Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-14

clnicaton. III she that pitch
which the itagc of her situation certainly TO
point TO, scarcely hazard conjecture n affirm
ing, that sluld be the importing town for the whole
OF the couiying around the Chesapeake Bay; and for
the fotomd Susquehanna rivers.
This trua bright destiny which seems 60 await this
city OF thoyer Country; every circumstance seems
clearly to 10 this result. Perhaps it may be with
truth atlriihat there are only cities in the Uni
ted States local positions can vie with Norfolk.
But, II nc asked, where Is the capital TO come
from, whico build this great town! answer, il will
come .roinnorih and SOUTH cast and west; II will
come fromsachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania aud
Maryland.w come from North and South Carolina.
Some viii aps come from Europe. Capital has ten
dency TO eze itself all over the world consequently,
II VIII qu How into every channel where it be
used with aordinary advantage. Moreover, much the
larger porwhich may be required will be generated
In The StaeE Thus think, there be little doubt
OF Norolhcoming great and nourishing import town.
This cam is true, be tho work of q day: but still,
sooner or this seems TO be the destiny which awaits
her.
Bat roe asked, why has not Norfolk accomplish
ed her dc ere this? Why has she been rather decln-
ing than acing. until within few years past? This is
sublectch would require much longer discussion,
to do It ceie justice, than either the limits which
have preed TO myself, the stock of information
which ,ss, could possibly allow. shall, therefore,
but brciivert TO what has appeared TO TO be the
main caui her present depressed state, and first there
general character operating not only against
Norfolk, the whole Southern country such rs the
istence avery; sparse country population, and the
greater anulaon ofcapal throughout the whole OF the
Notherites, and the consequent lowness of profits,
which Iacircumstance has operated most powerfully
in adyanthe trade to the North In addition TO these,
may the blishting effects produced in the Southern
country The unequal operation Of the General Govern
ment.
The piar situation of Virginia has, however, indie
pendentlf these causes, contributed to prevent the
growth oorfolk. Perhaps there is no State in the Uni
siarly blessed with large water courses the
State of yinia. Had there been but one great river,
with its fal branches, draining the amount OF
territory en- isnow waercd by SO many streams the pro-
duce of interior would all have concentrated at some
poinaere the immensely of the trade would have
raised ulargc town, TO transact the business. The
streams irginia however, empty into the Bay aud the
Ocean, aierent points. No has been taken TO
prove thiavigation, and 70 invite the along
their chs, and consequently the trade each river
has becnnparatively triing, with the exception of the
James amount OF the trade, therefore, has not been
sufhciendraw the great importing and exporting mer
chants tT borders, but the produce has been put
small yes at the head of tde-water, on the
veral r and carried of TO the great eastern towns and
thence ored TO the foreign market. The trade of Vir
ginia hito, has not been able TO support large
board toIi could not, if may express myself, qf
ford it;,d the large Northern cities have done the
porting Importing business for us, of appen-
dage or essory their business But suppose that
the Jamthc Roanoke, the York, the Rappahannock,
shall be perly improved-that a numerous population
be draw their bankshe country be placed under the
best tills produce vastly augmented, and its wants
and denis shall be correspondent; then would this
augmenon of trade draw the capitalist to the point the
most adtageous for carrying on Our trade would not
be melppeudage, mere accessory 10 the trade OF
other St but it would itself form new ccntre-a w
businessround which would circulate the trade OF other
States.
With realty augmented amount of produce going up
and com down rivers cannot for moment ina
CINE thaie door of Norfolk, in full sight would be
sany ped by The capitalist of the North, the capt.
tast of South and even the capitalist OF Europe would
find it to their advantage to settle in city, where the
businesoud be most abundant, and most advantageous
ly transed
But Inc illustrate this subject by what consider a
mn opD 4 n in
which he point at which six roads meet, and yet there
tan there although it is the most favorable stua-
ton in whole neghbong country, for public house.
The lnor the accommodation of the country, is situated
at dilce from the junction, of the roads How
happeIhs! Enquire, and you will find that along all the
roads, not travellers enough TO support house
The tFn-keeper is iarmer and makes from his farm
more from his tavern, and he will only keep the
vern cause il is accessory 20 his farm sort OF
appepge which does not incommode him, and what he
maksy the tavern is asave-all to him. II puts the few
ayers who pass along these roads the Inconvenience,
of scng him OUT nc will not go in search Of them lie
MS suose now, some fortunate change in the circum-
sano OF the country should crowd each of these
roadiith wagons and travcllers how would
spldd hotel at their crossing point! keeping
woube most tourishing business; il would not, be-
Tore, mere appendage to farming; things would be
comltcly reversed; the management of the farm would
be bla secondary business, and the QuOnddnl iarmc
wouhow be willing 10 leave his farm TO TO the IA
vorah site, for the accommodation of the traveller Tn,
Inn eper would now seek the traveller, and the latte
won not, as before, have to go out of his way T.
find &c former Precisely it has been, and perhap
will E, with Virginia. Our trade has not been enoug
to RI up great town the sea-board, and has bee
a me appendage to the eastern trade But only IL
uock western country; let the day arrive wheI
he ,mes and the Roanoke, the produce of Kentucky
)hiS seeking vent Atlantic border, and the pro
uc' Of China, of Britain, of France, aud Southcr
Amrica ascending along improvements, to satisfy tn
watts of the distant interior: then shall find, that h
aptal will move forward to meet the business, and til
not advantageous site will be the one on which IL
rat commercial city will rise.
In the first stages of the cultivation of country, who
HIRE but few inhabitants scattered the soil, az
dental circumstances such the landing of emgrant
nd the lodgment OF capital &C. may determine the builC
" of towns; but the population increases, and con
erce becomes regular and hourshing the advantages
odion become predominant, and determine the growth
ties. Thus, looking around TO the country of my a.
see James City, York Town. Hanover Tow
ort Royal, SC, hourshng places now sunk al
ecayed and their mansions all tumbled and tumbing
lie ground. Accidental circumstances gave to them
nPulse which their localities could not subsequently col
nue.. Thus, you will find in the progress OF wealth al
opulaion, there is always tendency TO prosperity
nose situations most advantageous to trade and bushes
nd those decline which flourish where the yought not
In addition to all the circumstances above menGone
perating favoraby TO Norfolk, there is one of pcculi
haracer, calculated TO give start at The Dism
wamp Canal is in complete and successful operato
his pours into the lap of Norfolk the whole trade of Il
from this cause, principally, Norfolk h
cen much revived within year two past; and it
artly in consequence of the certain effect which kno
will be produced on this Borough that have always loo
d with peculiar pleasure TO this Canal and the Roano
iyer But whether Norfolk be the great Town or not,
matters utlitte have somewhere in the low
ountry; and that there will be such Town somewhe
n the lower country, we have reason TO believe
But other towns will be but-some enlarged. On
arge river. there will generally be town at the head
dewaor 1t is here that the navigation by vessels
es, and that by boats it is here that there
lnadng and lading; and consequently, there will he
&c accumulation of capital and population to meet
emand. We may expect, then, that Richmond and p
ersburg, aud Fredericksburg, will be greatly enlarge
nd that towns will spring up the York and Roano
ivers. MOreover, at Various points the water