Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-30
Internal Nfmprovcmsemt.---No. 4.
TO THE EDITORS OF THE E.vQUIRER.

volved upon me- have been prevented from turning my
attention 10 the subject until within short time past: aud
as wish i'll be laid before the public soon possible
have thought best send it first your paper for pub
hcaon, in order that might be composing during thc
time which you would necessarily take in the publication
hope no apology be necessary for the length Of
this Essay You will find have endeayorcd TO give a
full and complete view of Internal Improvements in all its
parts Such views consider absolutely essential TO
wise and practical legislation on all great and important
subecand however far the present Essay may ailin
tanning the object aimed at yet hope it will contribute
to turn the attention of the State especially Of the Tide
Water sections, to this subjecttla il will elicit inquiry
and Investigation, which will be result full de-
velopment of the truth My views You will readily ac
knowledge dsnterested, when inform you ain re-
ally wha, my signature purports--
a CITIZEN OF TIDE-wATER
For the Enquirer
There arc no subjects calculated TO excite deeper in
iercs among tho rejecting, than those which have
Innate connection with the rise and progress, the de-
cline and fall of empire and civilization We delight in
the investigation OF those causes, which have decided the
destinics of nations; and when they clearly nfed
to our view, they awaken in active bencvoencc
and arouse viruous and patriotic feelings. A calm
contemplation of the past alone does suffice. We
profit by the experience of 6yg0ne times, and turn with
anxiety TO our own country and governments and the pn-
cplc of bencvocncc and the love of country not salts
fled, until we have used cxerions ameliorate our
own institutions, and render them adapted the great
ends which they were intended TO subservc.
1t is fortunate for mankind, that this deep socude
ie on all national topics-or, these important in the
direct ratio OF the of individuals congregated into
nations. Subjects of this kind, however, though interest
ing 10 all mankind. ought be peculiarly so TO the Amc
can citizen. "Sovereignty pervades widespread
empire like the very air breathe, descending 10 the
lowest and binding the most distant together No free
man In our happy country fold his i'm iudier-
encc, and say 10 you in the language of the European
peasant" What is this Government to me?-I have no.
he knows well the responsibility of his rulers and ar
IDENTITY desires that portion least of political
which may enable him TO judge correctly of their con-
duct The peculiar character of fedcraivc system is
still farther calculated 10 foster this spirit inquiry and in
vcstgaton TO generate laudable and peaceablc compe
ton among the several States in the career of 1nrovo
ment, and to produce generous pride, which, although il
can never repnc at the prosperity of a neighbour NAV
nevertheless, stimulate to emulation and never suffer us
10 rest from eXertons, long are disanced in
The race Of Improvement
When look around to the States composing our Con-
iedcracy grcved to own beloved Virginia
outsinpped by several in the march of Improvement
During the revolutionary struggle it this State which
stood forth the most prominent bearing the brun of the
conflict and with h:r blood and treasure cCntribuinp
more than any other in the Confederacy TO the achieve
ment OF our independence. In the imagination of the TO-
rcigner Virginia was identified with the Union Itself and
her single carried with almost the same moral in
uence with that of the whole Coniederacv So that we
may with TRUTH we'll pride, affirm, in the language
And nations bulwurk 'gainsi tho English
And the long line Other Presidents Washing Ton J.r.
son, Madison, and Monroe -four which shed
blaze OF glory around country and proudly challenge
duction of parallel in the lines of royaty at once attest
her preponderang weight and the unexcepionabc cha
racter OF her sons Now, look to this Virginia. two
States have already outnumbcrod her in population and
third bids fair TO pass her at distant day. In the
Councils OF the Nation, though she respected
and even rcvcrcd long her representatives maintain
their character for honesty and integrity which has
hitherto so proudly characterized them-yc her strength
is in measure gone and she has scnrceIi bc no,c III
of leading on the forlorn hope of the minority.
Many causes have contributed 10 dis relative deprcs
SION OF our state; some OF melancholy character which
no eNcriion of our Government could ;-oters de-
pendent on ourselves and which may perhaps be yet
meded by timely action. State, in the great family of
nations may lose it, standing either by positive decen
sion IN IFS power and resources is the case with
Spain, and, perhaps, ltalyor by remaining stationary
while all the surrounding nations advancing the
with the Mahommcdan empire. This last il princi
pally the of Virginas depression which is there
fore, relative, and perhaps, remedabc In looking over
the causes which have rendered her stationary we are for
chilly struck with her comparative neglect of the great
subject OF Internal Improvement. While other States
have been actively engaged in improving the navigation
water courses cutting canals and constructing railways
and turnpikes Virginia has been comparatively inactive
Whilst Virginia has been looking with most compliment
eye towards the States ofthc Westhe Cocbi of our
Concdcracy-and has been proudly congratuatinp her
self upon the growth and prosperity of her fair daughter
other States, like Jason Of antiquity have fitted out the
argondufic feet have won the affections of The fair
Medea, and bid fair 10 carry of the golden fleece.
There Is subject which, for years past has en-
gagged more of the attention OF both the Federal and State
Governments, than that of Internal Improvements This
may be owing in part TO the splendid Of the great
Erie Canal which has served stimulate into action The
dormant energies OF the nation But when the
enterprise pervadcs such widespread empire and the
attention Of all il turned 10 schemes Of improvement we
must look for other than those which are merely
accidenal-we must search for those Of more general
naurewe must look TO the peculiar character and spirit
OF our insutionso the topography of wide spread
crritoryhe different capacities and adaptations OF our
soil but above all, TO those grand water which
pervadc our country approaching each other at
their head waters, at clearly point TO the
ducs observer the great importance OF improvement
in their navigaion and the utility which must result from
an artificial junction. Without further preliminary oh.
servaon them shall proceed at 10 the consideration
of the subject OF this Essay, and shall first point out the
general advantages Of Internal Improvement in all coun-
tries, which shall endcayor 10 confirm by brief review
Of the history Of civilization and wcai.-2ndly. will
state the objections which have been urged against i'm
provcments, by those sections already i'm the neigh
they not founded in reason and that they initiate
against the true interests Of those who raise them will
illustrate this whole subject by The contemplated improve
ments in this State and shew that there is the utmost bar
mony Of interest existing between the tide water the
middle and r1nsmontane regions in regard these i'm
provemcnts. And 3dy and ag'ly-i will point out the
grounds upon which would justify the action of State Lee
gisatuTeg in matters relating informal Improvement
when would dcprecate tba VI the Federal Government
! I. General advantages Of Internal Improvemcrts--
The general advantages Of two kinds 1st. Those
which relate TO the accumulation of wealth, and tho i'm
provement Of the physical condition of society 2ndly
Those which relate TO civilization, or the mproVe of
tho moral condition Of society.
1st BY means OF Internal improvements ooranucita-
tons are establishes between different portions OF Inc COM
uuhity and The most extended markets made accessible
10 the products Of tho various sections Of the Sf,te
There l. increased facility and