Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-08
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT
Report and Resolutions QfMc Citieeas ef WI
iianiso,"g, held at the Courthouse or the Nh
dGy Of Jlsle, 1928.
(coNTINUEp.)

1 (coNrINUEp0
Thus the committee hope they have satisfacto-
lrly shcwn, that no danger OF fall ofprices need
be apprehended by the citizens oi,he Lower Coun
Try, from the extension OF the inland navigation OK
Virginia. And even surprising the produce OF the
Vest to be capable of exercising any considerable
influence, when thrown into the market, this in
Iuence will be exerted, matter at what point
1t may finally reach the ocean, whether it pass
through New Orleans, through Baltimore, through
New York or Norfolk.
We can never suppose, that the country of the
West, increasing rapidly in wealth, will always
continue locked up; sooner or Later, it must CON-
nunicate with the ocean; and the great question
IL, Where shall this communication take place.
We viii now proceed, then, 10 the second branch
OF our inquiry, and point ont the great benefits
which may be expected 10 result TO Lower Virgin
ii itself, by making James river the outlet. lst.
| Then we may look TO The raising up Of town in
| the Lower Country, which will soon become the
great Emporium of the State. The country which
hes on the James river aud It's tributaries Is an.
| extensive and ierti,e one; great and constantly
increasing quantity of commodities will he sent
down the river TO find vent; almost equal
quantity OF imports will be constantly passing up
the river TO satisfy the increasing demand OF our
/ Western Country. This great trade OF expectation
and importation, will necessarily give rise 10 some
great town, in which the capital required 10 carry
ION the business must centre.
Your committee have little hesitation in saying
that town must be Norfolk That situation must
certainly he the fit aud proper for town OF
the description just mentioned, which shall he
more accommodating iii we may use the expires
lsion,) TO all the great rivers OF Virginia. Now,
this Is precisely the situation occupied by Norfolk.
1t is situated on the Chesapeake BAY within 4 few
si,ours sail of the Atlantic. The Chesapeake Bay
may be looked upon large river; and all those
sstreams which pour into it, may be considered as
tributaries. Norfolk then would be convenient TO
the I2neS the FORK, the Rappahannock rivers IN
Virginia. BY means of the Dismal Swamp Canal,
it communicates with Albemarle Sound, and
large portion OF North Carolina; II would receive
sall the products sent down the Roano':e by the
same communication. II she were 10 rise 10 that
pitch which the advantages OF her situation seems
certainly to point 10, would scarcely hazard a
conjecture in affirming, that she would be the i'm
porting town for the whole Of the country lying
around the Chesapeake Bay, and for the Potomac
r and Susquchanna rivers
This truly is bright destiny wl4icl, seems to
' await this City OF the Lower Country; every cir
cumstance seems clearly 10 point 10 this result
Perhaps it may be with truth affirmed, that there
are only two cities in the United States whose To-
! cal positions vie with Norfolk.
II But, il may be asked whe.e is the capital 10
come from, hicii j. 10 build this great town? We
answer it will come hom the North, and South, Eost
and West. twill come from Massachusetts,, New
York, Pennsylvania and Maryland 1t will come
from North and South Carolina. Some will, per
= haps come from Europe. Capital has 4 tendency To
equaiize itself all over the work.; consequently it
y will quickly flow into every channel where ii can
$ he used with extraordinary advantage. Moreover,
II much the larger portion which may be required
4
committee think there can be little doubt of Nor
5 folks becoming great and fiourssing import
town. 1his cannot, il is true, be the work OF a
day: but still, sooner or later, this secn,s 10 he the
{ destiny which awaits her. That Norfolk has not
as yet attained To that wealth aii population, which
her situation would seem to point to, IL the
pinion OF the Committees 10 be ascri5ed causes
y which will alnos, entirely cease TO operate soon
the navigation OF the James river shall be OPEN
"a Cd 20 It's sources.
I, But, Norfolk viii no. be the OILY town benefit
ted; others viii be built, some enlarged On all
large rivers, there Will generally be :, town az the
head OF Tide Wafer. 1t is here that iIe avisation
by vessels ceases, and that by boats commences;
tits here that there is unlaliug and fading; and
consequently, there will here he accumulation
! capital and population 10 meet the demand We
may expect, then, that Richmond, and Petersburg,
and Fredericksburg, will be greatly enlarged; and
hat towns will spring up on the ork and Roanoke
: rivers. Moreover, M various points on the water
courses, there will be situations favorable to- naii-
Il uiactures, III consequence OF the advantages of
: water power or coal. II is here, tlien, we may
!, look TO the rising oi manufacturing towns
= but, upon the subject of the growth of towns,
d which may be expected 20 take place from q Judi
t cous system ofim;ernal Improvement we bee.
leave TO refer To the opinions and reasoning OF
a Judge Coalter, contained in those valuable com
inuncaiions, which be has front!;ac 10 tiu.c made
10 the State.
We will now proceed TO point out the beneficial
{ effects which will arise 10 the Lower Country
from the growth OF towns: And Ist. we viii sup
pose tie productions OIL the Lower Country 10
main the same after the Improvements as before.
We have already shcwn, that danger need be
aPprchended from tie products Of tlio Upper Coun-
{ try coming into competition with those of the
Lower; that the whole Civilized World j. c,e
market for these products, and Il is vastly too OK
tensive to be affected 10y the opening OF new dis
tricts Of country.
- Under these circumstances, then, what are the
deiVoutages " hielI te farmer VII '.et''.~iiy
TO enjoy in The sale Oi his VfOduce2 That there
shall always he IL Land fair act honest dcier
y:l'o may wish transport the pru,lueu 20 - final
desiinaliOn-wO effect this upon the chca.,-~t
terms, and therefore, afford 10 give the no
liberal prices. The iJrlner, then, vii have cvcr1
inducemen. TO exert 10 the greatest extent the
productive powers oi-otb labour apd capital, which
may be Under his contrOui; certain. that hi' pro-
ducts viii at find purchaser, who sill give
will Thus be quickly turned and powerful sim
ulus applied TO Agricultural Industry.
Al tlai time ond lahouT which would be lost in
looking about for purchasers, would h- saved. o..
all that risk, trouble, SUd vexaiion, 10 which he
+ would necessarily subject himself, should hc de-
ierinne to be his merchant, viii thus be a
voided. The merchant exporter is anxious 20
buy, as the farmer is 70 sell There Consequent
~ will exist between theta friendly, and a most
advantageous relation.
Now. let US proceed 20 inquire. whethc this
safe Of things VIII not be necessarily consequent
on the improvement Of the Inland Navigation Of
Virginia. We have Just shewn Uiata great town
will spring up in the Lower Couutry, and nat town
will in all probability be Norfolk that offers of
sccondrry character will arise, Lighegup tpe great
twater courses.
Now, all experience has hitherto shev.n that
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