Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-11-26
IMrHRMA AZ IMPRoVEMeMT
of the C0If.WITTEE 0W ROADS

TERNAL IMPROVEMENT
REPORTof the COMMITTEE ON ROADS
To the fdjourn'd Meeting heli by the Citizens Of
Lynchbmg, at the Franklin Hotel on the 30fh ut.
The Committee charged with the duty OF p oposing
plans Of improving the channel. OF communica be-
tween Luxembourg and the surrounding country and
corresponding with those mutually in.ere,ted therein,
IL Is MOI possible 10 view, without mingled feelings
OF regret and modification, the condition OF the high
ways in this part OF Virginia. Lynch3urg, tina, has
been for forty year,, the principal place of trade in
extent Of country embracing a rec hundred miles Sonh
OF it, greater length Wes, one hundred aad fifty
Norihwardly, and one hundred Ea'wardy, had not,
until few years past one g00d r0dd for hye mics in
any direction. Nor has IL than two, to wit:
in the direction OF nberst courthouse, fifteen
miles In length, and another 10 Liberty, Bedford
house distance OF five aud ~ en,y miles. The road
from here to Richmond, main stage road TO the me
repos and along which necessarily passes, in il.
route TO this their market the produce 6f the eastern
part OF Campbell, and the upper part OF Buckingham
Prioce Edwa,d and Charlotte, is. for twelve o fifteen
miles over rugged, broken country, and The hills
neither avoided graduated the stones siump., and
roots not removed; often The odd is not wide enough
10 admit wagons TO pass each Other; and no drain on
either side 10 preserve IL from washing prevent the
formation Of puddles-hcnce, IL is rover smooth and
safe, and 10 frequently almost impossible Such
Is the condition. likewise, OF the various roads (tcn or
Twelve in nun.bs) across Stau-ton river. from Rrosk
Neal in the South East, 10 Haies' Ford in the South
West ut excepting the one by our county court house
and the Maine Southern Road crossing at ward.
bridge. The road to the South Western counties Of
Virginia and East Tennessee, crossing The Blue Ridge
at Bufords gap. il, except the Turnpike In like state.
And the Blue Ridge mountain, from BnforPs in the
South West, to whiies gap, in tbs North West a
distance OF seventy miles and approsc ching within
ty-hve mes, OF US, has been permitted to continue sn
impossible barrier between aud the West, neihe
Its gaps penetrated nor its sides graduated 10 admit Of
travel.
This imperfect. though not exaggerated te.crp
ton OF the principal high ways in this part OF the Safe
will indicate tbs condition Of the people Appri.ed Of
tha ftar mind ian "a, a
features have no eXIstence-agtcui 'ure, commerce
and the mechanic arts lang u.h and decline. The sg-
riculturast experiencing The barlhens and expense o.
transportation, and perpiexed with the difficulties, il he
raise various articles for market confines himse!f Ia
one-wlich sBgrossing his attention, and preventing
iudicous rotation OF crops leads 10 the impoverish
ment OF his land aud neglect of biz stock thus becom.
ing poorer and more dependent, he has 10 buy
and less to buy with. The Merchant and Me hanic
hnds himself restricted within limits-traie
and husine.s have Dlets and ou'lets-exertion no
slimulus-talents no scope-nor enterprise reward
The manufacturer cannot tbiLk of establishing a fAct)
ny for the business # neghborheod The citizen oil
whatever class. disappointed in his hopes aud calcu
laons; his most j. dlcous efforts unsuccessful the
country declines and he wish Ii bis property is less
productive and acknowledgements, discouraged AMI
dependent, he breaks the ties Of kindred and nativity
and seeks another h'me in far distant aid less favor
ed land. But revere the scene. Let the country be
supplied with supe riOr channels Of commune atom
let good roads penetrate and inerssct every section oil
the land-and how suddenly and greatly is the pros
pect changed! Agriculture revves-improyed mode.
OF agriculture lntrOduced-ths taTmer his
crops improves bis laDd chershes his stock, and ha.
less to buy and more TO buy with Commerce auc
the mechanic arts participate in the favorable change
No longer limited spot ne shborhood hut with
field before them exciting and worthy OF their high
eat effOit' they expand their wings, and guided by
skiI and enterprise, star abroad Manufactures too
spring up. urnistiOg market for mate rais here
tofors sent aroAd or MT cultivated, and supply Of
iiees obtained hitherto forsisn nations, the dimi
mutton aud arrangement OF our circulating medium
Every class OF society participates in the general pros
IA
ADD emigration is unthought of History informs u,
that such have ever been, and reason tells rnu,
be, The const qutncss OF superior channels OF eommu
picstioD
Blu, yOur committee has the qualification of believing
that the citizens of Lynchburg and the surrounding
country, are, generally, be ginning 10 form ulster es
innate OF tbs value d good tosds-tbat whsresoeve
their inquiries and dependence have sxendsd the,
have been cbesred ith hearty good wishes, and pro
missed cordial cO-oosrston-and they look with conf
dsnee TO the ruils OF this spirit when properly called
and judicOusly directed.
Aware OF the necessity Of deyspR plane Of improve
for prompt and energetic action and promised co
operation in all directions, your committee has turned
Ire serious asD ion 10 the maturity OF plans sua
bic to our circumstances and wants Two plans ne
cessaily occupied its deliberations fret, The pfopre
~ oil iufnpihiDg the leading roais; and secondly,
more vigorous and Idcious execution OF the road
aided by such voluntary subserip Oas in and Ia
hour the liberal aud public. pifed might sH,fd
Tire fret promised better ioads when COMPLETED an
their being kept in bsitet efar-bu would occasion
much loss Of time 10 procure charters obtain sub ip
70 sOCh, VI sdhlIo companies, make surveys
conirscts, sc. would cauee much expenditure of pfi
vate capital and settle the community, Ivy toll gate,
perpetual and UeratiOus tar. The second, pronis.
free rode, lighter labouf to keep them in repair whe
thoroughly constructed, Enabled each to aid
co'dtng TO his mean, aud admitted oi immediate eSo
cuiioO, Without the loss Of the fall months. Oht
considerations were ne. waiting to induce your com
'nuee to recommend the latter plan-ii 10 preferred
the community, who object 10 ollgaes; II will test N
public spt oil the town and country that hisneVer
failed when ELECTED by suitable occssion and eav,
capitalists In aDuiic pof te
undivided resources 10 work Of desp and vital ints
est, hereinafter recommended. But 10 bid in the Q "a
cation Of the road lsws procuring voluntary subsrt,
iioBs OF money and ihour, and advice aud assist In nj
repair Of The roads, your committee recommend IN
spposlmeni ie eseh road Of pol jps ,bsp thee czer