Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-02

'iANS' VIC 'Siy great proportion oil ives
Tern commerce, which would be attracted by
dverxing lines Of intercommunication lead
! ing 10 all the important ports of the Chesa
peake. To your Mcmorialis,s il is matter
OF surprise that the " islom and propriety OF
such a.tneasure has not earlier received the
favorable consideration of the states of Ma
ryland and Virginia, and induced their unit
ed efforts IN planning and executing work
| SO important IN every point OF Wow From
| the natural aud artificial channels offered 10
The commerce OF the west, il is obvious that
The great rival points, must ba the G. ulph of
! tlorida-the 81. Iawrence-ihe Hudson
The Delaware, and the Chesapeake and that
IN proportion 10 the accumulation of inland
/ trade at any OF those points, will be the con-
/ centrati0n and augmentation OF foreign COM
inerce. Would ii not then be an object wor-
I my OF the former history and ancient friend
! ship a. those two states, to make am elevated
and gent attempt 10 draw to the Chesapeake
a large portion of that ierthizing trade, and
/ thereby lead TO the great estuary of their cas-
! Tern rivers, corresponding amount of that
foreign commerce which is daily adding TO
| the numbers, the wealth and influence of the
northern towns and cities' Such a work
would present employment for the wisdom
~ resources OfthoSe ancient commonwealth;
under their fostering care and Joint patron
age, lines OF intarcommunication might be
created from each end of the Bay, which ap-
preaching each other, and uniting at the Al.
ioghany range, might pass on by single and
common work 10 the Ohio river. at a point
the most eligible for concentrating western
proaucts, or distributing eastern manufac-
! lures and foreign importat;ons.
IL has not, however, entered into the poll
cy OF either Maryland or Virginia, 10 en-
gage III works having in view these combin-
ed efforts, vet your Msmorialists anticipate
with confidence undiminished by that CON
; Slderaion, all tho aids which Legislative en-
actments can give, and all the assistance
winch Their respective treasures may con-
venently furnish TO the undertaking and ex-
ecutlon OF works so eminently and equally
conducive TO the highest interests ofboth, 80
those hereafter proposed.
our Memorialsts, in contemplating a
railroad rom some convenient point on the
i9tomac, where functions may bc most read
ily formed with the Baltimore rail road. and
with the Chesapeake and Ohio canal and ex-
tending ii up the Valley Of the Shenandoah.
and through the narrow vallies leading TO
The eastern base OF the Allegheny. with the
view of connecting them with the James ri
vcr and the Il anawha line, if completed, and.
81 not, tie extension OF the Potomac railroad
10 The ONO river, have given TO the subject
ihe most serious consideration, and have eX-
ahmed II with view 10 all the Virginia in
terests - hich occurred 10 their reflection.
ii irgin,a should construct her entire line
from Richmond TO the Ohio, as promptly az
tte nature and extent Of the work would per
NIT, and Offering equal facilities with those
OF her rivals for the western trade, would il
give 10 the commerce Of the state that eX-
tent and diversified character which il ough.
10 receive, or yield TO the agricultural, man
uiaciured, and mineral products ofuur coun
Try, The facilities Of export, and choice of
market so essential 10 their full devclope-
ment: VIII net the capital and commerce
OF Che James river ports, unaided by the at
fractions OF The other cities and towns of tho
chesapeake, draw hut a limited portion OF
the trade of the West, md give equally linn
tied profits on the expenditure made in o.
Pening tho liner With the multiplied nve
nues open and opening to this trade, present
ing commercial accommodations in all The
various forms whichSwollen capital and an
mated competition create, but little doubt
can remain, In The minds Of your Memorial
ISIS, OF The diminished employment which
would be given 10 the line, if Pleading 10 the
virginia towns only in comparison with the
influx OF business which the commercial en-
poriG OF Maryland and Virginia, would draw
to this avenue, If common 10 all.
Ii those conclusions be correct. ths limo of
Ihtercommunication with the District Of Co
lumbia and Baltimore, instead Of detractinc
from the trade which tho completion of the
Virginia improvement would give TO Rich
mond and Norfolk, would become an impor-
tant auxiliary 10 the commerce of those CT
ties, and lmpart great additional advantages
to the intercourse down Janes river. With
the whole OF the Chesapeake markets offer
ing their combined inducements TO the veg
tern trade, at an eligible point on the Ohio
OUT Iitie doubt cen lie entertained Of the com
Inandng portion w hich will seek an outlet bv
The Capes OF Virginia. I'm its passage thro'
tho centre Of The stale the Difference in din
lance must give The Southern route oil the
advantages which tho present or future capi-
tai and facilities Of the James river towns
may enable them TO improve. without excit-
ing spirit OF rivalry with their MARYLAND
neighbors; because If this trade be success
fully turned through Virginia, its present
magnitude and growing extent will give am
pie complement 10 the commercial enter
prize and resources Of both state,. The in
fluerce o. such a diversion Of the western
trade on the foreign commerce Of the conn
try, will he best appreciated by those who
are most familiar with IFS present course -
The treasury reports show that near six-se-
yenths Of the imports of the United States arc
made 10 ports north Of the Susquehannah.
and an examination of the practical effects Of
our revenue system will demonstrate the fact
tina. upwards Of seventeen millions Of the
public money, is constantly in deposit in the
hands Of the Northern merchants, in the
shape either of cash or credits, and without