Mr.. President of Rappahannock.
for my friend, and the friend of all man
kind, James Anderson the agricuIturist :;
one OF the 1r DR.. Andersoms who have
lived, as they ought to do, in the salaman-
der temperature of heat, without their
cool philosophical heads being in the least
degree affected by party politics, by war
making powers, or by those self-conceit-
ed enemies of mankind who, delighted
with powers of talking, live rather to let
the universe know there is a tongue in
their heads, at the expense of the public
time and It's most important undertakings,
than to acquiesce i'm the energetic efforts
OF others devoted to public improvements
which better the condition of every man
men, who, TO support skin-deep popu-
larity In themselves, are perpetually fritz
tering the stability ofpublic prosper
ity, by nibbling like little mice at the under
edge OF a mammoth cheese they cannot
mount; men who would have been much
more lllustrlOus sons of Cincinnati, at the
plough, forge, or bench oftheir ancestors,
than when too impolitcally favored, by
the industry and hard earned wealth OF
those ancestors, with arrogant degrees of
law, pllysic and divinity and sometimes
diplomas of higher standing.
1t Is an example worthy notice and imi-
tatlon, that the people Of the British ma
ton seldom fail of success i'll every public
undertaking which is proposed-the rea-
son Is, they think much, act cautiously,
and reserve their fine speeches to illus
trate the operative results of their prudent
foresight. Their general rule of proceed
ing Is, when the pr0priety of extending a
particular line of improved commercial
road, river or canal navigation, &C. is
talked OF in private circles, and IA few i'll
dividuals Ofjudicious and cautious repu-
tdtion are convinced ofthe expediency of
attempting if, they call meeting at the
most convenient popular places on the
route take, in your case. for example,
Fredericksburg, Cuipeper Courthouse, Sto-
UerStown and Winchester; and let the same
day be fixed for meeting at each place !;
The whole interest of the community will
thus be sure to convene, each section re-
presenting lis immediate concerns. A
chairman and clerk are appointed; and il
the thing proposed by the line chalked
out in the first advertisement is deemed
expedient, voluntary subscription is
opened, and two of that BODY nominated
TO manage that fund in expenditures OF
primary investigation it being under
stood that this subscription operates as a
loan at risk, and is to be placed TO the
credit of each subscribing lender, against
his shares, III the event of proceeding TO
actual construction. Thus there will be
a primary committee of eight persons. re-
presenting the whole interest of the line.
and possessing funds to commence with.
Now the first step is TO employ a repu-
table civil engineer, with his assistants.
mot mere land surveyor with his chain
bearers y II will be required of this engi-
neer,
L. To explore the various routes, and
consider on the means of Improvement
known 10 him as practical engineer,
winch he deems II best to apply TO the
Whoie route, or to vary according TO the
circumstances of lis several sections.
2. lie should make a survey, and take
at least the running levels for his first sec
ton OF the country, with such partic ular
plans, sections and elevations as NAV be
competent ia explain the nature of the
work proposed.
3. He should add to the two foregoing.
a general report of his remarks on the line
OF communication, OH the statistics ofthe
country he passes through and ulti-
mately his estimates: These TO be report-
ed to the committee of eight, who are
thus prepared to call general meeting
OF the country concerned.
do not know what steps have been ia
Ken ON the Rappahannock navigation -
but both my experience and observation
convince me, that the above method is
the surest TO produce TIE earliest and
most economical effect. Ibelieve it TO be
practical and expedient to improve. by
the means have suggested
/. The Rappahannock from tide water
to its source.
2. To pass Chesters gap, by Happy
creek, to the forks.of Shenandoah near
Front Royal.
3. To improve the Shenandoah up to
Sirasburgh and 'p ~
4. To pass to MiddIetown, Stephens
burg and Winchester by railways