Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-12-16

IN
nciion in time ofwar. To this answer, that what
ever my have baen the object; after having csperdcd
ABOUT ten millions of dollars las have been tIH thev
were induced tor the above nentoued To- aban
d'n me prosecution OF the canal dow the Caronne
ami have c,atcnted themselves with such , NAVIGATION
t'"n Toulouse 20 BDrdeauX, we have from lynch
brrS 20 the heal Or the falls above Richmond trust
have tpO much pride of coaatry To- wish that V;r
Ginh sh"nii -ield an unbecoining confidence i'm the
practices of any Oncr country. | am proml 10 think
that no people IN The world arc capable Of think
ing and acting for Themselves than are. Yet ask
II It would be wise III disregard this practic Al i,s
tTatlon of theory which is al least very plausible If
not deds'nsrahly correct Whether it would be pru
Gent To exhaust TIE resources OF the State in an enter
prise which most of lis advocates must acLnow ee t
be at least very hazardous, if cxtreaey raso And
whether viii not be much better 10 avail ourselves of
the winch nature has bestowed upon US in the
navgauon OF James River. by improving the sluccs TO
a high degree where they are susceptible of H. ris;pr
the level sheets of water that are TO be found between
c rppies sometimes for miles, in suitable places
nundat!og the fail BY dams and locks where they would
not materially affect the lands health of the ncipb-
bOnrho1i. And here would remark that there is
wlde difference between locating dam at the foot of
ripple tn nundate the fall; and raising one NJ the head of
he tal! at height sufficient TO, fill canal which is oca-
ted as high as practicable tn put it OF the reach Of
trcshes And when the fall is great To be overcome
~ ms way WIN proprIety, would have short canal
AROUND 1t, as we have done in the Blue Ridge.
Ia short would improve every part in that wav which
is most eXpcdent having regard 10 all the crcurnstan
ces belonging TO it, For this purpose would emplcv
agents OF practical skill, and competent scientific ac
qurement who could avail themselves of all the nro
visions of nature observing the c0rvcxitics and conca
yes OF the shores, and directing their sluces that
when The water shall rise above the ordinary level it
will have tendency rather to Keep them open than 10
I'LL them. have l:ttle doubt that upon this nan the
navigation Of the whole river NAV mt A comma ratvaIy
moderate expense, be accommodated all seasons TO
freight OF from fifteen 10 twenty thousand WEIGHT
ijy this tpeans shall husband our resources and
dtuse their benefits over the whole Common wealth in
Just proportion, whilst improvements will WELD an
income commensurate with expenditures and our
means will be increasing instead of diminishing The
work which has been hitherto done in the bed of amee
River, las been under the direction of ignorant over
aud therefore ought 10 be surprised that il
has not answered our expectations.
understand it is in the contemplation of some of f,o
members to propose to the present Legislature steam
loat navigation by dams and locks. Although this
would have some very important advantages cvera con-
tmued canal-V'z: that il would te much cheaper in its
original construction; would be kept in order al less ex
gcnce; and would afford equal heneut TO tho trade on
each side of the river; it would render the low lands
liable TO lnundation. Because whatever deptb
It would raise the river in the saowest narts wouId
effect raise It's whole bed nearly though not entirely
10 tic amount and the inevitable consequence
would be- 10 Increase the magnitude and the frequency
Of reshes tits H'y impression that in all cases where
rise takes place above a dam, across anv stream the
water lies inclined plane ON the dam 10 the hgh
est point which the reluent wafer extends and hat
this Inclination increases TIL tapproxmaes the highest
point to which, The d. will affect it, The water cont;
nuing rise, the Lower part of the rane is radra liz
increased in elevation till tue dam ceases TO lave anr
effect. And further, that during the period when the
rise is influenced by the DAM the ACTIVITY increased
by the increasing elevation OF the above which
urges the food with increasing accumulation nc il
approaches tie obstacle which opposes its passage
Whei:'er these opinions, arising from my own observa-
tions and reflections. warranted by theories on tor
rents not may be decided by those who are skilled ia
them In the reported above, when the ater be-
low tue dam at Ambier'S farm was 80 per cent higher,
common tide. than the dam itself it was 100 Fer
Mt nor .pfTepl oiplN ary,. 4
witty increasing at the rate Of 81 inches per mile TO the
distance of miles up the river Whether this ascent
from local Causes, was greater than is usual upon
under different circumstances and not lulran-
Ced by these local causes, material Such was
the fact. To effect lock and dam navigation but lit
fIe egard be had TO the situation of the Hat land
The Cam must be placed where necessary TO answer
the end proposed Apply the rule above and the una
voidabe result must be- that moderate rises IN the river
which would be harmless under present circumstances
might throw the water upon the lowest paris OF the IT,
grounds and might only nue or DESTROY the crons
hnt have deetertous effect upon the health of the
uclghbnurng country and the immediate effect yyouId
be, TO How the water back IN the creeks and brooks
an aware tTai these dams would be made much lower
Jhan those which raised to Gil canal and heinz
placed at the foot o. the rppes. instead of thc head
they would be far less injurious in their consequences
Nevertheless although should have no hesitation in
preferring this mode of improvement 10 continued o.,
nal should decide in favour the mixed mode for tc
foregoing 1t is farther he observed thar
further experience should decide in Of The former
every dam winch IS erected for Ike latter, will be 50
lnncI done towards TIE lock aud darn nayigaon with
ti7 "hecil"n however, which ii 10 due to candor TO adj
n;tia the site for I'll dam above sill he inundated
by tat below; this would increase the difficulty of Law.
1ng the foundation securely, although would not be an
nsufncuntab!e obstacle. II will be al once uerceiy ed
from Ills observation, that 10 a lock and dam nayi
cation resored to- would be most expedicp 10
Jay !ic foundation of the above before the one
below should be closed.
have now laid before you, fellow citizens all the in
formation able impart upon The several ,no,e, 81
Improvement. Which suggested above The one
lave most approved ~ to be sure less perfect than the
one which IS mo- IN ny estimation. IL belongs TO fle
VISION and justice of onrreprescntaves to sag, whc
cher IS due from th0sc, vino situaled mninpd7fcv
Jane. River, 90 iaie the hazlrd of injury TO their
'nG and hcaitu which IS apprchended from the lock
and dam system, IN order to promote the general oDd
whether brother farmers who arc distant from
market, ought 10 be satisfied wish The mixed Plan orin,
prorcme0t, which, yvbijc it will afford liberal accoIpro-
cation 10 teir trade III be done AT less cxrcncc and