Virginia and the Canal, 1849

Weekly Casket
07-28-1849

VIRGINIA AND THE CANAL.

We select the following communication from the "Herald of Freedom," in regard to Virginia and the Canal. It may interest two or three thousand of our readers, if it should not be read by the balance - several thousand. It is useless to attempt to shoot folly with a sling and more useless to attempt to please everybody.

Clearspring, July 21, 1849.

Dear Sirs: I have just heard from what I think good authority, that Mr. Downs has received a letter from Mr. Faulkner, saying that the Board of Public Works of Virginia have determined to insist upon having the Lock opposite Down's Mill. Many persons think Virginia was to give to the Canal Company the $200,000, provided the Company built certain Locks &c. Such is not the Law. The Canal Company were to issue their Bonds for the amount, to be paid out of future tolls, and the State of Virginia simply guaranteed that if the Canal Co did not pay the Bonds of maturity, that Virginia would - and for this Virginia asks that the company shall expend $30,000 to build a Lock to accommodate a single mill, the people from other parts or Berkeley County having sufficient ways to yet into the Canal. If Virginia gave the money it would be very different, but she gives not one cent —she asks as a bonus for going the Company's security for $200,000 that the Company shall build locks at different points, that will cost about $45,000, and requires the Company to pay for building the Abutment of the Alexandria Canal, perhaps $20,000 more—pretty good interest Virginia asks, for the use of her name. And thus Alexandria wants all the Coal and Iron Trade from Cumberland to come to their Town. Yours etc.