Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-12

aud ninety cents, paying an interest OF xix and
five per certs. The interest on the whole Is
Sf27, 6TS SO per annum: and the fund applicable
to The extnguishment of this deb, will, it is be-
iieved, amount this year to Sl,057 $50 46. To
wits .ttta
From Tolls 81 S77l, $50 10
From Auction Duties for the fiscal
year. ending Goth Nov. last, 2Oo.7S7 81
Salt Duties 77.405 80
Other sources 7,635 10
g. BY the constitution this fund cannot, ought
it to be, diverted from its designated object. This
State has derived great reputation from its enter
prize in undertaking and its persevera us15n exe-
cutting work of immense benefit, and ite~} ksh, to
set aro'her example of the exfinguishmem of a
great public debt This precedent will be more
beneficial in ITSELF and more animating in all its
aspects and consequences, than any fugitive even
permanent advantage that can emanate from
ther course. In the mean time. we must feel
tain that this important object will be soon accom-
Plished, and we safely make prospective cal,
culations accordingly. The primary object Of all
improvements which create and facilitate commu
nicaton by land water, is the public accom-
mediation and the promotion OF internal com
merce.
'Revenue, althougha desirable. is only a secon-
Diary inducenent, and whenever collision arises,
the subatern must, in all other instances, yield
to the principal consideration The standard, by
which all operations of this kind ought to be regu-
lated is the public ability to sustain the expense
and aithossh income may enter into the considera
ton OF that question, yet when the capacity may
exist withou, reference to the proceeds of a work
erected Tor the general accommodation, the result
ing avails be the controlling Undue ement
and it ought always to be emphaticsliy understood
that the expenditure of pu.lic money in works of
utility eniches the country in which it is applied
increases its ability to defray The public burdens,
establishes profitable markets In all directions,
hances the value OF land, augments the amount of
capital and rewards the exertions of industry and
the exhibitions Of ingenuity. In times of pressure.
no relief be etfectuaI, and the experience
OF The country, through which the western and
northern canals constructed, evinc ed the at
sence OF hose dis!resses, which for considerable
portion Of the time, were felt in almost every
other quarter. The funds thus employed circulat-
ed from the extremities to the heart Of the body
poiltic, quickening the movements of labour, ami
mating the operations of capital, and augrnenfing
the productions of industry.
Our canals have been principally made by the
state, and our roads by Incorporated companies by
individuals, by towns and counties and by the state
at large. =
''In those improvements which are to be achieved
IN future, there will undoubtedly be full scope for
all these sources of contribution, and they will de-
mand all The united efforts of our disposable capital
and labor The canals !, hich now principally oc-
cupy the public a,tent on embrace navisabe union
OF the principal bays on Long IsIand-of the
Hudson and Delaware Rivers - Of the Erie Canal
with the East and West branches of the Susoue-
hannah, with the Allegheny River, with Lake On
taro by great Sodus Bay-wth Black and St.
Lawrence Rivers, and between the later River
and Like Champlain, and even canal from Lake
Erie to the Hudson River, by entire new route,
has been suggested practicable and expedien,,
and urged with great enrnesnes and energy OF
all the operations which have been conducted by
interpretations. there is entitled to more COM
mendaiion, and public favor, than the canal con
siructed by the Delaware and Hudson Company
comprising distance ut sixty three miles from the
Delaware to the Hudson River
"Fhls work will be navigable at the opening Of
the spring, and embraces 81 Locks, besides cuI-
verts. aqueducts, bridges and other necessary an
purtenances. 1t was commenced in Auens; 1925
and was performed with great economy as well az
skill, and at an expense below the estimate
ihe!e still remain to be executed about 20 miles
from the point where the canal strikes the Dsla
ware along the valley of that River to the M ou,b
OF the Lackswaxen. From thence it il, contem-
plated to have communication TO the Anthracite
Coal Beds, from which coal in any quantity and ri
excellent quality may be brought along this route
and delivered at the towns of the Hudson for Ss3
be continued from the termination of this at the
confluence of the Lackawaxen and Delaware to
DepusHe, on the latter river, distance of &c
miles, and from thence TO Bettsbureh on the S,s-
quehannah l3 miles From which place, on ex-
aminations instrumental and personal, il is UNDER
stood that good navigation might be effected along
the vallies OF the SusQuehannh and Tioga, ard OF
the branches of the latter az far west as HorneIis
vile, IN Sieuben county, forming continuou.
a fnrO la.n
'Ieved that this navgabIe communication may b,
extended TO Portland on Lake Erie and 10 Pits.
burgh al the head Of the Ohio But j, is sufIicien,
20 say that this canal considered without any ref.
efence to lis extension, is Of vast Importance in
tie accommodation which it will afford and a,
such Is entitled to your countenance In what
precise shape, that ought to be manifested will OF
course be subject OF your wise deliberations"
" II Is presumed to be general rule of easy an.
pcstion ard execution, that the cost of the re-
pairs aud superinteGdence Of canal ought
not TO exceed one tenth of its gros, revenue. -
whether this Is the CASE with US is not easily as.
certained because the expenditures for repairs snt
ne" erectlons are probably in some instances mixed
together But am persuaded that a system oi
precautionary economy and considerable retrench.
ment, might be adopted greatly to the advantage
oil the Canal fund, and in favor Of other improve
ments. Complaints are made, and have no Ioub,
win good cause in several instances of The high
rates oil toll, as having dscouraging influence on
our trades II high, they may have prehibitor,
effect, and prevent entirely, or for certain dis,an.
ces' the transmit OF some articles. The cheape.
the conveyance, the more commodities will be
convey ed-aDd the profits of the canals NAV he
thus augmented instead Of being diminished by
low duties. IL is indeed, supposed tina, the tolls ON
some commodities may be reduced or approxma.
ted to the constitutional minimum without any
loss oil revenue; and II is subject worthy oil your
serious confederation whether The oo,,,.s r