The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-03-26


to annexed.
The commissioners have endeavoured
IN their examination Of the manner and
costs of improving this river, to take as
complete view of the subject as Cir
cumstances would permit so as to pre-.
sent to the Legislature such representa-
ton as would enable them without losing
sight IF u!terior advantages which must
grow out OK canal so located, ard on,
OF the consequent future ramiGca,.ons
and extensions Of which it will necessari
iy be the parent, as to be able 10 siIew
not only the entire cost Of TIE undertake
ing as tar as the national read at Cum
berland, but the cost OF so much as may
now appear within the limits q the ways
and means OF the two states. With this
view they directed the engineer in the
outset, to make his calculations of the
surveyed route in sections, 50 o to shew
the whole cost of each section from one
| important point 10 another, along its
whole course. This they supposed
would place the Commencement of this
great work completely within he reach
| OF the resources of the states, aswhether
the canal commenced for the PRESENT at
Cumberland, and descended the river
| where the greatest distractions 10 uayi-
| gation are fouDd-as far as Williams
Fort, or at tide waters, and assembled the
river, every section when Completed,
would add 10 thewhole va,ue of the com.
merce and soil ofthe states,& therefro,h
something would at once be received in
| soiiss The level and survey Of the whole
course being at once ascet,ained& decid-
ed,sny part of the worklikelyto afford the
greatest benefit and profit might be com.
pieted in such a manner as to be united
with the remainder without addition of
cost or any arrangement of the PLAN
This partial cutting in sections would e.
naoe the states to keep their expendi-
lures within reasonable bounds, and 10
guard against the necessity of oppressive
burthens. At the same time that they
would lay the foundation OF an improve
ment, which when extended across the
mour aims and completed, j, is no vain
boast to say will be of greater importance
thap epv other of ~ high the typography
81 the q. etates1s suseepubie.
The territorial feature Of the u States.
political, commercial and social, is the
extensive range Of mountainous regions
which divides the river falling into the
Mississippi, from those which fall into the
Atlantic ocean. Ii forms a wall Of sepa
ration between the west and east. and the
difficulties 1t PRESENTS has diverted he
western commerce from the neares, sea
ports, and caused its general current to
seek distant outlets around its northern
and southern extremi,les Such howev-
e. is the wise arrangement of Providence,
that where The evils resulting from this
great barrier operate most severely, that
as, nearest to its centre, it has placed the
remedy within our reach. Of all the
rivers which reciprocally drain the lands
beyond and on this side the mountains,
the Ohio on the one side, and the Poto-
mac on tho other, extend their ramifica
tons, OF which any use can be made,
nearest TO the summit and level of the
dividing ridge. Such also is the favour.
able shape of the mountains at this point
where the waters approach nearest, that
IFS fiattened surface forms extensive and
luxurieDt meadows called glades. A
ell known operation of the laws of ma
ture, al this elevated point, at all times
many degrees cooler than the surround.
ing air, condenses the vapors and attracts
the clouds rising on either side of the
mountains, SO that these elevated plains
or glades in the driest season, are copious-
ly supplied with water, and afford rich
and abundant pasturage, when all the
valleys below them are parched with
drought Deep creek is western
stream falliDg into Youghagany, which
forms in these glades, and is situated at
/ that point from which the commissioners
| commenced their measurement, within
204ft. Of the summit OF the dividing ridge.
and can be brought by a cut within 2
miles OF branch of Savage river, called
Crab.tree ruH, at the junction of its
branches at SWANS old mill on this side
Of the mountains. Deep creek is CO.
plous stream, with banks nearly perpen
dicuiar, running through the soft earth
oEthe glades, and was in the season when
they examined it (supposed to be the
| driest which has occurred within the
memory OF most men living) from 8 TO &
feet deep, and from 9 TO IL feet vide,
with current Of about IL miles to the
hour. There is q narrow pass (c) in a
ridge Of the glsdes through which Deep
creek makes its way, where by erecting
dam 10 or % feet high, and not more
than 40 or 80 yards long, these meadows
may be Inundated and all immense pond
may be formed equal at least to 8 or d
4 a. -. l. IL,