Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-05-26
CANALS and RAIL RO1Ds-No. 7.

Mr. EDToR:CThe question in what mode,
the Internal Improvement OF our country can
be most advantageously effected, is one of
great aud lasting importance 1t would be
an important question at any time; but it is
peculiarly SO IN Virginia, and IN tliS part Of
1rgaa0, at thlS time The extensive and
fertile Valley Of Virginia needs the great I'M
provements of the present age, as much, if
not more than any egion of equal extent in
any section of the Union Its local situation
makes this remark obvious and striking. 1t
IS divided by Mountains on the East and
West, which render its intercourse over land
with the Atlantic cities difficult aud tedious,
asd altogether cat it Oft from the great Rivers
OF the West, running to New Orleans. Its
products are staple commodities and ate inn
mense IN quantity, But while there are these
natural difficulties in the way TO the markets,
which are and must always be, the markets
OIL TINS valley, there exist nGturaJ means of
diminishing and OF triumrhing over them.
These means only need tho energy of man
J3d'ctoatsiy applying the powers Of Art, to
ensure to this Valley quick, safe and cheap
access to the best markets The Rivers of
the shenandoah ana Potomac afford TO one
extremity, the means Of improved water
communication, while the head waters Of the
James and Roanoke, oaer the same facilities
oil Improvement to the other.
Bat question has been raised, and it has
been during the past winter. extensively dis
cussed, In the Valley of Virginia, whether
Rail Roads ought not to be generally or in
deed, universally preferred TO Canals along
the Rivers, as being cheaper in their con
s'ruction, and as affording more rapid and
aleSs expensive transportation of persons
an; ana OF agricultural and mineral productions:
4 ne decision seems to have been made in
favour oil the first mode of Improvement
Let us, sir Editor, IN a candid discussion
VI lois question, endcavour TO lead our fel
20" citlzehs TO some satisfactory conclusions
Aet US enoeaVour ia assure ourselves, tina
the decision IN which our Stanton friend
and many others in other parts of the Valley
are about to rest their confidence and enbarl
their funds. he sound and safe | do no
mention our neighbours of Winchester. be
cause where no Immediate facility of Cana
Improvement is available to a large and flour
i>hinG town, by which, in short distanc
Ms citizens can connect themselves with
larger and more extensive work leading d
fectiy to the great outlets TO the Ocean, th
FieSuon OF preference between Rail Road
anu Ssnais, cannot he raised The Wsster
Nlfte Road is to run from Winchester to tn
'<Jbio' ! MS accidental fact 10 Of much gres
Ter weight than any enc intrinsically belong
ing to the lacation and prospects of Win
chester, in inducing its citizens TO censiru.
kaii Road to connect that place with III
chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the Bait
more Rail Road. 1t may be worth the
while, TO make such Rail Road. witho,
any reference 10 the question Of its cemn
ralite cOst-Xei even with regard to the
I'VE will venture the suggestion. athony
with a certain exposure Of ourselves to lbe
as'lS'e'' al prCseaD il nlsy be a matter of %