Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-05
COMMUNICATION.
USE AND VALUE OF CANALS.

In the "Rail Road Journal and Advocate for
Internal improvements" are some Interesting
extracts from the Annual Report to the New
York Legislature, by the Commissioners OF
the Canal Fund"
Much of this report is occupied with details
of the mode of investing the revenue OF the "a
mails, and the extinguishment of the debt created
by the State in the construction OF them, whlcn
is very interesting,-parts of which may per-
haps, extract; but the main object oil interest Is
the revenue derived from the Canals, which
propose to lay before your readers, to shew the
ample remuneration which may be confidently
looked for by states or individuals, who embark
their means or credit in works of this descrip-
ton.
"The good old mother of us all''-Virginia-
is, hope, waking up to proper interest," III 'he
subject; and trust, as she has broken ground
on several great works, cher march will be on
ward" in the cause-and her people will soon
see, that debts and taxes are mere bug-bears,
when the first is incurred and the latter borne
for short term of years, to reach state OF
prosperity which will cancel the first, and, per-
hans. render the other unnecessary, or at least
Tighten them.
As well might the merchant refuse to involve
himself in debt, and pay interest Chat eating
moth, as it has been called, when the prospects
of his business justify an anticipation of great
profits, as that a State should refuse to borrow
money and tax her people for the interest, when
all experience shews, that by the construction
of works by these means, her internal resources,
her population, and the wealth of her people,
will be doubled, if not quadrupled.
twas once remarked, by an intelligent friend
of mine, that the Indians are not in debt, and
pay no taxes. Are the Indians, therefore, in
the best state of society? and is their example
the best that can be followed? How is it in these
separate, yet united, communities which consti-
tute our great country2
| Is the State of North Carolina, or the State
of New York, in a condition the most favorable
to the people? Is Virginia, or her young sister
Ohio advancing the general welfare most!-
New York and Ohio have incurred great debts,
and in the latter the taxes are said to be heavy.
North Carolina and Virginia, comparatively,
owe nothing. Yet New York has reached, in
few years, an unparalleled state of prosperity
and greatness; and Ohio is following her with
giant strides;-whst North Carolina and the
| Old Dominion (and l say it with grief have
made but small advances if they have not re-
trograded. And yet, look at Virginia, with
country intersected with beautiful streams
with valleys ofunsurpassed fertility noun
tains whose mineral wealth would surpass, in
value, the mines OF Potosi: she languishes, be-
cause those streams are unemployed: the pro-
ducts of these valleys perish on their surface,
or is consumed by the expense OF getting It
where they is Of value: and the mines of these
mountains lie untouched and valueless as the
barren sands Of the desert, because their pro-
duce cannot be brought within the reach of
market. And yet, all this may be done, and
has been DONE by the energies Of the people in
less favored regions. But am straying from
my purpose.-The reflections which these do
cuments open up would, were there "space and
verge enough" furnish materials for volumes,
instead Of brief and transitory newspaper ar
ticle;-and with reiteraton of the hope that
the march of Virginia in the work Of internal
improvement is onward, proceed to give you
the extracts promised from the report
The actual amount of revenue received on
account ofthe Erie and Champlain Canal Fund,
from all sources, from the 10th September. 1888,
to the 3Oth September 1884; is as follows, viz:
From tolls 1913, l55 81
Vendue and salt duty, interest, &c. 459,20s SO
s1,772, 1854 so
The amount expended during the
year, including S27s,1 26 for
interest, $423,5l7 10 for repairs,
and for salaries, printing, &C. 1869 SO
$l,O35664 90
c,,,.L :, .ha mott royanuo from these Canals