Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-25


We have only 10 cast our eyes on the man of the
United STATES to be assured that the natural advau-
tagcs OF Virginia are very great The Chesapeake
one OF the nobiest bays of ;he world receives her
magnificent rivers and pours them into the Attain
tie. Independent OF Other valuable streams, her
northern frontier is washed by the Potomac, her
southern by the Roanoke, and her centre is pierc-
ed by the James. These greatrivers penetrate the
Allegheny Mountains, and afford the shortest chan
mel oil water-communicati0n with several of the
western states. They pass through u country rich
m mineral and vegetable productions, which the
labonr and ingenuity OF man could fail TO tnrn
TO valuable account, if those means of transporta-
! tion were afforded him which these waters i'm an
improved state, would unique on ibly furnish
Why then is Virginia leGs popuous and opulent
than many of her sister states? Why is the trade
OF the Chesapeake trancerrea entirely IN neinr,,
bor3
Perhaps even the number of our rivers NAV
nave had some tendency to prevent the accumula-
Ton OF capital at any one place; and erhaps the poll
cy oiour predecessors have contributed to aye
trade a direction into other channels-But with
out vany repning at the past it is the part of true
wisdom 10 adopt and pursue that system which Is
best Tor the present aud the future.
What then is the course which is most advisable
| tor Virginia? Does sound policy, does iudicious
survey OF our situation, in all its aspects recon-
mend the total abandonment or even further sus-
pension Of those plans OF Improvement which are
now IN progress, especially that of our most ini-
ipor'ant river, OF does it recommend any ilumed-
ate resumption OF them modified perhaps by that
INSTRUCTION which our experience has furnisheds
The advantages OF an improved navigation of our
RIVERS are too obvious, and too universally admit
| ted to require that they shouli be shown or en-
| forced by argument. That this Improvement is in
itself positive, good, the acquisition OF which is
g:eauy 10 De desired, IS a truth which all acknow-
ledge and assert. The only objection which the
immediate pursuit OF this goo had encounieredis
the enormous expense with which il is attended
! III mas been urged, and, in the opinion of mapy
successfully that liza advantages do not compensate
ftlprrt
have prospect ofrcinunera.iou for the money cx-
spended.
. That the past gives too much countenancc 10
sths objection, is acknowledged and lamenied III
.the same scale OF expense 10 be attached in
lseparahy to any plan which might he devised
virginia might pause and enquire whether pru-
sdence and regard to her real interests would JUS
tti!y perseverance, in her course.
But III the cemmehceIent OF a great and un,ried
work, many errors may be expected which, will
mol recur III its progress Experience correc,s
much; and among its other valuable results ascer-
tans the price OF iabour; and suggests the best and
icheapest mode OF applying it 10 its object The
past report OF she principal Engineer contains
"a suggessti on ca this subject which is worthy the
attention oil those who may re entrusted with the
exc cutOn oil this business, should il lie revived
/ But independent OF the beneficial change which
may be made in the mode OF applying labor to the
lo6ject, change oil plan has been suggest ..h ch
Is recommended by its elimination Of expen se---
we may therefore disHliss all calculations founded
On the enormous expenditure maize OH the part of
the work which has been alrcady executed, and
direct oar views 10 that cheaper system of opera
uo which Is suggested III tue last report OF the
principal Engineer. On his estimates we NAV il
Is presumed, safely rely. they appear to be made
with fairness; without any intention of presenting:
a too hatering view OF the subject. Assuming
mem 70 De correct, may not Virginia proceed with
some confidence TO the completion of those i'm
proveinents which are already in progress. AFRO
not her resources alequat, 10 the object, aud does
not The soundest policy advise Tie application OF
them?
lnreiee,ing on these IN, mentous questions, il
VII readily occur TO the legislature, that money
invested i'll productive iund may he replaced az
Inc VIII OF 'lc proprietor lie does not acquire z.
dead capital, but subject capable OF circulation
capable oil being again converted into money at
pleasure. 1t will be at the option OF the legisla-
tnre TO retain the property, i'll which the di-
Vidends, II any reliance is TO be placed or the est
I mates OF The Principal Engineer, will n,.et the in
} feresi; or TO sell so much stock will discharge
Tie principal. loan then thus employed, does
not impose continuing burtlien the people but
becomes an active iund, having the doable opera
fion OF producing Itself ANA OF dispensing benefits
10 The state at large, well to great number
Of its inhab tants
This convention will not engage in the tasl. foc
which perhaps ii is not well ntted, Of calcularne.
the expense or the proJuciyeness of the Improve.
meDts which we recommend. These calculations
have been made officially by the person whose du-
ty 1t ID 10 obtain the requisite Information and
whose professional talents ought to enable him. s.
oO'IONS w cii'.Oe 10 ueClde the Sub
d Ject 10 them, we refer, and The Judgment Oh
the legislature viii he exercised upon them
10 tina. judgment we submit with implicit cou-
hdcnce.
There Is, however, one obvious circunlstance.
TO which we viii take the liberty to advert
In every proposition to commence more exuer-
sue an more beneficial ~ stem of nproye,nents
me legislature viii undoubtedly take into its vie g,
The comparative value Oh the o iect with the .x-
pense on iss attainment In making this comma
son, iutuTe disbursements would be opposed 10 IN e.
tufs advantages, " no other item would be brouoli
INTO the amount. Even iD these cases. an en-
'aFged policy which coHtem,ates the future as
Wen as the present, would, persuade ourseIves
} perceive in the pecuuiary reurns which n,irf+
reasonably be expected, and sill more i'm the vas
accommodation to IFS citizens, ard the consequent
increase oil articles IOr market and of The general
prosperity, a ju remuneration Tor present advau-
eos. AL experience shows that judiciou, and per
induent improvements Of internal navigaton con
uDudliy disclose nrW sources Of wealth fitru' T.,
adhuon'l employmcUt for industry, and thus add To
ihe population and strength % country
tiut, ~ respects the navigation Of James river
we arc not dhout 70 nee the more expen fly
fand more beneficial systcn IL is already bcgu
a'id very large SUM Of money has been exprr de-
on y. The canal iroui Richmond 20 Aiaidcti's Il
venture has cost appears tom the last ropott ii
tho Principal Engineer. $j4n 900 and that fl,rour{,
tho mountain section 8G5 800 1hc value of tbcs,.
wors', Oh the lower canal especially, depends o.,
scntiaily0 on uniting them All o.e who cn,otnore
transportation at below the head Of d., canal ae,
undoubtedly bonehucd by IL, because freialfs ar,.
Icssened by The addition 10 the csrpo But ihoss wi
enter the river above, derive 10 ADVANTAGE fro,y,
the canal below b.cau-p ftt,ir c.r,,o,. "A.