Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-08


y. asum Of money to aid In their from this Cons
monweal'f - - = e,l' - 20 ,s.rl
minds Of few, agitation also more extensively
felt! wherefore Il deemed prudent TO arm thc militia
in calculated quiet all and arms
were accordingly furnished to nearly all the regiments ON
the frontier The Of them upon this re.,
emergency senibly felt by those in the vicinity of
Norfolk toinducc ecmn,odorc Warrington in command
oil the Navy ard IN Cospor 10 distribute portion the
public under his That gallant and patriotic Of
ccr did hesitate to responsibility of this
step, and II is gratifying to perceive that his conduct
apprvboonoi the public unctionaries The poIi-
cy of dsarrung the militia il is believed was pursued as
measure OF economy, the and officers had been
cupaby Negligent in their attention TO their preservation
that many lost by neglect unfit for SER
vice Now, however, the necessity for preserving them
is distinctly felt doubt cannot he entertained that
more care will be taken OF them in future. 4 could not
weigh the eNpcncc incurred by this measure against the
possible sacrifice OF life. much less the possible repetition
Of the scenes of Southampton. 80. ~
The of Legislation, adopted by your ssers
during the last session Of the General Assembly has cxci
ted strong interest with all classes OF fellow citizens
in the Improvement OF State. Important routes have
been surveyed aud respectable associations formed having
Tor their ultimate end the construction works of great
usefulness and strong hopes entertained that YOU will
contribute all that wisdom and prudence require, TO
attain objects OF such inc xpressble value Virginia The
people expect from energy the attainment Of all those
measures, and again await your decision. Iou now
called by every consideration which prcsent-
cal to the representatives OF free people, take such
measures will revive tho declining hopes of the country
nvigorae her weakened energies and her rcpoe
W it'll ample means within your rcach-constitutonal
power sufficient TO eiectuac goodwith generous
and ndlgcnt constituents, fail put in one
ration such system OF measures, will lead TO high
degree oil prosperity and the future grandeur Of
the commonwealth.
hon TO one OF suergy and decision CONDEMN il
will become apparent 10 all, that il is the impulse of
boid vaon but the work OF wisdom and salutary
caution None can contemplate the wants and wishes OF
the inabi Of the various regions of thi, wide!ycx
tended commonwealth, without being forcbly impressed
with the necessity of mutual and sacrifices 10
attain tho greatest good for all.
Situated are, with fine SOIL capable of producing
much TO Increase the exports of the States yet
ami win too limited means, To make il available, unless
aided hy the fostering of the government becomes
subject Of earnest consideration, whether il would
greatly contribute TO the early maturity of plans for the
increase OF wealth and population raise funds for
the purpose OF constructing such public works be
6eecd most beneficial to the country. The per-
icctin. these useful
iectly within our power and 10 neglect or fail To
pisl that which constituents much need. and so
strongly demand would be hazardinc much and incurrinc
fearful responsibility For the want of these lcilies
the wealth of mountains il doomed remain inactive
and unknown, contributing nothing to the comfort i'm
proycmcnt of commerce.
When formerly the improv cmcnt of the James River
was undertaken, without skill experience
consequently paid more than ought to have been discussed
Tor such Observation-Disclosures the benefit conferred up
on that nver by that work. has made il among the
most valuable stock of the country and doubt
tanned, that in few years il will be considered chcap as
stock at the price of its original construction The ne
cessity OF continuing line OF improved communication to
CovinSton is daily manesting itself strongly, and
demands the most serious attention. Such have
becn The Impression OF your predecessors when they
ed the Act OF the 7th of April last, which required
associate Engineer TO be appointed who with the Prnci
pal Engineer this State should consider the subject
report upon the best mode of continuing the
In cndeavoring TO carry into effect the provisions of this
act ound great difficulty in obtaining the services of
Engineer whose talents and character such in
spire confidence and satisfy public expectation, in
tercsing and important subject After the season was
somewhat advanced enabled procure the services
OF Benjamin Wright, Esq New York whose eminent
ability and great experience, fully warranted the belief,
that so TAR as time and circumstances would permit the
subject would receive the fullest attention The suit
will be seen by his Report, which is herewith submitted
The great improvement 10 the West, when reviewed i'm
all its bearings, assumes high and imposing attitude
that lew are found TO question its claim pre-emnencc-
and though Messrs Crozet and Wright, both Justly con-
.crcd amongst the most talented of their profession
der as 10 the particular mode of Improvement all
in the belief that either plan ought be adopted justice
TO the suffering interests of our people
Whilst the Canal is recommended by one on account of
ITS known usciulncsthc other il regards navigation
induced TO sustain that by lock and an but gene
raj hue OF communication, understand from him. co.Si-
ders the RAILROAD better calculated to sustain the great
interests Of the State The rapdiy of transportation the
advantages of continued line of communication of the
same kind, and the developments daily taking place rela-
ton TO the superior advantages of Rail Roads, render
matter OF great consideration, whether this should
preferred.
The object next in Importance the James and Kama
VIVA Improvement, is the communication the South
West, portion of the country for which AS vet the
commonwealth has done nothing though il il less in
tent than the est Is nevertheless, equal in fertility
and much richer in its productions TO reap due por-
lion IN that trade, it will be necessary continue the
Kali Road undertaken by the Lynchburg Rail Road Com
pany from its termination the Upper Kanawha TO the
Boat Yard in Tennessee The Typographical situation of
the country is highly favorable such an improvement
There are several planes by which such road could be
conducted TO the head of Iolston, whence bv pursuing
The descending plane of that River would arrive AT
The confluence OF the principal branches of it, or at
knoxville, with little labor and nconsderaba expense
ms road would bring many valuable products such as
Lead. Salt, Iron and Gypsum, which, without it, must
forever remain useless the EARTH they have
buried by the hand of The points proposed for
The western termination of this work. beyond our iu-
dicion ii is trucbut the known berity of the STATE,
OF Tennessee together with the deep interest her citizens
have IN common with own in the construction of this
Kali Road give little doubt their undertaking
that portion which lies within their jurisdiction. Were
even mat hope disappointed it would be hardly less vaua-
bic TO Virginia, confined 10 her limits.
The great commercial advantages which the State
would derive from these Improvements, arc, in them
selves sufficient 10 induce the undertaking. but there il
another which no prudent State ought Disregard
ITS defence in war, and IFS ability its power in the
mot speedy and efficient manner. In looking to This
branch OF the subject the difficulty of giving aid TO one
region of The State by drawing succour from distance
under cN+lg circumstances, must he apparent every
observcr--Many days mnst clapsc before adequate
orcc could assemble at the point desired and in
any sudden serious invasion upon every principle of
military calculation OF time distance an appalling in
terva would intervene before the troops could be assem-
bed on the Eastern frontier, from the Western marches
W ere these Rail Roads completed, with a view TO admit
Locomotive Engines, an order from this city could bc
conveyed TO the most distant points AT the of fifteen
miles the hour If necessary am adequate force return
certainly M the diminished speed of miles an hour
In this event. have fresh and vigorous troops ready for
action instead OF men worn down and exhausted by
long and tosome march. In war il cannot be doubled
speed Is power, and dispatch victory
Before dismiss this subject cannot otherwise than
present 10 the nf