Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-10
sTATIl DOCUHEENT.

REPORTS OF TIE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER
Beng an Expose Of his operations during the past sea
SON. e'n6Tdcing the following surveys: On the Rail
Road from Lynch6Urg to the Upper Kdna,cha o.
.neto R'Uer; ON the connection Of The Eastern am
Wesfe'' HdteTsj and on The James Rire,- Improve
s1erit
TO the President and Directors
Of the Board IF Public Works:
Gentlemen,-Pursuant TO your instructions | began
the operations OF this year the rising of the ie-
gisialTe' by the examination of Back Bay; after which
made the necessary surveys for the extension OF the Ches
teriIeh railroad up to Genio next to this the operations
ior railroad between Ly1chburg and New River and
.nehee 10 ue enncssee line, were begun and carried
through by Messrs James Heron and Thomas H. DE.
witt In the northwestern district the operations relative
10 the location OF the turnpike commenced carly in
e spring by my principal assistant, Mr. Charles b. Shaw
Hvho was subsequently assisted by Mr. James d. Brown
Wey continued until the middle of November. Ichie1y
divided my time between these principal operations
some oil H. however was appropriated TO the location
OF INC turnpike from farrsenburg the Warm Springs;
and also TO the associate engineer whom mot i'm Rich
mond about the beginning of August
The survey of the Shenandoah valley was also BEGUN il
eod not be completed this but progressed far enough
70 furnish interesting results, and think all the most use
iui information My reports these various subjects are
here subioined. ~
Owing to our late return, and the mass of business be
,ofe u.s. the maps are not completed and will probably
be So before the expiration Of my term of office This
me toSugges respectfully to the board the expc-
uency oil their retaining Mr. Shaws services during The
following quarter, for this and other purposes While
mentioning his name, allow pay the tribute due to
ms industry and intelligence: with these valuable
res TO distinguished requirements he cannot fail TO rive
satisfaction wherever he may be employed.
or nine years, gentlemen have used my best exer-
uons 10 promoting the of internal Improvement in
the State While collecting great mass of local nlor-
nation have often regretted hat Virginia did not avail
herself Immediately of advantages which, without pro-
2e1c spirit may be said will at future day make
tho hrs State in the Union To those less acquainted i in
er resources and who have reflected less her geogra-
Pca situation and Typographical features this assertion
may appear bold but time will establish its Correctness
when the circumstances which have hitherto embarrassed
her progress shall have been modified: internal provc
HcHt ScH Il one OF The best
this purpose.
To the regret frequently felt at the DELAYS and m
cT~shnaton to which tho system OF internal pr,yenep
was subjected, has succeeded the conviction that these
WI rather prove, on the contrary, to have been produc
Fe Boon SIncc have been in Office, the march of i'm
poVement mas been rapid other States have displayed
une1amPicd activity in III Virginia will profit by the les
sons OF their experience.
Ono viii learn from Pennsylvania the embarrassment
bo would expose herself 10, by system Of improve
meut 100 widely diuscd and begin with those works Ger
tain 10 procure her or other Immediate a,vo
tagcs, 10 secure foundation for the sucreeG
completion Of the whole cdifce
ohe VIII DC better enabled 10 judge of the cost
character and value OF each mode OF Improvement and de-
clIc upon more certain data between them Had her
W0@, oeen completed sooner, she might not as readily avail
he'eo me new advantages Of the railroad svstem i'm
m'ny SITUATIONS where 1t may now be preferred. But
ufhcr delay might be injurious; the works of other states
.,'cihs 10 Their completion, and their benefits once
might deal fatal blow TO The interest Of Vr-
R'Ira' ',cH-uclcnce requires Immediate action.
ne chcl dhculty in Pennsylvania seems 10 have rc
suicd rom The undertaking Of state works. hero mos,
certainly much nconvc ucnce b,4 hoo, ito
OF me interest tic state ha acquired in the James vrr
Although better execution may be obtained under tho M
Iecon Of the state ia construction Of canals and rail ,
the objections arising from concndug Interests NAV he
uGod against such system with than p,ueil;t,
ava ue wisdom d the system OF proportional suscri1
rPloh only on te part Of the state, is every day made
Dc 'Pparcn provided however, that in such case the
cIercisc an efficient suPcntendcncc the work..
C6n BOARD OIL public works, other body, and their
eogiheor My experience in The Office has f,rciblv a
Pcseu 'no WIN nc Importance Of hg and took occa-
' iust yo' 70 make some observations on the same sub
r.F
tc services OF public engineer h6 mere outlines of
scheme and occasional examination Of lis proorceq from
detective IL il 10 that most essential poin of 49, tui
and energy should be applied Otherwise he oGcc NJ i
engineer is quite inefficient. ''0
as regard turnpike, te coutrdry tf.nl r,,, r..