Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-27

the particular improvement, which has enjoyed the
special patronage Of the G. Assembly, has not adj
vanced in degree bearing just proportion to
the amount expended on il, whilst most other i'm
pro"emenis have languished been deferred for
want oil support and encouragement, ih conse-
quence OF this expenditure. La connection with
tins subject, az il forms part OF the James River
Improvement, XVIII be proper, in this place, 10
'sHe some notice OF the work on the Ksnawha Ri
yer, 10 which the attention of the Board has been
called oy an actof the q. Assembly, and insn'ori
ais OF the citizens residing on, and more immedi-
a,eiy interested in the navigation OF that River -
ne Improvement OF this River, designed & plan
ned by former Engineer of the Stat, Mr. Moore
has been completed, and the work received nv IN,
Agent oil the James River Company on the Ka.
nawha section, from the Contractors. II is now
represented by the persons, for whose benefit aud
convenience 1t was undertaken, and who almost
exclusively, are engaged in the navigation of the
nVer, that instead OF removing impedinen ts, OBJ
srucuons have been rCatcd, and that the River IN
lis natural state, afforded safer and better navga-
uon, than Is enjoyed, since the improvement has
been made The facts OF the case, as far as they
can pe' WIN De ascertained and made the subject
OF separate report The view i'm which this sub
Jcct presents itself TO the Board as connected with
and having bearing on the present SYSTEM is that
improvements OF the kind here spoken of. under
taken and pro ecuted at the sole expense Of the
S'a'e' seem TO be considered in the light of public
property, and should be made public highways
Tree OF charge for their use II cannot he b .lcy.
cd, that ii individuals more Immediately concern
ell, had been interested III the Improvement in
question, that the means employed to eyade the
payment OF Tolls, would have been resorted TO. OF
II so, could have succeeded to the extent thew
have. The Tolls on the Kanawha, under the ex
listing Iariff, are estimated at So 600 per year. at
eas' but may be considered as nominal. The
Board, in presenting their views on this subject is
influenced by the most SINGER and earnest desire
to see the improvement of the James River re-
fa1 ~
nation 1t remains with the G.. Asse nbly 10 de-
wise scheme and provide the means.
announcer cause OF embarrassment experienced
IN the management OF The Fund, and which is be-
heVe" 10 nave produced a considerable expendi-
ture, without the attainment of anv commensu
rate benefit. results from the course of legislation
pursued ON the subjects Of improvement present
ed to the consideration of the G.. Assembly IL is
very desirable, that system Of improvement, APP
phcaoie 10 Roads more particularly, should be
dopted and pursued, as far may be practicable,
which would have the effect to make each road
form link in chain from, the point of commence
inent, 10 the utmost extent to which il may b..
carried. Improvements OF this character are gem
eraiiy undertaken, in The first instance in the
neighborhOo! of Towns; and IT, after the forma
ton OF the FIRST the second, and each one in snc-
cession, shall be located in continuation E!e b.ue
III oil great highways, or turnpike roads, travers-
ing the State in different directions must be the
certain consequence.
TuSh d system Is desirable, ana the result
would be, what is taken for granted il can never
he attained, so lorg as decision, favorable to an
improve incnt peiitoned for, is accompanied hy a
requisition on the Board TO make subscription -
improvements in their nature, local and limited to
heishoorhoOd convenience, must, under such a
course, receive portion of the fund designed for
objects OF more general utility; AMI it may he
questioned, whether under certain circumstances
The object may not be entirely local, that sa
crilice OF The individual subscriptions, together
WIN The States quota, may not positive gain
confined, however, to those Immediately inters 81
ed. In such case the subscription from The
und must be lost, and with il, all hope of diyi-
dend.
In The remarks here submitted, the Board is in.
iuenced by no other consideration than A lust re.
gard to The interest of the FUND committed TO the;
charge, and OF the state at large, and is encourag
ed TO make them, from the salts action experienc.
ed oyseeing the same sentiment advanced by a
Committee OF The G. Assembly, in their repori on
the state OF the Office of the "a Auditor.
ihe charges payable out of the income of IL.
luna during the present year, together with the
interest on the James River Company io,pspndcx
penses OF surveys, &c. il has been stated vi IN alb
sorb, IN all probability, the entire income. The
charges, however, are certain, while the receipts
as ihcy mus; &c, from the sources whence derived
are conjectural.
While it is impossible for this reason to arriv,
at accuracy, II rs very certain that if any disap
~,
ence will be very inconsidcrable, and bot for
short period OF time, as the income of the next yea
Is charged with the payment of 5000 ONLY a
present There win be claims, however, in In,
revenue oil that year by companies recently char
tered; but IN providing for them care vii he Il,
ken, not to create heavier charges than can viii
existing engagements be complied with Tn,
view herein presented OF the fiscal concerns nj th
board exhibits this very satisfactory result. Ina
while the ability OF the fund has increased. anf
~ LsIu fn ha
are diminishing.
During the past year the Principal Engine ,
has been very actively employed in CARRYING; into
execution, resolutions of the General Assembly
and orders OF the board and Members ex oHicio
III which period, though for a part OF the lime he
was deprived OF the aid OF his assistant his labor.
must have been severe and ariuous as will, an.
pear from his reports various subjects which
are herewith submitted.
The reports received on the connexion OF
the Roanoke & James River, New River s. Roam
oke, survey OF the Rappahannock-the location
OF the Middle Turnpike Road a survey from Mid
dieburg to Straisburg, survey from Berry's Ferry
to Straisburg survey OF a Road from Harrisonbure
to Franklin and thence to Beverley, urvoy of a
road from Staunton to Rifles Run, the examina-
tons OF the Plank atank River the examination nj
Fauquier and AIexan' ria Little River Falls Bridge
Leesburg, Ashby's Gap Turnpike Companies, the
Canal near Richmond and the Blue Ridge Canal
The reports and returns of the several compa-
mes TO the Capital Stock of which the fund has
subscribed, are herewith communicated. They
are:
The Ashby's Gap Turnpike Co; Upper Appomal-
tox Go, Lower Appomattox Co; Dismal swamp
Canal 20; Fairfax Turnpike Co; Fauqui,r AIexan-
drIa turnpike Co; Leesburg Turnpike Co; Little
River Turnpike Co; Lynchburg & Salem Turn
pike Go; chester & Petersburg Co; Richmond
Dock Go; Roanoke Nav. Go; Slate River Co.:
otaunion x James River Turnpike Co; shepherds,
town 4 ssithheld Turnpike Co; Smokers Gap