Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-05-26
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

The following are extracts from that
part of the Message of Governor WoL-
cor to the Legislature of CoNyEcrI-
CUT which relates to the expediency Of
Internal improvements by the General
government:
"ln my opinion, the period has arri-
we'd. when a comprehensive system of
National improvements ought to be
formed, and | think that the North Eas
tern states, are invited to cooperate
with the rest of the Union, by every con-
sideration arising from a sense of duty,
honor, aud interest. This section en-
braces a great agricultural, commercial,
and manufacturing region. We well
understand the mutual relations Of these
interests, and know that they all four
ish best, when all are impartially pro-
tected, Such Improvements as have
been noticed, would direct the currents
of our rivers upon elevated plains, null
tiply hydraulic powers, increase the
fertility of the subjacent soil, develop
and distribute the treasures in our
mountains, animate the industry and
'f all the people, connect there inter-
ests with those established on the whole
line of seacoast, and with like interests
in the Southern States, increase all their
relations with this State, and enable
every portion to participate in the i'm
measurable advantages, which the Ca
nails of New York will confer on the
Western States, and through the M, on
the new Republics Of the Western
Hemisphere.
ut is an interesting subject, to deter
mine the system by which these great
objects can be most advantageously ac-
complished. That they embrace vital
interests in several contiguous States:
that the completion Of them will occupy
a considerable portion Of time and ex-
tensive labors, and require great expen-
ditures, is certain. Yet believe, that
if they are commenced on correct prin-
ciples, and are wisely and honestly con
Quoted, they will occasion no waste of
public resources; but hat on the con
trary, the capitals which may be expen-
ded, will be replaced, and that the re-
gular incomes that they will produce,
! viii supply funds for new combinations
and still greater improvements. At the
present period no money is boarded by
civilized and commercial nations, be-
You'd what is required for immediate
use. A well organized and established
public credit, is, to them, invaluable.
The credit ofno country is superior to
that Of the United States and the Eas-
tern States. At the present time, great
capitals are unemployed, arising from
accommodating dividends, and the extinc-
ton of National and other debts. The
interest of money is consequently low
and loans for p~ermanents, wherever a
convertible satisfactory security can be
presented, may be readily obtained.n
Il take the liberty to suggest, that a
transferable stock might be created by
the National Government, The accounts
ofwhich should be kept distinct from
those which relate to tie funded debt,
which ought to be preserved in the pre-
sent regular course of extinction. This
stock should be rendered solely .appll.
cable to the aid of such improvements,
as were specifically sanctioned by the
government, with the consent of the
states, in which they were located. 1t
might be declared redeemable at the
periods when the authorized improve
ments became productive of income,
which periods can now be nearly as
certained by precise contracts; the inn
provements, when productive ~ofrevenue
by being Invisible into shares, would
be desirable objects in which the funds
of states, local corporations, and indivi-
duals, might be safely and permanently
invested, thereby supplying
for redeeming the National stock, which
had been advanced.
"If the first distribution of stock were
prudently made, and in no greater a.
mounts than the public credit would
fully sustain, without displacing that
portion Of public industry which win
be constantly required for other objects;
these immense advantages might be i'm
parted td the separate States, afording
to them constant augmentations of their
revenues, derived from mere Temporal
~ loans of public credit, without any
actual advances from the Treasury
The operation ofthese loans of credit,
would be wholly different from the
waste of capital occasioned by war they
would not diminish those expenditures,
which the government may desire to
make, as strictly national improvements
from the proceeds of their revenue as
at present established, and they would