Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-12
NINETnnMrH CONGRESS-.
THURSDAY, JANuAnr 5, 1896.
FIRST SESSION.

ment OF the names and salary Of the Clerks en-
pioyed in that Department during the last year;
which report was read.
Improvement Of Western Haters.
The Vice President, also, commune ated the fol-
lowing report from the Secretary of War:
DEPARrMENr OF WAR,
December 80, 1925.
SIR: have the honor to transmit, herewith. q
report OF the Chief Engineer, of this date, accom-
panied with documents, and beg leave respectfully
10 reler TO 1t for the information called for by re-
solution of the Senate, passed on the 9th instant
,ela've 10 the application OF an appropriation of
last year, tor removing distractions 10 the navipa
ton OF the Ohio and Mississippi rivers
by the letter 10 MIR. Bruce, which will be found
among the documents, it will be perceiy ed that he
has been informed of the doubts existing as 10 the
faithful execution of the work done under his con-
tract, and the grounds which they are sustained:
oil The investigation proposed be made to ascer.
tam me truth or faisty ofthose grounds AMI of the
determination to withhold future payments ON ac
count of the contract until the result of thenves,i
CATION shall be known. This determination, how
ever It may clash 18th the provision of the contract
which delegates to the experimenting Engineer the
power TO decide upon the manner in which the
contract may be executed, and obligaies the Go
vcTnment to pay the amount which he NAV certify
to be due TO the Contractor, is conceived to have
been warranted, and indeed called for by the ma
execution Of the contract
have the honor to be, sir, with the greatest
respect. your most obedient servant
JAMES BARBOUR.
The Tfce President u. y. and
President of the Senate
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT.
Oecem6er 30, 1925.
SIR: In obedience to your ORDERS TO report 10
you the information called for by resolution of
The Senate ofthe United States passed ON the 9th
instant, and requiring 60 that the Secretary of WA
inform the Senate it the appropriation OF last year
ior removing snags, sawyers, and other obstruc-
tons, from the Ohio, has been disburset; who has
been appointed Agent or Contractor, and their
place or places OF residence; the nature of the con-
tract made; how 1t has been executed; with what
ever else 1t may be ia his power to communicate
relative to said appropriation; and, also, how far
and to what extent, the contemplated objects hav
been. or are likely to be, atained:' / have the
honor 10 report, that the appropriation has been
only partially disbursed, the sum of 5000 dollars
having been paid to MIR. Bruce, of which 600
dollars was the premium awarded 10 him. unon the
recommendation of the Board of Engineers, for
having furnished the best model of a machine for
removing snags, sawyers, and other impediments
at that description, tothe navigation of the Ohio
and Mississippi rivers and 900 dollars upon Ger
tihcafes OF the Engineer appointed, in pursuance
OF the provisions OF the contract with Mr.. Bruce.
Tor removing such impediments from those rivers
TO superntend its execution, stating that work of
that value had been faithfully executed under the
contract; the sum oil $50 rs having been dis
bursed in defraying contingent expenses, including
those incident TO the said superintendence; and the
sum OF $3,77S 93 having been expended in max
ing an experiment, with view TO ascertain the
PraciIcability ofremOving sand bar in the Ohio
near Henderson, to which object the appropriation
was also applicable; which sums, added together.
make the sum OF Ssi2,3 1874 Sc, the amount which
has been disbursed on account of the appropriations
The operations, for removing the distractions first
adveried TO, have heen conducted under q contract
with MIR. John Bruce of Yanceburgh, Lewis county.
Kentucky, the execution of whirh has been super
intended by Major Babcock, of the Corps of En-
gineers. The experiment for removing the sand
bar near Henderson has been conducted by Major
Long, OF the Typographical Engineers For in
formation respecting the nature OF the contract for
removing the snass, sawyers, Sc. be. leave 10
refer to copies OF the contract and the bond refer
rlng TO 1t, sent herewith; and, for information rela-
tive TO the manner in which, and how far, the con-
tract has been executed, and to what extent the
objects contemplated to be effected by il have been
or are likely 10 be, attained, would respectfully
refer to the several papers also sent it'll, and
marked A No. 1 to No. 49,
The copies Of three letters from Major I ong sen,
herewith and marked B, will show the result of the
experiment the sand bar
Respectfully submitted
ALEX. MACOMB, Mai Gen.
The Hon. ]. Barbour, Chief Engineer
Secretary Of War.
The report was read, and referred to the Com
mittee Roads and Canals
MIR. Noble submitted the following resolution
10 consideration:
Resofued, That the Committee on Public Lands
be instructed to inquire into the expedency of al
lrN~~sr frNf naw
but one quarter section, and have paid only one
fourth Of the purchase money, to relinqush down
10 ior'y acres, on the amount they have paid for
Agreeably to rotce, Mr.. Holmes asked, and
having obtained leave, brought in bill to secure
the accountability of public officers and others;''
which was twice read and referred.
THE FLORIDA CANAL.
Mr.. Hayne stated that he had received memo
rial, which he was requested present to the Sc
nate, on the important and interesting subject of
Canal to connect the waters of the Atlantic and
the Gull of Mexico, across the peninsula Of Fori-
da. IL appears that the Legislative Council Of
Florida, deeply impressed with the impori ance of
work which they suppose will relieve the com
merce Of the United States from heavy losses nov
sustained from shpwrecks, had, in December last.
passed an act, appointing Commissioners 10 report
on The expedincy OF opening such canal. Three
of the most eminent citizens OF the Territory had
been appointed, pursuant the provisions OF that
act, one Of whom (Col James Gadsden) was adj
vantageously known to the country as formerly
distinguished officer Of the Army Of the United
States, and man OF great talents a. civil and
military Engineer Itappears from the memorial
forwarded by these gentlemen that hey are ready
10 enter into the duties of the appointment, which
are TO be gratuitously performed, 80 soon as such
aid should be afforded by the United States as was
deemed essential TO the successful execution of the
task. Ii was deemed by these gentlemen essential
that skilioi Engineers should be appointed by the