Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-12-07


eut from that observed by the current when there IS
but an uncomfortable freshet
w hiisi the navigation through shoals and ripples
is benehtted at this state of depression by deepening
the bed of the rivers and by the construction of wing
daTns designed and calculated throw u greater
lumn OF water into 1t, it is frequently injured at
point OF greater el"vaiion-becanse the natural
channel Is of'en found the side observing its
course near the shore, while the artificial channel IS
most commonly attempted in the direct line, by exca
Vatlons made IN the ripple natural dam
BY this means, there is danger of iniuriDg de
stroyng boats The wing dams, when there is IN
considerable rise in the which sometimes FLATS
the boa upon these dams, and compels the boatmen
to away :he work tn suffer the vessel pass;
and when there is a considerable freShct the
work becomes useless moreover the swftncss of the
current in those suiccs often such, to require
many hours TO pass them, with small cargo board,
with the assistance derived from cords fastened to
rings at fixed points drawn By double complement
OF men. since the introduction Of steam boats on
that river 1t is ascertaned that to pass these snices
at one stage of the water is tedious and difficult
that the attempt is sometimes altogether abandoned
w hen the boat enters the channel, her width nclu-
ding her wheels fills up much of he way, that
the whole forms kind OF dam to The swiftly descend
ing current, which 'front.' and increases the
resistance that the navigaors obliged very often
to permit the water TO flow by-ths whole Is q work
| of much labor.
If then the disbursements on this river have not
conferred all the bencis expected 10 q w from them
1t 10 owing to the kind oi Improvement which has
been resoried 1t is believed tina, sluice navigation
whenever empte will be found totally inaLeouate
10 me attainment OF any thing permanent imoor,un:.
Ii further expenditures stsud he deemed expedi
emf, 1t becomes a matter OF earnest confederation
whether dam the river below Elk Shoals
with lock on tho right bank would net in the end
be the cheapest, and it is cer,a,ny tho b.,i mode of
overcoming the difficulties e+ene by thar obs acle
The communication by canal or rail road from james
River to the New river or Z pper Kanaw!la, is sub
ilect too important not TO nccupy prominent place
IN the arrangement of these public works
BY the ructIon such q ruad nnIfo
tile region will be- enabled TO send to market much
produce t" swell the exports of IN. S. ate, and add
much to the agg egatc wealth Of the community.
By the completion OF such under king, the New
River, which Is now utterly useless though large
hne river, the longest in the State, would become
canal contributing to this object the rich resources of
region abnnndng IN iron and lead and capable OF
producing hemp wheat and tobacco great amount
The ohStrncti"ns 10 the nav of this river prn-
c,paliy exit at and beowRichmond's fa!!s-no doubt
ls entertained that bnteaux might now be used upon
1t from th- lead nine. 10 that point, thus enabling
produce 10 ascend descend to the contemplated
road-Thousands OF barrels of flour and pounds of
tobacco which will not otherwise exist would find
their way to isarkct through the James River
Whilst reviewing THIS subject in al its behring's upon
the great interests of the State 1t cannot escape the
observation of any, that, all that region of country
which lies betwecs, Parkersbnrg and Winchester is
without any comm-rcia facilities: road indciouslv
located in that part Of the State would benefit q
large number of our fellow citizens and traverse an
extensive and fertile country and cannot fail to claim
an indnigent cons'deratInn and rank among the OBJ
Jects deserving the att enon of the Commonwealth.
The Dismal Swamp Canal is ine imnrovement
arnging benefits from afar, and contributing much
to the value and Improvement of Norfolk a Town
which virginia will cherish as being the first Sea-
port on the Atlantic Coast and which may at no dis
tant day, when the commercial interests of the Union
shall again be consulted. claim comparison with anv
otherCommerce has built all the cities in he world
the of it has made the LARGEST ,he boh;tot;on
for bats and for reptiles
The enterprisng citizens Of Petersburg have pro-
IIected rail road from that town to the Roanoke
riVer' which promises when viewed part of the
whole system to be useful in forming a link of the
chain intended to the trade of the southern
region with the commerce OF James River
other improvements of great Importance will from
time TO time present themselves and will doubtless
OBTAIN the countenaHcc OF the Lsgisisture.
TO expedite the plans of Improvement which tha
wisdom of the General Assembly may think expedi-
ent to resume or adopt IL is respectfully suggested
that the State might be benefited by nnderta Lro
them exclusively upon her own reso,Irces-render
ing it the duty of the Principal Engineer often TO
inspect them and placing the same under his drec.
ton and control.
Der of the Board Of Works under daIe of the 7 Of
October announcing his discrimination resign .ppont-
menf as member OF the Board of tina. body
will commence the first of January next it may be we'll a,
an early day to appoint a SUCCESSOR.
The military force of the State strong and inc The
greatest harmony the officers exists every
some enacen'' may be necessary for its
oisc'Pine ana prompt and effective The arms
and ordnance excellent can he used whenever
necessity requires without encounerng expense delay The
OF ms 'ce together with the number description,
aud condition of the and seen by refer
ence 10 the reports OF he Aduisnt General
oil The Public Guard herewith communicated.
The condition of the Treasury found to be as prosper
o"s as al any former PERIOD though the may
e han on the corresponding day of the last year. diff
ference may perhaps be accountes the
taxes made at the last session of the General Assembly
unexpended balance the Treasury the fiscal
year 1929 vas H. that vich remained at tine end of
the year 1880 beng $50 oi 86thc in the
treasury on the Alto day of the month"; 1884
BENG less than on the corresponding day of the preceding year.
me prosperous condition Of finances had no farther
cas upon the Treasury been expected ordinary de
nands upon ~, IS such would have justified farther
reduction on the tax annually levied upon people, and still
ei means sufficient 10 the money, and labor command
10 pave erected much tor the improvement of the State with
our me necessity o. resorDg taxatonbut the stron
gs oahy that in the Of ensuing year large and
pressing demands will be made for the amount due 10 tie off,
GERS Of the revolution.
Oner these circumstances, it will become necessary to pro
VH nor he payment of these claims, they are presented
whch believed he done without re,ortInr to means AZ
all hurheusome the State. . ~ "