American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-07-15
FOR THE AMERICAN wArcuMAN.

FOR THE AMERICAN wArcHMAN.
Mr.. WILsoS.-Snce the important subject O.
the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal, has been agi
,ating the public mind have from conscious
ness Of the great importance and public utility o
such work, devoted more than usual attention tc
liz, both 10 making myself acquainted with the dife
rent contemplated routes, and applying them re
spectiyely public utility. have also viewed with
no little amusement to myself, the individual 10.
terest, and local preudices, that exist, with various
persons; Tut IN no section, or part of the country
have seen so much selfish interest and persona
enthusiasm upon the subject, exists with the PEG
lple OF Wilmington and Brandywine they appear
to be sangune, that they do not hesitate to say
that no other route be adopted, than that into
THE Chrstiana creek. This enthusiastic opinion
no doubt, emanaies from personal, or local interest
not from public utility as they are confident, il thi:
route is adopted, that Wilmington must be the
great place Of deposiie; that they, with the Brandy
wine Mills, will be enabled to stop great part Of
lthe trade OF the canal, and thereby detrsct from
lPhiladelphia-that this was this principal excite.
ment to their liberality in subscribing TO the stock
cannot be doubted. In their effort to establish their
interested point, they particularly oppose the route
and plan, as proposed, by Me- John Randel an en-.
lterprlsIng and intelligent engineer, from The state
lot New York, and who have understood has been
several weeks engaged, BY order of the company,
thoroughly surveying, evelling and stalking out the
route from Newbod's landing, opposite the Pea
Patch, up st, Georges low grounds, and across to
Back Creek. From what informs ion | have OBJ
taned, as Il respects the advantage Of his route,
anc the capabty of his reporting them correctly
there can be no doubt of his route being adopted by
the wise board OF engineers; both on the system
OF economy and durability. II has frequently been
matter o. surprise to me, that former engineers
nave overlooked this route 1t is therefore, new 10
the public and consequently, cannot be as popular
at hrst sight however, | am confident, when its
many advantages are laid before the public, by the
able hand of Mr.. Randel, that all who are dese
oped OF local interest aud prejudice, cannot hesitate
Tor moneh', to sly that it is preferable; and that
they have been led astcay ky former designing en-
gineers.
The principal objection by anonymous and pre-
JUDGED writer's 10 this route, appears to be- its en-
trance into the Delaware. The inprsctcabilitv of
constructing sufficient harbor and the over diff
Guilty that will cnsue in consequence Of is filing
up at the mouth. - Those objections, in my opinion
can be easily sa ised, as | am Informed Mr.. Ran.
0els plan is TO construct circular BASIN containing
from 40 TO 90 acres one hall OF which extends into
the river which will procc, some distance into the
river, and present to the force Of the tide convey
surface, which OF course would always be sweDt,
oo'h oy the eoo and Hood Tide, and consequently,
there could be no dePosite. Every person, that
knows any thing about the formations of shoals,
must be aware, that where there is strong and
straight current OF water passing, that there can be
no alluyIun deposite that it is only where adverse
currents meet, forming what is called eddies, that
shoals are formed: and to the formation Of the
haroor, there cannot be much difficulty upon that
point as Is very easy to extend into the river
semicrculaF bank and wharf as there will be suf-
hciency OF earth on the spot, which will be removed
from the basin and commencement of the canal
believe, that Mr.. Latrohe, the engineer, who
was formerly engaged by the company, did not he
state to say, that, termination Of the canal i'm
Heoateiy into the Delaware, would be preferable 10
inc Chr'sana; particularly so high up as was con
tempiated, which was seven miles above its mouth :
ana which, owing to ITS very tedious and crooked
haV'gation wouldr require much longer time for a
vessel, 10 pass thai distance, than from the mouth
OF Inc Chrlstiana) to double the distance down the
river lhe opposition of the tides in the Delaware
ana Christlana, Is very great obstacle 10 the ex-
petition OF vessel; for as Mr. Larohe SAYS a
boat comes into the canal at Elk River at hgb water
passes across IN six hours. She will find half ood
IN Christlana and must wait The ebb 10 90 down.
On her arrival in the Delaware lin Q or hours)
she Will have again to wait or hours for The
mood, 10 proceed 10 Philadelphia, or up to Brandy.
WINE mills whereas vessel arriving at the mouth
OF the CANAL at the Pea Patch and finding the food
uoe running, which will always be the case, if she
enters from the Elk River with flood tide, NAV
az once proceed up the Delaware, stopping either
lat wilmington or Brandywine, or gong IN TO
Philadelphia. As also, the great saving time in
passing through this canal, to that into the Christi.
ana he one as proposed by Mr.. Randel being
OUT distance OF twelve miles, and il it is thought
0cWer TO look over the high ground IA defiance M