Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-08-07

- ''ei ano BENEFICIAL an eater.
phsei
II might here be shevn in detail, to what ex-
'ent' JHstics TO her oSn citizens reouired that
sta'e OF Virginia should embark in this enter
PRISE but As We proposed merely 10 present
summary Of the leading facts, which the debate
ehe'ted, we win content ourselves BY observ.
"'g' that thirteen Of her most fertile and pro-
uuet'e counties lie adjacent to the Inc Of the
@shA'' and including the country drained and
wS'efed BY the Shenandoah, the South Branch.
Tue M0nongahels, the Cheat and Z,gsr,'s Val
| ICY riVer-streams whose future improvement
WIN depend on the vigorous prosecution of the
r0'omao Canal, We may fairly estimate the
NUMBER OF counties interested in his xork q,
s-'''' Here then is an extent of country,
embracing upwards Of fifteen millions of ceres,
AUG containing population of two hundred
ana NIFTY thousand souls. whose prosperity is
ultimately connected with the successful execu.
ton OF this work. portion of Virginia terrific.
ry' upon which comparatively little public mo.
hey has been expended, although Il Yields an
return into the treasury of the State OF between
seventy and eighty tbousand dollars.
Now admitting that this deficiency could be
supplied ''iti0ui the aid n Virginia, would il be
proper or desirsbls. that We should stand alsOf,
with 50 direct and important an interest in the
execution OF this work, and refuse psr,icipa
ton 10 the honors and emolument, of 40 splen-
did and beneficial enterprisei Could Virgin.
Justify such course to her own citizens-,o
hsrself-to the wosldl Because, fosssotb, the
| steek-jobhers Of London OF New. York. mich,
Ind il to their advantage to improve eur streams
ana advance the fortunes Of our citizens, are we
to rellnquish the cares of government and tame
y surrender our charters into their possession.
For what purpose does society exist. if il will
not protect and assist its own citizensl WHY
are distinct and independent associations form
edi the not to attend to the particular wauts
OF their particular communities five are to
look to foreign aid for the navigation Of our RI
'ers, Tor the promotion of our commerce, lie,
US look to same foreign aid for our legislation
receiving their protection let US next share their
burdens and taxation-and finally, let us saver
! our connection from those who treat us aliens
! and become permanently attached to that fareien
country which is disposed to regard our wants
in spirit of liberalty and justice II could not
] be perceived why the State of Virginia should
refuse her aid to the Improvement of the Poto-
mac River because that stream ssas not peculiar.
! iy her O7n. The only enquiry of wise govern
ment would be, what extent of country, and
| what number of her citizens would he accomo-
dated by the proposed expenditure. and it has
been shewn that nearly one third of the white
population of the State is interested in this en-
| terprise. What matters il, whether the Poto-
mac river belong exclusively to Maryland or
not. large portion Of the citizens of Virgi.
| MIA live upon i.s border and are interested in its
Improvement. Such narrow and Liberal feel
ings accord i'll with the purposes for which this
| meeting has assembled. The Convention has
| already in one eminent instance shewn its dis
| appreciation of such contracted views of policy,
in recommending the Improvement of the Roam
| oke in concurrence with the State of North
Carolina. That stream is moi peculiarly cur osen
Why think it wise then to cooperate with
| North Carolina, and improper to unite with
Maryland? This manfes,s feeling of some.
thing like alienation to that important district,
watered by the Potomac, q spirit of partial and
at all. We find, likewise, hundreds of Virgil
MIA families forsakng the land of their forefs.
| theirs, leaving the Monongshela valley and the
state of Virginia five hundred, or perhaps a
thousand miles in the rear. and settling the
boundless forests of the west This is easily ae-
counted for; the Monong shela county, in this
state, is encompsssed by mountains Of great
elevation, through difficult defes; and over
these mountains you have to Chamber mostly on
pack horse roads TO reach the interior; and.
| when there, you have no other egpess or outle,,
except through the unimproved rivers already
mentioned. New Orleans has hitherto been
considered .beir only eligible market; the cir
Guilty of the route. the immense dis,arce, and,
IN short, all the objections already mentioned TO
that market, apply with increased force to the
| inhabitants Of the country in question. They
are actually impounded, and GU. off from pro
htable or friendly intercourse with the world -
1t is no wonder, then, that this rich Virginia
wilderness should remain unsettled and that
the enterprlslng members OF her own family
should seek residence far beyond the limi Is Of
her ssanclcnt domain" Good children never
| leave a Dareut's Yoof nor pc SION fha en1s9r