Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-11

erect the most necessary iostihcatloh, without
the previous explicit authority ana sanction OF
the state wherein the work is 10 he erected!-
Vain and idle, indeed, was this restrictlon, II
| that same government has a perfect right to en-
ter upon the soil Of a state, whatsoever and
wheresoeyer it may please to take possession
| of the same, convert it to its own use and pur-
poses, and render subject ~notonly the property
but the persons Of the people to the jurisdiction
of its courts; for, it would seem 10 follow, that
the right to create, imposed the obligation to
preserve, and this duty would call for the impo-
sition Of regulations, the violation or disregard
of which ought of consequence TO render
amenable TO punishment the offending indl-
vidual? One usurpation always begets another
and another, until at last the original form of
government is lost, and liberty exists only in
the records of the past. Virginia has ever been
found exerting her influence against the exer-
else Of this alarming power. Her motives can
not be misunderstood by her sister states. Her
wants are as great as theirs can well be. Pos
sessing a surface ofterritory larger than almost
any other state in the union, the moiety OF (which
is distinguished by its irregularities, she would
find many inducements in accepting in the form
of internal improvements, the largesses OF the
General Government. But she will not surren-
der voluntarily hel Constitutional rights. She
believes that liberty can only be preserved by
unfolding the federative principle, and she re-
CARDS consolidation as the greatest Of evils.
But the maintenance Of these principles de-
wolves a high duty on the Legislature. A pa
rental care is demanded at its hands, and the
wants Of the State should be supplied by tha,
care. Cherish the people and improve the coun-
try-let the citizen be taught to look only TO this
government for aid towards the improvement
Of his condition, with the certainty that where
it is deserved, it will be bestowed, SO tar as the
means of the State will allow. Then will be fur
nished another guarantee of his fidelity to the
Constitution, and a formidable breastwork be
provided against the encroachments Of the Fee
deral Government. All local prejudices should
give way before this great work. The country
below tide-water requires, it is true, but little
at the hands of the government; but it will be
too we'll convinced of its own interest (for what
is interesting to one part must be SO TO every
other part Of the State, since it is the Common
property of ALL not to extend a helping hand
to more distant portions requiring and loudly
calling for aid. 1t will also regard the advances
which it may thus make from the public chest
in the light Of loans, yielding, when judiciously
made, all interest upon the expenditure, aud
holding out the certainty of ultimate reimburse
ment. While | deprecate an i'll directed enthu-
siasm, as having done more mischief in the
world than almost every thing else, | cannot
fail to invoke that spirit Of liberality, which,
when well regulated, is productive only Of bene-
fit.
Works are already in progress, Of great be-
neft and importance TO the State. The Dis
NAL Swamp Canal, connected with the improve
ment Of the Roanoke River, opens the prospect
of extensive utility, presenting an improved,
navigation Of upwards of four hundred miles.
This Canal, when it shall have been so enlarged
as 10 enable the vessels, navigating Albemarle
Sound, to pass through it with facility, will
open new prospects on Norfolk, our principal
seaport town; and will offer immense advantage
es to the citizens of North Carolina and Virgil
MIA. This State has evermore cherished this
improvement, as is fully testified, not only by
her subscriptions TO its stock and that of the
Roanoke Company, but by loans effected with
the Canal Company; and it cannot, therefore,
fail to be a subject of much regret that she
should be deprived by the interposition Of the
General Government, Of the honor OF having
completed it, when it required but the mere fl
nishing and.
The improvement of the Appoma,to1 above
Petersburg, while it has opened new and i'm
portant facilities to the trade of a fertile coun-
try, has not realized 10 the stockholders as yet,
any thing of profit. 1t has been considered ju-
dieious by the Company to enlarge their sub
seriptions, and the Legislature directed a fur
Their investiture of funds, but on conditions
which the Company deemed unequal and OPP
p~ressive, and therefore rejected. Whether
sound policy would not dictate such changes in
those conditions, as would be calculated more
fully to meet the views of the stockholders,
will no doubt be deemed worthy your enquiry.
Should it be thought advisable to open a COM
munica,ion between the waters of the Little
Roanoke and the Big Buffaloe, as seems to be
wished and desired, and which can be effected
by means of an intermediate portage of eight
miles or less, strong hopes are entertained by
many that it would in process of time have a
most important bearing on the improvements
which have already been consummated. AT
present it is only contemplated TO improve the
3ufIaloe to the distance Of some eighteen miles,
the greater portion of which work is effected,
and to mark out and improve the connecting
road, and from the effects thus to be deduced,
a probable estimate may be formed Of the sue
cess of the whole scheme. So far it would
seem proper to give encouragement TO it,
- -1-k 49, l. 1-~ls ~t - r.,