Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-01-30

IlY, III - UeIicftu til~y iiHpilb Soshy W
conveyed into the same resrvoir.'
Sufficient attention has not hereto
fore been paid 10 the invaluable sup.
ply of water afforded at this elevated
point, by the principles of attraction
and condensation. Whenever noun
tains present flattened surface near
or at their summit of any extent, sufli-
cient to prevent the rapid waste of
water which sleeps occasion, they
generally possess all the qualities of
the best meadow land. Mr.. Gallatin
in his mastery report on the roads and
canals of the United States, has en-
tirely overlooked the consequences of
this operation of natural causes at this
point; and asserts from the supposed
absence of such reservoir, the I'M
practicability of uniting the western
and eastern waters. Ills words are
these, 1.-The impracticabllity arises from
the principle of lock navigation, which
in order to effect the ascent, requires
greater supply ofwater in porportion to
the heighth to be assembled, whilst the
supply of waters becomes less IN the
same proportion" = Nor does Says
he) the chain of mountains throug h the
whole extent where it divides the At
lantic from the western rivers afford a
single pond, lake or natural reservoir "
In this assertion, happily for posterity.
this eminent statesmen is substantially
mistaken; and it is highly satisfactory
to knew that this grand desideratum
can be,found, and that whenever the re-
sources of the nation are deemed suifi-
cient to undertake the magnificent la
Dor of perforating the great barriers of
the east and west, by the short tunnel
required, water will not be found want
ing for canaing purposes. The want of
the necessary supply of water 10 the
main considerations; and next, whether
the objects to be attained are worth the
expenditure required. MIR. Gaiatin
In another part of this report, justly re-
marks, "Nor should the plan on account
| of its magnitude be thought chimerleal,
for the elevation and other natural OBJ.
stacles OF intervening ground, or want
ofa sufficient supply of water, and not
| distance, are the only insuperable i'm
pediments TO an artificial nayigation.t
The route for canal from Cumber
land to the Monongahaia, across the
mountains, and its practicability are SO
intimately connected with the canal at
present contemplated, that it necessa-
rily blends itself with every view Of the
subject. 1t was for this reason that the
work was commenced at Deep Greek
the better to judge of its practicability
and of the reasonableness of the eonse-
quences expected to arise from opening
the canal navigation as far as now re
commended. The sections across the
mountains to the states of Virginia and
Maryland, would at present undoubted-
y be an undertaking beyond their Or
dinafy means. But to the states of Ohio,
Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
Maryland, who are all Immediately con-
cerned, it might not prove so, and GER
tainly not to the United Stats, who are
no less deeply interested in its accom-
plishments. upon political considera-
tons involving our dearest interests of
internal strength and security in war,
of commerce and revenue, and the pre-.
servation of the union. Gifts prac(ica-
bility, it is believed little doubt can ex-
ist, as the necessary supply of water
cGn be found. The cost of the lockage
and tunnel are the only real obstacles.
When the practicability of line of ca.
nal is ascertained, where doubt cap at
all exist, as to the relative preponder-
ance it is the province of prudence pre-
vious to the adoption Of an expensive
plan of improvement. to weigh in the
scale of computation, the cost and la
Dor against the advantages expected tc
be derived therefrom. The cost of the
slhese giades and this slowly gliding
stream were to us surprising objects, cleared a:
they are, and situated among the spurs or lat
| teral ribs of the Little Back Bone mountains.
| which have but small rise above these natu
raj meadows, and exhibited TO the eve fatigued
with the severity and rudeness ofthe face Of
nature, in the tedious ascent to their elevated
plains, an appearance no less delightful than
unexpected ofan open level country, clothed
with flowers and rich verdure, intcrsected
with gently rising hilloclls crowned with trees
not thick or impervious to the sight, nor con.
tinued along the combs of these low hills but
detached in clumps presenting the pleasing de-
fusion of an improved and ornamental country.
| trhe following extract from Mr. Hamilton
! Fulton's report TO the board ofpublic works Of
North Carolina, for the year 1921, page %,
will give you an idea of the operation Of locks
on canals, and of a new method of saving the
| waste OF water, so precious at great elevations,
BY means ofbssins or ponds arranged in a par
Ii ar manner, where many locks are necessary