Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-03
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u An Intelligent and patriotic Member ofthe lae
Legislature writes US as fellows, from the vicinity of
Lynchburgh
~ have learnt since my home lha, rkbrdge and
Bo'etou warmly in favour of the
ton otherwise Bsltimoe) Rail koad-beevins be
their interest to trade Baltimore and that feeling avoura
Die to ITS further extension towards them, increasing in the
south western counties of Virginia: and mauy persons here
believe that shall get nerchardize from the north, if
not send our produce along that This idea fatal TO
eastern Virginia. of despair of the James River
being adequately improved and WILL promptly removed,
possessed of sufficient political through the
Assembly What then will be its condition. if deprived tie
operation of the counties its head waters?
"re of this idea puts nsuperabe barrier
all hope of New road plan Fer
inducements to aid in its accomplishment,
if the river below improved first order
Indeed without suo improvement along the river, the
south will 60 connection With the Baltimore Rail
Road, and for trading town. the eastern towns of
Virginia will not even participate in the western radethe
fatal consequences of which Virginia.
by all
ITO and impression, well as do
justice able ucsu and energetic
the James River npro ought Immediately taken
The Board of Pchc Works should proceed in their
preparations surveys plated in the late
the citizens Richmond should call public meeting, and
chee' the by the strongest ressluonsthey should
call out, service such meeng their abest and
most influential If they will in this promptly,
strongly and wisely the river will be improved and thereby
the ira de of the piddle and be secured-and shall
succeed plan rail- road to New river thereby
the trade OF the south west and of eastern Tennessee These
G' eny are not see clearly and com
We mos, fully subscribe to the justice Of these
views. We plainly that the superior enterprise
of Baltimore will meet the success it deserves and
wrest from Richmond to which il more naturally be-
longs, the trade Of an Empire We see the one, bold,
vigorous and indeatigable the other, stupidity in
sensible, passive and recumbent. We see Baltimore
stretching forth her arms embrace commerce Of
unknown richness, and ncalculable extent, Rich
mond with the faulty of the base Judean, rather
repelling than counting the ovorures of fortune. We
sec ali America animated by the spirit of the age
up and doing, opening and improving natural resour-
ces, supplying them by industry and art where ma
ture had given none, conquering all impediments
but Richmond alone, contemnng advantages uncx-
ampled variety and Insxhaustibility. sucking her
paw in stupid quiescence. Will it be believed that
at expence so small in comparison with the i'm
porance of the object that for the credit of the city,
will not report the estimate, ship channel can
be opened to the very feet of the city for ships of
burthen yet that sufficient enterprise has moi been
found, in years of knowledge and deliberation,
accomplish attempt the eHterprze. True
the Common Hall some years ago, opened it upon
paper, as we do most great things in Virginia, but
there the matter has ended. The authoS of the let
ter presses attempt the good people of
Richmond to the strength of their position the
tain and measurable fruits of opening the navigation
of james River. the dangers which menace their
prosperity from the City of Baltimore, and would
gladly do SO if knew how. But by what argu-
ment could hope to penetrate The seven fold
defences of their eihargy? When interest appeals
in vain, what be expected from argu-
ment, entroa,y or remonstrance? There is unlap-
py want Of unity the social construction of Rich-
rnond equva lent the want of a soul IN individual
man.
We arc not surprzedto learn the awakening ten
denotes of the country at the head of James River,
to connect itself With Baltimore; neither do we re-
greet it, for although unqucstonably, it hes. for
tho whole State that Richmond should be the entire
pot of Western Commerce, yet if the Legislature
and the people interested to make it So persist in
Withholding the indispensable facilities, the people
of the Valley and beyond it, deserve applause for
directing their eyes towards those who their
intercourse by splendid enterprise and Herculean
exerlions. IF Richmond and the James River peo-
PIE will not do any thing, glad that there is
portion of the population Of Virginia, resolved that
they will We look upon the effort Of Baltimore
with DO Jealousy, and the Increasing disposition OF
the Valley to meet and to compensate it. with no
chugrin. II is right that the should make the
effort, and that the other should avail itself of it
provided it promo es its interest to do So The con-
merco Of the West a fair ana wealthy hciress, to
whom the Atlantic Cities are all suitors and lei the
prize be worn by that Que which deserves it.
FoR THE WIG