Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-02

delegates from The Mississippi Annual Confer
ence 10 the General Conference at Petersburg,
Virginia, mex, May, viz Messrs. Winans,
Drake, Lane, Campbell, Rogers, Fly, and J. G.
Jones. The following Reverend gentlemen were
chosen as reserve delegates, 10 wit: Messrs Specs,
Watkins and Randall
By vote OF G2 10 10, the Conference decided
TO memorialize The General Conference, praying
them 10 divide the Mississippi Conference in such
manner, that hereafter the State of Louisiana
shall torn an Annual Conference, unconnec.ed
with any other Stale.
We invite the earnest and candid attention Of
the General Assembly 10 the following series OF
articles on behalf Of the completion OF The great
Central Improvement, BY some means or other,
whether il be by railroad or canal. The writer is
a citizen of The East, in no way connected with
the James River Canal or Railroad 10 the West
but is convinced, by the experience OF the past
and the signs of the future, that, moi only for the
development of the States resources, but for her
future peace and unicn, this great work should lie
completed. He examines The subject, not with
an eve 10 sectional benefits or local interests, but
with an expanded ard saiesmanike view Of The
future deslinies of the Old Dominion, from The
sea shore TO the Ohio and the Holslon Unless
something be done TO unite the East and Inc
Wes, what man is So bold as TO deny, that me
discomfort and ifeeIins, now only mutleicu' may
burst for h, and divide this noble Cominonweath
INFO two distinct sections, warning upon each
Others interests and blighting the hopes ofeach!
Eastern and Western Virginia are intimately de-
ncn1anl upon onr another for successful au-
vance in physical and moral Improvements
Rn, while the lofty barriers, that Nature has m
,erposed. shall continue unscaled by The efforts
of skill and enterprise the feelings OF The two por-
,ions of our State will remain esransed, and
lhe resources of each be crippled forever. Is
il mol, them The duty Of all patriots, both in The
East and West 10 undertake This measure ior
uniting the different sections oil Virginia by an
improvement, which, from its nature, must be
.Slaic work-because lis object is 10 unlock The
treasures OF every portion Of The State and 10
halmonze The feelings and The interests of Viz
einans, East ana West Of the mountains?
Bu, VIC have no wish to anticipate The pari-
olic and able labors of "a Constituent" lie
will present the whole subject in striking and
conclusive point oi view--and demonstrate, hal
the prosperity, the peace and the harmony OF
Virginia, mpcraivcly require prompt action
| To Eastern Virginia. in particular, he will
offer The strongest arguments and the most clo-
quent facts, why this work should lie regarded in
a broad and general, and not sectional light.
In these brief words, we desired simply 10 ask
The Legislature TO examine his views, and to
hearken 10 his patriotic advice
FoR THE ENariRRR.
TsLe lhmJlrSofhe General Asscmbigof VVgiaio:
Ccntemcn--It is an Individual citizen whu
claims The right 10 address you. He ventures "a
do So, however, on the Important subject, IL
which he invites your attention, only because he
believes lie will speak the sense OF vasl
majority Of his ielluw-czcns, and because
he know; he will advocate the interests of The
whole Commonwealth.
Recent events have excited very great and al
most universal apprehension, that The Genera
Assembly will again adjourn without eiiecir {
any thing for the internal improvement al III.
State worthy the character OF the Old Dominion
though urgently demanded by the voice Of bel
people; and though efficient action on The sub
lrcl is now conceded 10 be necessary 10 her pros
perily and advancement, and deemed cssenia
even TO her continued union and peace.
Ii is Obvious TO all, that your ultimate decision
al this session Of the Legislature, upon The poll
CIV Of the Slate in regard 10 the construction Q
works for facilitating her internal commerce. in
wolves considerations greatly paramount 10 he
mere question OF Internal Improvements mpor
tanl as that question in itself is admitted 10 be-
Il cannot, therefore be doubted, that you are
alive 10 all the mighty influences which you
present action on this subject must exert-Eo
that YOU are nsensible 10 the proprety, il not ne
cessy Of doing something II cannot be tina
Won are unwilling to act. The only question
with you, seems 10 be- how TO act. Nor can il bt
conceived that this question would present any
serious difficulties TO you, were II not LOT con
fcls, supposed or real, between The differing sec
tonal Interests OF the State. There is M perot
in our history, when il was more important 10
the good OF the whole, that these partial conflict
ing interests, sitting their jralouses and sienc
Ing their cavils Tor time, should unite in har
monous action, upon what may be deemed Q
common benefit; though the degrees OF that hene
, fit NAV not be alike 10 all. II in consequence 0
these conflicts, nolhin- should be done al you
present session. il vii - deemed by the Peopl
conclusive of the fact that nothing can be done
! whilst the Government is organized as al present
and the wrong properly chafgeable upon your
! selves, will be visited on your Constitution.
The subiec, OF Internal Improvements, is il
; sell presented to MS now, in very different as
! pect from that which il has hitherto assumed
The vast improvements in the means OF com
: mercial communications, which The last iewyear
/ have effected, afford immense commercial az
vantages to those who shall adopt them, over lhos
BY whom they may be rejected II is impossibl
Tor Us any longer TO stand STILL without being le
a siehtess distance behind We must advanc,
al whatever sacrifice cost, il our good old Sta,
: IS 10 maintain The stand among her sisters, Whic
4 il is commended she has hitherto proudly held, an
!. 10 which il is believed her character still just
i entities her The obstacles in our way must be r,
), moved. The difficulties we encounter must
! overcome. We must prove, as heretofore, tn;
"Old Virginia never tires" We were The first
start in the race OF internal improvement, lei I
! not suffer the reproach OF being the first 10 be di
!" tanced in that race.
E But, as already said, you are doubtless full
:. sensible Of these general considerations, and Ill
o der their influence are prepared 10 act. The on
difficulty, doubtless, is, as 10 the mode Of actio
II you will disregard The numerous local eaIou
J les, and overlook The various petty inleres
lie which seem 10 be obstructing your views, and er
lie barTassing your councils al present, and consid
!, only The wants Of the Stae as those of one cor
: munily, it is believed all questions as 10 VII
y ought 10 he done will be easily settled
n, Contemplating the geographical features
81 Virginia, with the slightest attention, il must
n obvious TO the least informed mind, that Is
: great lines of Internal Improvement, through h
territory, are distinctly indicated BY lis cha ract
ID One of those lines, running North and Soul