Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-13

the next line to Tuckahoe into use this winter To
that end, the intelligent and energetic contruc-
tor that could be selected, Mr.. John Bosher, was
employed at the earliest possible moment, to build
the dam across the river, which was a key to the
whole business. In the belief that it would be in
such state of forwardness, that the navigation of
the river would be stopped, before the canal would
be ready to receive the water, lock contracted
for III one of the ab,tmens, to be built OF the best
wood, viz: white oak, post oak, and heart pine and
the walls backed and filed with stone. Unfor,u-
nately, however, in consequence OF the contract
oelhg made at SO late period of the year, before
the great mass of materials could be procured, and
deposited at the site, n favourable portion of the
season for laying 1t down lost, and during the
rest, the water kept up higher than it has been
known to do for many years. The labourcrs be-
came unusually sicky, and in spite Of all the most
spirited exertons OF this discnt contractor, who
was near losing his life, by his unrcmtted en-
beavers to comply with his engagements our hopes
have been disappointed, and great proportion of
the work on the dam, remains yet to be DONE
Whilst on the subject of lock in the dam, the
commissioner will take occasion to remark, that he
can devise no plan, by which the trade can go on
whilst the work is drawing to q close, except by a
lock OF some description, by landing the CARGO
above, carrying it round, and re-shipping it in
boat below. This would be very announcement, be-
sides subjecting the owner TO considerable loss by
changing the carrier. The period Of time during
which the navigation would be stopped, must be We
ry uncertain. AS the channel becomes reduced in
BREADTH the velocity Of the is increased and
being studded with rocks in all places which are eli
gibe for the erection Of DAMS it is plain that before
the work can be near to its completion the ordinary
force required to man boat, could descend with
safety, and would be altogether unable to ascend,
particularly In moderate rises of the river. And
when the water is let into the canal, prudence will
require thatit shah be admitted in sual quantity
and the volume gradually increased, till the en-
bankments and all the other works are sufficiently
tested, before the boats are allowed to pass On the
other hand, lock will secure safe and easy pas.
the dam can be taken entirely across the river
carrying its whole length gradually to the intended
height, and the water will spread in thin sheet
over various parts that be left open, and closed
as the work progresses.
The whole line of canal to Tuckahoe was laid
under contract as fast as contractors could be OBJ
tanned, and the work progressed as rapidly as could
be expected, until the sickly drove many of
the labourers from it, and it was impracticablc to
supply their places. 1t is however in state of
great forw ardness, and will be ready as early as the
dam can be finished in the next season.
The next section from Wickham's bridge to Plea
SAINTS island, also let contract as fast as we
could get contractors, who could obtain hands. The
contracts all taken to Jenito, and considera-
bic proportion of the work Is DONE
Notwithstanding the confidence that is entertain-
ed in the proprety of extending this section to the
Maiden's Adventure falls, the commissioner feels
much delcacy i'll carrying on his operations beyond
the point to which he is limited by the act of the Le-
gslature: Nevertheless, as it is nothing more than
an extension of the section to more eligible point
for receiving the water, he will take the liberty to
exercise discreton which he iners that he is clothed
with, unless 1t shall be the pleasure of the Legisla-
ture to instruct him to the contrary He is induced
to do this, because of the evil which has resulted
from the lateness Of tho period when the dam was
contracted for last spring. If an opportunity should
Offer he thinks it desirable that the next one should
be put under contract without delay. There will
be also some dry walling in that portion which can
be carried on in the winter, when other work can
not.
The want of efficient contractors as well as COM
mon labourers, has retarded the operations very
much during the last season; this has been in some
degree owing to the law of the last session having
been enacted at so late period, that the time for
hiring labourers by the year had passed. Frequent
propositions have been made by contractors from
New York, but none have taken contracts till late
y Our has taken aquetuct over Tuckahpe.
and another stone wall and excavation above If
it should be the pleasure Of tho Legislature TO act
upon this subject, at early period of the session.
there Is little doubt that others will come forward
in the ensuing season. their work is drawing TO a
conclusion.
The annexed Statements shew the amount of mo.
ney which has been paid on each contract there is
further sum due on each that is unfinished,
which IS retained to ensure its accomplishment The
estimates of what is to be DONE show what ii is sup
posed will be wanting to finish the canal to Maiden's
Adventure falls. Each section is charged with its
own amount. 1t is subject of much concern, that
they should so far exceed the estimates of the enc-
neers by whom the work was recommended to the
patronage of the Legislature. When we consider
however, the great extent of their survey and the
short time in which it was performed, we must at
once perceive that they did not ailow themselves
time to make such estimates of what was to be
done as could at all times be relied oil for accuracy
II must have been superficial view, that induced
the opinion that the old canal could be wdened and
deepened for $3.50, far short of sutficency
to feed the laborcrs who have done the work or tina
dam could be built at Peasants island for $4,000
1t will be SEEM too, by reference their report that
there is no estimate for culvert, or aqueduct, in
the whole line to Pleasantss island except al Tuck
ahoe creek, where an embankment, or aqueduct, as
may be thought best, is recommended, and estima-
ted at S 1900. The sum estimated for a coyncxion
with the river TO raise the COAL and other trade from
the south side OF the river int the canal, is only
lo,OOO. This defect wasiiapply remeded by the
James river company, when they adopted the sec
ton to Juckahoe, for the purpose of accommodating
that trade But for this, the only means Of bringing
1t into the canal, would have been by locking it I'd
from the river. In which case, every lockfu of wa
ter and the leakage which is more or less incident
to all locks, would have been lost, and deficiency
OF water the probable consequence 1t is to be OBJ
served too, that the estimates were made for ca
nal 36 feet wide at topwater lire, as far up as Ora
hams farm, for the accommodation of the large
coal boats, and 80 feet above that point, and feet
deep; Whereas the canal is now made 9 1-2 feet
deep, and forty feet wide throughout; it being con-
sidered bad policy to conduct the water part Of the
way in narrow canal, and empty it into wider
one for the remaining part, without any additional