Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-19

Before wcgrcach section No. fve, lie rock sinks
about twelve feet below the surface Of the earth,
which having been removed, a contract has been
made for excavatng the rock and measures arc Ia
ken for vigorous application of the necessary Ia
lbour. The quantity of rock this section. we arc
unable to ascertain, but we suppose there may be
about thiry-six thousand yards; and since eur last
annual report considerably more rock has been
taken out than remains 10 be eScavated on the
four first sections. in order to complete the canal
and as a ditch is now sunk TO the bottom for some
distance ~, from the brow OF the ridge, and nearly
to the bottom much farther up, the greater part OF
the rock to be excavated is in condition be BLAST
cd much favourable than il was at the COM
mencemcnt of the last 1t is obvious, from
the preceding statement, that sections No. ono and
two, can be completed early next season. On sec
ton No. three, the contractor has engaged TO cxca-
vate three thousand yards per month, during the
winterand spring, which will leave TO be excavated,
during the favorable part of the year. in order
have it completed by the first of January next,
only three thousand ono hundred and sevcnty-fve
cubic yards per month. On section No. four, ar
rangcments have been made with the contractor to-
excavate four thousand yards per month, until the
first day of May, when the quantity pcrmonth may
be SO increased TO leave not than ten or
twelve thousand yards for tile next winters opera
ton. On section No. hyc. no great proportion of
the rock can be eScavatcd previous to next May,
but the work may be placed in such situation, that
twenty or tweuty-ive thousand yards can be taken
out during the next season.
The foregoing arrangements have been made by
the acting commissioner that poit of the line,
with view to its final completion in the month OF
May, 1925: and we think experience demonstrates,
that it may be all accomplished by that time.
The remaining work the two ridge sections
No. five and six, comprising nearly five miles in
length, is principally earth excavation. and al
though much remains to be done, measures have
been taken, by subdividing these sections into ele
parts, and placing them into the hands of ener
able assurance of their being completed early as
! the rock excavation.
The contractors who have in charg the building
of the locks at the brow of the mountain, have made
| use of reasonable cxertions in the advancement of
the work. Fifty thousand feet of face stone have
been cut being nearly all required, and more than
one half are delivered. Water line Of Il superior
quality, is obtained in abundance at distance of
about seventeen niles & the delverance of the WHOLE
during this winter is contracted for The laying of
the two lower locks is commenced, and arc con-
fident that all the nasons work will be done next
season.
The tow path, the Toncwanta creek vas
grubbed and cleared during the last winter, while
the ice was solid, Which materially facilitated the
removal of the timber.
contract has been made for constructing 10 ok
near the mouth of the Tonewanta creek and the
materials for its constructions forward state
of preparation.
The line ofthe canal, from the Tonewanta creek
westward, to its junction with Black Rock harbour,
was re-surveyed during the latter part of the
son, and put under contract, to of experience.
This line is all to be completed by the fifteenth of
October next.-And that part of the canal which
lies between Black Rock and Little Buffalo creek,
has been let out to contractors, be completed
next season.
The feeder from the Tonewanta creek into Oak
Orchard creek, and thence into the canal. is about
four and Il half miles iii length. That part of it
which was required after the junction of the two
streams, and which mostly thought solid rock
is completed Two and half miles of the line of
this feeder, from Tonewanta creek done, and
the residue nearly completed
ITO be continually