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

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twenty miles from its western termination, from
the Oak Orchard Greek, enlarged with all the
upper waters of the Tonnewanta; and atits cast
/ crn termination, il will be supplied from the
Gcncsec river. These resources of water would
probably he found sufficient for three months after
the ice should be lissolvcdn the spring. Aud il is
not to be believed, if unfortunately breach should
be made, under extraordinary circumstances, that it
will NOT be susceptible OF complete rcparaton much
within that time.
The contract for the construction of the Black
Rock Harbour has been executed by Peter B. Por-
ter and Sheldon Thompson, who were authorised
for that purpose by the citizens of Black Rock; and
every part it is TO he completed by the first of
December next. In this contract, the said Porter
and Thompson have among other things, cove
| nanted,
LIST. That every part of the work comprised in
The contract shall be done according the plan and
directions of the commissioners, either of them or
| their engineers.
| ID. That at any time during the progress of
said work, any damages shall be sustained by the
operation of ice wafer any other cause, the same
| shall he sustained by the said Porter and Thomp-
son.
3. IL said work. in any stage of its progress, shall
| be abandoned by the said Porter and Thompson,
they shall refund demand, all monies with intc-
rest, which they may have received.
9TH. That every part of the work comprised in
the contract shall remain in good and perfect con-
Vulil, anu At 'iic SHPiuNiOh va NV ySoiS
from the completion thereof
| 9th. That they will construct good and suffci-
ent tow patti along the OF said harbor, to its
connexionwith the line of canal, terminating at the
little Buffalo creek.
| This contract is accompanied by bond, in the
penalty of ninety-fve thousand eight hundred and
nineteen dollars conditioned for the faithful per-
formance thereof, in all its covenants and agree
mcnts, and executed by thirteen citizens of Black
Rock, and its vicinity; two of whom have made
oath before proper officer that they severally
worth fifty thousand dollars, and above all
debts, whatsoever, owing by them
The work comprised in this contract, consists Of
five hundred and sixty rods of mole pier namely
five hundred and thirty rods TO connect Bid island
with Squaw island, and thirty rods to unite Squaw
island with the main shore-two hundred and sixty
rods of cmbankment along the eastern shore of
Squaw island; and tow path of two miles and
| twenty seven chains i'll length.
The average height of the mole will be about SIX
teen feet, and the average breadth eighteen feet.
The height of the cmbankment is eight feet, the
breadth at the base thirty feet, and the top six
| feet.
| Nircty-fvc rods of mole, and about two hundred
| rods of embankment are already completed.
To complete what remains To be done, will
quire abouttwo hundred and twenty thousand feet
of square timber, nearly the same quantity of round
timber, and eighteen thousand rods of stone Fifty
thousand feet of square TIMBER and bout two thou
sand cord Of stone, were delivered some time ago,
| and suitable measures had been taken secure an
early supply of the residue. The present state of
the work. aud the capacity and energy of the COM
pany. give confidence in the belief, that the con-
tract will be completed, and the harbour i'll good
condition FOX navigation within the time limited in
| the contract.
| The lock above mentioned to be made for the
| purpose of opening the communication between the
Black Rock harbour and Niagara river, will be
connected with that part Of the mole which is to
extend from SIuaw Island to the main shore. II
| is TO be made of timber formed into cribs, framed
| together, and loaded with stone, and lined with
plank of suitable thickness, so well grovcd and con-
ncctcd as to prevent leakage. From the size of
vessels now sailing the lake, it deemed ne
cessary TO give ii the following dimensions, wit
! Whole length of the lock walls, one hundred and
| eighty feet; within the chamber one hundred and
twenty feet; width, twenty EIGHT feet height, cigh-
teen feet. The ordinary lift of the lock will be a
bout four feet: Occasionally it will be more, in con-
sequence of high water i'll the lake This lock will
require .for the sides, ends and bottom, thirty-one
thousand and forty feet of square oak timber for
the ties, piles, braces, &c. thirty thousand hum
drcd and sixty feet round TIMBER for gates and
hollow posts, lock ss, balances. two thousand feet
of square timber of large size for lining bottom
and sides, SC. &c. fifteen thousand two hundred
and forty feet of plank, and about fourteen hun
drcd cord of stone.
The contracts at tho Mountain ridge for the rock
| excavation, have thus far been prosecuted will,
much energy and perseverance. In our last annu-
al report fully forth the nature Of the then
| existing contracts, and intimated determination
to change them, and contract for specific price
per cubic yard, so soon the value of the work
could be ascertaincd, which, from variety of eau
ses, it was difficult to determine. The indefinate
nature of these contracts, connected with the
ntude of the work, has been subject Of much So
licitude and to those who have had the i,nmcdi-
| g a.
in detail, ample and prolific of pcrplcxty
AT the commencement of the contracts, figid sys-
tern of accounts and daily examinations, were in
sttutcd, and throughout thoroughly pursued for the
purpose of ascertaining the value of this work.
and much credit is due TO tie fidelity and persever
ancc of the engineers, 10 whom these daily and mi
mute examinations were committed.
The contractors who were engaged in this work
| were of good reputation for integrity, response
bity and capacity, suitable to the undertaking O
work of such immense magnitude; and they have
throughout, manifested willingness to conform t.
such directions as were given, from time to time re
latng to the progress and manner of the work. Tho
mode Of ascertunng and exhibiting all their month
| " expenditures, and have, all occasions, showl
fairness which entities them to our confidence anC
esteem. After subjecting this work the best ties
III power devise, in order arrive at its fru
value, the whole placed under contract for de
finite price per cubit yard, varying from one dolIa
anu tWcnty-HVe cents 10 one dollar ana Seyenty-vl
cents the average of which nearly conforms tt
what it cost under former contracts, and it is in ou
opinion, no more than reasonable compensation.
The cost of this work has much exceeded our ex.
pcctations, and the following the most promi
ncnt causes of this excess TO wit: The great guam
ty of water making into the line of the canal from
the adjoining lands, aided by numerous springs
which are constantly found as the work advances
even i'll the dryest season of the year, very much
embarrassed the operation of drilling and blasting
and compels the contractors TO sink ditch below
their work for the whole extent of nearly two miles