Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-06-03
RICHMOND. JUNE 8.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

Judge CoaiterS proposition of a Convention at
Charlottesville has deservedly excited n good deal
of the public attention. Weag with the Editor
oil the Shenandoah Sentinel in his "obiecton to
improvements by the General Government''-and
IN the opinion which he expresses that our re-
sources are adequate to accomplish almost any plan
Oh improvement, " zee property apply Mem.'-
The only questions are, which are the improve
inents which should first be undertaken; il what
way are they to be conducted, and what is the best
plan Tor raising the ways and means! We under.
stand that such is the great object proposed be
accomplished by the Convention at Charlottesville;
and what plan Is better calculated to draw out
the necessary information than for the enghten-
ed citizens OF different sections of the State to
meet and commune together!-The Shenandoah
Sentinel says that the Citizens of Augusta Rock
ingham and Greenbrier have appointed Delegates
10 attend the proposed meeting 1t is very desira-
oie 'hat delegates should be drawn from all quar-
ters.-Virginia has been too long asleep. Has the
lofty spirit OF generous emulation deserted her:
WIN she permit New York, and Penns lvania, and
Ohio, and Maryland, completely to outstrip her
IN the career of Improvement viii she throw
away her unrivalled advaniages--fold up her arms
| IN ingorious apathy-sutfcr her rivers to run
waste, her population TO abandon her borders for
more surrlnS States, and the bounties with which
providence has blessed her, to be thrown away
upon lazy and torpid race' No man can COM
pare her situation with that OF many of her Eastern
and Western sisters, without being mortified by
the disparity which it displays. Yet her land Is
NOT srickcn with barrenness, nor her sons with in
!
1t were, OF the Union--with climate however
variable, yet comparatively temperate and mild
her soil, though dissmar in quality, generally
good most OF it susceptible Of high cultivation and
some OF 1t peculiarly rich and productive; pene-
trated in almost all directions by rivers which adj
init oil goos navigation by adequate improvement,
with water power equal TO that of any State
IN the unlon-how comes il to pass, that her peo-
pie are generally poor, embarrassed with debt,
stricken with care, and that murmurs of dscon-
tent so often burst from their lips, Ii is true that
some OF these evils the bitter fruit of an i'm
prevalent and mischievous administration. The
West India trade has been curtailed by the ambi-
ton or the neglect of diplomacy. An unequal and
oppressive Tariff has cut us of from some OF these
foreign markets, where we might have sought
the means OF exchanging own productions
tor the manufactures Of other countries.-in those
respects, we have reasons to complain, and heavi-
y, OF the misconduct of our rulers-but il must be
the grossest infaiuaon which would ascribe all
our emharrassments TO these deplorabe CAUSES
by industry and economy by the prudent selection,
! and the enterprisng prosecution of the proper
means, we may palliate, if we cannot correct, the
! impolicy OF our rulers.--We may improve our
roads and our rivers. We may bring the same
products to market at one half fourth Of the
expencc We may IN this manner draw more ar.
tices from distance, which cannot at present ad
mil the cXpence OF transportation. BY private en-
tcrpiise or by the concurrent aid of Agricultural
Societies, where the skill OF each individual is
brought INTO one common STOCK we may incte and
improve the labours of Agriculture. We may di-
yersiiy the uniform routine OF corn, wheat and to-
| bacco-and by presenting new articles of produce
ton, prevent the spirit OF speculation from running
so Wild with any particular subject OF exploration
We may improve our breeds of cattle and sheep
We may raise more wool-hemp, flax, and even
silk. We might cultivate more OF the artificial
grasses, even upon our higher grounds--and thus
contribute TO raise up larger number of finer hogs
sheep, cattle, and horses. We might Introduce bet
ter fruits into orchards-& attend particularly to
our vineyards; obtaining the finest species oil grapes
ali the varieties OF which may probably be dones-
tcaled ORR soils, and most OF them certainly are
improved by ENGRAVING them the uxuriant wild
vines which shoot up spontaneously in our woods
We might raise more cotton. Out OF our wool, and
our cotton, we might manufacture most of the ar
tices OF clothing, which necessary for our la
bourers, and many which WON by ourselves.
Why should we be under such heavy obligations
TO our Eastern brethren for domestic coions-
for hay, for apples, for wooden wa.e, for boots and
shoes, for potatoes, nay for very onions brooms
and brushes? Where are our iron mines, and our
slate quarries? If interest did not strongly
mend greater attention TO such articles, should
suppose that pride would prevent our depending
so much upon the superior industry of our northern
neighbours They would surely have no reasons
to complain OF our attempting to help ourselves;
and besides, the very oppressive and unequal tariff,
with which they have conrived TO saddle the
Southern States, and are getting rich ut our eX-
pence, ought TO stir up to some show of opposition
and counteraction-We have labour and TO spare
we have the labor of the poor withstand we
have the labour of slaves--and either sort is well
adapted, with judcious management, to any sp,-
cies OF employment TO which may think fit TO
devote it. Capital will not be wanting, if show
ourselves willing to employ it, and determined 10
employ ii well.
We appeal, therefore, TO the Citizens Of Virgil
MIA; TO rouse themselves from the slumber into
which they have fallen--to remember the high
character and generous cxcrtions of their ances.
tors-the distinguished reputation which they have
won in the councils OF their country, by their GEM
us, their prudence, their unshrinkng energy, and
their political independence. Strong efforts are
necessary to restore to the ground which we
have lost.--But fortune is seldom unkind to those
who are true to themselves
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
I Our " faithful friends (of the Nat. Intelligen.
cer) making themselves merry about our small
r sign of the e" Warrant-trying" They are heartily
welcome to all the consolation which il will give
> them They may crack their Jokes If they please,
, at the expencc Of correspondents, OF our
selves for really they in need OF something 10
0 keep up their spirits, amid the great and gloomy
Signs OF the Tines truly our " warTant-try-
| ing has almost been echpsed by the other signs
! which we have seen in the Nat. Inelligencer-
the polls Of Steam Boats, and the votes of stages,
that are spread out 10 catch the public attention.
We should not complain, however, IL they would
only state the signs correcty,or pass them entirely
y over. But they take such only, suit their own
purposes--and apeiiwhicII has assumed the name
OF NATIONAL, gives any thing else than the SEN
Y tments Of the nation.
: The very last No. Of that paper, for instance
D gives Signs" from North Carolina, from Penn
; syvania, from New Y ork, and steamboat from
Norfolk to Baltimore. We shall how far
the National IntelIigencer will give us the signs
on the other side-and by way OF assisting its Edi-