Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-19

long been importuning her tardy mother
for permission to pass her rich treasures
through the ancestral domain to the
Chesapeake, and from thence, by direct
transit, to the different marts Of the world.
Kentucky proposes also to make common
cause with Virginia in the completion OF
improvements now in progress, by which
a direct communication will be formed be-
tween Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Alexandria, in Virgil
MIA, and Maysville, Lexington and Louis
vile, in her own State. and extending
from thence. by way of Memphis on the
Mississippi river, 10 the distant southwest
"a road upon which the southern man may
pass with his property in safety, free from
the taunts, jeers, insults and robberies of
northern abolitionists. But why dwell on
this subject, when the action Of the last
legislature, harmonizing with public sem
timent, has placed the completion of our
leading lines of improvement beyond the
contingency of doubt, the most of them
being under contract, and large sums of
money having been expended in their
construction, which, in the event of their
abandonment, would result in total loss
to the State.
The system in progress is equally mag
nihcent in plan and Importance and when
completed, in connection with a direct
communication with foreign cities and de-
pots. will impart renewed vigor and acti-
vity TO all branches of business, greatly
enhance the value of our lands, build up
our cities, and make Virginia conspicu>
Gus among the most hourishing in the
category of States.
The central railroad, which is but the
prolongation eastward of the CovingtOn
and Ohio road, is in a state of forwardness
and will doubtless be completed within
the period prescribed for finishing the
Covington road. The same may be said
in reference to the Richmond and York
river road, the last connecting link be-
tween the great west and the capes of Vir-
gina.
The next improvement in point of i'm
portance to the State and the nation, may
be classed the Virginia and Tennessee
line, where it will connect with a network
of improvements terminating respectively
at Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and
Little Rock in Arkansas, embracing a
large section of country, with no direct
|
mart, and Astounding in incalculable
wealth, much of which will from necessi-
ty seek transit by this line and through
the capes of Virginia. Add TO this the in
exhaustible quantity Of iron, salt, plaster,
lead, &c. which would pass over this
road, and the vast amount of merchandise
westward bound, together with the daily
increasing travel from the south to the
seat of government and other northern ci-
ties and from those cities to the south>
ern borders of the confederacy, and
the conclusion becomes irresistible that
this will rank among the most pro-
ductive and beneficial improvements
within the commonwealth, especially when
the all important connection with the
GordOnsville and Alexandria road shall
have been completed.
Add to these improvements the great
water line of the James river and Kanaw-
ha company, now extending continuously
two hundred miles, and afording commu-
nication for heavy produce and tonnage,
acting as the reci ipient of these from its
own line, and from the important works
already noticed, and we shall be able to
accommodate all the trade of all the i'm
rnense reg ion referred to, in any of the
modes it may prefer. 1t is important,
therefore, to place this company in q con-
dition to enable it to comply with engage
ments for which the State is responsible,
and to afford it the means to extend and
complete its western terminus to the near
: est point Of easy connection with the great
central line of railroad whose completion
l have so earnestly recommended.
1t affords me pleasure to notice the fact
that the Richmond and Danville railroad
is rapidly approaching its completion to
the town of Danville, its southern termi
nus, and that before the end of the pre-
sent year it will probably be in use
throughout its whole extent. Its trade
and travel have steadily increased, and it
will be the means of affording facilities to
market for one of the most productive
portions Of the commonwealth, developing
its dormant energies, and pouring wealth
into the capital of the State.
The northwestern portion of the State
! is most happily situated. The. Baltimore
: and Ohio railroad, terminating at Wheel
ing and Parkersbur places it within l6
) hours of Baltimore, and still nearer to
: Alexandria, by the Hampshire and Lou
don road, which will doubtless soon be
made. The Northwest turnpike from
! Winchester to Parkersburg, and the
! Staunton and Parkersburg turnpike con~
Meeting those points, together with net,
work Of we'll graded turnpikes, not ma
cadamizcd, afford all the facilities for trav-
| el and transportation that the most fasti,
dious could desire. With q climate healthy
) and salubrious, valleys teeming with grain
and grass, and mountains abounding in rich
and inexhaustible minerals, it may truly
be said that she wants but little and asks
less, and that when called upon to con,
) tribute to the general fund for public in
movements. the appeal, to be successful