Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-31

that work; and that some years Afterwards, when the
object had been attained, he the name of that same
Individual announced as Chairman OF Committee OF the
citizens oil kanawha, organized for the purpose OF pro.
curing reduction OF the tolls upon tina, river. know
that the gen,ieman alluded did urge with zeal ave-
ana with eioquence too, the improving the navigation
oil the hanawha River; but, sir he never asked il as
separate aud Independent Improvement, nor as such
ND the people oil my county desire 1t. II was not ne
cessary. The downward navigation of the Kanawha
was as good in the main, as that OF the Ohio When
ever we could descend the latter river with our salt
we could descend our own. Ii link i'm the great
chain intended to connect the East and the West that
the Improvement OF the Kanawha urged. We
hoped mat markets East OF would have been onen
eel 10 the productions of our delightful valley You
chose, however, 10 commence at the two extremes
leaving the space between us 20 future day ex
cept SO lar as dirt turnpike might connect us nfor
'unaeiy, the siuice navigation adopted on the Ka
nawha, and has proved any thing rather than an inn.
provemcnt The use Of steamboats, has been destroy.
ed at certain stages of the water nor has the c,v Of
nav eating in any other mode been increased. There
was imposed on my constituents, under your tariff Of
tolls about SIP 900 annually without the Slightest
responding benefit They petitioned for redress, as
they had right to do. You found their claim Inc,
one. and relieved them from considerable norton -,
'he ouruen. Ihey are now paying without murmur
aX onerous, because not founded i'm benefits receiv
provemen the citizens of Kanawha are not implicit.
ed:-Ihey had no choice in the mode of improving
OF agency IN ITS execuion:-They do not censure the
agents oil the Commonwealth. II is one of those in.
s'snces IN winch experience has been bought: and
WINCH trust, will prove profitable 10 the State
But with every inducement 10 invite us onward in an
acuve course oil Improvement, are told that il is
hPohhc 10 borrow money TO effect il; and this PROPOSE
ton is gravely debated abstract question Of poI
cal economy The gentleman from Sussex saws il il
violation OF the sound principles of government TO Dor
row money In time OF peace. In the exigences of
war; il is admitted that il is not only politic bn,
often absolutely necessary TO adopt this course -
me argument is this that in the hour of con0ic,
US proper to defend ourselves by whatever means
10 inn,
prepare Tor that State of things before il acualJv
rves; Is 1t violation of the best political science to
prepare Tor war amid the blessings of peace by deve
opement oil national resources by an increase of vour
wealth and populations and by securing all the facilities
OF defence. The contrary doctrine would even forbid
me building OF ships and Notifications or providing any
"e munitions oil war, until they actually /.
iea LOT oy the commencement OF hostilies! These are
a constructed by funds levied in time of peace L.
mere any difference in the proprety OF State borrow
pg money 10 elect great national ends and an indiy
uai ior purposes OF private good? Is there 10 be no
haohaI enterprise, state adventure hen nroner oc
casons offer themselves: When an oppor,unitv Is 70
seh'eu 10 citizen oil improving his estate and greatly
ehargng ITS revenue, does he hesitate TO borrov nj he
neighbour the necessary TO attain that ob;o., ~
peciaiiy when he is satisfied that such improvement
WIN enaoie nun 10 pay the sum borrowed with com.
pouiu ineresH lhe1egislaure, as the parens patyig
pound 10 take such measures as will best promo,e tho
general welfare OF the Commonwealth To MS ia en-
trusted tne management of an immense estate When
VIC iu 'ha oy an improper system of cultivation il is
all
dy commenced, and that the tenantrv arc orrnaII,,
leaving IT. shall we delay the business of repair and
suffer IL 10 pass TO our children valueess inheritance,
Our sister States, who have led the van of ;mnrovo
ments, have all effected them bv loans pennsviva;
notwithstanding the very large debt which she has in
CURED In her public works, few days since added 10 il
the sum oil two millions of dollars, without as much de-
this bill. "pP'OP'i"'o" III
1t Is sa that the present condition of orr finances
US 10 beware OF contracting further debts-
CONFESS was somewhat startled by the magnitude of
the sum, announced by the gentleman from, Susso, "
the present debt of Virginia. BY the estimate or ba,
ee.uenah we now owe 81, 427,0 39. Upon an exami-
ea'oh however, OF his account of debts and credits
uu ,'a' 10 constitute that sum, he has taken amounts
uue from one fund to another as from the fnd for In
'erha Improvement, TO the Literary Fund; and ,ice
versa; "hch' so lar from being debts of the Common
wealth. are part of her present wealth. she heinz a
owner OF both these funds and having full power 70
alter their original destination and TO devote tbem n
any OBJECT she may think proper Another item in the
account Is SioooOO loaned 10 the University which il
no liability OF the State but debt due to her To swell
this formidable catalogue $500 900 is added as the
oabie amount OF Revolutionary claims, which NAV he
aeihaaed oi'us, under recent decision of the Court Of
Appeals. Upon inquiry of the Auditor | lea I'm that
many OF these supposed claims will never be prosecut
ed; and that, of those which may be- many will he nm
successful. besides the Committee Revolutions
ry claims, has, within few laws reported TO tbe
rouse, a deDt due us from the General Government
out ittle snort OF one million of dollars for the adjust
neht OF which they recommend the appointment of a
commissioner, with full powers.
Inc report oil the Second Auditor to the Senate nm
on the present debt OF the Commonwealth exhibits a
very different result, from that furnished by the wor
thy member from Susssex-By that report it will he
seen that the whole debt for which Virginia is at this
ment liable, is $3.50, l66 ST. | have procured from
that excellent officer, another statement sbowne tha
present state OF our finances; considering the Literary
Fund, and the fund for Internal Improvement as the
property OF the State; which shews large surplus now
OH hand do not propose that either of these funds
should ever be devoted to purposes other than those
Tor which they were creaed;-on the contrary.
should have rejoced had they each received consiitu
ona' cohsecrauoh' as was attempted in the Convention
last winter. furnish this view, merely TO show tba
true amount OF money the disposal of the State:
and TO prove that finances are not SO low az o for
6d our embarking in the improvement of the country
Literary Fund Capital q 5Io $50
I "'iu 'o' in'erhai Improvement, 2l59,6O9
s,.,.. ma, $3,66s ,299