Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-08-25

"l"e H.tS improvement may pe mane nj an expense
oil three millions less than continued canal, and
that IN almost every important particular, it will
possess a decided advantage. His views upon this
subject we shall subsequently lay before the reader
III we are not greatly deceived this report is cal
culated TO produce revolution in the opinions en-
ertained I'm this country respecting the Improvement
oil our rivers. The public mind will no longer be
deferred from undertaking such works by the i'm
mense sums they are to cost. The uncertainty of
an improved navigation; doubts as to the advanta-
ges to be derived and the ability execute and al
most the whole catalogue of objections heretofore
urged to the Improvement Of the great artery of
our state have been either entirely cleared away BY
ms report or so far met, that the real friends of
Improvement may again safely press the subject
upon the public attention. MAY we not hope tina,
the tagging zeal of the State will be terminated
and that the work may be resumed with the same
ardour with which twas commenced? The in,e-
gent and liberal minded of our State come from wha,
quarter they may, invited to examine the report
with attention The subject is one of immense i'm
portance to Virginia She owes it no less to her
own oh 'racter, than TO sheer economy to 20 on
with the work 1t IS no longer envelopcd in
&c clouds and darkness.''
Having gone through his estimates Sc in rela-
ton TO the independent canal, Capt. Crozet re-
marks:
''rhe preceding table shews that the probable ex-
pense OF completing the independent canal from
Maidsn's Adventure to Covington, would be
S4,75O 900
10 which, if the expenditure of the sections already
made Is added, the whole cost of the inprov emont
OF James and Jackson's River by an uninterrupted
canal iron. Richmond to Covington, when COM
pleted,
Would amount to about SIS, $50 900
81 am confident that, with proper manag ment
and under tn superintendent of an able and in
every respect well qualified officer the cos, of
this work tha oil
not exceed the sum here stated. As 10 the effect
which the alterations of agents may have on the
expense oil public works, no can pretend TO
introduce 1t into estimate; it is incalculable
though the importance and influence of a compe-
tent direction of such works is not, in general suf
hciently appreciated The imperfecions of works
have too frequently the unhappy effect of discou-
raging the public, because they are most generally
laid upon the nature OF the undertaking instead of
being attributed 10 their true cause To combine
and balance beforehand all the elements of an ex-
tensive and complicated work, SO as to secure its
utility, without exceeding the exact quantity of
abour or materials requisite for its perfect execu-
ton, there Is need of skill and information
than is usually supposed; and, for want of it,
much expense is often unnecessarily incurred, and
very frequently too III consequence of false econo-
my.
''As regards the estimated expense of the contin
uation oil the canal, 1t may be remarked that il is
not IN proportion to the cost of the sections which
have already been made. This difference results
from several causes: the canal near Richmond
IS 40 feet wide, whereas the law requires its con-
inuation TO be only 80 feet wide; it has four feed
ers In distance OF thirty miles, of which have
been very expensive; 1t contains five guard-lo
and other extra works; considerable extra ex-
pense has been incurred in wdening and deepening
he old canal; the locks are larger and otherwise
more expensive than they should be above:
Ic OH nj 81 =. Al
upper countless and lastly the ork has been
divided into small contracts, which, at the same
time that they are necessarily profitable TO con-
tractors, probably still more Gisadvantageou
10 the State.
'Asto the canal through the gap at the Blue Ridge,
| need not add any thing here to what have said
in my preceding reports shew that do not consider
his work as a criterion of the OF the con,inu-
at ion of the improvement.
"Many, not improbable circumstances may even
reduce The cost of the canal below the above esti
mated sum The price of labour has greatly dim;n
ished in some States and may possibly be affected
in the way in Virginia; by draulicl, lime will
IN all probability, be discovered ia the State; ar
examination of the limestone district for this spe
cia purpose would be Of great importance; not
onlyrthe discovery would benefit the works that
will hereafter be undertaken, but it would procure
TO the State valuable article of trade. The price
OF common lime and of other Materials will likewise
probably experience a dimnuton, as the improve
ment OF the river progresses and the facilities of
transportation increase.
When this Improvement is resumed, it should be
carried at once to some great place of deposit such
as Lynchburg and prosecuted with vigour; for, il
is obvious that the benefit of the improv ement will
be but partially and mper!ecty felt until il shall be
so extended as 10 allow OF the application of horse
power TO the towing OF large boats. So long as
there remains unfinished link of the improve
ment between Lyncbburg and Richmond, the pre-
sent batteauy must continue TO be used above the
Coal mines; their tonnage cannot be increased nor
the number hands in them diminished: the tirRe of
performing a trip likewise cannot be materially
reduced, and therefore nothing but greater degree
of safety can be expected to be gained by partial
Improvement; and, as under such circumstances,
the present expense of transportation would not
admit OF much reduction, the trade could not be
taxed with adequate tolls to defray the expense of
the work before its entire completion.
"But, let slack wafer navigation be extended
rapidly from Richmond to Lynchburg, then boats
of from 20 to % tons drawn by one horse, with
man and boy, will Immediately come into use:
Snth boats will perform trip between Lyncbburg
and Richmond and back in about 10 days, which,
at SO day, would be an expense of gI5 for the
whole trip.
"From the enquiries have made, it appears that
The ascending trade is only about one-fourtb OF the
descending one; that boat, after having brought
DOWN 20 tons, would, upon an average, return
with load Of about tons; which is % tons
transported during the whole trip of Is days The
account for which would stand thus
For transportation Of 25 tons, SIS 90
Which is per ton, so
fThe present trade is carried on in small batteaux.
each employing three hands, il does not appear that
upon an average the load transported in a trip from
Il 10, 4 =. -. q