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

not anticipate, impeded the progress of their
extensive enterprise, other routes for certain
parts Of the proposed canal, extending between
The head waters Of the Potomac and Ohio, have
been suggested. Two of these, deriving their
supply Of water, in part, from the same sum-
nit level, that of Deep Greek, look to the south,
along Inc valleys Of the Little Kenawha, and
Cheat Rivers, in Virginia, for their descending
lines Of connexion with the Ohio; while fourth,
leaving the Potomac about twenty-seven miles
below the mouth of Savage, and turning north
wardly, reaches summit level Of less elevation
than the former, fed by Casseman river, in
Pennsylvania.
the United States Board Of Internal Improve
ment, in their hnal report OF the Esd OF October
last.
All their estimates are made conformable to
it, and their decision in its favor, serves to ac-
count for the absence from that report, Of any
calculation Of the probable cost of canal along
the margin of the Potomac, between the mouth
Of Willis Creek and of Savage.
This decision does not, however, in the OPT
MON Of the committee, supercede the use of such
an estimate: since it is more than probable, ii
not absolutely certain, that the supply of the
single article of mineral fuel, to say nothing OF
the nexhaustble beds of iron ore, and Of the
extensive forests Of valuable timber, on the
North Branch Of the Potomac, would amply
pay, in time, the work Of the entire Eastern
Section Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Whether this section shall be conducted "a
bove the mouth of Wills Creek, for any other
purpose than that which has been described,
and the general commerce to be drawn from the
country at its western extremity; or be altoge.
Their superseded by the recently discovered
route, from Cumberland by Wills Greek, to the
mouth Of Casselman's river, is question to be
decided by the Company which may hereafter
arise under the new charter, although it is one
which constituted, along with other consdera-
tons, and especially the request OF the Federal
and State Commissioners, already known to the
Convention, sufficien, reason, in the Judgment
of the Central Committee, for exercising the
authority with which they supposed themselves
invested, of inviting areassemblage of the Con-
vention, and an enlargement Of its representa-
ton
They were measures calculated, the Commit
tee believed, TO further the speedy completion"
of the great work conhded by the resolutions,
under which they were appointed in some de-
gree, to their consultation and management.
In the concurrent acts of the three States * Of
=
Potomac Company to their provisions, the new
charter derives its legal existence, now, indeed,
control, by the authority oflaw, the Convention
and its Committee.
But no doubt can be entertained, but that the
same liberal councils which yielded 10 the me-
MORALS OF the Convention charter of incor
poration 10 the Chesapeake and Ohio Cana
Company, would lend favorable ear, to similar
memorials, for such amendment of that charter,
as its benehcent purpose may require.
While the committee feel it incumbent upon
them to admit the force Of the argument sub
mitted by the very able report Of the United
States Board of Internal improvement, in favor
of the more Northern route, from Cumberland
70 the mouth OF Casselman river, for the main
Canal; they are not prepared 10 recommend TO
the Convention an abandonment Of that portion
of its Eastern Section, which extends from
Wills Greek along the Potomac, by Coal Banks
10 Savage.
The Board appear to have weighed impair
italy, the relative advantages of both routes for
canal across the Aleganv by Savage, and by
Wills Creek, and to have compared them in
their most essential particulars. Their demon
stration tina, Wills Creek and Casselman's
route will be less expensive by more than half a
million Of dollars, than that by the valleys of
SaVaSe ana OeeP S'etkj IT'S supply Oh water
nearly the same; It's location more secure from
accidental injury or suspension; its summit e-
vel less elevated by 43ea feet; and less liable to
be INSTRUCTED at its extreml,ies; and its actual
length shorter by Is miles; is entitled to very
serious consideration, and would Justify, Of IL
self, an application 20 the competent authori-
ties so to amend the new charter as TO leave the
future company at liberty to avail themselves Of
choice between them. Nor does it seem to
the committee wholly immaterial to notice, in
this view, that the Inconvenience of much
heightened tunnel, which constitutes The chief
objection to the Northern route, whenever the
growing commerce Of the Eastern and Western
States shall both warrant and require such ex-
pense, may be obviated in a grea, measure, by
a parallel tunnel excavated and ventilated by
means Of the shafts of the first, without inter
rupton to the use Of The canal during its con-
struction; and that this additional tunnel may
be supplied with all ample quantity of waterb by
a feeder, also costly indeed, but not imprac,i-
cable nor difficult of execution, rawing its sup
plies from the more elevated reservoirs of the
Deep Creek summit, TO that which the Board
Of Engineers have preferred; or, if to this re-