Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-01-22

10 which your memorialsts viii further
ask vote attention.
The states of Kentucky and Ohio,
and the western sections Of Virginia and
Pennsylvania enjoyed, iov considera-
BILE time, the whole supply OF the mar
ket Of Orleans, and of the consumption
of the lower mississippi. That advan-
tags tbsy no loager possess: they have
been deprived of it by the increase Of
population and Of agriculture below the
mouth of the Ohio, and above it upon
the Mississippi and Missouri, combm ed
with the SUPERIOR facilities far access to
this market, which these rivers afford,
aad by other obvious causes, which
need not be here detailed. Their intel
ligent citizens universally concur ia the
opinion, that the commerce OF almost
the whole region watercd by the Ohio
and its branches is prepared to abandon
the outlet of the Mississippi, and to
seek market across tine mountain, tor
the supply Of its wants, and the vent OF
ITS immense productions, so soon as
the water communication is opened to
it in that direction The state of Ohis,
Under the influence CT these views, has
been for near two years, and is now
anxiously preparing, by surveys of her
territory, to devote all her energies 10
enable her to avail herself of the advan-
tagcs that the great canal of New Yorl,
In connection with lake Erie, oilers to
her acceptance. Your memcrialists
cannot doubt that the proposed COM
Ia1nication would secure to the mar
kets of the Chesapeake, from Norfolk
to Baltimore, the advantages Of thfs
immense commerce. Their condolences
rests, in the comparison of the propos-
ed route With that of New York, upon
the following considerations
1t is shorter by several hundred miles.
1t avoids the charges, the risques, and
the inconyenicnces of shifting cargoes,
to the extent which river, lake, and
canal navigation combined, will render
unavoidable. Asl lastly, situated four
degrees farther south tnan that Of New
York, it will be obstructed by ice dur
ing a ,auch shorter portion ,,f winter.
Your memorialists will go intono mi
mute examinations, to enable them to
ascertain the limits within which the adj
vantages Of such commerce will be
felt ; whether these limits are to be
confined to the district of Columbie, or
will embrace the States of Virginia and
Maryland, or what portion of each or
eitLer of them. They feel, that in its
magnitude, will be found the guarantee
of its diffusion, from North Carolina to
Pennsylvania Combining themselves,
Here, to views in which Virginia is alone
concerned, they beg leave to advert
for a moment, to the effect of the pro-
posed connection upon that portion of
the state, west Of the Allegheny noun
tains. This region, though mountain
Gus, is fertile, and abounds with re-
sources of every description. Its eli
mate is healthy, and yet it is scarcely
peopled, in comparison with the cor
responding gion in Pennsylvania and'
New York. Gut offrom the market Of
Orleans by the causes that have been
alluded to, and without any other ave-
nue. to profitable Intercourse with the
world, agriculture and the arts languish
under the want of the ordinary incite-
nrent to labour. 1t is not to be doubted
that the proposed connection of the Po-
towmac with The Ohio, would render.
This section of the state, the abode of a
dense and hardy population, adding inn
mensely to its wealth, its strength, and
Its mower These views refer esnecial-
ly, to the country watered by the Mo-
nongahela, the Tygarts valley river,
and the Cheat but they are applicable,
in greater or less degree, to the Whole
territory in question.
There are other considerations be-
longing to this subject, of character
to excite feelings Of intense and anxious
interest, which your memorialists will
not be deferred from presenting by any
circumstances Of presumed delicacy,
attaching to them Conscious OF the
correctness their own feelings, and
assured by this consciousness, that they
seek no unjust advantages, they are
not aware OF the utility Of any DISCUSSES:
They are attached, fervently attached,
to this Union, and rejoice with an no.
nest Joy, in the prosperity of every
part oft They are, nevertheless, not
indifferent to the relative rank of Vir-
ginia, as member Of this confederacy,
nor unmindfll Of the mutations to which
empires as well as all things else are
liable, and they are therefore unwilling