Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-17

rocky and the canal will be formed by a wall of
stone If this reasoning be correct, il will be SUBJ
ject OF much less regret, that should have occa-
sion to go the river for feeders because, they will
Afford perhaps, the cheapest and certainly the most
perfect accommodation to the trade on the opposite
side OF the river; at the time that it is recciv-
ed without any loss of water, which must secessari
ly occur in all cases where we lock down to the ri
vcr TO receive it. would also call your attention
to the use of iron aqucducts, which understand
apt to burst III the northern climates i'll consequence
OF the excessive degree of cold perhaps they might
be more safely used here, particularly by adding
something to the thickness of the castings. You
Will perceive this subject to be connected, III very
important degree, with the plan of passing over the
lateral streams by aqueducts, which can in many
cases be effected by iron, where there will not be
elevation enough tt turn stone arches; and even
wooden ones, which consider poor substitute,
would require much more room than iron. All
other subjects of investigation consider Of minor
importance to them. 1t will be very useful, howe
yer, to examine their manner of constructing locks
and particularly the most approved method of filling
| them, the prices at which they built, and all
other kinds of labour connected with the subject of
canals. Indeed, my dear sir, am only induced by
| y
any objects of enquiry upon subject which, know
| has occupied your mind very much; particularly
when rccollect that upon seeing the work. number
less sources OF information will present themselves,
which do rot occur to me. have uniiy, therefore,
to assure you,tlat shall he indebted to you for
any instructioHftating to my duty commissioner,
and that know it will give you pleasure to afford it,
| Accept my earnest wishes for your health and
happiness during your absence, and believe me
| always
Your cordial friend,
RANDOLPH HARRISON.
Gen. JOHN H. Cooke
| [D.]
| UTICA, June II, 1923.
My dear friend-Upon reaching Schenectady
three days ago, had the good fortune there to fall
In with Judge Wright. the principal engineer of the
Erie canal, just coming up along the line of the
works to the Little Falls. Upon presenting the let
ter which MIR. Robinson forwarded me, through YOU,
we soon became acquainted, and at once secured
the advantages of accompanying him through the
whole course of the canal along the valley Of the
Mohawk from Schenectady to the Little Falls, dis
lance OF 50 miles, at the interesting moment when
they are filling great part of this section with
ter for the first time, with the recent experience of
partial filling of another part last fall. / have
found Judge Wright one of the strong minded,
Intelligent, self-taugh men ever met with and al
together willing, he is able, to impart the in
formation was in quest of. A letter will not adj
init of communicating thousand valuable details
which shall endeavor, by memoranda, to keep INV
self in possession of; and will, therefore, come at
once to the al-important point Of supply Of water
At the Little Falls, they take a feeder from the RI
ver' which has hitherto been the only unfiling de-
pendence to Schoharie creek, distance of thrty-siy
miles; IN the course of which, although there are Sc
vefal tributary streams they all subject to fail
In the time of need. This supply is found to be so
inadequate, that it has been decided to erect dam
across the river at convenient Intermediate point
The contract is made, and the execution of it is IL
mited to the shortest possible time. And Judge
Wright returned yesterday evening from the Little
Falls to fix the spot between two or three points
said to have nearly equal advantages.
Inns new resource, tits expected, will be sufficient
ensure an ample supply down the Schoharie creek
TIPS is the boldcst water course which empties into
the canal between Schenectady and the Little Falls
and comes in at the distance of 81 % miles above
schenectady, and is mainly relied upon for suppl,
OF water down to feeder, to be taken from the rive
miles below Schenectady. The Schoharie is now
5 full, and wastes large quantity of water owe
the dam which has been erected to raise its water
10 the level OF the canal: and yet, Judge Wright i.
doubtful, whether it will be found sufficient for the
u miles, with several smaller aids, and therefore
thinks it highly probable, they will have to take
another feeder from the river in this section. Be-
tween the last named feeder within miles of Sche
nectady, and the termination of the canal at Alba
ny, distance of "a miles, they are preparing to
take two feeders from the river; and Judge Wright
to be entirely of opinion that there can be no
safe reliance upon any other source. He is alto
gethef opposed to reservoirs, and says the failure
which tributary streams liable in time of drought
ought to make them suspicious dependence.
This Will be sufficient to set you wide awake upon
subject ON which you were already so fully i'm
pressed with the necessity of vigilance; and for fur
Their details, you must wait until l come back al
though am full to bursting. Had time. it would
be impossible for Inc TO give adequate idea of the
impressions have received of the advantages of this
magnificent scheme of internal improvement; no,
derived from the arguments OF its advocates, blu,
from facts which have witnessed every step of INV
progress, since met the navigable water.
For one, take this. have just taken our pas
sage in packet boat with as elegant accommodate
tons as you find in our steam boats, for Rochester
100 miles ahead, which we shall reach in IS hours
from this time; and the whole cost of living and
transportation, is SO %, for each passenger; and
nom unquestionabie information, / am induced to
| conclude the estimate assumed by Fulton will be
realized to wit: that transportation will be effected
for one cent ton per mile, the canals are
| i'll full operation.
The time mas arrived for our departure and 7
| must conclude.
God bless you and yours,
JOHN II. COOKE.
From Albany to Schenectady, distance 90 miles,
fall 225 feet; Schenectady to Schoharie, % miles,
fall feet per mile average; Schoharie to Little
Falls, 30 miles, fall feet exclusive of the rapids
Little Falls to Utica, % miles distance 6 feet fall
Utica to Rome, 10 miles distance fall foot.
| [E.l
| BREMo, August, 1923.
my dear S'r,--In answer to yours of the 9th Nav
| take pleasure in communicating the following in