Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-16


largo amount already expended upon it, the P
gress made to its accomplishment, and the d.
interest Of the State, both a stakeholder in
company, and security for its loans, render
rapid completion peculiarly important. The to
collected since the opening Of the Canal frC
Richmond to Lynchburg, considering the dific'
ties that have been encountered, are highly e
couraging. With the present facilities for tran
> portation, and further extension OF the wor
tho products for market will be greatly augmen
ed and the advantages and profits Of the improve
mcnt must increase in a ratio far exceeding tn
additional expense TO be encountered. Is an OF
sentia aid to this great enterprise, the construc
ton of McAdamized road from the vicinity o
Abingdon to some point on James River, is vel
| entitled to your favorable consideration. Thu
extensive, fertile and interesting portion of the
| Commonwealth to be accommodated by this road
| though Astounding in the richest mineral and
| agricultural resources, has been almost entirely
] neglected.. II this great highway be opened, the
| active interchange of commodities and the trav-
cling that may be anticipated upon it, can scarce
~ DO too highly estimated. Many important
lines of communication. in progress and in cnn-
| temptation in the Southern and Southwestern
States converge towards the Tennessee border
and must become tributaries to the great avenue
which Virginia may extend TO meet them. Inc
great accumulation of wealth from these various
sources in our cities, would impart to them In
oreased Nnrrgy and prosperity, and elevate
them to Il commercial Importance, which would
sides these considerations, the returns to the
State from the tolls upon the road Itself, and the
increase OF revenue 10 the James River and ka-
nawha Improvement from the immense produce
empted into it's channels by this valuable feeder,
would amply warrant the expenditure necessary
for it's execution.
The completion of fourteen miles Of Railroad
from Fredericksburg to Aqua creek, already near
~ graduated, Is also an object the speedy accom-
plishment Of which, in my opinion, would justi-
Nv frnr, tl,o
terest ofthe State, a stakeholder, in this road,
and in the rail roads connected with it, is up
wards of million of dollars and the whole ex-
penditure is unproductive chiefly from the unGn-
ished condition Of this section. The company
have made every effort TO complete the work, un-
aided by the State, and are now applying their
profits Tor this purpose; but the slow progress
made, indicates longer postponement of its ac-
complishment than the wants and interests of the
public require. AS soon as this link is finished,
it ia believed the investments in the whole chain
OF rail roads 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 COM
pletion of the Staunton and Parkersburg Road,
for which small additional appropriation will be
required, is also worthy of your favorable consid
Grafton. a few general roads through the WEES
tern part of the State, involving but moderate
expenditure, would be highly important in provi-
ding improved openings for surplus produce. and
for the necessares and commodities of life, and
would yield. directly or indirectly, reimburse
ment and profit. The improvement in the condi-
ton Of the people, and the increased value of
lands and products, would be incidental advan-
tages, greater perhaps, than the collections on the
line of the roads, and not less productive to the
Treasury. ..~.l
Some farther legislation seems to be necessary
TO give the Board of Public Works such control
over corporations with which the State may be
connected in future, will put end to the poll
icy, by which private interests are advanced at
the expense of these of the Commonwe alth.--
Some provision may also be proper, to prevent in
furious competition between rival companies
The means adopted by individuals or private
poration5 TO secure patronage, usually prove
more or less advantageous to the community;
but when the State itself is large stockhclder
in companies in active competition, their rival
efforts may terminate in sacrifice of public re-
venue. i, moreover, suggest that authority be
conferred upon the Board to obtain, by agents
or otherwise, such information concerning the
works of other States as will enable us to prof,
by their experience, and adapt our system to tho
latest Improvements.
Whatever may be your decision i'm the selcc.
ton of works which Immediately require assist
ance. the situation of other States should admon~
ish us to pay due regard TO the ability of the Com
monwealth 10 comply with her engagements. If
resort be had to loans, prudence dictates that the
amount to be borrowed be limited by the will
lingness of the people to bear the taxation
sary to pay the interest, and gradually to redeem
the principal 1t may well be questioned wheh-
er the advantages Of any improvement will war
rant system of borrowing to pay interest on it's
cost. Nor does it appear to me to be safe to en-
gage in any work unless it can be effected by
the means of the Commonwealth, exclusive of
aid from the General Government. Some Of the
friends of education and Of internal improvements
are eagerly expecting assistance from the recent
Act ct Congress for distributing to the States the
proceeds of the sales of the Public Lands. But,
the propric.y of that act is considered ques-
tionabe by large portion Of the people, that eY-
pec;ation of aid from that source must be preca-
rious, and calculations based upon the con.inu-
ance OF the law, may prove delusive. Whether
the people Of the United States will acquiesce in
the distribution Of any portion of the public
nue. to the individual States, is yet to be decided.
\ cannot believe tina: they will sanction such a
measure, At time when the Federal Govern
ment needs this common fund to meet its current
expenses: when it has been deemed proper TO
repenish the public Golfers by heavy loans and
the imposition of duties the necessares of life;
and when 1t may become necessary further TO
build up our Notifications, increase navy, and
! provide a more efficient system for the common
defence. The deficiency. created in the national
treasury, must be supplied either by direct taxa
| tlon, or from the customs, or by Tesortng to
| loans. In the former case, a loss must be sus-
| tanned equivalent to the cost of collecting the
taxes; III the latter equal 10 the interest paid on
| the amount borrowed, and the expense of ncao-
! tiating the loans. 1t would be, moreover, inpo-
! little Tor any State opposed to high protective du-
ties, 20 0Hqniesce in system whose tendency is
% render Of The S~bIc