Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-21
TO he Editors Of The Enquirer:

ALEXANDRIA, fd 1du' ~, 1o'
Gentlemen Governor Smiths late message
meets with general appreciation here, especially
that portion of on the subject OF Internal I'm
provemrnls His views are clear and impartial,
as well rs Just. There is one subject which
seemed TO have escaped his attention, which me.
ri;s consideration by the Legislature. As we
have been taken again into the fond bosom OF onr
good old mUIhet, our commercial location pre-
sen:s many advantages, which will add rapidly
10 her prosperity AMI wealth 10 The STATE Yes
sells OF The largest size can moor and ride IN sale
t. in our haIhor, and. with ;hc fostering care ot
our good old parent, there canno. &c any obstacle
in The wav 10 prevent The sudden and rapid in
crease aud >periiy OF oar city. canao' see
Why Alexandra should not become great com
mercial emporium; nothing short OF unwlsc e-
giS,alion can reiald her onward march 10 great
ness and il behoovcs Virginia 10 look more J-a-
lousy 10 her interest now ihan heretofore. She
ought 10 become more independents Of other States.
especially Of the non slaveho'ding States. She
can. by judicious enacimen,s, check the spirit OF
abolilionism. al The same time promoe her own
greatness in wealth and happiness.
Virginia has in her bosom, beside the general
richness OF her soil every thing necessary TO place
herself in the highest scale among The States OF
the Confederacy 1t only Ieqnires liberal views
CT her legislators for iuli and complete develope
mcnl Of all ct her great resources Ana nalier
myself, if Gov. Smih's views If lateTnal In
provemenis are carried out and sanitary laws be
enacted, The day is mo- distant when Virginia will
rise in colossal power and grandeur which Will
as;onish herself Ny desire is 10 present 10 The
consideration OF the Legislature, through the me
dunn Of your widely extended journal, The en-.
aclnenl Of law which in my humble opinion,
would greatly contribute TO The prosperity Of The
State. II is The abolition Of imprisonment IJr
debt Of strangers Maryland and Other CONNER
cial States have wisely aud humanely passed
laws on this subject. Baltimore city, the empo.
rum OF that Stale, put the ball in motion, and
was backed b. the rest OF the State. Baltimore,
especially, felt ina, Imprisonment for debt OF
strangers checked her commercial and other bu-
siress-it drove merchants and others from other
States TO the Northern or Eastern cities Since
MARYLAND passed that law, | have been cIcdl-
bly, ia.oImed that trade 10 Baltimore has vastly
increased strangers can nov pass unmolested
on business and enterprise ! know that many
persons are deferred from trading or coming in'o
his city and STATE on accouh; Of our impIison-
men, laws; and here is no doubt that every IRA
ding point in the Sale is more or less affected by
jhaI law. It deprvcs the dehor OF his liberty,
family and friends, and leaves The debt unpaid
| do hope Virginia will not be longer behind the
age in this respect, bu, that she will follow n the
wake OF other more enlightened States in this and
other respects. Maryland, few years ago pass,
ed law requiring a certain amount 10 be paid
on each negro brought into her territory. VTsi-
MIA, al her next Legislature, passed similar
law thus Virginia checkmated Maryland. -
Can't she d. so asain7 II requires no prophet 10
iore,ell thai il Virginia be wide awake to her IN
ieresl, ere long, from her decidedly advantageous
position, with her extraordinary undeveioped re-
sources OF iron, coal SALT agFicul ural and oIher
protucis, she will rise and he mighty empire
within herself. ALEXANDRIA,, VA.