Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-02

ter of the country through which il
will pass. No single mass Of rocks,
except at this place, has yet been en-
countered, at which there is not ia.
vorable bottom on the opposite side OF
the river: so that, at worst, il only
presents a question between the ex-
pense of surmounting the difficulty by
walling round the rocks or blowing out
passage, or Of crossing the river by
means Of aqueducts.
Col. ALBERT contemplates withdraw
ing from the river at the end OF this
month, on account of its unhealthiness,
(Which has already seriously affected
his paNy,) and devoting the sickly
season to plotting and drawing. AS
this must necessarily be done, in any
event, before the report can be made,
no delay will be occasioneG by the act
Of withdrawal. The work will be re-
sumed early in the fall. BY this step
the survey will be certainly completed
this season, and during the next the
canal route may be traced and prepar-
ed for the actual making of it. We
hope, however, anxious as we are tor
the consummation of this splendid inn
provement, that it may not be too much
hurried. In work Of so much impor-
lance as this unquestionably is, involv-
ing so many considerations deeply at
fecting the political as well as pecuni-
airy welfare of the Union, too much care
cannot be bestowed upon the prelimi-
nary investigation, before the final a.
doption of plan. Evil is rather to be
apprehended from haste than delay,
and the zeal already manifested on this
question by the general government is,
to our understanding, too unequivocal
a pledge of its sentiments, to leave
with US the slightest doubt OF any re-
taxation of it's efforts.
We approve of the measure Of retir'
ing from the field duty at present. We
know that for some years past our RI
yer bottoms have been the seat Of fatal
diseases, and the melancholy catastro.
phe which occurred to so many OF the
party engaged in similar survey un
der the late lamented Mr.. Moore, has
satisfied us Of the improperly of fur.
Their hazard at this season, and that the
only method of avoiding similar ca
lamity is the one which has been deter
mined upon. Those who have moi
witnessed it cannot be well aware Of
the dangerous exposure of persons EN-
ployed on these duties. They live
night and day, in the very miasma q
the river which is considered the cause
of its diseases, and cannot retire from
it, even when indisposed, without aban
doning their duty. This had certain
ly better be done before disease com
mences its unsparins ravages.
We felt some surprise that the sur
vey of so extensive line as that OF the
Potomac Canal had not been commit
ted, in, the first instance, to more thar
one party, until, after inquiry,we were
informed that the Corps ofTopograph
ical Engineers, employed on these in
teresting duties, is too small to admit
of such an arrangement, and that even
| now all its subordinate assistants art
derived from the artillery and infantr,
We think this should be remedied, ant
that Congress ought to increase it:
numbers and organize it on plar
commensurate with its important ser
vices and its intimate connection with
the best interests Of our country
sTAUNTON CONVENTION.