Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-02
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC woRl

L WOhhS.
CONTINUED
The trade of the Virginia network oil rail roads will
be OF two kinds, namely that obtained within the
State, and that obtained beyond its limits
Their local trade is not al all to be computed by the
amount produced in the State. There is no limit
to the surplus products OF country like ours, but in
the means Of transportation. Where there are no
mesns of transportation, there is 30 trade. Trade
springs up at the approach OF a railroad Energies
which ssem dormant in a community receive lite at
the verv instant this mighty stimulus OF production is
applied Give but market to the indus ry of our en-
terprisng people, and they at once become producers
10 an extent which they themselves had never mag.
ined. In the native elements of national greatness
Virginia is without rival amongst the States of the
Union Fortunately situated in her geographical pc
s,ion she embraces soil which produces in perfec-
ton all the fruits and grains of the temperate zone
whilst her climate is probably equalled-eer;anly
uusurpassed-for saubneusness by that OF any country
of like extent in the world.
Water power, in other countries regarded of
the greatest elements OF wealth. has heretofore in Vir-
cina attracted but little attention, and yet she possess
res an extep. Of it almost without limit tits hazar-
ding nothing say there is water power enough in
VIRGINIA to manufacture enough for all Europe and
America. The great Appalachian chain OF noun
tains across the State from Northeast to South
west occupying distance OF about lhirtyhye miles
from it's eastern to its western base. The great rivers
Of the Ohio and Potomac are chiefly supplied by trbu
turtles rising in these mountains within our borders
The Roanoke and the Hoston issue from the same
chain and course considerable distance our State
The great Kanawha passes through the whole breadth
of this mountain belt, from South to North for hua-
dreds of miles Western territory af1ordng
in its rapid course unlimited water power. Coursng
from far South, its wafer is warmer and less liable to
freeze than that OF any river IN the same latitude and
ia admirably adapted ia that respect to manufacturing
in the winter time The James River trove more
than half the width Of the State from West to East.
The feeders ofal these streams mountain torrents
supped by failing springs and varying bu, little
in volume during the course OF the year. Upon many
of these wateis other elements OF wealth are abun-
dainty encountered besides their countless water falls
arals n al o H.
ably none much as IRON and coal-those heavy ar
tcles which, when means OF INSTRUMENTATION are
perfect attract manufactures to their sites. Our iron
is already proverbal for s excellence, although it is
well known that best mines ave not yet been ope
rated Our strata of coal are found in thicknesses
varying from two TO !hifly ieet' and deposits OF the
coveres to be only of the most superior quality,
but in quantities utterly inexhaustable. Indeed our
coal measures cover the larger portion OF the State
The salt mines of the Kanawha and Holston valleys
are capable of being enlarged in producveness TO any
exient whilst the gypsum beds upon the latter
are probably equal in quality and exent to any that
known TO commerce. The soil where these mne-
rails abound unlike that OF ether mineral regions, is
highly fertile, and capable OF supporting heavy popu
lalion.
Commonw eal,h promising extraordinary increase
OF wealth as the result OF completing her great public
works, and easuring an immense local trade 10 those
works hen completed, But 1t must also be consid-
cred that her unrivaed water privileges, her excel
lent climate and admirable geographical position on
the continent, must inevitably render her, when the
railroad system shall pervade the whole Union, the
chief manufacturing State OF the confederacy. 1t Is
found by recent scientific experiments, that wool
grown in Virginia Is superior in hneness and strength
f texture to any other whatever. In regard to this
article and cotton it is found that the climate OF nor
taern attitudes is and the atmosphere too
highly charged with electricity. for the easy nanaiac
turs OF textile abrIcs while the climate oil southern
iatudes is too enervatlng for continuous labor IN
mills and workshops. In proportion as the system OF
internal shall be perfected in the
. l.. H. 81 inf act ut fhaCA
fabrics to concentrate in our latitude and territory.
By the inevitable laws OF public economy, every rail-
road and canal that IS opened IN the Union, VIII but
facilitate and increase this tendency. The higher la
titudes OF our country will devote themselves more
and more to the cultivation of cereals, the lower la
tiiudes that of sugar and fbrous staples, while oar
central districts, in which our great national high
WAYS meet will employ themselves chiefly ii combin
ing the rude pies OF each extreme region into finer
fabrics by of their Goals, minerals and waller
power. To consummate these results for Virginia,
The whole railway capital of the Union is conspirng.
To hasten and secure them for herself, Virginia has
but perfect her own system OF public works; thatls
&c say has but TO open her doors 10 the wealth that IS
messing for admission. Before leaving this branch
of the subject and az german to the matter lnmedi-
atey in hand isp.operio urge briefly here, the great
i,nportance of direct ocean steam communication
from the ports of Virginia 10 Europe, not only
means of perfeeiing our commercial system, and
thereby securing our political independence but as
m-ans of supplying that primary want OF Virginia
i,,migratiorl The wealth derlyabe from this source
in rude labor and cash capital great and desirable as
/ is is moi SO much to be invited as mechanical aud
skill. Virginia needs the handlerast-
man far more than shs needs capita much as ahe re.
auires the latter. The arIhcers labor produces and
attract. capital Ca ital oftener expels than at
Tracts HIM, The peculiar adaptations OF our ate
urge TO ikvite by every means IA our power from
he Msncheslers and Birminghams oil Great Britain
and the continent those arfeers who arc eay turn
I'd out by HUNDREDS without food or employment irom
heir factories Wi our railroad system compltted,
his valuable class of people will find in manniacur-
ng Virginia, uncsasing employment and food mex
laustlble.
1t needless 10 enlarge fu,her upon the capacities
4 Virginia for furnishing local trade 10 her system
railroads. Turning therefore, to the trade which
lrse works will derive from beyond her limits, il Is
) be observed that they reach into that portion oil the
.sippi valley lying betgeen the attudes of *
eme Southern Tennessee and Northern Otio, which
tar the most productive portion OF that immense |
ssin and that they VIII afOrd 70 ils prodncfs The