Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-15

if it should another city will grow up at some more
healthy spot up the river. But suppose Tor mo-
ment that the trade OF Pittsburg could be diverted
from its natural channel Isl, to be apprehended
that It will lind its way into Lake Erie by the Ohio
and Erie Canal, or by some more direc, comrnuni-
cation that may be effected hereafter and thence to
New York!
The same obstacle present themselves in all their
force, TO the contemplated canal commune alton
between the James and Jackson's river and the
kanawha: and indeed TO any place which has for
liz object invite the trade of the Ohio across the
Allegheny Mountain by canal where its elevation
is 30 great, to any OF the Atlantic ports. For
humbly conceive that canal navigation can af-
ford conveyance b. this route, that will bear
comparison with that which nature has prov ided
for it. Some of the original advocates, however
seeing the accomplishment of this object hopeless
will probably attempt TO progress above Maiden's
Adventure, step by step, IN the hope of ultimate
success in the whole; whilst others will be dis
posed TO 20 as lar they can up the river without
looking 10 the western trade Interior object
! This subject has been amply discussed in he
Virginia Legislature well as IN private circles all
over tine state that fear il will be irksone to read
any thing which can be said about it. As il is not
yet disposed of, how ever, will beg leave 10 offer
my imperfect views, to the most prominent of
| the numerous objections which l conceived il LA
bic to.
In the first place. 1t can only furnish accommo-
daiion 10 tie trade on the north side OF the river
except at the feeders where the trade from the south
side come in with The water. The difficulty
| and inconv enience OF crossing wide stream,
a d passing through the sands on The opposite side
TO load boat with the produce of the country, will
more than counterbaldnce any advantage which the
Improvement of the igaon could con Ter, whilst
the shipper sill be burthened with the expence
o! tolls if he derived all the benefit. And this
inconv enience will be The more sensiby felt,
little returns oil merchandise because he boaiman
will not he Induced by the trifing freight he would
be entitled 10, To incur the necessary delay. These
circumstances will cause uuceasog clamours from
those who must pay their proportion OF construct
ing and keeping in repair, work which will be
worse than useless 10 them. Ii may be said perhaps
that lateral canals into the river will supply this
defect Whist these oud add very much TO the
eXpence, since lock with one lift would ia no case
be sufficient Il, will require two or three) they
would be always liable tu fill mp, since thy must
be excavaed deep enough TO float the boat into the
river al low waier; and even when the large boat
might be let down into the river, it could
gate II.
2lly. The further 20 up the river, the grea-
ter is the eXpence OF construction, the poorer the
country, and consequently the less the profit from
the tolls. This circumstance operates with pecu-
liar force, because the greater the distance he pro-
duce merchandise has to travel, the more toll it
and keeping ii in repair.
3dy. The river, so far as he canal has progres-
sed and for great distance above, has little fall
that 1t is Impossible to piece it OF the reach OF
tresies, particularly since 1t Is undeHiabe iact,
that the lateral streams cannot be depended on 10
supply it, and OF course the water be OBJ aimed
principally from the river by erecting dams across
| it. 1t follows then, that the canal must travel a
considerable distance, before its comparative eeva
he ned a he If IA
| reach of danger. And these dams too, will occa-
sion more mischief 10 the lands above them than j.
generally unprecedented, IRON an observation mide
by the COMMISSIONS of the James and Jackson's
river in December 1924, viz. When the river be-
low the dam opposite 10 Amber's farm, rose g
IL feet above common tide, it II tee inrne-
dately above the dam and Fl feet at Wirklam's
bridge on Tuckahoe Creek. The water at thi.
bridge is supposed 10 have been upon lie ell with
the water tie upper end of Tuckahoe Island,
where il communicates with the river about five
miles from the dam. This ACTIVITY above the dam
is probably much greater than was anticipated, AID
oilers sad illustration oil The injury which may in
some places be done 10 the lands and crops above
them.
But let it be supposed that the tributary streams
would supply the wafer necessary to navigate the
canal, or that feeder taken from Tie river would
sustain The navigation much far her than has been
! allowed; then The communication from the south
side would be much the more completely cut off
since The only connection is at the feeders. And
here let it be remarked that il il were not
| Necessary to go 10 the river for water, the canal
must OF necessity be located at the foot of the hill
wherever it is abrupt, because It's breadth could not
5e eXcavaied into steep HILL unless the hill could
b. taken away above, till it should have proper
slope
4hly. In addition to the injury which may be
done to the lands above the d'ms, is il not worthy
OF consideration, tina, from 20 to 90 feet of the
finest low grounds on the river, should be destroy
ed by lie line of The canal, and ,hsbalance insulated
and no access to it left, except by bridges which
must be very numerous, or great Inconvenience
suit to the farmers; and in time of reshes, loss of
sock or crops for the want OF access to them,
The land immediately below the canal bank will
in many places be materially injured by the weep
lig OF the water through IL; and In case of breaches
IN the bank, the damage may be very serious The
culverts which introduced to carry the streams
under the canal, after giving them all the breadth
and elevation which the level will allow, will some
times get choaked ard sumetimes prove insufficient
to carry off the floods which occur, TO the great
injury, and often compleat destruction of the crop
the flats above. All these injuries losses must
lie paid Tor by the ealh, or great Injustice
done to the farmers.
5hly. The appalling expense of the work, which
can be better judged of by comparison with that
which is done, allowing for the increasing difficult
lies and consequent expense we ascend, than by
any estimate which can be made.
Upon this subject great calculations made Of
dminulion in the cost OF the work when we become
better acquainted with it, But let il be recoected
that the most important parts of it have been exc
cuted by sklul artists taken from the canals in
New York, and other parts of the United States
and it is stated by the Commsioner that there is no
instance OF inordinale profits, and that the average
profit on the whole would not exceed five per cent
upon the actual cost.
6thly. The expense Of keeping in repair, two or