Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-02-26
Virginia Legislature.

SATURDAY, Feb. 1.-THE house resolved
itself into q committee of the whole, Mr.. .oy-
all in the chair, and took into consideration the
bin autbotsing loan for the purposes OF inter
| nal Improvement,
| Mr.. Patteson of b. expressed himself oppo.
! sed 10 the Bill. He moved to strike ou' the first
section, in order to test the sense of the house,
on 1t: principle He said it presented subject
more dangerous, more momentous and alarming
| than any other on which the legislature had
been called on TO involving financial diff
| cultes the end OF which no one could foresee,
| &c. sc.
| Mr. Colstoa then took the floor in favor of
| the bill Ee occupied it nearly two hours, in
an elaborate speech. He was glad that the mo
ton had been made before the friends of the bill
| had attempted to amend its details, because it
| at once brought on the question as to its me-
rts, and might save much time and labor. He
conceded that the question was one OIL the great
est importance Would Virginia make one
great effort, and take that stand which com
ported with her wealth, her population, her
resources, and the great advantages which at
:he hands of bounufuI providence she enjoy
ed? Or would she abandon all these, and yield
herself up to penury, TO poverty. and to that
depression which was so constantly sinking her
Low or and lowerin the scale of the Union! He
commented at some length on this topic, and
inferred from the decline of the state, that
thing was wrong in tn S policy. He contrased
contiguous and similar portions Of Virginia and
penrsy lvania. The one with all the natural
fertility and advantages of the other, was wild
and dreary, while the other was prosperous
and fourishing smiling under the influence of
industry, enterprise and public spirit. This dit
ference he ascrlbed to The fact that Pennsyva-
MIA had husbsnded all her resources and had
tostered, with the most parental solicitude, her
system of turnpike roads. &c. &c. Thus, IN
measure, nearer 10 market, and cementing the
whole together
lie next went into an examination of the in-
ducements and OF the means with which Nlr-
GINA might embark in the most extensive
schemes Of internali mprovement-and attempt
ed to prove by long and Iqborious calculation,
that the interest Of the sums to be borrowed
and the gradual ex,inguishment OF the principal
would be met by the revenue derlvable from
the works to be undertaken. without further aid
from any other quarter.
In reply to the objection which was urged
he remarked that if the scheme was magnf-
cient, it was owing to the great extent and re-
sources Of the country it embraced. If the a
mount OF money it called for was great. 1t uas
owing to the necessities and the CRYING wants
Of the people.
The question was taken on striking out the
first section, and carried in tie GGrmati@s.
Ayes SO, Noes 81.
MIR. lancey said that he had anticipated this
vote, and prepared a substitute tor the bill,
which he offered for the consideration Of the
committee. 1t provides for borrowing the ne
Glossary SUMS to complete the lanes River Ca.
ma! Up 10 the Maiden's Adventure falls, and the
kana~ha road and iwer; aud pledges certain
funds as well the faith the state tor the pay
mtnt ot Me interest.
Mr.. Lordon then moved MAT the committee
rise, rcPor progress and ask leave 10 ST again
ia 'h,s motion Messrs. Pauceon Of Il aud Yam
ccy concur.td. It wss opposed b. MIR Wins.
t"i. Who expressed himself satisfied With the
Substitute, and vlsbe.t The euoiect to be dispo-
std .t IA the house
The cnnn.ttee then rose, and Mr.. -, all re-
ror,d .od -Scl leave to -, agtin. This cave
"a, p.P.,ep y Neasts " :si0b and Pat. son