Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-30
RICHMOND. WING.
TUESDAY MORNING.........JAN. 80, 1866.
James River and Kanawha Canal-Again.

ncut o. the PROVISIONS vi 'd- NNNOu'OIl agree
meDt made between the James River and IA
naWha Company and the drm Of BELLor DIS
MISIEREs, Brothers Company, on the LIST Of
Seyteuber, 1860, by which the latter agreed to
purchase the property, franchises, &c, OF said
company, from Richmond to the Ohio river in
elusive, and to complete the same in the man
ner set forth. We also referred to the facts
that the Board Of Public Works gave its con-
sent TO the agreement, and that the Gene
raj Assembly, at an extra session, also ratified
it by passing, on the 10Th day Of March, 1851,
an act entitled an act to incorporate the Nir-
GINA Canal Company, and to transfer the
rights and franchises Of the James River and
Kanawha Company thereto" also to the fur
Their fact that, within twenty days after the
massage Of this act, the ordinance OF secession
was adopted BY the Convention OF Virginia
and war was commenced, which continued for
four years.
Very soon after signing this agreement, and
before the charter was granted, Mr.. ERNEST
BELLoT DIES MINIEREs proceeded to France
for the purpose Of organizing his company, ac-
cording to the laws OF that country. He was
detained in France longer than he anticipated,
and was not here whilethe bin incorporating
the Virginia Canal Company was undergoing
legislative consideration, OF when it was
passed. A copy Of this bill was sent TO him
in France. He at once wrote letter, III which
he strongly objected TO some Of its provisions,
As not being in conformity with the agreement.
This letter, however, was not received until
after the passage of the bill through the Lee
gislature. 1t is dated March 10th, 1861. He
claims in this letter, as he does in many sub
seuuent letters to the President OF the James
River and Kanawha Company, that the rights
and responsibilities Of his firm are created and
fixed by his agreement with that company
that he demands nothing and will submit TO
nothing that is not therein contained and he
urges that the bill shall be changed so as to
conform strictly to the agreement. lie says
Instead Of granting me single concession,
the contract has been filed by the bill with
dangerous and difficult clauses not previous
"ly existing. To specify them all would he
s.impossible-it would take too much time
But ne points out many, and insists upon their
rectifcation. lie complains Of being gar
roted by clauses that would prevent the for
nation Of the capital. Speaking of the agree
ment, he says &" Let it Ohe Legislature) ac-
accept or reject, but not modify it. As for
myself hold by my contract As has al
ready been said, his letter came too late. The
bill had been passed but it is proper to say
tina: il underwent various changes before II
became law, thus removing some OF
the -rouads OF objection. As the impOr-
tant points Of objection are more distinctly
and clearly developed in subsequent letters,
we deter Il more specific reference to them until
IS, reach those letters In this letter he says
.s have acquired the support Of Belgium the
{. Duke Of Brabant Inow Kingl is devoted to
" mc, ana a strong friend of the project. In
daaucial point ofview, this is an immense gain.
The Duke will dOmuch, and can do eCerythttg
e. For Virginia and the South, in eCery point 81
6. rier-commercial, financial and political
e.. hat / have done aud am still doing, is rich
=. I'm u>cflI results" " Without the American
e. crisis, tue national c0lptor would have, and,
.. IN any case, will give me valuable aid" The
south was only known through the North, |
81 and was judged by the bad opinion OF the |
q. North prevailing throughout Europe
Within four years, wanting one month after
the date Of TINS letter, viz on the 18th April |
ls6j. he writes another letter to the President |
Of the James River and Eanawha Company, |
SAVING You will not not have neglected to
invoke French protection in favor ofthe canal
Again, Just as l have stated in all the letters
have bad the honor to address TO you oar iHteN-
tons are unchanged, and as soon as calm is re-
stored, ICE are prepared to commence tie cork
We pass over several letters of no special sig
nidcance and come to one dated Paris, July
9th, 1865, in which he says; We claim now,
,.what we have always claimed, the execution
' Of contracts freely debated, consented TO, ac-
cepted and written. We can and
.s will accomplish the great work As it ought to
'sbe done, and from which innumerable bles-
sings must flow for Virginia and the whole !
.. country We possess all the elements neces- |
,s sarv to that end. l invite YOU to no
81 tifv me at once ofany difficulties threatening !
.. the canal and contract arising from Ac
changed state Of the country, or any other
"cauSe. Confer with the French |
q" Consul. He has instructions from his Gov |
eminent"
In his next letter, dated Paris, July p, 1865, |
he expresses great pleasure at learning &" from
Mr. PAUL that the Governor OF Virginia was
favorable to the French Company, aud disposed |
to sustain its contract His estimate OF t.e
magnitude Of this canal enterprise is thus eX-
pressed " The ,cbole Of tie States and the en-
tire ,corld are Interested IL the completion Of The
canal" In the same letter lac says: " If Co
..vernor PEIRPoINr is, as believe him to be, an |
" able man, and loves his country, he will under
=. stand this. He can surround his name witha |
,shalo of glory as pure as it viii be fruitful OF
great and useful results
His next letter is dated Paris, August 9,
1865. It shows that the canal scheme has oe-
cupied the attention and excited the interest OF
the French Government, quoting from the
Ministerial despatch Of NJ. DRoUS De L'HrYS |
as follows In accordance with the desire OF
'' the Minister Of Agriculture, Of Commerce and |
" Of Public Works, have again recommended !
the French interests engaged in this work TO
1" the soheitude of the Legation at Washing !
" ton, and to the Consulate At Richmond" lie |
again refers TO Governor PEIRPoIxr's cordial !
support of the plan for finishing and enlargiug
the canal, but manitests uueasiness in conse- |
quence Of learning that the Governor Ia,
enunciated the opinion that further l,gi>lr- |
ton is indispensable - saying If such legisl,- |
ton is to give the notifications, so often asked
for, TO the charter, it cannot be objected %
but it will be Objectionable if it is to ques-
8, ton our rights, or to contest the validity O.
.. the contract or charter" He denies TO ..auy
.. private Individual, corporation, State or
Is States, Federal Government or State Co
vernment, the right to criticise, attack or
question, under any pretext whatever, our
the French companys) proprietary rights in
=. the canal These rights were legally ac-