Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-07

srAUNToN 4 }. RIVER TURNPIKE COMPANY.
Al meeting Of the Stockholders of the Staun.
ton and James River Turnpike Company. held at
the Courthouse in Staunton, on Saturday the I'd
Of December, lS43, JonS McCur, esq. was call
ed to the chair, and KrSroS Hanrrs appointed
Secretary.
On motion Of THos. J. NICHE, ESQ.,, the reso-
luton heretofore adopted requiring the President
and Directors to expend The whole amount of
tolls collected on the road, in It's improvement,
was rescinded-Ayes 1873, Noes II.
KENYON HARPER then reported the following
Memorial to the Legislature, asking an increase
of the capital stock Of the company, for the pur-
pose Of Matchmaking the road, in compliance
with the resolution of the 7,h October-which
was adopted:
~ the General Assembly Of Virginia.
The Memorial of the undersigned, Stockhold-
eIs OF tho Staunton and James River Turnpike
Road Company, md Of citizens Of the County of
Augusta, respectfully represents, that from the
Imperfect character Of the road, and the nature of
the soil over which large portion OF it is con-
struced, 1t is found TO be altogether inadequate to
the wants Of the people whose interests it was in
tended TO serve. The road is what is sometimes
facetiousiy, but often tru,hfully, called a "Mud
Furnpke;" and for large portion of the year,
and especially during that part of 1t, (the winter
season. when the farmers, who generally market
their own products, have least to do on their
iarms tits frequently almost impassable Cor heavy.
burdened wagons. This road Is the main outlet
OF the County OF Augusta, a norton of Rock
in8ham and Rockbrdge, and portion OF Able
marie, to the James River Canal, and is dai.
ly becoming, with the improvement of The Par
kersburg road, of more and moro Importance 10
the counties of Bath, Pendeton and Pocahontas
In the present depressed prices Of Agricultural
products, therefore, its substantial improve
ment becomes matter Of vital consequence. II
It were covered with stone, i'm the manner of the
valley Turnpike, it is confidently believed, nav
II Is certain, that where Is 20 barrels of Flour
are now conveyed at a load, 30 or 40 barrels
could be taken with equal ease, and at no very
considerable increase of eXpense-thus ef1ecting
saving OF nearly one-ialf the cost of trans.
portation. But, besides this, a consideration no,
less important, is the fact, that the road could he
used, with equal advantage, at all seasons Of the
year. II 10 perfectly demonstrable, them ,ha, the
present inadequate improvement operates most in
Jurlously TO the interests of our Farmers. From
eighty to one hundred thousand barrels of Flour
nave passed, yearly, for some time, over the
Western section Of this road, through Rockfsh
| gaps estimating the saving consequently, which
might be effected by having a McAdamized road,
at but 20 cents BARREL on 10000 barrels il
would give $40 900, and on 90 900 barrels. Ss5,.
l"oo-d sum SuIncient 10 construct the whole
work In i've or six years, TO say nothing of what
would be saved on the transportation of other pro.
ducts OF our rich and bountiful valley which
would seek market over it; or the facilities i,
would afford 10 our merchants in getting their
goods by way of Richmond and the James river
canal, many OF whom account of the delay
and uncertainty which now attend that route, have
been driven to the more expensive one by the Bal.
tlmore and Winchester railroads and the VALLEY
! Turnpike; or the hardly less important induce.
menls 1t would offer to travel. AZ a tributary 10
the James river canal, therefore, in which the
Commonwealth is SO largely interested, its value.
every way, would be incalculable.
Deeply impressed with the truth of the views
here presented, and with the great importance OF
a more substantial improvement of the road 10
their interests, your Memorialists would earnestly
entTeat your honorable body TO pass law increas-
| ing the capital stock of the Staunton and James
river turnpike company, on such principle as
may be just both TO and old stockholders. to
an amount which will produce $4,000 dollars
adamize their road, with power to make such
changes in its present location as experience and
observation may seem to require; and authorizing
subscription, on behalf Of the Commonwealth
OF three-filhs of said increased capital stock.
And your Memorialists, in duty bound, will
ever pray, &c.
The meeting then adjourned.
JOHN McCUE, Charm.
KENroN HARPER. Sec'ry.