1838] 



FARMERS' REGISTER, 



569 



selves. It is to enlist in our cause those who pro- 

 ducing the articles that are desi{j;ne(l for our con- 

 sumption, have a common interest wilh ourselves 

 in auiTinentmg that consumption, by (iiminishin<; 

 its charjres. It is, in fine, to imitate the policy of 

 New York herself, in procuritisxthe eslahlishment 

 by foreign capitalists, of agencies in our ports, for 

 selling the various articles with which they supply 

 us, and purchasing those they receive in return. 



Another, and one among the most eflectual 

 means of restoring the commerce of the state to 

 its lormer healthy and flourishing condition, is the 

 improvement of the channels of communication 

 between the Atlantic border and the great West. 

 How vastly this would increase the sura of our 

 exports, and improve the demand for the mer- 

 chandise imported into our own cities, must be ap- 

 parent to all who consider with what facility a pro- 

 fitable trade with that immense region might be 

 secured. Our natural advantages of climate and 

 position would enable us, if not to engross, at least 

 to participate largely in the benefits of an inter- 

 course, which is now almost exclusively enjoyed 

 by our more enterprising rivals. 



The committee do not deem it necessary to en- 

 ter into a detailed argument to show the beneficial 

 eflects of a liberal system of infernal improvement, 

 upon the commercial interests of the state, still 

 'less do they propose to discuss the merits of the 

 various schemes which have been suggested from 

 time to time. They leave this duty to the com- 

 mittee to whom this subject has been specially 

 confided. Let it suffice to call attention to the 

 happy results which have attended the adoption 

 of euch a system in other slates ; and (o notice an 

 objection that is not unfrequently heard, that the 

 effect of this policy is to tax the general property 

 for the advantage of a favored region. Few 

 measures, of whatever nature, would ever receive 

 the sanction of any legislative body, if their adop- 

 tion were delayed until it jould be ascertained, that 

 the interests ofevery single individual would be pro- 

 moted by them. If then it were even conceded that 

 the costs of constructing works of improvement of 

 the kind we have supposed would be partly borne 

 by some, who could derive no benefit from their 

 completion, the objection would only be one which 

 may equally be urged against almost < very mea- 

 sure of policy that can be devised. But can it be 

 correctly said that the benefits of those great im- 

 provements by which distant sections of country, 

 are, as it were, approximated to each other, ani 

 their wealth reciprocally received and imparted, 

 are confined to those whose commodities are sped 

 to their destination through the improved channels 

 of communication? Is the application of steam 

 to the purposes of navigation only advantageous 

 to those whose merchandise is transported in the 

 steam vessel? Are the great inventions of Whit- 

 ney and Arkwright and Hargrave only benefi- 

 cial to those whose cotton is submitted to the gin 

 and to the spinning machine? Their happy ef- 

 fects are felt wherever civilisation extends. It is 

 impossible to set limits to the results of those im- 

 provements, whether in the arts which produce, or 

 in the means of effecting an exchange of produc- 

 tion, by which fiuraan labor is abridged, and the 

 wealth of every clime distributed throughout the 

 world. How unfounded then is the objection we 

 have noticed. We are ourselves, at this moment, 

 reaping the advantage of the enterprise of other 

 Vol. VI.— 72 



countries. There is hardly a canrJ, rail-road or 

 turnpike in the most distinct section of the globe 

 which does not, directly or remotely, advance the 

 prosperity of Virginia. 



The promotion of the great agricultural and 

 manufacturing interests of the state, is intimately 

 connected with the objects of this convention. As 

 these important interests, however, have been es- 

 pecially entrusted to other committees, we forbear 

 to say more in relation to them, than to express 

 our sense of their magnitude. 



The committee cannot conclude without con- 

 gratulating the convention upon the bright au- 

 guries which are every where seen, of their final 

 and complete success. The spirit which has been 

 recently displayed in this commonwealth — nay, 

 throughout the whole southern country, shows 

 the intense interest felt by our people in the great 

 cause of commercial regeneration. Let it 

 not be doubted that their acts will be correspond- 

 ent with their resolutions. Already has one pa- 

 triotic county, securing the proud distinction of be- 

 ing the first to strike for commercial independence, 

 adopted measures which are in themselves the 

 consummation of their purposes. But though ^rsf, 

 it will notbealnne. An example so worthy of imi- 

 tation, cannot fail of its effect. From the sea-coast 

 to the mountain range, its contagion will be spread, 

 until it shall deprive of power, those who may 

 still retain inclination to disregard its influence. 



And is there no warrant for this expectation. 

 Were it even necessary to achieve our object by 

 voluntary sacrifices, have our people ever been re- 

 markable for a disinclination to submit to them ? 

 Have they held at a cheap price the interest, the 

 honor, the independence of the state? Have 

 they forgotten their duty, when it might be irk- 

 some to perform it; and shall it be doubted that 

 they will be equally mindlul of their obligations, 

 when private advantage, and national good con- 

 spire to direct their course? 



What is it that is expected from them? That 

 they will use the proper means to improve the 

 advantages with which they have been so liberal- 

 ly supplied ; — that thev will augment the resources 

 of their country — exalt its character, and increase 

 its strength — that they will free their commerce 

 from a taxation, which is not the less severe, that 

 it is voluntary, and discharge a duty to them- 

 selves, which apart from all nobler considerations, 

 every principle of selfishness would compel. 



More than this will not be demanded — less can- 

 not be expected. It is therefore with the most 

 undoubting confidence, that we anticipate the ul- 

 timate triumph of our cause. The indulgence of 

 such an expectation is surely no evidence of an 

 over-sanguine temperament. Success indeed may 

 be delayed. Time may roll on— difficulties may 

 avert — indolenc'e may dissuade and prejudice may 

 revile. But of final success, let us be all assured. 

 Success must be the prize of exertion ; aad exer- 

 tion cannot flag, when there is so much to stimu- 

 late it, in private interest and the general good — 

 in " self love and social "—in all our hopes of the 

 future, and all our recollections of the past. 



1. Resolved, That exchanges between nations 

 of their commodities should be effected with the 

 least possible delay and expense; and all other 

 things being equalj that an indirect and circuitous 

 transp')rfation is mutually disadvantageous in sub- 

 jecting the trade conduirted through euch channels 



