Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-11-06
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
JOHN MINOR BORIS, esq, the former represent
tauive OF the Richmond district in Congress, be.
Ing In Staunton on Monday, on his return from
the Flncastle Convention, was solicited bv n
number OF our citizens to address the people on
the important subject of Internal Improvement
IL was understood that his views in regard TO the
best mode OF eiiectng a communication between
the Eastern and Western waters throuob our
State, were somewhat different from those Of the
friends of the James River scheme. and ma.
ny were therefore anxious to hear them. Mr..
boTTs accordingly consented, and it was arranp-
cd that he should address the people durinu The
recess Of the Court, at half past o'clock.
AT the hour appointed, very large assemblape
OF our citizens was in attendance After expIaip-
ing the circumstances under which he had come
before them, as we'll as the seeming inconsisten-
cy mat one entertaining his sentiments should
nave been member ofthe Fincastle Convention
(haVing been elected delegate by the people of
Richmond without his knowledge he proceeded
to state that while he was disposed to extend the
James River Canal as far as Buchanan, and thus
aid In part the objects of the Convention, he coud
not concur in the propriety of carrying Rail Road
from that point 10 the Ohio river. He did not
believe that an improvement of this mixed cha
Iacter would secure the great end sought for bv
Virginia, OF attracting through her bosom the
I nc, trade and travel of the Mississippi Valley.
AooP'o ''--'1 -, no oontant a e. .-a..-ri;--- =
the Western portion OF the route by Rail Road at
the rate of 90 miles an hour to take the Canal at
Buchanan and pursue their way thence to Rich
mond at the slow rate of four miles an hour He
was therefore for stopping the work at Buchanan.
and TOR constructing thence through the South
West to the Tennessee line such improvement
30 the wants of that portion of the State might
require Thus the James River work. altbonob
1aiiing In its original object, might still be rem
aefed valuable. 1t was universally conceded.
mr.. Bolts said, that Virginia possessed the most
ei'giOie position for communicating with the
mississippi Valley, and it became her 10 be cam
tlous not to throw away this ADVANTAGE bv ,be
oop'on OF any imperfect OF inferior plan of i'm
proVemenf. Modern experience was rapidly de-
monstratIng the superiority of the s.eatncar over
every other mode of transportation; and il WA
indeed, more in censonance with the po.abead
spirit OF the age. He was therefore for con,in.
uons Kail Road from the head of tide water at
richmond to the Ohio River at Guyandotte. His
mind, he remarked, had recently been much on.
gagged on the subject, and he was thoroughly per.
Suaoed mat the nearest and best route for such
road would be through Stanton, by the VIRGINIA
springs, &c, He believed it was shorter bv
some thirty miles than the route by Lvnchburo
while by adopting the line of the Louisa Rail Road
a saving IN construction could be effected of some
'hing Ike one hundred and two miles. The idea
OF constructing Rail Road now, however, on tfe
line OF the Canal, he thought was one which
oouid not De entertained with any favor, involv-
ing as IL would an almost total destruction of the
value of that work.
AS 10 the means necessary for the accomplish
ment OF the scheme he proposed, Mr.. Bolts re-
garded the resources of Virginia ample for its
none, ne said, could question our ability. if we
VIII only engage in it with proper spirit. The I
wealth now buried in the recesses of one Of our
mountains would alone be sufficient. But he he /
ieved we could get help.-The New Workers. /
who, BY the enterprise of Boston, were about to
be deprived of the Lake trade, would no dopb,
gladly aid MS, as means of opening to them.
selves more convenient access to the rich trade
OIL the Mississippi. In conclusion he exhor,ed
bur citizens 10 bestir themselves in this matter.
lie disclaimed all bias of personal feeling or ne.
'uniary interest in the route he had designated.
He spoke as Vrgjnian anxious to build IN the
allen fortunes of his State; and as it was with
lin in reference to the Union-he knew no Po-
omac-no Mason and Dixon's line so he world
ay In regard TO Virginia, he knew no Blue RIDGE
mo Allegheny
we regret that the pressure upon us does not
ermit us to go more at large into the views
brown out by Mr.. Bous.-IIs address was a
most admirable one, and was listened to through
mt with the greatest attention and we trust has
made an abiding impression upon the minds of
ur citizens.
few remarks were then made by D. w.
'ATTEsoN, esq.,, suggesting the propriety of some
ction OF the people on the important subiect
which had just been brought to their attention bv
ir. Bolts and on his motion, Col James C,o,o.