Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-01-06
am, Fellow-Citizens,
Yours Respectfully,
EDWARD COLSTON.
Richmond, Dec. q, 1924
INTERNAL IMPROVE MENTS.

The f5ilo4eipg extract from the report Of tbt
Secretary of War, recently communicated -te
Congress, designates the improvements which 1t
is in contemplation to make under the law of the
last session. After noticing the distribution of
powers and duties between the national and
governed the department in determining what
objects were embraced in the act, the Secre.
tary proceeds:
These principles being fixed, it only remain.
ed to apply them to our actual geographical
portion to determine what particular routes
were of ''n1tonal importance" and which ac-
cordingly the board should be directed to ex
anime in order TO cause surveys, plans. and
estimates, to be prepared. as directed by the
act.
The frs. and most important, was conceived
to be the route tor canal extending from the
seat of government, by the Potomac, to the
Ohio river, and thence 10 Lake Erie and. ac-
cord,nglv, as soon as the board was organized,
il was ordered 10 examine and Cause this i'm.
portant route to be surveyed. DIR. William
Howard and Mr.. James Shriver both ofwhom
were well acquainted with the localities of the
route were associated as assistants with the
board. Two Typographical brigades Gall that
could be spared from the survey of he Coast,
for the E.urpose of fortiication.) and one bfi
gade of surveyors under Mr.. Shriver, were
placed uuder the orders of the board.
The examination OF the route was completed
in September. but the survey will not be finish
ed till the next session. That part of il. how
ever, which is most interesting. the section OF
the summit level of the Allegheny, including its
eastern slope, is completed, WHICH, il is hoped
will enable the board to determine, during the
present winter, on the pracucability OF the pro-
ject. Should 1t prove practicable, It's execution
would be ofiacacu'a5le advantage to the coan.
try 1t would bind together. by the strongest
bond oFcommon interest and security, very
large portion ofthis Union: but. in order fully
to realise its importance in national point OF
view," it will be necessary to advert to some
OF the more striking geographical features OF
our country.
The United States may be considered, in a
geographical point of view, as consisting OF
three distinct parts, of which the por,,on ex.
tending along the shores of the Atlantic, and
back to the Allegapv mountains, constitutes one,
that lying on the Lakes and the St. Lawrence
another; and that watered by the Mississippi,
including It's various branches, the other These
several portions are very distinctly marked by
well defined lines, and have naturally but lit
tie conneSon, particularly in commercial
point OF view. II - Unil Dl auuClal means OF
communication that this natural separation can
be overcome; to effect which much has area-
dy been done. The great canal OF New.York
firmly unItes the country OF the Lakes with The
Atlantic through the channel of the North
River; and the National Road from Cumberland
10 Wheeling. commenced under the admins
tration of Mr. Jefferson. unltes, but more imper-
fectly, the Western with the Atlantic states.
But the complete union of these separate parts,
which, geographically, constitute our country,
can only be effected by the Completion of the
projected csuai 10 the Ohio and Lake Erie, BY
means OF wh!cu the country lying on the Lakes
will be firmly united to that on the Western
waters, and both With TIE Atlantic states, and
theawhole intimately connected with the centre.
These considerations, OF themselves, without
taking INTO view Others, fairly bring this great
work vi hin the provision OF the act directing
the surveys; but when we extend our views,
& consider The ONO & The Mississippi, with its
Srea, branches. but as prolongaton Of the
canal, IT must be admitted to be NOT only of ma
uonai Importance, but Of the. very highest ma
ID a commercial, military. tional Importance
and political poht of vclw. Thus considered
N'h' Dives the completion Of the Improvements