Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-22
ROADS AND CANALS


ROADS AND CANALS.
Fsport ghc Committee on Roads and Canals, IN The
House Of Representatives., .LI,. .. 1922.
ACCOMPANYING CHE BILL NOW PENpIsG IN THAT
The Committee on Roads and Canals report:
That they have considered the general subject sub
United TO THEFT charge and also the specific objects
oi Internal Improvement which have been eferi cd TO
them.
In relation 10 The subject, under s general head.
they believe IL will not he comtrovcrted, Tint afer
the iermaao. OF good government, is the next in
ferest OF naon TO adopt such system of internal
policy as will enable the people eajov as soon as
Practicable, all tho natural advantages belonging TO
the country in which they live Laboris justly con-
Sdered TO he TIC wealth OF nation productions OF
every description, ard all things valuable are pro-
duced lay il, and the whole operation of :, society
bi people, as regards their pnllcal econon,y and
social Intercourse, consists ia obtaining what arc us,
ally called first materials in the conversion and FASH
bnning OF these for use and the TRANSFORMATION of
the raw or manufactured articles 10 the places where
hey are finally wanted. The transportation ncces-
sariy forms heavy charge the fund OF labor
saa ~ proportion to the reduction of labor, i'm
'h's respect, vii In; the gain Of :, nation, as the
objects.
The great extension Of our territory and IFS various
i'tiiudes Astounding in almost every species of pro-
olcs, VIII always render the expense oitranspor,a-
oon an object oil gieat and national Importance
Although artificial works may not for while af.
sofd profit to the uriertakers still thew wiz be he
2ehc'a to the community ut large, not only by the
n
distance from market, but also, by an increase In the
quantity reproductions, in consequence of the adj.
tona excitement 10 enterprise, and the general DIFF
fhslon of industry.
The utility of good roads and canals has been test.
eddy long experience ia other countries. In CHI
na II is said, that by means Of tllcr wafer ca rriare
their nome market is aearly equal 10 the whole
Ret IN Europe. Satisfactory evidence OF the i'm
hiense advantages TO he derived from canals is like
wise furnished from almost every part of Europc
and particularly in England, where they have hee
tta Iaot a. =.
ton, supplying the demands Of one place bv the re-
sources OF another, and extensively spreading in
fh'stry, rs to enable them supply their own wants
and To furnish exports exchange for the wealth
oIother countries.
II must be source Of qualification TO every Ame-
tcan when Inc reflects Tint his own country possess
fs advantages, in this respect not inferior to that of
any other gu the globe and That there is none that
presents higher inducements for the legislative aid of
~ councils, or where there is greater certainty of
o,ayfbssloy r''''@' '''''" ''''' PATRIOTISM
From awe regulated system Of internal commerce
70 the u. States, by the means OF good roads and
canals, the hHppest consequence may I've expecteds
20 how. we enjoy almost every variety OF climate
ana possess popmlos cities andcondenscd settlements
~ well ms vast tracts OF country thinly inhabited
regular iri'lc IN the exchange of manufactured ar
tces Tor raw materials would take place lntI the
nation would receive, within itself the whole benefit
that Is usually gained between old and new Countries
u Is admitted, ny the abest writer's on political eco.
nomy, that the most important branch of The som
Iperce oil any nation il tiai which is carried m he
=
tween he inhabitants OF the towns and those of the
country Customers become acquainted with each o.
lhet, and less risk is generally iucuI rcd.
IL IS also essential TO the prosperity of nation 10
nhiain all the labor ii can from lis members and
IS IS composed OF people possessing various aIcpIs
ana incinaions, every reasonable encouragement
should he given To each branch OF national ndu,,ry
rs means OF calling into activity the different na-
!IhcatIons oi men and besides from Frequency of
intercourse among the citizcus living in different
parts Of the country close aud profitable copneci;on
wonld be formed, which would have a tendency to
produce harmony, and affections that would add Il,
the safety OF tue Union the people would reap prent
oenets from stability in their aiiairs as imdcions
system OF internal commerce would cTcatc certain
proportion or level, in all the departments of indus.
Try, that could not be readily disturbed nv the wat
lnd yicisnudes OF other powers From chauges of
ms description, over which we had no CONTROL this
countryn several instances has experienced sl,ocLs
and sustained losses, which would far exceed Gns IL
unreasonable TO conjectIre) the aid or expense nc
cessary, on the part OF the general 90, eminent for
he completion Of such artificial roads and can;,s
and Improvements in rivers as would satisfy IA iI,
fespecI, al Tue real eSdgencics Of The ouuniiy
Among The many objects Of Improvements i'm IN
laDd navigation, some limited, and within the
means OF individual and statu enterprise others are
pa ehar"cer $50 c8tepsive, their produciyenpsS de
peudiDg improvements Is be made in ,lfg.r.,,
states, al grGa distances from each other The Great
and important iIne ofiulaud communications con,ro,-
ltfteo sionR the Atlantic Coasa, would hc beneficial
~ varGTs degrees, to more than bali the states
~ me CDion yet, no two states would have
Suhicicnt Inducements TO furnish the neoearv teans
tor The completion Of any Of its parts nor could
uHIon oil sentiment be scarcely expected nruoo.,
the states through which il woah psss rs M ,b,
Utrucular routes, modes Of excc,.,,on SucI, Or
Jets are great aud NATIONAL, requiring one rencrnt
mead, anu, consequently, the aid Of tho ycsrr; ~.
VeTiuDent STegtlcrCd Indispensable, ne well ~ re-.
CARDS the Funds 10 be furnished ~ the fic,lity NJ
execution. Ohjeels of sIcIi lranscosdan Importance
to ihe welfare aud y feuce ef the Dnon must be nor
tee'ed by ihe general government, or their rorfec
iiou can scarcely ever he expected Had We waited
Tor The Jnint Hgcncy Of states, more dian an noe
~onld have passed before We sbouJ l,ayo senn,
Toad constructed by the Hnion " states equal in
naond design and costlinoss, the road from Cum
Kirkland to wheeling Objects on the large scale of
BntOna beEeht are creatures " the tJnon tic
scope and views Of state authority being local in their
nalrre.
The committee will further Observe, thai, an,ece.
,'eot TO the existence of the geHeral government Sc
trra states could NOT have perfected an object n
TVS KIND, without entering into some understanding
" ~ofAact ~ tie nature Ola treaty, in tie charac-
iPT % independent states but Serious doubts u,av
now exist on tie subject ~ states are not SLOWED
~ tbe constitution, To- enter Into any agreement or
ooDpac' with each other, II will at leasi be difficult TO
say bow such power be rxercised by the states
Vhcb could he enforced, guies$ by corporations 10
IeDct5iv, or by tie consent Of Congress
he committee vii not undertake 10 male 70
searches into the history Of the rise and Droor ess f
canals aud iotevual improvements 10 snoieDsor M
aB times, ~ foreign countrics; bot the task IL an
Aseape one, 70 pursue, ,cyrn pruaIlyA Jhe rurSicl