Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-28
COMMUNICATED.

I paper, that tbs fever which annually prevails a, this
season Of the year, and confined almost exclusively TO
the county of Buckingham had recently broken out
with grea NAL gnancy, and threatens fearful conse-
quences to the unhappy sufferers; for | know OF no
disease Of the mind, or one that yields more in
tense misery to the possessors, than envy OF abilities
they cannot attain, OF virtues they will not emulate
These remarks called forth by the late meeting
| in Buckngha Of the most remarkable proceed
ings in this age Of wonders, which only be ac-
counted for by variety Of interests being excited but
operating TO common end, and that is, uncomPro-
missing hostility to the President of the James River
Company.
The long Preamble, occupying nearly two columns
of your paper, and adopted by majority Of sixteen
votes, is most valuable paper, for the great variety
Of ne,r mailer il contains, and the great ingenuity
displayed by its author, in exposing the imaginary er-
Of the President, in the broadcast lights say ina
gnary errors because they are truly So and such ever
man will pronounce them, and has pronounced them,
when viewed through any other medium than interest
or prejudice
cannot follow the author of these charges against
the President OF the Company because il is unnecessa
ry do So from The circumstance that every specified
charge here repeated has heretofore been cl y and
sat slactorily Sered The whole matter is but
petition of what appeared last fall, with effort TO
strengthen themselves by attack upon The able
nj .ttee who engaged for months in examine
ton Of the financial affairs Of the Company, and per-
sonally inspected their whole line Of canal either COM
pets left in unfinished condition. and they just.
fed, with single exception, every act Of the Presi
dent and Directors from the organization of the Com
pany to The present time. What stronger evidence
the stockholders have Of the management Of the
work than this, when we'll known, that this same
party had excited in the minds of many Of the mem
bers OF the Legisl1 ture the same prejudice that
existed in their own' and if they themselves had
been intrus,ed with the power of selecting that
Committee, they would have selected the same,
with probably some few exceptions; for of
that committee had expressed opinions hostile 10 the
best interests Of the Company, and yet had the true
marnannity Of deo,ring themselves in upon
full investigation Of their Affairs ;tlis, III. mos,
difficult duty required OF US 10 perform accordance
with what we believe just and proper, and the
firm convictions OF men Of character md intelligence
changed by what is called eek parte evidence" COR
ceive the testimony of This t.ee the sfongeat
that could be adduced in favor Of the Company There
other question admitted than full inquiry int
their affairs, and the best means Of relieving their tenn.
porary embarrassme That this object was fully
accomplished, is apparent, by their present
prospects. The very measure recommended by this
committee and denounced in unmeasured t,rms by th,
meeting, and which has had the effect TO their
credit, with promising prospect Of being able in
short tme TO complete their unfinished work, is but
specimen of the foresight Of the wouldbe managers Of
this important work. The President alone is charged
W tn wastefu extravaganza, in contradiction to The
fact that this work has cost from l5 to $50 900 per
mile less than works OF similar character and the same
dimensions The whole burden rests upon his shoulders
when h able advisers suffered pass without
word Of comment; not that he they not at all
tines able and willing to The espons bility Of
any Of theirs-but The President singled out for
the especial benefit Of those who capable in their
own estimation o. supplying the place Of him who, for
years. has devoted mind of ucknow lodged superiority,
and all his physical energies, to object that is TO de
veope the Of his native Sts and 10 place her
amongst the first in our land.
Is there man, with common love of his country
that can view the happy effects OF this great improve
ment, already manifested in the increasing trade in
the inferior Of the State, and not yield the credit 10 the
genius and untrng energy Of the present President Of
this Company 1t is true, that in this he has been
assisted by some of the first in the State but 10
him alone The credit should be given, Of it, originator
and far successful conductor OF its operations The
venerable who for years, supernten ded the
execution Of the work, universally beloved and re-
spected By all who knew him, is called ais 10 account
for his estimate Of the cost of the work He has re-
ceived another call from higher source, that will
derstand his motives and actions better than we can ;
but he has left behind him materials that will Justify
him. and the confidence placed him By the President
That his estimate Of the cost per mile OF the work
less than its actual cst accounted for By an exam
nation Of the prices paid for work at the different let
tings- where tn. same competition existed, the same
contractors offering proposals for contracts, but gra
dually increasing their prices the price of labor and
provisions advanced in a corresponding ratio.
Every knows we'll the exorbiant prices paid for
labor and siors Of every kind between the years
OF 80 and 40, when tins work was actively progress.
sing and when this advance is taken into considera
tion with change in of the original Fllns the
conclusion is clear 10 every candid mind that instead
of any effort at deception this able Engineer justified
his high character for distinguished eminence in his
profession
In opposition to these facts, and the of,en exploded
charges that have been reiterated time after time,
have, in a form, the charges brought again
against the President Of this Company-and for what
Because some few individuals in the county of Buckng
ham want bridges The river at their respective
ta,es order that the value of their property may be
enhanced and greater facilities afforded them forreacb
ing the canal. No one Will deny, that the people Of
Buckingham who have contributed their proportion TO
the construction of The work, entitled to some be-
ne6t from it. Nor any one deny, that they have
already experienced this benefit in The diminished cost
of transportation, being afforded by means Of
ferries, the Company expense, until their means
will justify the construction Of Bridges al favorable
locations, without regard to individual interests For
truly impartial statement Of the actual condition and
mana cement Of The work, better authority could be
taken, than The able report of the Committee through
their Chairman r. Y. Conrad, and the appendix annex
ed Such documents worth more than thousands OF
Aimsy chlrges asserted without any absolute founda
ton And doubt not that the stockholders generally
and ,hose feeling any interest 10 The work, will know