Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-12-22

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fearful responsibility. For the want
OF these facilities, the, wealth Of our
mountains is doomed foreman inactive
aud unknown, contributing nothing TO
the comfort or improvement of our
commerce.
When formerly the Improvement Of
the james River was undertaken, we
were without skill or experience, and
consequently paid more than ought tn
have been disbursed fof such a work.
Nevertheless the benefit conferred up.
on that river, by that work, has made
It among the most valuable stock of the
country, and no doubt is entertained,
that ia few years,it will be consider.
cd cheap, as stock, at the price of its
original construction. The necessity
ct continuing line of improved com
muuication TO Covington,is daily mani.
testing itself more strongly, and de-
mands tho most serious attention.
Such seems to have been the impress.
sion OF your predecessors. when they
passed the act Of the seventh of April
last. which required an associate En-
glneer to be appointed. who with the
Principal Engineer of this State, should
consider the subject, and report upon
the best mode Of continuing the i'm.
provement. In endcavoring to carry
into effect the provisions of this act,
found great difficulty 10 obtaining the
services of an Engineer whose talents &
character were such rs TO inspire con.
hdencc * satisfy public expectation on
SO ln'eresting and important subject.
After the season Was somewhat adj.
'anced, was enabled to procure the
services OF Benjamin Wright, ESQ. of
New ork, whose eminent ability and
great experience, fully warranted the
belief that SO far as time and circum.
stances would permit, the subject would
receive the fullest attention /; the re.
suit will be seen by his report, which
Is herewith submitted.
The great improvement of the West.
when viewed IN its bearings, assumes
so high and imposing an attitude, tina,
lew are found to question its claim 10
pre-eminence-& though Mcssrs. Gro.
yet and Wright. both Justly considered
amongst the most talented Of their
profession, may differ as TO the par
tcula: mode at Improvement, all con
cur IN the belief, that either plan ought
to be adopted. in justice TO the suffer
ing interests Of our people.
Whilst the Canal is recommended
by one on account Of its known use.
iuiness-the other, as it regards Ma
VACATION, 10 induced to sustain that by
lock and dam but a. general line Of
eommunication,I understand from him.
considers the Rail Read better calcu.
lated to sustain the great interest Of
the State. The rapidity Of transpor
tation. the advantages Of a continued
line OF communication of the same
kind. and the Developments daily
taking place in relation 10 the superior
advantages of Rail Roads, render il
matter OF great consideration, whether
this should not be preferred.
The object next IN importance, 60
the James and Kanawha Improvement.
Is, the communication TO the South
West, portion Of the country for
which, as yet, the Commonw wealth has
done nothing: though il is less in ex-
) tent than the West, it is nevertheless
equal IN fertility, and much richer in
ITS productions. reap due portion
ot tho benefits which may be derived
! from a participation in that trade, il
VIII he necessary 10 continue the Rail
Road undertaken by the Lynchburr
Raj Road Company, from is ternina
ton on the Upper kanawha, 10 the
, Boat Yard in Tennessee. The topo.
graphical situation Of the country is
, highly favorable TO such an improve
mcnf. There are several planes bv
which such a road could be conducted
To the head 81 lloIston, whence by
; pursuing the descending plane Of that
| river, u would arrive at the confluence
0l the two principal branches Of ~, or
at Knoxville, with little labor aud in
. considerable expense. Ihi. road u oul,I
+ bring ua many valuable PREDICTS. such
os lead. salt. iron aud Gypsum which
without ", must forever remain use
, less 10 the earth. where they have bren
buried by the hand Of nature. The points
proposed for the western termination Of
this work, are beyond our iufisdiotian.
, u ~ true--but the known liberality If
. the state Of Tennessee, together With
, the deep interest her citizens have in
, common with our own IN the constfuo
! tIon OF this Rail Road, give little room
20 deubs their undertaking that poftisn
. which lies within her jurisdiction. -
, Were even that hope disappointed. Il
would be hardly les yalsable 10 Viz.
gina, CoD6ned 10 her own limits.
: The great commercial advantages
b which the State would derive from
, these improvements, are in themyeIve.
sufficient 20 indace the undertaking
bnt Ihere Is another Which no nrudrnl