Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-12-19

cessary. BY well-constructed rail
road the entire communication through
the State presently by uniting it will
the Petersburg railroad, would b,
made complete, and can be done at
small expense. The ground over which
the road TO Fredericksburg must pass
is well adapted TO an Improvement o
this kind, and will require but little
excavation, aud that in soil not at all
difficult to remove and may in very
few years, be ready for the transports.
ton of commodities and of persons.
This improvement is viewed as oil
great importance in the completion oil
the chain of improvements through the
lower country, when despatch is often
of so much consequence, and in war,
almost indispensable, in the present
advanced and improved condition OF
the country; nor viii it be of less i'm
portance to accomplish such work
from the southern termination Of the
Petersburg railroad to the passage of
the Roanoke river through the Bluo
Ridge mountains.
The North Western Turnpike road,
which was authorised to be construct
cd, is in progress, and promises to be
extensively useful, as its friends ex-
pected. The entire location of il has
been finished, and seventy -four miles OF
the distance has been put under con-
tract for its construction, twenty -four
miles Of which has been completed in a
style highly gratifying to its friends
and the public generally. There are
many other works which promise to
be extensively useful, which will claim
portion of your fostering care, and
will doubtless receive the attention due
to them. The condition Of those works
generally in which the state has an in
terest, will be made more fully known
TO you by the report of the Board Of
Public Works, which will shortly be
laid before you.
Whilst on this subject, | will suggest
the propriety Of some enactments, 10
enable the Board of Public Works to
fulfil the intentions Of the General As.
sembly, by clothing it with some dis
cretionary power over the subject OF
subscription, and TO exclude all CON-
panies from participating in the bene-
fits Of subscription by the State, with
out having one of the Engineers in the
service Of the State, first to view and
locate the contemplated roads, and fur
nish an estimate of the expense of its
construction. Nor ought the collec-
ton Of tolls, or the erection Of gates,
to be suffered on any road, whether the
State participates or not in the work,
without first having the report of an
Engineer in the work, service of the
State, setting forth that the work has
been executed in all respects agreea-
bly, to the terms of the charter.
1t is also respectfully suggested, that
all charters hereafter granted, shall be
limited to a term of years; to the end,
that when ample time has been allow.
ed the company TO reimburse them
selves, and sufficient remuneration
for time and annual repairs, that the
public may then pass free of tax, and
| if the road had been constructed agree
ably to the terms of the charter, each
link, when the charter expires, would,
when added to the other, form one
chain of Communication, perfect in oil
its parts.
Whilst engaged in the improvement
Of the State, by constructing roads for
the safe and speedy transportation OF
the products of agriculture, we ought
not to be unmindful of the great wealth
which lies buried in the earth, which
only requires the examination of men
Of science to bring before the country,
and make known its value and useful
ness to capitalists, who would be indu-
ced TO engage in fitting itfor commerce;
thereby creating new sources OF wealth.
II is we'll known that Virginia affords,
perhaps, the most extensive mines OF
iron, of any other country, of the
same extent, and fine specimens also OF
gold, lead, copper, plaster of Paris, or
gypsum, and inexhaustible mines OF
bituminous coal, besides many valua-
bic earths, which constitute the finest
manures, as will more fully appear
from the inspection of a communication
herewith placed before you, having
been received from gentleman OF
scientific knowledge and reputation.
The extensive benefit which may re-
suit to the State, by the appointment OF
competent person to make geologi.
cal examinations, is left for you to de-
termine.
| The Adjutant Generals annual re-
turn of the condition of the Militia is
laid before you; from it will be per-
ceived there is decline in the strength
Of that force, no doubt owing 10 the in