Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-06
community our law. have here.ofare treated with

l
the estate OF his master, it is advisable he should
| bc-the free people of color may nevertheless con-
vey all The inccndiary pamphlets and papers with
which we are sought to be inundated. This class
TOO, has been the first to place itself In hos
tile array against any and every measure de-
signed to remove them from amongst us.
Though 1t will be indsponsably necessary for them
TO Withdraw from this community, yet in the spi
rit OF kindness which has ever characterised
the Legislature of Virginia, it is submitted
whether the last benefit which wo can confer up.
on tbom, i may not be wise to appropriate annu-
4 ally sum OF money to aid in their removal from,
this Commonwealth.
Whilst recent events had created apprchensions
| in the minds of fow, agitation was also
more extensively felt; wherefore it was deem
ed prudent, to arm the militia in tho man
| ner calculated to quiet all apprehcnsions
and arms were accordingly furnished to nearly all
| the regiments on the EASTERN frontier. The want
| of them, upon this sudden emergency, was SO SEN
sbly felt by those in the vicinity of Norfolk as TO
INDUCE Cofpinodore Warning ron, in command of tho
Navy \ ard in Gosport, TO distribute n portion of
the public arms under his care. That gallant and
patr lotto officer did hesitate to assume the re.
sponsbility of this step, and it is gratifying to per-
ceive that his conduct has mot tho appreciation Of
the public fnnctioparies.-Fhe policy of dsarming
the militia, it sbeheved, pursued as measure
of economy, as the men and officers h ad been cul
pably negligent in their attention to their prcserva
ton, SO that many were lost, by neglect become
unfit Tor service.-Now, however, the necessity for
preserving them is distinctly felt, and doubt cannot
be entertained that more will he taken OF them
In future.-I could not weigh the expense incur
red by this measure, against the possible sacrifice
OF lite, much less the possible repetition of tho
scenes Of Southampton.
The course Of LegisR alton adopted by your pre-
decessors during the last session ofthe General As
semby has excited strong interest with all classes
81 our fellow citizens in the improvement of our
State.-impcrtant routes have been surveyed and
respectable associations formed, having for the u-
mate end the construction of works CT great useful
- tain cd tInf
Will contribute all that wisdom and prudence may
require TO attain objects of such indispensable va
iue TO Firgipa:-The people expect from your ener-
gy the attainnept of all those measures and again
await your decision.-4ou now called upon by
every consideration which can be presented to the
representatives ola free people, to take such nea.
sures, as will revive the declining hopes of tho
country, invigorate her weakened energies, and
ensure her rePosc.-With ample means within !
your observation-disclosures rower sufficient to eff.
fectuate every good, with generous and indulgent
constituents, you cannot fail to put in operation
such system of measures, as will lead TO a high
degree OF prosperity, and secure the future grandeur
of the Commonwealth.
In changing from lstless course of inadequate
Legislation, to one Of energy and decision, can
condemns; it will become apparent 10 ALL that it is
not the Impulse of bold innovation, but The work
OF wisdom and salutary caution-none contem-
plate the and wishes of the inhabitants of the
various regions ofthis widely extended Common
wealth, without being forcibly impressed with the
necessity of mutual concessions and sacrifices, to
attain the greatest good for all.
Situated arc, with fine soil, capable of
producing much to increase the exports the State
yet too distant and with too limited means to make
it available, unless aided by the fostering care
OF the government 1T becomes subject of earnest
consideration, whether it would not greatly con- |
tribute to the early maturity of plans for the in
crease OF wealth and population, to raise |
funds for the purpose OF constructing such public |
works as may be deemed most beneficial to the |
country The means of perfecting those useful
and necessary improvements, perfectly within |
our power, and to neglect fail to accomplish |
that which our constituents So much need, and so |
strongly demand, would be hazardng much, anc /
mourning fearful responsibility. For the want of
these facilities, the wealth of mountains is
doomed to remain inactive and unknown, contri- |
buting nothing to tie comfort or improvement of
our commerce.
When formerly the Improvement of the James
River was undertaken We without skill or
experience, and consequently paid more than
ought to have been disbursed for such a work.
Nevertheless the benefit conferred upon that rivsr
by that work, has made it ameng the most
valuable stock OF the country, and no doubt is
tertained, that in few years, it will be considered
cheap, stock, at the price of its original con-
struction The necessity of continuing a line of
improved communication TO Cevington, is daily
naniiestIng itself more strongly, and demands the
most serious attention. Such to have been the
impression of your predecessors when they pass
ed the act OF the seventh Of April last, which
required an associate Engineer TO be appoint 4
eu, VINO with The .Prncipal Engineer of this
State, should consider the subject, and report upon
the bestmode ofcontnung the improvement. In en-
deavoring to carry into effect the provisions of this
act, found great difficulty in obtaining the servi
ces of an Engineer whose talents and character
were such as to inspire confidence and satisfy pub
lie expectation in interesting and important
subject Alter the season was somewhat advarced,
was enabled to procure the services of Benjamin
Wright, Esq. of New Y ork whose eminent ability
and great experience, fully warranted the belief
that so far as time and circumstances would per
nit, the subject would receive the fullest attentions
the result will be by his report which is hero
with submitted.
The great improvement to the West, whom
viewed In all its bearings, assumes so high and
imposing attitude, that few are found to ques-
ton its claim to Preemnence-and though Nkcssrs.
Crozet and Wright, both justly considered amongst
the most talented of their profession, may differ
to the particular mode of improvement, all concur
iRthe belief, that either plan ought TO be adopted,
| In justice to the suffering interests of people.
| whilst the Canal IS recommended by on ac-
count of its known usefulness-the other, as it
regards Navigation, is induced to sustain that by
lock and dam; but a general limo of communi.
cation, understand from him, considers the Rail
Road better calculated to sustain the great inter
est of the State. The raPdity of transportation,
! the advantages of continued line of communi-
cation OF the same kind, and the developments
daily taking place In relation to the superior adj
| yantages of Rail Roads, renders IT a matter of
great consideration, whether this should not be
| preferred
! The object next in Importance, to the,James and
| kenawha improvement, is, the communication to
| the South West, portion of the country for
which, as yet, the Commonwealth has done no.