The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-03-26
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH &c, 1928.

Nonongahela on the west, and TO Savag
river on the east, especially when re
cruited when you descended, BY the Biz
foughagany on the west sides Crab.tre,
run on the east side, respectively. Tn,
fact net ascertainet, but from the posi-
ton of the sources OF Little Youghagany
It is believed they might easily be con
veyed into the same reservoir az
| Sufficient attention has not heretoFore
been paid to the invaluable supply of wa
ter Afforded al this elevated point, by the
| principals of attraction and condensation
| Whenever mountains present flatteneC
surface near or at their summit Of an,
extent, sufficient TO prevent the rapit
waste of water, which sleeps occasion
they generally possess all the qualities o
the best meadow land Mr. Gallatin il
his mastery report OF the roads and ca.
nails Of the u States, has entirely over
looked the consequences of this operation
OF natural causes at this point; and asserts
from the supposed absence of reservoir.
the impracticability of uniting the west
ern and eastern waters. His words are
these. "the impracticability arises from
the principle of lock navigation. which
in order to effect the ascent, requires
greater supply of water in proportion TO
the height to be assembled, whilst the sup
ply of waters b5comes less in the same
proportion. Nor does (says he) the
chain of mountains through the whole
extent where it divides the Atlantic from
the western rivers afford q single pond,
lake or natural reservoir" In this asser-
ton, happily for posterity, this eminent
statesman is substantially mistaken and
II is highly satisfactory to know that this
grand desideratum can be found, and
that whenever the resources of the nation
are deemed sufficient to undertake the
magnificent labor of perforating the great
barriers ofthe east and west, by the short
tunnel required, water will not be found
wanting for canalling purposes. The
want of the necessary supply of water is
the main consideration; and next, whether
the objects TO be attained are worth the
Expenditure required. Mr.. Gallatin in
another part ofthis report Justly remarks,
"Nor should the plan on account of its
magnitude, be thought chimerical, for
the elevation and other natural obstacles
OF intervening ground, or ~sst Of suf-
acient supply OF water, an6 not distance,
are the only insuperablc imped,ments to
an artificial navigation. (e)
The route for canal from Cumber>
land to Monongahela, across the noun.
tains, and its practicability are so init
mately connected with the canal al pre-
sent contemplated, that it necessarily
blends itselfwiih every view of the sue
Ject 1t was for this reason that the
work was commenced at Deep Creek,
the better to Judge of its practicabIlity
and OF the reasonableness of the Conse-
queDces expected 10 arise from opening
the canal navigation as far as now recon-
menGed. The sections across The noun
am, to the states of Virginia and Mary.
land, would a: present undoubtedly be
an undertaking beyond their ordinary
means. But to the states of Ohio, Ken
lucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Mary
who are all Immediately concerned, il
might not prove go, and certainly not to
the United States, who are 10 less deeply
interested in its accomplishments, upon
political considerations involving our
dearest interests OF internal strength and
security IN war, of commerce and reve-
nue., and the preservation of The union.
OF It's practicability, it is believed little
doubt can exist, as the necessary supply
OF water can be found. The cost Of The
lockage and tunnel are the only real OBJ
stacies. When ihepracticability of a line Of
canal is sscertalned, where doubt can a,
all exist,as to the relative prepoDderanCc,
it is the province Of prudence previous to
the adoption Of an expensive plan Of i'm
provement, to weigh in the scale OF COM
putation, the cost and labor against the
advantages expected to be derived there
from. The cost Of the section of canal
from Cumberland to MonoDgaheIa, al
though II will, whenever the estimate is
made, be found comparatively much
greater than on lower levels, yet will
fall far short of what an experienced
public have heretofore imagined. But
on the other hand who will under.
take to eBumeTate the advantage and
growing profits on the trade of the only
canal, which is practicable between the
waters Of the Ohio and the Chesapeake.
II is only necessary to see the unequalled
location Of this central route the length
Of the barrier of mountains which it would
sever the boundless region OF the north
western states and territories, sod the
extent literally unparalleled on the
globe of the already connected island ma.
yigatioD by means Of the great lakes
ana Colossal rivers to be United with Pc