Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-15

VIII take the liberty Of suggesting tho enquiry
whether the effect which they doplore may not
How from cause very different from the ono as
signed, and whether, in point of fact, it may not
be the perfect freedom IF trade between the States
OF this Union. and moi The restrictions upon foreign
commerce, which has enabled the North to use her
natural advantages in such way to gain the
ascendency over tho South There is fact
which will refer to, in this connection, which
,nay be entitled to consideration. Before tho ID
doption Of the Federal Constitution, when each
State regulated its own commerce, there was no
such concentration of trade, at or two points,
as we now find. Even Virginia then carried on
large direct trade, and We told by tradition
that Yorktown, village which, but for its proud
historic associations with the close of ouI Revolu-
tionary struggle, would hardly find place upon
the map OF the Ancient Dominion, was once the
port through which Philadelphia received the
larger portion of her supplies of foreign merchan-
die!
have now, Mr.. Chairman, finished what /
proposed to say upon the general merits Of the
bill. But cannot take my seat without adding
few words i'm regard to the deep interest, which
the Slate OF Virginia has in the success of the
measure nov under consideration 1t is my de-
hberate conviction. that she will derive more ben
oft from 1t than any other State OF the Union. for
there is no other State which has such variety
OF interests TO be promoted. Many States possess
advantages over her i'll some respects, but where
will you find one which combines so many of the
elements OF wealth, OF greatness, and of power 3
She is situated in the very heart of the conicdera-
cy. She has a sea coast, including the bay, un-
rivalled in extent; and her Western borderis, for
hundreds OF miles, washed by the waters Of the
ONO. Her shores arc deeply indented with bays,
and inle's, and creeks, aifording every facility for
navigation. The Ohio, the Potomac, the James,
anu nail score OF other navigable rivers, have
uIelr sources In her mountains, and radatny as
Nv md hal for hmm
1reds OF miles through her territory, impar,ing
ierlilty TO her soil, and supplying, at tho saue
lime, The power Of driving the most extensive ina
chinery, and the best possible channel for trans
porting the manufactured fabrics to market. Her
SOIL is adapted to the growth Of almost every veu-
etaoie production known to our country. w heat,
rye lndian corn, oats, tobacco, hemp, flax, pota-
toes' and every species Of grass and fruit known
W temperate Climates, attain tho highest degree
OF perfection within her borders. Her mineral
wealth is no less diversified than abundant She
possesses gold, and silver, and copper, and iron,
anu lead, and salt, and gypsum, and coal, to an
eA'eht That would seem almost Incredible TO one
VINO had not taken some pains to acquire par,icu-
lar information on the subject. Her forests a.
bound In tho best lumber and her mountains af-
lord pastures for sheep, which will enable her al.
mos, Without an effort, to suppant Vermont in the
WOOL uaue lor whilst, III the frozen regions Of
the North, the aocks must be fed half the wear in
our more genial climate, they can generally 6nd
The means Of subsistence for themselves, in the
luXuriant growth of the mountains. In regard to
water power too, she has peculiar advantages, not
only In Its extent and general diffusion over her
territory, but from the fact, that machinery is so
little liable 10 be interrupted in the winter by ice
The same remark is applicable to her canals and
h1Visaoe streams, which are frequently not clos
&c al all during the winter, and never for more
IMAM few weeks. lfany gentleman wishes to
SEQ asPecinen OF tho natural advantages of Viz
g'nIa' let him visit her metropolis. Where will
he ind such combination of all tho natural adj
Van'ages Tor great manufacturing city as Rich
mond presents lneXhaustble supplies of coal
ana Iron are found IN the immediate neighborhood
o! the city. The James River Canal, which al
ready penetrates $50 miles into the interior Of the
country, and Is destined at distant day to form
the most convenient line of connection between
The seaooard and the Ohio, affords not only the
means of access TO the inland markets, but sun
plies an almost unlimited extent of watet bower
10 impel the machinery necessary for every spe-
cles oil manufacture. Various lines of rail roads
extending IN every direction, invite tho trader Of
the surrounding country, by furnishing the most
convenient ana speedy means OF eecting the ex-
changes OF tho products of agriculture for tho fab
Tics ol The merchants aud the manufacturers Her
central position and proximity to the southern and
southwestern country, where cotton is Produced |
and a large market for manufactures is found,
must give her decided advantages over the manu-.
o'uiihS toN 40 Vi tne NORM, Which Obliged
10 encounter the expense Of the double transpor-
taton oil the raw material to tho North to be man
niactured, and Of the fabric to the South to bo
consumed. Her manufactures will also enoy
another important advantage, from the fact that
they will be enabled to throw their fabrics into
the market without delay, I'D thus their capital
VIII always be actively employed, instead of be-
ing idle during the long periods of the transit of
the raw material from the South to the North. and
back again. Give Virginia, then, tho benefit OF
this bill, and you will soon see factories sprinpinr
up on all her watercourses; you will see her coal
heds explored; her rich mines oponed up (; her
commerce revived; her agriculture nvigora,ed
her capital Increased, not merely by the gradual
acceSsions of her own industry, but by the influx
from abroad, which her superior natura. resources
WIN invite Give her, repeat, the benefit of this
oii, anu you will diiIuse prosperity through all
her borders; her citizens will no longer be COM
PEELED to leave tho home of their childhood in
search OF precarious subsistence in the far
West; the tide of emigration will cease, and the
proud Old Dominion Will again, at no distant dav,
assume her appropriate position in the front rank
oi LIE members OF our glorious conederacy.
The Richmond Enquirer denounces the Reve
nue. Bill. 1t denounced the Wings few DAYS
ago when 1t was feared that they would pass no
o..uiI, L..