Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-03-17
JUDGE PARKER's LETTER.

JUDGE PARkER'S LETTER.
On the Improvement of the Navigation of the
Shenandoah.
To the Editor Of the Wipshestrr Virrinian
JANUARY CORN. 1881.
GESTLrME>:-In your paper Of
Wednesday last. perceive thai one
of your correspondents has done mo
the honor IT mentioning nv name in
connexioH with The proposed improve
ment of the Shenandoah bv means uf a
canal. aid saws thar he understands
that ] am "not only friendly 10 the
object. but willing To take an active
and leading part IN the enterprise. -
u /, true that am. and have long been
anxious To see the navigation al this
noble river improved IN some eficctuai
manner. or Ia witness The construction
of rail up the Valley ~ Staun.
ton and even To the Ohio, Ia direction
which had hoped the Baltimore and
Ohio RAILROAD would take) but have
never minated that had leisure 10
engage actively IN such an enteruriZe.
nor have been vain enough L. pro-
pose Ia take leading part In il. Such
be reserved for some one. who has 4
permanent location ia the country, has
time To devote all his energies ~ the
undertaking, and the necessary quail
hcations To ensure success. There are
gentlemen IN the Valley possessing all
the requisites. and having fac deeper
interest IN the Improvement, than any
"hlch may be supposed 20 feel from
owning u small farm on the river. aud
. they. following the worthy example
- your correspondent, will but exert
themselves. every difficulty will van
ish, and the great work BE- speedily ac-
oomplished. Whoever takes tie Iced
IN it.and by his public spirit and pcrsc
Neraroe brings II 10 "A successful is>uc,
vii not only coui,r Il great public
blessing. but with"u, h, pc, boIe il may
Se said, viii erect ior himself, a monu-
mcnt more durable Than bras. sud
lrOudcr than tie loft, pyramids.
After this dicia'm,i, Icuuit NE 20
add Few word, 10 relation To ii- sug-
gcsted Improvement. Yuu vii Gid
that IA the m,cun. AZ (hsicsiow
Which haprrncd during ue suing Of
tie superior Court. ard attended
win pleasure, tltce pans 0i improve
Meh' are suggested 10 Tie rcsoiutIons.
ard memorial. bpt no lrrtcreucc fyr
citLer expressed. lw decu,cd mot
prudent 10 adopt tn, c"ur,c until he
results a. an accurate survey AID care
fol examination ~ tie ri,cr ard ada
cent country could be cs,ettaiiic,i, and
estimate be ptepgrcd for The purpose
OF beng sVbuitted hereafter 80 con-
'ehiion al persons interested. Tho
hex and dam system has been recon-
mrnded By the able Engineer &c the
state. - the most eligible improve
mehi for the James RIVER below tho
mountains. (sec his rrP1rts at 1896
1898 and $3.50 and u might probably
answer "a we'll or bette for The She
naudOah. whose descent - more gentle
aud a., ircshesis not "a ,B.erous -
The cBrot Of very slight dams IN dit.
iefcni parts Of tie river - 30 stirling,
as 10 strengthen ihis opiniuD, and IL it
should be confirmed ~ the reports sf
experienced Engineers. II might So
peroede every other plan. D. sdssD
tsgss are. thar according 20 Air. Gro
zeps calculation IL would cost a Nfrd
less than a canal OF rail road 1t would
extend is benefits equally 20 both sides
Of the riterj " would probably i'm
prove the health Of the cOuntry ~ ia
vicinity by keeping the water nearer
one poiut Of elevation, It would admit
steamboat navigation Which COBl,. not
be attempted va canal 81 email d..
uensi0ns; and as fact IS the improts
ment was made which Necessarily
commences below, its benefits might
be experienced without uaiiing Ter the
completes OF the ahOie work.
~ the peat plan Il Improvement
suggested, Mr.. Mercer las spoken
fully add satisfactorily. Every one
acquainted with tie river must feel az.
sured tba, IL cOuId be more easily ca
nailed, than any other 10 the States
not only Tor me reasons he 6Ssizbs,
bot because il runs IN valley parallel
- ilh the base 81 = mountain, and "a l.
crossed by no ridgss Or other slatrue