TO THE HON. tHE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VmCINIA : The petition of the undersigned, citizens of the county of , respectfully represents, That on the 2nd day of October, 1848, a Convention, composed of delegates from eighteen counties and cities, assembled in Siaunton, for the purpose oí considering what measures should be recommended to the General Assembly o( Virginia for the promotion of the cause of Internal Improvement, Alter much discussion and deliberation the Conventi m adopted the ioilowing resolutions i 1st Resolved, As the opinion oí this Convention that the Legislature should extend such liberal sup¬ port to the great lines of improvement now being constructed, as would bring into market the abundant natural resources of the Commonwealth. 2nd Resolved, As the opinion oí this Convention that the General Assembly should commence without delay making appropriations for the construction of a Hail-Road on State account, suitable for the trans¬ portation of heavy buithens from some point near the head of Steam-Boat navigation on the Kanawha river, to some pointât or near Covington, having in view its future extension to the most suitable point on the Ohio River. 3rd Resolved, That the Blue Ridge of mountains constitutes a barrier to the communication between the Hastern and Western parts of the State, the removal of which is an object oí great interest to the whole Commonwealth ; and, therefore, the General Assembly ought to appropriate a sum adequate to the con¬ struction of the Louisa Rail Road from the Eastern to the Western base, requiring the Louisa Rail-Road Company to pay into the treasury of the Commonwealth a reasonable sum on the staple productions of the country and a capitation tax on all passengers, transported over that portion of the road. 4th Resolved, That the capital of the Louisa Rail-Road Company ought to be increased so as to ena¬ ble.them to extend their road to a point at or near Covington. Other resolutions were adopted by the same Convention, but as they call for no Legislative action it is unnecessary to say any thing in regard to them. It will be seen from these resolutions taken together that whilst the Convention considered it important to promote all the great works, now in a course of construction in Virginia, they regard the extension of the Louisa Rail-Road, so as to present an unbroken line of communication from Richmond to the Ohio river, as of pre-eminent interest and utility. The project of connecting the Eastern and Western waters by some means of communication has, for more than half a century, been a favourite in Virginia. It was recommended by Washington—earnestly advocated by Marshall, and sanctioned by repeated Legislative enactments. It would be a waste of words to argue in support of it at this day.—Every one is prepared to concede that if it could be accomplished it Avould pour a flood of wealth and prosperity into our Old Commonwealth. The only questions remaining open are in regard to its feasibility and the best mode of accomplishing it. Before proceeding to consider the question in these aspects it may not be amiss to bring to the attention of the General Assembly an argument in favour of the construction of the work which has sprung out of recent great political events. When the subject ot opening a line of communication between the James River and Kanawha was discuss¬ ed before the General Assembly some years ago, the trade and travel which were to be attracted by it through our territory to our Metropolis, were regarded by the least sanguine of our citizens as holding out ample inducements for its construction. Those calculations were undoubtedly well founded, and whenever the work shall be completed, will be verified by the practical results. But since that day a new state of things has arisen, and new elements of national wealth and prosperity are opening to our vision. By our recent treaties with Great Britain and Mexico, our title to the greater part of the Oregon territory has been recognised and established, and an almost boundless territory west and south-west of our ancient bounda¬ ries has been ceded to us. The mouth of the Columbia River and harbors of San Diego and San Francis¬ co, the best ports on the Pacific Ocean, have passed into our hands. Already our enterprising citizens are crowding to those distant shores, and in a few years we shall have a densely populated cordon of States, extending from the Mexican to the British boundary lines. An immense trade will naturally spring up be¬ tween the cities on our Pacific coast and the Islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and all the coun¬ tries stretching along the Asiatic Continent more than seven thousand miles from Kamtschatka to the Straits of Babelmandel.—Of the extent and value of that trade it would be impossible, with the lights now before us, to form any just estimate ; but no one can doubt that we will successfully compete for it with all the world. The products of those countries must seek an outlet in Europe and on our Atlantic coast.— The route aroud Cape Horn, equal to a voyage around the entire globe, with its perils, and delays, will nev¬ er satisfy the wants of our progressive population. The next thing in the natural succession of events wiU be a Rail-Road from San Diego or San Francisco to some point on the Mississippi, most probably St. Louis or Memphis, and thus we shall have the trade of the East disembogued at that point, and the.sub¬ ject of eager and earnest competition among all our Atlantic cities. New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, Richmond and Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, will all press their claims, and it is easy to see that the first occupant, or in other words, the city which is first prepared with the facilities to attract it, will clutch the prize. That the Virginia route by way of the Valleys of the Ohio, and the Ka¬ nawha, and the James, possesses greater advantages than any of the others will hardly be disputed by any one who has an accurate knowledge of the topography of the country. This stupendous enterprize of a Rail-Road from the Mississippi to the Pacific coast may seem visional to some persons ; but to those who have carefully viewed the progress of our western cities, many oí which, in ten years from their foundation, before the stumps ot the primeval forests have rotted within their limité, reckon their population by tens of thousands, and their assessments of property by millions of dollars, it will appear to be not only a possible but at} inevitable event. Already it engages a large share of pub¬ lic attention. The public prints are teeming with able essays commending the scheme to the favorable consideration of the nation—and the politicians who are eo keen to scent the popular gale are its avowed advocates. Under these circumstances it js hazarding iittje to say that before twenty years shall have pass¬ ed away, this grand scheme will have been partially, if not entirely, executed. Shall Virginia be prepared for the contest which then awaits her? is an enquiry which addresses itself to the State pride, no less than to the enlightened self-interest of all her citizens. ■ But leaving these more remote but attractive views of the subject, let us return to the consideration of the questions as to the feasibility and best means of eflfecting the communication. That it is practicable to effect it has been demonstrated by actual surveys to be found in the office of the second Auditor, and in the reports of the James River Company. At one time it was considered not only practicable, but expedient to effect it by a line of water commu¬ nication. Of late years, however, there has been a great change in the public mind on the question of ex¬ pediency. Most practical men have come to the conclusion that Rail-Roads possess so many advantages over Canals in regard to cheapness of construction, velocity and certainty of communication, and freedom from obstruction by breakages in the line, and by ice in winter and drought in summer, that there is an al¬ most unanimous sentiment in favor of the former. It may be assumed then that the communication, if made at all, is to be by Rail-Road ; and the only question remaining is, by what route shall it be made ? Some advocate a new line of Kail-Road commencing at Richmond and extending thence, by a sweep south-westwardly to the Mississippi Valley. Others contend that the road should commence at Lynchburg and go thence westwardly to a terminus in the same great Valley. The Staunton Convention recommended that the grand improvement should be engrafted on the Louisa Rail-Hoad, which has already been constructed to a point near Charlottesville, and is now under contract to the biastern base of the Blue Ridge. Various considerations seem to your petitioners to recommend the last named line to the favorable con¬ sideration of the Legislature. That route is not only the shortest and cheapest, but more than one hundred miles of the line are actual¬ ly finished or under contract. The State is largely interested in this work, and it passes through a country which has no other convenient outlet to market. By adopting either of the other routes you would raise up a rival to the road which you have already contributed to biuld, and you would expend an immense a- mount of money to afford facilities to districts of country already amply supplied with outlets to markets ; and when you shall have constructed the road on either of them, one hundred miles, you will have gained not one dollar of additional trade to your Metropolis, and you will have subtracted large amounts of ton¬ nage from the James River Canal, and from your other improvements, on the South side of James River. On the other hand, when you shall have extended the road from the Eastern base of the Blue Ridge, 100 miles to Covington, you will have penetrated into the heart of the Commonwealth—you will have tapped the great Valley with its inexhaustable treasures of agricultural and mineral wealth—you will have suppli¬ ed a speedy and convenient means of access to the mineral Springs, inviting thousands of strangers to spend their summers in the mountains of Virginia—you will have attracted the travel from the West, by furnishing a shorter and a better route from Cincinnati than either the Baltimore or Philadelphia lines, and you will, as each section of the road westward is completed, be augmenting the travel and tonnage on the whole line of the Louisa-Road, in a ratio almost equal to the square of the distance of the extension New elements of wealtn will be developed—iron works will spring up along the whole line—agricultu¬ ral production will be stimulated to a degree hardly to be conceived by those who have not seen with their own eyes the effects of such improvements, and a general amelioration of the moral, physical and intellec¬ tual condition of the people will be the natural and speedy consequences of the diffusion of wealth and comfort througout the country. The construction of the first section of the Western line, beginning at the western terminus at Charles¬ ton or the Salines, on the Kanawha, will be followed by results almost as important. The travel from the Western waters will soon >eek that line, affording as it will so many attractions, by its magnificent scenery, and health-giving atmosphere. The pregnatit mountain, too, will soon pour out their teeming treasures of minerals and cannel coal, which is to be found in inexhaustable quantities near the falls of the Kanawha, and a trade wdl spring into existence which will yeild large returns, not only to those engaged in it, but to the road in the form of tolls, and to the Commonwealth in the enhancement of her lands and the other subjects of taxation. Every mile, made on either section, tending toward their connection, will add to the profit, not only of the particular section, but of the whole line, by holding out invitations to trade and travel to seek it, until finally the gap between them shall disappear, and the most sanguine hopes of the work will be iff filled. The great error in the policy of Virginia heretofore has been, in giving a merely local character to her improvements. Tne James River Canal was first projected. It penetrated to Lynchburg, and then it be¬ came manifest that the canal system was not adequate to the wants of the public and was behind the spirit of the age, and it was in a measure abandoned. The Richmond, Petersburg and Roanoke road was made, & then the Portsmouth road was constructed as a rival to it. The Louisa Rail-Road was constructed, extending 100 miles into the interior, and now there are va¬ rious new schemes on foot tofritter away the resources of the state in half a dozen improvements radiating from Richmond like the spokes in a coach wheel, to the distance of 100 miles, and then to perish for want of trade & travel to nourish and sustain them. It is easy to see how much more wise it would be to extend an existing road 100 miles long, by adding another section of 100 miles to it, than to construct another, independent road of 100 miles in length. In the former case, one set of ofiicers and agents and one set of cars and engines will answer all purposes, whilst in the latter all must be doubled. Moreover, the travel and tonnage which is attracted by the additional section of 100 miles will pass over the original road, and thus double the profits on the original section. The interest of the commercial mart is also promoted by this system. Richmond now commands all the trade of the country within 100 miles of it, and if you construct ten ad¬ ditional roads she can command no more, except the increase which the stimulus given to production would naturally supply. But every section of ten miles added to the Louisa Rail-road would be penetrating into a new country and not only increasing production, but would be attracting trade which previously was drawn to Baltimore. And so also with regard to travel. The thousands of persons who now go down the Valley to Baltimore, and up the Ohio to Wheeling and thence to Cumberland, would be drawn by a Ïlail-Road toRichmond, and hundreds of citizens of Western Virginia who now remain at home in the winter vhrough fear of inclement weather and almost impassable roads, would gladly avail themselves of the oppor¬ tunity atforded by a Rail.Road to participate in the festivities of the Metropolis, and the displays of states¬ manship and eloqence which are so often to be enjoyed in our Legislative halls. Your memorialists have not thought it necessary to enter into any statistical details on this important subject. The surveys are not accessible to them, but are open to the inspection of your Honorable body.— Being anxious to avoid the danger of misstating any fact they preferred merely giving a general outline of their views with a reference to the second Auditor's office for details. The time has now arrived for Virginia to decide whether she will avail herself of the natural advantages which she possesses, and become a competitor,and as we believe a successful competitor, for the richest prize that ever stimulated human exertion, or whether she will—not sell her birthright for a mess of pottage, but let it pass from her hands because she is too indolent to retain it. The first obstacle to be overcome is the natural barrier interposed between the East and the West by the Blue Ridge of mountains—a barrier which has done more to estrange Virginian from Virginian, and bro¬ ther from brother, than all other causes moral and physical combined. Your memorialists ask that that barrier, which private enterprise cannot overcome, may be re¬ moved by the strong arm of the Commonwealth. A few hundred thousand dollars will accomplish it. The corporate Company will then take up the work at the western mouth of he tunnel and press it on rap¬ idly in its westward course. Augusta stands pledged forthwith to extend it to Staunton, and thence west¬ ward to Covington there is no natural obstacle worth naming to obstruct its progress Remove the barrier of the Rlue Ridge, and the whole trade ot Augusta, Rockingham, Bath, Highland, Pendleton, Randolph and Pocahontas, will be drawn to Richmond instead of Baltimore. The broadsides of flour,®and pork, and beef, and iron, and apples, and the thousand products of the west, will be returned by a steady fire of groceries, and hardware, and dry-goods, and fish, and oysters, from the lowlands. And the thousands who will come to the mountains in the summer in quest of health and recreation, will find their visits returned by the sturdy mountaineers who will seek pleasure and amusement amid the refinements and luxuries of the Metropolis. Strike down this barrier and soon we shall see the jealousies and distrust which now divide our people, and sometimes threaten to sever the bond of union between us, will disappear. A fraternal feeling will spring up, founded on sentiments of mutual confidence and affection, and cemented by mutual interests,—and we shall behold our people again united in sentiment—recognizing no sectional or geographical divisions—forgetting all former dissensions between the East and the West, and waging no other contest with each other than such as springs from a patriotic emulation as to which shall do most to promote the honor and welfare of the Old Dominion. iThe Wealtli; Resources, and Hopes of VIRGINIA, •CHAPTER Ï. Ifrench SieamsMjps to N^orfolh,-^Why Saut/iern 'Oornmerce has gone to the North —PopyMtion qf Virginia^—Her Inter^ial Improvements^—Her Heal -and Hemoncd Estate and General Weattli and Prosperiiyf—How She -cam, falfil her Destiny. M, La-coptuíib, a leadmg Frencîi ■capitalist, adtirc^sed a Ici-te^t to Gcveilaot Wise upoa tiie subject of a line' of Steamers iVom Xorlblk te Havre or Nautes» M. Laooütltie bas earnestly emploj-cd hiDiseîf m a-rraiigiag a liao of Steam¬ ships from tlie "waters of James river to some port in France, acting in behalf of the Franeo-AmericaH trans-Atlantic navigation ecmpany, ivhb:}! hits a. •<-apital of 18,000,000 francs,^—owns eight screXv steamers of 2000 to 2500 tons each, ami is building two others of 8500 tons each, it has established already lines to Rio Janeiro, New York, and New Orleans, ami is dis^yosed to open immediately a navigation line with Norfolk, by uniting itself with a Virginia ■company that will furnish •one-half of the necessarj^ material. If the OommoaweaUh of Vii'ginia will consent to pay the sum of twe&ty-tiVe thousand dollars per voyage, the Fx'anco-Amerioan company will engage to establish a inoHthly service, between Norfolk and Jia\Te or Nantes, To the letter, and to these pi'oposals. Gov. Wise has made a reply in behalf of Virginia, which is one of the ablest, most patriotic, and truly interesting pa¬ pers that has ever emanated from his pen. It admirably uatbkls tlie causes that have retaixied the advance of Vii*ginia, as well as of the other Southei-n. States—^exhibits her resources and increasing wealth, and points to the means of future commercial opulence. We insert almost the enth*e letter in this pam* phlet, believing that it will be a service to the south at largcv The economical condition of the State of Virginia, and the ^uses which have influenced or aflected its results, need to be explained and underetood. It is not wonderful tliat they are so misunderstood abroad, whilst they are so little apprehended at home, and that strangere should err about our interest, whilst our own people have neglected to generalize the facts of our history, and our neighbore in the sister States of the Confede¬ racy have not failed to make a profit out of tlie anomalies of onr modes of life, and at the same time to misrepresent our indns- . trial character. 2 ïn the first place, I call your atteutiou to the fact that our first settlers teere all planters, and the earliest interest of our people was a plantation interest. This was something more characteristic than an agricultural interest simply. It was an- occupation of land in very large extent, by liberal proprietors, who cultivated staple crops of tobacco, gi-ain and cotton, by slave operatives, whom they were encouraged by Great Britain to import from Africa, during the whole time of our colonial existence. This in itself was opposed to the concentration of capital and population necessary to generate trade and com¬ merce. At the same time the mother country discouraged the navi¬ gation and commereial interest of all the colonies, and monopo¬ lized the carrying trade almost entirely to herself. Again : Looking at the map of Tirginia, you see the whole Atlantic low-lands watered by the Potomac, the Rappahannock, the Piankatank, the rivers of Mobjack bay, the York, the James, and the Roanoke, streams rising in the great Appalachian chain of mountains, and running a few miles only apart from each other in parallel lines, from Avesfto east, and all of them, ex¬ cept the last, emptying into the grand reservoir of the Chesa¬ peake bay, which entirely cuts off the main eastern peninsula.. Thus all the eastern and first settled part of the territory was .found naturally divided into no less than seven distinct penin¬ sulas, separated from each other by eight considerable bodies of -uavigable waters. TJp all these waters the tonnage of Great Britain came and found facilities of shipment every where, deep water, wharfage, and accessibility to navigation up to the very steps of the Blue Ridge of the Alieghanies. This also tended to difiuse ])opulation and capital, and pre¬ vented the concentration of either at any one point to form a city for purposes of commerce. Every plantation found a laud¬ ing at its own fields or near in its neighborhood, and but a ship load had to be collected at any one locality, such was the con¬ venience to and fj'om market of the earliest settlements in Eas¬ tern Virginia. Again : When population moved westward, it crossed tl% Blue Ridge mountains into a rich and beautiful valley running north and south, which has no natural outlet but at its northern terminus in our limits, and it had to pour its products out of our marts into those of the adjoining State of Maryland, at the head of the Chesapeake bay. And when it crossed the next and par¬ allel ridge of the Alieghanies, it settled upon rivers flowing westwarcl into the great basin of the Mississippi, and had to send its products by the Monongahela and the Guyandotte .and s îlie two Kanawhas and the Sandy, to float on the Ohio, to bnild np Pittsburg and Cincinnati and ISTew Orleans, cities of Penn¬ sylvania, Ohio, and Louisiana. Thus, by every geographical and geological cause were our ,]>eople segregated into separate communities, and divided from each other and all mutual commercial dependency. Thus, at the beginning, from all the character of their settlers and inter- •ests, and of their operatives in labor, from the nature of their various territory, from both physical'convenience and necessity, the habitudes of our people were formed anti-commercial. They grew up a planting and purely pastoral people, segregated and isolated in a way utterly opposed to the concentration of popu¬ lation and caj)ital, to the building of cities and of ships, and to tlie encouragement of the mechanic arts, all depending np)on commerce. Again .: Besides these causes, a great oceanic cause compell- ■od the concentration of commerce atlSlew York, as long assails ■liave been the motors by se:j. The icebergs of the Arctic and the trade winds ot' the Tro.pics and the Gulf stj-eam, have made currents of water and of air so delined in lhci.i' course and limits, that whether a ship sail from Florida ca.pe or Barnegat, frmn Ghesapeake bay or ISTewibnudland hanks, she )>as to take the f Piiiladelphia with New Y'ork, for commeacial supremacy. She Ivad more •capital than New York, higher commercial character, was the centre for many years of the financial means of government, and lacked neither ambition nor enterprise to contend for the mastery, but she was obliged to yield. Her shijjs would get to die capes of Delaware, whilst tlie competing New Yorker, beaten ]iei"haps on the way, turned in direct to port, and hud 4 ottt her shipping lists whilst the Philadelphia ship was slowly beating up a swan neck channel. The two day's delay deter¬ mined the struggle. Philadelphia had to withdraw from the- contest, became a distributing point for New York importations.. and sagaciously turned her capital to manufacturing. And yei sJie'has not gone 'behind hand, nor have we, by not struggling against natural and unoontrdiable causes. Slie has ceased com¬ paratively to import, but she has gained and not lost thereby, and thus far so have we. In this we have done wisely and avell, and this I Avill try to shoAv. By the operation of these causes we have begun and ke]>t ourselves an agricultural people, producers of the raw material, relying on manual labor in planting and grazing, and as yet left commerce, and mining, and manufacturing, and the mechanic arts to the concentrated population and capital and skill of othcr people. And thereby Ave haA'e lost nothing, the Avorld has gained a great deal, and we have fulfilled a mighty destiny in the moral and political field, greater than the achievements of trade and arts in the ¡jhysics of other States. We have no cities but we have a meliorated country populace, ciA^ilized in the solitude, gracious in the amenities of life, and refined and eon- seiwatiA'e in social habits. We have little u-vwciufef? but more individual wealth than any eqiial number of aa'hite population in the United States. We have no mechauie aifs, but are bet¬ ter able, en masse, to own their utensils than the people are avIkv manufacture them. Our labor in the pa.st has been and at pre¬ sent is better employed than to manufacture them ourselves. We have no commerce, that is, we aie not our oaaui carriers, but Ave supply the very pabulum of commerce, Avhich avouM not be- so largely and Avell supplied if we Avere to turn traders. We are Avmting in a body of laboring white yeomanry, but our operatives are slaA'es, an inferior race, AAdio are blessed by a patriarchal government, of benign domestic rule which super¬ vises eA'ery want and provides for it ; and this affords a class of masters Avho ha\'e leisure for the cultivation of morals, man¬ ners, philosophy, and politics, which has given the nation its lieroes and sages, and its blessings of free gOAmrnment, and its Avisdom of administration in the field and in the cabinet. We have not as many people by the census as commerce and manufactures would account for ; but avo have kept at home more than a million and a half on 60,000 square miles, and sent more thau any other old State to settle the western empire of States, at a time Avhen national development called for the policy of dispersion of po])ulation from the old to the ncAv States. Immigration from Europe supplied the demand 5 of the inamifacturing States, but the causes enumerated were- required to settle Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas. And besides these jrlanting States, Yirginia has contributed to fill up Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, "Wisconsin, and now California, Kansas, and Nebraska. She has emigrants and their descendants in these States and territories, equal to the number she has retained at home. And this has given her a moral infiuence equal to if not exceeding the power of rail¬ roads, canals, and denser population. If she has not constructed the former and increased the latter, she has built up empires of free States to acknowledge her maternity, to sustain her polity, and to i'eel her sympathies and ties of political affinity. She lias produced the population which has gone forth from her iJiomh^ and they have fructified and multiplied so as to strengthen hei- stakes in the Confederacy of States. If she has not com¬ merce as yet, she has this, and this is not going Tjehind commerce, and she has done lier ])art for commerce too, for she has fui-- nished to New York her full proportion ot raw material to make up the audit of a great American mart, besides a direct trade of §5,405,867 of exports, and §692,395 of imports per annum. In all aspects then she has not gone backwards, nor stood still in the race of empire ; and this is proved by the moral force she now wields in the nation, rs'ith thirteen federal ]'epresentatives only, as compared with Ohio, Pennsylvania, oi' New York, each having nearlv double her number in Congress. If she does not wield stocks on exchange, she docs have the powei'-of a first rate State in the cabinet of Government, and in the conservation of society. And during all this time, from first to last, she has not, as has been supposed, nc'glected her pln^sical iniprovemcnts. Her tmdertakings of grand works were among the very earliest, and she gave birth to the first conceptions of tlie greatest enterpri¬ ses which have since been executed and realized by applied science in our country. By turning your eye to '• A New Chapter in the Early Life of Washington, in connection with the Narrative History of the Potomac Company, by .lohn Pickell," qmblished by D. Appleton & Co., New York, 1856, you will see that it was the Virginia mind which anticipated every idea of He Witt Clin¬ ton; that it was the forecast of Washington which opened u]> to view the most extensive connections of North America, reaching indeed across the continent in space to California, and down the tide of time to the very ideas of improvements of this present day and hour. And under the influence of Wash.- 6 ingfcon, tlie State and private contributors expended nearly a million on the Potomac river in commencement of the policy of that development of internal trade which is now exciting uni¬ versal wonder. It is a greater wonder still that any mind should so early have comprehended the plan and practicability of a policy so astounding ; and though the first efibrt was a failure for want at the time of trained civil engineers, yet the conception was there then, if not the art of manipulation,, and the spirit of enteiijrise and development was sent forth from the Virginia oracle at Mount Vernon. That spirit has not ceased to brood over our territory and our destiny. After pro¬ jecting the great Chesapeake and Ohio canal, resulting from the Potomac company, Virginia organized and put into progress the great James River and Kanawha company, and has execu- - ted 200 miles of its canal at an expense of nine millions. Also the Dismal Swamp canal, 23 miles, at a cost of $1,112,000. And her railroads are numerous and extensive. Koi-folk has penetrated North Carolina by eighty railes, costing one and n half million, and has another road to Petersburg of eighty miles, at a probable cost of one and a half million. Petersburg has connected herself with North Carolina's great Southern route, by sixty-three miles, at a cost of one million ; and with Rich¬ mond, by twenty-two miles, at a cost of $1,150,000 ; and with Lynchbm-g, by the South Side road, of 123 miles, at a cost of $2,975,000. Richmond has penetrated the Roanoke valley to Danville, 143 miles, at a cost oí four millions ; has reached the Tennessee line by the Southwestern road, 204 miles, at a cost of five and a half millions ; has touched the Potomac by her Fredericksburg road, 75 miles, at a cost of one and three quar¬ ter million ; has nearly completed her Central road, by 180 miles, at a cost of four and a quarter millions ; has her York rh-er road in progress, 38 miles, at a probable cost of one mil¬ lion ; and has 34 miles of road in operation to her coal mines, at a cost of something less than a million. Alexandria has her Orange road complete to Gordonsville, 88 miles, at a cost of 'two and three quarter millions; and crossing the Central, is reaching south to Lynchburg, 80 miles, at a probable cost of $1,200,0^00; and has her Manassas road penetrating the valley to Harrisonbui-g, 139 miles, at a cost of three and a half mil¬ lions. Wheeling has her part of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad complete between the Ohio and the Patapsco, 382 miles in all, ata cost of twenty-three millions; and-Parkers- burg has her branch of the same complete to the forks of the Potomac, 103 miles, at a cost of four and a half millions. These, besidep innumerable smaller railroads, and turnpikes, and im- provemenfcs of navigable streams, costing tbe State, other than individuals, in the aggregate about |6,703,000, are, ia addition to the great works now in progress on State account, the Blue Kidge and the Covington and Ohio roads, 2éï miles, at a pro¬ bable cost of $16,000,000. Thus, you see what a variety and extent of works Virginia has begun and is going on with, and what an amount she has already expended upon these enterprises of the greatest magni¬ tude,- notwithstanding that she is so reproached with being laggard in tlie exertion to develop her resources—making in tlie aggregate 223 miles of canal, and 1820 miles of railroad, at a grand total expenditure of nearly 70 millions of dollars. The causes of delay in beginning and completing her works, were obstructions of an extraordinary character, not hindering another State, new or old. Her social and territorial conform¬ ation not only segregated her communities, but detached her plans of public improvement into separate and independent and competing schemes ; they wanted unity, entirety, and con¬ centration. Again ; Cast your eye upon the map of her mo-untain ranges, and you see that from the point where she first touches the steps of the Blue Bidge with her great canal or her roads, to the point trans-Allcghany, where she can connect thenr with the Ohio waters, she must pass over or through a back-bone of from one to two hundred miles of mountains running in parallel ridges, northeast and southwest across her entire limits. Tun¬ nel after tunnel, at short intervals, arrests her progress, and makes each work one of patient labor and of time. She has to overcome a summit level of nearly 2000 feet, for a breadth from east to west, which no other people on the continent, no more than Virginians, have as yet overcome. Another obstruc¬ tion of improvement has been a very defective system of land laws, preventing dense settlement of population by the con¬ fusion of titles which' involved the western people in litigation, and drove them from our locations to other States, settled under the land ordinance of the United States, by regular surreys, entries, and registries. We have had no land system; our warrants of location were left to private selection ; the State has issued patents without proper tests of titles ; and thus surveys, entries, and titles,-have become confused and uncertain, and litigation has depopulated the very western territory vhich most needed settlers to develop our newer, larger, richer re¬ gions of the Commonwealth. This cause, I trust, will be removed for the future by our next General Assembly. Another obstruction in the past, up to 1851, was the anorna- 8 îoiis cOTulition in which our divided territory had placed our ]iopular representation in the legislature. The inountaiiis divided our people into three sections, with apparent diversity and opposition of interests. The eastern slope, with every facility to market, had-the power of representation ; the jiew, rugged, western mountains and valleys, without access to mar¬ ket, except on the hoofs of fat cattle, had the majority of population, and felt the necessity ot taxation for development. Thus the power of the State was divided -aqainst the necessity of the State. The necessity was on one sicle of the mountain and the representation on the other. The atmggle to equalize the representation according to the number of qitizens and voters, engendered strife and sectional antagonism. The east then felt the necessity to be taxed for roads and canals, and had the majority of representatives to withhold appropriations to ))ublic works ; the west was obliged to got to market, and demanded representation according to the number of sovereign voters, in order to exert the legislative power of taxation to ' millions. In 1850 the maximum estimate was 600 miilions, shomng an increase in half a decade of 200 millions. Besides this permanent value, already acquired, the State has nearlv 16 millions of acres of unimproved Ixmd yet to he devdvped and appreciated, and has besides an cmmtal product of 75,000 hogsheads of tobacco ; 15 millions bushels of wheat ;■ 500,000 bushels of rye ; 40 millions bushels of corn ; 12-| millions bushels of oats ; 4 millions pounds of wool ; half million bushels of peas and beans ; 14 million bushels of Irish, and 24 millions bushels of sweet potatoes ; 250,000 bushels of barley and buck¬ wheat ; 12 millions pounds of butter ; half million pounds of cheese, half million tons of hay ; one million pounds of fliix, besides 50 tons of hemp ; IJ million pounds of sugar—^besides her other innumerable agricultural products, and the products of her mines of iron, copper-, coal, salt, gypsmn, lime, and the products of her forests and her fisheries. And she has a peculiar source of wealth in her extensive region of mineral watei-s, her hygeia alone bringing in a million and a half at least of income in cash per annum. And, sir, be not startled rvhen I assm-e you that all this is small —is nothing—^when compared with the development—the gush - of confluent production of which we are on the eve. Our pro¬ gress thus far has been slow, gradual, aye, on v hard, ascending- grade, but we have reached a summit level. When Virginia shall have completed her leading State line to the Ohio river, from Covington to the mouths ot the Kanawha and the Sandy rivers, and connected her communication with the great net¬ work of the roads and canals in the whole north-west—when she shall have carried her James river and Kanawha canal across the Alleghanies, and joined the watei-s of the Chesapeake to those of the Ohio—when her southwest line to Memphis shall have finished its last link, now only about fifty miles micomple- ted—-when that line shall have been connected with the works of Kentucky as well as tliose of Tennessee—when the Central 11 Toad shall have been connected with the great Southwestern road—when the Baltimore and Ohio road shall have been tiu'ii- ed at the great iron and coal fields on the Potomac, down that river to the citj of Alexandria—when the Valley shall haA^e been made to pour its prodnce^through the Manassas gap, by a connection with Fredericksburg, into the Rappahannock as well as into the Potomac at Alexandria—^when the York river road shall be completed from 'Richmond to West Point—when Rich¬ mond shall have connected herself with the North Carolina works by the i)anville road—when the James and Appomattox rivers shall have been cleared of their bars up to Richmond and Petersburg—when the State shall, in addition to the improve¬ ment of the navigation of the James river, have sCnt a line of railroad directly down to thirty feet of wateP at some eligible point on the Hampton Roads (Norfolk)—when these, or the chief of these works shall have been accomplished—we will have radiated back to every point of the interior—a confluence of the trade of the continent will have taken place, through its centre, ■on the shortest lines, in the best temperature of climate, and a convergence of transportation, and concentration of wealth and population will be found at a point where there is a harbor spa¬ cious enough and deep enough for all the merchant and naval marine of the world, and afiording a site for a city rivaling in the course of time New York or London. And the accomplish- 7uent of this confluence and convergence and conceutration will find Virginia an empire in herself, in the anomalous condition of an old State with all the undeveloped resources of a new State, and of a new State with all the ameliorations of an, old State.^ Her old eastern fields, derided for exhaustion, will not be count¬ ed any longer a curse, for they are cleared of the virgin forest which lequires so much work for the log wood-axe in the hands t)f first laborers in the new States ; and the -ways Avill then be ■opened to fields of coal and iron and limestone of the richest quality and greatest variety in immediate juxtaposition, ten-told larger than those of Pennsylvania ; to mines of copper ore of unknow-n extent : to innumerable and exhaustless springs of salt, which btrbble up from natural crevices and through artesian bores, with naphtha and gas to perform all the uses of light and 'fuel, without wood or coal ; to the luxuriant pastures of more than ten thousand hills and valleys now uncropped by horses, cattle, mules, or swine ; and to a sheep-walk for wool-wmalth un- equaled in Saxony or England : to a greater extent of water- power for manufacturing than is known in any other territory of the same dimensions : to mountain forests of giant timber without stint, and to the lumber of the low-lands of the growth in salt sea air^ tlie- fittest for sliip-building : to immense fisfieries- of shad and herrings and a great variety of other fioating fish in every river of the eastern slope : to & juspubUemti of more than 2,000 square miles of oysters and other shell-fish^ yielding now more than thirty millions of bushels, and employing nearly 100,- 000 tons of coasting vessels ;■ to every variety of soil for agricul¬ ture, horticulture and arboriculture, in every variety of climatt^ from sites for the turnip^ to the garden for the strawberry, the peach, the pomegranate, and the fig, as sweet asihose of Smyr¬ na. To these—all these—and more resources in all Ywginia^s own limits, and now undeveloped and almost untouched ! And tins will show you that Yirginicûs counted and uncounted wealth alone is enough to justify all her expenditure and taxa¬ tion, past and prospective. But if Yirginia was a waste from the seaboa/rd to the Ohio, without a tithe of this perpetual re- . source, still the back countiy beyond her is interminable and exhaustless, and her eligibility of track far its produce is worth ten-fold more millions than she can ever be called on to expend. A trrack simply mediterranean^ on her temperate line of lati¬ tude of 37 deg., due west from the Chesapeake to the Ohio, and from the Ohio to Mississippi, wo%dd, to emumerate nothing elsCy add two months of labor to Ohio, Indiana^ Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and the whole of tJw JYorthwest,. against the obstruction of frost in winter ^ on northern lines to the Atlantic, and against the low stages of water in the Western rivers in summer / and would save millions worth pen anrmm; of Western fiov/rfrom souring, and of Western pml from spoil¬ ing, by being sent through our lines, instead of South down the river by New Orleans and through the Gidf of Mexico. And that track don't stop at the Mississippi, but goes on to the gold mines of California, and takes the China trade at San Francisco, and brings along with it back the continental trade of ISTorth America, in a belt expanding from the Messilla valley in the southwest to Minnesota in the northwest, and converging- through Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee on the southern, and through Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio on the northern limb, to the focus of the trade with Europe at the mouth of the Chesapeake, the last and only point fit for large shipping between Philadelphia and New Orleans, aU the rest of the coast being Hatteras bound. The race track of lightning after light around the globe is directly over and across North America from the Chesapeake to San Francisco ; and when it j-eaches there, it will telegraph one ocean as it has the other—■ America China, as England America ! With our own connec¬ tions, and a Pacific road on this track, we will heap up pabu- 13 luin enough on the quays of commerce at Norfolk for the trade of all Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, without touch¬ ing the ti'ansit of the Isthmus of Central America : a trwnsit (iGi'OSs the- continent, in the temperate zone., will prove better for the pop^dation of the globe. To complete some of the principal works, and put in progress other works in the next ten years, Virginia will require for Covington and Ohio road $8,000,000 James river and Kanawha canal 10,000,000 Other works -...J,000,000 Total, .$25,000,000* * Mr. Wise goes on to show how this money can be provided by taxation, without the least embarrassment to the people of the State, and the argument seems to be unanswerable. chapter n. Opinions respecting Norfolh—Its natwral advantages fœ' becom¬ ing a grea Convmerdal Ernpoi'ium— Western Trade., dec. Many judicious and reflecting men have eutertaiued the opinion that Norfolk would, at some future day, rival the greatest cities of America. They who felt a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of om- State, long ago expressed their convictions in significant terms upon this subject. The views of the gifted Jeffekson, whose powerful mind seemed to penetrate deeper in the uncertain future than that of other men of his day, are familiar to the intelligent reader. The author, of the Declaration of Independence, examined the different locations and resom'ces of various sections of this great counti'j, and especially those of his own loved Virginia ; and when he declared that Noifiolk would be the " great Emporium of the Chesapeake," his opinion had been formed from a knowledge of the advantages of commerce, possessed by this particular site. Its deep, capacious, and land-locked harbor, its central position on the Atlantic coast, its mild climate, and its exhaust- less regions of back country, south, west, and northwest—these 14 had been duly noticed by the Sage of Monticello, and his inference was, that they must, if properly appreciated and improved, render this port the pride of the State, the chief exporting and importing city of Virginia, and of the South. There was another master mind that turned hitherwards— another distinguished son of the Old Dominion—whom she and the Union delighted to honor—who treely expressed himself with regard to this location. The accomplished HIadison con¬ curred with Jefferson in his views about the facilities of this port for extensive commercial transactions. He declared it to be " the true interest of Yirginia to foster the prosperity of Norfolk as among thepritne objects of her pohcyP But sad to say, Virginia, or rather, her misguided legislators, did not heed ■these words of wisdom. They lost sight of the " true interest " of the good old Commonwealth, and while other States " fos¬ tered the prosperity " of their chief sea-ports, our law-makers wasted the resources of the State on wild and unproductive schemes and discoursed most eloquently indeed, upon " abstract questions of political economy," until the chief avenue to wealth and greatness was well nigh closed, our resom-ces became comparatively dormant, and our treasures passed off to enrich other States. Hence the declination of Virginia from the first to the fourth State in the Union, and from " one-fifth to one- fifteenth of the political power of the confederacy." The brilliant Henry, too, with many other sagacious, though less distinguished men, insisted long years ago, that Norfolk, at some period not very distant, would be classed among the great commercial marts of the world—that " Norfolk, not Baltimore, 'not Philadelphia, not New York, not Boston, not'Charleston, • not Savannah, was the nearest and best point for the egress and - ingress of that mighty current of trade, which is now going and will continue to go, in and out of the Valley of the Mississippi, •bv artificial lines of intercommunication across the Allegha- )) mes. But these were men of other days ; tiiey have passed away ; they did not live nor expect to live, to witness the frdfilment of their predictions, nor to enjoy the realization of their ardent hopes. And it was gravely asserted too, by those who consid- ■ered themselves well entitled to an opinion, that the remarks of these far-seeing men were without foundation ; that the " old iBorrough" would continue behind the other towns in the coun¬ try, as though the energy of the inhabitants had been wasted in -fruitless efforts to rise, and rendered imavailing by flood and fire, head wind and tide ; as if the long continued neglect of her in- 15 terests tad spread the gloom of despair over every Bright hope and cheering prospect of advancement. But great as this neg¬ lect has been, the consequences resulting from it have not been so disastrous as to render it at all doubtful that great benefits will yet result to the State, if the Tide-water region will give legis¬ lative sanction to judicious systems of internal improvement. A favorable change has already commenced, and the goodly Citj- of Norfolk has begun to move onward. The lapse of only a few more yeai-s is required to prove the superior judgment in this respect of the great and wise men to whom allusion has been made. Having noticed the concurrent testimony of eminent men of other years, we may appropriately look now at the avowed sen¬ timents of some of the learned and practical individuals of the present day. The views of ex-Governor Floyd, relative to the prospects of Norfolk, under a liberal and judicious system of Internal Improvements, will now engage the reader's attention ; "It is now reduced to almost an axiom, that the greatest com¬ mercial prosperity in the Atlantic States is only attainable by a connection "with the valley of the Mississippi ; and hence from Massachusetts to Georgia, wë see almost every State along the sea-coast, competing anxiously and earnestly with each other, for the shortest, cheapest and safest communication. " From the tidewater to the Mississippi river at Memphis, there is no mountain barrier interposing a serious difficulty to the construction of a railroad, whilst the region traversed by it is inferior to none of the same extent for mineral and agricultu¬ ral resources, upon the continent of North America., The val¬ ley of the Tennessee, one of the most magnificent of all those washed by the waters of the West, the annual commerce of which is worth thirty-five millions of dollars, will find in this road an outlet for its rich products to the Atlantic. " The Virginia and Teneessee railroad will effect this great ob¬ ject, when it shall be fully completed." (In less than a year trains are expected to. be running over this road from Norfolk to Memphis.) "The effects upon the prosperity and destiny of New York, produced by the completion of the Erie Canal, opening the com¬ merce of the lakes to that cit^q are perfectly familiar to every one ; the daily increasing importance of it is also quite as well understood. Without the Erie Canal, the city of New York" would have been second still to Philadelphia. Great as the ad¬ vantages of this work unquestionably are, those of the James River and Kanawha Canal are undoubtedly superior. It pos¬ sesses the striking advantage of lying five degrees South of the 16 great Northern wark, and therefore free from the ice which ob¬ structs the navigation there for so large a portion of the year. It touches the Ohio River, far South of any water communica¬ tion from the Atlantic whatever ; and at a point, South of which there can be across the country no water- connection. It M ill, after the first of November, command all the trade of a great part of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri—and most probably, of those regions lying still higher up toM^afds the sources of the Missouri and Mississippi ; for, after that period, it is unsafe to send produce North in the direction of Boston, New York, or Philadelphia. A striking and peculiar advantage presented by this line, is its continuity. There is no necessity whatever, for transhipment. ' " It is a fact universally known, that provisions of every kind suffer injury from the dimate during their transit by New Or¬ leans and through the. Gulf. * *• if * '• If the East India commerce can be brought across our co!i- tinent upon a railroad, that road seeking the best route, must pass through the midst of our Commonwealth. , From Norfolk, the best Atlantic seaport, there is no difficulty in reaching the city of Louisville. At this point the Ohio can be easily bridged, affording as it does, a rock foundation across the entire channel. FI'om thence,through the State of Indiana and Illinois, the ground is favorable for a road, and the Mississippi itself fiirnishes a rock foundation for a bridge across its bosom, at the " Grand Tower," not far above the mouth of the Ohio. From this, if I am right¬ ly informed, no water corirses interpose barriers to the construc¬ tion of a railroad, until the magnificent bay of San Francisco shall be reached. There is nothing, then, to hinder car, laden with the I'ich silks and aromatic spices of India on the shores of the Pacific, from pursuing its continuous and uninterimpted Course, until its journey is completed, and it rests upon the banks of the Chesapeake. To complete this line to the frontiers of the United States, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Miss¬ ouri, are equally interested. These five great central States are unequalled for fertility of soil and variety of product, mineral and agricultural. That their united efforts could achieve the completion of the work to our frontier, without matei ially feel¬ ing the burthen, is beyond cavil or dispute. The view is not chimerical. The object can be attained—the enterprise will be accomplished. « * u Occupying a position midway between the mouths of the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, the only natural outlets for the products of the West ; possessing the best harbor upon the Atlantic coast, and the one nearest of all others to the cen- tre q£ the great alluvial basin of the continent, nature seems to ^point to ours as the true locality for an artificial outlet for that vast region to the ocean. The mouth of the Ohio and the city •if ííorfolk are upon the same parallel of latitude, and the most Northern point of deflection from a right line between these important commercial points, (Cincinnati,) is hut two degrees ->f latitude higher. Every Atlantic harbor North of Han»ptoñ Roads lies at, a greater longitudinal distance from either of 'these points by several degrees, and at a greater distance by many miles, than Norfolk. These ports are approached froni 'the West, moreover, by routes over which, in competition with -ours, the cost of steam transportation must be greater in the ratio of their superior distance, and the cost of water transpor¬ tation greater, not only in proportion to their distance, but also •in a ratio vastly augmented by tJie obstacles which Northern frosts and.snows must continue to interpose. * * ^ " The three great hues of improvement» looking to commu¬ nication with the West, are the James River and Kanawha -Caual, the Virginia ami Tennessee, and the Central railroads. In my last message I urged upon the Legislature the policy oí -completing the James River and Kanawha Canal to the Ohio River. I have seen nothing since to change that opinion, but a great deal to strengthen aud coufirra it. The point at which ihi.s work is proposed to touch die Ohio, is the best one to be found from its sources to its mouth, tor a water communication with the Atlantic seaboard. Tliis iniprctvement will afiord a Soutliern water line of transportation for the heavy products of •yhe West, which must be, for a long period of the year, without a competitor, owing to the ice in the waters North of it. .Such articles of commerce as would pass upon a canal in preterence to a railroad, would prefer this, for the reason that it would lead to the nearest Atlantic harbor, and consequently the cost u])on it would be the least for internal or domestic transportation. A canal boat at Columbus, Ohio, laden with pork, hemp, tobacco or iron, would greatly frefer goin^ to Isorjolh upoii this comoI, to passing through the lakes and the Erie canal, to New York, . if the maRcet was as good at the one place ifs the other, for the simple reason that the distance would be greatly shorter aud the navigation much safer from interruption by ice and from the danger of tlie lake. The market would he as good at Iforfolk ■as ITew Yorh, because the trade would be intended for foreign nations, and of course the foreign price would regulate that at the port at which it would be purchased for transportation. A common standard would regulate the price at both ports, and would of course render it uniform. It is plain, therefore, thai Ï8 ñucli trade as would prefer water carriage, and as now reaclîe»- iîiew York from the heart of Ohio, would find its way to the- ocean through Virginia, by means of her canal. But the trade of Ohio, and the West, is not by any means the only induce¬ ment offered for the completion of this work. I will hazard tile opinion, that the timber of our forests bordering upon the- canal, and accessible to it by way of the upper Kanawha, or ÍTew River and its tributaries, will in a few years produce to Virginia a larger sum of money than the whole- amount re¬ quired for completing the canal. I doubt if in America there ai'e to be found such forests for ship-builders as those growing in the section of country referred to. The eompletion of this work will also open a thoroughfare for the transportation of coal from the prolific mines of Kanawha, Coal and Guyandotte riv¬ ers to If^orfolk, which would make that city the depot whence the whole steam marine of the Atlantic wouM he supplied with fuel. The discovery of caunel coal in that quarter of the State, in large quantities, and of the most superior quality, establishes , beyond doubt the tact that, with a cheap mode of transportation, the hest fuel in the world, for steam would he supplied at Nor¬ folk cheaper than, any accessible point on the Atlantic border. The coal and timber trade from the Western part of our State would alone make the stock in this canal productive." * * Extract of an interesting letter written at Hai-per's Ferry, by an intelligent gentleman, formerly of Virginia r vj * * u yiie. railroad, the turnpike, the improvement of wires, and, indeed, every means of getting in communication with the Atlantic or the Mississippi, are familiarly talked of in the humblest cabin—especially in. Western Virginia, and the people seem ready with their means to second heartily any plan which promises to give them a market. In south-western Vir¬ ginia the people are rejoicing in the certain prospect of shaking hands with the ocean and the great rivers, by meatis of the Lynchburg atid Tennessee Railroad, and it would equally grat¬ ify and surprise you, to hear men that you would think had never heard of Norfolk, speak familiarly of your city, as being the true terminus of the road on the East—and San Francisco as that on the West, and predicting that Norfolk will one day he one of the gi-eat cities of the world. I have heard this pre¬ dicted so often that I have come to look upon it as a fixed fact, and shall expect to see its verification within my generation. I hope that Norfolk herself is fully awake, aud will be found ready to do her part in fulfilling the high destiny that common consent seems to bestow upon her. • " There is another important road and much talked-of im- î? ^rovemeut îa middle and mid-western Virginia, wliich will also ie a tributary to ííorfolk. Tbis is the road to connect the Ohio with the Tide-Water country—to extend from the falls of Ka¬ nawha, along the valleys of New knd Greenbrier rivers, to the western base of the Alleghanies, and there connect with the Louisa Railroad, to be extended tO' Staunton, under present, enactments, and which will ultimately, no doubt, be continued to the Alleghanies, to meet its brother on the west. There is a practicable gap at which the naountain may he crossed, and when the road is completed, it will be worth a journey from afar •to travel merely along the New River section of it, when you will every moment be in view of the most sublime and stupen¬ dous scenery. The famous Hawk's Nest will directly overhang •the road, towering 1,000 feet perpendicularly above you—yoiu- wonder and awe not in the least diminished by the conviction which will force itself upon your mind, from witnessing the ex¬ act correspondence of ./he different strata of rock on the opjx)- site cliffs, that the river by which you passed once flowed at that level above you, and that it has gradually worn away the solid rock down to its present bed. This road will çass by the White Sulphur, and perhaps some of the other Springs, and Norfolk •will be its true terminus." * « * Extracts of a letter from a resident of another city to a mer- chant here. The author has a thorough knowledge of our posi¬ tion, and exhibits in a clear light how lavishly Nature has dis¬ pensed her blessings for Norfolk, if she will but reach out the hand of euterjuise and partake of them ;— Dear Sir ;—This enterprise (the Seaboard and Roanoke R. R.) when carried out on the plan propased, cannot fail to place Nor¬ folk in a liigh rank among the commercial cities of the Union, and she will assume this rank fi-om resources of her own devel¬ oping, without touching upon the rights or interests of any other city. The resources of Virginia, if waked up, are suflicient to build up and support many cities. Alexandria may grow, •Fredericksburg, Richmond, Petersburg and Norfolk may grow, the banks of the Potomac and James may he studded with villages, on the ample resources of your soil, all to the mutual benefit of each other. It is with towns and cities, as with indi¬ viduals, better to be in a flourishing and rich neighborhood, than a poor one. It should he the pride, as surely it is the in¬ terest, of your State, to make Norfolk what nature designed her to be, and what she surely pne day will be, the chief maritime port, and in assuming this natural rank, she benefits all the places on tlie river above her. I have before spoken in regard to shi^i-building. No place in the Union offers such advantages §ö as your port for the successful prosecution of this business. AlH the materials not fouad in Norfolk, can be procured as cheap as- in any place in the Unicm, adding the trifling différence of freight and insurance. Timber of the best kind in your ricin- ity, now without value, would be brought into use. ^our mild and seaboard climate, and the cheap living, would enable Nor¬ folk to command the market in this important branch of human industry. The road, when built and'suitably equipped with the Capacity to- do all the business Offering, would bring new set¬ tlers to till the unoccupied lands along the line of the Road, njiving business to your city, and yielding a constant income to- the Road in transporting these products and supplies. The means of comtnunieation and transportation to market, cheap, regular and rapid means, is all that is needed to bring those- dormant resources into activity. - "With these means, which this improvement will aftbrd, your section offers inducements to set¬ tlers, superiorto those of the West, in agricultural employment. There are many other kinds of business that this railroad, conducted on an efficient and liberal scale, would open to you. Flouring mills and corn mills to grind and kiln-diy meal for exportation, will go into operation, as a matter oí course." Hon. Henry A. Wise remarks as follows, on the subject of the " bridge connection " A permanent connection, of the best kind, bj road and bridge, between any two places, situated like Norfolk and Portsmouth, on a navigable stream, with nearly equal water front, at a point inviting internal trade and sure of foreign com¬ merce, makes them one and, the same place, and the connexion becomes but a common street business. It but enlarges the front of trade, both for sbi]^>s and shipping ; it but increases the space for storing and warehousing: and it but opens the area for the operation of capital, and for the accommodation of population, in all respects, and invites the introduction of both. "Capital, above anything else, seeks "its own advantages, by artilicial improvements ; but there is a point at whicli it will and must give up the contest ; and the nearer the natural advan¬ tages of one locality are to the artificial improvements of anotlier, the sooner will capital cease its exjoenditures upon the one to reap its profits from the other. For the very reason that capital avoids expenditure, and seeks profit, will it always locate at that point where trade naturally tends, where produce finds its easiest and cheapest inlet and outlet. The place which has trade will never want capital ; and the place which waits for capital will never want trade. Let the work be completed, to bring the produce, and the trade will be there-—let the trade be 21 ihere, and capital will come to operate upon it—just as sure as -ihat where the carcass is, there will the eagles be also.". Fair and tree competition will always increase capital and com.- merce, whilst monopoly, prohibition and exclusion, will ever drive the one away and cripple the other.. . * * * * u J rejoice that the great heart of the interior of our country begins now to palpitate, and perform its func¬ tions, in a natural way. . It will soon begin to throw off its pro¬ duce to the great ocean of trade, by the shortest arteries of communication. Heretofore, its outlets have been by the floods oí the Mississippi valley, thousands of miles by Hew Orleans, and the Capes of Florida, or its access has been drawn off by the long artificial syphons, constructed by the capital of the North and East. Now it has capital and skill of its own, to force its productions, by its own power and by the most direct ■ routes, to the nearest point on the Atlantic. The nearest point of all is this very harbor of íí oríolk and Portsmouth. Here, or at some convenient point near by, must an immense trade, 'from the interior of the continent, concentrate, in a very short time. Nothing is wanting but a nucleus of connection with the various lines of intersection, which are to radiate in every di¬ rection, from Mobile to Michigan. If that nucleus is established at once, the prosperity of these places is fixed. If not, another point, somewhere else, bordering on Hampton Eoads, may be selected for the seat of a queen-like comnjerce, which will over¬ whelm all rivalry, and crush all competition. is the time for Norfolk and Portsmouth to insure to theni, and their heii-s forever, the throne bf that gigantic commerce. í:- * Ä- * u local influence of Portsmouth ought to be secured, and in the endj.j'ou are sure to have it, when that, town becomes convinced, as she will certainly be, that it is im¬ possible for Norfolk to be benefitted without mutually benefit¬ ting herself; that the branch connection with Norfolk, by bridges, must give her another street of commerce ; that it must make her water front'more valuable; that it must increase the value of her suburban real estate in the rear of the town, more than a ferry connection would ; that it must draw far more trade to the junction than would otherwise come ; that she Avill have in addition |:o her Own trade propei", the profits in transitu of all that passes to Norfolk ; and that the town must spread more under the influence of the branch connection, than .under that of a ferry with the main terminus." - The following is taken from the report of the' Committee appointed by the Councils, to enquire into and report upon the expediency of subscribing to the stock of the above named road : I ' '< Norfolk can reach the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and thence the great West, in a shorter time, and at a cheaper rate, than that either by the lakes or New Orleans ; and the Northern èities will be compelled to adopt this line as their channel of trade with the West. It is about 700 miles from Sandusky to Norfolk, and about the like distance from Memphis to the same place. Eight houra and a half takes a passenger from Boston to New York ; twenty hours more by steamboat will land him in Norfolk, thirty-five hours more, at twenty miles the hour, a moderate speed tor good railroads, would land him at Sandusky, •on Lake Erie, or at Memphis, on the Mississippi ; being less than three- days from Boston ! Freight passes now from Boston to New York in 16 hours ; and from New York to Norfolk, by steam, 20 houi-s ; thence over the railroad, at the rate of 250 miles per day, in round numbers three days, making less tha/n fve days for the passage offreAghi from Boston to Memphis., or Sasid-islcy, hy way of B'orfolJc, ana less than four days frmn ■ Yew Yorh to the same points. The insurance also would be less than by any other route. It will be seen on a glance at these facts, that nature has given to Norfolk the command of this trade, if she will have energy enough to avail herself of the bounty. It can hardly be supposed, however, that Norfolk alone, can construct such magnificent works, but they are so important to the welfare of large, wealthy and populous States, whose products will be immeasurably enhanced in value by t heir constructic^n, that they will come forward to build on State account, or liberally to aid individual enterprise in pressing rhem forward to speedy completion. OHAPTEB m. Advantages of Nwfolk—Improvements centering upon her harhor—The Dismal Swamp CanaZ—The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal—The Seaboard and Roanoke Rail/road— The Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad—The tnie Policy for the State., and the People of Norfolk. While waiting for the beneficial results of the Southern Con¬ ventions, our friends in North Carolina, and the neighboring villages in our own State, can take the initiatory steps to build up a large southern port, by making Norfolk the market from which to obtain a supply of commodities of every description. Notwithstanding what may be said to the contrary by rival 23 cities, an abundant assortment of every article can be obtained in our city by the merchants of our sister States, at a cost nearly, if not quite, as small as in the northern cities. The expense of travelling to a distant market will be saved, and the cost of freight and insurance much less. They can obtain dry goods of every variety and on the most accommo¬ dating'terms, from the numerous and extensive establishments of our attentive merchants in that line ; they can find groceries of the choicest description, and at moderate cost, at the stores of our liberal grocers ; an unlimited assortment of hardware at the large and beautiful stores of our hardware merchants ; val¬ uable books and sta,tionery at the stores of our booksellers, boots and shoes, hats, clothes and furniture, of the best quality and latest fashion, at stores where it is a pleasure to purchase ; tin ware, stoves, &c., at numerous depositories among us, and agri¬ cultural implements of the newest and most approved patterns, iron, &c., at the warehouses and factories of the enterprising gentlemen who have, at great expense, established manufacto¬ ries of those implements in our city. THE DISMAL SWAMP CANAL. The Dismal Swamp Canal, which connects our harbor with the waters of North Carolina, is the medium of an immense amount of business, from which Norfolk and Portsmouth receive a large portion of their support. "Few, except those engaged in it, are aware of its magnitude and importance. It makes no noise, no show. The little vessels arrive and deliver their car¬ goes at the wharves, take in return freights, and depart for the waters of our sister State, without attracting the least notice from the public at large." This Canal was commenced in 1781. Patrick Henet was one of the first subscribers. It has enjoyed unusual prosperity, and has paid the State of Virginia handsomer dividends than any public improvement in which the State is interested. It is under the management of the very best of managers—Capt. James Coenick, who for a number of years has been the efficient President of the Company. Leeot G. Edwards is Collector of Tolls. The following gentlemen comprise the directory of the Com¬ pany : James Co'R:ncK^ President. Geo. McIntosh, RrcnAED Dick¬ son, H. B. Eeaedon, C. Whittle, Directors. The tolls of 1856 are not quite equal to those of 1855, owing to a decrease in the lumber trade. íáw oJistraôt of th^ Trade of the Dismal Swmij) Ca-ml for 1S55 and 1866. "INWAED." . 1855. 1856. , Articles. Quantity. Quantity. bacon, cwt 2,351 1,977 Beans, bus 101 .30.5 Com, bus 1,165,146 1,300,206 Cotton, bales 6,062 4,603 '.Fish, bbls 30,057 16,450 Flaxseed, bus 1,112 2,751 :Floul-, bbls 8 bard, kegs 766 754 Vaval Stores, bbls 81,101 21,945 'Feas, bus 23.375 14,463 . Potatoes, bus. 14,948 31,027 .Spirits, bbls.,..,.,. 55 90 spts. Turp'ine, bbls 50 17 Wheat, bus 74,099 115,988 Lumber—\ 855. Articles. Qunniify. timber, cubic feet 204,11.8 Plank and Scantling, cubic I't. 3,795,860 ■ Pipe, Staves 12,800 • llhd. " 7,541,370 Bbl. 88,700 Long Shin,ales 1,7 70,-190 Long •' dressed 15,400 Two feet " 2,049,2.50 . Two feet '■ dressed 2.074,600 Building " 31>39,.t00 Building " loose 2,318,620 Fence Kails 200 Coopers' Staves 60,580 Wood, cords 4,417 Lumber—1856. Article.t. Quantity. Timber, cubic feet 212,356 Plank and Scantling, cubic ft.3,42ö,700 , Pipe Staves 12,500 Hhd. Staves 5.789,220 Bbl. Staves 1,400 Long Shingles 1,730,920 Two feet Shingles 2,432,030 Two feet .Shingles, smooth... 631,.500 Building .Shingles 86,952,050 Building Shingles, smootli...1,904,000 Garden Pales 26,500 Fence Kails 13,850 Coopers' Bolts 1,350 Coopers' Staves 169,100 Wood, cords 4,281 " OOTWAED. 1855. Articles. Quantity. Beer and Cider bbls Coffee, bags Dry Goods, cubic fee Fish, bbls...; Flour, bbls 185 •. Quantity. Iron 4 cwts., 147 99 . 469 407 . 147 •>ól¿ . 960 1,152 15,395 16,500 390 296 . 3,494 3,942 1,394 1 222 150 186 2 17 4,062 4,336 821 613 1,268 1,537 1,567 1.G48 104 99 49,455 54,821 2,979 3,600 1.636 2.087 15 0 4,027 4,304 122 103 698 891 508 ó0'2 208 212 48 . 42 Lime, casks Molasses Nails, kegs Pork, bbls Powder, kegs Salt, bus .Shipping, tons Soap and Candles.... Spirits, lihds Spirits, bbls Sugar, hhds Sugar, bbls Tobacco, boxes Wai-e, crates IVine, qr. casks, Fiscal year, 1855. Inward toll ,^14,775 30 Lumber toll 18,626 5.5 Outward toll 5,077 Gi Koad toll 760 10 Northwest Canal tolls 864 2! ,'?40,105 77 Fiscal year, 1856. Inward toll §14,732 74 Lumber toll 17,073 63 Outward toll 5,124 32 Road toll 853 22 Northwest Canal tolls 782 32 8,566 23 25 \ THE ALBEMAHLE AND CHESAPEAKE CANAL. This work is, so far as its results are concerned, one of the ^utmost importance to ííorfolk—it being contemplated to make .'it deep and wide enough to pass sea-going vessels from Albe- •marle Sound to Norfolk or elsewhere, with only a single lock ; along the whole distance of thirteen miles ; and opening and stimulating the richest body of lands in the Union to their ex¬ tremes! productions. These lands are, as to climate and fertility, ■capable of supplying cotton, tobacco, and all the cereal crops in abundance, although at present comparatively valueless, for the want of the means of transportation. The means of accomplishing the work are truly astonishing. The Canal, for the most part, will pass through a swamp covered with water, and thickly set in large trees, and old juniper and • cypress stumps, all of which are most laboriously but effectually eradicated by machines of great power, worked by steam. The trees are cut down to within two or three feet of the gi-ound, •and supply the fuel necessary to the engines—(which are placed on board of large strong lighters)—and by means of scoops, the stumps are eradicated and deposited bodily with the excavated ■earth, on the sides of the Canal, thus forming banks on either side. There are nine of these iron Titans at woi'k along the whole line, and as far as we could learn or judge, each one worked at th e rate of fi'om 15 to 20 feet per diem—iaving already accom¬ plished about two miles so satisfactorily as to leave no room to doubt the final success of the undertaking. This would have been considered wholly impossible, at least to the uninitiated, but for the practical demonstration of the fact; such are the im¬ pediments in the way—and, in fact, would have been impossi¬ ble by any other instrumentality than the almost omnipotent steam engine. And even this, in its divings, extractings, uplift- ings and depositings of such deep-rooted stumps, &c., does its ' work with a crunching and grunting, that gives the machine the -semblance of a sentient monster in labor. The magnificent lock, which is to form the single gateway between the waters of two sister States, is to be forty feet wide, eight feet deep, and of the unprecedented length of two hnn- •dred and twenty feet. The excavation for the lock is completed, and the engineer, 'Mr. John Lathrop, is preparing the eoff'er dam preliminary to the work of laying the masonry. A large portion of the granite is upon the ground, dressed ready for use, and everything betd- ■kens active operations at this end. í . 4:. : I . ■ . . 26 The whole length of the cut from Great Bridge to jSTorth.' Elver will be. eight and a half miles ; and six excavators are- engaged in their rugged work at four different points on the line.. '' ÎTearly two miles of canal have been cut at the North Elver end, and it is expected that, in the course of twelve months,, there will be an open water way entirely through to Currituck Sound. The length of the cut in North Carolina,'from the waters of Currituck to the waters of the Albemarle Sound (by far the easier portion) will be about five miles and a half more,, making, the whole length of canals to be opened only fourteen miles. - , These canals are to be seventy-five feet wide at the surface, fifty feet wide at the bottom, and seven and a half feet deept which will afford navigation for steamboats of a large class, and sea-going vessels. The bars of the streams with which they will connect are to be dredged to a corresponding depth, thus afforing the freest possible navigation between the ports of North Carolina and Virginia. Though the length of these canals will be so short, such is the almost impervious nature of the region they will penetrate, that the total cost of the work will probably not fall short of a mil¬ lion dollars. That the needful sura for its construction can be obtained without the slightest difficulty in the State of North Carolina and the region around, is one of the strongest evi¬ dences of the important light in which the enterprise is regarded, by those who are interested in it. The work is in able and competent hands, and will be pushed vigorously forward toa successful completion. No one can visit the scene of operations without bidding God-speed to the indom¬ itable enterprise there manifested. Subjoined is a list of the Managers of the Company : Présidant—Maeshall Parks. Pireotors—James Gordon, J. Carey Weston, Jas. C. John¬ son, Be.vj. F. Simmons, Tuos. V. Webb, A. M. Burt, T. L. Skin¬ ner, Nath'l Eoberts, Edmond Skinner. the seaboard and roanoke railroad company. The ninth annual report of the President and Directors of this Company gives assurance that nothing has occurred during the last fiscal year to impair the confidence of the friends of the road in its success. On the contrary, the statements exhibited and facts brought to notice in the report, furnish the.most relia¬ ble demonstration of its future prosperity. This demonstration is to be found in the steady increase of the business of the road ; in the success and stability of the 27 iines of railway in North Carolina already completed and con- ■necting with it, and whose interests, to a certain extent, are identified with it; and in the lines being built and projected farther West, destined at no very distant period, to perfect a railway transit from the waters of the Elizabeth at the terminus •of this road, to those of the Mississippi at Memphis. These facilities for transportation, existing and in prospect, if availed ■of in connection with our noble harbor, here at the very gates ■of the ocean, must enable this road in time to gamer an amount ■of business sufficient to content its warmest advocates. The receipts from the road for the fiscal year ending'31st January, 1857, wore $203,866 -08.—viz: J'assengers $88,160 80 Freight 104,746 81 Adams'Express ' 2,858 37 U. S. Mail . -.., 8,000 00 203,066 08 The Company's notes discounted 17,743 68 ■Cash on hand" 31st January, 1856 9,708 63 231,118 09 T)isbursements for the year ... 226,267 43 Cash on hand Slst January, 1857 $4,850 66 These receipts show a considerable accession to the business -of the Company. We gather the following statistics from the report : The principal ai-ticles of up freight canled on the road this ■year were Tons, ■Ebls. Sugar. 3760 470 " Lime 7565 945^ " Liquor — .. .4521 7^1 Sacks Salt 6112 764 Bags Guano .20,634 1547J " Coffee 2186 164 Hhds. Molasses .6142 Total tons 11,038 The down freight carried on the road during the fiscal year was— Tons. Pounds of Bacon 503,879 2,521 Bushels Com ; 16,416 410 " Peas 27,947 698 28 Feet Lumber 5,084,443 10,Í6&' No. Staves.. '. ..2,137,600' " 4,27&- Bales Cotton 3,185 637 Boxes Tobacco 24,905 1,245' Bbls. Naval Stores 18,199 2,730' " Flour 19,236 1,924 Kegs Lard 855' 48 Miscellaneous. 2,.051 Total tons 24,439 The number of passengers carried on the road during the- year was 42,594—of whom 21,627 came down to Portsmouth^. 6,247 went up toWeldon; 6,627 stopped at Suflblk, 1,013 at Carrsville ; 2,61 IJ at Blackwater; 701 at Murfee's; 630^ at Newsom's; 1,537 at Boykins; 513 at Branchville; 618 at Mar- garettsville ; 1,067 at Seaboard. The officers of the road are: Samuel M. Wilson, President. Directors—Thos. Hume, Tazewell Tatlob, J. Maesden Smith, Mooe N. Falls, Monguee Robinson, David A. Baenes. Richaed Walke, Treasurer ; Owen D. Ball, Agent •, Alex'e Woeeell, Superintendent ; J. P. Pendleton, Supt. Machinery. nobfolk and peteesbueo eapleoad. When finished and equipped, the Norfolk and Petersburg road will challenge comparison with any structure of the sort in the country. It is a road of air lines, built of imperishable materials, sills excepted, (which must be of wood) thoroughly drained, and located as the outlet of the Southside system of Virginia. The engines, cars and other equipments are being constructed upon the saving principle of similarity. All the wheels used upon the road, all the braces, valves, breaks, tenons, mortices, &c., &c., of the cars and engines, are to be precisely like each other, so that anything broken can be replaced at a moment's waiming. The result of the whole will be speed, safety, and ultimate economy. The laying of the track in several parts of the line is being prosecuted with vigor by Col. Crockford. He has a large force employed, and has all the appliances for carrying out actively his extensive contract. Tlie first delivery of rails upon the road-side was at Suffolk, and the iron threads are now extend¬ ing their length in the directions, of Norfolk and Petersburg. About forty miles of the track are laid, and traversed by loco¬ motives and working cars., By the 1st January, 1858, if nothing untoward occurs, the whole road will be completed from the 29 depot in Petersburg to the wharves and warehouses of our own city. The rail used by the Company is of a superior order. It was moulded according to the pattern furnished by the Company, and is the heaviest rail (sixty-six pounds to the yard) ever used in Virginia. Both the patterns and quality elicit the highest admiration from railroad adepts. • The South Branch Bridge, which is built entirely of iron, itself is a marvel. The delicate tracing of the slender piles and braces seems almost inconsistent with the adamantine strength of the piers. It is the first application of the iron light-house screw pile to the construction of railroad bridges, and the suc¬ cess of the application amounts to complete demonstration. The following are the Directors and ofBcers of the Company : President—Fbancis Malloky. . Directors—K. F. Leonaed, George W. Oami», Jno. B. White- ukad, W. T. Harbison, Jno. E. Doyle. Chief Efigine&r—"Wm. Mahone. Treasurer—Wm. H. Hunter. i With these and other channels of trade already open and capable of being established, and with the best harbor on the Atlantic coast, it is not unreasonable for the people of Norfolk to expect of the legislative power of Virginia to build up a great seaport here. By doing this, the State will make herself She should profit by the experience of other States ; and not keep herself always in a side-path. Maryland is great because she possesses a great port. Baltimore is Maryland, Charleston is South Carolina, Boston is Massachusetts, Providence is Khode Island, and New York city is New York State; so far as the leading pulse betokens the vitality of the whole. But Norfolk is not Virginia ; and our State has been gro¬ tesquely blind in not establishing her great harbor as the com¬ mencing point of her system of internal improvements. She would have been enriched by dividends from the start, had she begun her works at the seaboard and carried them steadily into the interior. Commercial prosperity, like the vivifying sunbeam, always radiates from a fixed spot of intensity. If the focus is estab¬ lished with proper forethought, the resulting system can be made a grand one. But if the kindling power is diffused through an extended region, without apparent aim or object, there must follow a waste of energy and insufficient results. 30 And, not least, let us have union among ourselves. Domestic union and union with the farmers around, an extensive system of free education, the completion of the internal improvements building and projected, and proper legislative fostering, will make Norfolk what Washington predicted she should be, an(J nature designed her to be—the Queen City of the Atlantic. ADVERTISEMENTS. HYGEIA HOTEL, Old Point ComforL Va. This most delightful Summer resort—the '■ bright particular locality of all the sunny South"—is now the sole property of the undersigned, and will be opened on the 1st of June next, and each successive June following. I engage to make it to the seekers of health, recreation, gaiety and good living, supremely attractive. For health, no mountain retreat can be safer at any season of th^ year. It is as exempt from disease in August and Septem¬ ber and October, as in April, May or Jirne. Indeed, the tirst three are infinitely the most pleasant of the season. The weather is milder, the sea breeze balmier, and tlie luxuries of the salt water are to be had of finer quality, and in greater profusion. There is no more inviting spot on tiie whole Atlan¬ tic seaboard. It is strictly true of it what the poet hath said "Oh! if there be an Elysium on earth, it is this, it is this!" Drs. Archer, Jarvis, and other army surgeons at this post. Hon. Dr. Francis Mallory, Drs. Semple, Simkins, Sheild, Hope, and Vaughan, and indeed the whole medical Faculty resident in the vicinity of Fort Monroe, all certify that they "have never known a case of bilious or ague and fever to originate there, and that at all seasons it is the healthiest spot on the face of the earth." JOSEPH SEGEK, Proprietor. 0 A. B. PALMER, PIANO TUNER, NORFOLK, Va. Ordere left at the Bookstores, SchwarzkopPs, and L. Salusbu- ry's, Norfolk ; and at Borum & Go's Bokstore, Portsmouth, will meet with prompt attention. Letters promptly answered. R. W. SANTOS & CO., COMMISSION MERCHANTS AND DEALERS IN COALS of all kinds ; Also, WOOD and HAY, Woodside's Wharf, {^Adjoining Fergmon c& Milhxvräd's^) NORFOLK, VA. 1^^" Giving particular attention to the article of COAL— and always keeping a large stock of EVERY VARIETY on hand, they are prepared to hll orders at the lowest prices, and guarantee full weight or measure. o NEW AND BEAUTIFUL SILVER AND Ö^PLATED WARE Just received and now opening at j. RREEMAN'S, suit able for bridal and other presents. We invite all persons de" siring to purchase and see a well selected stock of fine.Gold and Silver Watches, Jewelry, Silver and Plated Ware, to call at our store, as it is now in full operation, with all its former attract¬ iveness and beauty. We feel satisfied in saying,,as to style, variety and prices, all must be pleased. Constantly receiving all the new styles, as they come out from Europe and the manufactures of this countrv. J. M. FREEMAN, 29 Main Street, Norfolk, Va* ANDERSON & REYNOLDS, GROCERS AND 10 Hoanoke Square, NORFOLK, VA. Oive strict attention to all business confided to them, render prompt returns, with moderate charges. Are agents for Reese's Manipulated Guano, and other valuable fertilizers. WILLIAM A, GRAVES, SHIPWRIGHT SPIR MMBR, ^rAICD STEAM m iiiiLs, Lumber ManufacUtry «CAULKER, No. 66 Water St., Norfolk, Va. All orders promptly executed. Charges moderate. -o-^ W. S. FORREST, NOTARY PUBLIC, JlND ARGUS BUILDING, y¡o. ¿5, W. Wide Water St. - - NORFOLK, Va. Proteste noted and extended. Houses, Lots and Farms for sale., ■33 A, A. GWALTNEY & CO,, CABINET MAKERS, AND DKADKKS IN HOMEMADE AND NDBTEEBN FUBNITÜBE, ' IVO. 13. IHAIN ST., K0RF01.K, TA. « (ßesidence. No. 68, Cathmrine Street^ Keep constantly on hand, of their own and Northern make, a large and well selected assortment of the most FASHIONABLE FURNITURE, .consisting of Beaureaux, Sideboards, Bedsteads, Sofas, Tete a Tete, Wardrobes, Desks, Rockers, Chairs, Clocks, Hat Racks, Mattresses, Looking Glasses, Cot- ■tage Seta, Plain and Extension Tables. Also, FISK'S METALIC BURIAL CASES, and all other COFFINS, which we ^)ffer on the most accommodating terms. N. B.—All orders in town or country promptly attended to. CHRISTIE, WISE & CO., AND EXCLUSIVELT WHOLISALE DEALERS IN TOBACCO, SECARS, No. 33, IWarket Square, Norfolk, Va^ Our assortment of Mcmufactured Tobacco will always be the largest and most varied in the city. Enjoying superior facilities, we will at all times be prepared to execute orders to any extent, for all styles and qualities of Havana, Domestic, and Gevman Cigars, and all other goods appertaining to a TOBACCO AND CIGAR JOBBING BUSINESS. City and Country Dealers »re respectfully requested to examine omr stock before they go North, as we are determined not to be undersold by any house in the United States. AT THE ARGUS OFFICE, HANDBILLS AND CARDS will be printed at the shortest possible notice, 6 34 GHICKERING'S CELEBRATED- PIANO FORTES. C. HALL & CO., Sole Agents for the State of Virginia. Ill addition to the above large assortment on hand of the Justly celebrated lustruments, by every packet we receive further supplies, and at all times we have a full assortment at various prices, and at the saine prices- 513 at the ware-rooms of Mr. Chickering. For brilliancy of tone, for finish and durability, these instruments are not equalled by an^* other maker, either in this country or in Europe. Orders from the country attended to with the greatest punctuality, and C. H., k. Co. beg leave to assure ladies and gentlemen residing at a distance, that whenever they are favored by orders per letter, it is no less their practice than rheir interest, to send such an instrument as shall bear the strictest scrutiny., A large assortment of Stationery of all kinds, comprising various kinds^oi' Letter and Foolscap Papers, Blank Account Books, Memoranda do., Copy do., by the quantity, School do., Quills, Steel Pens, from the best makers in Europe, comprising over 100 different styles, Note Paper and Envelopes, plain and fancy. For.sale by ^ C. HALL & CO. O FRANK ZANTZINGER, SiliiSSWi .liMiáif,. DEALER XN COAL, EVERY DESCRIPTION OF LUMBER, EMBRACING: White and Yellow Pine, Cypress, Juniper,- Poplar, Oak, Ash,. Shingles, Staves, Laths, Dressed and Undressed Flooring, Cy¬ press and Hemlock Pales, Oak and Pine Wood, Plank Stocks and Posts ; also. Hay, Naval Stores, Bricks, Hair, Lime, Plaster and Cement. . |;^=^Has superior Wharfage and Dock accommodations for every description • af Lumber and Merchandise, and is always prepared to contract for the purchase or sale of the above articles by the cargo. * v Parties not residing in the city can rely on having their vessels loaded with despatch, and their orders promptly and satisfactorily filled. ZANTZINGER'S WHARF, corner WIDE WATER and CHURCH STS., Next to Cnstom House, NORFOLTf, Va. t^oSatisfactory references cheerfully givén when required. THE SOUTHËRÎTAHGÎJS"^ is published at Norfolk, Dailyj at $7 per annum—Tri-Weekly, at f5 per annum, in advance. 35 PETER DILWORTH, DEALER IN 12.JCÎÂ, jrUJTK^ METALS AND FURS, WÎ]ST WIDX: WATER STREET, Opposite Wilkm^orCs Auction Store, NORFOLK, Va. jt^^The highest ¡price paid at all times. GEORGE K. GOODRIDGE, Iii i i s iiii i i El mm AND DEADEE IK Fine FAllILiY Groceries, TEAS, WINES AND LIQUOR of aU kinds. NO; B/ CAMPBELL'S ■ WHARF, NORFOLK. JA. A.: B. PALMER, PIANO TUNER, I . ... Norfolk, Ya. Il®"' Order« left at the Bookstores, st Schwankopf's, and at L. Salusb-jry e, Norfolk, and at Boruin & Go's Bookstore, Portsmouth, will meet with prompt attention. Letters promptly answered. 36^ SOUTHERÎSÎ ARGUS JOB OFFICE^ iT. W. Corner of Roamoke Sqymre i of NEW GOODS,. among which he would calls the attention'of persons in tQwn'anclkouiitr\- to- /the new stoeh oí" \VATCHE4 AXD JEWEEKIV comprising Gold and Silver 'Patent Lever and other hinds of Watches, Gold Siuds^ Ê.eem cmd' Collar Mutton^ ''SealSy Keys.. Kinger KingSy Kreast JPrrsSr <&c.r (&g. These Gotkls are the latest oi¿, and those desirons of procuring somethiug really durable, reasonable, should call at No. 3,. West Wide Warer Street, and examine the select stock of €k)ods which there may he fonndi. , C. T. GREEAWOOD» WATT EES' NATIONAL HOTEL, N or folk, V ir ginia. w' L. WALTERS- ''•K~ "O p— MERWIN & MOORE, ^uáon ató Commission .3, o. MCntVIN. I. JAMES MOOKE MEHCHANTS, Aorfolk, Vlrgrinia. Advances made on all Consignments, 39 ;NEW AXD ; FASHIONABLE BILLINERY. MRS: BUTTS' CX,r ÏS now sTipplied with a full and well selected assort¬ it ment of BONNETS, CAPS, HEAD-DRESSES, Laces, àc., of the latest and most approved style and fashion. All of which are offered at unusually low prices for CASA. Ordoi-s prompily attended te, and no pains spared to. please all who may patronize her •iistablishment. . - ■ ■ GRANDY & STOUT, Jfortoarbing FERGUSON & MILHADO'S WHARF, Norfolk, Va. p. H WHITEHURST, BEALEE IN RAGS, FURS, HIDES, METALS, DRIED FRUIT, &c, &c. NORFOLK, VA., Next door to the Iron jPront 40 The Union R.R.Oar Works Portsmouth, Va. FREIGHT, PASSENGEB, BAGGAGE, EXPRESS, MARKET, COAL, LUMBER & HAND Manufactured at this establishment, of the best seasoned mate¬ rial, and in the most approved manner, with either Plate w Sfoke Wheels arid Axles, of 3alÍ8bniy or other iron. TRUCKS FITTED UP. Or Axles and Wheels separately Will be furnished at the shortest notice, and shipped to any part of the United States. Having extensive arrangements and superior facilities for man¬ ufacturing at this establishment, orders will be received and contracts made for DíOítM/n íRíí^íií^ítíí)® m at short notice. Address or apply to GEORGE W. GRICE9 „ General Agent, POKÎSMOUTH, VA., Sept., 1855.