Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-09


and Greene.
We regret 10 announce that Robert a. Ihomp-
son of Kanawha will no, be candidate LOT ie-
election 10 the Senate next spring. Virginia can
badly spare such men from her Stale Senate.
FoR THE ESaCIRgR.
IL he Members Of he General assembly %
Tuginia.
Gentlemen You will have seen that Chief
Justice Marshall and his associates made 'he'i
Report 10 the Legislature at its session oil ioi2-
IL nroposinc The route which they deemed mos
direct and practicable, 'for central colnmunica
lion between the Eastern and Western waters
commencing al the town of Lynchburg, and Ter
| minalinr al the falls OF the Great KanaWha. -
You will recolecr, that the United States had de-
carcd war against Great Britain on the 18Th o
June, 1912. whslanding the existence Of
| The war. Gov James Barbour, in his message OIL
the Goth Of November, 1912, strongly urges this
Improvement on The attention of the Legislature
| Amongst other remarks on this subject, he makes
| the following:
"'ro facilitate The communication between the
/ Eatiern and Western waters, is an object y orlhy
Of Virginia. It's advantages must be incalcula-
BIZ Tn nnr Western brethren in particular,
whose facilities 10 market VIII be augmented II Is
OF primary consideration; 10 The Stale in gene
raj, highly interestingly as il will cherish inter
course, and promote connection friendly 10 union,
with Inc growing States u Inc West In a com.
| meIca point of view, it will connect us with
those vast and fertile regions destined 10 become,
| in progress OF time, the emporium OF wealth. ii
| portion OF which, as from a never-a ling foun-
lain. will continually pour into our lap.'
II cannot be doubted that but for The existence
of The war this able report from Judge Marshall
| and these strong recommendations from Govern.
or Barbour, would have imperd The Legislature
| 10 an immediate and vigorous prosecution of he
work. This conclusion will be strengthened hy
the TACT, that no sooner had this second war OF in
dependence terminated, than the government
/ again turned lis attention 10 Ibis important i'm
provement. As before, upon The termination Of
The Revolutionary war, 50 now, in less than one
year after the cessation of hosilies, we find the
Executive and Legislature looking eagerly 10 this
| iavoriie object, and earnestly Striving to accom-
! plish il, neither daunted BY difficulty, nor dscou-
/ ragged by delay
Gov. Wilson Cary Nicholas in his message Of
The ilh of December, 1873. after announcing that
peace had been concluded between the United
| States ard Great Britain, and after making some
/ necessary recommendations for peace establish
inent proceeds al once 10 recall The attention Of
| The Legislature 10 the subject of Internal Improve
ments, as that most wolthy Of their serious con-
sideration. He says:
"Be;ore the late War the Legislature of The
State had taken measures TO commence system
Of Internal Improvements, by opening our rivers,
cutting canals and making roads. This great
and essential work was unavoidably suspended
| BY the War; but lis value and importance were
manifested in an cminen, degree By that event
II is unnecessary 10 state the political effects of
this great object. They are too obvious to escape
notice. As bond OF nnion it stands pre-emi.
neni; and as source OF wealth and prosperity, it
cannot be Iivalled by any enterprise the Stale
could engage in. The present state of our
means oiinlercourse, within the States has occa-
stoned remark, the truth of which there is no
reason 10 doubl that the people OF the United
States expended more money in transportation, rs
land while the war lasted, than would o. suiii-
cicnl 10 effect an inland water communication
from Georgia TO Massachusetts," ITO Virginia,
more particularly, belongs the improvement Of
her own rivers and roads will take the liberty
OF asking your attention 10 those which con-
slider OF primary Importance, and 10 the funds
which might be appropriated 10 The undertaking
TO improve The navigation OF James River 10
its source, and connect il with the waters Of
GIeenbrier and kanawha Rivers BY a Turnpike
and commercial" "The roads that demand our
earliest attention are, The mail routes from North
10 South, passing through our Towns al the head
OF Tide water" &c.
The Legislature, on its part promptly seconded
these recommendations; and upon a very strong |
and able Report from their Committee Of Roads
and Inland Navigation, this same session 1Sl5-
lG) ",he fund for Internal Improvement" was IN
stiinled and the BOARD OF Public Works" Gre
ated.
Al The following session, Governor Nicholas,
in his message OF November the lllh, 1916, al
ter recommending another subject 10 the alcn-
lion Of the Legislature, proceeds 10 say: "Ne1t
in importance 10 this first and great object is the
execution Of The design OF the last Assembly for
the internal improvement OF Virginia: subject
which combines the interest," the feelings and love
OF country of every man in every part Of the
State. The last Assembly gained, and deserved
~, great applause, by their attention TO these all
important suIccIs. II conld not be expected, that
systems so new ard comprehensive could be per.
tccicd al once. Much remains To be done
You, gentlemen, and your SUCCESSORS, NAV have
an opportunity OF participating in The high gra-
tiicalion, of aiding in giving To your country The
great advantages 10 be derived from the compile
ton of designs which promise such solid and in
caIcuable benefits"
And this address is now repealed 10 you, gen
tlemen as a portion OF those successors" VIII"
still "havc an opporily OF participating in This
high qualification" BY the solicitation Of Wash
ingion, you have been invited 10 this great work.
By The conduct of Madison you have been urged
10 emulate his zeal in its prosecution. In the
language Of Marshall, you have been warned Of
the danger OF "supinencss," as involving not
merely the loss of wealth, but the hazard OF dis
traction and disunnn. And now, in The words Of
Nicholas, Literally as voice speaking 10 you
from the grave) you are enlrealed, by the com
mon interest the common feelings, and the com
mon love of your country, 10 go forward 10 the
"rompelion OF designs which promise such solid
and incalculabe benefits"
A CONSTITUENT