American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-03-01
From the FreemQn'S Journal
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

From the FreemGn'S Journal
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
Extract from the repor, of the committee of the
senate Of Maryland, ON internal improvement
TO whom was referred so much of the executive
communication as relates to that subject.
The committee now come to the third oblec. oil
internal Improvement to which they are DESTROYS
iof directing the attention OF the egisure. that is
the canal to unite the bays of Delaware and Che
lsapeake.
| In 1899 the Legislature Of Maryland passed
Ia law, which in the year 1901 was followed by SINH
lar laws on the part Of the legislatures Of the states
iof Delaware and Pennsylvania, incorporating q
company with capital stock OF 100000, Tor the
purpose Of opening canal between the bays OF De.
iawsre and Chesapeake. / pursuance of these laws
subscriptions we're received for nearly the whole
amount Of two thousand shares at 200 each -
Surveys were made-engneers and workmen TN
ployed-a route selected for the canal through the
isthmus which separates the two bays and some
material progress made in the execution OF the
work. But unfortunately, after having gone thus
faT in the execution OF this important object, and
after having expended upwards OF 100000 in the
purchase of water rights and in the construction
of feeder and reservoir, the work was suspend
ed In the year 1908, in consequence oil the nom
payment of the subscriptions and it appearing
capital stock, even if subscribed for and collected,
was a sum totally inadequate TO the completion Of
SO extensive work. At this period also. the ener
ICY and spirit OF the company began to subside, I'm
aided as it was, by further support and encourage
men, or by that individual enterprise or activity
which had enabled them, Up TO that period, TO con.
tinue their oper atoms
By connecting the waters Of the Delaware and
Chesapeake the contemplated canal will throw open
an internal navigation of great extent, from the
north west part OF the state oil New York to the
southern extrernities Of the state of Virginia.
The particular advantage which the state of Ma
ryland would derive from this improvement, need
scarcely to be detailed by the committee. They will
suggest themselves to the understanding OF every
rejecting man. In national point of view, all will
concur IN the opinion OF its importance and look
ing TO an event which your committee is by no
means anxious should soon occur, but in the opin-
ion OF the committee may reasonably be expected
TO take place at some distant period, it may be re-
garded object OF peculiar interest, as produc.
tive Of the means Of national defence, affordng as
it no doubt will, facility Of transportation of troops
ordnance and military stores, from one part of the
country to another, the want of which was materi-
ally felt during the late war with Great Britain.
Beneficial as it certainly will be to the state OF
Maryland, the committee have thought it proper
to direct the attention of the Legislature towards it,
but viewing il as an object of national concern and
not alone productive OF local advantage the commit
tee would remark that it is subject 10 which the
attention OF the National Legislature should be
drawn.
The canal begins at Weleh Point, on the Elk
river an arm of the Chesapeake and is to termin.
ate at distance of twenty two miles, on Chrisana
river, branch Of the Delaware. Al low water, the
depth of water in Chrisiana river is nine feet and
in Elk river twelve feet within one hundred feet
from the shore. The tide rises feet in both rivers
mo expensive acqueducts or bridges are to be
made, and the principal obstacles have been already
overcome. The supply OF water from Elk river
by feeder which is now completed six miles in
length and three and half feet in depth and
which is itself boat canal, united by lock of ten
leet high, to the main canal, is calculated 10 fill
daily, one hundred ard forty locks, quantity suf
hcent, ON an average, for the daily passage of "a
vessels.
j The canal is twenty six feet wide at the bottom
and fifty feet at the waters edge. 1t is intended
for vessels of from forty to seventy tons, drawing
seven and half feet. The banks being intended for
lowing paths, are twenty feet wide, one of which
may be converted into turnpike road, being rails.
three feet ABOVE the level of the water; and will,
by increasing the height Of the lick gates one foot.
admit depth, nine feet water in the canal. The
lexpense Of digging mile through rocky ground
was 81 5000; and that Of digging the same distance
Through level country, free from distractions
u $4,000, which gives average of 81 600 per mile
4 The whole length of the canal is about twenty two
miles, and the whole coss computed to be abou,
'S650,Q0Q. These estimates were made at time