The county roads
leading to Richmond have been so long neglected, and are so completely worn out, that all travel will necessary be suspended as soon as winter sets in unless repairs are made within the next two months. The road laws of Virginia have always been regarded-as a ridiculous farce, because of the fact that there was no power by which to have them worked, even in peace times. Now there are neither overseers or laborers to be had for the prices paid, and consequently nothing is done. If the Legislature were to instruct the County Courts to levy a road tax, and to let the repairing of the roads to contractors, we might then have good highways, but act otherwise.
