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


north. She has the elements within herself:
why not employ them No. other state
could so well lead in the enterprise as
Virginia, nor would any other derise such
great benefits.
Doubts, perhaps well. founded. nave
heretofore been entertained, whether the
trade which was brought TO our seaboard
would support line of steamers. II one
were established. These doubts can no
longer be reasonably entertained. a
careful estimate of the amount and value
of the trade which was brought to the
Chesapeake during the last year by the va
rious railroads and canals, and that car
ried by them into the interior. viii show
an amount that would give ample employ
ment to such line as has been contempla-
ted. If this be so, and the returnsshow il, J
what may we not expect in few years,
when our system of improvements shall
have been completed? when the Alexan-
dria, Loudoun and Hampshirerailroad shall
have reached the inexhaustible coal fields
of Hampshire when the Manassa shall
have reached its terminus in the produc-
tive Valley, and the Alexandria and Or
ange road shall have been carried to
| Lynchburg when tidewater shall have
been united with the Ohio by means of
the Central and the Covington and the
| Ohio roads, or by the James river canal
and the Covington and Ohio railroad, and
when the greater feeder of this canal (the
Virginia and Tennessee road) shall have
stretched out its arm and grasped the
wealth of Tennessee and the far south ?
These lines will command the trade of n
country vast IN extent, rich in minerals
! and of unsu passed fertility, which in its
| transit will enrich the cities through which
it will pass, and find its way through the
Capes of the Chesapeah. Some idea NAV
| be formed of the extent OF the trade these
improvements will bring through Virgin
Ia, if we consider that the great trade
which now ascends the Ohio river and
which will be brought to it by roads and
canals from the western part of Ohio, the
states of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri,
will find the cheapest and shortest route to
the Atlantic seaboard TO be by one OF
these lines. The Covington and the Ohio
railroad will unite, at the mouth of the
! Big Sandy, with the Lexington and Big
! Sandy road, which traverses the very
garden spot Of Kentucky, whose fertility
has grown into proverb. a road has
already been constructed from Lexington
to Louisville, and another is soon to be
constructed to Memphis in Tennessee,
whilst one is now being made from a
point opposite to Louisville, through Indi-
anna, which will cross the Cincinnati and
St. Louis road at indianapolis, thus for
ming railroad connection with St Louis
and Little Rock. and through one or the
other, with the great Pacific road. The
1 4 IL,
roads will intercept the trade of the SOU
thern states. which, passing through Rich
mond and Norfolk cities, will reach a
common depot on the seaboard. When
all these streams shall pour their trade
into the Chesapeake, it will not only sup
port a line of steamers between this and
some one Of the European ports, but the
principal martS of the world.
The time when we should embark in this
enterprise, (if it is not done by private in
dividuals. will be when our system of IN
Le'9saI improvements shall have sufficient
ly advanced to insure their completion
Whether that time has arrived or not,
will not undertake to say. Regarding the
subject rs one of the first magnitude, |
recommend it to your serious cousidera-
ton, assured that at proper time it will
receive that enlightened attention its mer-
its so justly demand.
In my message to the general assembly
at the commencement of the last session,
called their attention to the fact, that a
short time previous, Mr.. Lennon, citi-
zen of Virginia, had his slaves taken from
him and set at liberty in the city of New
York, at which port the vessel touched in
which he and his family, including his
slaves, had taken passage for Texas
The facts, as understood, are familiar to
the country, and need not to be detailed
here. Since then, l understood that Mr.
Lennon has been paid for his slaves BY
private subscription from the more order
ly and patriotic citizens of New York
This may indemnity Mr.. Lennon against
the individual lost he sustained, but if it
IS reinstatement of the delicate and i'm.
portant principle involved in the case ]
have thought proper, therefore, to cause
an appeal to be taken from the court be-
low to the supreme court" ofthe State Of
New York. Since the question has been
raised, it had better be settled by the
highest tribunal know TO our laws. That
nothing may be omitted upon our part tc
which we are entitled under the federal
constitution, able and distinguished coun-
sci, should be employed. L advised there
fore, that provision be made for yigor-
Gus prosecution of the case, and that the
means be appropriated to defray the ne
cessary expenses that may be incurred.
have received a communication from
the secretary of the treasury of the Uni.
ted. States, stating that in act of the Congress
retroceding the county of Alexandra, in
the district of Columbia, to the state Of
Virginia, there is reservation to the
United States of the property in the Gus
tom house and post Office in the city nI