Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-11

TIS CELLAMEOUS
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

n IL lAi1INON L..
Governor Clinton, in answer 70 several queries
respecting the famous New York Canal propound-
ed by Matthew Carey, Esq. makes tl,a following
iep!ies, which we repubsh without the interro-
g3'ofies, as the answers sufficiently express what
they
The usual load Of canal boat is thirty tons
sometime iorty-hve; more may be Carried but not
advantsgeeus!y.
The freight boats which lelong to the forward
ing companies, with relays of horses every fifteen
niles, usually travel day and night, say in twenty
tour hours, sixty miles.
- The common boats or what are commonly call
I'd transient or private boats, without RELAYS OF
horses, with the usual BURDEN say thirty tons, ira
'e on an average twenty-five miles by day light,
aldiie by at night When empty, they can travel
easily thirty miles.
10 the day and night boats, four men, two bows.
and two horses, sr what is commonly called 4
double get OF hands. TO the transient boats. two
'nen, one hoy, and two horses; although they lre-
qUently use but one horse.
The income OF the canal fund for the last wear
was at least $500, 900, of which $500 Ooo arose
from tolls This year the tolls will, probably. he
above eight hundred thousand dollars, and NAV an
nroximate to million A more economical pIan
carrying on an extensive freightng business on the
Erie Canal, has been proposed, and will probably
be adopted
1t is to employ three horse. for each boat one 70
DE carried IN tue boat, and 10 be changed every
two hours which would give every horse two
hours work, and resting spell of two hours. A
line of twenty boats could be formed to start dalv
from Albany 10 Buffalo, more frequently, ifthey
did not make their trip to Buffalo, which would no,
always be required, as the cargo might be wholly
destined for Utica, Rochester, or some other in
ternediate place.
This plan, Tor instance, would require twenty
boats; three horses 10 each, would be sixty horses
Whereas the present line Of boats are formed thus.
the distance from Albany 10 Buffalo saw three
hundred and sIxty-five miles; a relay of horses at
Feast every fifteen miles; twenty four yeIaVs st
fifteen miles each three hundred and sixty
miles; four horses at each relay are o6 horses
In order to prevent breaches in the lines. and
consequent delays, IL further requires two horses n,
each boat, say forty horses for twenty boats, max
ing one hundred and thirty-six, as Indispensable
Necessary 10 form complete line on the present
system. Whereas by the improved plan, twenty
boats, with sixty horses, will perform a. much
service during the season, and will actually travel
the same distance; saving, therefore, Of seventy
six horses and twenty drivers will be effected
Independently Of the expense of provender. This
plan will also have beneficial effect in protecting
tie morals OF the young men employed az drivers, !
who will always be under The eye Ofthe masters OF
he boats, instead ofremsining at stands for a con-
siderable TIME, and ndulging IN dissipation
prncflc3L We have read much and written
-1meihiog relative IN rail WAYS and seam. carriages
and fave endeavored 10 show their utility " econ
omy stli the experiment uniricd in This country
Mr.. Carter ssts the matter at rest. In his last let
.er irOfn Epa'1rt, he SAYS " y gJo