Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-09

a free people. to take such measures as WIN re.
vive the declining hopes of the countrg,1Vlsofate
her weakened energies, aud ensure her repose. !
With ample means within your reach-constita'
tional power sufficient to efectuate every good,
with generous and indulgent constituentsyo you VIII
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 listless course OF MADE
quate legislation. to one of energy and declsion'
none can condemn; it vii! become apparent TO
all that it is not the impulse Of bold innovanon'
but the work of wisdom and salutary caution
none can contemplate the wants and wishes OF
the inhabitants Of the various regions OF this wide
ly extended Commonwealth. without being TORCH
bly impressed with the necessity OF mutual con.
cessons and sacrifices to attain the greatest good
for all.
! Situated as VIC are. with fine soil, capable OF
producing much to increase the exports OF the
State. vet too distant and with too limited means
to make it available. unless aided by the foster
inc care IF the government, 1t becomes suoJect
of earnest consideration, whether 1t would NOT
contribute to the early maturity Of plans Tor the
Increase of our wealth and population, to raise
fund, for the purpose Of constructing such pub
lie works as may be deemed most beneficial To the
cou ntry. The means of perfectng those usetn'
and necessary improvements. are periectiy
within Our power. and to neglect or tail toaccom-
plsh that which our constituents SO mucn neeu'
and 50 strongly demand, would be hazardIns
much. and mourning fearful responsibility.
For the ant of these facilities, the wealth oil
our mo untans is doomed to remain inactive and
unknown, contributing nothing to the comfort or
mpr0vem ent of our commerce.
When formerly the Improvement OF the James
River was Undertaken, we were without skill or
t(perience, and consequently paid more than
ouobt TO have been disbursed for such work.
Nevertheless the benefit conferred upon that river,
by that work, has made it now among the most
valuable stock in the country, and M doubt IS
entertained, that in few years, it will be con-
sidered cheap as stock, at the price of its ORR
einal construction. The necessity of continuing
line of improved communication to CoyInston,
is daily manifesting itself more strongly, and
demands the most serious attention. Such seems
10 have been the impressions OF your predecessors
when they passed the act OF the TN OF APr''
last, which required on associate Engineer to be
appointed, who with the principal Engineer of
this State, should consider the subject, and re-
Dort upon the best mode of continuing the I'M
provement. In endeavoring to carry into effect
the provisions of this act, found sreat difficulty
in obtaining the services Of an engineer whose ia
Tents and character were such as to inspire con-
fidence and satisfy public expectation, IN SO i'm
portant subject. After the season was some
what advanced, | was enabled to procure the
services Of Benjamin Wright. Esq. OF New York,
whose eminent ability and great experience, full.
lv warranted the belief that so far as time and
circumstances would permit, the subject should
receive the fullest attention.; the result will be
seen by his report. which is herewith submitted.
The great improvement 10 the West, when
viewed in all its bearings, assumes so high and
imposing an attitude, that few are found to qnes-
ton Its clam to pre-emlnence-an though
Messrs. Crozet and Wright, both justly consI-
dered amongst the most talented of their profess
sion, may differ as to the particular mode OF i'm
proyement, all concur in the belief, that either
plan ought to be adopted in justice to the suffering
interests of our people.
| Whilst the canal is recommended by one on
account of its known usefulness-the other as it
regards navigation, is induced to sustain that by
! took and dam; but as a general line OF commu-
nication, | understand from him, considers the
Rail Road better calculated to sustain the great
interest of the State. The rapidlty of transport
alton, the advantages of continued line OF COM
munication of the same kind, and the develop
ments daily taking place in relation to the supe-
rior advantages Of Rail Roads, renders it mat.
ter of great consideration, whether this should
not be preferred
The object next in Importance to the James
and Kenhawa improvements, the co"mun'ca-
ton to the Southwest, portion of the country
for which. as vet, the Commonwealth has done
nothing; thous il is less in extent than the West
it is ne, ertheless equal in fertility. and much
richer IN its productions. TO reap due pro,
portion Of the benefits which may be derived
from participation in that trade, it will be ne
cessary to continue the Rail Road commenced
BY the Lynchburg Rail Road Company, from
its termination on the Upper Kenhawa. to the
Boat Yard in Tennessee. The Typographical
situation of the country is highly favorable to
such an Improvement There are several planes
by which such road could be conducted to the
mead Of Hol,tein. whence BY pursuing the de-
scendiny plane of that river, it would arrive at
the confluence Of the two principal branches OF
it. or at Knoxville, with little labor and neon
siderable expense. This road would bring US
many valuable products. such as lead. salt, iron
and gypsum-whch without it must forever re-
main useless in the earth, where they have been
huried by tho hand of Nature. The points pro-