Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-05-14
MEETING IN BATH.

ANo IN DAl
AT numerous meeting of the citizens Of Bath
county, held at the Court House, ON tho 25th day
Of April, being the first day of the Superior Court
to consider and express their opinion in regard to the
extension of the James River Canal into the Valley
of Virginia, DIR. John Brockenbrough was called
to the chair, and VIM j. Warden, appointed Sec
rotary.
The Hon. T.. Johnston having been invited "a
address the meeting gave his views on the subject
with great force and elOquence. He referred To the
grievances wEch had SO long oppressed the western
portion OF the State, and advocated very ably an ap
pllcation of the necessary means for their redress
lie contrasted the condition of Virginia, with that
of other States which had pursued more liberal
policy OF internal Improvements, adverting to the
fact that our water courses scarcely bore the impress
OF civilization and improvement. The Chairman
was then requested to express his sentiments which
he did in few pertinent and forclble remarks
showing very clearly the great benefits which the
Fast would derive from the proposed connection
with the West.
VIM. III. Terrill, Esq. presented the following pre-
amble and resolutions, as embodying the sense Of
the meeting, which were unanimously Adopted
Whereas, meetings of the people have been late
ly held in the counties of Botetourt and Rockbridue
to take into consideration the present condition OF
things in respect 10 the farther extension of the
James River Improvement and whereas those
counties have invited all Others interested in the
same great improvement, to express their feelings
and sentiments: this meeting assembled for the pur-
pose, do adopt the following resolutions -
LIST. ReSorcd, That it is the duty of our Govern
ment by its legislation, TO encourage the enterprise
and industry of its citizens, by providing safe and
convenient modes of transporting the products OF
their labor To market
I'd. ResOircd That the obligation resultinu from
this duty. is plain and obvious that every other
State in the Union has recognised and acted upon it
Sd. Rcsolred. That it is with the deepest morti-
fication rs Nirgnians, we are compelled to declare
that, in our solemn opinion the Government of Vir-
GINA has been grossly delinquent for wears past i'm
the discharge of this high and important duty, es-
peclay at the last session of the Legislature in re-
iusing to provide the necessary means for the extern
sion OF the canal beyond the town of Lynchburu
the state being comparatively free from debt, and
the finances in the most prosperous condition
4th. fesolred, That the present condition of
things is ntOierabc and cannot. and ought not and
will not longer be patiently borne by the people OF
the West.
9th. ResOlred, That if Virginia will not improve
her own territory, and thus develope her vast and
boundless mineral and agricultural wealth. she
ought TO permit others, who are willing to do So
and throw of all restriction now placed upon the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
9th. Rcsolred, That we are sincerely attached 70
our native State, and will be reioced if the next
Legislature, by wise pad liberal policy towards,
the West, shall remove all cause Of complaint and
bitterness; but at the same time, candour requires
us To say if it should do otherwise the present dis
satisfaction will be increased TO an alarming decree
9TH. ReSOlrcd, That regard the proposition TO
change the character of the improvement at LYNCH
burg from canal to a railroad, as highly injurious
to the West, not only because believe the former
TO be the cheapest and best mode of conveying the
heavy products of the West TO market but because
1t will subject all the trade of the Valley TO trans
shipment at Lynchburg. and thus have an onerous
tax imposed upon 1t, for the benefit of the town OF
Lynchburg.
8. Rcsolrcd, That if railroad be substituted for
the canal at any point, it ought to be at Covingon
where the water line, far the river is concern
ed, must cease.
| 9. ResOlrcd, That should the next Legislature
refuse either to afford the necessary for eX
tending the canal, or give the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad company an unrestricted right of way then
pledge ourselves to unite with our fclow-citizens
of Botetourt and RockbridGe i'm such measures as
may be proper for the maintenance of the rights and
interests of the West.
TO- ReSotUed, AS the opinion of this meeting.
that a Macadamized road between Staunton and
Scotsville ought to be made as soon as practicable
1t will form another cheap but valuable link of con-
! nection between the East and the West, while il
will essentially contribute to the profits of the James
River canal. in which the Commonwealth has SO
deep stake.
H. Rcsolred, That these proceedings be signed
by the Chairman and Secretary, and sent to the
Richmond Times and Compiler for publication.
with request that they be also published by the
other papers in Richmond, as well as those of Lex
ington, Fincastle and Staunton.
JOHN BROCKENBROUGH, Chm.
WILLIAM j. WARDEN, Secretary.