The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-11-27
THE AUTHOR.
i SMALL 7TeAr1sE. s,e.


THE AUTHOR.
aSM4LL 7TEA7IsE, &c.
The carriage of pioluce by canals and inland
navigation. ia the state of Virginia is more neces
ssry--would he more beneficial. to the atlyentu.
Sers-of greater utility to The Inhabitants, and
would be more EASILY accomplished especially on
the south east side Of the mountains than in anv
other part ofthe United States-Let the man Of
the whole Union, from the Atlantic to the lakes.
ne exsmine6-obserye critically that of Virginia,
with all the rivers and waters thereof, ar.l none
will DE found mere capable cfimprovement than
the Rappahsnnock-the opening and perfectine
ct the internal navigation of that river will be
Less expensive IT. proportion to the public utility
ana eneht to be derived from it, than any other
in the u. States.
From the mouth OF Rappahannock, where it
empties into the bay of Chesapeake, to the head
OF its tide, at the town of Falmouth, being A.
bout IA miles, is one continued gut or channel,
without shoals, except for small distance in
Port iobsso bay; and even there, the channel,
IN tHe miode, or rather nearest to the South shore
Issery good for vessels drawing from twelve to
fourteen feet water, and IN another instance, a..
bout three miles below fredericksburg, where
there Is short bar over ,hs bar, vessels draw
ps more than ter feet water cannot pass; thence
II Is deeper until within a few hundred ysrds of
fredericksburg, where there ia another bsr over
which, vessels drawing more lhan nine feet wa
ter, cannot readily pass-both these bars are of
nee stone, and may be easily deepened-the ma
vlgation Ia general is good and safe, that il is
not UNUSUAL Ter vessels suiting that depth of wa
ter TO be navigatedup by strangers, without pi-
lot.
In sailing up this river there opens to the vie "
sfthe passenger, the most beautiful rich lands &
hghh improved plantations, one cioselv rising
bove srother-.it also abounds with excellent Ash.
ing shores and harbors for wild fowl in album
dance and every few miles appear, one nearly
following tlie othey, the magnificent seats of in.
dependent citizens; on earth there cannot be
much more delightful prospects, or more beau-
tiul, rich arr highly improved country.
Inc severai trading towns on tbisriyer, TO wit.
Urhanna, TsFpahannock, Leeds, Port Royal
Fredericksburg and Falmouth, once were {every
thing consldered) progressing rapidly in trade
wealth and population; with inhabitants consis.
ang or merchants, mechanics and persons devo.
ted 20 other laudable pursuits, and particularly at
che two last mentioned places, at tae head of tide
wafer. These towns would command the trade
of country both rich and extensive, If the want
OF inland navigation, good roads, and some other
causes, worthy ofispesngatiou. did not, in great
measure, deprive them thereof. More Of this
hereafter.
This river, above the tide, is about $50 to 200
ysrds .:ae g. about mics, where it branch
es, one extending northwardly through rich
high land, we'll cultivated country mcandering
-
king th> Gourd Wire, the Halle and Hedgeman
rivers. These forks again divided and SUBJ
divided, meafderiDg and watering large coun-
try, diversified with low lands, ric!, hills anl!
some very fertile plains.
The other large branch extends south west.
wardly and forks also about 90 miles up, making
abe Rspidsn and the Robertson rivers affording
avast body Of rich, well cultivated land with
wealthy. reputable Inhabitants, possessing fine
farms. Manufacturing towns and villages are
within those large branches. This tract Of corn
try is called the great fork OF Rappahannock &
includes the counties of Culpeper and Msdi.
Son.
This river from tide water, up is main body,
and thence up ts most northern branch, as far as
navigation, most probably can be extended, (tra.
cling its Ipeaudery,) will measure about eighty.
Ave miles and at that place may be computed "a
rise about $50 feet above the level Of tide water
-t!lere are 2I5f feet oil that fall already rendered
smooth and ecds by different mill dams, as here.
matter described: There moreover, fayora-
Bile situations fyy Grectins four or FIVE more mill
dams, which would render smooth end eddy So
Or so feet more of the fail--leaving only SIS fee,
ofunoccupied fill. which, divided among the diff.
ferent vacancies. between the mill seats, would
be less than foot 10 the inile this would be
an easy, gentle ASCENT, free from danger OF da
mage in descending, for boats constructed like
those used ON James river, drawing about 8 in
ches water, and carrying 100 10 100 barrels -four,
&c. &c.
The constructing and completing lock at one
ofti'ese mill dams may be computed at about 400
S. each, with another there are three of those
dams which locks should be made 10 the nei gh
borhood OF the author, 60 wit. Francis Martins
Hancock Lees and Mgnford Beverlo VS. each oil
which locks, he will, when required, undertake
10 mpke for that sum of money
All the locks at the mill dams on the main river
snd up the most northern branch, to the noun.
tsns, can be made AZ the same expence or there.
about There are at this time, between tire tide
water aud the mountains, On the nisiu river and
northern branch, ten Of tbst kind OF mill dams.
and there appears To be favorable situations Tor e
rectug FIVE more in different places, making in
the whole, fifteen. These estimated al 6 4OC
each, amount 20 5000.
Locks TO ascend from mil tail races iHto the
head races, being Of different construction, vii
cost more and SONG Of them much more than
thers The general syessge expeBce of diem may
be rated al > 600 each Ofthis description, there
is airesdy ON tie river and northern branch, not
less than ise wits long races or canals, which q,
the shove sum Of 8 900 each, will amount Ia
3 5000
1he next expense of importance will be tina;
IN most Instances, Of etpenng the bottom of
tie river, and clearing oui the different tail rs-
ces below each 0i tic locks &c. iOr passage tor
tue asc ending bnsts, TIE expense Of which MAY