Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-08
To TaoMAs PAxxr1r, Esq.


Lioijtt.s, Jali. II, 1916
Tie river was completely blocked up
by ice, during last night, which renders il inpns.i
be at present TO proceed with the Batean to Green
Hl Indications offs continuance of severe wealth.
er have determine Mr.. Payne and myself to leave
il here aud to travel by land to your house But
as We have found at Col. Colcman's a friendly re-
cepton and The most attractive hospitality we shall
indulge ourselves ~ repose until change uf " cath
enables 10 proceed without difficulty-Ia tie
interval, bri,f sketch Of our observations on the
present situation ofS;aCntOn and Roanoke rivers
viii not be unacc. ptabie TO you.
70 point twenty miles below Green Hill The
.ggrtgate descent Of 5tauoton is sixty feet. But
the descent IS regular sriy the whole distance and
prt sents 10 abrupt fail OF consequence; the mos.
considerable are at Eehops and Seven islands; a
TIE TO mer the channel IS sufficiently Iarge but re-
qliires some labor toremoye loose rocks which rise
too near the surface for the convenient passage Of
J. AIDED boats were detained when goiuz down
AZ the latter to ctIt away FISH traps OF which there
were several at-thst timc--the channel here af.
i0rds an abundance OF water. but is crooked
Below tie point above alluded TO, with one ex-
eeution at Tallcy's Falls where fer q few PAGES
the water is shallow, Stannton is finely adapted to
bslteau nayigs ton. IT'S low IL perlc cly gentle s
depth or g ieet, with firm bottom.
few . ints on Roanoke above the great falls
require Improvement the principal OF which Is ai
Bueher's Greek Falls, (more properly shoal,)
where the river Is dhiuScd over extensive sur
face il is necessary to erect short wing-dlms, SINH
lar 10 those used on James kiyer, 70 enlofre liz,
channel With thes. exceptions, no river presents
greater facilities for navigation by battsaux than
I,oasoke. rs current is more rapid than that q
Stauuton-bat does not greatly increase the alorof
ascent, while it's supply Of water is abuudant---ana
bottom equally GOOD.
Unac,,u inied ~ we're with the river when
we descended il, we found no material difficulty in
passing even the Great Falls, 10 the name Of which
Is attached so much apprehension and prejudice.
We we're ouch retarded breaking fsh-trap7, tze
with which they iutersccicd 10 every possible di-
recton. On our return without making an addti-n
to our complement OF hands, we asccnded the 10
miles conanuGrg the Great Fsilsin less than Ia,
and IN truth without having been compelled 10
second eant ~ ANY point OF them. The boumcn
wlose o;inions bci1g the sult of experience, en-.
title theri TO belief as5gred me uiey could have
aseeaaeh with 'oailing Of JOfJ Weight
Ro.noke above tie Great Pals is from o. 500,
While Immediately nelow ~ is conprtssed into
ei ,nnel less then 20 yards in width Here he
depth rs much increased sud vessels Of Is tons
arrive NJ flaiiax Town, eight miles below the
Falls.
nsiifax Town, Goush " looting up," Is but the
Tcronaut Of what q formerly vas bali IS tene.
reafs ere in state pfdspi4afon. Il - situated In
y wealthy di-iscf. TIE eia.act, of tie river les
rttle variety h.lUe the mls % Us mmth The
,sodr cyntieiols 90 10 are remarkably fertile For.
~ miles below IIiiisx Towu the hanks arc high
hu, ,Eey s1.l lily a Oh and the surface Of Tie a.