Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-21
lame. River and Kannwhn Company

In the House of Delegates, on Monday last, General
Chapman Chairman Of the Committee Of Roads and It.
ternal Navigation, submitted the following
REPORT,
TOf which an extra number of copies ordered
by the House 20 be printed.
The Committee Of Roads aud Internal Navigation, on
the part of the Senate and House of Delegates in re-
spouse 10 the resolution Of the House asking for the
proofs # any IN their possession, OF the ability OF
Nes,rs Bsot des Muieres Brothers CO., to execute
the contract made 10y them with the James River and
KsnaSha Company respectfully submit the following re-
port:
The testimony which has been adduCed before the
Committee consists extensive correspondence Civ
ing the names. position and in some btiet bio
graphical sketch OF the several persons connected IN IL
t-res or in influence With those who propose TO under
take the completion OF the enterprise in question. 1t
exhibits a combined power Of capital, OF commercial
connection Of political strength, aud OF governmental
sympathy rarely formed, ana ramhcauon with other
GREAT works of internal Improvement, bringing tue mas
ter sprits who control those works aid in the
structon OF tue OF here proposed and eyinciug ais
rosiou TO cOncei their energies upon this parcu
lar scheme which renders It certain OF accomplishment
Is once undertaken. Your Committee have no hesita
ZION in expressi their belief that but for the political
and hrancis eIsl, which impends over the Amel-
can Union the contracting parties in France would have
been ready by this time 20 enter vigorously upon the
prosecution Of tie canal.
The house of Bsllo. des Minieres Brothers and Com
panv aud cir associates IN Europe, constitute oae OF the
most powerful financial organizations OF the present ay
-abundauty able Il would appear, 20 complete the II
pina water ae OF he grand scale pic cCted by tbem
and also 10 establish and maintain steam and sail hnes
between its ocean terminus aud foreign ports thus giving
p-orse of realizing in the fullest manner and in the
shortest time the splendid results lorg anticipated by the
many friends and advocates Of this great State improve
mrnt
The committee are Inspired with equal confidence in
he disposition Of the house of Beot des Mineres, Bro
theirs Co. to carry the stpultions entered into by
her agent here soon the condition OF tue country
VII Justify mtn of prudence Ia undertaking work,
which require time aud peace sud financial aSSursFcr
Ia it accomplishment Any settlement OF our diEcuuC
which viii impair, permauence aud stability to the gov
rUmeut aud remove al Of rppreherdng civil war,
v IL IS believed az ouce restore that orndence which
has given place 20 fear and distJus and naturally de;es
capitalists from making large investments.
Your committee, therefore, take pleasure in saying,
thai 10 their opinion rhre ample ground ior tie Gvu-
elal Assembly TO act upon the propositions which have
been made and That il would be safe and jusihabe TO
Grant the charter asked allowing reasonable time for
c restoration Of the condition of things existing when
the propositions we're submitted.
Your coma ttee G conclusion, as full answer TO the
resolution Of The House present herewith report OF tue
remarks made By Col Thomas H. Ellis the President CT
tlc James River and kau0wha Company, before the
committee exhibiting cCmpIeheI Sive view ct tie ey
d-rce 10 hi possession in regard to the deposition and
ability Of tie absent parties fuhl their contract aud
furnishing other information OF in erestng charecer
connected With this mos. important subject
All which is respectfully submitted.
Among the documents furnished by Col Ellis, and CON-
m.nicated by the committee to the House, the fol-
living translation Of letter from the French Minister
in Washington;