Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-01-19
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

1t is pleasing to see the public mind directed to
subject 50 vastly important. Facilities for travel
and transportation essential to the development
of the resources of the country, add greatly to its
defensive power tend to dissipate sectional prejud
ces and conducive to the education OF the peo-
pie, whose mental culture will generally be found
to be in proportion to the improvement of their ply
steal condition.
There is perhaps no State in the Union capable
OF deriving greater advantages from internal i'm
prevent than Virginia. Possessed of fine climate
and generous soil. Astounding in valuable minerals
and having abundant wafer power, those advanta-
ges are TO great extent either entirely unavailable
or but partially enjoyed for the want of proper ia
cilities of communication and transportation while
for the reason incOnsiderable portion of her
population remains in state of rudeness and gno-
rance approaching nearly to barbarism. What Vir-
GINA most needs III order to develOpe her vast re-
sources, enghen her populations restore her TO her
true position in the Union, and (Which is becoming
more and more matter OF grave consequence to
do away with the cis-mOn!ane and trans -montane
feeling, is central Railroad, connecting the navi
gable waters OF the Atlantic with those of the Mis-
sissippi valley. Had the people of Virginia but
moderate share Of the forecast and enterprise of
their Northern brethren, this great work would
have been accomplished ere now. Passing, as it
would through country of agricultura productions
susceptible of increase to an amount almost indefi-
ntG, TlCn OeyOnu eSLndlOn IN minerals, dOOun0lHG
in medical waters situated in delightful summer
climate, and having its western terminus nearly
opposite the centre otthe Mississippi valley, destn
ed in itself to equal great empire, and moreover,
being situated in climate admitting Of its almost
constant use, il would seem difficult to assign any
limits to the travel and transportation that must
pass on it. Can it then be doubted that such Il
work would richly remunerae the State for IFS con-
structon in tolls, to say nothing OF the vast
additions it would give TO value Of taxable property
In military point ofview it would be of more CON
sequence than ali the Notifications that could be G.
rected, while it would be an additional bond TO our
glorious Union. ~
FIRE l-We regret to learn that the barn of Mr..
Jno p. Mackay, on the South River, was destroy
cd by fire on the night of Tuesday, the 4tb inst.
His loss in hay, oas, sc. is considerable The
season at which this has happened is peculiarly
unfortunate one, and must put Mr. Mackay TO very
great Inconvenience. 1t was the act Of an incend-
airy. Mr.. Mackay has been the victim of some
villain or villains, in two other instances, during
the past year. On the 18th of april last his stable
containing quantity Of hay and grain. and on the
10th Of May last, house on the premises, were
both destroyed in the same manuer.--Lerington
! Gazette.
! SUIcrDE-NIrs. Elizabeth Shihett, aged some
65 or 10 years, wife of Mr.. Harrison Shihett, Iv-
/ ing near Port Republic, in Rockingham county,
committed suicide by drowning herself on Saturday
| night the lst instant.