Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-14
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

large and most interesting one. The discussion
was prolonged ill about halt pas, ~, By which
time the numbers were, Of course, much reduced,
but embraced most OF those who appeared 10 hold
the deepest stake in The prosperity OF the city.
Mr.. Bolts opened the discussion, BY giving a
succnct account Of the proceedings at Fincastle,
and the reasons which induced himself and his col
leagues 10 sanction the resolutions OF that Con-
venlion. He then offered 10 the meeting new
plan Of connecting the City of Richmond with
the Ohio, by extending the Railroad from Cor
louisville TO Staunton, thence across 10 The Cow
pasture river, and down its valley to Covington,
thence by the White Sulphur Springs 10 the Ka-
nawha. This route he showed 10 be the nearest
| 10 the Ohio, apart from the advantage Of having
the road 10 Gordonsville already completed, and
avowed his concurrence in the imputed general
opinion, in favor OF 4 continuous railroad
throughout the line, in preference 10 the water
communication, which he thought was behind
the age. His address was interesting, and por-
lions OF il eloquent.
Mr.. Thomas Fl. Ellis made few remarks in
regard TO his own action al the late Convention,
but did not enlarge upon the subject generally.
Mr.. Maclarland answered Mr.. Bolts, and sus-
tanned the views presented by him 10 The late
meeting Of the citizens of Richmond, and main
tanned that there was no satisfactory reason Tor
surrendering the plan then marked out, and adopt
ing the novel one now Offered. He said, il was not
sanctioned by any report olthe numerousens ineers
who had been engaged in exploring The various
routes 10 the Ohio; that no typographical recon-
noissance had been made OF it, much less any
minute, nstiumen'al survey, 10 ascertain It's me-
ri,s; and in the absence Of such, we were bound
10 suppose il to be impraclicable, Tor all useful
purposes. He dwelt upon the danger OF bring
ing the great Virginia line, connecting the East
ern and Western waters, so near 10 Winchester,
lest the whole benefits OF the expenditure might
fall into the lap OF Baltimore. He urged this
poin, with irresistible force, and showed that ii
would be extremely difficult, if al all possible to
prevent the connection between Staunton and
Winchester, if the whole country between those
points were in favor Of il, and sought il without
The aid Of the Stale Treasury. He concluded BY
referring 10 communication made by Col. Gro
yet to Mr.. Lyons, and asked the latter to present
il 10 the meeting.
This brought out Mr.. Lyons. EIe said his posi-
lion the Delegate OF the City 10 the next General
Assembly had caused him TO reflect with the
deepest interest on some of The questions which
he knew would be- brought 10 its consideration
that he had last Winter heard some Of the graves.,
i nj m
The North West portion of the State say they
would make ono mare effort 10 obtain the means Of
outlet 10 market for The produce OF their rich and
fertile lands, and il they failed, the ties Of sym
patty which bound us together would be severed
and that they wond lhencelorward go for dir.
sion OF The State. That when he heard snch nien
speak thus of the supposed tyranny which moi
only denied them all aid but forbade The use o.
their own means to exlricate themselves, he Tel
il was incumbent on US TO open way for then
10 market, or permit them 10 obtain Il as they
might. With this view, and wihlhe hope OF being
able TO find out some mode o. accommodating
the interest OF the central Stale improvement, hi
| had turned 10 The map OF the State and fonnc
/ all this might be done, il the Louisa Rail
road could be extended from Gordonsvitle &c
Slaunton, and thence TO Parkersburg But
he did not possess that minute knowledge OF
the topography OF the country, which would ena-
| bic him 10 answer the question. lie had, there
fore. sought the aid of our late distinguished
Chief Engineer, Col. Crozet-to whom ne had
propounded several questions in regard 10 the
praclicabity OF various routes. The answer he
/ had received today - and as Col. Y. was
perhaps more intimately acquainted Than any
one else with The topography OF that interest
ING quarter OF the State, he would, il The meet
ing desired it, read the communication. II
was very interesting paper, and We hope Il
obtain copy Of il for our readers Col. =. re-
lerred 10 the various examinations that had beer
made BY the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany, and compared the advantages oil the seve
raj routes between ParkeTsburs and Piilsbufg-
and concluded they could not intend to go as low
down The river as the first named place.
Col C. then turned 10 the query III regard lt
The route for a railroad between Staunton anc
Parkersbnrg, and showed il 10 be utterly imprae
ticabs.
From Saunon, the best route West, was il
The direction of Lexington 10 The Valley OF JAIME!
River. The Warm Spring Mountain could mel
lher be crossed nor tunnellei; it might be avoided
BY seeking the Valley Of the Cow-pasture, and
descending 10 Covington; but it would be very
bad route, and have no advantage over the one L
the James River from Stanton.
II we attempted more enlarged sketch
Of Colonel Crozels views, thus hastily made
We might do him injustice, BY omilling some
important element in his calculations.
MIR. Lyons then proceeded TO show tn
hazard Of bringing from the James Rive
line OF improvement a railroad as low down tn
valley as Staunton-and exhorled The meeting t
unaninily in pressing on the work upon III
route already designated, without going agah
inlo Convention for Inc formation OF new ones
We should like 10 present his views much NOR
at large but are unable al this lime 10 DO SO
After some further explanations by others, MT
Bots rose, we thought somewhat embarrassed b.
Inc appreciation given by the meeting 10 The al
gumenls Of his opponents. lie was very ami
mated, and occasionally eloquent. lie isentltle
TO credit, and we cordially give il, for his patro'
ic avowal OF willingness TO lay aside all part
considerations and 10 extend the hand Of fellow
ship to all who would put the shoulder TO n
wheel in the great work Of Stale improvement
To be sure, he notified US Of the quantum c
wrath he had bottled up for the Democrats, an
the heavy blows he meant 10 infict at the prope
.ime-to all which we say, snake thy vauntin
true and i. shall please me WELL" But the ode