Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-20
DOW EsTEC.
From the .Scottsrille Aurora.
WESTERN IMPROVEMENT.
Mcssrs. Editors:

Messrs. Editors:
In the Wing, 1 see an article signed "A Citizen
ot the Valley" who comes out very warmly
tho subject of Western improvements. The
warmth that writer evidently shows, can, with
much more justice he overlooked, than the cacu-
otons which he makes. He complains land just.
y too) that eastern Virginia has done nothing TO-
wards The Improvement of the west. This is la
mentally true. From year to year have the west
ern members been knocking at the door of the
treasury, tor means to carry on works which arc
evidently for tho benefit of the whole.
ding jealousy has ever existed in the east, against
the western part of Virginia, and the cndeavors
of b. w. Leigh and John Randolph in the Con-
venton served not little to throw pitch into the
fire. But though these things so, it would he
wise IN the west before she resorts to the last
mcdy, to try few times more to carry their just
schemes OF internal Improvement into effect. If
mistake not, the tmo is not far distant, when
their power actual majority, will enable
them to carry their own measures in spite of the
opposition Of the east. They will do them ser
vice in spite OF their teeth. And it they do not
swallow wholesome physic, why we will have 10
use the spoon and gag The writer spoken of
above seems anxious TO have railway to join tho
great Chesapeake and Ohio improvement. Now
though this would be very beneficial to the people
OF the Valley, il would be suicidal to Virginia re-
ncrally-Richmond by this movement would be
ruined at once. There is now grand system of
improvement for the purpose of drawing the trade
OF considerable portion of the west To Rich.
mond. But let Baltimore intcrposc her improve
ment and this can never be effected. 1t will Just
be the means Of turning the trade off making the
mountains as IL were, d wall between eastern and
western Virginia. All within the mountains, |
mean on the side of them, would wither at
once from Richmond To the oxtreniiiies. Let Bal
timore once get hold and she would never quit
it. And all the back country which Richmond
might get will be cut off forever. AS soon might
they attempt to swim a of fire without being
burned, as to carry the connecting improvement
through the valley. The rich surplus which is as
1t were damned up in the west, would all f,w off
smoothly to Baltimore. But the loss IF the trade
would not be all-brcak off the connection which
now exists between eastern and western Virginia,
and we may look speedily for separation OF the
State. For what use would we then have for cas-
tern delegation? They do not ogislate for us now,
hut TO oppress; and if we gain a small por-
ton OF what we ask elsewhere, we would not give
pin for cas- tern Virginia. Another circumstance
that would tend strongly TO bring about separation
would be. the present situation of the slave popu-
lation in the east. 1t would then operate good
deal like certain eastern custom of tying neal
thy body to corpse, and there letting it die. But
Notwithstanding these obvious effects, let wait
little before we adopt the final remedy; let try
to avert the evil if can, before the tree is cut
down and cast into the fire. Let us dismiss
schemes which would obviously operate for the
benefit of apart, TO try and do something for the
whole.
Let us make few more calls upon the lie.
gislature, and if it is still deaf as the adder,
why let us unite our hands, break the straw bands,
and do something.-And here would ask the east
TO listen to u.s. let alone your James River Railway
below Richmond, help us to get across the mount
ans, give NC something to improve roads, and
you will bind us to you by tie never to be bro
ken. Our lands are rich-our meadows extensive
our minerals plenty; if you will let us we will
make Richmond our market Your improvements
below Richmond cannot benefit us. The improve
mcnts we ask for will benefit al.-What have Won
given us?-have we not been calling upon Won
year after year, and our calls have been answered
by insults! i GU have paid more respect to your
negroes, than you have to Give us the means
to JOIN our improvements with the vast and useful
scheme ofinterDal improvements now in agitation
and let come to the Capital of the State in one
great body, and we will give it such start as il
has never yet witnessed? Let Baltimore have her
back country, and let us keep ours. Why will
you let her take so rich tract from under your
very nosel
If the east will not listen TO u.s. will not take
us even as recruits, after few more attempts,
why we know what we will do: we have towns
large enough for CoIventons-we will split off
L reckon we can find name for our Siate it will
not he Virginia, for we will consider it fatal
This done, the blood will recoil back, and become
cold even at the heart of eastern Virginia. say
let us wait little before we make the spring 1t
is almost TO that point but it may be, we may
PRICK their ears, for it may not be long before the
sound OF The lash and the gToans Of the slave
vii! be mute--or less sonorous than the believing
OF our cattle. We agree in all points with the "C.
tizcn of the Valley" but in the last / send Won
this communication, Messrs. Editors, because l
deem your town, Scottsvie, as a favourable point
tor the termination of the very essential improve
lnent IT we could just get the road from Staunton
to yoir town parcel we would be greatly benefited
WIN the present Improvement, you are getting
the larger portion of produce: we have stopped 20
ing to Fredericksburg and Baltimore, and come
trudging to your town, through mud and mire: With
a little improvements, we might have road that
would be great thing for us. As one who wish
cs to view the true interests of all, subscribe
myself BLUE RIDGE