Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-15

Myers resumrg the chair.
General TaliaferTo chairman OF the committee OF
thirteen Informed the meeting that the committee hal
fully considered the subject referred to them and had
authorized him TO submit the following
REsoRr
The committee to whom was referred the exccutory
agreement signed by Ernest de BeOt des Mineres for
himself and his associates acting under the style OF Bel
lot des Muieres Brothers and Company, by Thomas H.
Ellis President of the James River and Kanawha com.
many on behalf of the Board OF Directors of that compa
nv and by Alexander r. Hoaddy President OF the Board
Of Public Works OF Virginia in behalf Of the last men
toned board, together with the amendments proposed
by the Board of Directors of the James River and kanaw
ha company and other amendments proposed by the
said Ernest de Belot des Mnres to the same, have duly
condered the subject presented documents and
beg leave respectfully to report
That regarding the subject Of unusual interest
and importance they deemed it their duty in the first
place to satisfy themselves to the character of NJ dc
Beot des Mineres and his associates, and their ability
to comply with the agreement proposed TO be entered
into by them. Upon these points the committee take
pleasure 10 stating that Mr. Ernest de Beot des Min
ieres appears to be accredited In unqualified terms as
gentleman Of worth aud respectbty, aud that The as
socation of Beot des Mineres Brothers and Company
is composed Of gentlemen possessing great influence So
cslly, politically and financially.
The committee feel some aton in referring TO
respondence and credentials which were before them,
but which in their view they could not receive without
being authorized to communicate them to the Stock
holders in general meeting and as many OF the letters
were of a private nature, else connected with
facts and crcums ancs that they could not be separa-
ted from their connection, and the official documents
supporting them without detailed explanations, they
deem it sufficient to say briefly, that the impress
sion produced by them was favorable TO the scheme
in hand Referring TO the exposition given by the Pres
dent in his opening address TO the stockholders for the
principal facts attending this negotiation, the committee
submit herewith a translation Of official document
from the French consul in Richmond, which has been
placed at their disposal and which would seem TO be
conclusive on the important point that the undertaking
proposed by Messrs Belot des Mineres Brothers and
Company has the patronage and support of the French
| Government That the Emperor Of the French should
see great advantages for his empire in connection with
this scheme does not surprise your committee; eau
they fail recognize still greater advantages for our
| own State
It has long been apparent that many aud great advan
tsges would result the people of Virginia. and al
others interested in her welfare, from the completion
upon large aud comprehensive plan, Of a work whicl
has been projected and thus far carried o. by many
her most pItrtoc and distinguished ci izens Some o
tiese advantages would be found in the connection by
an uubroken line of navigation Of many OF her princpa
rivers In the deveopement of her agricultural aud min
eral wealth in the improvement Of her wild lands lynl
west Of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny range Of noun
tans in the increase 10 the value of all her lands wh0h
er lying Immediately the line Of the James River
Kanaw canal or brought within reach Of the facie
afforded by il in the intimate aud friendly union be
tween the western aud eastern parts of the State whic
must be produced by such link Of communication; il
the enormous tide of products Of industry whic
will flow through her bosom and be distributed TO he
own people as far needed and 10 the people of ohe
States and countries by transfer from her in tn
great water power which will be obtained and whic
would be sufficient to propel machinery that would Civ
employment To thousands in building up and establish
ing the commercial independence of Virginia in en-
larging her cities aud making them the fit cOmpeers
the larger cities of her sister States in promoting direr
trade between Virginia aud France, which has already
happily commenced and which promises much for tn
future in establishing in like manner, direct trade bC
tween Virginia aud other foreign countries in increa
ing the public revenues by increasing the wealth of th
state and Ia making Virginia what her geographical pc
sition, her climate soil natural and historic q
sociatons entitle her to be-the leading state in tn
Union, and the favored centre OF commerce, wealth
intelligence.
Deeply impressed themselves with these views, Ii
committee repor herewith amended agreement Whic