Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-24

ion Of the resources Of the Commonwealth, In
their improvement, that il connects
i. self with tina; Of the three great rivers OF ihl
A rlSntic.
The Potomac, considered apart from its prin
cipal branches is a border FLYER, but the She
nadoah, now imparfec,ly navigable Tor two nun
bred miles, and ihe South branch Tor one hun
dred, give 10 the Potomac, the character OF
Virginia river; lis branches bearing towards II:
stem, the relotlon Of all the commercial chan
nels of the Commonwealth, to their great es
tuarv, the Che aprake.
Hap.l fol tn e,rly improvement OF this RI
yer, continued canal is now inp' ogress, from
lis tide towards the base Of the Allegany Noun
tain SO that contribution TO the capital EN-
p'oved in this enterprise, not exceeding that o
a sister and bordering stale, will tulhl, al cos
easily pro, ided, the correspondent obligations
of The Commonwea lth 10 her own citizens. In
deed a comparison of the relative interest o
MARYLAND and Virginia in this grea, work, es
tablishes incon;e,tiby the superior impn.ianct
TO the latter of its successful and speedy &C
complshmen, Expedited as the progress o
this canal will be, by the present subscription
of IS, 500, 900 to its sock; the sum proposed 'e
be added TO that amount by The Common
wealth Of Virgins, will ensure its speedy com
nletion and render its stock Immediately pro
ductive.
The Morongahela will constitute to The
North as the great Kenawha to the South tint
western termination OF these great channels o
commerce binding together not only fhs eastern
and western territory, but the two great divi
sons of the United States.
Under the general denominations of The pre-
crdine rivers are comprehended such Of ,hei,
,ribu aries as can be rendered navigabie; but The
growth Of their branches must follow that o
their stems.
The rivers of Virginia, which are not com.
prisrd in The first class, have their origin in tn,
Blue Ridge or the range Of moun,aiEs running
nearer the Ocean. To some, the Common
wealth has already extended her patronage, aue
10 others, the same spirit, enlightened by expe
rence, will hereafter dispense its bene6cent in
huence.
From the Improvement Of the rivers OF the
Commonwealth the Con, en!ion pass to the sub
ject ofroads.
So numerous are these as TO suggest res
friction of The public wealth. 10 the conStruc tor
Of such as are Of prime necessity, for social
commercial and political purposes. No error
in relation 10 the success Of any system Of Inter
nal improvement would BE- mole Injurious IS has
been intimated in an earlier part of the memori-
al than that of dispensing lis funds, over many
miner objects. Bat, looking to the map OF the
lei ritory Of this Commonwealth, three road.
are suggested-ha,ing in view, connection OF
its western, with its eastern frontier, across
those natural barriers, which, under less au'
spcious system Of state ard federal government
would threaten its separation. However strong
those ties may be knit, by affection, wisdom
suggests the cxpsdiency Of confirming them, by
the unceasing and steady support of interest.
In this view, roads'from the political and
commercial centre of the Stage, from some
point upon, or near her central line OF water
communication, south westwardly, towards the
County Of Lee. northwestwardly towards the
county OF Brooke, at the opposite extreme oil
the state, and wes,wardly, to some position be
tween them on the OHIO river, merit in the o.
2inion ofthe convention, the early consider alton
and efficient patronage Of the General Assem-
bly,.
In relation to one Of these roads. d sense Of the
importance Of its prolonga'ion, from its present
eastern and western extremes, is suggested by
the aid which the Legislature has already af-
forded 10 its construction and the great benefit
erived from it. The Convention is also ap-
priseG, that while its cost is likely TO be amply
repaid, by its increasing utility; its extension
which will certainly and proh,ably augment its
use may be effected, at an expense much below
that which has attended the part OF il ALREADY
constructed. This consideration alike appli-
cable to the TWO other routs here proposed, en-
hances the facility aud the expendieney OF their
execu ion.
These are objects Of immense importance TO
Virgins. All feel and acknowledge their mag
nilude. But the fund devoted to their attain
ment is already charged to the full extent Of its
present capacity. The probability is that it,
produc,iveness will be, in some measure, in
creased by The completion Of several turnpike
roads, which are in progress; but This augmen-
ration cannot be uncomfortable 1t is gradual
ly liberating itself from the bur'hens imposed
upon it. and will probably after the present
year, yield some surplus in addition TO the exe-
culion Of its Existing engagements. After the
year 1880, i, may, undoubtedly, b. considered
as very productive. Its operation, if il even be
directed to important objects will be senslbIy
felt. Yet there is much reason to fear that The
legislature canno. proceed Immediately even
with the mos: pressing Of these works without