Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-07-19


this objection, is acknowledged and Iamented. 4
4 the same scale of expence were to be attached
l}nseParably to any peSn which might be devised
virginia might pause and enquire whether nr,,
| donce and regard to her real interests woud
Justify perseverance in her course.
| But IN the commencemca:-of great and un-
tried work, many errors may be expected which
VIII not recur IN its progress. Experience cor
reefs much and, among its other valuable resuts
ascertalns the price of labour; and suggests the
pest and cheapest mode ofapplying it to its object.
ne iast report OF the principal Engineer contains
suggestion on tins subject which is worthy the
attention OF those who may be entrusted with the
execution OF this business. should it be revived.
PUT, independent of the beneficial CHANGES
"hcn may be made in the mode of applying labor
| 10 the object, a change of plan has s been
suggested which is recommended by its damn.
ton otexpence. We may therefore s3;sn,iss. ali
CALCULATIONS founded on the enormous expenditure
made on that'part of the work which has been n
ready executed and direct onr views to that char
Ell system OF operation which is suggested in the
las. report OF the principal Engineer On his es-
.na'es we may, ms presumed, safely rely They
appear 10 De made with fairness without anv in
'ention OF presenting a too fatterng view Of the
sioIect. Assuming them 10 be correct. NAV mot
Virginia proceed with some confidence to The
compietlon OF those improvements which are al
ready In progress? Are not her resources AIDE.
duate to the object and does not the soundest no.
hey advise the application ofthem!
In rejecting on these momentous oues,;ons :,
VIII readily occur 10 the legislature thai mon,v
invested IN productive fund may be renlaceJ =,
'he VIII OF the proprietor. He does not acquire
a dead capital, but subject capable of circulaion
capable OF being again converted into money At
pleasure. IL will be at the option of the leoisla
lure TO retain the property, in which case the div
oe"us' IL any reliance is to be placed on the ca
nnates Oh the Principal Engineer, will meet the
interest; OF to sell so much stock az y; A.;
eharge the principal. A loan then thus emnIoved
uoes ho' impose a continuing burthen OIL the peo
pc out becomes an active fund, having the dou-
oie operation OF reproducing ITSELF and of dispen.
sing oenehts to the state at large. as well as to
great number Of lis inhabitants,
in's convention will not engage in tho +, A.
LOT @h.ci perhaps it is not we'll fitted, of caIcna-
ua2 the expense or the productiyeness of the i'm
ProVemehts which we recommend. These CAL
cuiations have been made officially by the person
whose duty 1t IS to obtain the requisite information
ana whose professional talents ought to enable
MN, ana we believe do enable him, to decide IN
on the subject. To them, we refer. aud the n,dg.
mcnt of the legislat.s-t exerc;sea w.,
cit Confidence. c. ~ es'''e
mere IS however one obvious circumstance TO
which we will take the liberty to advert
In every proposition to commence more ex
Peh'Ns anu more beneficial system of improve
hents' the Legislature will undoubtedly take into
us we" the comparative value of the object with
inc expense OF Its attainment. In making this
comparison, future disbursements would be onno.-
ca 70 future advantages, and no other item would
DC brought into the amount. Even i'm tbese c,sas
an enlarged policy which contemplates the future
as wei as the present. would, we persuade oursel
yes. perceive IN the pecuniary returns which
might reasonably be expected, and still more in
H..
VIC vast accommodation to, its citizens, and the
consequent increase of articles for market and nc
the general prosperity, full remuneration for
present advances. All experience shows that in
oiclous and permanent Improvements of internal
| navigation, continually disclose new sources of
wealth, furnish additional employment for indus.
try, and thus add to the population and strength
OF a country.
But, as respects the navigation of James river
We arc no' no" ABOUT to commence the more en-
pensive and more beneficial system lie alro,d,
| begun, and very large sum of monev as bcen
| expended on it. The canal from Richmond 70
halden's Adventure has cost, as appears from the
last report OF the Principal Engineer. S64O OOO
and that through the mountain section 365 ono
| Ihe value OF these works, of the lower canal es.
PeclaDy, depends essentially on uniting them.
AN those who commence transportation at or be-
low the mead OF the canal are undoubtedly bene.
htted by 1t, because freights are lcssened bv the
|
RIVER above. derive no advantage from the canal
oeiow, because their cargoes and their moving
power must be adapted to the state of the upper
Navigation. Ii the improvement stops at its pre.
sent point, upwards Of one million of dollars are
wasted We Can avail ourselves of this expendi.
ture only BY extending the improvement. From
our estimates OF the advantages and disadvantage.
,s 1S'ens'oh, TINS item ought not to be exclu.
ded' Hit be taken into the amount, its influence
unless every estimate which has been made is dc.
cePtlve must ho decisive in favour of prosecuting
this work. r0'~0"''"s
30 imperfect is the navigation ofthis river above
tne mead OF the lower canal, that in one stale o
tne water. boat cannot bring halfa load and in
a TI II IS liable to be wrecked on the voyage
he vast importance of completing this improve
Inent must be obvious to all. The river in it,
whole course from Coyington passes through fer
tlIe country, Astounding in landing places where
Doats take III their cargoes so that every step O
improvement, on its advance up the river gives II
an aadhIonai tract Of country, the whole benefit OF
.nc lower canal 10 us then it seems apparent
~ Ovtp