Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-09-26
Foa THE SPECTATOR.
MAdamis.d Road from Siaunton to Buchanan.


Il seems now to be pretty wei! ascertaihed that
this road will DO put under contract a, early day
The enlightened and publicspirited people OF Rock
bridge have already subscribed over S20,0OO and
the books are stni open and active agonts engaged
in soliciting additional subscriptions. Augusta has
thus far been comparatively inactive. but her char
acter for libealty and an enlarged view of the pnb-
lie interests, very certain guarantee that she Will
not permit work which is to have such beneh-
eial influence on her interest to anguish for the
want Of efficient aid on her part
The route Of tho road remains still unsettled
Whether Greenville and Fairfield on the one hand,
or Middlebrook and Brownsbnrg on the other, are
to clutch the prize and enjoy the profits and conSe-
niences resulting from its construction, remains tobe
seen. The issue will most probably be decided by
the relative public spirit aud berality displayed on
the two lines. 1t is certainly an object OF deep IN
'terest to both parties and warm competition may
naturally be expected. The mails, the travel and
the trade will all follow the line of the McAdam
road. There will at once be daily line OF Stages
on it, and during large portion of the year 1t Will
require five or six daily Stages TO accommodate the
travel which will pour in an almost unbroken stream
from the Tennessee line to Staunton. The tavern
keepers will reap rich harvest from the increase
of the private travel. The farmers will have
market for larger part of their produce, almost at
their doors. And when they wish to serd off their
Wheat crops they can as readily haul 40 barrels
the paved road as they can l2 through the mud
But what is more important STILL they can haul IL
when the other roads are impossible and when they
can do nothing else. They will also have choice
OF markets. They can either come TO Staun-
ton 10 avail themselves of the railroad, or 60
to the north river at Lexington. The effects of
these facilities palpable to the eye of every man
who travels from Staunton to Winchester. Stree
the construction of the McAdam road, lands along
the line have risen from IS to SIS per acre. The
little towns which had become almost deserted now
wear the aspect of prosperity. Fine houses are ri
sing up in all directions and the increase in wealth
and comfort is every where to be seen. And so IL
will be on the favoured route between Staunlon and
Buchanan. The Rockingham and Shenandoah
farmers who have experienced the advantages Of
the road below, will find it to their interest TO sell
out their lands at fifty and sixty dollars per acre
and buy Rockttidge lands at from $40 TO $50 per
acre.
The price OF lands will rise--an improved sys
of agriculture will be acoped-Plaster will be
got for half price, ard the whole face of the
dry will be changed.
On the rejected ronte how different will be the
state of things! Villages will GO to decay-stores
and workshops will be discuntinued-no stage will
be heard rafting through their deserted sree,s-no
travellers will enven the dizziness Of the scene and
mail brought once week on horseback, will bring
to the secluded Inhabitants the of the prosper
ty of their ancient rivals! Then they will begin to
exclaim against their own folly and hor-sighted-
mess in not securing TO themselves the great benefit
(which is now presented to them. Then they
will begin to talk of building new road But it
will all end in talk. for they cannot expect the State
TO contribute three ffhs Of uvo roads running side
by side, they expect Staunton and Lexag
TO to aid in soPoor an enterprise. AL these things
will present themselves to the Intelligent people a
dong the ces, and hence as before remarked, an ac
hive competition is to be expected In this struggle
;Staunton and Lexington will stand neutral hsing
perfectly content that victory should crown the ef
forts and reward the exerluns Of the most Liberal
and public spirited.
SO Gar Augusta lie concerned the contest is open
Ing with spirit. tGreenvie has made glorious
commencement. : Some of her citizens have mani
tested degree Of lberaii,y which deserves and
doubtless will receive the commentator Of every
friend Of internal improvement in the county. b.
II. Graham has subscribed $4,000; John Newton
$1,000; Adam Hawpe $1,000; and various other clti-
zens have contributed in proportion TO their
"A few such subscriptions will secure che road to
'Greenviiie. Middiebrook has rot yet spoken. She
has longer purse than Greenvlle and is surroun-
,ded by richer country, but whether she will know
well how ii is the question. She car, get
the road if she chooses but the probability is she will
not choose to exert her power. l.
Brownsburg has done nobly and she deserves her
ward and will receive it, From the present aspect of
the subscription it seems probable that route will be
selected through Brownsburg and Greenve Unless
fairfield and Middlebrook come to therescue Sue
cess TO enterprise and public spirit, say we! Let
them enjoy the victory who have had the gallantry
to win it. MADAM.