Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-12-22

ment oi the State is regarded ne fhc
sure means Of producing unity Of feel.
ing aud harmonious action between all
parts OF the community, its Importance
cannot be questioned, or It's benefits
De matter OF speculation.
In this government there is no wan,
OF constitutional power over this sub.
Ject-against similar exercise of DOW.
err on the part Of the Federal Govern
menf, Virginia has uniformly protest
ed-and wisely. The exercise Of such
power by that government. has been
regarded. not only - unc constitutional.
Out rs deieferious in the highest degree
and an attentive observation Of its
elects, has been attended with n tho.
rough conviction of its disastrous ten
denoy. Ii is a cause of sincere con.
graduation. that the President should
have done much in the exercise Of his
constitutional veto towards arresting
this unfortunate system. We may
certainly hope, that impclled by a de.
voted regard to the interests Of the l..
nited States, manifested bv him upon
repeated occasions. he will persevcrc
IN this course. until every vestirc Of
this usurpation will be obIitcrated from
the legislation Of Congress. The states
are competent to the Improvement of
their own domestic condition, and the
obligation which rests upon them TO do
so. is high and imperious.
From the numerous works which
have been brought to public view, those
IN which the State has become interest.
ed IN part, or undertaken To construct
at her own expense. justiiies the pub
iic expectation that they will be re sum.
ed and prosecuted to their final com.
p!etion.
Although many works have been
projected, highly beneficial to large
neishboihoods aud even the counties
In which they may he situated, vet
there are few Of magnitude or impor.
lance sufficient 10 entirle them 10 the
character of state improvements.
In considering this subject. the mind
cannot fail to contemplate tn. great
commercial advantages which would
be derived from the completion Of those
works already begun on the James
! River. Heretofore this seems 10 have
been considered the first object, and of
Importance enough TO justify the Gen.
eral Assembly in making il the cxclu
sivc property Of the Commonwealth.
IL then. private enterprise is prevent
ed from carrying on this work, the OBJ
( legation to finish IL. becomes much
moro stronS on the part of the govern
mcnt; aud was its navigation render
ed equal to that of similar works Of
other states which are intended to serve
as channels for the introduction of pro
ducc from the rich regions of the west.
there cannot Inc a doubt. but that the
exports of this river would be greatly
augmented.
This foe river is the natural channel
aud Is the shortest and might be the
easiest. cheapest aud most certain
route through which the inc xhauetible i.
bundance produced from the rich soil
of the Western States could find its
way to the Atlantic.
10 invite the agricultural product,
ct that country TO their large cities.
has been the object Of those vast ex-
pendiiures encountered by some Of
our sister States; and were success
tn attend their efforts, that trade would
he chcaply acquired at the cost Of adj
dItional millions: the products Of the
labor oi three millions Of people would
then be secured. with n certainty Of
their increasing so long as the confede-
racy existed.
The improvements put upon this
great channel To- the West, not less
Important in tho requirement Of that
commerce, than Co the trade Of the in
terlur Of our own country, have been
constructed at an unreasonable and
unparalleled expense. This is deeply
to be- regretted-but il is nevertheless.
: confidently believed, that by Judi.
: ciOus change IN the mode Of conduct
ing this work, steam boat navigation
could be accomplished TO Lynchburg.
z for about TIC sum Of SIX hundred thou
I sand dollars.
. That part of the improvement whicl
: forms the road bctwctn COvingtOn anC
: kanaWha, vas never we'll located
e graduated or constructed, bot will
e the exception Of few miles, which !
= aill be indlspensabIy necessary 4
y pave Ho " pchWhuie WI DC It9uH GU
5 other than TO keep il in proper repai
I for some time.
J. The road which lies between th
y Great Falls Of kauauha and Charles
town has not been finished. 800 ing TO III,
!. failure Of the contractors 10 compl
y with their engAgemeDis--the near ~
J proaeh Of your session induced ti
:, James River Company TO refrain lfot
y entering into new contracts until ih
- 'ohJee' could be tally presented
you.