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

It's execution, might be found to vary wide
~ from that which would be actually OK
pended. Still less precision can be look ed
Tor In the calculations of your commission
crs.
Hut it must be apparent that the expence
OF Improvement will essentially depend on
the object for which the improvement shall
be made.
If the views of the Legislature, shall be
limited TO the convey ance OF articles, the
growth OF the upper country, down James
river, the cheapness of that conveyance
will certainly depend much on the degree
OF perfection to which the Improvement
may be carried; but the river, being the
only channel OF conveyance, will, if merely
practicable, be used to some extent.
III the views OF the Legislature shall ex-
tend to free commercial intercourse with
the western states or any Of them, the
channel selected for that intercourse will
come into competition with Others which
now exist or may be opened. and must re-
commend itself to a preference by the adj
vantages it offers. With a view to the lat
ter object, no improvement. ought to be un-
dertafen but with determination to make
1t complete and effectual.
he estimates of expense were more
particularly made by Mr.. Caruthers who
has been personally engaged in opening the
North fork through Rockbridge. This
gentleman made his calculations ON the
plan which has been adopted by the James
river company. with such improvements as
would better adapt that plan toup stream
navigation. According to his estimate, one
hundred and ninety thousand dollars will be
sufficient to accomplish the work from
beali's bridge OF Crows ferry to the falls
OF the Great kanawha, including the road
his estimate is formed on comparison of
the impediments to be removed with those
ne mad himself encountered in opening the
North fork of James river. Some others of
your commissioners who have too little
knowledge of The labor necessary for the
accomplishment of objects of this descrip-
ton to confde, themselves, in their own
Judgment. much less to recommend it to
the confidence of others, are so impressed
with the magnitude of the difficulties they
nave seen as TO be unable to persuade
that the work can be completed
tor the sum at which it has been estimate
That estimate does not appear to them to
DC eXtravagant, if the descending naviga-
ton alone be contemplated. To make the
ascending navigation such as will entitie il
TO extensive use, and give this a preference
over other routes, they submit, though with
much difhdence, the opinion that at least
half million, perhaps six hundred thou
SAND collars VIII be requisite.
From the mouth Of Dunlop's creek to the
mouth OF Towards creek is twenty eight
miles and forty four poles.-From the first
mentioned place to the summit of the Allie
gany mountain is sixteen miles and thirty
SIX poles and the elevation is nine hun
dred and forty eight feet which makes an
angle with the horizon of less than three
Quarters OF degree. From the summit of
the mountain to the mouth of Howard's
creek, the distance is twelve miles and
eight poles, and the descent is eight hun
dred and thirty eight feet seven inches,
making with the horizon an angle of about
three quarters of degree. There are no
peculiarities attending this route which will
render any plan the Legislature may prefer
tor turnpiking it more costly in it's appliaa-
ton to this road. than to others which have
been constructed in various parts of the
United States. 1t is now at least equal to,
perhaps better, than any other Of equal dis
lance IN the same part of the country.
In presenting to the honorable the Legis-
lature the advantage which, in the opinion
OF your commissioners, will probably &C
crue to this State from executing the work
towhich their report relates, it " i'll be ne
cessaIy to divide the subject and to consi-
der, separately, first those which may rea-
sonably be expected to result from execut-
ing IL IN part next tnOSe winch are to be
looked for from executing it in the whole.
Should the navigation of James river be
Carried up to the mouth of Dunlop's creek,
and turnpike road be made over the ALE
gany mountain, although nothing further
should be done, a considerable impulse will
be given to the agriculture, and a valuable
effect produced on the wealth and popula-
ton, of a considerable tract of country. 1t
Cannot reasonably IT, doubted that Bath,
part OF Botetourt, and great part of Green
brier, Monroe, and perhaps even OF Giles,
would find a real interest i'll searching
tor market on James river for the
produce of their soil, if such safe and
cheap conveyance were afforded them
as might he riven b. the i,Y...~c.--:::
which have been stated. Agriculture
would mingle more than heretofore with
grazing and industry would flourish
when the re ward of industry should be at
tainable. Those more western counties
whose distance might forbid the attempt to
transport grain manufactured into -four, or
distilled into spirit, to the markets on
James river, might still be encouraged to
bring to those markets, salt, sailed provi-
slons, and various manufactures of hemp.
An increase Of population would result, not
only from the check which this state of
things wouh give to emigration, but also
from IT'S operation on the inhabitants i'm o.
th"r respects.
Other parts Of the State would derive
corresponding advantages from their inter
course with "a section Ot the country which
WOuld have more, in coll ami move 70 ,,,,,.