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

Ill " ~ N
IN a Letter addressed to The MAYOR of Richmond.
TENrASDA VIA EST.
DIR: Perceiving in the Richmond ENQUIRER n sort NJ
recommendation TO the Legislature of Virginia, to per-
slt IN the scheme OF rendering the James River nayi-
gable above Richmond; and 10 refer that honorable no.
dy to the opinion of Messrs. Wright. Sc Sc 7 col.
not avoid referring TO the labours of the learned. 10 A.
certain what were their opinions on the subject of River
improvement.
had but recently read the address of the citizens.
Interested In me navigation Of il; and attentiyely stu
died the result OF the efforts of the Proprietors and the
Government, for nearly a half century. recoIIecte5
the VAIN efforts, to improve the streams in the Caroli-
mas and Georgia; and not only their vain efforts. but the
enormously expensive, and in some instances. ipiurious
consequences attendant on them. Nv surprize AZ 60
ing 'his perunacious attachment to spending public mo-
hey on rivers was increased, when l. recoliected tba
efforts making by Petersburg, and the glorious prosnec,s
she has in view. When | beheld the probable term;-
nation oil her Railway on the frontier Of N. Carolina;
ana, considered the positive certainty, that. mn sooner
would it be completed, than a continuation of IN IN RI.
leigh, to Fayetteville, and eventually TO the s. u. bonn.
dary oil ,. Z. would be made by N. C.-Wben bebeI5
me one and reflected on the other, and when 10 ,hosa
CONSIDERATIONS, was added the conviction that RAILWAYS
nad succeeded in Europe and might succeed in the II
o. and that, compared with Canals, and the improve-
mem OF rivers, they encounter no difficulties, involve
no speculative theory, and have nothing problematicaJ
IN 'heir character when | fully regarded the subject. +
could not but be struck with astonishment at the PROPOSE
noh sun 10 call the attention of the State OF Virginia to
the Improvement of the James.
IL, In 1918, without the aid OF Rail Roads. I couId NOT
but perceive the importance Of the ports. at the head
OF the James; how will that conviction be strengthen
ed, when | behold the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road
stretching its first section in the direction of Uarner,s
Ferry; and, when perceive, that although its present
course would only Indicate its arrival at the Ohio. its
usuIha'e onlect VIII be the rich prize of the commerce
of the beautiful valley of the Shenandoah and its an
pendant territory, as far as Abingdon in Virginia. and
knoxyiIe in Tennessee-when, | say, I perceive these
!nlngs' l cannot but be astonished at the ineriness of
Richmond-of Richmond, where reside so murh of ,ba
wisdom, worth and wealth of Virginia.
Surely it would be wiser to abandon a plan. that. as
nave SAID before, alter the attempts OF a half century
and two generations, has wholly failed, except in pro.
uuclng expense and disappointment. ! presume princi-
pal and interest, the charge of the James NAV he ,.,a5
al SoOO,OOO-if, to this, the losses occasioDed TO the
CONNER rec and Agriculture of the country were added.
ment.
Hence, would not policy poin, oui The abb nd nm.nt
o. This plan OF river Improvement aud the adoption of =
railroad to The points designated by The commerce and
agriculture Of The S ate? That of the frs, imno,,sn.s
is from Richmond to Lynchburg, and theme eros ,hs
mountains to Abingdon. Fiom Lyncbhurg,a branch
should be made 10 Dipyile, 80 az eventually 10 s,uye
The commefcs OF Sa'em and Salisbury. N. G. The
adoption Of tbii plan will make about one oua,feY of m.
Valley RAILROAD. The w. and s. w. branches rom.
pleied, then will be The time 10 carry /, 10 The poso-
mac. The pre- vious establishment OF Richmond. Sc.
&c as comtnetc'al dePo's, will furnish the only and
most eficacious as well as eGestusl means Of eomns-
'iiion with Il limoTe. That will be facilitated. and r.
trade OF tn upper parts OF s. G. will find lie o Az A
he ports OF virginia, by the way Of Salem, Salisbury,
The p tsrsburg railroad will receive ia dus di,...
ofN G. ~ p""
The Norfolk railroad will pur,ue a course from that
Oily to HALIFAX, and thence proceed to Raleigh.
Thus, may Virginia ne, only make hsrelf the gres,
state OF the Soutbj but her ports will become The seat
Of all is trade sud:cOimmeres.
Charge me no., sr, with enthusiasm. II IL within
her reach, and more especially, aided a. she w,ll ara
must DO by the capital Of III, Norhsrn ADD MldIis