Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-03
FOR THE ENQuiRER.
Rappg.srmoc& River 'Nar' gattoa.
President Of the sappahannOck Company, &C.


SIR-1he accidental circumstance Of
INV overhearing yonr question to gem
,Ieman in an auction room, on a past eve
niny, concerning the improvement of tLa
Rappailannock river navigation, and the
interest | felt in II, would probably be
deemed by (uDknown) him as an intru-
sion bnt, trust, when You and he know
more of the matter, you will al least APP
preciale my motives, if you do not APP
prove my measures.
AreumeRtum al rem, non argument an dd
hominea., has been my leading star in the
important science of peace and public e.
economy, throughout the world and when,
in the wear 1868, the great and good old
James Brindley, (the famous, and worthy
TO be famous Duke of Bridgewaters self
taught engineeD implanted in my breast
a first impression of the vastly important
science of inland navigation IN the affairs
of men, in agricultural, rural and com
mercial economy, was not aware that
should live TO become d practical engineer
myself; to be calle'; 10 take charge ofo
of the most Important works in Europe
TO have acquired a reasonable Gegre, OF
professional credit; 10 have been consult
ed-or e. ployed by the ministers OF kings
or emperors 10 have investigated the re-
source OF this country nearly fifty years
or TO have projectedthe foundation of Sc
yeraI fits most important undertakings:
Be this as it may, in l77S | had occasion
10 examine MANY parts of your country,
Cloth Rappahannock ard Rapid AIMEE
from Fredericksburg upwards, even by
wav of Chester's Gap TO the Shenandoah,
near what is now called Front Royal and
then explore to the neigiiborhood of Sto-
verstown, Woodstock, Winchester, &c.
think, In 1891, was present at d COM
mittee of the Virginia legislature on this
subject, where Robert Brooke, Esq. was
chairman and, although projectors were
ss,t for and present, could not but la
ment very palpable ignorance of the
science of inland navigation, as well as Of
statistical and Typographical Information
concerning lie premises. My old friends,
Charles Yates, John Stroud, Gavin Law
son. French SiTother. Isaac Zane, and
many Others had contributed To aid my
means OF research and have promised
these particulars that it may be known
amnot a stranger 10 that region.
now feel authorized to assert, sir, mot
ONLY on near fifty years examination of
this country and lis resources, but on ten
years practical professional experience
In Europe, In endeavors To modify, To cor
rect, 10 avoid, and 10 ameliorate the hack
neyed trammels of the aniiquated school, }
that $50 far from IFS being hnpraciIcable TO
improve the navigation of kappahannock
TO lis sources)-I dare pledge myself at a
comparatively reasonable and reduced
expence-that
list. Your navigation shall be improved
TO It's source, without injury TO mills or
fisheries.
2dly. That a practicable line of easy
and powerfully improved transportation shall
pass by way of Chester's gap aud Front
Roval, to Shenandoah river, with branches
to Winchester, &c.
3liy. j will demonstrate that, at this
point of junction, due spirit of enter
prize will, in few years, make the little
navigation of ppaiIanuock one of those
extensive arteries OF the American union,
which is hereafter destined to circulate
the vital fluid of lis agricultural, CONNER
cial and political resources and protec-
ton; TO bring man and man INTO more
intimate intercourse and brotherhood, by
mechanical facilities extending into every
corner of North America; TO consolidate
our commercial aud political force and
powers byartifcial means, within the con-
trout of ourselves.
II isvery natural for the uniformed hu-
man mind 10 dIstrust and doubt every eff
feet of scientific. mechanic, Inv drauic or
hydrosiatc operation which it has not
previously Witnessed in it's practical re-
suit: and hence, II some mrn were not
born TO be more studious and perscyerng
IN the paths of sc ence and public good
than in their own private views, TO person.
al gam, ignorance would continue to be
the enemy of art TO the end of time and
the fret savage state of mankind would
remain as primitiveand unatered as bed
of oysters.
No man, however who will contemplate
the garments he wears, and compare them
with his own sense Of the state of prlma-
TN rude and imperfect manufactures, will
doubt that arts are progressive; THAT
knowledge upon knowledge is the work
of time that experience teacheih, or that
things become easy 10 those who have
practical experience therein, which are
dark and mysterious TO men who are ig-
nOrant OF the subject, though only per
haps because their minds and their des-
times have taken another course.
Thus il IS, that although plain farmer
is we'll contenled with warm homemade
coat, spun, wove and made by his wife
many prosperous son fsuch has found
the abso ute necessity of an experienced
taylor TO stitch the giugeTbTead work o
his promotion, his brigadier generals cos
tunnel
There is perhaps no part of Virginia
where the best possible draft Of horses OI
an ordinary mountain road, Is better un
dersioOd than ON Shenandoah over Ches
tcr's gap: and, on old MIR. Kindrck's mea
dows, at the ford, where that road crosse
Shenandoah, ! saw forty years ago. tia
ouly we'll fixed broad wheeled Wagons
ever saw 10 the stale Now ask an Oh,
OUichman IN that neighborlioOd wha
D. 81 L. g. Ll..r-.. lL ..