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

cCdi"s rivers are comprehended such Of their hi.
hutaries as can bs rendered navisabie but the
s'S"'h OF their branches must follow that Of their
STEMS.
The rivers Of Virginia, which are not com-
pifSd IN ths fest class, have their origin in the
Mao RiSgc or the range OF mountains running
neS!tr the Ocean. 10 some, the Commonwealth
hSs already extended her patronage, aud to others,
t:s same spiIt, enlightened by experience, will
hiroaitcr Ii spouse it's benchccnt influence
From the improvement Of the rivers Of the
ommnnwealth:t hs Convention pass to the sub
! at Of reads.
So numerous are ihese,ss TO suggest a rigorous
restriction Of the public wealth, to the eonstruc-
lion Of such are Ut prime necessity, for social,
commercial and political purposes. No error,
IN relation 10 the success Of any system OF Ia
tsrnal ImproSeneht woad be more Injurious AZ
has been animated ia ah earlier part OF this me
meriai, than that Of dispensing its tunds over ma
ny minor objects. But. looking to the map Of
the territory arthisCommnnweaith,lh three leading
reads are suggested: having in view, n connection
af ito western, with its eastern frontier asi oss
those natural barriers, which. under less aus
pieious system OF state and federal government
wsuld threaten lis separation. However strong
thSye Ties may he knit by affection, wisdom
suggest. the expcdieney Of confirming thea, by
the unceasins aud steady support Of interest.
In this view, roads from the political and
commercial ccutre tho State, from some point
Rpon. OF, uear her central linz or wafer commu-
aicatinn, southwcstwnrhly towards the coun-
tys? Lee, northwcstwsrdly towards the county Of
Brooke, at the opposite extreme CT the state,
and wr,twardly, to some position between them
an the Ohio river, merit, in the opinion Of the
convention. the early considerations, aud c!h-
sient patronage ofihe General Assembly.
In relation 10 one ofthese roads, Il sense of
tha Importance of its prolonrali III. from its pre-
sent eastern and western extremes, is suggested
by the aid which the Legislature has already
afforded 10 its constructions, aud the great ben
sfits derived from it. The Cpnventon.is also
npprisel, that while its cost is lkely to be
PLY repaid, by its incrcasn, eliiily; its ex,en-
sion, which will certainly and prohinb!y aug
msnt its use May lie effected, at an expense much
heIow.ihat which has attended The part Of
81. already constructed. : This considerations
like applicable to the twn other roates here pro
passed, enhances The facility and ther expediency
Of their execution.
These are objects Of im-seuse Importance t,
Virginia. All feel and aeknowl ledge their mag
nitule. But the fund devoted To- their attain
present capacity. The probability 10 hiatt ills
proaaeiiveness wall be In som. measure in
creased by the rumrletion Of several public
wtrks, which are in progress |; but this ruSaen.
,stisa cannot be considerable. L, is graiu,
ally lbera!ing Itself from the hnr,leHa- an pos
cd upon it, aud will probably As>sr tsr present
yoar yield some Surplus, iii nddr;oa TO The exc
ss'iau sf i,s skating eus >Semen's. After the.
year 1890, il may updaHAsvas. he e"a.i'ercd az
T. --sr---"..,,-f i.,rii L
TO in,rartaa, offsets nili BE sea,.J's f L.
Bat rs it eansis,s of stock HE DIVIDENDS on
ahieh may nuctua!e, The necessity may arise,
especially II the immrdia;c ebiec,s Of in prove
asn, must b, mullils.ed, for some addition
80 the tax-s; sale az sos,r or its d.-
paSabie fu ds, admission Of other stuck
hoicrs TO participate in i!,c tolls Of such wo!ks
as have been may be begun, or extending
aHy loan whrh may be effected is the interest
upon it, nj least for the firs,year. 4 loan I"
same exteEt will be required aud till the fnnd
for Internal Improvement shall lie enab!ed 10
acct the interest sa thi, Loan. resort may be
secessary Ia uuc CT the utiicr ofilesc mca surr,.
We can perceive 0thsr alternative. On
sush subject IN the ellace between these mea-
surcs,,his convention Will not presume 10 haz-
ard Suggestion.
Such are some Of tho leading objects Of Ia
,ernal Improvement and such The means Of
thcir accomplishment, which the Convention
x,ost respectfully recommends, the favourable
regard Of . paieraai Legislature. But they
~ould not aequit themselves of the obligation
which they owe 10 their immcliatc constituents
and to the Commonwealth, IT the did not add,
that after completing these great works, their
value, If it does not essentially depend upon.
will be greatly augmented by jadici"us AID
efficient system of common roads. The hnppi-
aes,, because i, is, itself, dependent the social
Intercourse Of the people of any country, must
sest very much upon the improvement! of those
Sxmeraus highways, which conduct them, ami
Tie ryssIuefions OF their land and labour 10 the
lsatIh,g ~l,anue;s Of Internal aud external com
meree Rhat vast waste Of time, Of indus
try, mud OF resource, does bad system OF oni-
suon 70 ads occasion in any conutry, whic may
have the s,s{SGssAe to feel is oppression
Csndour us regards the entire Commonwealth,
justice TO thoscaylio s4,Gcr most grieyously from
the pres eetrnnt, syslesa of Virginia, call upon
ihs Cen ~ ation to3preHeaoce it un'Guai, in the
bnrIhrss whiea, IL imposes epou the people, and
inefficient in its results.
Fearing, ia my system Of aEternaI Improve
r7rnt, tNeItldtion 10 the great avenues fI.-ade,
~hch Tie daily 6fIicss ogsociaI feeling have 10
,e{ahli: yir';ps,a good System Of coma,on roads
siakesup.in hs frequency ofitS use, what il may
seem To want to superficial obseryeI, in dignity
in a OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of Improvements, The
AeSerai hsscmbly will assign TO just s9ai
e. Il 80 roads 81 rank