The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-05

The James River and Kanatoha Company
The proposed sale of the canal to the French
Company has directed public attention to the
Importance of completing that work, and any
facts relating to its history are at this time
Interesting. Thecorrespondence between Col.
Ellis and Mr. 4. de Bellot des Minieres brings
to light much information on the subject
The ''old" James River Company was organ
lied on the 2Ist of August, 1885. The Presi-
dents, successively, were--George Washing
ton, from the 2lst August, 1885, to the 5th Oc-
tober, 1895; William Foushee, from the 5th
October, 1895, to the 10th January, 1878; John
G.. Gamble, from the 21st January, 1918, to
the 22d March, 1919; Wilson Cary Nicholas,
from the 22d March, 1919, to the goth February,
1920.
On the 18th February, 1920, the Legislature
passed an act entitled, can act to amend the
act entitled an act for clearing and improving
the navigation of James River, and for unit
ing the Eastern and Western waters by the
James and kanawha Rivers" The provi
sions of this act were made subject TO the
ratification of the James River Company
which having been duly given, the act was
thereafter to be considered mpact bettCeen
the montoealth and the company. BY the
terms of the compact, tho rights and interests
of the company were transferred to the Com
monwealth, the company acting as an aSent,
and holding i'll trust for the benefit of the
Commonwealth, but executing the improve
ments under the control, direction, and super
intendence of Commissioners appointed by the
| Legislature. by an act passed February 2ith,
1923, this mode of prosecuting the work was
| abandoned and from and after that time all
| the rights, powers, duties, and privileges OF
| the President and Directors We're conferred
upon the Governor, Lieutenant Governor,
| Treasurer, Auditor and Second Auditor of the
| Commonwealth, eE-oFcio, whose transac-
| tions were TO be still in the name of the
flames River Company" This organization
| continued until the year 1885. The President
| under the compact was John Coalter, from
| the 29th February, 1920, to the 18th March,
| 1923 The Governors who were Presidents
| er-otfcio, Were James Peasants, John Tyler
William b. Giles, John Floyd, Littleton Wal
| Ter TaZewell.
The James River and Kanawha Company
| was Incorporated March 18th, 1892, and or
ganized May 25th, 1885. BY the charter the
| whole interest of the Commonwealth in the
| works and property of the then existing Jane:
| River Company was transferred to the James
| River and kanawha Company the State be
ing interested i'll the latter TO the extent o
three-tifths of it's capital stock, and indiyid
| uals and corporations to the extent OF the re
| manning two -tifths. No change of organiza
tion has since been made. The President
have been Joseph G. Cabell, from the rs
MAY, 1885, to the 10th February, lS46 Waite
Gwynn, from the 9th March, 1876, to the I'll
May, ls47 William B. Chittenden, from tn
7th May ls41, to the 18th February, ls49
John Y. Mason, from the 1lth May, lsi9, I
| the 26th October, 1858; Thomas II. Ellis, fron
the 10Th October, 1858, to the present time.