Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-11-18

ted IN Richmond-we suppose TO counterac,
the movements of Winchester and Baltimore
to divert the Valley trade. The people OF
Richmond, in our opinion, have far more
substantial and certain interest in the paving
of the Staunton and James River Turnpike
but of that they seem to be altogether UNI
conscious. 1t will be well if they discover
their error before it is too late.
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
VIRGINIA.
The Memorial of the undersigned Citizens OF
Virginia, respectfully represents
mat an addition to her Mercantile Capital
would greatly promote the prosperity of the Com
monwealih, by enabling the Agriculturist TO sell
higher and buy cheaper-a result necessarily
produced by increased competition. In an Agri-
cultural country, an extensive back trade is inds-
pensabty necessary t. build UP large town, by
atording profitable employment for capital, and
laying a sure foundation for the support OF lis
foreign trade.
The Agricultural and Mineral products of an
extensive and fertile region of Virginia are com
PEELED to seek market in sister State, for want
OF convenient outlet to the markets of their
own State. All that portion of the Great Valley
OF Virginia, comprising the lower end of Angus
Ia, the counties Of Rockingham and Penditton.
and the upper part of Shenandoah, is nearer to
Richmond than Baltimore, and would prefer the
former as market for their surplus productions il
equally accessible. The addition of this tral,.
would enable Richmond to increase her imports
render us less dependent other and rival States
Tor our foreign supplies, and enable US to main
tain sound currency by diminishing the drain of
specie from our banks, to which they are subject
ed by our present course of trade, which renders
us tributary to the northern importing towns. To
secure this valuable trade TO her own markets il
for pi.,io Il IL. I
means for the construction of a M'Adamized road
from the western termination of the Louisa rail
road at Gordonsvlle, 10 intersect the Valley road
at The town of Harrisonburg. at some suitable
point in the County of Rockingham. The dis.
lance from Gordonsville to Harnsonburg, accord
Ing to Shaw's survey, is about Sd miles, which
at $4,000 per mile, (the estimate for tho Valley
road,) would cost Sl35,O00, or to cover contin-
geDcies, say $i50,Gon. What is such a pa,ry
expenditure. when weighed against the incalcu-
liable benefits which the State would derive from
the investment, independently of the indemnity
when She would receive in the productiveness Of
the tolls to be levied on the articles transported
on the road ! To prove that Richmond would be
preferred to Baltimore market, it is only ne
cessary to compare the distances from each to the
town of Harrisonburg. From Richmond to Cor
louisville. by railroad, 70 miles, thence to Har-
risonburg 81 miles, making the total distance l26
miles. From Baltimore to Harper's Ferry 80
hiieS, from IidlPerS rerry 10 winchester 81
miles, from Winchester to Harrisonburg 67 miles,
total distance III miles; making the difference in
favour Of Richmond SO miles.
our memorialists cannot believe that the Lee
gislature of Virginia will feel indifferent to the
success of the proposed improvement, and if in
It's wisdom it shall deem it impoitic to appropri-
ate from the treasury an amount sufficient to con-
sruct the road, they hope it will at least author
lze subscription by the State of three-ffths Of
the capital which may be requisite, upon the
principle adopted in the construction of the Val
lev road.