Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-08-29
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

REPoRr OF THE PRINCIPAL ENGINEER.
(continuedJ
Before dismissing the subject ot an independen |
Canal, Capt. Crozet makes the following julicious
rtmarls
" Some doubts, however, may be entertained as
to the expediency OF ting this great scheme
upon the extensive scale heretofore contemplate
since the project OF uniting the Ohio and Chesa-
PeaSe has been found practicable by the engineer
emplnyedby the general government. Two parsl.
lei lines Of canal intended for the same object, viii
always injure each other but, here the would
be particularly unfavorable TO the James and Ka
nawha route, which, If the Ohio and Che.apeakE
canal should actually realize the expectations tina
havebeen formed, and end its commercial influ
ence to the Western States, could not, with por
age OF hundred miles, enter into competition
against continuous canal, possessing the superior
advantages which the means Of the general govern
ment can give it, Until, therefore, the question
relative to he Ohio and Chesapeake shall have
been decided, II may be prudent 10 suspend the ex
ecution OF the scheme of connecting the Ohio AMI
the Atlantic through the Safe OF Virginia, upon
the scale originally intended. Yet The other
hand, we have aroad leading from the Kanawha ri
yer to Covingon and outlet at this latter place.
To improve for the present the navigation OF Jack.
sons iiver, and OF the upper part of James river
upon cheap plan, in order to promote the trade
over the turnpike, and give it., as soon possible,
its direction into this natural channel, appears to-
be recommended by the state of things A sluice|
navigation promises even less advantages this
RAPID pant of the river, than on any other. The
order OF improvement Is consequently deemed the
most eXpeLient; that is to say system of locks
and dams upon as economical plan be de-
vsed; in order, that when the increase of the trade
shall shew the propriety of more permanen, mode
of improvement, it may be carried into effect upon
The Plan then deemed most eligible, without having
to regret the expense before incurred since, after
the lapse of few years, 1t would prove much less
than would otherwise have been, during the same
time, the accumulation of interest on the expendi-
ture of complete Improvement constructed at an
early period, when for a long time it would be
altogether dsproportIonate TO the trade. This 1
think, | have clearlJ demonstrated in the letteriI
addressed last winter to a gentleman of your body,
in answer TO some inquiries relative TO the naviga-
ton Of Jacl1soD's river, and which has been printed
with the account Of your proceedings: to this let
ter beg to refer for more complete developement
OF the subject.
al am aware, that the plan here suggested was OBJ
jected to in the Hoase of Delegates by gentleman
whose opinions would probably have much weight
IN these matters it cannot be expected that
should answer detail 20 arguments urged against
my views or reports il convinced by them, it
would be my duty 10 yourselves and the public to
gIeld upmy opinion, and would readily do it
otherwise, expression OF the same opinion,
would, in most instances, make official reports The
mere channel of private controversies. will
coniine myself, therefore, here to say that having
given due consideration 10 the arguments used in
the case, my opinion remains unalered as 10 this
Improvement and its COST and that my views in this
business must, very probably, have been misunder-
stood AT the same time tina; | will admit, that
permanent and substantial improvement by locks
and dams would greatly exceed the expense at
which stated that of Jackson's river, / am con-
WINGED that an improvement TO answer presen, pur-
poses, such as expressed i'm the letter referred
to, could be made for about The sum mentioned in
the same
" Though in general averse 10 temporary inn
provements, still IN this particular case such one
appears to me most expedient; in order that the
trade of that district and especially of the turnpike
may be encouraged and assisted al as little expense
as possible until this trade shall have acquired some
Development; and whilst the question relative to
the Ohio and Chesapeake canal ard the communities
ton by James river and the Kanawha remains in
ITS present state of INDIGESTION.
Here the enquiry naturally suggests itself, whe-
ther the connection between the Ohio and Chesa-
peake offers decidedly greater advantages than the
route by the James and Kanawha Iiyers1 This
question must be considered under two different
points of view, viz The comparative degree of
practicabity of both routes, and their relative ex.
psdiency and advantages
Two years were employed in exploring the
dividing ridge Of the Ohio and Chesapeske canal
the result Of the first years examination, was that.
by opening tunnel 227 feet below the TOP of the
ridge, there would be 3 1897 feet of lockage on the
route. On the Kanawhs and James river line Of
connection, deducting above POI feet from the
elevation Of the ridge on either side, the Iocksee
would be 3,9l3 feet the only route explored
and according 10 the statement Of l. Briggs showing
out small difference Of lockage
=" As to the ground over which the Ohio and
Chesapeake canal must pass, from what have
seen Of 1t and from the documents which the rub
JIG has been put in possession OF, it is doubtful
whether It could be worse any where difficulties
Of the first magnitude would have 10 be encounter
ed on the route described in the Report Of the
Board Of Engineers.
" As regards The supply Of water, it was consis
Jeied amply sufficient on the Deep Creek route,
though it could not be obtained without much la
bour and expense.
The operations Of The second year had. for
their object, the examination Of a new route he
tween the Casselman river and WINS creek,
which, in the Report the Board of Engineers Of
last year (s25,) had been represented as possess-
ing some advantages, but as requiring farther ex-
animation their impression then was, that the sup
in the statement Of the fall OF Jackson's river.
an error Of 10 feet made in the said letter II
laa ienn efrco ted; -,