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

We have doubted that all the other parts
OF the barbor may be constructed in such n manner
as to be durable.
Without undertaking TO decide, from what quar-
ter the sands came, which constitute the breach and
bottom of the lake tile shore, between Buffalo,
creek and Black Rock, suppose the effect of stay
ing the current along the shore, will be, the
waves, the winds, aud the ice, deposit all those
parts of them, which lie within their influence,
places higher up than they would otherwise be and
that the harbor Of course will not be in much dan
ger from this source.
Cd. We believe that the construction of this har
Dor will facilitate communications between the canal
and lake Erie aud will give the additional security
| to the craft employed on BOTH
great part of the Niagara river, above the falls
is now hnrbor for lake shipping, all times
easy of access, aud more than any other. In
violent il is unsafe for vessels, from the lake.
to attempt TO enter Buffaloc creek, to pass be-
tween Bird Island and our shore, in consequence of
several reefs of rocks lying above that island. In
such emergencies, they are obliged to go down the
| broad and opeu channel, between Bind Island and
Cananada d come i'll bchihd the islands further down
| the Niagara. But this course is very inconvc-
nien, on account OF the difficulty and expense of
| ascending again into the lake. And it ought here
to be mcnioneed that this eninencc would be
very much increased, by constructing an indepcn-
dent canal along the margin of the Black Rock RAJ
pids. Vessels driven by stress of weather, down
the Niagara, have now, for the most part, other
mode of passing back into the lake, than by the ap
plication of the power of oxen to draw them up.
Even the steam boat is obliged to resort to this pow
er. And as vessels cannot como close to the shore,
and tho number of oxen required is from 8 TO 12
yoke, much more room is required for the applica-
ton of this power, than the width of a tow path
Such room could not be had,,in the indepcn-
dent canal should be made except by placing the
oxen side of the canal and tow path, and the
vessel the other which, besides interfering
italy with the proper and necessary of the
nal WOULD at all times, render the application of the
power much more difficult, tardy, expensive And
the character of the Canada Shore is such entirely
TO forbid the adoption of this method of passing
sells from the river into the lake. that side. When
the Black Rock harbor is constructed, will be easy
to remove this Inconvenience, by connecting it at
the lower end will the Niagara river, by lock of
such dimensions as will admit the passage of all
lake vessels; and Il contract has actually been en-
tered into, for the construction of such lock, for
twelve thousand ninety three dollars and eighty
cents, being the engineers estimate of its reasonable
expense.
a connection will be established, then, btween the
canal and the lake,
1st BY the harbor at the mouth of Buff;loc creek.
This will be large enough for all the demands of
very extensive trade; and it will be safe after it is
entered except when the ice of tho creek breaks up
suddenly and is forced into the lake, by violent
current of swelling waters.
Cd. BY the harbor of Black Rock. This will be
more extensive than that at the mouth of Buifaloe
creek, and less exposed to danger. The connection
between both of these harbors and the CANAL will
times be easy but they now, and forever will be-
inaccessible from the lake
Sd. by the harbor of the Niagara river This
harbour may be entered, from the east with ten miles
less of canal navigation than Black Rock harbour,
and fourteen less than that of Buffalo 1t will al
ways have dep;h of water sufficient for all lake YES
sells will be large enough To contain all the ship
ping of the Atlantir will be safe than either
OF the others; and, it will have an easy connection
with the lake through the Black Rock harhor, by
means of the lock above mentioned, and with the
canal, by means CT another lock, at the mouth Of
the Ionncwanta creek. we could not help regarding
it valuable acquisition to the public. When lake
Erie is agitated b. tenpestuous winds, which arc
not of unt!clnent occurrence there, this harbor, al
ways most easy to enter, is the only safe resort for
lake vessels, and when works completed, ii
will always DC secure, and of easy for canal
boats. Why may il not. them become the scene of
important transactions: Situated at the place where
the most extensive internal natural navigation upon
EARTH connects, with the longest line of unbroken
artificial navigation produced by the labors of
man, and i'll the immediate vicinity of the greatest
water power FOR moving machinery in the world this
immense harbor will be wanted. Our people vi
glant to discover and explore the of inland
trade. They arc sagacious in all the combinations
of scientific principles, OF mechanical powers, of
chemical agents, which subscrvc the interests of
the manufacturer: aud they growing wiser eve
ry day, i'll regard to the proper objects of national
policy. Under the most favorable auspices, those
people arr increasing their wealth is accommodating,
their security Is cstablishcd and when interior
seas shall have population OH their borders equal
to that Oh the borders of the Observation-Disclosures
our whole territory between the Atlantic and Paci-
fc shall he filled with enerprsing prosperous, free,
and happy inhabitants there will be found spot
the interior of this confinement presenting
tives to industry, more wcalh than the shores of
Niagara.
9TH. The effect of our decision will be, to increase
the value Of all the land owned by the at Black
Rock, and of Grand Island, which belongs to the
canal fund. This island contains about eighteen
thousand acres of good land, and lies several miles
below the Black Rock rapids, which deprive it in
their present condition, of all the advantages of an
easy navigable conneXion with lake Erie. By con-
structing the Black Rock harbor, and uniting it with
the Niagara river, by means of lock, this easy
connection will be effcctually secured.
5th. II will give the most abundant and secure
supply of water in the canal eastward from lake
Eric.
The lower end of tho Black Rock harbor is moro
than four miles nearer the long and dry level, be-
tween Lock-Port and Rochester, than the nearest
part Of the Buffalo harbor. And if the works ne
cessary in its construction made urc il will,
al that point offer all the advantages of the lake
Erie supply. When the canal shall be completed,
and shall be extensively used as anticipate, III
Dry seasons, IL may be OF great Importance to derive
water from this broad, Deep and ample reservoir ra
Their than to take it from point four miles further
from the place of deficiency, through canal forty
feet wide at the surface, and wentycght the bot
tom, which, as il must be excavatcd, for Il great
part Of the way, through rock and deep digging,
could notbe wdcncd without great expense, so as TO
admit the passage of Il greater quantity of water
And the danger of wanting water, in case the indie
pendent canal from Buffalo harbor should have been
the plan pursued, would always occur precisely at