Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-02-19
VIRGIyNI.d LEGISLATURE.
REPORT

VIRGLNLd LEGISLATURE.
REPORT
of the Committee Of Roads and Internal .Nde cation
The Committee Of Roads and Internal Navigation
have, according to order, had under consideration the
various resolutions, petitions, and memorials referred
TO them on the subject OF internal improvement, and
beg leave to submit the following report:
Your committee deem it unnecessary, when the
House OF Delegates is in possession Of such Of
Information in relation 10 the subject OF internal i'm
provement, to enter into detailed minute cxamina-
ton oil the value and importance OF wise and udcious
system oil Internal improvement TO the present interest
and future prosperity of Virginia They will, however,
briefly present their views TO the consideration Of the
House. IL is fact which is rrcsisibly demonstrated
by the history OF in all ages, that the strongest
connection by which men in associated character,
are held together is community Of interest and that
wherever discordant interests prevail in the
munity, alienation OF feeling and affection is the incvi-
table consequence. Patriotism alone has never been
known to bind men together in political connection,
for great length OF ime where their interests were
directly opposed. Mems feelings always accompany
their interests and II Is natural Tor them TO form attach
ments, and seek political associations and political
nsctons, with those whose interests identified with
their own; and in proportion TO the strength and extent
OF the mutually Of interest is the strength of the bond
of union betw etn them. Many of the Nations of Eu-
rope feeling the force of this TRUTH have awaited them
selves of the natural advantages which they possessed
and have applied their the opening of in
ternal communications between the different Parts OF
their empire, where il was opposed, by natural obsta-
Giles, for the purpose of securing harmony and union
0y unltlOS ana ueir interests. 10 this OBJ
ject he first efforts OF internal improvement d
rected and the great aud unparalleled which
has uniformly attended their excrtion is well den-
tilted with the history of their commercial power, TO
b-ve escaped the observation Of thinking and relic citing
men. France, England and Holland afford, in their
commercial prosperity, the strongest evidences the
saiutary effect OF uninterrupted internal communica
TONS We need not however, look abroad-fo proofs oil
the Influence Of internal improvement upon the wealth
and prosperity OF the people who have constructed
them the examples are to be found among our neigh
i'm Sisiar St,Iee No. Vol
and several other States, which have commenced and
prosecuted with vigour enterprise and
ance, schemes of internal improvement which have
suited In the most happy consequences 10 the increase
OF their wealth, prosperity and happiness In those
States the desert may be truly said have "blosscmed
as the rose" Their agriculture commerce, manufac-
lures and population have increased with unparalleled
rapidy; and, what clearly demonstrates that il is the
result OF their systems OF improvement, this increase
has been more rapid since they were commenced
These States having secured the union of their own
people by this connection OF their interests have been
emboldened to extend their views TO the commerce If
their sister States, and are making rapid advances in
such improvements as will ultimately effect their OBJ
ject These facts are OF more interest, and more in
strucve to Virginia, than all the and idle specu
lations with which she can be amused. They afford
conclusive proof of what spirited, enterprizng per
severiDg, and intelligent people effect. Before
these schemes were so far extended, 10 prove that
the calculations of their friends were accurate that
they were not the visions OF wild and enthusiastic poll
tcians, but sound realities, they met with great and
powerful opposition: specuatons of every sort orebod
ing disaster and defeat TO the projects unceasing
y employed, and greatly retarded their progress But
the development OF facts and the Of schemes
have sienced all opposition, and those improvements
are bestowing upon the people of those states
amped property.
Ii such signal and unparalleled success has attended
the schemes of internal Improvement in the States
bove referred to, ii may be readily asked Why il u.s.
that Virginia, Astounding she does with natural adj
vantages, nnequaod perhaps by any State in the Uni
on; nersccted by noble streams capable of the high
est state Of Improvement as 10 draw into their bo-
som the whole trade of the State; with soil of great
fertility, capable OF producing in abundance the most
valuable staples for MARKET and materials and abour in
abundance for the construction of any sort OF improve
meut, is not rivaling her sisters in wealth. prosperity
and happiness9 The answer is obvious: She has not
been en,erprizng She has not brought action
all her natural advantages. She has not improved the
resources with which nature has blessed her. There
has not been, and not now single facility within
the reach of those States that is within the reach
Of Virginia, in unequal, in many instances, superior
degree il regards SOIL climate, and materials of
sruction. In addition to these reasons, il is fact
which cdnno and need not be concealed, that there
local and discordant interests in Virginia, arising
from natural obstacles 10 community of interest than
in any other State in the Union which ought to be sub
dued by bringing into subsection these natural difficult
ties. Peace, harmony and tranquility should and must
be effected if the State would be great and happy; and
TO effect this the Allegheny must be made to bow lis
lofty summit beneath the all prevailing power of srti-
eial improvement The effect which a want Of COM
munity Of interest between the different sections OF the
State particularly the east and west has had pon the
harmony aud tranquility Of the State, has been and is
now too visible 10 be wnked at II has extended H..
self to degree of alienation well calculated to produce
painful reflection to every patriot and awful
sons for the future prosperity OF the State We should
be brought nearer together
One great object to Virginia. should be 10 secure her
own internal commerce, so az TO make IL tributary TO
the value OF her own Improvements. In the present
state OF Improvement owing TO insuperable natural oh
9cles, at least half Of her rado and commerce is
borne through other channels, and is contributing
largely to the value Of the public works Of other States
when il these obstacles were as they should be- re-
moved this trade would find lis nearest best safest
and cheapest fransporaions 70 her Atlantic towns and
thereby contribute 10 their wealth, and inprove the
resources Of the State by adding 10 the product of her
public works. II this effort be much longer DELAYED
il greatly to be feared that her trade he forced
into other & convenient channels, & thereby frus
ate all efforts divert IL in future into her own For
when the natural wealth of any portion Of country be-
gins TO develop isef II will not long suffer itself 10 be
kept under by natural obstacles II will force lie way
direction and the efforts Of our neighbouring
Ter States being directed not only TO rivalship with MS
for the Of other States but TO our own into
rior seeking 10 draw into their bosons our own COM
MERGE will likely succeed in their object unless coun-
teryailcd by corresponding excrtiohs on our part
There are two gresi difhcuI es 10 ,he sccompii H.
msai 81 seheme q nprov, meut in Virginia which
ton 20 sBeetr. The feet arises rom Ibe failure o,
the greet scheme Of imnogf nj bsreofere attempted
Tor NE copneco Of the eastern and western wsiers.