Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-30

his Notes Virginia describes the pecuar facilities
afforded by the near approach of the james and kona
VIVA rivers, for an internal CONNER between the in
habitants OF their banks, and OF the extensive terrific
ries TO which they lead.
In addition to all the anticipations ofhs early period
OF American independence, the much later
of ineXhausube stores OF salt, rs well as coal ON the
banks of the Kenawha, has enforced the policy of OK
tending the commerce Of that river fur as practical
bic, into the interior of Virginia.
IL Is, however, when regarded bond of union and
source of common benefit 10 the United States that
the undersigned prcsCme 10 consider this object WORTHY
of the attention vi the Federal Government In recon-,
menGiug this channel of Internal intercourse they do
not BY any design undcryalue the o,ce
of many others of like character
Between all the contemplated canals for connect ting
the Atlantic and Western waters, and between them
and the magnificent enterprise already accomplished
by The unasaisted efforts of New York the UNDERSIGNED
can perceive no rational grounds for jealousy or rival
ship They confidently believe, that if every drop of
water winch can be conducted to the summit level of
any AegaDy canal was TO be applied nj sucb o.
vation To the purpose of internal navigation tue whole
would not suiice TO interchange the vast and RAPIDLY in
crcasing productions of the Eastern and w esern States
me same remarks apply, with nearly equal force to
the portaSes, between, taken in connection with tho
navigation OF their chief rivers In the memorable ac
Of congress OF 1902, which empowered the People of
ONO 10 form their present Constitution of State Coy
ernment fund was set apar, for laying out and ma
KING Pubhc roads, leading 10 Me rire, Ohio from the
nanSaofe 'catc's emptying into Tic atlantic.
IL Is evident that more than single road was here
begun had ITS origin and direction fixed bv the aop
uon Oh District on the banks of the Potomac for
me permanent seat of the Federal Government vet
heiher the terms of this act benecent purpose
exclude the claims of other port ions of The United
States to the extension of the liberal policy which i,
denotes.
The kenawha river. from It's CIR eat Falls to lis mouth.
distance o near one hundred miles presents as few
pcdrnenis TO navigation the Ohio above that MONT:
and those natural distractions, which are encountered
a. 10" water art Is now engaged in removing, with
every prospect OF complete success
On the other hand, no stream OF like extent and
VIVA such rapids, has ever been opened TO navigation
IT is believed at little comparative cost as The James
river.
That feature OF the topography of the United States
which Is inaDifest lii the outlines of liz extensive
sca-coast and principal mountains, and their gradual
divergence towards The South, gives the rivers of
TINS region more extended course and iinparts 70 them
higher value for purposes of navigation. An exami-
nation OF the dividing ridge which separates the Roam
ohe and the James rivers from the kenawha discloses
aothcr peculiarly, that this ridge is where within
me middle States elevated little above its immediate
BASE as amidst the head waters those rivers II has
been ascertained, by repeated surveys that the nayiga
tIon OF James and JaCkson rivers may be extended nm
TO )unlaps creek, branch of the latter while it is
ocheved that the portage thence 10 the mouth of How
ARDS creek branch of Greenbrier if canal between
them be pronounced inpracticable NAV be reduced
oeio" tiree degrees of elevations; and that the valley
extending from the last mentioned point TO the Great
ais OF kenawha, would admit of the construction
OF canal, or rail way, having, 10 a distance of
hundred 'nles, descent not exceeding twelve hun
dred feet
The State of Virginia has not been unmudf,I If
these natural and striking characteristics OF her ter
ritory.
Inc resolution TO create special fund for their i'm
pro.cment, lrst considered IN the commencement and
inaIy adopted at the close of the last American war
sulhclenty naniiess the sensbty of her legislative
councils to these natural claims upon their patriotism
| and intelligence.
But having MOI less than three Atlantic rivers which
rise III the Ailegany nearly opposite TO the sources of
as many DISCRIMINATING many more which have their
origin IN those chains of mountains which RIM nearer
me ocean; and, washing the bases of these mountains
numerous tributaries of all those rivers deemed like
men, worthy OF public regard for purposes of nayima-
uon-her resources are wholly disproporoued TO the
demand made upon them by that spirit of internal
Improvement, which, wherever it NAV have orqi-
Mated pervades at present. not on,f her own inter-.
or but the United States and their vast esern terri
.oiies. 49,
II 1t be incumbent upon every State 10 improve by
her peculiar treasure the bonties of Providence with
we" 10 er own policy, ii is equally duty of the
Cn'o OF which she member, 10 avail itself of all its
constitutional power 10 apply those natural advantages
to the common defence and general welfare
hateyer may have been the authority which the
General Government derived from lis oIv act that of
lOO2 authorizing the admission of the Stale of Ohm
mo Tue tnion to construct the National road between
Inc Potomac and Ohio rivers-the same authority with
such consent OF the Legislature of Virginia rs was
CURED and conceded to the execution Of that act must
apply to every species of similar improvements under
the sanctions.
The Undersigned avail themselves precisely the same
sanction to sustain their present recommendation TO the
Executive of the United States.
The recent appropriation BY large majorities of both
houses OF Congress- to the survey ofsuabe routes for
roads and canals of general interest Itself repetition
only OF former acts, recognizes the authority of tie Fe
dera' government TO make the particular survey herein
requested Conormaby 10 the provisions OF the act Of
lGo6 passed III furorance fkst of 1902 such surveys
need not await The consent of any State
But, were such consent regarded as a condition pre-
Cedent TO any exercise of this Federal or National au
tofIy The assent ofthe General Assembly OF Virginia
IS presumed to have been already expressly as well as
oy implication, accorded TO the exercise of this power
10 an extent exceeding that to which the undersigned
propose now ocarry il. For, if not DerIblo directly
from the act oil Tie General Assembly Of G07 consent
ing TO The construction of the Cumberland road il NAV
be deri ed from sources less equvocal
ne hrst OF those esolutious Of which copy is sub
Ioincu' was sent up TO the Senate of Virginia by tie
House OF Delegates, from whose journal il transcr
90. on thc 2Ilh EehrMarY. 1910 Iatn ~. nLo-.