FARMERS' REGISTER— VIEW OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 



471 



seems to be fjeneral, (hat the adoption of a more 

 liberal system is essential to (he future prosperity 

 of the state; and that this cannot be effected by 

 individual exertion, unaided by con(ri])u(ions from 

 the public treasury. The report of (he board for 

 internal improvemen(s, will be (ransmi(ted to you 

 in a few days, and will aftbrd all (he informaiion 

 which (ha( body have been able to olitain, with re- 

 spect to our several road and navii;ation companies. 

 It affords me pleasure to state, that these details 

 will be calculaled to correct much misapprehen- 

 sion, and remove some prejudices with respect to 

 the attempts heretofore made to improve our inter- 

 nal condition. The situation of some of the corpora- 

 tions is much more prosperous, than many intelli- 

 gent individuals had supposed. That there v.cre 

 instances of mismana2:eme!i(, and (hat a portion of 

 the puV)lic funds has been expended without pro- 

 ducin2;any sulisiantial p:ood, cannot be controvert- 

 ed. But the actual puldic loss, will be found to be 

 much less than is <;enerally conjectured. When 

 it is recollected, that at the commencement of our 

 operations in 1818, and 1819, we were entirely in- 

 experienced, and found it impossible to obtain the 

 aid of a skilful engineer to direct our effor(s, (hat 

 several works were commenced simultaneously, 

 and the improvement instead of beginnino; at the 

 mouths, was commenced at the sources of the 

 rivers, the aggregate loss sustained is (he subject 

 neither of great surprise nor serious discourage- 

 ment. The information we have acquired, if it 

 does not compensate us for the exi)cnditure incur- 

 red in ob(aining i(,wili not prove without value. 

 The introduction of the rail road system, is the com- 

 mencement of a new era in the annals of physical 

 improvement. The cost of any given work can 

 be ascertained with so much correctness, before its 

 construction is attemp(ed, that prudent men will be 

 able to compare its probable value, with the pro- 

 posed expenditure, and arrive at a satisfactory con- 

 clusion, with respect to the propriety of engaging 

 in the enterprise. 



In addition to the information which will lie af- 

 forded by the report alluded to, with respect to (he 

 condition of the public works, the opinions of t!ie 

 board will, in obedience (o (he act of assembly 

 creating the corporation, be presented upon the 

 most important subjects connected with the inter- 

 nal improvement of the state. Whether the condi- 

 tion of our country is suscejjtible of the improve- 

 ments recommended.' — whether a fund shall be 

 created proportioned to (lie magnitude and impor- 

 tance of the enter[)rise to be accomplished.' — whe- 

 ther the public treasure shall be exclusively 

 employed, or adequate aid extended to incorporated 

 companies? are inquiries which have received the 

 anxious consideration of the board, and will be 

 submitted for your determination. My own 

 opinion is, that the great channels of inter-com- 

 munication, in which the whole community is 

 interested, and which, for that reason, will not pro- 

 bably attract, and are least likely to be effected by 

 individual enterprise — demand the exclusive at(en- 

 tion and patronage of the government. With 

 respect to improvements of a local character, I 

 think the safest, and jierhaps the wisest course for 

 the legislature to pursue, will be, to incorporate 

 companies in every section of the state where they 

 may be necessary ; and to subscribe for a uniform 

 portion of stock in each — on the condition that no 

 part of the public subscription shall be demanded 



until the private stockholders shall have paid, or 

 secure the payment of their subscriptions. Indi- 

 viduals will rarely be found anxious to engage in 

 a chimerical scheme ; and no more satisfactory 

 evidence of tise lu'acticability and usefulness of 

 any work, need be re<]uircd (Iian (he fact, that 

 those wlio recommend it to puldic patronage, are 

 willing to test the correctness of (heir opinions l)y 

 (rus(ing th.cir own capital to (he same hazard. W'e 

 know (oo, th.at individuals ordinarily expend their 

 own resources with more prudence and forecast, 

 than those who have the management of an exclu- 

 sively public fund. If it shall be considered 

 advisable, (hat the public shall ultimately own any 

 particular work of this character, it may be made 

 a condition in the charter, that the state may at 

 any time resume the franchise, upon the payment 

 of a stipulated sum to (he stockholders. 



The report of the president and directors of the 

 literary fund whicii will be submdted to your con- 

 sideration at an early day, will shew the result, so 

 far as it has been tried, of the only attempt we 

 have yet made to establish " schools for the conve- 

 nient instruction of youth, w i(h such salaries to the 

 masters, paid by the j)ublic, as may enable them 

 (o instruct at low prices." The airgregate amount 

 of the fund is at present too small, to justify our 

 entering upon any general system of education. 

 Indeed, were this fund much larger, it may well 

 be doubted whether (he period has yet arrived, 

 when it can be judiciously expended for the pro- 

 motion of the wise and lienevolent purposes con- 

 (empVa(ed by the founders of our government 

 The sjjarseness of our ])opulation presents great, 

 perhaps, insuperable difficulties. When, as the 

 result of a wise and liberal system of legishUion, 

 (he inlets upon our coast shall receive the improve- 

 ment of which they are susceptible; when our 

 great natural highways, the rivers connected wi(h 

 them, shall assume that condition, in which Provi- 

 dence designs they shall be placed by our hands; 

 when these cliannels of communication shall be 

 intersec(ed by rail roads and canals; and as the 

 natural consequence of this state of things, agri- 

 culture shall receive her appropriate reward, we 

 will have laid the foundation of a school system, as 

 extensive as our limits, and as enduring as our 

 prosperity. A few individuals will not have 

 been selected and cherished as the peculiar objects 

 of public patronage; but the general character of 

 the country will be eleva{ed,and thousands now 

 too poor to afford (he blessings of education to 

 their children, will find this, though the most im- 

 p:>rtant, but one of many advantages incident to 

 an improved condition of life. Ex(ended commer- 

 cial facilides will stimula(e to agricultural exer- 

 tion ; — increased produ( tion alTord the means of 

 education ; and (lie diffusion of knowledge operates 

 as the most certain preventive of crime. A more 

 liberal scheme would be belter suited (o the condi- 

 tion of older and richer communities, and I trust 

 the day is not very distant when it will be so to 

 ours. 



From the phraseology of the act establishing the 

 literary fund, doubts are entertained whether the 

 intention of the legislature w as to transfer to that 

 corporation , (he proceeds of (he vacant and unappro- 

 priated swamp lands, or the other lands themselves. 

 Acting upon the latter impression, the directors 

 have prepared a plan, by which it is proposed to 

 drain and bring into market^ a particular tract of 



