Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-02-13
Foa TIE CONSTITUTIONAL Wu,e.

~ HE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA
constituent, who takes n deep interest in the
subject of the following observations e1rnest, soI;co
the tune and lahour necessary to their perusal.
1t has been stated in the papers, and NAV be the
fact that the act Of the last session, authorsiny the
Baltimore Rail Road TO pass through this State was
predcaed on the intention OF the Legislature To aha n
don, the part Of The Slate, the further imuroyemen,
Of the James River, and with all our Ionr cherished
hopes OF forming connexion with the Ohio through
Virginia.
IL this be true, it was, TO say the least of it, psyu
nasty decision; but when consider the isnportauce
OF the subject decided on, and the time allowed 10
consider Ii, IT is not presumable that such could have
been the determination; or that IL perceived that
1t would materially affect that question The efforts
however, at present making repeal the restriction
in that act, and 10 permit The company TO locate the
road where they please, have serious aspect as
they would have most important effect that way; and
twill therefore rest with the present General Assem-
bly, TO sanction, or put end 10 such supposons and
the alarm they produce.
* The great profits and advantages rXpecteS TO he
derived from the UtsGIn Trade was one ground and
very important one which, successive Legislatures
have hitherto expended large sums of money ca the
James and EanavIa Rivers and the tn.poike road
between them: and are now indeed, prepared TO
give these ad vautages, aud step those imp oyencu,s
where they area
1t clearly appears, BY the able report of our State
Engineer, from page / 10 IL, and The substitute al
The end, that cannot realize ie money advanced
and laid out N these works; but that tire State will
continue 10 be subject The annual loss of abou,
$4,000, until complete navigation, by locks and
dams, which he urc!er carried NJ least n
far as IynChburg: whilst lie has shewp in = ysr
almost equal TO mathematical demonstrations that the
present Tonnage on jones River will paw the interest
OF the whole money necessary 10 make those iDpruye
ncnts; and Tins without rcsUrng IN an rial do
gree, 10 cocIUrH estimates as 10 the increase Of Ton
mage after they arc completed the use which would
be mace OF tins great h%h 0dy mineral springs
and to and from the Western country The falls
through the Blue Ridge, however, having been alfn,
~ overcome bT locks ard canals
the value OF those nproy by Unitine them also
10 perfect navigation below; and therefore assume
that we move AZ all we ought 70 go least as far
as Pa;tonsburg in Botetourt county
II il be fact that the present YOnnors will nav
me interest OF The improvements pointed out by the
Engineer that ar-aDd # we mus! complete them at
least that far, or not only lose the money expended
out &oO,Uup per aHDun on the back OF it, with ali
the advantages 10 the country that would riye nm,
those improvements ought we not TO make them and
witness their effects belurc we do any thing that
might conflict with what ercp,yJI, ougIIi IN bo 40, .
should they succeed
IL IS worthy also Of attention. that that work when
completed, by The increased of the RIVER will pay
double interest, as II IS confidently believed The tor
mage and other sources OF revenue Will in short time
DC more than Doubled this surplus Will be the proper
y OF the State; whereas however profitable the rail
road ina. prove, TIC tgi0le CH bc}ong IN The C0yD1n
Compare, too the rail road which 10 one can use
Without the consent OF the Company with river and
canal free and open 10 all who pay reasonable toll
navigation, capable OF transporting lhc Lumber
HAY, Limo and other bulky articles from the upper
country, with rail way which could take nothing Of
the kind TO market.
If, however, it is appreLoDdcd hat the Engineer
may be mistaken in his estimates, further enonirv
may be bad. Legislation, a subject Of this Kind
which is to Prccedc and produce certain events as well
az the proceedings Of private companies IN such cases
must be founded on estimates IF expense ord zrobabIe
adcdndges The Law can't be pyeccdsd by the events
intended to be produced by the course of legislation SO
as to place the Legislature Oh grounds Of absolute GER
tamiy beforehand. SO soon as estimates. which can
be rched on, ale made, the wcr1 must be abandoned
or proceeded in accotdngly If the estimates are not
satisfactory e'H'er for against, no scheme Of IN
dou5ted importance ought to be abandoned Until fur
'her enquiry IS made,