The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-31
why Northern Men should Remove
10 Virginia.
[For the Dispatch.l
THE VALLEY OF THE UPPER JAMES

10 Virginia.
For the Dispatch1
THE VALLEY OF THE UPPER JAMES.
This beautifuland picturesque valley, lying
west OF the city OF Richmond, is compara-
lively unknown to people residing outside
the limits Of Virginia. Yet consider a
more lovely and fertile country than rs
drained by the waters of this historic rIver,
from the mountains 10 the sea, cannot be
found within the boundaries Of the Uniled
States. Yet it i TO that portion Of the
valley lying west OF the city Of Richmond
desire to call the readers attention. To
be able to fully appreciate TINS sec.
ton OF country it must not only be
seen, but one should reside here, and
enjoy the delightful climate, aud learn
Of the many blessings God has so bounti-
fully bestowed upon thiS land Of promise.
Here YOU not only find beautiful and pic
ture, que laQd, but rich and fertile coun-
try, well adapted to the raising Of all the
grains and cereals grown in colder cOun-
tries, as well as many Of the crops and fruits
grown in the States much farther sou b :;
but you find our hills laden with rich mine
rails. such as gold, coal. iron, slate, plum
bago. kaOlinP, fel>ilr and many Others 100
numerous TO mention. Then, the James
IOGfb> ono VAST MdltI-IbN lIOlll IT. SQUIRE
TO the falls at Richmond. which in time
must cause this section TO become one Of
the greatest manufacturing districts IN the
world. And now, with all these many
and varied advantages, we are soon TO
have a railroad completed the entire
length OF this valley, more than one
hundred miles OF which has already
been put in running order. | propose in
tg n 70 ~
advantages this section possesses over the
colder States of the North and West as an
agricultural and manufacturing district.
Climate: First OF all is the healthy and sl-
lubrious climate, lying. as ii does. between
attitudes 81 and 80. and between loucitudes
- and 81, thus giving uS temp psraturc not
too warm in summer or too cold iD winter,
which is not only TO be appreciated on ac.
count of lis bealth.giylng blessings, but
for the many and varied advantages 1t
gives to agricultural and manufacturing
pursuits. My experience for the past
twelve years in farming in Virginia has
convinced me that the mildnesS Of this
climate lallOwing so much more time for
blowing, which is usually every month in
the YEAR, Will enable The farmer TO do a.
much work with one tear rs with two in
the States as cold as New York or Penusyi-
vania. Besides, il the farmer chooses, he
can raise two crops in year. have many
times seen a good crop Of wheat and corn
harvested from the same piece Of ground IN
one seasOn--tbe ground plOwed as soon a.
possible after the wheat was harvested and
corn planted. This is done. though. only
on our rich bottOm-Iand>. with which ma.
ture has provided an ANNUAL enrichDg by
the overflow, which usually occurs in early
spring and late autumn. Yet the same
could be done on our upland> were we TO
practice high.flrming they do in England
and in many portions OF the North and East.
To the manufacturer this mldncSS OF eli
mate is OF untold benefit. The item OF fuel
alone which would be saved by the manu-
facturers of the East in the manufacture Of
the one staple cotton, were they 10 change
their present location to the banks OF the
James (where they will also find a superior
water. power, would be something enor-
nous, amounting to millions of dollars an
nuaIIv. This. combined with cheap labor
and the thousands that would be saved in
transportation by being so much rearer the
base OF supplies, would so essen the eX-
pense of the manufacture OF this staple that
it would place them beyond the reach Of
successful competition. But we owe it
prise Of the Richmond people. combined
with the institution Of slavery that then
existed, that Virginia has not been enriched
by the ndomilabe energy and enterprise Of
such men as Lowell and Lawrence, Of Mas
Sachusetts; for they years ago saw The many
advantages this section offered TO the manu-
facturer, and sought to avail Themselves OF
il. Happy am |. though. now TO know these
hindrances to the prosperity of this grand
old mother State are among the things OF The
past. With slavery forever banSbed from
our midst comes new era OF a1fiirS-an era
OF increasing prosperity. Slavery-whiCh
always degrades labor and dcadens anything
like enterprise among the wealthy and edu-
Gated clasSeS-wil no longer prevent this
good old Commonwealth from taking her
place among the leading States OF this Union.
Her superior geographical position and vast
commercial advantages, untold mineral
wealth aEd productive soil, all point TO Viz
gina rs one of the most desirable States IN
America. And | am not alone IN predicting
for her one of the brightest and most pros
porous careers OF any OF the States III this
Union. And say TO all good people, come
from where you may-from the North,
South, East, or West, or from across the
broad AtIantic-come and help to develop
these vast GOd-glNen resources. lbeIe
are here for you thousands of acres OF
cheap and fertile lands that only await the
touch OF the intelligent husbandm1n 10
cause them TO yield an untold wealth
OF products, which is the foundation OF all
in every land. Our hills and
mountains are laden with minerals OF al
most incalculable and unparalleled wealth;
and our rivers and streams are sources OF
gigantic power that are ready to do your
bidding. The doors Of Virginia stand wide
open, and as sure as the many advantages
have enumerated in this article invite and |
entce YOU TO come, so do all the good peo-
pie OF Virginia invite you to come and
make your home among them, and they
unite with me In assuring you that lie and
nronertv are as safe bere as in any portion |
of ttis inhabitable globe.
A NORTHERN SETTLER.