Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-19
For the ENQUIRER
LETTERS.
IyTERy4L IHPRoYEMENTS-7UE CENTRAL
Vd7ER LINE.

FOR WC EHfurV'
LETTERS.
yyrERy4L UNDERGRADUATES CENTRAL
NATTER LINE.
Olt
Time il i, said, can only divert the ponderous
march Of trade; but when desired objects are to be
Accomplished that may result in gain or reward, the
very elements arc overcome, the channels OF nature
reversed by artificial means and the trade turned
bsck against the tide. But they are at any time la
BILE TO take their natural courses again. Thus New
York may for season draw to an artificial "Centre
aud consequently tuss toll from the South, as we'll az
the West; but the moment those natural channels
are opened that trade will commence flowing towatuS
its true centrs-provided the means are competent
an through the cheapest avenues.
Those natural elements, however cannot be oil use
to Us in our striving to obtain the through trade II we
resort 10 artificial MEANS instead of avang ourselves
of the power they possess
Of what use-in trying to accomplish the connec
ton of the Chesapeake with the Ohio are the James
aud Great Kanawha rivers, it we depend on Kali
Roads, ss the means1 Baltimore and Philadelphia
ara both nearer by rail- Aud yet New York through
bsr canals, draws the trade from them. Such oeing
the case can our rail roads, burdened as they are
with steep grades bring the heavy export trace o.
the West7 If co. they must carry it for t"o cents per
-, nor mill. Can, or will they do ii for three1
think no practical man will depend on such fall
lacy.
I am not saving, nor do intend to say, word in
enhancement of rail road improvements as wish
to be- distinctly understood. Indeed consider II
source of congratuation that our long lines OF roads
are 90 near completion. But the question sll re-
mains upsolved: Hon. are ace TO set even share Of
The trade of the West2 Indeed it will ever remain a
problem to Virginia. unless those natural advantages
which she possesses in an eminent degree, are en-
Moved and an almost unbrokeu catcr line, which
thew constitute made Of. Rail roads, OF course,
will be an acquisition in helping the speedy accom-
pshment of the grand design; but unsided, they can
not arrive at the desired attainment. Therefore 1t Is
;mpsra,iyely necessary that We should direct imme
date and active attention to the long neglected and
abused CENTRAL WATER LINE as the only avenue
which can be made from the Chesapeake to the Ohio
a, a chsap and economical carrier, in competition
with rival lines. Connecting, as 1t does' our Eastern
norts and our Western territory, through the waters
of the James and Kanawha rivers, and draining
naturally, the greatest portion OF the productive
Vast il ia still, the shortest line that can be obtained
for artificial transit, and consequently the only one
calculated to produce the benefits, that cannot other.
wise be obtained by Virginia from the rana-Aegha'
ny trade.
The JAMES RIVER AND kASAwHA CANAL.
shall now briefly state a few facts in support OF
the Central improvement System, as originally de-
signed promising substantial proof as evidence here
after.
/. The Chesapeake Bay occupies the same posi-
,ion in relation to it's neghboring States and the West
yeogrsphcally as tho New York Bay now does to its
surrounding territory in the North-consttutng one
of those great ''cenlres Of srade, which naturally
draw commerce. wealth and influence to themselves
when these wise provisions of nature ara appreciated
and applied.
. Though behind New York in time size and de
veopmsuts, Norfolk, with its magnificent haro"r
contains all the elements Of growth and greatness tha
New York originally did, though in pre'eminen
degree.
3. The James River and Kanawha canal, through
the proyidential disposition Of the James and
Kspswha rivers, offers the only avsilabe and short
water communication between the trans 'Alleghany
valleys and the harbor Of Norfolk
49,
Western rivers and their conaux with The Gull car
the Appalachian ranges be- practically crossed win
the trade Of the West by water; aud, as Water'ne
ia indispensable to this trade, II necessarily ol
lows that this canal canal must be completed If We
would profit by the most magnificent tonnage thai
ever flowed to any common centre.
l. The greatest men who ever livedsaw and reccg
nized those advantages. WAsHisGToS himself, IN
whose wisdom and judgment the utmost confidence
was and is placed, one Of the projectors OF the
water line, and it's fret President.
S. We may safely say that rail roads cost more to
build DER mile than canals and when built, much
more to keep them in order. To make them profta'
ble they must have double the rates Of freigh,s re-
qured for water transportation.
g. Through freights can be delivered from the Ohio
to Richmond by canal, for fue ISL dollars per ton.
BY rail road, probably, for twelve doars-certainly
not less. To Baltimore by rail from ten to eleven
dollars, and to New York by lake, river and canal
for eight to nine dollars per ton.
7. The canal opens out vast mineral region
whose products cannot be made available by any
other means of transportation. The iron, Goa! and
oil of this region alone, will guarantee the constrLc-
'lOn Oh tuio huo'
g. 1, will add to the business of every rail road ju'
dciously BUILT. Indeed, canals and rail roads are ne
ce,ssry to facilitate the busiDess of each other.
g. The Central Water Line will be the only sure
aud effective means of extending and enrehing Rich
mond, and is indispensable to Norfolk and the sue
cess of the "Ocean Steam Ferry Scheme" Our
commerce with France must anticip' te it.
III In order to control, or obtain a share OF
the trade of the West, the cities Of the North have
poured out their treasures like water. 81 has been
cherished scheme Of Virginia for more than hun
dred years. aud yet the only means Of obtaining the
prize, for which so many are contending, has been
suspended, if not abandoned when nearly completed,
for the mere want of decision, energy and action.
ii. As another reason in favor the water line We
may urge the great probability OF steam being used rs
motive power on canals. Indeed, am aware of e1-
permeuts now being made, which promise to effect
The desired purpose la such an event line Of
barges can be towsd from the upper waters Of the
Missouri to the city OF Richmond, without change,
and for comparatively triaing cost.
l2 The bill in favor of the "Conpersion Scheme, !"
now before the Legislature appears in its present
light most favorable for both the State and the canal.
II is sensible and business like way Of dispensing
with ve1ing and burdensome question, and it Ger.
tany appears to be the only available means, at pre-,
sent in the disposal Of the State, 10 ensure the final
success of a great and worthy enterprise.
ON this subject, however. should like to enlarge
in my next, in connection with the ways and means
of advancing the work. 3. II. DEB.
RICHMOND, March 18th, 1858.
-eS.--
FROM WASHINGTON CITY.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Enguirer.l