Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-07-20

and thence to Norfo k. The only part Of this
route, presenting obstacles to aavigation,
that requires any serious labor or expense
to remove them, is situated between the
Roanoke and the Meherrin, ard between
the Fork of Benefits Greek and the Dis.
NAL Swamp Canal. We commenced our
operations on the latter ground ; for UNI
less that part OF the route was practicable,
all the labor bestowed on the examination
OF the former would be thrown away. The
whole distance from the Fork of Benefits
Creek to the Dismal Smamp Canal is 16f
miles ; the highest point Of the dividing
ridge between the Canal and the Greek,
is 50 feet q inches higher than the lat
ter, and 10 feet higher than the surface of
White Oak Spring Marsh, from which
there IS gentle and gradual descent to
the Dismal Swamp Canal. 1t is evident
the Canal cannot be supplied with water
either from Bennett's Greek or from the
Dismal Swamp Canal. Some other re-
source must therefore be resorted to. Very
near the dividing ridge, is situated = mil
pond six miles in length and three feet av
erage depth, called Powell's Pond AS
this Pond was the only source to f ed the
Canai, its adequacy very naturally became
SUBJECT OF strict enquiry with the Com
missioners. We were informed by the
most intelligent persons in the neighb r
hood that it was highly probable that here
would be deficiency of water after Ions
spells OF dry weather in mid summer. But
the Commissioners are of opinion. that if
the dam to the pand was reno, ed one mile
lower down, to White Oak Marsh Spri. q.
winch Is 10 feet lower than the scite of the
present dam. that the quantity of water
orr ofI u
move all grounds of any reasonable f. RS
about deficiency. The surf ce of this
pond is four feet four inches and half low
er than the dividing ridge. which is only
one half of a mile across, viz. it is only
one half OF mi e from the Levee on one
SIDE to the Levee On the other. This part of
tne route IS thro' a very levei country, and
tree from stone. The greatest difficulties
IN the scheme occur b tween tn Roanoke
aad Meherrin, but all these viii yield to
an application OF small portion of the i'm
mense resources of the country interested
IN 1t. The cost of this part of the work is
estimated at S641,512. TIE Canal between
the Fork of Benefits Greek and the Dis
NAL swamp Canal, is estimated at $780,
oCO so that the whole expense of the work
will amount to S7615I2.
When any man, or society of men. have
any particular scheme III view, fro-n which
they expect to derive profit or save
themselves an expense before they deter
NINE to undertake 1t, they ought IN tine lst
place, to know that it is practicable in
the I'd place, to ascertain their ability to
execute it and 3dly. to be we'll assured
that the benefits resulting from Its success.
Will amply compensate them for the ex
pense. That it is pricLcable, the Enyi
neers have most uneduivo, ally expressed
their opinion. OF our ability to execute it.
we may be thoroughly convinced by COM
pairing the resources of the Country with
the estimated expense of the work For the
sake OF Illustration, we will divide the whole
sum supposed to b: ecessary, among the
Counties known to be Interested. There
are 40 Counties in North C arolina and Vir-
gnia Interested in his cheme, beside the
borough of Norfolk these Counties con-
tain, on an average. at least 900 freeho.d>
ers each, making $4,000 ffseholders add
to TINS. 5000 for the Borough II Norfolk
making IN all, % 900 freshoiiers Divide
the sum OF S761.5l2 by the % 900 freehol-
ders. and the quota to be apport,o.,ed to
each freeh0lder will be less than the sum
ofS3s. Compare the certain benefits with
the estimated expense Dan &c Staunton ri
We low grounds sell FOR only $50 peg acre.
when James River Low CIR u dis. not at
all superior IN quality, sell for 100, and in
many instances. $3.50 per acre. Tn. on
ly re son for this diff. renee in price, is,
that on James RIVER they possess the adj
vantages OF Navigation, of which we are
destitute on the Roanoke--so, that in the
catalogue OF benefits, we are. first to mem
ton the augmentation of the prize of our
Lands by 100 per cent. 2dIy. The saving
gilmore than one-half the expense of trans
portation of ourproduce to market 3dly.
lhe advantage it will give us of cultiva-
ting at our option, crop of gra or to-
bacco; 4thly. The creation of valuable
property, consisting of the Stock of the
Company, which has no existence at
present. The James River Stock is sup.
posed to be the most valuable property
IN the State Of Virginia, and we have no
doubt that as much produce would be
conveyed to the ocean by means of the
Roanoke Canal. if it were completed. as
is now carried down the James River Ca
nal. 1t will pass through a country aboun-
ding in various & valuable staples-It will
convey to market the following articles.
with many others, to an immense value.
VIZ. Jnniter and Cypress, Shingles, Lun
Der, Fish. Tar, 7urhentine, Cotton, LnG
an Corn, What, To6acco q Hemh.
That so great and noble River, water.
ing such an extensive and fertile country.
should be of no use for the conveyance of
produce to market, is the bitterest rcasm
that can be pronounced upon the Industry
and enterprise of tn ose'who are interested
in rendering it navigable. Therefore, having
ascertained what we conceive to be the
best route for the Canal, and having esti-
mated the probable expense, and believirg g,