Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-12-05

serve IL shew that this description of popua.
ton is less demoralzed, than has generally been sup
posed. The copy of an authentic document, ina led
Il, Is herewith forwarded for the Information of the
General Assembly upon this point. From these, and
other Considerations, earnestly recommend review
OF these provisions of the pena laws the serics
ton of the General Assembly; and confden,ly RELY
upon its wisdom, justice and humanity for ren,elvirr
the evils as think them, If indeed evils ;they should
De deemed by the better judgment of the General As
sembly. hope TO be INDUCED for most respectfuIl,
recommending in Substitution OF the punishment of a
very, sale and transportation, the proprety Of appro
prating separate apartment in own Pcniteptiary
or the punishment of this most unfortunate descrip
ton OF persons. 1t seems to me, that plan might be
devised BY which their labor could be made 10 defray
the expenses OF their OWED punishmen,s, for their
crimes.
After having auentivey examined the reports upon
subject OF internal improvements had instruc
tive conversations with Capt Crozet--our able, frank
and inefat State Eugineer-wh view of ascer-
tanning the present condition and future prospects of
internal improvements within this stare; take plea
sure III informing the General Assembly, that found
beth better than had anticipated Whilst very large
sums have been. expended, without advantages COM
mensurne with the amount of the expenditures vet
more improvements have been actually made than
expected, and the losses from individual
been much less. Some works still progressing; aud
the third and last section Of the Manchester and Peters
burg Turnpike roa has been completed during the present
season. Upon being informed fact in the name,
prescribed by law, the 18th day o: May ias,,
autoSising the receipt toll de ,e
that section, that tol received upon
the whole road. There believe that the Man
chester and Petersburg Turnpike, will Re productve
stock After bestawing much reflection pon the CONVEX,
satons respecting internal Improvements with Capt, Gro
ze requested him reduce the substance of them 60
writing SO to exhibit plain and compeudous view of
the present condition of the urgent internal improves
ments required by the State, suggest the points
provement most wanted, and the difficulties which ha We
heretofore prevented their npetion This has
been performed by Capt. Crozet in very satisfactory
by report marked L, which will accompany thi,
communication. 1t will appear from this report that vas,
and splendd schemes Of Internal improvements are within
the contemplation of Capt Grocer, well as some of
more limited character. Some of these last, loudly call
for immediate execution. The FIST is road from Coyc-
ton to james river, the Blue Ridge. The second from
The termination of the present. Kanawha Turnpike to the
State line, separating it from Kentucky. by the mouth of
the Guyandott the mouth of Big Sandy. The third from
Winchester by Carksburg be extended to pukesburs
The three improvements might be carried
y or the extensions Of the kanawha Turnpike 10 the cs
ward might be postponed for the present. The compleon
of these three roddswuud nat only contrtute ese
TO the wealth, convenience and OF The peo-
of great portion of the Stair would give an entire
new and c'iserng aspect TO the State ITSELF
character. There is difficulty in assigning the true
cause ct the incosplstion Of these 1, the
y of The Inhabitants of tat of cuuntsy through
which they will three ts of the fund re-
tquired by law for that object present depessed
Of prices This is likely to conne so thai ,bc,
prospect of completing these great objects of internal
Improvement under the present system. within any so
tme So long the shall continue in rei
ton to these objects, long they win remain Incomplete
not intended however impair present system in
relation to any other objects. These questions
these great objects of internal imp,ove
men.s be completed at alp If what manner shall i,
be done! The only mode which me is that il
should be done by the States and of The State funds
II these three roads completed by the State
tona roads could then readily be made upon the prescn,
plan requiring three hs the to be subscribed bv
individuals. Until this be done by State longer
vity and delay will continue the
ugs in relation to the contemplated improvements; whilst
the delay itself would deprive the mprov Of
er portion OF then value The present time is peculiarly
favourable internal Improvements The prices of la nd
and labor unusually dcpressed and money readily
he obtained upon loan at moderate rates of Interest,"
1t is, therefore, most respectfully Submitted the wis
dom of the Legislature to determine, upon proprety
OF making the three roads designated the s,ate
ands relying upon the tolls for ultimate mt; &
no other funds for this object should at
its disposal of authorizing loans for the purpose The first
road would require 81 600. The second {
The third $4,000. The whole OF these sums seem
to me unimporant, compared with the facility Of OBJ
tanning thenaDd the great importance of the objects
10 be effected by them hope to be INDUCED for re-
marking, as farther inducements TO the adoption OF this
rscommendaton--tha the greater part of these con
templated improvements might be completed in one
season, and the whole in two by due application of
abundant funds and that where enterprise is ON foot
attended with an assurance of speedy accomplishment
and abundant funds applied 10 il, The works proceed
With spirit, acfigy and alacrity and good effect
whereas wien funds are scantly inadequatey sup
piled, the work is attended with iangor, distrus ex-
pensveDess and delay.rbe great point to be ascer-
ained, to justify any project for internal Improvement
IS that the utility of the project, when completed shall
more than compensate the inconvenience occasioned
by the expenditure in its completion. When this point
is ascerlaDed with sufficient certainty, then true policy
and true economy would require that competent funds
be at once supplied and the Improvement be at once
accomplished. Undcr the present Recommendations
there cannot exist doubt, but that the improy emenis
when completed will greatly than compensate in
value the px expenditure for their completion.
grand and splendid project Of improvement men,
toned in Captain Crozets report of connect
ing the New river with the Roanoke and the Roanoke
with the James River This project is reported by
Captain Crozet to be not only practicable, but easy Of
execution and 1t IS understood that its will be
comparatively small, with any other extensive internal
Improvement yet completed contemplated, within
the United States In case the improvement should be
completed, il would open field for speculation as
10 the extent OF ITS utility, with of The Western
and Southern States, well as Virgiua, and il would
present a. least one great advantage the Justly
celebrated canal Of New York: II is in latitude
which would seldom subject the navigator Of canal 10
the obstruction by ice; whereas the New York canal
is completely Distracted probably five mouths in the
year.