Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-06-27
From the Richmond Compi.,r.


Thou can'st not then be false TO any man."
From the Richmond Compiler
STAUNTON AND SCOTTSVILLE TURNPIKE. |
Gentlemen,--Can any citizen Of our State,
whose local prejudices do not blind his better feel
ings and Judgment, after reading the communca-
ton OF "Albemarle" published in your paper this
morning, on the subject Of the S,aunton and
Scottsvlle Turnpike, fail to recognise the duty OF
our Legislature, in their action the subject,
which will undoubtedly be brought before ;kem
next winter! l think not; and yet feeling as
do such deep solichude upon the subject, can
not refrain from troubling you with a few words
in addition TO the facts stated by ".7LGemarLe."
1t is well known to all, that the town OF Scots
vile is the nearest depot on the James River Ca
nal, to several Of the most fertile and productive
counties in the valley of Virginia, and the only
communication between those counties and sand
town, is one of the worst conceivable mud roads,
dignliied with the name Of Turnpike; a road at
all seasons very bad, but in winter impossible for
loaded Wagons, and which it is now proposed
by the stockholders and others interested, to Nc
Adamise, provided the Stale will lend her aid
All that has ever been asked is now or ever will
be asked OF the State, is 10 authorize the present
company to Increase their capital stock to a sum
sufficient to McAdainise their road. and subscribe
Tor threc-hfths of the increased stock. l now
| propose showing, with the assistance of the sta
tistics furnished by "Albemarle" that il is to the
interest Of the State TO make the proposed SUBJ
| scription.
1t is a fact well ascertained that at the present
low rates OF labor and provisions, the sum of
Sl5O,000 will be fully sufficient to make the road.
The State is asked TO furnish 81, 600 of this sum-
How is she to raise it! it can be borrowed easl-
ly for 20, 80 or 40 years, at per cent. The in
terest would amou41tto SO 600 per annum. How
is the State to pay this interest! In answer to
THIS question l refer TO your cores pondent SAL
bemarle;" (and beg leave to remark that his esli-
mates are TO my certain knowledge based upon
certainty, and are rather below than above the
nark.) He estimates (and l think very truly
mat when the McAdanised road shall be compile
'ed' the States portion Of the tolls received on
The Canal for produce transported between Rich
mond and Scoltsvle will amount to the sum of
Soo,2O at the present rates of toll. The net,
prohts arising from tolls received on the road il.
self would be SIT GEO, of which the State own.
ing three-flths of the stock would be entitled 10
SiO,5I2, which added 10 her portion Of canal
tolls, would amount to $i5,774. We will now
make an estimate of her present income from tho
same source we will place the quantity of flour
at pre- sent received in Scoisvie at 90, 600 bbls 4:
The tolls OH which, at the present rates, amour, to
So'ooO; add TO this one-iourIh for other produce
'hah Hour, Sl,25O, and to these two amounts add
one-hall Tor merchandise passing up the Canal.
So'l23, aud we have the gross re ceipis on the
Lamar between the two places, 50 1915, Of which
inc States portion are SIS, 625. The nett profits
I.SO U,
The Stale, which, added to her part of canal tolls
makes S6,o25, the whole amount now received
anu which Is S3S,049 less than the amount of
her estimated rece pts after the proposed improve
inent Is made, "a sum fully sufficient to paw the
principal and interest Of the substitution asked
lot, In less time than three years.
These are facts which no one can question and
winch appeal In strong terms 10 the Legislature
TO the stockholders of the James River Canal
ana to the people of Richmond 1t is a subject
which has already been too long deferred and
one In which neiehbors of Baltimore have
manifested much interest in trying, and i'm GREAT
measure succeeding, in monopolizing the trade of
.he most fertile portion Of our State, while we
nave been careless about it; and, in fact making
railroads and iurnpkes for the purpose Of taking
our own produce 10 their market. The writer has
lived lin The Valley of Virginia, and knows the
preferences the farmers and merchants have for
the Richmond market; and al! they require is
road TO the canal equal 10 the one to Wincheste
and they will ensure to us the immense trade
which now goes to Baltimore and Georgetown-
In conclusion, appeal to every citizen of Rich
mond, (for all are or less interested. espe-
cIaliy her enterprising merchants to arouse them
selves and insist upon having justice done them
IN TINS case; demand of the Legislature TO do
little for you, when they have done so much for
Baltimore, who had no claims upon their berali-
ty. Unite with the citizens of Augusta, Rock
bridge, Bath, Pendleton, Pocahonias. Rocking-
ham, and the enterprising little town of Scots
VILE, IN memorial to the Legislature askjno
their calm and unprejudiced action on the subject
Fut II not oft until the meeting If the LeoisIa-
ture, but go to work at once and get all thjnps
ready In due time. Remember that by the pro-
posed improvement you will be benefited as much
as any others. The commissions alone on the
lncrt ased quantity Of produce brought to our mar
ket would not be short of $50, 900 per annum, to
say nothing CT the increased amount of dry goods
and groceries which would be sold. AS com.
nunliy and as individuals, we are certainly much
more interested in the success of this improve
ment than in making Presidents or annrxing
Texas to our Union. RICHMOND.