Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-05
For The Enquirer
PROVEMENT OF THE JAMES RIVER.


All who have any interest in the welfare of
Virginia, who desire 10 see her downward course
arrested, and 4 fresh impulse given 10 her ener-
gles, By which her future prosperity may be Sc
cured, must feel no ordinary satisfaction al per-
ceiving the recent movements which have been
made, 10 rouse public attention, 10 renewal OF
our system OF Internal Improvements. Next To
the adoption OF Il well-considcrcd and judicious
system OF public education, stands, in the judg-
ment Of all considerate men, as the most imPor-
tant, The gradual improvement, Of the great high
WAYS OF the Cornmonwcalth-ihose arteries Of
ntcrcommunicalon among ourselves and with
our sister States, SO necessary and SO highly
important 10 our commercial pursuits and The
Improvement ofthe Commonwealth. The sharp
political struggle through which the country has
passed, and the decision of the contest for power,
which has ius; been made by The people, gives
breathing time and resi- for al least, period, Tor
the consideration OF other public measures
The present General Assembly has now proba-
big the most appropriate opportunity fof directing
the resources Of The Commonwealth 10 the great
work of Internal Improvement, which has been
presented for many years. The public expect
from their labors something efficient on this sub
ject-The condition and wants olthe State demand
it-A just regard for her necessities, and spirit
of patrio,isni alike require liberal policy from
teeming with essays as 10 the proper nIoda OF pro-
scouting our great cenlral work. dA seem TO con-
cludc that its PROSECUTION is 10 be RESUMED
Nor, ON this subject, ought there 10 be any differ
ences Of opinion. Ii regard be paid 10 the deep
adventure The State has already made in the work
If We look 10 its present incomplete and half
finished sate-if the preservation from utter
loss OF all that has been already advanced by
the State be desired-it the character, and ho-
nor, and good faith Of the Commonwealth
have any value-aH, yes, ALL, call aloud up
on the present Legislature not 10 adjourn until
it shall have adopted some efficient measure for
resuming, and efiec,ually but gradually prosecul-
ing this great work 10 lis com1le,on-a great
work indeed-one that is to bind Together every
part ofthis coed old Commonwealth, and 10 make
her advance, with giants stride, 10 that power
and physical greatness which will give her !
weight in this Union, fully equal in wealth and
numbers, 10 her present high and enviable moral
influence The finances Of the country, and es-
pecially OF the State have got into sound con-
dilion-Her credit is as good as il has ever been
known 10 be-Her faith has ever been preserved
and her name for fidelity is unta!nished. The
wages Of labor and the prices Of provision are
rea sonable and fair. Ii these things be So then
they prove the perfect chilly Of the State 10 prose
cute the work by aiding the present company and
10 have the wo:k executed on The most reasona,
bic terms. But if resumed, on what plan is j!
hereafter TO be prosecuted Is it TO be BY dam
and sluice2 or BY lock and dam2 or by railroadl
or by a continuous canal2 These various
plans have each had their jealous advo,
cales-and most Of them are yet pressed on
the public consideration. In Tic early history
OF the work, the suice and dam, combined with
the lock and dam, and in some degree with the
canal improvement, was favored by many. As
more experience was Obtained and after a long
and earnest enquiry; after repeated surveys had
been made, and several reports from the Chief
Engineer Of The State had been submitted 10 the
public, the proposd plan of improvement, by dams
and slnices was abandoned-lhe lock and dam
plan, connected with steam navigation however,
continued YET TO be advocated. Some OF its most