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

at Ban Siuicc. This Sclcnc always favo-1
rite one with some of the board of directors, and is
still Justified as measure of expedicncy, and of
economy. That it is opposed by both of these con-
Siderahons, Is think most apparent. 1t has how
ever been adopted against the advice of every En- |
sinccr who was consulted, and venture to affirm
ihat 1t viii be approved by no entitled to the
name.
The plan now executing, instead Of continued |
chain ocanil navigation, contemplat locking into
the river, aboct 80 chains above the upper arch nd
using the river Tor that distance. The adoption of
this plan sets at nought all the experience of the old
and new world, aud is equally regardless of the OPT
mons oil every writer upon the subject of inland ma
visation All unite III reprobatng every attempt at
combining a river and canal navigation, where it
can be avoided.
Between the proposed lock and the upper arch,
Is proposed to form towing path along the mar
gin of the river. This, if made so high 80 over
top the water during freshes, will be very ncouve-
nient for i'll low water; and If made to suit the
navigation Ill low water, will require considerable
expense in its construction, will be always liable
to great injury during high water. For this being a
concave shore, it receives the full force of the cur
rent throughout its whole extent. The rapidity of
that current may be coniectured from the fact that
during the late ircshet, the water at the site of the
locks was tea feet higher than the ordinary surface
of the river, while upen the DAM only so chains be-
low, 1t stood only three feet, thus showing fall of
seven feet in that distance. The sites of both ofc
proposed locks at Bats sluice tcere eorered Jyhc
freshet.
During high water, the ascending navigation will
be interrupted by the rapidity of the current and
the descending navigation will be equally stopped
by the danger OF attempting pass around the con-
vex wall, just above the ARCH and entering n mar
row passage of only 16 feet width, within twenty
feet of the pitch of the dam.
The inconvenience and delay which will be occa-
stoned by frcshcts, of themselves sufficient rca-
n mupira flor, Will
: where 1t IS now proposed The delay alone ope-
rates as heavy tax upon that part of the comnuni-
~ dependent upon this navigation, whether as car
rlers, or growers of produce. The number of boats
which now annuity descend the river exceed 5000,
or about % per day. The daily charges of boat
mems wages provisions, SC. and wear and tear,
&c cannot be less than three dollars per day for
each boat IT, therefore, the interruptions to the
navigation should altogether amount to only ten
days in the year, go boats going each wav would
be detained, and the aggregate number of DAYS
would be 2420, which ut B. gives as the cost of de-
cntion, the sum of 1870. Ihave frequently known
luO boats collected above the arch by n detention
IN consequence of frcshet, of only two DAYS
Inc above sumis the interest upon 12l 900, more
man rye times the cost of an independent canal,
:. which would avoid every inconvenience. there
fore feel no hesitation in advising that the further
operations OF MIR. BOLTON be stopped, and new
contract made with him for the erection of locks be-
low the arch, so as to communicate with the old ca
. nal. Also, that measurcs be taken to continue an
independent canal to the same point. If 1 am con-
hdent OF being right in any thing it is in the belief
that perseverance III the present plan will hereaf-
ter DC SUBJECT oil deep regret we'll of reproach
And hesitate not in saying that this scheme met
with the raj Reproduction of the members Oft
, late Assembly.
, If there is any force in the observations here
made upon this subject, the reasons adduced by the
president and directors of the James river company.
| fprf nto
tory But there Is one idea suggested by them in res
ponsc to resolution of the House of Delegates so
extraordinary that must not pass it without no.
, uce they remark, that at future day, if neccs-
sary' 1t VIII be easy TO convert this part of the river
into close canal, by forming an embankment pa
raile to the shore, in the bed of the ri, err of such
height as to exclude tho current Let it be recol-
ected that for about 40 chai,is in length the river
very deep; IN some places twenty feet; and that as
the freshes rise feet above the ordinary surface
OF the water, the proposed embankmemt must also
he raised at least as high If the medium depth of
water Is only ten feet, the embank,nent must be
twenty feet high. i will not say that upon this con-
cave shore, bank cannot he formed, which will he
ndeStructlbie by the freshets but its will great
, ly exceed that of All independent canal. The en-
oankment must be formed by casting the materials
III which IT IS 10 Ne composed into deep water; and
the least reflection will shew that its sides will as
sumo very gentle iscpe-say at least three feet
base, tor each foot in height. If the bank finishes
SIN feet wide al top, each chain in length will con-
tain 1926 cubic yards; and at 20 cents per ward.
VIII cost 6l5 per chain, S 1880 for the whole
embankment. The suggestion was made without
reflection.
When began TO write this Report, it was under
the belief that was still the engineer upon whom
would devolve the responsibility of suggesting the
proper mode OF executing the work committed to
your direction. Our conversation this morning has
undeceived me on this point; and might sta nd ex-
cused, II now refrained from troubling you with
my sentiments; but feel so deep a solicitude for
the success OF the James river canal that | cannot
silently, see perseverance i'll plans which believe
WEI do essential injury 10 great and valuable pub
lie work.
Assured that you will not misunderstood INV
motives i'll making this free commune alton, sub
scribe myself
Your friend and servant,
JOHN G.. GAMBLE
Rictmo,d, .Uarch II, 1925.
[C.]
CLIFTON, 9th May, 1925.
Ny dear Sir learn with great pleasure, that
your contemplated trip to the New York canal is
naturcd, and about to be put into execution. When
! saw you last, you good as to request that
| | would sugget for your examinations any subjects
which might occur, in the course of my reflections
most important TO the success of our enterprise on
the James and Jacksons river. consider it a SET
tied point that our supply of water feed the canal
must come principally from the river The lateral
streams so far as am acquainted with them cannot
| generally be relied during the summer and
iali months at the time that in heavy falls of
| raln they bring down such torrents of water, that
unless we provide very extensive wastes, our banks