Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-20

ing with more. certainty to precision, the benefits
which the steam boat of the dimensions accom-
modated to our situation would confer before the
final decision. It'll uttered with the mos, profound
respect, for the better Judgment Of tie collected
wisdom OF the state in our Legislature. whose pro-
vince it is to decideupon it. AFARMER.
Pans, June goth, 1925.
My dear and palued Friend:
do not know that have any thing of inter-
est to communicate, and perhaps this will often be
the case during my residence in Europe. can
never however forget the friendship of yourself and
the Kindness and cvility Of your family, and /
should make of the privilege Of writing to you,
n 1t were only TO be occasionally remembered by
the circle at your house
" My old complaint, the intermittent fever has
followed me TO France; and have been confined
IN Faris the greater part OF my time. On the whole
perhaps this may not prove disadvsntageous.
have made use OF this period TO make many enqu-
ries; aud snail be enabled in consequence to arrange
my tour TO more adva ntage than could otherwise
have done.
The only public works which have as yet
examined ale the bridges the Seine; the docks at
Hayre and Honfeur; and the canal of Ourcu Two
OF the foimer constructed in the time OF Napoleon,
the bridge OF jena and that OF Auseritz) are GER
tainly handsome specimens of art. might say the
same perhaps oil the bridges and Of some oher orks
\
Havre though extensive are but poorly executed;
and the locks on the canal OF OuIcI ould certainly
| not compare with those betw cen Richmond and
Maden's Adventure. According to my original
Plan should now proceed on my visit 10 the canal
OF l'anqnedoc. Some considerations have however
induced me TO change this arrangement of my tour
IL would be 100 much to devote the whole sea-
son 10 this particular work; and there are no other
improvements OF interest in the same quarter of
France Though have probably no prospect of
immaculate employmentn America, have thought
II advisable to attend without delay to the profess
sionai objects which have brought me to Europe.
In England should see much more in the same
time than on any part ofthe continent have re-
solved therefore to spend the in visiting tho
Canals and Railways of that country, and TO return
through Holland IN the fall TO Paris where can
dispose ct my>winter advantageousy.
The more see and think, the more am con-
nrmeu III our views with regard to the lanes River
Improvement. Railway from Richmond 10 the
Falls OF Aanawha, might perhaps bring to US some
OF the produce of the West There would he no
change In the manner of conveyance; no danger as
IN canal oil interruption by failure and breaches
On this subject shall be able 10 speak with more
confidence, when have witnessed The operation f
lie Railways in England. Our canal however,
lil executed) can never be any thing more than a
local Improvement. As such sluice navigation
In the river would certainly seem to be commensn-
rate with the object, and on other considerations
much more advisable than the canal
| have lately met with the work of a French
Engineer Of the name of Bertrand, entitled Sys
| teme de Navigation Fuviale,' (system of river
navigaion) which presents some considerations on
TINS subject so completely corresponding with our
own views that will translate page or two
After comparing with particular application the
respective merits Of Lateral Canal and an inn
pfovement of the bed of the river in case in which
" MAD been proposed according TO the notion of
BTindey, to make of the latter as feeder only
| tor the iormer he thus proceeds:
Were professional man to look only 10 the
art and genius he might display there is no doubt
mat The preference would be given 10 an indeuen-
dent and artificial canal; because it is species q.
creation always seducing the artist and even 10
ne director; because 1t disengages us from those
ii'ie local studies which one is apt disdain and
from all those vulgar and minute cares which the
simple ameiloraion OF the natural course of stream
would require; because every thing may be yery
melEodleaiiy and naguihceni,y projected, draw n
ana calculated In ones closet; because the natural
Obstacles which are encountered far from induciu
US 10 abandon are generally but an additional allure
inent; because false prejudice opposing art TO ma
ture Induces us too often believe tina, there is
much more honour In overcoming il than in aiding
or mi'atingit; that there is nothing fine but what
is new, surprising and difficult
IL is Tor these reasons decided to lay waste the
soi dig up, divide and take possession BY force oil
| the richest bottoms of beautiful valley 10 ere.
ate In 1t second river; but with dikes and lateral
bitches (because freshes and local waters which
must be kept out, menace it on all sides,) with
multitude oil bridges and drawbridges, which new err
tbeess will be always too few 10 restore TO the
country to the district and each of the farmers all
the outlets and means of communication which are
cut oil, and which they had well between them
selves as from one side the other of he river and
valley; with reservoirs 10 receive Iurbid streams
wastes TO get rid OF surplus waters aqueduc bridges
and syphons to pass above or below the canal th,
springs, rivers and torrents OF which the course j.
barred; IN hne' with as much apparel and expense
when we have greet ditch all ug and prepared fo
usby nature, as if the question was 10 make ma
vigaton In spite of her through chain of noun
tains.'
This is certainly fine way for an Engineer Il
show off his genius and talents; but If lie wa
at the same time statesman, an economist no
only OF the labour, but OF the fortune aud prospect
ty OF the state; If he consulted better the nteres
and the wishes OF the country on the river if h,
looked forward to the future he would see with AZ
eye very different these great and beautiful works
In thinking OF the number Of officers they require
oil the sacries and teniold expenses they occasion
IN ref1eciing that all his constructions in general
and above all in bydrauicks, will be perishabe and
costly TO keep in order, in proportion to his dispa,
Oh arr, ana 10 MS hrst expenditure in fine, h,
would be forced to perceive aud to confess that al
tbs is become indispensable onlyt to support agans
all the elements, the eternal war which he himsel
declared against them, in breaking the happy pac
which nature has made with the whole country, ant
IN condemning 10 perpetual inutlity, the beautiful
river which is its most ancient and most necessary
work. -.i. D.. So. -
He would perceive then that this river might
and ought to replace forever all these foreign con
structions by its suices alone. Since we see then
existing from time immemoral and may consequent