Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-24
IcoscLupED.l

From the view which has now been taken OF the
vast expanse of territory to be affected 10y the en-
larged improvement, some conception may lie form
cd Of the amount OF tonnage which may be expect
cd for IFS support. Let u he recollected that the
line strikes from the centre of our Atlantic border,
directly through the heart of the state, TO central
point m the west, with IT'S branches leaning upon
the confines of Tennessee and OF Ohio; that II Is
bordetcd 10y the richest lands IN the state, and forms
connections beyond our limits. with the riches, dis
tricts the Uniicd States. The territory ombrac-
cd within the sphere OF lis influence, IN point of
fertility and variety of products, can scarcely he
considered inferior to the countries which border
upon are tributary to the Erie canal. Add to
this It's ineXhaustble resources in point OF mineral
wealth along the main trunS-thc mines Of coal
near the head of tie tide, the iron mines Of middle
Virginia, the limestone OF the valley, the iron be
tween the North mountain and the Allegheny, and
also the still greater mineral wealth upon its branches
IN trans Allegheny Nrgina-iho lead mines
OF Wythe, the sat and plaster OF Washingo Ion coun
ty, the prolific beds OF iron upon the torders OF
the Cnch, the Hostnin and New riveH-the rich
production Of salt IN tho kanawha valley. end the
vcst field oil coal appearing upon the banks Of that
river. and its tributaries, well upon those OF
the GuyanGotte, The Sandy, the Little kanawhn,
and MonOnglhcla rivers. Nos ought 10 omit the
immense products OF the vast forests bordering the
whole line, bu, Astounding especially upon the great
range OF the Suei and GHuley mountains. Neither
should we faii TO notice the accessiouS of tonnsge
from tho great imports o' merchandise, which, under
the favour OF our peculiarly advantageous situation
may ee expected TO pass over the line.
After the rapid sketch winch hls now been eX-
hbted oi the extensive reoch and immense tonnage
ofthls enlarged system OF improvement may not ask
whether It Is the highest interest tGc state 20
make provision for the ultimate cNecut on 81 the
scheme, and whether any equal invesimeu' Of cap
ItAl IN the form Of internal improvement could
produce such wide spread and commanding etfccs2
And was | not justified m saying that the plan OF
amended improvement row proposed for execution
10y the James river and kaniwha company, Is re-
commended by the consideration that IL would form
part of extended and perfect system OF inter-
nal improvement which the state would doubtless
hereafter find Il her interest 10 provided For VIVA;
will remain be done Ia addition 10 the water line Of
the James river and Kanawha oompsny. upon the
contemplated plan, when such line shall have been
provided Nothing but the union Of the waters at
the pass o. the Allegheny and the extension of a
HORSEPOWER improvement up tie New river, 10 the
North Carolina line. happi,y the task Of breaking
down the Allegheny barrier, though difficult aud
expensive, can m onscc hc objected 20 as physically
impmclcabie. Facts have already been developed
IN the course U! the survey now IN progress that
part Of the line, hch Justify the belief 'hs; sut-
ncient supply OF wafer can lie broUsh b; upon the
summit levci, without recourse a feeder Of such
great length and cost = tLat proposed hy The en-
gneers OF the United States IN the year 1927 aud
without the oimachintIy 20 throw up the water
of Greenbuer river as WAS suggested by the COM
pany's engineers IN lS3S. And II will lie seen low
communicated, that the cost OF removing tbs barrier
10 the union OF tie waters, whenever undertaken,
vii. fall short OF Two millions Of dollars 4 more
complete body OF evidence upon this subject may
be expected upon the coming m OF Mir GtI'srcport
giving the results Of the survey NJ the pass OF the
Allegheny. The oxua charges under the heads Of
ans-shpment and freight cue 20 the M'Adamzet
portage, over ana above ihe charges upon a water
line substituted therefor, would, upon every IOO,-
OUO tons Of produce passin. over the portage ue
r0f.ttfa hg Of I,rkt
would be requisite 10 complete the union ot the wa
tiers. 80 clearly am satisfied OF the perfect truth
of this proposition, that were II for The difficulty
which the company might experience ~ ras,p. sucn
additional capital, would not hesitate 10 recommend
10 The stockholders 10 assume the Obligation 10
make the cor necton.
The New river above the mouth Of Greenbrisr
forming no part Of the Company's line, regular
survey has been made or will 10 ordered by the
Company, IA order 10 test the exact nature an ex
tent OF the difficulties be encountered IN the ex-
tension ola horse power Improvement towards TIE |
North Catoiina line. But from the facts disclosed
IN the survey executed by Messrs Moore and |
Briggs, in the year lSl9 well as those derived
from other sources Of information, there would seem
TO he no obstacle to the easy and economical intro
ductiOn Of this system of improvement. Those
gentlemen examined, levelled and surveyed the
river, from the mouth OF GTeenbrler, 10 the mouth
of Sinking creek, distance of 55 miles, They
a so made an estimate of The cost Of making within
those limits good siulce navigation TWO feet IN
depth az all seasons OF the year, amounting only 20
the sum of $1,000. Mr Moore, in his report
says: This is truly noble river Notwilhstnd
l1g IL was represented TO US as being remarkably
low, yet il afforded a superabundunce Of water Tor
every purpose Of internal navigation. The fall 10
this part Of the river, considering the mountainous
country 1t passes through, Is comparatively mode
rate" And again-"Whi.st engaged ~ this sur
vey, great pains was taken TO collect information
relative The character Of the river aud the AGENT
country between the mouth OF Sinking creek aui
the Carolina line. This information has been core
TobOruted 10y all we have since received on the sub
Ject, and goes 20 establish the fact 300 nay migi that
the section alluded TO above The termination vi our
survey, (Which measures about 30 mI es by wa'er)
is more susceptible Of improvement than the sec ion
between the Sinking creek and Greenbrier. tUct o.,
being fewer IN number, and none vi them 80 Jfi-
cult to improve as some we have descri. ed"
IL IS proper 10 remark, that the lniorml ion de-
rived from this report Of Nlr Moore, appears 10 be
fully supported ty a subsequent observation upon
the character Of this stream. THIS arm OF the i'm
provement, as well rs the Allegheny portage, from
the magnitude OF the work and the Attendant expense
peculiarly ht sui I.cts FOR the ga rOnase OF the
State, and II carried out 10 completion, will ioge' m
er wi h the Amended plan now proposed for adop-
ton by the James River and Kinawh, company.
form grand system OF trlns-A eehany connection.
which, when executed, will place the prosperity o.
this State upon a basis as firm and dur,bc, as the
mountains over which our works will be construct
Cd.
The question now presents Itself, will the capital
70 be invested IN carrying out this great outline OF
inland communication, yield an adequate return ?
Let II be promised that although % appears cmi
ncntIy desirable that the State should LEND
her high sanction 20 al the parts Of the enlarg d
system proposed and give token Of her delenni1a-
ton ULTIMATELY 90 execute 90, in1smu~i as such
sanction on her part might have bentfcaI in1u-
oncc upon the lines Of Improve in the iebior
Ing states, yet 900 dong SO, she could reserve TO
herself the selection Of tnc period for cvrcu'Ior OBJ q
parts which have been designated as ~ subiee,e for
her exclusive action. In regard 10 the New River
branch, no careful survey and estimate haviop iern
made with vie" 70 lhis question, no reply can be-
confidently gwen. That branch Of the imr,,ve
ment might poss bly, not yield q full dividend In tho
first ycnfs Of us existence. But when viewed as
an essential pnu OF q perfect and cn,Ire scheme of
western connection, nothing could boz more iniYdici
Gus thun io test thc pr0pucty Of Its adoption ON tho
part Of thc state, by the more standard of the tr,.
hiao.e character Of the investment t BE- not aenra
tnai this consideration should love its ius. irf e.-.
with the Stltc, especially at period of crb.fr,.e
Tnent like the present But with enlightened ,t,.r.
men, other considerations will influence the oule
uon-such os its tendency ns tho component parf Cd
the great system proposed, 90 add almost nca leu a
bly, TO the commerce and wealth Of the State ID
augment IT'S population, Co check cmi-rnu1n. @
unite more closely tho eastern and western portion
of the Commonwealth, % form closer ties Of cos
ncction with our sister States in tho west AMI
ln rcgtd 20 thc other parts Of the system, the q4e.
ton mi-ht be answered With q greater degfeo
conhifnre. SET tng aside lof n moment the enter
prise chrcung an union IT doe wateff nd the a.
81 The Allegheny, the grelf urss of evidence i-i
before thc SoekhOIdcfs in no. fourth annual ,. 10,
o. prove the ultimate % o6aU.a cl,rrcr OF Ill
Company 80 X, pp e. with equl force to nh
naH On. 90 .H. a.