Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-20
INTERNAL ENFORCEMENT.

The following papers are respectfully recon-
mended TO the readers attention. The subject is
very interesting and they worthy of lie snb-
ject. We have not yet expressed solitary opinion
on the mode OF effccng the great Improvement
which has 80 much occupied the attention of the
state: We have felt it TO be most complicated
subject: and false step in the public appropria-
tions is of more consequence, than on any other
disbursements, 80 tar as 1t relates to money for,
while other schemes call for thousands, this may
Sequire hundreds of thousands millions a
warning, indeed, not to lay out no money upon it,
bat to take the best care how we lay il out. A
stW tpater parallel canal, or the improve
ment Of the river either by dams and locks,
or by sluices Through parallel walls and wing
dams above) the principal alternatives present
ed TO our choice We fobear from entering fully
upon this subject at present: but would res
pectfully ask, whether time and experience have
not shaken that bold and splendid paradox, OF
BrindIey, that "riusrs ,oere only made to feed
canais'l Has Providence poured out river
into channel, only for man to make anoth-
er? Cannot any mpediments in the natural chan
mel be overcome by sluices and wing-walls or
dams and locks? In this steam ge too, how long
will il Ire before pole boats and track boats will be
entirely superseded by steom boats? Will not
their velocity save much time and time, much
money and expense? Ought not every improve
meni, them that is intended 10 be permanent, to be
made with an eye 10 improved steam 6odfsl And
then TO rail roads and se-movng machinery may
not some regard be had TO their possible use! Amid
these various projects, would it not be best 10 EN-
ploy the best qualified Engineers to surrey the
whole route above Maiden's Adventure-gel all
the calculations all tie projects and reserve
the great effort until the survey is completed say
by the session OF 1867?
FOR THE EMO UIRER.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA..
According to my promise in the Enquirer of
18Th inst. i submit to our view, the following ex-
tracts from the letters of young Virgnian now in
Europe. Whatever shades of difference may exis.
between my views and his, my desire to place the
subject which they relate IN all its various lights
induces. me without authority from the writer
TO offer this addition 10 the stock of information
You possess. How far his ideas may be reduced to
practice in relation 10 steam carriages on railways,
will perhaps he a subject OF future consideration.
The choice between tie different modes of i'm
provemeni, will have DO influence upon the scheme
Tor constructing railways, connected with the nay
CATION, since there must be Telosdng from one
vehicle TO the other. The only object will be 10
transport TO market upon the most convenient and
economical plan whatever may be brought to the
vgation, upon railways in common with every
other means of conveyance.
II it were decided to adopt one other Of these
two modes OF Improvement, II might be worthy Of
consider alton, whether il would be proper to direct
a preparatory survey with sview to the lock and
Gam system. Locating every dam; noting their
elevation above common tide; the elevation OF
the low grounds, and whether there would be
serious cause TO spprehend injsy to the lands, 10
crops, health of the neiglboring country. On
She other hand, noting what portion of the river
would be susceptible of highly improved sluce
navigation, and 70 what amount of freight. And
lastly, the total cost Of each respective plan in de-
tail. This idea is suggested by the consideration
that IT it were intended to adopt either of these
schemes, such preparatory survey would be
necessary; and by making it preliminary step, il
would afford an opportunity of weighing all the
advantages and disadvantages Of each, and Of leyn-