Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-03

Tothe Editor ot'tke Tirrin;an Since
writing my first number, have learned
something ofthe objects in view in calling
the approaching Plank Road meeting at
New London. First, It is designed by an
arrangement with the Lynchburg and Sa-
lem Company, to lay down Plank Road
on their line from Lynchburg to the juno
ton ofthe Rocky Mount Turnpike at New
London, distance Of about I2 miles,
Secondly, to take steps to have construc-
ted branch Of the Rocky Mount Road to
Patrick Courthouse with Plank Road
grade as nearly as possible; and finally, as
time and circumstances may permit, to
Plank the whole Of this Turnpike from
New London TO Patrick Court-house.-
The arm Of this road might either start
from Rocky Mount or at a point farther
west near the "Dug Spur up which the
main road on its wayto Floyd Courthouse
Is Intended 10 90. This latter starting point
wouid perhaps shorten the branch but #
either is adopted, the road viii be carried
through a most denscly settled and valuable
portion Of Patrick mean that portion of
the county lying to the North Of Bull
Mountain on the waters OF Smith River
and its branches. In this portion of the
county live one-fourth or more of its whole
population, upon lands Of superior quality,
yielding large surplus Of Productions OF
every kind. These people would hail, no
doubt, with delight, this road, as affortling
them good outlet to the Lynchb,rg mar
ket, and would assist with their money and
labour in its construction.
Inny last communication | referred to
| a Bill then before our Legislature to CON
struct Road from Danville 10 Wythe
vile. That bill has since become a law,
and when we look at the various interests
concerned in that improvement, its con-
striichon at no distant day is certain. All
the counties Immediately around, and sew
eral beyond Wytheville, extending even to
the Kentucky line, must feel deep inter-
est in having it made, and will subscribe
their means literally towards it. 1t will
afford them the only Highway they can
have for getting their Plaster, Salt, Lime,
Lead and other mineral products, as well
as Eve Stock into the Valles of the Dan
and Roanoke, where an immense amount
Of these articles can be sold or exchanged
for the manufactured Tobacco of the cour-
ties Of Patrick, Henry and Pittsylvania,
and for the Cotton and Woollen fabrics OF
the manufacturing establishments on Dan
River and its tributaries.
Tmsroad will pass through the far-famcd
region of lands known as "the Meadows
Of Dan" the most remarkable fcrmatio On
of country have ever SCENT belongs
manly to the county of Patrick, and BY
adding little from the counties of Floyd
and Carroll, would form a space large
enough to make a county, the whole 81
which might be called ore great Meadow,
1t is admirably adapted to the growth Of
the Grasses of every description, the high
lands producing even better than the
swamps, and is destined in a short time to
be one Of the largest Stock raising local.
ties in Virginia. Twelve months agothcse
fine lands were selling at the low price OF
80 cts. to 81 per acre.
The counties on this line Improvement
under the mountains, earnestly desire its
construction, and will subscribe literally
to its stock. The public spirited and en-
terPrising townof Danyille Viii exert every
nerve to MD in is speedy completion; and
Justly, that bold Corporation that meyer
slnmhers, under the lead Of its gallant
President, will exert all its energies to
bring the Tonnage and travel of this oxtcn-
sive tract Of country to its Road at Dan
Vile and carry it on to Richmond.
In this emergency what ought Lynch
burg to do in my Judgment she ought
not ohly TO aid IN pushing on the conncc-
non with this WytheviIIc and Danville
road at Patrick Courthouse, but likewise
move for the conversion of''thc L,mczbwg
and Pdtsylraaia Turnpike" into a Plank
Road-this DONE two branches might be
made from point near Weatherford's on
the other side Of Staunton river; the one
extending to Pitsylvania Court house, the
other to Henry Court-house-or if it be
deemed better, Let the branch to Henry
lead off from New mountaineering Staun-
ton river about the Pocket Ford" or
higher up in the neighborhood of Lees
vile all these rcutes possess great advan-
tages for Roads Of any description, their
elevated tracts being composed Of close
gravelly and clayey earth, with heavy
growth of fine timber.
Lynchburg, from her location, being
nearly in The centre Of the best district OF
country in the world for the growth of
Manufacturing Tobacco, and from the
skill AMI enterprise she has brought to bear
upon this branch of industry, has already
acquired high reputation iorthc chewing
Tobacco she turns out From the St.
Lawrence TO the Rio Grandc,an from TIL
Gulf to St Anthony's Falls, in every nook
and corner it is to be found. When our
l'al Road connections are made with the
great Falhes ofthc Ohio and Mississippi,
and she may forward it direct TO that great
region, instead Of sendiugit as now by the
citcuitous routes of the Lakes and the Gull
Of Mexico, then viii Lynchburg double
her present number of Tobacco Factories,
and amount of production. She will then
occupy a relation to Tobacco, that Lowell
now holds to another great staple, Cotton.
Has it ever occurred 10 her citizens that
the supply Of the finer portion of this ma
tcrial may be exhausted : 1t is a well
known fact that no Tobacco makes so good
a chewing article as that raised upon vir-
gan land or 'new ground as it is called
The Piedmont regionin Virginia and North
Carolina in the Tobacco latitude, owing
toclinate and soil, is the very best locality
FORTS growth. 1t is true that portions Of
these States West of the Blue Ridge will
grow Tobacco, but it partakcstoo much Of