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

a claiming enincnly f'tr inrr,ediaie attention of
The legislature for several reasons
II passes in us whole extent through the cen
tie Of the State, and accommodates a greater
number OF our fellow -clIaens than any diner n
yer.
II is the exclusive property of The State and
the whole produce Of the tOlIs may either be
brough, into the treasury or applied 10 other i'm.
provemeutS.
II promises more than any other, to be auxilis
~ 70 the extension OF the commerce OF Virginia
aud the west.
The improvement offs navigation will con-
tribute greatly 10 the augmentation OF our com
mercial capital
And lastly, il will saves large sum already ex
pended on that part of the work which has been
accomplished
five persist IN an almost infinite subdivision
of our funds nothing great will he completed.
If we apply them first TO The most important OBJ
iects, they will be accomplished aud their ac-
complshment will enable as TO proceed with o.
Tiers IL cannot. we think, he doubled thai by
rendering each work in which we engage pro-
duciiyr, we shall be enabled 10 move on progress
sivrly until the whole shall become So.
Although then, HE patronage ofthe legislature
should be directed 10 James River. it does not fol-
low that the improvement of other rivers should
be out of view.
The Patomacand the Roanoke having their
sources, As well a. the James, IN the Allegheny
mountains affords facilities TO the Inhabitants Of
a vast tract of county, and the means oi inter.
course between the Atanti: and the Western
States. They arr all Of hem rivers Of tue first
class aud the strongest motives exist for the lm-
proyrment of their navigation.
n 4, 4. s,F,4Y 81.
water than the James. aud its navigation between
the fall, near Halifax and the blue ridge IS rot
supposed 10 he 50 difficult OF so dangerous II is
also understood that a fluid is obtained Tor Il ca
nal round the falls s. as To connect the upper
with the lower navigation. The report 10 which
reference has frequently been made shows that
the Dismal Swamp canal will he completed this
summer, after which the same vessels may pass
in safety from the fails Of Roanoke TO Norfolk
The legislature We think cannot be charged
with n lecllns the interests OF this river If far
ther advances IN the Improvement Of its nayIga.
ton be postponed foT a short imr
A slight attention TO the map Of Virginia de-
mnnstratcs. Indeed, that a. the Allegheny re-
cedes from the Ocean, IN us extension from
North TO South the Southern rivers which use
in that mountain, are heightened ia their course
to the Atlantic But increased length which
enables river to accommodate greater eE-
teut Of country, serves, IN some degree, as the
measure OF probable prodaciyeness, OF the cap
ltal vested IN its Improvement and, the moIe
especially. when nttraimg successive ranges
ofmountnins, aud crossing deep valies as well
As elevated table lands, II derives additional i'm.
pertauce from the number u variety OF the pro.
ducu1ns which II bears 10 a common market 1t
thus assures a more steady employment 10 the
capital of that market, as well as a mora stable
profit upon its own navigation.
Among thr great rivers OF Virginia a new IN.
tareSt has bees recently impaired TO the Roam
IKE by the discovery OF the pTacticahity OF "a
hitting lis waters with those of James River
and both rivers with the waters Of GreeUbrlcr
and New River, and by their insrumentall'y
with those Of the great kenawha. West Ofthe
Allegheny, this river and the Mouougahea oC-
{ Nv the first rank, aud il ID fortunate for the
union Of the resources Of the Commonwealth
IN prom ting their Improvement that II con
neC's Itself with that OF the three great rivers OF
the Atlantic.
The Potomac, considered apart from is prin.
clpal branches, Is border river, but tn shru-
anduab, now inprrtrCtly nav Igabie ion two nun.
dred miles, aid the South branch for one hun
dred, GIVE to the Potomac, the character o. a
Virginia ryrr is branches bearing TOW ards It's
nels Of the Commonwealth to their great e,tua-
~, the Chesapeake.
Happily for the early improvement of this ii
YER continued canal is now ~ progress, from
IFS tide toward, the base OF the AIIegany Noun
tain so that a contribution 10 the capital employ.
ID in This enterprise, not exec ding that OF n Sis
ter < bordering state, will ulfl, at cost easily
provided, the correspondent obligations OF the
{ commonwealth to her Own citizens Indeed, a
comparison of the relative interest Of Maryland
and virginia IN this great work, establishes in
contestibly the superior importance TO the latter
OF its successful and speedy accomplishment
Expedited as the progress OF this canal Will be
by the present subscription Of So 6OO. 600 TO IT'S
stock the sum proposed 10 he added 10 that a.
mount by the Commonw ealth OF Virginia will
ensure ITS speedy completion and gender IT'S
stock Immediately productive.
The Monuugahrla vii constitute to the North
as the great kenawha to the South, tie western
termination Otthese great channels of con merce,
binding together not only the eastern aud ives
tern Territory, but the Two great divisions OF the
United states.
Under the general denominations of the pre-
reding rivers are conpiehrnded such Of then
tributaries As Cat be rendered navigablc bat
the growth of their bran ches must follow that OF
thow stems.
The rivers of Virginia, whica are not com.
pr,-rd IN the frs class, have their origln in he
Blue Ridge, Oh the range Of mounralps running
nearer the OCeau 10 some the Commonwealth
hes aileady extended her pat,onage. and to
others the same spirit, enD ghiened by experi.
ence, viii hereafter Dispense lis bene6cent in.
1uenCe.
From the Improvement of the rivers of the
commonwealth, TIE Convention pass to the sub
IeCt otroadS.
30 numerous are these, as tosuggest rigorous
rcs'nciioh"l the public wealth, 10 ne construction
~ 'h'R as are OF prime necessity, Tor social.
cempPrcldl and political purposes. No er,or,
IA l'laitGa 10 the success ofanv system OF IN
HIhnt improvement would be more Injurious ms
has oeen minated in an earlier part o the ne
r.,orlal, than that of dispensing ITS funds, over
many minor objects. But, looking To the map of
theIerrltory ofthiS Commonwealth. TN re lrading
roads are suggested, having in view, a connec-
ton al It's western with lis eastern f,puIip, ~