Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-06
FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL WING.
JAMES RIVER CANAL.

The course of the Legislature OIL the subject of
continuing or dropping this great work. excites much
interest i'll the country, the time approaches for
its decision. The of the Canal far as it has
progressed, the sources whence the money already
expended has been obtained, where the next appro-
priatons are to be derived, every thing connected
with the subject in Short is enveloped in obscurty
and the people naturally feel curiosity proportion
cd to the Importance of the design and the mystery
(which seems to hang over its fate. Why is it that
the public anxiety is continually fed with the theo-
RIGS, conjectures, and assumed data of anonymous
writers, instead of being quoted by the official re-
turns of gentlemen employed superintend its
cution? Whether these results might be favorable
or unfavorabe to the chai acter of the work, they
would have favorable tendency in reconciling the
people to the prosecution of the scheme, much Of
whose present dissatisfaction arises from their total
ignorance of what has been done and of the ulteri-
or views of the fathers of the plan. You would
therefore oblige many people, by publishing the re-
port of the Commissioners, and whatever other docu-
ments on this subject, you may be able TO lay your
hands
One difficulty has occurred TO my mind, which |
have never heard suggested discussed, and which
seems to me, to be formidable drawback upon the
utility of the Canal. How is the produce from the
South side of James River to reach the Canal?- p
That some way has been devised, presume of
course; but and the people so ignorant on this
whole subject, as to be uniformed this particu-
lar,-nor are our imaginations competent to guess
the mode, except by surrounding obstacles involving
greater expense, than will be saved by the diminish
ed tariff tolls and freight. For instance the ne
pie of Powhatan and Buckingham, will all be under
the necessity of keeping boat boats on their
shores, to make an annual voyage across the River
to the opposite sidewhere they must cross planta-
tons, ditches hedges and quits, tn arrive at the
borders of the Canal. When they have landed their
produce on the North bank, they must have wa
gon and team of their own, borrowed or hired
from some of their neighbors, get it the Ca
nal.
1t does seem to me that this expense of keeping
and hiring boats and wagons, and the great trouble
incident to loading and unloading twice, will moi
be compensated by the rapidity and safety of the
Canal nayigattons when once it is reached, and that
the population on-the South bank of James River
are better off with the navigation that Heaven has
already provided them, than they viii be, when the
golden promises ofthe Canal are all fulfilled 1t may
be replied to this view of the subject, that it is
sonable to expect each geographical section 10 be
equally benefited by this any other plan of inn
provcmcnt, and that benefit conferred on one Sec
ton, is no injury to any other 1t is true that every
provision of human legislation acts with inequality
and that disegarding the hardship or injury of in
dividual and isolated cases, Legislatures ought to
consult only the common good and general well
fare" But whilst the Legislature have an undoubt-
State, they have right do it, at the expense oil
aDother-and if in the before u.s. the South side
of the River is injured instead of being benefited
is plain, that the advantage conferred on the North
side, has been given at the direct expense of the
South for whilst that side of James River is recev.
ing no benefit from the Canal, they are losing the
present navigation that they have, or changing il
for worse. For the reasons above stat ed { think
that the exchange of the Canal for the ext ting na-
* tn all fe u1at;o ,l,<
South side Of the River. know that this will be
considered by scientific gentlemen, the Brn lloys
and Brjdgewaters," a very simple and un efIn-
ed objection, and simple it is, am not prepare
to defend it by entering into minute of calculation
but those gentlemen will certainly remove diff
hculty which weighs heavily on many plain minds.
if they prove that the South side of the River
not to be a loser by the Canal.
It is considered extraordinary in This part of tho
country, that the report of the Commissioner Mr.
Harrison, has never appeared in the public prints
and surmises Of no very ausPicious nature, to the
further prosecution of the canal, have been drawn
from the circumstance. Had the progress of the
canal been hattering, had there bee work 10 sbcv.
for the money expended, and if the expenditures
had not greatly exceeded the corresponding c,ti-
mates Of Moore and Briggs, it is believed that the
James River enthusiasts would have exhibited the
negative evidence, with triumph and exultatiou.
All are aware, that at the commencement of so ar
duous aud novel an enterprise, much money and
labor must be necessarily sacrificed, for the pur-
chase ofexperience-and even the active zeal, and
judicious mind of Mr. Harrison, must without its
light, be- at loss for the attainment ofhis objects
The great confidence Of all who know him, in his
sagacity, enterprizc and excellent judgment, have
contributed much to strengthen the public faith in
the utility and ultimate of the work he has
Supplemented for the last ~ months and to redeem
il in sOiCc degree from the uupouularif which ba