Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-24

eo-We are requested to publish the following Pc
tition, and TO ask those interested in the proposed
improvement to obtain signatures thereto, and for
ward it to Col. PERRow, Delegate from Nelson,
that it may be presented to the General Assembly
at lis present session:
To the General assembly Of Tirginia:
The undersigned petitioners would humbly state
that improvement of some kind, connecting the
great Valley of Virginia with Richmond, is daily
becoming more important, and unless it be speedily
accomplished, Baltimore must be successful in de-
priving her e that trade which will contribute so
essentially to her prosperity.
In making this improvement, however, it is inn
portant to its success, that not only the proper one
should be made, but that the proper natural location
for 1t should be adopted to render it of the greatest
public utility.
Railroads that are great thoroughfares are ena-
bled to transport produce at fair rates, but from and
through the Valley Of Virginia towards Richmond,
the travel being comparatively nothing, the burhen
must necessarily fall produces increasing the
expense OF transportation SO much TO make it to
the farmers interest TO haul his produce to market,
by the terminus of an extension, as many of them
now do by the present one at GUrdonsvilles
Your petitioners would respectfully suggest that
well graded Macadamized road, upon which each
farmer could haul his own produce to market, (and
supply himself with return load OF necessaries.) at
leisure seasons; when his teams are not otherwise
employed, would greatly lessen the cost of trans
portaicn, and be much better suited to his wants.
The interest OF the State stakeholder in the
James River and Kanawha canal requires at your
hands iudicious and liberal system of appropria-
tons towards improvements intended as feeders to-
this great central work and the trade of no section
of the State is of greater importance TO it and to
Richmond than that of the Valley, that can be OBJ
tanned at so trillng an expenditure.
The present turnpike from Scottsville being of so
steep a'grade (say and degrees) and located up
on soil so entirely unsuited to the construction of
Macadamzed road, and the material for Macadarn-
izing being so difficult 10 obtain the question :
rises where shall this road be located E Your pc
tltioners will answer up the valley of Rockfish
river. through a low pass in the Blue Ridges known
as Walters Gap, 20 Stanton This route has been
surveyed by practical man, at the cost OF private
individuals, and ascertaned TO be ''from Towards
vile (hc mouth OF Rockfsh river) to Staunton 49,
miles, the steepest grade not exceeding three de-
groes, great distance being upon the margin Of The
river, and the whole mostly level over a soil pecd-
liarly suited to the construction of NIacadamzed
road, and the material for Matchmaking, ore OF the
items entering most largely into the cost of such
Improvements, being convenient throughout the
whole line" Over such road the Valley farmer
could haul to market at least double the load that
could be conveyed over degree road (the degree
TO ScoitsvilleJ
Your petitioners would further state. that OVER ,
portion of this route company has been ineorpo
rated to construct turnpike, and large portion
the stock subscribed, contemplating (if in the wis
dom of your honorable body a charter should BIZ
granted) an extension to Siaunton, NTacadamizino
the whole line
! Your petitioners would humblv ask in iustice {,
all, mat q competent engineer, at the expense OF
the o'ate, be employed to make survey of the
proposed route, as also OF the Scosville route and
10 present comparative report of the advantages
ana disadvantages Of each before any appropriation
&c made for connecting the Valley with Richmond
! Andl as In duty bound, viii ever pray, SC.