The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-12-10
THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.

THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
This b"dy met on Monday, both Houses being
fully attended. were organized by choosing their
old presiding officers, Mr. Scott IN the Senate.
and Mr.. Gonde in the House
The GOVERNORS MESSAGE was deliv
cred /" the two Houees immediately on their or
g'olzaii"n. and is. indeed. mastery document
The Times sneerinoly designa,es il as an lex
traordlnary medley lit is medleu," how
ever. which will receive the unanimous approval
of the reape of this State. Gir every suhjec, If
interest is fairly brought before the pubic eye,
and the Governors opinion frankly and freely en-
ptessed thereon. We shall take time hereafter.
tn thoroughly examine it, and lay il before our
readers. The unfortunate combination of circum-
stances spoken of in another place, and the press
OF mater upon our columns. prevents us from do
ing Justice 10 the subject now. but we mus, make
room TOR the following paragraphs which mmedi-
ately interest this portion of the State We are
not prepared at present, III give orr unqualified
approval of the Governors Suggestions as To our
Rail Road, yet it may be best F; but the recommen-
daton to stimulate our mechanics and Others to
enter into the business of ship-buldng meets our
entire appreciation.
" You will he informed by the report of the
Board Of Public Works, Of the sale and purchase
of The late Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad fur
and on account of the State. This purchase was
made principally with view of placing the road
at the pleasure of the Legislature. The rivalry
which had existed between this road from the
day il was opened. and the Petersburg Railroad.
had been so disastrous. and he loss 10 the State,
both in capital and revenue, serious, that il
was deemed paramount duty on the part of the
public agents 10 acquire the control of this road.
| that it might not fall into rival hands. and AGAIN
| become an INSTRUMENT Of dangerous and destIuc.
tive competition. This policy, so just and So rea-
sonable, was alone. am persuaded. in the con-
temptation of the Legislature, on the passapc of
the act providing for the sale of the Portsmouth
and Roanoke Rail Road To no one was offence
intended, and most assuredly none To a sister
State, with which we are united nv many ties of
| interest and affection. 1t is, therefore, with pro-
found regret that have to inform YOU that the
| Chief Magistrate of North Carolina in his recent
message To The General Assembly. characterised
| the act referred 10 as the 90 mere effusion of
jealous and hostile spirit, without object or mean
| ing"
1.-The Portsmouth and Roanoke Rail Road. I'M
der The name ut The Seabuard and Roanoke Rail
Road, helng now the property fthe State, furnish
es question of difficulty. 1t will not do to revive il
as rival road-to recommence that career, which
has already proved ST. fatal. Nor yet will j, be-
just To our fellow citizens who are Interested in
The road, or To the people of North Carolina, to
leave 1t In It's present condition Sincerely anx-
ious 10 protect The Interests dependent on this road
and yet bound so 10 advise that the Common
wealth shall sustain no injury in the premises,
have, alter much consideration, concluded To recon-
mend the passage of "A law that will give the
various railroad companies. either of them he.
| tween the Roanoke and the Potomac CONSTITUTING
| rh at 10 ltu lloI tho;
to subscribe for tour seyenhs OF the amount reoui-
site To put in prime running condition. md also TO
| Pot on line OF boats in connection Herewith to
| the CITY oil BaltImore each share of stock To give
vote. and all questions arising out of this road .
IN any way, To be left 10 the appellate control of
the Board of Public Works. This plan will re-
open this road as il formerly stood prevent the
revival OF dangerous competition restore Ia those
dependent upon this road their former facilities :
relieve our railroads of anxiety ard uncertainty,
and, IN connection with the Bay line of boats, Sc
cure good dividend upon the new investment
deem 1t To be my duty to call your attention
to The state OF our shipping interests. With IN
usual advantages fur ship budng and heavy ex-
ports To support il. vessel is rarely built, and is
as rarely owned among US Nearly the whole of
our heavy export and coasrwise trade is in the
hands of ihuse, many of whom il they dared
would excite servIle war among us. The tim
her OF our forests is carried To New England
with which 10 build a marine to transport our pro-
dUce. Even The oysters of our creeks and rivers
and The pine woods v hich limo their shores, are
borne, IN bottoms not our H. To our sister States
This untoward condition Of our navigation infer
esis is source of deep morifratiGn Cannot
those interests be improved? Much can be done
by individual association. The dawn of a better
day, trnst. is al hand. But legislation NAV has
Ten the day when we shall be free from depen.
dence upon other States for the means of trans
porting onr large productions to the markets of
The world. To secure this important element Of
wealth, independence, ana safely, recommend
moderate bounty upon the tonnage of all vessels
over 2OO tons burhen, built within orr limits nv
mechanics resident therein, and moderate buun.
| ~ per ION per annmm on all vessels of like di-
menSlons, which shall be built owned and manned
ny our own citizens"