Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-14

ti6cation and twelve typographical engineers,
with six surveyors, were subjected to the order
of the Board, with instructions TO make an inn
mediate reconnaissance ofthe country between
the "tide-waters" of the Potomac, and the
"head!of the steamboat navigation OF the ONO;
and "between the Ohio and Lake Erie Tor the
purpose of ascertaining the practicaoiiity OF
communication between those points; OF deslg-
mating the most suitable route Tor the same; q
of forming plans and estimates, IN detail, oil
the exnense Of execution The Chief OF the
Engineer Department closed this order OF the
3lst OF Nav, 1924, by suggesting "that 1t was
very desirable the report should be received, on
this line Of communication, in time 10 be SUD-
mitted to Congress al their next session. and
instructed the Board to use every possible ex-
eriion TO effect that object.
The first report of the Board was submitted
TO Congress, by the President, on the 4th day
of February, 1926 II not oaly placed beyond
doubt the practicability Of conducting canal,
with sufficient supply fwater, across the Al
leghany, by the route OF the new charter on
which the principal Engineer OF Virginia, and
the Civil Engineers Of both Maryland and Vir-
GINA, had made favorable report, sanctioned
by the Commissioners OF those States: but as
certained, with like certainty, The possibility OF
extending this accommodations with much great
or facility, from Pittsburg to Lake Erie
AS the report Of the Board wasnot designed
TO supply an estimate Of he probable cost OF
any part Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, it
afforded no answer to very natural inquiry Of
every subscriber to its stock, and the motive
for delav still continued on the part Of the Com
missioners deputed 10 open books for snbscrip-
ton This motive was confirmed by the init
nation that the Board were about to extend
their survey and estimates throughout the en-
tire valley Of the Potomac, or the Eastern sec
ton of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
The authority to construct this canal as far
as the Pennsylvania line, was now confirmed by
the States Of Maryland and Virginia,as we'll as
by the United States, necessary party thereto,
and It's chartered route was established by law.
It's actual commencement awaited only all ad-
equate subscription to its stock.
II will be believed bv the Convention, that,
on the part of the Central Committee, every ex-
ertion has been made compatible with the re-
spect due and felt for the able officers engaged
IN the arduous duty Of making these surveys
and estimates 10 expedite their reports, and to
guide them TO the objects embraced within the
charter.
In the spirit which prompted those efforts, it
is TO the Committee, as 1t must be 10 the Con
vention, a subject Of regret that, while an esl
mate is furnished Of the cost OF Canal, from
Georgetown To Cumberland, il is accompanied
by no calculation whatever OF the probable cost
of the residue of the Eastern section OF the Ches-
apeake and Ohio Canal, between Cumberland
and the coal banks of the Potomac, in the re-
port Of the Board Of Internal Improvement, Of
the 23e of October last
Without this estimate, or some equivalent
substitute for it, a comparative calculation OF
the expense and profit Of The Coal trade upon
the Eastern Section of the Canal, cannot be
supplied, in the mode contemplated by the
Convention; nor can the survey and estimates
be deemed to be complete for which the active
friends Of this enterprise, together with the
Convention, their committee, and the Public
Commissioners ofthe States, and ofthc United
States, have so long awaited In anxious expec-
tation.
1t is due to the Engineer Department, at the
same time, 10 state, that the result OF the gen
eral estimate ofthe far greater part OF this sec
ton, was supplied, as it is believed, al some
incon venience by the Board 10 the Central
Commiltee, during the last winter.
Without detailed analysis Of the prices OF
the materials and labour, on which il was found
ed, and startling in its gross amount, this esu-
od of the last SESSION of Congress, as to battle
all hope Of grounding upon such basis, with
out farther assistance, successful application
to the National Legislature, in the few last
weeks of a pro,raoted session, for subscription
to the stock of the proposed Canal
In the belief arising from an Imperfect un-
Outstanding Of the facts assumed by the Board
in their late communication, that the detailed
estimates Of the whole of,his section might fur
nish the means Of arriving at a more favorable,
as well as more correc, result, and be accom-
panied, before the final close of the session,
by an estimate Of the cos, Of the entire Canal,
the Committee ayailed themselves of the
opportunity just then supplied, by the recent
act of the State Of Maryland, authorising on
certain conditions, subscription of half mil
lion of dollars to the stock Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal, in order to bring the subject
before the House of Representatives by memo
rial, in which they were Joined by the Commits
sioners of the States, and of the General Go
yernment.
On this memorial, favorable report was
made to the House, by the Committee on Roads
and Canals, which, however, being neither pre-
ceded nor accompanied by further commune