Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-09-12
TO tie Editors II Tic Enquirer :
= 's''E'U'' = ~ F<TFI'ST'''
RICHMOND, September (.

.
and the surrounding country. Recincd beneath
spreading oak, | gazrd with admiration on
prospect OF SURPRISING loneliness. Suddenly, a
change came over The scene before M. While
lost in admiration, and unable 10 realize the Won
derS oil the imposing spectacle, was accoSled in
lam!llarmanner, by person ofremalkable ap-
pearan.e, whose conntenance heamed with intel
ligence and benevolence. "Behold," he said,
what Enterprise can accomplish. Nature has
indeed done much for this favored city, bni her
bounties are lavished in vain, wiihou! The assis-
lance OF The Genius oil Enterprise. Like The d.
almond in The mine, her blessings have lain neg
lrcted, until by my assistance they have been rem
dcred available TO man. Behold the wonders Of
The future" McIhought Tie scenery never be-
lore appeared 50 imposing. Nature and Art
seemed 10 vie with each other in contributing
every requisite of beauty. nv attention was
soon turned from The beauties of nalure-trum
the ioaming river and the verdant fclds--,o The
magnificent works OF art presented 10 the view
in every direction. In the distance, on the smooth
bosom OF the river, a forest Of masts was seen,
displaying The pennan's Of every nation. Inter
cepiing The view 10 the East a magnificent bridge
spanncd the river from North 10 South, ana bore
high in ali the sieam-car and lis extended train
Beneath this bridge and reaching some distance
along the channel of the river vast Aqueduct
appeared, aiiordng unlimited water-power 10
the numerous mills AMI factories that stud
ded lis rocky sides. Appearing 10 emerge
from beneath this AqueGuci, a series OF Locks
assembled from The level uf tide-water 10 the sum
nit Of the canal above, thus completing The con-
necion BY navigation, between the James ard
the father OF waters" The canal curved grace.
fully among the hills, and bore, in lis thou
sand barses, The accumulated products of the
West towards This emporium of the East. The
margin of The canal, and every island in the ii
yer, was occupied by manufacturing establish
menls. The limits Of The ci;y seemed greatly ex-
tended in every direction while the size and con-
liyui;y OF the buildings evinccd The existence OF
dense population An improved style OF build
ing was observable in private residences; and The
masnitlcencc of the public ediiiceS, with their
tall spires and mighty comes was a sure indca-
ton 81 The patronage OF learning and religion.
"Tun your eyes," said the good Genius"
"irom The present, and The limited view around
US and survey The vast continent spread out like
\ map before you. Your astonishment at The
change, produced in the aspect OF things around,
will then be diminished. In determining The pos
sbe amount Of prosperity Of any place you must
consider the important elements which influence
the extent Of intercourse between distant qnar-
tiers of the globe. Ii You regard the continent Of
North America as central with reference 10 the
other commercial world, you will perceive that
It's condition must be materially affected by lis
position and productions The immense COM
meIcc between Europe ard The East Indies, and
between The United States and remote countries
10 the East and West, which now finds passage
around the Cape of Good HOPE, or across the
Desert between the Mediterranean and The Red
Sea, will eventually pass through the nearer and
more expeditions route afforded By a ship-canal
across The lsthmus Of Panama, until, in the pro-
aicsS Of impro. ement, the connection between The
Atlantic and The Pacific, across the continent
of America, sha! be completed By continuous
line of rail road and water communication
extending from the mouth OF The James 10 the
Columbia River. Bu; few years since, no
communication existed between the waters which
seek an outlet towards the Atlantic ard those OF
The va, enpilc Ts'.',' nl' M -" ~. heoa
waters OF these streams, was then an uncul!va-
led wild sparseiy peor!ed, and destitute OF The be-
nefts lowing from enterprise and Improvement.
Now il teens with wealth and with an indus
lrious population. Alter years of difficulty, the
apparently hcrculean task of constructing ca
nal from thr lilc.walers OF the James 10 the
falls II the Kama Wha, is about 10 be accomplish
ed. New life will be infused into the country
wherever the influence OF this Improvement Is
tet The accumulated products of fertile regions
will find an outlet 10 The ocean through this great
highway of commerce. Soon il will be appa-
REM to all, that The benefits OF this improvement
will moi be confined 10 Virginia and The adjon-
ing States. Branches will be sent out in various
directions throughout this State, and connections
will be formed with The railroads, canals and
iurnpikcs of other States. You will observe, that
al certain points on this Continent vast emPo.
RUINS must inevitably spring up, and that The
most important of these will he found not Tar re-
moved from the mouths Of the Columbia, the
Missouri the Mississippi, the James and the
Hudson, and al the Southern extremity OF Lake
Michigan. Nature has determined these points,
and, with my assistance, Astoria, ST. Louis, New
Orleans, Richmond, New York and Chicago will
become the principal cities vi this Contederacy
"Thc commercial interests OF the continent, ant
of the world, require that The most direct com
munica.ion should be provided between these Ct
lies. thus ailarding safe and expeditions chan
mel for The interchange OF The diversified product
o. every variety of climate and soil. Before ihei
connection can he completed the navigation o
the Columbia and the James will be improved by
The removal of bars and other distinctions. In
ermeLae and independent Improvements vii
be simultaneously in progress. a railroad vii
be completed from The James, al Buchanan, t
Memphis on the Mississippi. The increase o
transportation Of passengers and produce thus
brought to the James River Canal will afford tht
means Of completing the work 10 The laIis OF th'
Kanawha Expedition will then be oil more I'm
por,ance to convey lhe immense travel from I'M
lower valley Of the Mississippi TO the North arc
East and railroad will be required from Rich
mond to the New river. This road will be ex
tended 10 Guyandoue, and thence continued it
Maysville, Ia Louisville, TO ST. Louis. thus
continuous line Of railroad will be compeief
from Richmond 10 ST. Louis, less Than nine nun
dred miles in leigh and requiring only thFe'
DAYS for its passage. NaIre then affords her as
sislancc. and the Missouri and lis Tributaries VII
present CONTINUOUS line of navigation, extend
ing for more than 900 miles 10 The West. ! NJ
interests OF the vast territory Of oregon, as wei
as The commercial interests 81 The Union and iht
world, will require The completion OF The connrc
lion between the termni Of navigation on th'
| Missouri and on the Columbia. The capital Q
| individuals freely contributed, will accomplish
the construction of the great Missouri and 20
lumbia railroad. A connection will be mad
between the Illinois river and Lake Michigan
and between Chicago, on the Lake, and Cincln
natl, on the Ohio, which, together with The tribu
| tares OF The Ohio, and The works oil improvement
10 the North and South, will converge toward
the great cen,ra! line extending through virginia
"The North, the South and the West will pou
through this channel, into The lap OF Inc Eas
their accumulated treasures, and Will receive j
return, the gathered bouaties oil the commerce g
the world. The advantages enjoyed by this cen
trail line of improvement extending from the Co
umbia TO The Capes OF Virginia, will render
superior To all competition. lis position oein
central il Will be equally scrviceahle as an out
let for the country, TO the North or Souih-an
il will be enabled to afto this facility at all sea
sons Of The year. /. will, moreover, be the mos
direct route that can be devised without encoun
!erirg almost in>upeIab.e obstacles, and il car
therefore, never be superseded
sin anticipation Of The immense consequence
resulting from these Improvements TO this Sta;
and TO its metropolis. an enerprsing. popuIauo
and vast amour, OF capital will be aitracte
hi,hcr from the North. Manufactures will
extensively introduced, and agriculture will r.
ceive stimulus from the increased demand to
It's products, which will be generated. IN
whole aspect Of The country will be changed, an
| energy will pervadc the citizens.