Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-11
DOMESTIC.


Bec,etnrv.
Mr. Robert G Scott from the Select Commit
tee. presented the following Report:
The COMMITTEE appointed by meeting Of the
Citizens OF Richmond, held on tho 2lst INST. for
the purpose of considering and reporting upon
the exPedience of appointing Delegates to rep
resent the citizens of Richmond in a meeting
recommended by meetings of the people i'm
Lynchburg and Washington county, to be held
at Abingdon the 25th day of AUGUST next
then and there 10 consider upon the proposed
Rail Road from Lynchburg to New River, and
thence TO kingsport Tor the Boat YardJ on the
Tennessee River, have duly considered this
subject, and beg leave respectfully TO report
That the Culzens Of Richmond have marked
with no ordinary qualification, the great, per-
Tadlag md deep Interest manifested of late, by
the people of this Commonwealth, in the impo:-
tant subject of Internal Improvement-thue it
has taken a strong hold upon the rejecting md
public spirit OF every portion of the State, no
attentive obeerver of passing events doubt.
Convinced of the necessity and utility OF
improving tie natural advantages ofour country,
and satisfied that the resources Of the State.
composed of individual means, and of the
funds of the Commonwealth, are amply ad-
equate to the execution of every judcious
measure OF improvement, tho East and the
West are unitng, in the common purpose
OF deliberately examining every proposition
for improvement, and of sustaining all such
as stand recommended by practcabilty and
usefulness 1t is seen, that the agriculture,
commerce and manufactures of tho State, con-
shutting its three great sources Of national
wealth, can alono be advanced TO that condi, ion
of prosperity becoming the Commonwealth,
when the great leading channels Of communcn-
ton throughout the country, shall be improved
afford ready, safe and cheap Mode of
transportation.
Among the various objects of Improvement
mono has boon presented more worthy of conside-
ration, than the proposed communication from
Lynchburg to Kngsport for the Boat YardI in Ten
nessee by RAILROAD otherwise 1t will pene
trate a country rich in mineral, in agricultural pro-
ducts, and in stock 1t must draw TO it, the trade
OF population of III least 400 900 persons residing
IN tract of country, which, from its locality, is
almost entirely excluded from any outlet for its va
flous and rich productions 1t will afford the mea ms
Tor supplying hardy, intelligent, Industrious and
enterprlzing people, by more direct and chea
channel than any used with all tho articles
of merchandise which may bo wanted for con-
sumption 10 the agriculture of the country, and
TO the commerce OF Virginia, the execution of tho
work Will give spring, and 10 the latter nm
activity heretofore unknown. Above all tho mar
hcts competing for this trade, Richmond appears to
possess decided advantages. While Baltimore and
Charleston deem this trade of so much Importance
that they each disposed to expend millions of
dollars to secure it; who will examine and con-
trast the relative situation of EACH can hesitate in
oecidlng, that nature seems TO have designed the
trade OF South Western Vrginia-of Eastern
Tennessee, and North Alabama, should find its
way to the Ocean, through the Valley of James
River. The distance less than the Charleston
route, by at least hundred and fifty miIos;
and than the Baltimore, by one hundred miles:
ono third of the distance on the James River
route, to wit: from Lynchburg to Richmond has
tho advantage of noble river. Already is much
OF this trade, retarded it is, by long and bad
route, over very imperfect roads, seeking its way
to market by this very channel. And already as
your committee are assured, with all those disad-
Xantages, is there taken into tho county of Wash
lg'0"' "a VIRGINIA. annually 400 tons of mcrchan-
use, valued at S95oO'0oo. How vastly greater will
the trade be, when afforded the proper acmitics v
the shortest. cheapest and best route all of which
WIN 90 I round combined in the proposed under
klng2 There are other ADVANTAGES possessed Inv
me contemplated route, which your committee
ioroeor at this time to urge. Itnay not however
DC improper to state some additional facts in rcla
tion 10 the character and value of the trade propo
sea 10 be secured for State by the constrncton
OF the rail road.
In the past year about 1000 bales of cotton from
tennessee and Alabama, passed down the Valley
OF virginia, and sought Il market TO tho North of
us-wlth proper facilities of communicated al
or nearly all of this and much greater addition
al Quantity, would have found its wav IN our cit-,
th1 counties OF Washington and Wythe in Va |
and Carter, Sullivan and Washington in Tennessee
abound IN lead, iron, gypsum and salt-wbile thcse
countess and Montgomery, Grayson, Russell, Taze |
wen, Scott and Lee, in own state and the |
greater part OF East Tennessee and much Of "
Alabama, annually have large surpls ana nt;tios of
agri cultural and mineral productions which can
" no market, for the want of some chcap con
Feyance; and among these are the articles of iron
ana henp, SO valuable and essential IN ship build
ilg and so necessary for the use OF our proving md
cherished navy. In return for these various and
important articles in commercial operations, our
merchants can supply this country with all tho ar
tcles OF dEy goods, groceries, and other n1crchan
die, upon as cheap terms az tii6y can he procured
from any other city in the United States The Of
iects upon our prosperity, by the opening of so
large and valuable trade must be obvious to all:
they would be brought home to the affairs of nil |
however humble or elevated-thcy would be seen in
inc increased activity and extent of the commerce
Oh our cIty-in the rapid addition to its wealth and
population, and indeed in every thing which can
constitute 1T prosperous community. But to of.
rect TINS, the harmonious and efficient co-operatIon
OF all interested, from the tide water OF Yiryna tn
the Valley of the Tennessee should be secured II
o great work, md for it's accomplishment reouires
great means ludciously and discreetly applied: and
before embarked in all the difficulties should be we'll
"onsideFod d its practicabity certainly ascertaned
NO measure better effect this than that !
recommended by fellow-citizens of Wosbinr
on county, and OF the town of Lynchburp. of rs
seInbllng Delegates froin the Counties and fou, in
virginia and Fcnnossee, interested in tbie 1vorl,
vi inc %oth day OF August next at Abingdon and |
your committee therefore recommend the adontion |
OF tho following resolutions
Isl. hesoLred, That the citizens of Richmond
ieei the most lively interest in the s1lccess of tho
proposed measure of Internal Improvement bv
u r>al Road or otherwise, from Lynchburg to New
hvcr, aud thence TO Kingsport or the Boat Ward
I'd. Rcsolred, also, That this meeting concur -,
the exPediency of The proposed Convention of DcI.
egatcs ut Abingdon on the 25th daV of Aurust De7t
Tor the purpose Of considering this subject md
doth earnestly recommend to their fclIoG. c;t;zo !
OF each County and corporation Interested in d. |