The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-01-09

long it's northern bank aud TO graduate the
Iaii as far as may he compatible with that
system of operation.
The Great Falls of New river must be
turned. by using a canal to be cut OIL the
southern side, pursuing nearly the tract If
Richmond's mill race. Should locks be en-
pioyed, it will most probably be found adj :
visable to place them in this canal. Should
locks be dispensed with, there will be no
difficulty in descending through this chan
mel, but the toll of ascending, must, at this
place, be considerable
At the Great Falls of Kaoawha, there is.
near Morriss mill, a very eligible place fer
locks. 1t canal be preferred, there is
very reason to believe, that the ground will
admit of one which may be SO extended, &
the tall thereby so graduated, as to afford a
sale passage. to loaded boats.
ihcsc observations are formed oon the
state OF the river when viewed by your
Commissioners. 1t will readily occur, that
ehey cannot Judge with certainty of the
Changes which may be brought about by a
great rise of water
1t would seem most probable that, by such
rise, the falls would be diminished, because
tie water at their feet, would pass off less
rapidly than at their head. But the appre-
hehsioh cannot be entirely discarded that,
III the narrows which have been mentioned.
q
Gus to be trusted. 1t is probable, that a mo-
derate elevation of the water would rather
facilitate thspassage Of the boats at least
OF those descending the river but that
treat Hoods would suspend the navigation
Having stated their view of this subject,
your Commissioners will only add their O.
pinion, that the New river may be relied ON
with certainty, for the transportation of ar
tiCles from the east to the west.
On the practicabiity OF using this channel
OF conveyance Tor the transportation Of ar
tiCies from the western country towards the
rivers which empty into the Atlantic. at
least SO much of it as lies between Bowers
terry and the Great Falls of Kanawha, they
must speak with less confidence. The great
oIihculty consists in the velocity of the cur
rent. For several miles between Bowers
ferry and the falls, it is believed that Ca
nal would be impracticable. The river is
susceptible or no other Improvement than
may be made in its channel, or in it's banks.
The Current is often too rapid to be stem
med by boat impelled by oars and the
water to deep to admit the use of poles
III Channel sufficient for the safe passage
of vessels be opened, still some other means
than cars and poles, must be devised for
Impelling them up the stream.
Your Commissioners submit with diff
dence the following propositions.
1st That boats impelled by steam NAV
be employed successfully on New river.
With the capacities of this powerful a.
gent they are too little acquainted to speak
with confidence of the use which NAV be
made OF 1t IN the waters of Virginia Else
1here, 1t mas certainly been applied with
great advantage to the purposes CT naviea
ton. Neither have they that intimate know
ledge OF the velocity of the currents, against
which vessels have been propelled by it.
to compare them with that of New river
and to hazard any decided opinion on the
comparison. But they beg leave to saw.
that the currents of the Hudson, of the Mo
hawk, and of the Mississippi are very
strong and that practice so entirely no
vel as the use OF steam in navigation will
probably receive great improvements, and
the power itself be so diversified i'm its mo,
dhcations as to be applied in new and differ
ent situations, as their exigencies may re-
quire. 1t is believed, that a sufficient depth
OF water is certainly attainable but whe-
Their sufficient employment may be found,
to justify the use OF vessel which must, in
any state OF things, be constructed at consi-
oeraoIe expence, is question your COM
missioners cannot attempt to solve.
I'd. Sould it be found impractcable to an
ply steam with advantage to the navigation of
New river, 1t is respectfully suggested that,
between the Great falls of Kanawha, and
boWyer's terry, resort may be had to horse
labour.
To give this facility to the navigation. it
will be necessary to construct a horse way
along the bank of the river at different
heights, or at the most common height Of
the water. The objection, that such wav
cannot be used at all times, will lose much
OF IT'S force when it shall be recollecteJ that
the navigation up the river will admit of be-
ing suspended for considerable intervals
with less injury to those who use it, than
that Which conveys to the western country
articles imported for general CONSUMPTION.
The construction IF this way, however. will
require the blowing of great Quantity Of
:@---' ~; '.ii'' consequently, DC expensive
I'd. Should neither OF these expedients be
deemed eligible, it is respectfully suggest
ed, that boats may be forced up the cur
rent, where it IS too rapid for oars and too
deep for poles. by the aid OF chains fasteu-
ed in the rocks on the bank.
Whatever doubts may be entertained res
pecting the navigation for boats ascending
the river between tie Great falls of RaDaw,
wha and Bowyer's ferry, your commission
ers are entirely persuaded of the practica-
biiity OF using 1t advantageousiy between
the Jerry and the mouth of Greenbrier.
In obedience To the law under which ,hev
gave acted, your commissioners will now
proceed TO state their ideas of the sums
of money which will probably be necessary
to open the rivers and make the road they
have viewed.