Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-23

less distance. and perhaps less expense, than by
any other way. Il
We might proceed TO shew, that the articles OF
fur and peltry, for example, Of which, vast guam
titles annually brought from those immense
regions which give rise TO Missouri, aud MISSISSIPPI
ri, and TO the tributaries of the Lakes Superior,
Michigan and Huron; and which trade is already
extending TO the sources of Mackenzie, Hajijah
and OIregon-would probably be led TO seek their
way to the Ocean, via this route, in preference to
any other. Because, i, would be equally az direct
to the Ocean. any other. and perhaps equally as
cheap in point of trans portaton the outlet via the
lakes ST, Lawrence, being greatly longer than this
being frozen up hall the ear, s. passing principally
through other douinions, and the passage to tide
water via Missouri and Mississippi, being nearly
impenerable those articles in consequence OF the
heat and humidity OF the southern Climates. The
amount of this trade is best known TO the Ameri-
can and British Canadian Fur COMPANIES; but, that
it is immense, cannot be doubted, when we reflect,
that there enter ell the City of New York, (vide
N. Y. Gaz.) in one day, in June, 1923, via the
Lakes and the Western Canal, furs and peltry, :" TO
the amount of 100000.
We might proceed to shew, that in cases of
emergency. many articles would bear uspsporta-
ton from Ohio and Kanawha, to the interior and
seaboaid of Virginia, which have hitherto not been
worth their conveyance: salt, for example, which
during the late war; cost or 81 carriage FER bushel,
from .Ianawha 10 Lynchburg, sc. could then be
conveyed from one OF those points 10 the other,
see No. ~ for Sl0 90 per Ton, 90 cents per
bushe, including toll doubled. and carriage. ~
We might proceed 10 she,y, that the revenue de-
rived from the trade in these articles, and some
Others which might be mentioned, would amount
To a large sum annually, in addition to the sums
calculated ca Nos. and 6: But, as we trust it
has been shewn in Nos. =, 3 4 and u, that the re-
venue derived from the other trade on James and
kanawha Rivers, will be ample TO pay for the
works; and forever after, TO afford handsome re-
venue 10 the state, after reducing the cost OF toll
carriage to one-fourth, or one-tenih of what they
now are, viz. provided the state would now en-
gage in il on large scale, and afford it suc pa
fronage as would ensure Its completion speedily
and economically: we deem farther calculation
superlluous
Much might be said, the Necessity OF those
improvements. imagine il might be easily demon
straeI, that the annual amount of losses of proper
ty on kanawha River, and more particularly on
James River, in their present state by the losses of
life and piopertyby una odable wrecks and by the
dimauion III the value of property, owing TO I'M
aFodable delays in getting il TO market in due time
tn command the beS' prices, all which would be
comparatively obviated by the canals, would "a
mount 10 an annual sum nearly or quite sufiicien,
TO pay the interest on the capital which would ex-
ecue the whole works, and that they are therefore
necessary.
In time OF war, this necessity is still more str-
king. A little while ago, when the dark clouds of
warwere lowering over the western horizon, when
Britain's hostile legions were lining our borders
and her iieets blockading our harbors while the
smoke OF her muske;ry darkeping our aimos-
phere, and the thunder OF our canons shaking the
foundations OF our cities, many ID platoon of the
brave sons OF the west was seen standing on the
canada lines, or on the Mississippi aIluvion with
out arms or ammunition, at time when abundance
OF SWORDS and muskets were rustng in the Rich
mond Armory, and James River Arsenal; or had
frozen up on the way 10 Point Pleasant, for the
sheer want OF means OF conveyance: Yes, the con-
yeyance OF a few arms TO Point Pleasant, during
The late war, cost the public IN sney than half
years tonnage OF James River, would cost on the
canal.
Much might be said on the utility of those i'm
pToyements, both in national, and local point of
view. Nothing could tend more than this, TO
bind together indisso!uby, the eastern and western
parts OF Virginia. and OF this section of the Union
In consequence OF the mutual u,aion of interests.
ana inteIchans-o o; ceilings aud acquaintance which
must necessarily result.
In point of local advantages, let me make one
or two statements, from which Comparison will
necessarily be inferred.
ISL Assuming, that for distance Of 10 miles
on each side oil canal. the land will be enhanced
per acre, which has been realized in every coun-
Try where canals have been made-then each 100
miles OF canal, would raise the value of the land
on Its borders. ESQ, 900, sum more than ample
10 make 1t, for that distance Fit be said ha, this
advantage would result to the owners of the Lard
Alone anu not 10 the state, let il be answered that
whatever adds to the wealth of any part, adds 10
the wealth O. the whole state; for the state being
an aggregate of individuals, its wealth consists OF
the wealth OF those Individuals justly and equita-
bly, taxed.
I'd. The amount of profits 10 the single county
of Monroe, in New York, arising from ihe adyan
tage OF canal navigation, during the year 1923 de
rived from official source, (Ohio Canal Com
rnissioners' Report, TO Legislature, Jan. 1924
was as fol ows.
494, 900 bushels OF wheat, manufactured at the
Rochester mills in 1928, which before the COM
pleton OF the Erie Canal, 10 that place, was
worth but so cents per bushel, S2l7. 600
Average value OF wheat at Rochester,
for 1928, "a cents per bushel, S464, 800
Difference, $2i7,3GO
2, 600 tons OF merchandise, &c. brought
up at a saving in consequence of canal
navigation, of S2i per ton, AZ 600
Property not marketable before viz.
slaves, timber, tanners bark, plaster
rails, posts, plank, sc Sc 10000
Total $275, 800
This profit TO one county, in one year, is more
than the interest on the s., 900 which the
whole Grand Canals COST There was no mate
rial change in the foreign demand for breadstuG,
within the above time, which could have produced
he difference in the value of wheat at Rochester
Sd. A statement OF Canals in England with the
first of the stock of cach its present price and
yearly dividend:
N,me. or C,,,i, First cost Of Present price An div on
ashue Of a share. esrhs share.
Birmingham e 20 6 sos e 20
Chesterfield 100 100