Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1841-12-23

ject, nor the ordinary revenue Of The
| CONFERENCE.-The, can justify the expecta
ton tlatai. the works IN which the State
= interested can be contemporaneously
aud specify advanced. 1t may lie well.
therefore, IL consider, whether it would
act DC wiser to make an energetic appli.
cation Of the resources Of the State to the
speedy completion Of the most important
improvements, than to retard the execu-
ton Of all, by distribution of means
lnsat sufficient for their accomplishment
he profits arising from work careful
" planned and judiciously executed,
weuid aid in the efficient prosecution Of
similar works and the striking results OF
such policy would stimulate to greater
enterprise. Under these impressions, |
recommend to the especial attention Of
The General Assembly the James River
ana Kanawha Improvement. The
magnitude of this undertaking, the large
amount already expended upon it, the
progress made in its accomplishment,
aud tilssdeep interest of the State, both
as 4 stakeholder in the company and Sc
curlty for It's loans. render its rapid COM
pletion peculiarly important. The tolls
collected since the opening of the canal
from Richmond to Lynehbarg, consider
ing the difficulties that have been en-
countered, are highly encouraging
With the present facilities for transpor-
;ation aud further extension OF the
work, the products for market will be
greatly augmented, and the advantages
and profits of the Improvement must IN
crease in a ratio far exceeding the add-
tlonal expense to be encountered. As
an essential aid to this great enterprise
the construction ola McAdamized road
from the vicinity Of Abingdoa to some
point on James River, is well entitled to
your favorable consideration. The ex-
tensiye, fertile, and interesting portion
OF the commonwealth to be accommoda-
ted by this road, though Astounding i'll the
richest mineral and agricultural resour-
ces, has been almost entirely neglected.
II this great highway be opened, the ac-
tive interchange of commodities and the
travelling that may be anticipated upon
#, can Scarcely be too highly estimated.
Many impoi tant lines of communication
in progress and in contemplation. in the
Southern and Southwestern States,
converge towards the Tennessee border.
aad must become tributaries to the great
avenue which Virginia may extend to
meet them. The great accumulation OF
wealth from these various sources in our
cities, would impart to them increased
energy and prosperity, and elevate them
to a commercial Importance which would
infuse new life into our whole territory.
Besides these considerations, the re-
turns to the State from the tolls upon
the road itself, aud the increase Of reyen-
ue to the James River and kanawha Inn
proyement From the immense produce
emptied into its channels by this valua-
bic feeder, would amply warrant the ex-
penditure necessary for its execution.
The completion Of fourteen miles Of
Railroad from Fredericksburg to Aqua
Creek, already nearly graduated, is also
an object, the speedy accomplishment
OF which, in my opinion. would justify as
sistance from the Commonwealth. The
interest OF the State, as a Stakeholder in
this road, and in the railroads connected
with it, is upwards Of a million OF dol
lars; and the whole expenditue is un-
productive, chiefly from the unfinished
condition Of this section. The compa-
ny have made every effort to complete
the work, unaided BY the State, AMI are
now applying their profits for this pur.
pose; but the slow progress made indi-
Gates longer postponement ofits accom-
plishment, than the wants and interests
of the public require. AS soon as this
link is finished, it is believed the invest
ments in the whole chain of railroads,
from the Potomac to the Roanoke. and
from thence to Wilmington and Raleigh,
in North Carolina, will at once become
productive, and contribute in no small
degree to increase the resources of the
Commonwealth. The completion of the
Staunton and Parkersburg road, for
which small additional appropriation
will be required, is also worthy Of your
favorable consideration. A few general
roads through the Western part Of the
State, involving but moderate expendi-
ture, would be highly important in pro-
viding improved openings for surplus
produce. and for the necessities and
commodities of life, and would yield di-
rectIy or indirectly reimbursement and
profit. The improvement in the condi.
ton Of the people, and the increased val
ne of lands and products, would be Incl
dental advantages, greater perhaps than
the collections on the line of the roads,
and not less productive to the Treasu-
~.
Some further legislation seems 10 be
necessary to give the Board Of Public
Works such control over corporations
with which the State may be connected
in future, as will put an end to the policy
By which private interestsare advanced