Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-15

ment in Jackson's river, by lock. and d.,,.
applied to the justification of continued e.u,I
from Maiden's Adventure up to L,nebbur,.
surrey mere Is an inconsistency in this. II car
not be doubted that there is less necessity for a
continued canal where the average fall in dis.
lance OF i0 miles, is only three feet 10 the mile.
fhan where the average, in rs miles 10 81 feet
per mile The example of the New York Canal.
or rather the Eriecsnai, il cited TO prove the pro.
pretty Of n continued canal on the James and Jack.
son's river. -
Sir, if the gentleman would turn His .tten,;o,,
TO The peculiar advantages which nature has he
slowed with so bountiful hand uron New YorR
and denied to ur, he would at once perceive ~.
immeasurabie distance between the prospect of 70.
muneration TO her lsbours and 10 ours. Whil,t
q. every step we advance towards the completion
OF our OBJECT, our difficulties increase " IT'D the in
creasing fall in che river, and our prospect of
pront diminishes In a proporfionate ratio, bv the
dlIunuton in the fertility of the soil till we reach
mountainous country, very large proportion of
which must forever remain uncultiyabIe and bar
rem. The fall in the Mohawk, on the contrary,
dlminshes as you ascend, ill YOU enter unon an
almost boandless region OF fertile soil jnter.ne,ssa
with number of rmall lakes, in addition % lake
riie' ontario, Huron, and Superior, forming all
together an extent of lake coast, represented 10 Be
equal TO The whole Atlantic coast of the u States.
al which are either already united with the Erie
Canal, or will be so Il is not TO be doubted tben
than 1t can accommodate. When this shall Occur.
another viii be made on the opposite side of the
Mahawk, In order 10 afford accommodation 10 thjs
extensive commerce.
SIR, u is time we should give over this spirit of
emulation, upon such unequal terms, and look 10
our own condition. We ought 10 pause and re-.
meet we'll before we make another move Woe.
iui experience has taught us q lesson which wa
should Prohi by If were TO go into the pumer-
Gus arguments in detail, which might be urged
against continued canal upon James river. T
should consume more of the time of the House
than have right to claim or ouId wish to-
employ. We are drawing towards the close of tho
session. and know the impotence of the House.
WILL therefore, trespass upon their time no more
man may De made necessary in reply to such ar
guments as may be offered.
VII! only observe, that do not pretend to m
dicate the means by which this work il to be eh
iecied- Whether upon State account, or by iud-
Viduai exerton, by copoI ate con panies, or bv sn
association of individual capital with the means of
Inc state, upon the principle of the fund of internal
Improvement. My only object is, TO put the Lee
seiature 10 possession of all the pfor nation that
can be obtained upon this mixed mode If improves
ment' which, in my humble opinion, is the onJy
plan which will invite individual enterprise. is
''a' ahouid become necessary; and, with due re-
'ec Tor the opinion Of others, the plan best cal
culated TO reward the expendiiure of money, Wills
~ VIII sfordsrBple accommodation 10 the trade.