Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-12-30
MISSISSIPPI RIVER, Nov. 9Th, ls4s.

Gentemcn-Whcn asccnded this wonderful river, the
water was uncommonly low, aud every where dry bars
appeared. Now and then the bell struck a. sign for
them the lead that the depth Of the shoals might
be known; and several times boat struck upon the
sand bars. All this though appropriate these
iers at this OF the year. greatly derac from the
ideas which generally entertain of the Father OF Ri
vers But what folly il would be take this si,ge the
type; or like Dickens enter iu;o TRADE against him,
because he is not desired him be- think OF him
IN his iulness and power, whcn wish form n proper
conception OF his grandeur and but for tho suffering and
injury which he then produces would love to dwell up
on him in his msjcsy aud wrath, when bounds can be
set to his sway.
Were disposed however, to dsparage the Misssippi
would be deferred by the reflection that his grandeur
the greater, in that from this low condition, he rises
such high power, and IN the midst Of winter even finds
his Spring Now, too, the changed. The frozen
North has sent down lis herads and steamer at every
bound eleaves the drifting ice. The ugly sand bars no
longer show how far the waters have erestsd clad in
snow, and rsadiaied by brilliant SUM- look bright and
beauiulwhi!st either hand. the shores Of Missouri
aud Illinois, spread out before the eye, rise up from
gently unduaing hills, to cliffs and heights OF ordinary
srandeur-al clad in the garb of early winter.
We left ST. Louis, that rising Philadelphia OF the West.
Yesterday little before and made through
the ice, only few miles down. old Carondelet the
"empy pocket" where tied up for the night As we
passed down. stood watching the long OF this grow
ing city. IL stretched far either hand, down the river
running back into the history OF French settlements and
to the North, involved the hustle and activity CT Amer
can and German enterprise extending, still brighter
colors, into the long vista of futury.
would not convey the impression, that any part of ST
Louis Idle or not Progressing; but the city be
advancing up the river, whose thrown far
the Southern part Of the city, by large bar "a
pdly forming along the shore The progress ST. Louis
is 50 rapid that wonderful and striking
residents OF few When think OF her progress
her immense commerce, OF than fifty millions dol.
lars her crowded levee, and stacks OF Steamers think
of our Richmond dep'eciaie her. but to wish
for her advancement aud devise for her pros
Periy, and that Of Virginia. We might told that it i.
the immense OF the West, and the ing
population OF Europe, which building up these magic
cities whilst Virginia stands in such This may
be true. But may make the immense ces oil a
great part Of this West Are doing III Or
m any adequate manner. avaing ourselves OF
the great advantages winch possess lieu OF those
which here ebIoyedl
These questions mus, be answered in the negative and
bring the interesting subjects on which
have already addressed you.
Messrs. Editors-Is Virginia Western Stated Bor
derng the Ohio. which stretches out for hundreds
miles through the gardens OF America like a long arm
grasp for her the the West she may empha,i
csy be said be Western State. And nature has fur
nhed her with ample Of receiving and securing in
her bosom, the thus offered by friendly Oho
They should be laid hold once by an artificial arm
OF the Atlantic, stretching from Norfolk and Richmond TO
the Ohio.
take itfor granted. that Improvement the mind
OF Virgnii is forever made up-the connection Of the
James with the Ohio River.
la 1912 the Committee on Internal improvements
made long report the Legislature OF Virginia. in which
they the history Of this great Central Improvement
and conclude with the following "iacts sustained by
The detailed statements which they have exhibited"
l. That the connection of the Eastern Western wa
ter has BEEN for the last 90 years. object OF the un
ceasng esard and socude of the General AS
semby and good people OF this Snle.
, That from the year 1910, up this time, with the
exception OF the winter occupied with the abors of the
Convention session of the Legislature has elapsed
without giving important in reference
this subject.
B. That the public archives Of the State exhibit in re-
gard this subject evidences Of perseyerng aud
research hitherto unparalleled in the history Of the State
4 That subsequent the period when il was deemed
expedent suspend for me the further prosecution of
the works. the Legislature has with view to their re-
SUMPTION authorized repeated surveys, and uniformly re-
sisted interference with the line, whether coming from
domestic a foreign
). That Of the various modes OF Improvement &c. oil!
given up in favor Of Canal continued Rail
Road but with reference the relative superiority Of
t1eset opinion OF Engineers, ell the pub
c appears to be unsettled or dvded[SEss. Doc: 1891
%; Dec. 34.l
This was at the session of 1912 but suppose that the
choice lin lSl5l TO be made, what Engineer
would hesitate Even that year, the principal Engineer
reported strongly in favor Of Rail Road.LSee Doc: u.s.
1912
with the Western waters in Virginia, and only DESTROYS
OF promoting IT, am no little astOnished the course Of
who should know better
Who wants Virginia to be State with one idea, or
hObby,-when of her
crest interests, worthy Of her To be favor Of an In
proyemen becsuse It will enhance the value Of my farm
my town adopt route for these re asons is too
narrow minded To be Treated but with contempt Rich
monj take disineresed view Of these improvements
and Of al proPosed routes. because she Will get the benefit
run whittier they may and rejoice in being free from
baS-hsyng manner Of interest but thatof Virginan
| IN plan. route whaisver.
You well remember, Messrs Editors. the meeting held
in Richmond, which the continuation of the James
River improvement, by Railroad, discussed and
know that its object prOmOs-to insure. the
prosecution Of the work, now stopped, and most difficult
imppt bic be resumed, under existing arrangements
What think you them Of the strange version Of our de-
signs by friends Of KanaS | have no objection
this subject, 10 meet even the gifted Summers but he
give facts and pervofons aud put our PROPOSE.
lions upon their grounds and upon such may
| select Tor heit weakness.
The Preamble from K,nowhi, reported by Mr.. G. w.
hummer, says:
ed and believed be entertained, by portion Of
the citizens II Eastern Vig Mis- and which has been the
more especially indicated by the eJfs OF portion Of the
public press at Richmond, and ny resolutions adopt
ed public meeting held IN that city the 22d October
divert the people Of this Commonwealth from their long
cherished aud patriotic purpose Of connecting the Atlantic
border Of the State with the great Western Valley, by
means Of line Of improvement extending from Richmond
the Ohio uver, through the kanawha Valley, and
direct the public mind schemes Of Improvement"
Afier what have said above. need only remark upon
Ibis, that the only difference between and The supporters
u this ogE TOueOSE improvement scheme s this, when
" shall have been completed, Kanawhi will be perfectly
accommodated and satisfied. But Richmond would re-.
oce other improvements would every who looks
developing the resources Of the whole State and to
eeyOtng her to her appropriate position, in Commerce aud
| the Arts.
The charge Of "divertng the people from their paiiio.
TIC purpose 10 ridcuous They already diverted far
more than desire and TO their zsa,-to
terminate their lspent cnierpri7s and because offer
allies Allegiance 10 doubled apd jealous cooper
ton perverted Into opposition. Away with such folly and
give facts and reasons against orr propOsons
AZ o. aRiiannk " new schemes Of improvement" II
my last letter has rcschod YOU have already sewn by
| 49,.