Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-15

useful boat now navigating that river from
the loot OF the Great Falls TO Alb-marle
sound & thence through the Dismal Sw amp
Can Al To Norfolk (; their burthen is from
IS to so tons, which is all they can bear on
the Canal III its present shape-But il that
Cana was deepened, their burthcn night
be doubled with nut much increase af bulk,
and stli! not DIR w too great u depth Of wa
ter Tor Lower Roanoke.
1t might mere be observed, that Norfolk
presents to the high land agricuituralist
bordering ON the Roanoke and its tri5uta-
~ streams brighter prospect for it's mar
ketable produce, than any ssport we have,
orperhaps can have, on tide water. From
Albemarie Sonna there can be four great
avenues for transportation to Norfolk, be-
sides the great contemplated canal from
the falls of Roanoke to Meherrin, BSnnett's
Greek. Lake Drummond and the Dismal
swamp Canal, which route does not touch
the Sound.
First-A middle route up the PasQuo-
tank, the Dismal Swamp canal. and down
the Elizabeth river, already in use. Sc
cnnd-irom Abemarle Sound, through
Currituck Sound, the North River, and
down Elizabeth river. On this route, a
canal of only s miles in lsngthA will have
to be cut between the navigabie waters on
each side, through Il fine plain, not ex-
cesding four feet in its greatest elevation.
Ihird-from Albemarie Sound up tue
Chowan river, Benuett's Creek, Lake
Drummond, and the Dismal Swamp canal.
On this route only short canal will be
requised IN addition TO the present one.
fourth--from the Chowan, a communica-
ton may be had also with Nansemond Ri
yer, and thence to Norfolk.
are present I'd for selection, it is ditficult
for the mind to give preference it must
not contne itself to the present state of
the Roanoke and the Sound, nor that of
the extensive country watered BIZ their
tributary streams ; but it must look for
ward to that period, when the whole OF
these waters shall become navigable, and
when that new spring to industry shall ex-
CIT, IN the human heart ala additional thirst
Tor gam, exhibited in more genera! and
ingenious cultivation of the soil, the man
agement OF fisheries, of tar, OF turpentine,
and lumber OF all descriptions. OF thes
articles you export from the Sound annual
ly to the amount of 2 500, 600 dollars but
what will be the exports when that fine
Country Shall have arrived at its greatest
population-when improvements in agri
culture-wheu the very hills and noun
t2inS small pc enooWelied, and their metals
& minerals are numbered among the prin-
ciPal articles ofexports For this trade
Norfolk stands aim lst without q competi-
tor. communication directly from Al
bemarle Sound with the sea, is ATTENDED
with serious, If not insurmountable diff
cui;ies: the shallowness of that sea-coast
where the action OF the waves is constant
y shifting the sand from place to place,
viii perhaps choak up any channel that
may be made for the passage of sea vessels
Of heavy burthen. And thus. as Norfolk
has the capital AMI o fine seaport, she
must enjoy the trade. would, therefore,
recon mend the Immediate opening of the
Dismal Swamp canal, SO as to answer that
trade.t
| AN sorry, gentlemen, that my know
ledge Of the SUBJ CT is so limited.
WIth great respect, S1s.
w 7 LEWIS