The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-09-03
Alfbmnnn pispatrb.
MONDAY MORNING. SEPT. ) Isot


MONDAY MORNING. -. SEPT Iset
IA. DISPATCH FOR THE SPRINGS, &c.-PevsonS
sofng to the tc0terfns places can hare the DAHL Y
DISPATCH natlsd TO them for any length Of
time. 6y LEARNS their orders at the rooaa,
and paying in adraaes for tbs time aamed.
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The James River and kanawha Improve
The vote on the report Of Mr.. GRATrAN,
adopting, with few imulaterial amendments ts
the contract entered into by Major ELLIS, on
the part of the James River and kanawha
Company, with M. De BELLoT, took us by
SURPRISE. We had been led to believe that
there was a powerful organized, opposition to
the scheme We find there was none worthy
of notice. Only two gentlemen, represen ting
three shares voted against 1t. This result is
su fiiciently indicative not only of the feeling
of the stockholders, but of that of the public.
We have heard some disapprobation expires sed
of General TALIAFKRRO's last resolution, re-
questing the Governor to call an extra session
of the Legislature. In our opinion, it was the
very thing of all others that ought to have
been done Surely there never was a more
important question for the consideration of a
Virginia Legislature than this, and if it ever
was or ever can be. proper to summon an
extra session, it is now. However, rything
will be opposed by somebody, as the proceed :
iugs of Wednesday and Thursday night suffi-
ciently prove.
While we congratulate the State of Virginia
upon this great result, we feel it due to the
public and to the parties concerned, to give 8
brief account of the manner in which this
scheme originated. At the close Of our reyo-
lutionary war, an officer who had served in il
with some distinction, and whose name was
SWAMI enigrated TO Paris to pass the rest of
his life in the midst of the French officers who
had been his companions in arms. Becoming.
from time to time, straitened for the means of
subsistence, he was relieved from the purses
of his comrades. To reimburse these generous
friends, he left them the whole of q vast body
of land which he held ic the county of Ka-
nawha. by his will. After his death, they met
and appointed M. DUMAS curator--thas is,
trustee, for the whole party, to settle the es-
tate in The manner most advantageous for the
parties interested When this transac cton took
place we do not know, for we have no official
documents before us, and only tell SO much of
the tale as we can Tecollect from the narrative
of others. We believe these lands were at one
time the subject of lawsuit, which was
| finally decided by the Court of Appeals in ia
vor of the French claimants. At any rate, an
agent came TO this country, and Obtained from
the Legislature, in 1885, Il release of the law
subjecting delinquent lands to forfeiture
How the brothers DE BELLoT became inter-
ested in them, we do not understand we'll
enough to explain, nor is it necessary. 1t is
sufficient for our purpose 10 know, that the
gentleman of that name came to this country
few years ago, to look into the matter. Be-
| lnga person of uncommon sagacity, and Of tie
highest talent for business, he saw, as soon as
| he had explored his possessions, that they
were capable of almost indefinite improve
| ment. The region Of which they compose a
| portion, is indeed one of the most remarkable
in the world. Coal of unrivalled excellence
| iron and salt In quantities to supply the
| world, are all placed together, and the means
fusion. All that is wanting is an outlet to
Render it the wealthiest country in the world
| More than this, it might be made to commu-
| nicate with the boundless West, through lis
innumerable rivers, and thus be the means O,
| opening passage for its untold wealth to the
| shores of the Atlantic. The great object wa:
| 10 get the outlet, and it ins antiy struck Mons
| De B. that the Canal, enlarged to adeuua
proportions, was the surest plan. To see d
way, was TO resolve TO make it effectuai His
| first step, on returning to Richmond, was tc
| see Governor WISE and lay the subject be.
| fore him. By Governor WISE he was intro.
| cuced to Mr.. ELLIS, the President of the
| James River and kanawha Company. The
| negotiations were long aud tedious, but they
| have terminated in the manner with which
| the public is familiar.
| The credit of the conception is due ofcourse
| to M. DE BELLoT, whose enligh tened and fal
| reaching views are worthy Of all admiration
| Yet too much praise can hardly be- given tc
| Mr.. ELLIS, who conducted the negotiation on
| the part of the company. He entered at once
| into the views presented to his consideration
saw at a glance the mighty field opened by tn,
| revelations of M. DE SELLOT, and entered, a
| once heart AID soul, into the scheme. Auy
| body who knows what preiudices the mar
who presents new ideas to Virginian. is sure te
| encounter, may form some idea of the diff
| calties with which he had to contend. Blu
| he was singulariy adapted for the position in
| which he was placed With great energy, 8
| strong will, and enlarged views, he united
| sweetness of temper which was never rufglec
| by temporary failure, and a patience which il
| was impossible TO tire out. In word, h.
| manifested all the distinctive qualities of al
| able diplomatist, and eminently deserved tn,
| success which has attended his exertions w,
| feel every confidence that he will be remem
| bered, in future time, among the benefac tor.
of Virginia.
| Some few errors, we understand, are to b,
found in our article of Friday. We shall
take an opportunity to correct them hereafter
1