Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-06
M ,r,,.. ,..-. COMMUNICATED

AND KANAWHA COMPANY.
do not know any thing that has surprised me Inucb
nole than The effort now making to have n ricaL Eail
NoaI as well as navgable Canal, between Richmond
and Lynchburg. think such scheme is neither wise
nor Just
Its true live at a distance, and am subscriber for
lew shares OF The James River and Kanavha stock
and being so far interested may not be u competent
judge.
The kind of improvement that ought to be made be-
tween those places whether Canal or Rail Road il one
question that there should be two, Tyang each other
Is totally different
So far as commerce is concerned safety and certainty
with reasonable speed is all that is necessary
Every thing can be transported Oh u canal whilst a
railroad can only take those things the market price Of
winch wii sustain thei weight and cumbrous character
pay much for toll aud sporlaon as will cover wear
and tear, and give some profit If the price in MARKET
won bear this, or if it cumbrous and nweldy TO
go on railroad, it must remain at home On cana
the owner OF such article can be accommodated at mi
nimuH toll, weight and bulk being Of little onseeuence
there; and, by his labour carriers can also
have minimum price OF transportation; and can thus
compete IN market with similar articles brought from
other quarters Travellers also, especially those wish
ing 10 subsst themselves and 20 CHEAP can lie occom
modacd. Others too, who would regard safety and com
fort and reasonable day journey Of ~ hours as pre-
ferablc 10 danger and rapid motion would also be accom-
modated
Taking all together, greater amount of interest if
not equal number of PERSONS would probably be ac
comrnodaed by canal, tlan by a rail road supposine
one, or the other, aud not Soh to be the kind of
ment adopted.
If Rail. Road surely ought to occupy the valley Of
the river IT would never do presume 10 onrrv Il on
the ridge, and obgc the great agricultural interests on
and the river and its tributaries to transport their
products from, the river, 10 the Rail Road on
the ridge The great and true interest Of the country
therefore, requires that the main improvement of what
kind il be- should occupy the river or ts margin
Suppose that 10 be Rail Road of what consequences
would IL be TO the people, except specacIe 20 see thou
sands of people flying through the air like wild geese
from one cme to another, it they have to pay for trans
porting their produce market, without the advantage
by their labor competing carriers. reduce The
price Verify, tie shine nay cost them too dear 10 niph
tena hc Company but not the great farming and plant
ing interests.
On the whole, according to my poor Judgment in.
cline to think the interest Of tie country well as Of
the towns, has been better consulted by establishing the
canal than railroad ia the valley Of the river; and am
strongly Of opinion IL will i'm tie end be better for ,he
be FIRST effected and should time and experience shew
the necessity Of rail road 10 transport passengers and
light commerce, let that be undertaken by 5iraf work
# the company will not do IL.
BY the way, has canal navigation arrived the ne pfns
ultra Of speed; and may not improvements spring Up 10
pUt IT. 90 This respect, more footing with gal. roads
few years Xpcfcnce may not be uuimpOrtaut re-.
gard 10 this matter In the time, et the great pOr
90 on uachectsd and attend not only that
but every other auxiliary work.
Is Richmond ia favor Of this fyalship2 III she w.,
con only say, that after lying IN long aud dsattfke
chdt, The jsCer must be- high n proportion This is
not state Of hcahj and, unless strong frbsiugc is
exhibited q believe the doctors call 1 death may eusuc
Destroy the james River improvement, and death is
inevitable. This brings NC 10 the second pusition-thc
Justice Of the case.
the Legislature before The stock Of The James River aud
kunawh1 Company taken, would that stock have
been iakcns know who has always taken a
deep interest in this work necessary Yggina
have seen nothing but contention and rivalry and ult-
mate discontinue to both parties Besides is this rjcat
company 90 be confined 20 tIe ridge may they seek
thc margin Of io river not occupied BY the canal,