Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-03
COMMUNICATED.
INTERNAL. IMPROVEMENT.

COJHJHUWIC-HTEO.
INTERNAL. IMPROVEMENT.
Tofhe People If Montgomery, Wythe, &c.
observe that the people of Montgomery,
Wythe. Sc. are about to apply to the General As
sembly Tor survey to be made, with view to
| connect, by navigable canal, the waters OF Hol-
stein. New River, Roanoke, James River, &c.
This has long been considered interesting sub
Ject. Eight or ten years ago, Col. George Ham
cock and Others attempted 10 ret on foot this inves
tigation. We were not able, then, TO awaken sui
fcent interest in the SUBJECT carry il into effect
Bat, AZ the improvements Of James River and
| Roanoke approach the mountains, the people OF
this section OF the state will more distinctly,
that they to participate in these improvements.
and feel more interest in making the proposed in
designations
In addition 10 the surveys, proposed to be made,
would observe, that 1t was part of the plan of
COL Hancock and'bis associates. TO make survey
OF that part of lie Roanoke which is above the
Blue Ridge and its passage through tie mountain.
There has been survey of Roanoke below, and
as high as Smiths mountain. If survey be now
made from the highest point, that Rosnoke can be
made navigabe, down 10 Smiths mountain, 1t
would complete the survey of the whole river.
believe, ON examining this part of the river,
there viii be found no unusual difficulty, except
where the river passes the Blue mountain. have
lnotexamned this part of the river; but, from the
description have had Of il. there would be no great
difficulty in rendering it navigable, by short canal
However, the expense of survey will not be
great; and what propose TO the people of Mont
gomery, Boei ourt. Wvtbe, &c. is, that, if they
obtain an order of survey. il be made to embrace
the examination of Roanoke, above the Blue Ridge
| and down 10 Smiths mountain where, think, the
survey made by MIR. Moore terminated.
This, by some, may be considered as more i'm
medately the business of the Roanoke Company.
But, would say, that the managers of the Roam
oke Company live at a distance, aud are occupied
attending to the business of the lower part of the
river. We may presume that the survey will be
made at public expense. The most proper persons,
then, to procure the order and attend the survey,
viii be those whip reside at hand; who can at
tend the survey with convenience, and are inter-
esied in the navigation Of that part of the river.
The Junction Canal Company, formed with
view TO connect the waters of Roanoke and James
River, are expected 20 commence operations next
spring. have no doubt of their success, if they
persevere in their undertaking. In few years it
will not be matter of speculation, but of proof,
whether Roanoke and James River can be united
IN this way. There are but few better acquainted
than myself, with the country from Salem ia Bote-
tourt to tide water Should the Junction Canal
Company be successful in their undertaking, give
II as my opinion, that the cheapest and best way to
market, will be down Roanoke, and across TO the
waters OF James River by the Junction Canal.
This opinion is no, given by me, thar you should
rely on 1t, altogeher but to induce you 10 do as
have done, examine the subject and Judge for your
selves. Many OF you 81 no reside on the head of
the river, know but little of the extent, the wealth.
and the power Of the Roanoke country, if the peo-
pie could be brought to act together. This fine
country, blessed in soil and climate. possessing
every thing but foreign market for the products
OF their land and abour, opens to be the hens or
selvages OF rwo different states. This has pre-
sented difficulties which delayed our attempts 10
improve the navigation of the river for many
years We have, al length, surmounted these diff
hcues, and given motion to our united efforts, On
the East side Of the mountain. We began at the
lower part of the river. We have canaled around
the great falls, and opened a way TO Albemarle
Sound. We are now directing our efforts up the
river, improving the beds of Dan and Siaunton.
as before observed, the Junction Canal Company
will i'll the spring commence the work to connect
the Roanoke and James River; so that the Roam
oke country may have choice Of markets. And
will not be long till Roanoke and the numerous
branches that compose it, shall be the highwa vs. for
the products OF this extensive country, TO either
of those outlets, interest or convenience NAV
invite. This declaration is no vain boast II will
be effected in few years. And the object Of this
address is TO induce you 10 arise and investigate the
subject; and, IL you agree with US in the opinion
we have formed, unite your efforts with ours, so
tar as to aid IN the execution of that part of this
| tShsiFS pail WHICH - NJ your own tnTeshhOid,
| and In which you are more immediately interested
Be not discouraged at the extent of the plan The
whole Is a well settled country. Ii only requires
a general effort; and in few yelrs the lands wa
tered by the Roanoke and It's branches will I've
worth double The price they now sold for. In
oder 10 show that this work MAJ be done, will
divide it,, and allot to each his portion.
The Roanoke Company have fund.-, and are pro-
| ceeding TO improve Dan and Staunton, to the Blue
l Rilge. I.etE franklin -,
and Black water Let Henry and Patrick improve
Smiths River, Ma $, &c. Let Pittsylvania i'm D.
prove Banister and Sandy river. Let the counties
above the mountain, improve Roanoke, from the
mountain, as high as practicable. Let the com
monwealth cut the canal through The Blue Ridge,
as they have done James River. Let Halifax
| Charlotte, Prince Edward and Petersburg with
such extra aid as may be obtained, open the juno
lion Canal Let those counties in North Carolina
hat border on Dan River, improve the streams
that pass through them, and empty into Dan. Thus
We see, when we have divided the work, and given
to each his portion, the whole may be easily ac-
complished
| Should difficulties arise 10 the manner of exc
cutting the work az to the general principle on
hich tolls should be COLLECTED and applied; or
should IL be necessary 10 come to an understanding
Nth The Roanoke Compy, as to their rights, obli-
cations and privileges, relating to the part OF the
river above the mountain, let us from each county
send deputies, and meet with the Roanoke Com
pany when they shall be called together Were
1t left TO me to propose time and place of meet
ing, ! would say Halifax Courthouse, at their NAV
court next
| will close with these remarks. Our country is
blessed with free government prosperous. be-
! yond exatnpe--at peace with all the world Lei
us heartily unite our efforts TO erect monumen,
that shall transmit TO posterity some portion of these
advantages that shall tell them 10 future times