Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-02-24
Vol. I1I.-No. 8.
5 necessary article OF con :


da Islands for the purchase Of ts necessary article of
sumption.
This canal would all bays and rivers Of the
Gull furnish safe aud easy conveyance all their ra-
hcationso OF the valuable timber and
borders, 1" the ports on which they could most convenient
y be shpped give an increased value the public
through which il would pass, thus emuneraie the Co
vernmcnt for its expenditures.
Ia the letter 10 the Secretary of War; in this cbmmu-
neao"l have advanced opinions with confidence, which
IN some particulars, perhaps many may be erroneuus
but that confidence has inspired by conviction of
Their general correctness, from observations during neay
ou years residence IN the county, and the best nfcrma
| non Whch have been enabled 10 obtain from intelligent
PERSONS whose attention has been directed examua-
non. l" my humble Judgment the expense of the work
has cecn greatly ovcnated. When Mr Gailatiu estimated
the expense of the canal from the Mississippi the Allan
TIC az rirec millions Of dollars the most remote
conception that nature had doue much towards
eo'P''smeit what different estimate would he havo
made he had known that, in $50 miles distance,
only Il miles of excavation required,
When the subject Of Introduced the mind is in
voluntarily led tn tine estimate, from comma rson with
other works: and there is bat great magnitude in
the United States that is selected moments cunsid-
Grafton will expose the ftllacy of such IA calculation
lhe Grand Canal OF New York has been cut through
region where mountains TO be dow u, and
valleys to be files: up miles of solid granite TO be excava-
e' rivers TO be crossed 10y stupendous aqueducts: just
comparison would demonstrate miles might be
cur in Florida, where could be in New York
The peninsula of Florida has variousv Ind rrro.
ncnuy represented i. suited the visionary specuatious
t" those VINO have written the subject. have lately
seen ii asserted by writer that it was solid rnoe NJ
'he"tone by another, that sand bank; both equal
~ remote iiom the truth. Limestone in masses NAV bs
FOUND III situations elevated remote from the sea-
but IN this peninsula il in irregular strata with tho
Inerstires occupied by earths aud exuva This eer,
'h character rs demonstrated only in numerous
SINKS and cavities which inen supersrata bur b the
""ehie number a"c variety ofsubterrauean waer-cour
Fes that ene ate and pervade the bowels the eart ami
IL Is important TO remark, that, although presence of
limestone Is prominent feature, yet 1t is only portion of
e general mass for, within short distance OF the n,arnn
{" the Aiachua prairie and centre of the
usula well of % deep, penetrated % of ,e die,
nf
sand and shells where obtained; nd at uo,er
well distant three mics but the prairie limestone
nan were eas'y surmouned by the axe and the spade.
from these data therefore, afforded by The sn,
cious aud deep beds Of the Lakes which this regio
aO"n"s IS evident that the work of excavation ca
nal is III nature and that the
ena inder may be completed without encounerin auv of
the difficulties inseparabe from regions by phi
mary formation. -
The route of this canal will pass through a country
Astounding with lakes and natural channels and ~
excavation may be will be CLAW and aroiI
aceHus SOIL and occasional aestone and the cod
be secured IL occas"" required by the cedar cypress
q" which the vicinity furnishes ample supply the
- " OBTAIN more accurate information, Ivy the
p"ymet OF scientific engineers, any further remarks on
tins subject would be supeIfluous.
The attention OF the American People has been ropov
directed to Internal improvements. The brilliant exam
PIE ." Great Britain IL the old world, and States of
rev ORR ara 'ht" III Tie new, furnish happy augury
OF lis extended utility the citizens this Union The
"attrS of tie Eastern Main already connected viii
the lakes of the NoIl which, their turn by the enter
prise Of Oho will pour their waters into The OLo
Rivcr burthened with the produce a mighty nation Fer
descant utility of Il measure like this would o rse
less By it, The products Of the soil waited 10 distant
depot; the le of The scil in what latitude he
may live, mailer how distant his desuics may have
thrown him from tic he fnd., by the hountes OF
i'"v"enTf' an" fhc enterprises Of Government, The
chant al his door ready exchange his labor the ur.e
OF is ya!rc, aud thus facilities added to the cham
"flS ct commerce. which have been scattered by the
uini God OF Nature, with so pOdigaI hand, our
continent.
Fifty years ago, canals were unknown in England and
mill lions ha bee,
IN their CONSTRUCTING their foreign bee en-
larged their internal trade has far eyce,,Iel :, i'm -
tent value, and Importance One hundred and sxtv-6ve
acts OF Parliament have been passed for making nd per-
irctns them What results may not be anticipated from
this internal ysaon in the United States? By the COM
pcton OF this work. the commerce of the whole
will be changcd boats will pass with safety from ST. o,c
aud Pitisbng to the interior of Mississippi Alabama and
e"ei ihcse states VIII return their products through
sam" channels TO the centre of the Union sIupnr
for foreign ports around Florida coast the most corr
venIcnt The period distant boat STAR
ting at New York will pass up the grand Canal through the
lakes, Ohio Canal, and thence down Mississippi along
THIS channel, aud discharge er cargo Mobile Pcnsaco-
la, and St Marks, Augustine Savannah, Cha lesion
by safe navigation The heavy item of transportaton
in time of War, diminished fold ceases to ba
of any importance to in political point view; the
Moo Castle has no terors in time of the pirates
broken up; expensive nav val 10 longer ne
aessay; tic public lands enhanced III the com
of the Indies and of the Southern continent win
pass through borders and the commercial mill
tary, and political advantages of this great nation sng
dcstines beyond the reach Of mortal even will he de-
veiopec aud called into practical operation.
beg leave to call the particular of the COM
mittee to thc maps sent herewith.
| have the bo0nr to be, Sc. JOS. NJ. WHITE.
Hon. We. HENDRICKS, &c. &c.
! This report and letter the foundation the bill
on tins subject which has passed the Senate, md is now
before the House.
ETirn1t IF It letter dTted Santgno, 22d October.
We bad some disturbances here lately, the object Of
which 10 remove the Director Freyre fom his
place. and 1t IS 7d to put Olggins at the head the
government These plans have been frustrated how
eser Freyre has all the power in his hands, the troops
a. well rs the greater part Of Chill being on ms side
y first the Disturbances appeared to become very
rious; however, all settled without blood shedding aud
il is perfectly quiet. Some oftho riDgleaders have
been sent ont Of the country.
The silver mine lately discovered in tie neighbour
hood Of Coquimbo, is not by far rich as was FIRST e-