Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-11-21
Rockfsa Navigation md Blue Ridge Turn
nike Company.

Va
provcment in Nelson county, in which the
proposition was made to its friends on this
side of the mountain, that if they will sub
scribe enough to make the Turnpike, its Eas-
tern friends will make the River Improve
ment. We are aware Of the interest which
at least portion of the county takes in this
scheme, as well as of the advantage which it
would be of to them, and we have ever been
disposed to lend the free use of our columns
for its advancement. Our maxim in all such
cases is, that every portion Of the county is
entitled to those improvements which are best
adapted to its wants, and that the interests of
none should be sacrificed to promote those of
any other. Each, in this respect, has per-
feet right to consult its own interests. and
none can with reason complain of the opening
of a new line of trade or travel, because i,
may happen to deprive them of accidental ad-
vantages, enjoyed at the expense of others.
Such views are too narrow and illiberal to
find place in any generous breast, and ought
to be shamed out circumference wherever they
are found to exist. We are net aware, how
ever, that any such feelingis arrayed against
the present scheme. We believe it has been
left 10 the undis,urbed care of its Immediate
friends, and ifthey prove delinquent in duty,
or fail for want of proper exertion, they will,
themselves, be alone TO blame. This is the
view we have heretofore taken of the enter
prize, and these are the principles of action
we have observed in regard to it. A friend.
however, who has the improvement greatly
at heart, has been endeavorng to persuade us
that 1t Is OF more general importance to the
people of the county than we had supposed :;
and, at our instance, has furnished the fol-
lowing sketch in regard TO it.
''Itis proposed by the act to improve Rock
fish river from its mouth, twelve miles above
Scottsvilie, to some suitable point near Capt.
Coles, distance ofabout twenty-six miles
and thence to make a turnpike road across
the Blue ridge at Waters Gap, to intersect
the Greenville and Waynesborough road in
the direction of Staunton. The survey for
the Improvement has recently been made bv
Engineer BRowN, and have understood that
his report will be very encouraging to its
irlends-that there is every facility for max
ing good and permanent navigation of the
river, and first rate road at the easy grade
OF 40 across the mountain. This is a scheme
which 1t seems to me commends itself to ev-
cry class of citizens belonging to large por-
ton ofthe fertile and hitherto neglected val
ley, as well as our Rockfish neighbors below
the ridge. Iron men, Farmers and Millers
are most deeply and directly interested in it.
The cost is estimated at $4,000, of which the
State subscribes notwithstanding S36, 200
to be raised by individuals. Our Rockfish
friends have already subscribed nearly $780,
600, and call upon us for assistance, propos-
ing, too, not merely that our subscription shall
be applied to opening the road, but also to
guarantee the completion of the River i'm
provement, cost what it may! Will we be
found wanting i'll duty, when so favourable an
opportunity is presented of securing such i'm
portant advantages as this improvement holds
out! Where is the Farmer-where is the
individual, interested in the prosperity of the
county, who can withhold his mite in its
accomplishment! Imagine yourselfsituated,
instead of A miles from the Canal (at Staun-
TONI say D miles from it-and instead of
having four days trip to market, one which
may be performed in two days. Men may
talk and dream Of misunderstanding the
Ridge with them, &c. but to the people of the
Valley they are mere ideal things. Compare
100000 with hundreds of thousands of dol
lars, and you can have some idea not only of
the comparative cost of making the improve
ments, but also of the consequent cost of
transportation, not to speak of other differen-
ces, such as costs of repairs, engines, &c.
As have already limited, the advantages
OF this improvement would be much less lin
tied than at first sight might be supposed
When on the top of Rochfsh Gap, this navi-
CATION would be twenty miles nearer than
James River-so that the whole of Augusta.
and apart of Rockbridge would be interested
In 1t. 1t may be we'll to remark also, that
the Turnpike is made to point towards Staun-
ton, with view its extension ultimately to
thatPlace. May not its friends then, look for
some aid IN that quarter! As stock merely,
without any immediate interest in the work.
the probability is, owing to the snallness of
the cost, that it would be a good investment.
Gen. ScoH.-We learn from the New York
Commercial Advertiser that Gen. Scott arriv
OF ~ Rtltf In IL,