Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-08-18
AUGUST 8, 1896.

The subject YOU write upon has been always
one of deep interest TO me- and | have been
uniformly one of those who looked upon the Val
ley railroad will, much doubt of its usefulness Ell
tier 10 this particular section of country to any
portion of Virgna--while | have anxiouslv urged
upon the friend. of the James River Improvement
Of Virginia, and of the integrity of State, the
making of railroad from Slaunton to Scousvillc
The late movements of the people of Richmond
have created much msgiving in my mind and
have almost, though reluctantly, been forced to
conclude, that, however strongly nature and inter-
est had bound Eastern and Western Virginia to-
gether, yet the folly and prejudces OF both would
ere long compel a separa,on,i not politically, yet
atleast for all commercial purposes. This fear
has been reluctantly forced upon me and | am
yet disposed to lay hold with avidity ON every
means Of avertn such result. You may then
be assured that will cooperate heartily in any eff
tort 10 produce that union of interest between her
different sections which absolutely necessary for
the Termanency other integrity as a State. Once
send the Valley and Western Virginia generally
to Baltimore for her trade, for the sale Of her pro-
ducts, add the purchase of her merchandise, and
depend on it they will go there too, at distant
DAY, Tor their government and laws. This is the
groundwork of my deepest prejudice against the
contemplated improvement down the Valley, and
oimy greatest solcitude for connection with the
James River. | am Virginian entirely, and
should deprecae as the heaviest calamity any
vent winch would transfer me or my remotcst de-
scendants to another government. If the rail road
rom Richmond to Lynchburg be made aorg the
fdee instead of along the James River bv Scots
VILE, then ,nertabiy the Valley rail road wW be
mace, and all connection between the Valley and
lanes River, except perhaps Bo,etourt and part
" hockbrldge, will be forever cut of. Should,
"o"ever, the rail road by Scottsvllle be made, in
Gooo ,a''h, and should the people of Richmond and
pe friends OF the James River scheme aid us at
Ihce IN making road between Stanton and
nco"sv'lle, then the rail road up the valley ne
&C. 10" De mate. ! speak advlsedlv. | know
wa. more than two-thirds of the countena
J"'on mat project receives from the people of this
l'"'''s rests not on any conviction that it would
P'e'eraole or equal to the rail road, but the
oea mat no aid will be received in the latter d.
ue,'on' while Northern enterprise and Northern
''Pnai VIII be enlisted in behalf of the former. Re-
'i'S impression, and all will 90 right at
'u''er 1t to remain, and the Valley rail road will
VIII oe made. Should it be made, Richmond
WI lose forever vast concourse of travel which
ou'u o'herwise How into her market. Now and
aanrao5i 'o' very short time, the opportunity is
tho N.Y., "er' not OF coming in competition witt
pet;,;on m market, but of preventing that com.
f''"'on, now and forever"
!, ~ we would ask the Richmond papers to pub
''e foregoing leter--but their columns seem t,
81. ou against every thing, on this subject
""'en happens not to comport with ,bc view,
eu"ors' They have refused to in