Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-06-12
TR!a GA1GTTI2a
MARTINsBURG, june IL, 1928.


Weinvite the attention of our readers
TO the following communication on the
subject of the Potomac Canal.-This
subject is of immense interest to the CT
items Of this Valley, and we hope il
will receive that attention which it SC
justly merits and deserves
Mr.. EvANs:-As no subject Of equal
importance with the Potomac Canal, can
occupy the public attention at present,
shall make ne apology for a few re-
marks, calculated 10 direct the public
mind to that object.
, la a political point Of view, its impor-
lance, as means ofconnecting the great
eastern and western interests of our
country; as link, binding this grea;
confederacy together, by ahording to
the productions Of the West, an easy ac-
cess to the markets OF the Atlantic ports
is SO well understood and SO universally
acknowledged by rejecting men, tha,
much need not be said on that sulsect.
The history OF mankind proves, that
cJnmerciaf Interests are the iirmest bond
of union, or the most painful source OF
discord 10 nations, as they happen to
concur or lead to rivalry. Surely then
an enlightened policy ought not to hesi-
tate in adopting mooe, so easy, so eff
iicatious and So beneficial, of uniting
our western brethren to US by indisso-
llble ties. It shah be my principal OBJ
lect therefore, in these numbers, to ex-
cite public attention to the mode of eff
feeling this great and desirable end
The question of expediancy however
meets Us at the very threshold, in an OBJ
lection which some haze urged witt,
much pertinancy and spurious reason
ing, viz: That by giving larger scope
of country, producing the same articles
for sale with ourselves, access 70 the same
market, we shall 50 tar increase the
quantity and consequently the COMPETE
ton, as materially to affect the profits
of our agricultural labors. 1t is proper
here to remark, on the Liberal spirit Of
this objection. Are we not all one peo-
pie, and therefore universally concern
ed inthe prosperity OF the whole and OF
each part? Can any part Of our COM
mon country flourish, by the enjoyment
Of only its Just and natural advantages,
without adding to our power as a nation,
as whole? And are not these, things
which concern all? Shall we be afraid
to enjoy the advantages, which Gods
goodness has placed in our power, TO.
fear that others viii partake in and be
benefited by the same blessing,
But to examine this objection more
particularly. Suppose the Canal finish
ed, will such be the result? We must
remember that from the nature of the
country opened By it, the objection can
Apply only to bread-stufs. We mus, fur
Their remember, that every section Of our
grain country produces surplus beyond
lis own CONSUMPTION, that the aggregate #
these surplusages, is more than sufficient
for the supply Of those parts ofthe Uni
ted States, which DO not produce grain
enough for their own consumption, that
for this residue we mist depend on TO-
reign market which altho' not generally
comparable to our home market for the
Quantity it CONSUMES, stu gives value
10 tie whole, by giving value to this
residue. Provided there ~ a foreign
demand then, it is of no moment, whe-
Their this residue seeks lis markets thro'
the Canal by Washington, or down the
Mississippi by observation-disclosures
affect the value whether it pass through
the one channel or the other, as it must
still seek the same foreign market, and
depend on the same foreign demand. A
much greater change will be eAacted, in
the direction by which tbs produce
seeks a market, than in the quantity
raised. In The Valley and below the
Blue Ridge in Maryland and Virginia,
and tie adjacent country of Pcnnsylva-
MIA, any great increase of agricultural
products can only result, from the slow
process Of greater agricultural improve
mcnt, and the subdivision Of estates.--
Bat the grain destined for market on this
side the Allegheny, and now wacgoneQ,
would take the cheaper convcyanc of
the Canal, aHd instead of increasing the
competition, would but bet-ep reward
the industry of our countrymcn: That
produced in the fine, and already highly
cultivated country west of the Allegheny,
would but seek this course.to foreign
markY, instead of dangerous nay;ga-
ton OF 1000 miles down he Mississippi, to
the damp, hot, unhealthy port of New
Orleans.
! shall be told, iii Ihave said is true only
OF the quantity already raised, but viii
the facilities afforded by the Canal, pro-
duce no additional supply? | sincerely