The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-12-17

waters Of the Greenbrier. the Elk. the Little r.,
awha. The Cheat, and the ryga,t- Valley rive
wish IL reach that summit level. if Ims, lille VIII,
the main STEM. bec,use from that point iu,pns.
meats might move of down the valleys ,S ,h..
rivers, and returning bring To the paren, stem n.
rich productions of the West. j. is believed H.,
this scheme viii have To encounter great physi.,
difficulties, That they are great readily gram
but | do not believe them 10 he "a disastrous =,
are apprehendpd. The outlay may be heayv
greater than an any olher route; but ehlern,;..
and perseverance, guided by science are insjno;
bic. and the equivalent will be fund in the M
merous and Important advantages which ,LS
r''ute will secure to Virginia. First, il will ,.
tain within our Stale large amount Of produS.
which now goes to Baltimore. Second, it will
carry grea, improvement within easy reach os
the whole Of northwestern Virginia, especi,ll'
that part Of il which is now anxiops Cor wha, ma,
he termed The Baltimore right of tody. Thi,}
IL will give tn large section of the State no.,
without any adequate road. the very best know,
style Of improvement. Fourth, III will concs,
,rale within our own State the resources and AZ
fecions of her population and put an end to II.
ambitious and selfish scheming of fnreign coma
ration. Fifth. IL will connect us With the Ohm
and enable MS successfully to contend With N,
whole world for the trade Of The western valleys
These advantages may be ours, and are indispeo
sable To our real prosperity and independence.
g But this work must be commenced at onc.
and with il must be associated the assurance off;
speedy prosecution. This, with knowlcdpe rs
the fact. that this city affords the best grain ms,
ket south Of New York. will doubt not satisfy
those parts of Virginia interested in the righ, Is
way. Let MS carry on this important improve.
ment with all reasonable despatch, and no VI,
glnian. WIN feels in true and proper spii,
the honor and glnry of the name, will desire "a
separate from his brethren and unite his business
and of course, his attachments, with another
S,ate.''
The Governor enforces this improvement, bv
strong arguments, which We have not space cr
after, and in the midst. Of an exhibition of copeD
reasons for the work, he remarks: -" Nor is hi,
all /; the vast amount of produce which would fond
our markets. would necessarily produce an i'm.
mense navigation interest. Tidewater VirUiOi,
would become shipyard. Her population would
build onr ships, own. and sail them, and all woOld
feel the fructifying influence of this mighty trade
Virginia would be prosperous, and would soon
become rich; would add to her high moral power.
the indispensable element of numbers, and would
soon become great; and would then be. wha, ey
cry Virpnian most anxiously desire, indepsn.
dent. This is no fancy sketch"
We quote in full his remarks on the
JAMES RIVER AND KANAwHA COMPANY.
The James River and Kama wha Comp,Ov
vii! be before you, asking a loan for the pa yment
OF their current dues. The necessity of this %.
plicaion arises from the shortness of our cnus
and the payment OF certain outstanding claims
which could no longer be deferred AS long as this
improvement has 10 depend upon the valley of The
James River alone, its revenues must be unset
lied and precautions. Ii is only when il shall be
extended 10 the North River, and shall be fed By
the Southwestern Railroad. that its revenue will
ne independent Of the seasons. and it will begin 10
| develup lis great capacity and value. But how
is it to reach these points,! Money is indispn.
slble, and the company cannot raise il.
as From careful consideration of this subject
| am satisfied that the Slate may, with every
short crop, anticipate the occurrence of similar
demands until the improvement shall have reach
| ed the prints to which have designated. The
supply from both will be requisite To place The
revenue Of the James River Company upon
footing of safety and independence. And it may
be remarked here that one of The great exceleRces
| ct the Southwestern Railroad, as monied invest.
ment, will be found To be, under ca reful and ud
| cIous management, that every ten miles through.
out lis whole extent, will not only support itself,
but will furnish large and increasing supplies 10
the canal. AS the State cannot abandon the Ca
| nal, IL Is obviously the part of true wisdom 10
complete II TO the points indicated, with every
reasonable despatch. | have pondered most any
Iousy as to the best means of raising the funds for
this purpose, and nv conclusion is 10 recommend
an issue of the bonds Of the company from time 10
lime las they may be needed TO the requisite amount
such issue to be guaranteed by the State. ] re-
commend this mode of raising the money. because
| believe that when the Southwestern Railroad
shall be finished. the condition of the canal will
be eminently prosperous, and that il will possess
the means of rapidly discharging its debts
! IL cannot have escaped attention that am oP'
posed TO the connection uf the eastern and western
waters through the valley Of the James River,
either by canal or railroad Canals not
adapted to the impatient wants of the present
age. The great New York canal is protected BY
law against the competition of the rail road rnn-
ming by its side. II the Pennsylvania, the CheS'
apeake and Ohio, and even our own James River
canals, were now new questions, few would DO
ionnd so hardy as 10 advocate their CONSTRUCTION
| Al this time railroad is under construction be-
tween New York and Albany, parallel with The
| Hudson river. Pennsylvania is constructing
line Of railroad between Philadelphia and Pits
burg, parallel with her canal. Railroads are pro-
jected on both sides of Lake Erie; and it is mani
test that they are destined to supersede, to very
| great extent, all river and canal navigation. u
IS also agreed that n mixed line of canal and rail-
road cannot successfully contend for the Western
i'ade. ] should therefore be opposed to the e.
ecullon of The main design Of the James River
and kanawha companJ, if II were entirely pracu'
cable and we had the amplest means for its &C.
compllshment. am equally opposed to the con-
nectiOn of the eastern and western waters on 'hS
line by railroad. The canal affords every reason
able facility 10 the country through which il pass
es; and fur local purposes the railroad is not re-
CURED, but by adopting another ruule, the con-
| npxinn hpf,v he ~. be
easily attained, and immense local advantages
secured 10 other large portion of our State. The
possible difference between the two routes. in the
cast ut their construction, will fnd an ample
equivalent in the diffusion of these Improvements;
But the canal OUGHT 20 be extended % the point