Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-11-28
Extension Of he Louisa Railroad TO Harrison

oiu oi the powerful anu growing west. Nouy
rsrTons.
Extension Of the Louisa Railroad 10 Harrison.
burg.
The late Harrisonburg Convention deputed an
able committee TO draft memorial TO the Legs.
lafure, promotiyo Of the views which il had adopt
ed that Committee have performed the task as
sisned them with promptitude, clearness and
ability worthy Of all parse. We take pleasure in
laying the document before the country, and call
upon the respective county committees (Which we
publish ugain) now Ia prove that they were moi
relied upon IN vain.
We are constantly reproached with consulting
do consult them. and try to promote them Bui
'rIy' Is il for the sake Of Richmond alonel Far
from tit is for the sake of Virginia, To render
her what she ought to be, there must Re crea,
Virginia mart--enporium What o;her point
presents such signal advantages for this obect, as
Richmond Show 1t TO us, and for that point VIC
will go. Virginia is our object-noi localities
The liarrisouburg Memorial follows
ITO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA:
Your mencrialsts respectfully represent that osect
OF tins petition 10 ask Tor charter for the extension of
the Richmond and LOUISA Railroad 10 Hduisonburg and
to give such asssances prudent adnns aton of tho
finances OF the Commonwealth afford.
The following are some Of the considerations by which
this petition urged the ltion o honorable bo
dy: Richmond and Eastern Virginia constitute the be-,
market for all the agricultural products the veey: but
the cizens OF the middle counieo excluded from this
market considerable portion of the year by bad roads and
difficult mountain bnse and compelled TO send their
great sSpe, Flour excellent McAdsmized turnpike
to seek market without the boundaries of the good old
Commonwealth, swell the prots of in whose pres
perity they have direct interest uaess the narrow
policy OF their State they shall be compelled IN all f
tnie 10 send the produce Of their those mar
kets. But such the superiority Of their over
those Norhward for many of their agricultural products
such pork bacon lard butter coveissed &C. that they
send them rhers IL despite OF the difficult, iedi
and expensive mode transportation frequently at an
expense nearly quito equal the onpiorh their value
HarsobbUrs is evidently the best point in the Valley FOR
the terminus OF the contemplated extended road can
lower without greatly ncrea3nR the dstnee aud
croNiag mountains instead Of Besides By enter
ing there you cammand the trade OF all Rockingham,
least ha OF Augusta the trade OF Bath End Pcnde.
ton, and considerable portion OF Hardy Shenandoah ana
Page. II enter the Vsilcy fgrier South YOU lose the
trade OF the rich agricultural counties Just
Their -four will continue be NoThern mar
ke,s, and ultimately most likely their ohcc products NAV
tnke the direction ii they should long be deprived OF
the facility Of transportation they ask for and what in this
event will he TIE less TO the Richmond MARKET The popu
siion Of Rockingham according the Of 1870
3ti from is 10 thousand In the tables for
3T5, 1877; lndaa Cora 47c.5Si; POtaioes 81 1856 Oats
2;S,4l2; Rye 9OSs6; l31a0 of hay together with
variety OF oher agricultural pTO1CctS Live stock, 2u3
horses aud muesI cse 90 l22 Sheep 955 swine
g. 765 and many OF which probably nearly don
bled. Value OF the products II the dairy Sol 025 vane
OF domestic made goods. $65,90; 30 retail dry eoocs
stores and groceries; capital invested 500 COG very
important ard valuable production Of Rocking. I'M is omit
ted in the statistics OF 1910, wit cloyers-ei and which
has been estimated in snsl, year to 10000
bushels which IS per bIshe abui the average price
would of itself proddce :. 10000.
The merchan'ie capital OF S15G00 does no. give an
adequate idea OF either the active capital expenditure
N.HE
the county brought by her tanners in rviurn loads in
SALT on sugar, coee epis plaster, mU!csses sh spun
yarn, cotton, and variety u oer articles, With
estimating the icHs thou dollars the price of
sold that carried from this cJuaiy TO
The far West by en'grans citizens. This great capital
that Is principally carried to Northern markets may in
time be turned Richmond, th district can be con-
neced with that market by good and cheap conveysnees
aud when her commercial capital shall bccome enlarged,
most unquesonEby il will, ii she can command the
trade Of the middle well the sohep Valley ana ~,
contiguous Counties Already she has the James aod
canal pen;rl'ing the Valley eighty or ninety miles
South aud Pow let the middle Valley be penetrated BY
ra road nnd she must IA due time epoY all adysn
ages; O which s better estimate may be made by stat
ing that the aggregate population of Augusta Bath Pen
deton Hardy Shenandoah aud Pegc So 3O2 and thai OF
Rockingham 1884, in all. 1885, aud is nn astounding
fact that the merchandise consumed by the greater mari Of
this population is introduced from tho North Pride pa
ifotsm noble ambition To be equal with other States in
the race OF prosperity and glory, forbidit.
There IS another consideration Of political nature
which hope may urge without giving offence To east OF
Political power is passing rom Eastern 60 Western
Virginia, and at no distant day the WeE; will grasp III.
seepuo but and in ali future the Valley will hold
the balance Of power; and il obvious 10 be suggested
that nothing bind the Valley certainly u the inter
OF the East facilities Of trade in that dircction-
Such facility would be afforded in an eminent de-
gree BY the extension {! tie Richmond and Louisa Rail-
road Harsonbus. IL the foregoing consideration, we
have said nothing Of the many undeye!oped Of Rock
inshsm and that region Of country in her her lead
her ron her variety Of sione &c. which at no distant day
may be brought into active demand. the ,hfong Of
travellers II would conduct rto the heart Of the State
1.-The Legislature should believe that the Blue RIDGE
cannot be passed by railroad but cost too great for
prudent expenditure Of money then they ask that may be
extended 10 the Eastern base Of the Ridge and McAds-
nzed road be made from that point Harrisonburg"