Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-05-27
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
CIRCULAR LETTER
From The Rdtk-ROdi Committee at Siam, on.

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SrAUNroN, April 10Th 1881.
SIR people OF Augusta county, in common
with their brethren throughout this beautiful and fertile
valley, have long sorely ielt the disadvantages under
which tney labor from he want of a ready. ceIt,in and
cheap transportation of their produce to market. At
length, under the stimulus Of urgent and increa.ing
necessities, their attention became directed, by some OF
their most active and enterprising citizens, TO tie prose
cution OF a scheme for internal improvements, which
there was reason to believe would fur ish them, and the
other inhabitants OF The valley, 18th an adequate and
permanent commercial channel. AccordingIy. applica.
ton was made TO the legislature, at the present session,
Tor the passage OF a law to incorporate a company tor
The construction OF a rail-road between Stanton AID
the Potomac river. During the pende ncy of a bill ON
that subject, and with the vie W of facilitating its passa re,
by obtaining a concert OF action amongst all those in
terested In the enterprise, a meeting OF the peop' c OF
Augusta was held at their court house, on the 18th of
February last, at which were adop ed a preamble and
resolutions, and an address 10 the people OF the valley,
which have been extensively circulated. Ii will be
recoilected that in those proceedings an effort was made
to impress upon the public mind the pracucabi!ity of The
contemplated Improvement, ITS claims 20 preference over
all other modes which had been suggested and the sig
nal advantages which ii would confer upon the country
intended 10 be primarily and Immediately bcnefted.-
That effort, 1t is bel eyed was so far successful as 10 at
tract general attention TO the subject, and give rise 10
enquiries and reflections, which resulted in a unanimi,y
OF sentiment amongst the population directly interested.
highIy favorable TO the proposed object. You are no
doubt aPPrised OF the fact that the bill boye mentioned.
aner chcountering much opposition from supposed rival
interests III other parts OF the Sta'e, has passed both
houses OF the Legislature, AMI that books will shortly be
opened, under the superintendent Of commissioners,
ior Inc purpose oil receiving subscriptions to The CAPITAL
stock OF the company, amounting to s 500. 900.
Al the Augusta meeting already noticei, a committee
was appointed, charged with the duty OF promoting tn
desired Improvement, by corresponding with our fellow
ciaZens IN the different counties through which il VIII
be located. The undersigned, members of that conn
mlttee, think il proper at this time to offer Tor your con-
sideration a few suggestions which may possibly be
useful, and TO invite O.. your part, not only a free COM
munlcation oil sentiment, but also an active and Jealous
co-Opera ion.
IL is not our purpose TO enter into an exposition of the
various and important benefits which the valley OF the
Shenandoah would derive from a railroad between
s;aunton anu the Potomac. The subject has already
been exhausted by repeated discussions, and the advan-
tages themselves are quite obvious. Every one can al
once perceive the immense saving in the expense OF
transportation. The average cost for carriage of a b-r-
rel OF flour from Staunton to Richmond, distance OF I2O
miles, IS 81 30; whereas by means OF railroads il
would be conveyed TO Baltimore, a distance of 22O
miles, Tor one-halt the sum. The trip to Richmond
usually employs a wagon, six horses and a driver. from
10 to IL days, and the loading seldom excee!s IL barrels
Of Hour. Buto the ia l-road the whole produce OF a
farmer would reach his consignec in Baltimore, in less
than two days. The roads which we are now compeI-
led to use are, at = me periods of the year, frequently
impossible, and the delays to which we are subjected.
often deprive us OF all the benefit from a rise in the
market Many of nur products, otherwise valuable
will not at present bear the charges of transportation
and the Industry OF the cultivator is repressed by the
scantlness OF the re awards yielded 10 his labours. These
facts speak for themselves, and the consequences cam
not be misapprehendsd. Every farmer is p.ble of
estimating their influence upon his individual finances,
NN ~ '"''" III .lopN'1s VI II Is ulTlCnit, ~ not
imposs bic, to .timaie the vast accessions of popuIation
industry, comforts and wealth, which the proposed inn
proyement would bring to the whole country within the
limits OF its operation.
We need not AK whether the progpsct Of sneb
gains should not stimulate TO active exeriion, all this
Energies OF pubic spirit and individu Il en- pfizs -
ihe nope OF success is, however. visionary, without
keeping steadily 10 view that conformity of INTEREST,".
which has given birth - an undertaking so important
In It's results, aud 80 ezier siVe in the me NJ reuuisite
for lie accomplishment We must discard all vi US, 10
neTgly lncaI adyantazsa unI n.tIk.h-.l ..-I
tons; and agree al to disc gree concerning subo rdinat,
details, such Tor IS sample as he preciss route which the
ROAD ought TO iaks.-Let us bear in mind, that we are
engaging IN . great agricultural AID commercial adj
venture which IL TO pour a flood Of wealth over .
large district ol coun ~, in whose general pro,petiiy
every 'noNidnaI part will rely par iciPa,e and ls'
Us ieave casual and incidental bensh's TO spring from
the unbiased determination Of tboss promin'n t CON
sideJsiious " hich bear upon the common good.
IL 10 iDpossibl' fof The Undersigned, or any Other ia.
~tiyidudls, to iofesee the determination of he COR oeny
IN regard 20 The precise route Tor lie road, and we
now aliude 70 The topic merely Tor The purpose of de.
Prsealing any ubprOpItious influence which is agitation
might have upon lbe general interests Of the COMPANY.
ihose interests Will no doubt be REGARDED by The stock.
holders Wlsn tbeY come 10 decide that question; and
VIII De iound, We may venture 10 predict, entirely
eompa'D'e WIN me pecuDiary profits Of the cor pany.
he ual tuiyeys VIII be necesssfy to obtain iuIorm,nrn.
IN relation TO the different r0uiss hat may he suggest
ed, embracing practicable y, facility, and economy; and
IL Is obVious that the influence OF any psrtieul r nstgb.
borhood IN The selection, will depend, in grea, me,.
sure, upon he amount OF stock which IL NAV hold In
the mean time the agricultural population, ,qLien has
the greatest amount q Interests, need give i,self bnt
little trouble about the professions Of rival Villages. ex
eep' 90 Tar o. heir jini3g notes Of jiscofd may distu b
the general harmony. In truth, thoic rival VILLAGES
ihemselves may he entirely disappointed in their cal.
eulations Ct pselisr advsnis ges from location, even If
Their wt'hes fhould b. successiUL On the one hand,
we do not perceive hat he passe &c of The "a ! road
through a town will b Va aoy Other sfectihsn 10 graft.
~ idle gszers, aud mortiiy inD.koepefs and merchants,
by the rapid transit Of produce and passenesrs; aud on
We other, u the snug lateral or tefmlnative situation
Of q town shoSld make II . place Of dspo.il the advantage