Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-25
REPORT

p:csrn, Legislature the prosperity Of the Common
woa!h. ~
OfMe Committee of Ronds end Internal NdSig1tOn on tho
subirct of Internal imy !0ecnent.
The Committee of Roads and Internal Nav CATION, 10
whom referred much Of The Governors Message
us relates the subject of Internal mprovencnt have
had the under consideration, and beg leave to sub
init the following report
They have considered The subject in variety of
poets and whilst they duly sensible Of the many in
herenl difficulties which belong it under any circum
Stances and of the still greater obstacles which sectional
feeling and local interests present 10 the adoption Of
expanded and statcsmanlke system of improvement,
they nevertheless encouraged by the manifestations
OF public sentiment in favor of such scheme 10
hope that it will not be found mpracticabe for wise
and patriotic Legislature 20 devise plan which will
mend itself TO The enlightened scntercst OF every Por
tcn Of the Commonwealth.
The subject has been considered by your committee
under three distinct heads viz
lst In reference 10 the works which ought 10 be
structed.
I'd. Upon what principles they should be undertaken.
3D.. In reference 10 the fund from which tie cost
should be defrayed.
The first branch of the subject is Of peculiar df
cuy, aud has received 1t the hands OF your commit
lee the most deliberate examination. They were aware,
that order to the of any sccmc
thy of the great State Of Virginia and calculated de-
velop her almost boundess necessary 10
reconcile variety Of apparently conflicting interests to
make il sufficiently extensive command general sup
port, and yet, the time avoid ing
with too many loca and secondary works Your commit
tee have endearoured to u,.ain this object, by combining
their concentrations 10 works Of general and Gcknow
lodged utility and by having proper regard the equal
distribution of them among the rnrnns SECTIONS of tho
State Most of the works proposed may be regarded
main stems. upon Ech lateral and auxiliary improve
mens can be readily engraed, and which suscepli
bic Of such further extension at future day, the
wants and resources Of the State may Justify. Where
your committee have departed from this principle,
it will be found that the exceptions fully sanctioned
by justice and sound policy.
his oF nrjrri-
Piles which have Influenced your committee, they -
spectfuy recommend The construction the following
works:
LIST. railroad commencing at suitable point The
Tennessee ine and extending eastwardy to EVunsham
in the county Of Wylhe. Thus far this road will be
common 10 all the routes upon which il is proposed TO
construct railroads connecting with other lines of i'm
provement-nnd your committee recommend that this
part of ihe line be made exclusively State account
From Evanshaa eastwardly several routes are conem
plated-one uniting with the James river improvement
suitable point, and the other extending Dgnvlle
the Roanoke. Both these routes possess many ad-
vanlages, and pass through wealthy districts OF country
Your committee think that both lines ought TO be con-
slruc,ed. For this purpose they would recommend that
companies be Incorporated in pursuance OF the proy
sons Of the general railroad law, with the exception,
that in consideration Of the deep interest which the
State has in their complexion she ought 10 become
subscriber for three 6hs Of the whole of the
capital stock of both companies.
If these improvements constructed, your commit
led, from the experience Of other States, be-
l;eve that in few years results will be accomplished,
which the most vivid Imagination can scarcely conceive.
Penetrating, they will Of the richest portions Of
Stae-passng directly through the coal, IRON lead,
gypsum and salt reg ons, where all the necessares Of
life nre abundant and cheap-where every mountain is
pregnant with mineral weath-every bill is clothed
with spontaneous verdure-and every valley supplies
water power sufficient to prope the most extensive ma
chinery- Of every description must spring
up rapidly, and yield their tribute 10 swell Inc toe OF
prosperity which must flow throughout our land Nor
will we be dependent the resources OF our own Stale
al La. IL do, tIro.
to cooperate with us by extending the road westwaFdy
until itsha after interesting the great Charleston s ama
tempu,ed line of railway from Nashville to N. Orleans
Thus the thousands of travellers who are now daily
passing from North TO South, and South to North WIN
be SUPPLIED with continuous line Of conveyance which
combines the comfort and expedition and
al the same time means Of communication will be fur
nshed for the exchange Of the mineral and agricultural
productions Of Western Virginia 70. the cotton aud
other staples Of The South.
These Improvements, taken in connection with the
noble enterprise, in course Of successful prose-
cution which has for lis object the union of the James