Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-14


until the work shall have been completed.
Sound policy. therefore. even in a pecu-
mary point of view. requires that they
should be pushed through as speedily as
possible, that they may become diviaend
paying stock and when that shall have
been done, the state will be able to build
such collateral works as may be found me-
cessary, without embarrassment.
For any further aid these several lines
may need to effect this purpose, / respect
fully refer to the reports of several COM
panies, and to that OF the Board of Pub
lie Works. which it is understood will
hereafter be submitted.
As inseparably connected with this sub
jec1in all its interests, and the general be-
nefits to be derived from it. permit me
again to call your attention to the subject
of direct trade with European ports
In former message. briefly adyerted
to some of the benefits to be derived from
the establishment of such trade, and the
subject received much of the attention of
your predecessors. Its Importance and
the benefits it would secure to Virginia.
were admitted by all the mode and the
time for establishing such line were the
points of difference. To these alone,
apprehend, may be attributed the defeat
of the bill providing for line of steamers
between our own and the port of Ant
werp. Under all the circumstances, en-
gagged as we were in large and extensive
system of internal Improvements. that per-
haps was the most judicious course. In
deed, how far government should be iden-
tilted in an enterprise of this kind, is a
question about which we may reasonably
expect an honest difference of opinion !;
and, as remarked in my first message.
g perhaps sound policy would dictate that
it should be left 10 individual enterprise to
carry the project into practical operation"
And yet, if it is the duty as well as the
interest of the state that she should con-
struct or assist in constructing system
of internal improvements, why should she
not assist, SO far as her aid is necessary
to insure success, in establishing an er-
ternaL line that will accommodate, by a
direct transit to a foreign port, the trade
and travel that will be brought TO her
coast by these various lines Of improve
ments And especially so. if this eXter-
nal line will contribute to the profits of
the other Improvements and secure TO the
state and her people, the benefits ofan ex-
porting and importing trade. The advan-
tages TO result from such trade cannot
be too highly estimated. The Chesapeake
ports are equal to any, if they are not the
best upon The Atlantic coast, and the
&" commercial prosperity of Virginia must
depend upon their employment No
state in the Union possesses the natural
adj Mt
those of Virginia. The country tributary
TO the Chesapeakeis equal to any upon the
American coast. whilst her geographical
position could not fail to secure 10 her,
and through her, to the whole south. the
benefits of the entire trade between Euro
pean ports and the south and thwestern
states.
The apprehension heretofore felt by the
cities OF Alexandria, Fredericks burg. Rich
nond Petersburg and Norfolk that the lin
tied trade legitimate to each might be di-
verified TO some other rival, created Jealous
les and prevented that unity of action that
was necessary for The success so great an
enterprise. The apprehensions may now
be dismissed for each and all are destined
to receive and conduct the Virginia and
southwestern trade and upon the compile
ton of our magnificent scheme of improve
ments, each will share in tie dividend of a
trade that will far surpass any expense or
temporary loss they may incur. Now that
each has been supplied with line Of COM
munication, the rivalry which at first APP
peared between them should cease, they
having common interest, because com
mon trunk bears frcm the west and south
the travel and trade that are to enrich
each. Thus it is that the construction of
the Fredericksburg and Gordonsyilie road
will make the prosecution of the Alexan-
drla and Orange railroad to Lvnchburg
as important TO Fredericksburg as it is to
Alexandria. In the same way of compile
ton of the Central road, the construction
of the Covington and Ohio railroad, and
the existence ofthe Virginia and Tennes-
see road, will alike contribute TO the in
terests of Alexandria, Fredericksburg and
Richmond. The dock connections, the
Norfolk and Petersburg and the Peters
burg with the Virginia and Tennessee
road and the James river canal. The 9TH
er roads in the system answer like purpo-
ses and as 4 common outlet TO accommo-
date the immense trade and travel that
these stems will bring to our shore, would
contribute greatly to enhance that trade
and travel, so it must be to the interest of
each and all of these cities to secure such
an outlet, though it should be the means
of building up at one of our ports city
that would do credit to Virginia, aud be
the pride of the state. Mature has been so
bounteous that more difficulty is to be APP
prehend in selecting between the differ
ent locations than in finding a suitable
point for such city, Let this be done
with a proper regard to the best interests
of the state, and in that liberal spirit to
the best interests of the state, and in that
liberal spirit that should characterize a
Virginia people, and all will be salts