Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-25


pSoycmcnt III The House of Delegates of Virginia.
ICoNCLUDEn
What arc IN" difficulties of turning the tide OF
western trade through the Commonwealth of Vir-
s,nia, and concentrating it upon the shores of the
Chesapeake? And what the facilities and induce
me MS which we can offer, in comparison with those
OF our great rivals?
Whether you take the distances on the map or as
ascerIa'ncd by actual ajmeasurcment it Will be found
that from the centre o. the state OF Ohio it
To the town of Norfolk than to Philadelphia New
York, or New Orleans. The whole country beio,c
IL, consequently, to us than to the two north
ern cities From the city of Richmond to the mouth
OF the great hanawha, is $50 miles; from that pont
across the country to the Ohio Canal passing the
Vaey OF the Scota, IS 30 miles; by descending the
phl" it'"er, from the Eanawha to the mouth of the
Canal, at Portsmouth, it Is some 20 miles. To the
produce then, of the interior OF Oho, up nearly 10
cleveland, the distance is shorter Norfolk than
to New York at any point upon the Ohio River
below Portsmouth, 1t would be IL than to
New York, by the whole length Of the Ohio Canal.
III ne mouth of hanawha, produce would also be
nearer to US than to Philadelphia From Point Plea
Saht To fltis6ur9, Is 200 miles; from that place to
Philadelphia, 800. The navigation of the Ohio
Iiver is but little imped"d below the grca, Kanawha
WIN tue exception OF the falls louisville around
which canal Is in progress. The difficulties
occur above what would be C western termination
81 our Improvement, anu between it and Pittsburg
from tins point downward, there is also bat little ob
strnction from ice, m the This part of the
river Is frequently not closed at ALL during the year.
ana when so, rarely remains in that situation three
weeks: SO that from Point Pleasant to the Mississip
P. tue ONO river, the great highway of the west,
Will open TO US the resources of that astonishing
country ana constantly bear upon ITS bosom its rich
and varied productions.
On arriving at Portsmouth, would the steam boat
nc exchanged for The packet, and goods there com,
1nence the long and tedious voyage 10 New York; or
passing hat place. and continuing Point Pleasant,
would they choosc still further TO encounter the as
cehdinS navigation Of the Ohio 20 Pnsburg thence
TO be carried to Philadelphia: would they there
enter the k"nawha, and by u Rail Road from
charleston Or the falls, be borne over TO the james
Rlvef, and thence by Canal descend to Richmond?
Inc advantages which Norfolk has over the
northern cities are not confined to those of distance,
and consequent ohcaPness but arc to be found also
IN the cnnstoncy aud regularity with which she may
" rcached, anj the superior facilities for cXpUrta
toh which she affords. The general southern dircc
lion which this line OF communicate ion would pursue
lfeeS 1t from the objections attending those leading
10 thc north; while at the time it is unembar-
raised by any OF character, belonging to an inter
course with Orleans The Kanawha River is SOL
doin closed more than two weeks liz the winter
WHO IT contains o snlccnt quantity of water, with
proper Improvement, to be navIgated by steam boats
throughout tie summer. The Canal down the James
hVcr would be still less affected with ice if at ALL
ana the connecting link between them which ha
10 doubt ought 10 be by Ro. Road, could be con-
SANITY and without interruption, employed. On ar
irving al Norfolk, you have port of the utmost con
tGi'eEce anu safety; protected by nature from the
SIof'nS Ci the ocean, and by wise government, frum
inc ASA "!ts OF an enemy. From! this point produce
cyrry soosoS q' o'I l."'T u NE Siobe' ana att
~, taVg3ti9n is perfectly smoo
transactions constitutes ,6n ~r~t IN
Of James River is said TO possess me iii'
vantages, superior TO env pn, - ad-
has water power, capable Of moyin tc she
tended machinery, and Susceptible Of tho
plication These advantages are now pncmnIoyspd
but with this Improvement ibev u,niG un'inPoyto'
main so Impulse would he gynn 70 t ..o, go. re-
the met ropois of VIRGINIA w6,iI 500, au
Ike; of 10 minor Importance Norfoll Pni,irn a,,'l
Wasiinrtnu Alnvnr,lr;, .,1 S' I'Hlti"ioFe,
offer to The avenrurer their respectiyc wou'
escendancv over u.s. Never yns thcr ~ f sTc''
c;ous arnunent SVhntevrr d,ro,rin ',io' ,aI4a
commerce, capita! viii inyariabIv bn f,nd "o ~