Lynchburg Virginian

Eastern and Western Waters of Virginia.

It gives us great pleasure to see the spirit in favor of internal Improvement which exists in South Western Virginia, & which is manifested by the proceedings of a meeting recently held in Abingdon, contained in our paper this morning. The improvement of James River with a continuous communication westward, is a desideratum, to the consummation of which the people of that section of country, as well as this, should bend all their energies. "The spirit of improvement is abroad on the earth"—and if we fail to catch it, and rest idly on our oars, whilst our neighbors, more deeply alive to the importance of the subject, are straining every nerve to improve their roads and water courses, we must abide the penalty of our apathy and indifference. We must be content to see our towns going to ruin, and the country depopulated. It is an universal and a just law of nature, that communities, as well as individuals, shall reap only where they sow, and be blessed with prosperity or cursed with poverty, in proportion as they exert or despise the faculties and the means of Improving their condition bestowed upon them by Providence. No people are more highly favored in this respect than are the citizens of Virginia—and none have been more blindly and fatally lethargic, and ruinously improvident, than they. The effect of our policy is every where visible around us, in the diversion of trade, which Nature designed to flow through our hands, but which we have forfeited by our supineness and unskilfulness. Can we not reclaim it? We assuredly can, if we will even at this late day put our shoulders to the wheel.

We learn that in the Western counties, the project of a rail road from Lynchburg to New River is not only deemed perfectly practicable, but that its commencement is most earnestly desired, & that it will receive from them a warm and effectual support. We sincerely hope that they will be met by the people East of the Ridge, as deeply interested as themselves in the completion of the work, in a corresponding spirit of energy. In the name of all that is dear to us, let us not be disheartened by the magnitude of the undertaking as compared with our apparently disproportionate means. If we can demonstrate, as we doubt not can easily be done by those conversant with the subject, that investments in it will be profitable, we cannot hesitate to believe, that money will not be wanting. There is an immense amount of capital in the country, seeking safe investments; and the holders of it will as readily appropriate it here as any where, provided they can be assured that it will yield a fair percent. We believe that this can be done. The trade which it would originate, affords an ample guarantee that this would be the case. In the language of a writer in the Whig, "In its connections, it opens a direct and easy channel of transportation to the valuable products of Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee -it will not only bring the present trade of these countries into the Virginia Atlantic towns, but will greatly increase the amount and value of agricultural products through that highly fertile and extensive region of country. This is not all—the variety of products will be increased, and many articles now languishing on their farms, will, from the increased facilities afforded of transportation, be brought into market. The increase of the value of property, and consequently the wealth of the people, will be immense, by which the condition of the people will be improved, and they enabled to contribute more largely to the resources of the State— but, above all it will secure the union and tranquility of Eastern and Western Virginia; increase her population, consolidate her strength, extend her moral and political influence, and unite to her interest and destiny powerful sister States. When such advantages are within the grasp of the people of Virginia, will they hesitate to second the efforts of their representatives, and avail themselves of the spirit and temper which now animate many parts of the State, and carry into effect this all-important work."

While on this subject, we have thought it would be well to copy at length the following law, passed by the last Legislature, providing for a re-survey of James River, &c. We hope the provisions of the act will be speedily executed :

An act for uniting the Eastern and Western Waters.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly. That the Governor of this commonwealth, having previously advised with the council of State be and he is authorized to employ a skillful Engineer, whose duty it shall be, together with the Principal Engineer of this State, during the present year, to examine James River from Richmond to Covington, and make an estimate of the probable cost of continuing the Canal from Maiden's Adventure to Lynchburg, the probable cost of improving the river between these points by locks and dams, the probable cost of a Rail Road from Richmond to Lynchburg; to make a similar examination and estimate for the distance between Lynchburg & Covington, to examine the country between James and Jackson, Roanoke and New River, for the purpose of ascertaining the best route for a Canal or Rail Road, between such points on these rivers, as they may determine, and to make an estimate of the probable cost thereof; and to examine New River from its point of union with the said Canal or Rail Road, with a view to its improvement by each of the above modes, and to make an estimate thereof; and in the performance of the foregoing duties, the said Engineers shall make such surveys as they may deem necessary. The examinations of the said Engineers shall be made with the utmost practicable care and accuracy, having due regard to durability and to a proper accommodation of the trade : And it shall be the duty of the said engineers, to make a full and minute report of their proceedings and estimates, to be laid before the next Legislature, recommending such improvements for the purposes aforesaid, and on such modes of construction as, from their enquiries, they may deem most expedient, all circumstances duly considered, stating the advantages, and disadvantages, the commercial benefits, the probable revenue, and every consideration by which their decision may be influenced.

And be it further enacted. That the said assistant Engineer shall receive such sum of money, not exceeding three hundred dollars per month, as shall be contracted for by the Governor, for his services, to be paid out of the Fund for Internal Improvement.

This act shall be in full force from and after the passage thereof.