Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-09-10
people OF the Wesiieel very deep in

PEOPLE OF the West ieel a very deep in
terest.
III procured, few days since, from a
gentleman OF Somerset county, a map, ex
hibiting the head waters OF the Potomac
AMI Youghagany rivers, taken from very
minute and accurate survey, which de-
practicability of uniting
them beyond the possibility of DOUBT.
"Will's Creek, which empties at Cum
berland, and Flougherty's Creek, which
falls into the Yough little below the
Great Crossings, are found to approach 10
some places within 50 perches Of each o
thsr; and at point where the water in
each is, at all times, sufficient to turn
mill, they are separated by a neck of land
little more than mile across: besides, the
streams which would teed the canal in this
mountainous region, are not influenced at
all by the dryest seasons.
IL have 10 doubt this immense work,
connecting the waters of the Ohio aud
Mississippi with the tides OF the ocean al
Washington, could be accomplished on
the principles stated IN MIR. MERGERS re.
port. without drawing one cent from the
public treasury. The loan proposed could
no doubt be obtained in Holland or some
other part of Europe, ON the terms indi.
Gated in the report, and the whole repaid
out OF the proceeds of the sales of public
property in the city. Thus the govern
ment would'not only effect public i'm
provement of the very first importance to
the Union, lbut also convert property,
which is at present useless, into highly
profitable and productive stock yielding
revenue of perhaps 10 or l2 per cent. AS
mere revenue measure, this work ought
TO be at once commenced by the general
government, even though it should be of
no advantage 10 the nation in any other
point OF view"
We have already published the Ameri
Gan account oil the retaking OF the steam
boat Phoenix. To the following extract
from the Montreal Gazette of the 28th
ul,imo, correspondent has appended a
statement of the manner in which Brother
Jonathan gulled old John Bull.
'On Sunday evening last the American
steam boat Phoenix arrived at ST. Johns,
when the Comptroller Of the Customs at
that place, having received information
that considerable quantity OF contraband
goods were on board. ordered strict
search to be made. Inprogress OF doing
so room not usually fastened, wac found
locked up;-the door having been forced
open quantity of silks and other contra
band articles were found. The perfor-
nance oshis dutyimposed upon the Comp.
troller, the necessity of selzing, not mere.
ly the goods, bat the vessel in which they
had been conveyed. He accordingly pro-
cured file of men of the 60th Regiment,
and leaving the vessel in charge OF them,
and of the crew, he, with the'Captain,
proceeded TO this city.
The vessel being thus left, and the crew
no longer perceiving any considerable OBJ
stacle to their again obtaining possession
OF Der, most unadvisedly, and injudicious-
ly, secured the guard and departed With
her for the U. States.
1t is no more than justice TO state, that
so far as our information on this unpleasant
affair goes, no blame is attributable to
captain Sherman.
1t is earnestly to be wished that The
Proprietors may see this unwarraDtable
act in its true lisht and order the lmmedi-
ale return OF the vessel and the soldiers,
thus obviating much Of the discussion
which must otherwise inevitably follow.
The mode of securing the guard was,
by inviting them into the cabin to drink
aud when there. locking the doors. 1t is
presumable that the guard lett their arms
on deck, as they could not possibly sus-
pect the hostile intention of the steward
and crew. St. Johns is about 80 miles
within the line.