Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-27
The Channel of lanes Riuer.

We conclude to-day, Lieut.. Stansburys report
on the channel of James river, and the practical
bitv and cost of deepening it, We trust it will
be carefully read by our merchants whom it be-
hoves to take some efficient action in order that
the city may realize the important benefits which
must attend the improvement Of the river naviga-
tlon The recent legislation Of the State makes
it very important to the interests of Richmond,
and all the back country with which it trades, that
this Improvement should be carried out If ships
of seventeen, or even fourteen feet draught could
come up to Rockets, the onerous burden now i'm
posed upon our commerce in the shape of lighter
age would be removed, and we should have at
once that direct trade with Europe and South
America, which is Justly deemed so great desid-
eratnna. 1t is not because our river has fancied
resemblance TO swans neck that we have little
beside coastwse commerce. The chief reason
is, that it is not deep enough to allow ocean gong
vessels to ascend to Richmond. We believe we
are within the truth when we state the annual
cost of shipping produce and goods on lighters,
between Richmond and ships lying below the bar,
is some $4,000. We are assured that if re-
lieved from this deplorabe drawback some of our
leading merchants would now be prepared to es-
tablish regular ofpackets to Rioand to Europe.
The effects of such change upon the prosperity OF
our city cannot be over-estimated. One result
would manifestly be to enhance the now establish
ed superiority of Richmond over other markets, and
to draw larger trade from the interior in this d.
rection. Already the reports of the James River
& Kanawha Company show that fourteen millions
of dollars worth of produce and merchandise are
annually foated on the canal. The railroad strk
ing off from Lynchburg to the Tennessee line
and the extension Of the CANAL will, in short time
immensely increase this interior commerce, willis
the Danville railroad will gather the products O
| the greater part of the tobacco region into GU
warehouses and mills. The slightest foresight
should satisfy Richmond that she must bring tn
sea-going ships to meet the tobacco, wheat an
| corn from the interior. There is no reason
doubt the correctness of Lieut.. Stansbnry's con
illusions as to the practicabty of deepening Jane
river, or of maintaining the depth to be obtained
by dredging. In regard to the latter point, it i
worthy of notice that the depth of water on tn
bars is now about one foot greater than it was whe
his survey was made which is doubtless to be atri
buted to the Fact that the towboats draw over YES
sells of draught that otherwise could not pas
| them.
Tho whele subject deserves the serious re
| Election of our men of business, and a lso OF tn
gentlemen who are now assembled here as mem
bers ofthe Convention, and many of whom may b
expected hereafter to act prominent parts in tn
public service. Virginia is abundantly entitled t
demand of the Federal Government he whole an
preparation necessary to make the desired i'm
provement; but without forgetting that jus
claim, we think the city of Richmond ought t.
take the matter in hand on her own account ant
begin the work with her own means.