The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-07-24

/ Yer. OF docs II feenmmsHi Al immediate re-
sumption Of them, modified perhaps by that
instruction which our experience has furnish
eds
1he advantages of m improved navigation
oil our MYERS ARE too ebviou-. and too univer.
sally admitted 10 require that Ibey should he
shown or enlorcedby argument. That this
| improvement IN itself Is n positive good, the
| acquisition Of hich is greatly 10 be desired,
! Is truth which al acknowledge aud assert.
| The only objection which The immediate pur-
suit OF this good has encountered IS the enor-
! nous expense with which II - attended. II
/ has bern urged, aud, in the opinion'of many,
succes siully. that its advantages do not com
peusafe for il price that neliher the public
nor individuals have prospect OF remuners-
ton for the money expended.
j hat the past gives TO meeh coUnteRance
10 this objection, Is acknowledge aud lamcn-
ted. II the same scale Of expence were 10 hp
attached ruseparahIy 10 any plan which might
he devised, Virginia might pause and enquire
whether prudence and regard 10 her real
interests would justify perseverance, III her
course.
But in the commencement of great and
mt " DIRK. many errors may be expected
which will mol recur III its progress. Expert
ence corrects much and, among its other
valuable results ascettains the price OF la
hour, and suggests the best and cheapest
mode OF applying il To its object. Tie last
report OF the Principal Engineer contains
sugge siiou on this subject which is worthy
the attention oi those who may he entrusted
with the execution OF this business, should IL
be revived.
Bui, iudependrnt of its beneficial changes
| which may tie made IN The mode OF applying
labor Ia the object change OF plan has been
suggested " hlrh is recommend 10y its diminu.
Tai. II u nm tbaraIprp iii mis-
n calculations founded on the enormous es-
ppndluIe made on that part Of the work
which has been already executed, and direct
our views 10 thai cheaper system 81 cprra.
ton ohirh i suggested in the last report OF
the Pnn,ipai Engineer. On his estimates we
may. II is presumed, safely rely. They APP
pear 10 be made with talrness without any
intention OF presenting ii too lattering view
ot he subject Assuming them 10 be correct,
may moi Virginia proceed with some conf
denre to the completion of those improve
mruts which are already in progress Are
nother resources adequate to the object, and
does not the soundest policy advise tue apPli-
| cation of them'
In rejecting on these momentous questions it
will readily occur to the legislature that money
invested IN productive fund may be replaced nj
the will OF he proprietor. lie does not acquire
| a dead capital but Il subject capable Of crIcu!a-
ton, capable Of being again converted into mo
ncv at pleasure. Il viii bc ut the option OF the
legislature to retain the property IN which case
the dividends II any reliance !, 10 be placed on
the estimates OF the Principal Engineer, viii
meet the interest oi To sell so much stock as
will discharge the principal. \ loan then thus
/ employed does not impose "A continuing hnrthen
on the people, but becomes an active fund, haF-
inc the double operation OF reproducing itself,
and OF dispensing benefits TO thr state at large,
! as well rs TO u great number OF It's inhabitants.
/ Tins convention vii not engage in the task
for which perhaps II IS Mt wei fitted oil calcu
laine the expense or the productveness of tine
impi o,empnts which We recommend. IheS,
calculations have been made officially by the
person whose duty 1t 10 obtain the requisite m.
formation n whose professional talents ought 10
/ enable hun, aad We believe do enable hun to de
I eide upun ttr subject. 10 them. Ne reier, and
i the Judgment Of the legislature will he exercised
upon tban, J. that judgment we submit with
/ implicit confidence,
! There is however one obvious circumstance TO
which we will take the liberty to advert
/ In every proposition to commence NOR" ey-
prnsiye and Nor beneficial system OF improve
mc0ts, the Legislature will undoubtedly take into
its view the comparative value OF tire object with
, the expense oil Is attainment In making tbs
! compar isuu, future disbursements would be OPP
puyrd 10 future advantages, aud no other item
would hc brought INTO the amount Eyen IN
these cases An ena ged policy, which contem-
] plates He future a. well as the present would
/ We persuadc ourselves, PEI cclYe IN the pecunla
! ~ returns winch might reasonably be expected
And sill more IN the vast aC CommOduion 10 It's
! CuzcnS aud the consequent increase Of articles
/ lui market, and OF the general prosperity, a full
remuneration 10 present advances. All eKpe-
rlrnce shows thai iudIclou> and per,nsaent i'm
r, Of ,utp Al CDptIuuaIly
disclose new sources of wealth, furnish addition
al employ ment lor industry, and thus add 10 the
/ population and strengi of "A country.
But as respects the nasig aton OF James Ilver.
we are not now about 10 commence the more ex-
pensiye and nU1e beneficial y strm. II /, area
dy begun, and Il very large sum of money has
been expcnded on it. The canal from richmond
! t. Maideu's Adventure has cost a. appears from
the last report ol the Principal Engineer so TO-.
COO and that through the mountain section 800
GOO The value of these works of the lower
canal especially, depends essentially on unhrna
them. All those who commence tran. porta'ton
At OF below the head OF th' canal ave undoub-
coIy benefited b, 1t. because iielghts are lessen.
ed 10y the addition 60 the cargo. Bat these who
cuier the river above. derive no advantage from
tie canal he ON, because their carGoes and their
moving power must be adapted 10 the state of
the upper naYlg ton. lfIhe improvement stops
al lis present point, upwards OF one million OF
dollars are wasted. We can avail ourselves OF
this expenditure only by extending the improve
uicnt From our estimates OF the advantages
and disadvantages OF its extension, tins item
Dug III not 10 be excluded. II it be- taken into
the amount IFS influence. unless every estimate
which has been made IS deceptive, must he deer
Siye IN favor 81 prosecuting this work.
80 Imperfect IS the navigation OF this river a
boye the head Of the lower canal that III one
.tate of the water IL boat cannot bring half IA
load and in another it is Liable to he wicked
on the voyage. The vast importance ST com.
pletng this improvement musr b. ohl sous TO all
The river in its whole course from CoyinaInn
passes through irrtlle country, abo,mdng IL
landing places where 9ra,S AXE III lhrlr car
nes :; SO TINT every stem nl innrnNelnrnt ON II.