Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-05
MATTERS AND THINGS IN GENERAL.
We are obliged to the writer of the following
RI0HN60MD, FEB, 8.

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MATTERS AND THINGS In GENERAL.
We are obliged TO the writer of the following
article for the information which he conveys
and we shall take 1t az special favor if any other
citizen would state the results of the experiments
which have been made elsewhere with the same
machine, or any economical processes for i'm
proving our domestic manufactures. There is one
obvious caution which we ought to practise upon
this subject. We must not confound the Tariff.
with the improvement OF our manufactures We
must not carry our Just prejudices far an
essive Tariff, as to oppose the suitable introduce
tion Of the necessary and useful fabrics We are
ripe unquestionably for certain manufactured
moro especially for clothing our own laborers We
have labour to spare, both white and coloured-we
may have materials in abundance, we have cot
ton, can raise the wool, fax, and even hemp-we
have lion and COAL and water-power, in almost in
exhaustible quantities; and we are destined in the
natural progress Of erents, to make for ourselves
q variety Of the articles, for which we are unne-
cessarly dependent upon foreign nations or upon
other Statcs.-lt would eveIebe q source of
profit to our agricutursts 10 diversity the modes of
culture--and TO travel occasionally beyond the ma
Clio circle Of" corn, wheat, and tobacco."-A little
more cotton in the lowands, little more wool in
the pastoral upands, more and finer varieties of
grass, instead OF being sometimes dependent upon
the beautiful meadows Of our Eastern brethren
some flax and hemp-even potatoes, onions apples
and broom corn, for which we draw upon the north
might be made to flourish with proper culture
among ourselves, and in good seasons furnish
enough for our own consumption. We ought to
substitute our too generally stinted, Shetland de-
scripton of cattle by the finer, improved English
breeds-We have the finest horses in the world:
and why should we not have the best sheep and
cattle! Why should we not initiate the enterpris-
ing spirit of John Hare Powell!-Such man is a
benefactor to the State which boasts Of him as a
citizen. Until few years past, we have neglect
ed our orchards and our fruits-We begin to turn
our attention a little to this interesting OBJ
ject; and few curious citizens about our towns,
or few enterprising ge ,lemen in the country
begin TO show the benefits of drawing their stocks
from Prince and Landreth, and the Jersey Nur-
series; but we are still very far behind our East
ern brethren both in the variety and succession of
our fruits. We have an admirable soil and climate
too, for fine Vineyards-why should we not gene
rally obtain the choicest vines; and raise our own
grapes, If we cannot make own wine? Why,
10 word, should we not enlarge our Views lit
lie; diversity our modes Of agriculture; and null
tiply our employments?
The more liberal of our Eastern Brethren some.
times do full justice to all good qualities. They
courteously tell us, when visit their parts,
that they have great respect for the Virginians;
that we are hospitable, public-spirited gal
liant and generous people; that we are great poll
ticians, &c. &c. (more indeed than we are now
willing to repeat)-but they generally wind up,
with soto uoce in sort of under key,"It is pity
you have SO many slaves among you" Press
them more closely for the meaning Of this remark.
and some one more vain or more candid than the
resi- VIII sketch the consequences of this species
OF labor upon the prosperity OF our people. He
Will gently hint, that it contributes to make the
white man lazy;thst it makes labor degrading & un
fashionable; do not like to put our own hands
70 the plough; that it makes us likewise extrava-
giant and wastefui; and that it is because the Yam
KEGS 1--WE use the word in no odious sense } are
more industrious frugal than the Virginians that
they have so far got the start OF u.s. their country
intersected with better roads, their rivers more
completely opened, their towns and villages gene
rally more thriving; and an air of greater opu {.
ienee and comfort spreading through their land.
Whatever our PANTY may say to this picture,
Vhat says Truth That whatever be the co,,ses
such are the consequences that we are general
~ 100 lazy and too extravagant; that Nature has
cone great deal more for us, than we have done
for ourseves-that blessed as we are with such a
climate and such a soil, such a profusion of
streams, & such an abundance of materials we have
neglected our privileges and fallen comparativelv
INTO decay; and that the Census of 1880 will con-
country daily places before our eyes-Our roads
are neglected. Our rivers are not suffi cieny i'm
proved. Our towns are stinted by the want of
good roads and navigation; and our country is
oiighted by the difficulty Of the approach to our
towns. We have resources within ourselves il
we would but properly exert them.-New York
mas raised out OF her own funds monument 10 her
own glory. Her Grand Canal would reflect no.
nor upon any country or upon any age ennsyl-
venia Is now engaged upon system Of canals,
turnpike and rail roads that will scatter wealth to
'he remotest borders of her state. Ohio is con
Meeting the Ohio river with the Lakes; and dif,sinp
over her heids the riches Of the Nile. MARYLAND Is
striking out new plans for her advancement by her
railroads to the Ohio & the Susquehannah; g. seek
ing to improve herself by the resources of Va and
Pennsylvania. These States are improving them
seives principally by the of their own funds;
and why should not Virginia. Why should not
we rouse ourselves; put our own shoulders to the
@heel initiate the enterprsing spirit of our siste
o.a'cs; improve our roads and our water courses;
our schools and our children; our agriculture and
our manufactures!--Why should not the present
Legislature Zeaousy strike one stroke in the cause
OF Internal Improveme nt--and prepare for organ.
I1!ng the surveys, raising the funds and guarding
WIN vigiant circumspec An their wise and faithful
uisoursement!-But, II they will not make this ex
eruon; u actuated by prudential considerations or
Struck by the same whitening torpor, which has
700 long frozen up the energies of the State, thew
should devolve all the labour and all the honor
upOu .hei. successors we have the consolation TO
!ecoiIect, that new spirit is likely to be excited
by new Constitution. We must thank the pre
sent Legislature for what thew have done-aod ,ys
must thank them, particularly, for organizing n
Convention; for putting it in the power Of the peo
pie promptly to redress the inequalities of their re
Presentation, and remedy the other defects in the
Constitution. We will trust to a new Constitution
LOT some new impulse to be given 10 the des,inies
OF the State That impulse WILL in all probability,
be given. Virginia must arise from her apathy;
snd improve, IN still higher degree, all the bene-
hts which Nature has placed in her hands.
:. III Virginia were 10 unite these exertiops will,
,ne principles and manners she enjoys, she would
nave nothing 10 ask for. She yields to no one
state IN the Union in her love of liberty, and Jus,
perception Of the principles of political science.
We are inferior TO the citizens of no State in orr
genuine attachment TO the true principles of the
FEDERAL Constitution; aud 10 the almost slecpIess