Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-09-11
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We Law The following sensible views before ou'
readers with The greatest pleasure. i"'y
from The pen OF a gentleman oil strong ii''nu 'nN
clear head who has often enfiched our eo''"'"
with his practical, common-sense Reflections W
on The true interests OF Virginia. The Va ~
miuion contains no citizen who is more de'o'eu y
her welfare or whose advice is more "oi-
thy If examination. We believe that pe''
ter day awaits Virsinia-lhat 50 LAT iFo''' vs.
sons being disheariened al the comparatively I'd.
dy march OF improvement, the sfca' coiii'''e -"
reforms in this country and Europe VIII lhio"
open wider field for the Development oi f"s'
MAS resources. Weare happy tobciIeve tna' d
souEder policy influences the people OIL Shsr
MIA than has governed them ior many years past
The tide Of emigration is arresed-and iInmi-
grafton into the Stale is likely 10 increase. N
puts all This matter in clear light. Wecommena
his reflections not only TO virsinians, but 10 oat
neichbors OF the Northern States. we inVle
them to come among us, and 10 contribute thelr
skill, industry and capita 10 The general s'och'-
We will, in return, furnish them win cheap ana
pood lands. a healthy and delightful climate, an
honest and vir,uous population, and all the
comforts Of life. True, we have mol as many
improvements as are desirabe-but these Will
come in time as soon as in increase OF popua-
ton will demand and justify them Already we
hear in various sections of country Of The bene-
fetal effects produced upon agriculture by The
Improvements OF experience and science Inc
work will go on, and the present moment offers
great inducements 10 our Northern friends, VINO
desire 10 better their condition. The reflections,
so well expressed by "R," crossed our mind
few DAYS since, as we passed over portion OF
the State which is much neglected. Inc sPiIl'
OF emigration had done much harm, but laise
pride AMI The want Of proper industry and energy
had been still more fatal "A little more skill
and concentration Of labor would relieve the
gloom which now hangs over il, and intro
ducc an industrious and fiourishns population
We trust that the proper Virginia spirit is about
10 animate our people Instead OF leaving their
domestic firesdes 10 push their desinies IN The
distant West let us all look 10 The inn
provemeni OF our own State, and, in increas-
ing her strength and resources, benefit ourselves.
we are far IRON despondins al the pre-
sent state of things. We have reason 10 think
that affairs will assume brighter aspect, and
that Virginia is destined 10 attain The prosperity
which nature so literally holds out TO her. There
is much force, we repeat, in The suggestions oil
''R"-and VIZ hope hat he will continue his pa
| trotic labors 10 rccenerdle the old Stale. We
hope 10 hear from him again on this important
subject, and on others connected with the welfare
OF Vire mia:
Far Tic Enquirer.
IMMIGRATION TO VIRGINIA.
Messrs. Editors: There are other pursuits more
pleasant than writing an editorial or a commu-
nicalion, when the mercury OF The thermometer
stands al 30 degrees; but warm as tho weather is
a, present, | desire 10 invoke your attention, as
well as that Of ycur numerous correspondents
and Subscribers, oihc interesting subject which
propose briefly 10 notice. Congress having at
ourned, and The public mind being ioierably
| tranquil, We are not likely 10 have a more pro-
piou> season for The examination ii questions
altogether disconnected with party politics.
Youare aware that, some yeafsaso, many FAR
mers in Duchess county, New York, disposed OF
their valuable lands in that Stale, and purchased
estates, 'and settled in The county Of Fairfax Vir-
4
grated 10 that county, has been computed al $50
and the impulse given by them 10 The asriculru-
raj improvement Of Fairfax is equally decided
and gratifying. Many, il not the most Of these
New York farmers, purchased the exhausted
lands al prices ranging from one 10 five dollars
per acre. Within the last len years land has APP
preciated in Fairfax, owing 10 improved culture
and increased population. A week or Two ago
i, was stated in the Richmond Wing that tract
Of land in tina, county had been recently pur-
chased by Northern farmer at IL dollars per
acre. The contiguily OF Fairfax 10 several
!owns, and the facility with which agricultural
! products may he transported 10 good markets
tended with other causes - dutaot Northern
mcrs 10 that part OF Virginia We rejoice a,
their settlement in our Stale, and trust they are
the pioneers whose successful industry will
tempt thousands Of The honest farmers OF Penn
sylvania AMI New York To follow their example
Land IL selling high in both Of thuse States and
we have no doubt that many andholders in each,
would auemen, their fortunes By selling their
estates, removing 10 Virginia, and investing
their funds in her soil. All Northern men who
desire 10 bur land, would do we'll TO visit Vir-
snia, and travel through several counties, before
thinking OF moving 10 the West. We know moi
whether all the low priced lands in Fairfax have
been purchased, hul il they have, no one need APP
prehcnd any difficulty in buying land al very low
prices in many other counties in the Common
wealth. There are thousands OF acres in the
Western, middle and Eastern part OF Virginia,
which can now be purchased at prices varying
from one 10 five dollars rer acre. Some OF these
lands were poor, originally and are still 50; but a
great deal Of this land was originally fertile has
been much exhausted by injudicious hushaEdry,
but is susceptible Of improvement in The hands of
industrious and skillu farmers Let Northern
men who are solicitous 10 purchase home, bear
in mind that, in reference to health no Stale in
The Union surpasses Virginia; that the morals,
manners and customs OF The new States, are moi
comparable 10 those Of the old States, and that
here a farmer is not reduced 10 the necessity Of
sending twelve or fifteen miles 10 have his corn
ground his horse shed, his plough pointed, or
pair oil cart wheels made. East OF the Ale
shany, We have mills and shops OF different kinds
within moderate and Convenient distance oil al
most every farm; and last, though not least,
houses OF religious worship. Although behind
some Of the Northern States in Internal Improve
ments, Virginia has many navigable streams,
good lurnpkes and railroads. Few States pro.
duce a greater variety oil products OF late
] years, increased attention has been paid 10 the
article OF wool, and we confidently believe that
| Virginia is destined ere long 10 be a great wool
producing Stale. According 10 The statistics
| accompanying the census returns Of 1910
only four States raised more wool than Vir-
| ginia, her product Of wool Tor tina, year being eS-
timated AT Two and a half millions of pounds
Our winters are not so cold or pfo,ractcd as in
the Northern States, and our sheep do not require
the same amount Of care. In The western part of
Virginia, vast quantities OF sheep nigh, easily
be raised and chcapy supported. Many no.lh-
ern men familiary acquainted with the charac-
Ter and habits OF sheep might realize fortunes BY
buying land in Western Virginia with view Of
converting i, into sheep walks. Mr.. Isaac Hill OF
New Hampshire, in The July number of his Gar
mer's Visitor" expresses The opinion that by open
ing the wild lands OF Western Virginia, they
would become "tte best grazing country in ne
| United States" West of the Blue Ridge, for
tunes have been made, and more OF them will We,
be made, by raising fine cattle, horses and swine
in addition TO clover seed, wheat, &c. There,
loo, iron ore abounds, and there gypsum and