Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-08-05
Roanoke Improvement.

GsnIlemen-My attention was directed to-day TO an or
uee In your paper, nj July upon tho subject Of Rosn
Improvement" The winter endeayored in a part OF tn
communication to reply to published in the "rmes
some time since upon the SUBJECT under the sgus
ure OF IN. A, IT,. (nOt IN, A., ST." Cup Counu
| Man" would have it, I trust you will allow me spse
enough in paper TO vndicae the position, which h
has sssaed with much vuence and rdicue Tor he hs
INDUCED altogether in mement, low humour and suel
like things, very complimentary his taste either in
stead OF placing his upon higher grounds reyns
upon reason and argument sustain IL. We shall no
quarrel with the winter for the he has pursued W,
see nothing in his communication which overleaps the rue
recognized in polemics disputes Of this knd-t must be
attributed TO the weakness cause he adyocates 70,
eer'siny this method OF reply is little eredtsbe the
intellect As to the cause OF the writer implying doe.
either vicious taste, OF that confidence and
conviction OF 10, justice and eIpedeney which sways
| and fearlessly.
have therefore short answer Tor this valiant cham
pion OF regeneration; and will proceed with it, by quoting
the following language from his article AS
on Dan River the writer perfectly Mortified and SAYS
that so absurd an idea entered the head OF
man. Well It has not only been thought OF, but it has
been said 20 be actual fact that the Muskinsum
er, the Kentucky the Connecticut &C.. they actually run
steamboats, carrying only 400 and drawing not more
than 20 inches water; and there said be scaooa
on the Ohio carrying the and drawing not
moro than Is inches" This is his oyerwhelmn argu.
men-ihis his potent reason for wishing the Roanoke
navgablo Tor steamboats, He had better the ample
OF supporting ones assertions by Argument. inform
himself better, before ho ventures question anohets
L neye heen
horuhed by Dan River IN any shape way and believe
Messs Editors, that might do valuable service by in
forming your correspondent Ut the existence OF another
river Of other "pars" and also Of some other CONNER
cia emporium besides Danville. His views might become
more changed consequently reasonable and pract
cali but from the scntstions Of his genius would
not be matter OF surprise him advocating any kind
o Proec-a line, Tor example, OF steam packets from his
only city lDanvllel to place Of equal Importance
upon the head waters OF the Dan, Lsssa upon the
BuusmPooter But enough OF such bsdnage.
Cheertuly h NV bOats
and their drawing than Is inches water but
deny what amounts demonstrates tho praccabty OF
necessity OF the proposed mproyemcn-if any thing IL
proves beyond caVil or question the contrary exsey We
do not deny however that prove every thing man
as sangune as your coresPondentrom the Up County,
Tie tells US OF boats drawing Is inches only the
Ohio lie should have mentioned also that splendid palaces
well these tshels hoaied malestcay upon the
OF this noble river TO its mouth Ii
bordcred by SIX OF the largest and fertile the
Union dense and industrious population make subsis-
enee along Its banks and affords outlet for the rich
fruits Of their abour. But its channel broad deep ano
conunuous made 50 by the hand nature only requiring
here and there intervals OF space the help OF art
TO make pertect-ths IL oaly required particular
periods OF the year. and when resored
panied by injury TO any Species Of property How differ
ent Is the presented u.s. Roanoke has channel
mo other "ngredienr which "incapacates it, 10 aid in
the completion OF such project proposed and any
that could be made would result in heavy injury
the lands and be highly detrimental the health of
the neghborng people, which, added the inconceiyabe
expense o making locks and dams, would than equal
any advantages could hope derive under the most
favorable Thus he has insnuated that be-
cause boats OF such size the Ohio, they may
also navigate the Roanoke, without stating that they may
without artificial assistance, and by running IN
the other the lands would be flooded the health OF
the people ruined and an immense mo body what
amount Of money must be expended. THIS differ
exists IN all the adduced less degree
rather his presentations, which however he pre-
think proof positive. No Every body must
have strong consecutive argument the sg
expression and yet this prodigy be allowed the priv
lege TO draw upon his imagination for facts and palm off
cit has been said" and Thought OF" for
truths Such arrogant obsnacy and seshncss stair sample
OF the justice and correctness OF peoples about
every thing else They bolster up every wild scheme by
decaming about the march Virginia her ig
norance her poverty, and nsignhesnce comparison
her former grandeur. They draw oil their arguments from
such puerle senumeR'aism; We have, therefore.
right characterize the scheme, than they contrary
as unwise, nJudiciOus and unnecessary.
There error, however, very prevalent with respect
this matter which OF sufficient importance be no.
uced particularly AT all events persons, 1t correctly in
formed forget make their lights IN forming op!n
ions and fastened that account many which
obviously isllacious Many the habit 1pres
astOnishment at the cheapness and facility Of
pofaon upon the Western and Southern rves and al the
think strange that, without comparison OF
circumstances should enjoy equal advantages on
IL must be apparent 10 the most careless observer
who has made partial exploration Of that country
that the streams which rrsste OF a differ
character entirely from those OF the East. They have
high banks, fine channels, except temporary
obsirucons-there being few natural impediments
Streams which may ordinarily be passed by walking log
have full volumes the SeTy nick Of time for the sgrcu
ura and industrial portions oi society enabling steam
boats penetrate into every nook and OF the
collect carry oil Its marketable produce What
the contrary, the character Of Eastern rvers
Look to the nob!es and If they compare IN natural
point Of view. Low banks beds liCed with projecting
rock, snd their surfaces ufed by in,erminablo falls ma
king It unsafe, in the largest for baiteau
navigation Some IN more, others IN less degree sub
ect TO such nterrupOns-G unsuiied by for pur
poses Of navigation, except for short distance. Such
the Of the case and whoever expects TO rss
GU mi he
with the simplest facts concerning character our
country. All the that could possibly be obtained
from individuals and gOyernment-Indeed all the
lated wealth Of the country would not be sufficient place
US upon an equal footing. Ii l. folly adhere perna-
ciOusy 10 the similarity OF conduen and egregous gno
10 expect such magnificent results Our ability should
not be measured by such sandard-prutence discretion
wisdom aud equity would robuke such an arbitrary no
uon-et one be ad opted according the condition Of
hinge We trust We have shown that 1t not night 10
use womans argument that because the people Of the
West have steamboats, must have them too, eIped enl
or ineXPedient, prudent OF imprudenL
But Notwithstanding the general nfenority Of our Ea,
tern rivers for naygabe purposes and the gers and
difficulties which render such designs almost impraccabe
IN Jonty Of cases; yet may safely claim for Roa
noke more than full! compliment Of impedments. espe-
c!sy when viewed in connection with the contemplated
Improvement II those who have manifested 30 much
zeal agtstng the tier, could only be induced 10 lake
tnP OF pleasure up and down the river have the pa
uence 10 listen 10 description given by those who have
been resouts enough 70 accomplish the undertaking. their
enthusiasm would be cooled down to reasonable Tempe
nature, and their opinions would undergo imagine,
such change real not imaginary data demanded. The
effect OF artificial channel purely have attempted 10
describe, with the train OF evils which unayoidaby
follow. The injury the expense, the dsmage the produc-
Of sickness, and the complete destruction Of our pre-
sent mode Of conveyance all these evils would be beyond
the computation Of any man Ol men. And are we
to suffer them, dreul they are, merely an idle
curiosity satisfy the feelings Of pride petty ambiOnl
Make exchange OF present situation, with what ad
ysnoges we possess, for these is, and psyhing Of
steamboat, that probably would make trip once in SIX
months. 90 completely nanaced it be By locks aud
dams reshes breaks, aud many such like necessary
sequences The mOsi this region Of country requires and
the want u attended with damage and but rihng
cost is that the r. ~ Company should do duty; and
safety and speed m the transportation Of produce
and merchandise, m common baeau boats up and down
the river The Roanoke region proper could ask for
better outlet 10 market.
But there Is another view tina, presents itself the