Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-10
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Of tie committee appointed to accompany TIE Ea.
stneer, Col. BaiGW;n, al surrey from Roun-
oke to Petersburg.
Havin. proceeded, agreeable to an order of
the common hail of the town Of Petersburg, to
accompany Col. Baldwin, the state engineer,
on survey from Roanoke TO Appomattox RI
yer, with the view of ascertaining the most
practicable course for canal between the said
rivers, we now respectfully report the follow
ing summary Of our progress, viz.
After several days spent in exploring the
margin OF Roanoke, for twenty or twenty-five
miles, III Meckleubnrg c0uDty, to where the
Carolina line intersects the Roanoke, and also
the several creeks and coRmtry in that distance
between the two rivers Meherrin and Rean-
oke, to ascertain the most eligible point To
commence, and course TO pursue the survey,
and considering il useless to 20 higher up the
Roanoke, or al all into North Carolina, we
commenced the survey at the mouth of MIiasS
creek, at Goodies ferry, on Roanoke contnu-
ing the course of said creek, TO its course in
the dividing ridge-distance from Roanoke 10
The summit OF the ridge thirteen miles, aud 232
feet above the level of RodnUke-thence to
NeherriE miles, at the mouth of Mountains
creek, miles below Davis's mill. Here we
found the bed of the Meherrin 10 feet above
that OF Roanoke. We crossed Meherrin, aud
took our departure opposite TO the mouth of
Mountains creek, with level of 20 feet above
the bed OF Meherrin, meaBderins along its
banks, and preserving said level some miles
below brunswick court house-thence to Not.
toway river, al the Cat Bank bridge, the bed
OF which we found to lie 20 feet below our le
vei-theuce along the stage road, to the foot of
ceiartree, in the Halifax road, at kirkhan's,
D ieet below our level-thence TO high water
mark, l43 feet fall to Appomattox, at M'NeiIls
bridge Distance from Roanoke 50 miles aud
few rods, and l0S feet below the level of
X an kc, at Goodies ferry.
further detail of the surrey made by the
committee, is considered Unnecessary on their
part, as the engineer will make regular re-
port 10 the Board Of Public Works, a copy OF
which can be procured in course, and which
M turlN q.
cs>, asceUts and descents, of every station
together with the various Instructions TO be
snraounted throughout the whole survey, and
we suppose with probable estimate OF the
cost. It may not, however, he unnecessary to
explain the plan by which il is deemed pract-
cable to make IA navigable communication be-
tween the two rivers. Miles's creek, at the
mouth OF which the survey was commenced
can be made medium TO look in and out of
Roanoke, at level of about 100 feet above the
Roanoke, which level may be varied more or
less, as tue nature of the ground may be found
10 aanrt, and can be driven into the dividing
ridge, by cutting 40 TO 80 feet deep towards
TIE centre, OIL both Sides so as to reduce the
fumnel 10 about or miles through the ridge
linen la dam Mountains creek 10 this level,
and proceed with canal from this dam to
bavis's mill, on aieherrin where dam can
be readily made 40 TO so feet high, and look
INTO tbs dam or pond, out of the canal, from
Monntains creek-frOm thence commence
canal at AL additional height of 20 to SO feet TO
tdt with which we started from Aeherrin to
kCttoWay, as stated in the survey The great
advantage contemplated by this additional
level, Is, that il may serve so much to over
come some high land between Meherru and
EDttoway, and from which level we may easily
descend at NOttOway 10 any convenient level
''at will readily come TO the Appomaltox.
An opinion to the pTactlcability of this
desirable object, may possibly be expected
fruisl tbe committee On that score, they can
sniy state their concurrence with the engineer
~ several conversations, that is, that the object
is practicable 4 aud as he very justly observed,
i5at = may be airiy viewed great and ardu-
oe/undertakmg, yet when it is considered the
%nmcnse tract oft fertile country the object
would command, aud consequently valuable
aHd growing commerce TO the town of Peters
burg. resulting also in an important advantage
10 ihe state, readily agree with HIM, that
such great ends wonld amply justify the means
10 elect them.
Being associated with Col. Baldwin, and
witnessing his performance so far in this un.
dertaking, we beg leave to say, as a tribute
Justly due him, that as far as we are capable of
Judging of his skill and competency in the pro-
lection and execution of such works, we have
the most ample confidence 10 Ills abilities. His
zeal and interchangeable exeftOns, suffering 10
weather or circumstances to impede his pro.
grcss, accommodating himself to every incon-
vcnience Occnrring-rendering himself agree
able to those subordinate TO him, aud thereby
rendering them ready and willing to pc form
their duty, are, in our estimation, VaIuabIs
traits iii his character.
vain due respect, we are, SIC.
-. MACKENIGE,
RDHERT RICHIE,
JOHN HINTON.
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