Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-26
From the Baltimore Aaerseon.
PENNSYLVANIA CANAL.

From me 6dutWO5e s1ht0sSess'
PENNSYLVANIA CANAL.
We s.sted las, week that bill had been re-
norted TO the House Of Delegates of Pennsyi-
sania, by the committee on roads and 'cana's'
providing for the commencement OF canal 10
be constructed at the expense OF tho state, 70 DC
STYLED "the Pennsyluania canal we have the
bill now before us--the preamble and hrst sec
ton Of which run thus:
Whereas, the construction OF canal WITHIN
our own limits, for the purpose OF connecting
the eastern and western waters, is believed 70
be practicable, and within the means OF the
state and its speedy completion will advance the
prosperity and elevate the character oil rem.
sylyania. and by facilitating intercourse, enc
promoting social interests, will strengthen Inc
bands of the Union-And whereas there are
IMMIGRANT sections Of the work which may be
Immediately begun without the danger OF error:
Therefore,
See. I. Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives Of the commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, that
the commissioners appointed by the act, euti-
tied "an act to appoint board OF commission
ers," passed the 18th of April, 1925, are here
by authorised and empowered, IN behalf OF this
state, Immediately to locate and contract Tor
making canal and locks, and other works ne
cessary thereto, from the river Swatura to the
mouth of the Juniata, and also from Piusburg
to the mouth Of Kiskimitnitas.
The other sections Of the bill relate to the
lowing of tolls, valuation Of lands through
which the proposed canal may pass, &c.
The bill was accompanied by the following re-
port, which will place before our readers a full
view of the objects and intentions Of the COM
mittee:
Mr.. Leman, from the committee on inland
Navigation and Internal Improvements, to
whom was referred resolution relative to the
commencement of Pennsylvania Canal, re.
ported:
That the construction Of canal, which shall,
throue houtits whole course, be located in Penn
svlvania, and shall unite the Delaware with o.
hio and Lake Erie, will effect an approxima-
ton between the commercial metropolis and
the states If the west, and also between our
eastern, middle, and western counties. 1t will
increase our prosperity, elevate our character.
and enable us to maintain our station in the
first rank of the States of the Union.
The points designated in the resolution, from
Swatura to the Juni,ta, and from Pittsburg to
the Kiskiminitas, must constitute essential
parts OF this great work, and upon these par's
we may, without the danger of error, COM
mence operations without further delay. The
facility and cheappess with which these sections
NAV be made, and the more than ample supply
of water, must be obvious 20 every intelligent
mind.
The length of the eastern section, from Union
Canal, near Middletown. to the Juniata, Will
be about twenty-three miles and the lockage a.
bout twenty eight feet The length Of the west
ern section, from Pittsburg to the Kiskiminitas,
will be about thirty miles; and the lockage a.
bout forty-four feet.
On the eastern section, upon the ground from
the Swatura TO the Stony Creek, which is with
in about FIVE miles Of the Junia,a, regular
and scientific examination has been made by
Canvass White, Esq. skilful and practical en-
gineer Of the Union Canal, and was recently
one Of the principal and most valued engineers
of the great Erie Canal. A map and profile OF
this survey and location, the committee aLnex
to this report.
The entire expense Of this part Of the line,
compromising eighteen miles, and twenty-one
feet Of lockage, is computed by MIR. White at
$1,000 and full confidence is paced in the
accuracy of this estimate. II may not be i'm
proper to state, that the Union Canal Compa-
nv, relying upon the survey and estimate, and
taking into view the pecun.ary advantage OF
canal from the Swatura to, or near to, the
mouth Of the Juniata, applied lastyear for per-
mission to construct the canal with their own
funds The average expense OF this part oil the
line will be less than 5000 dollars per mile.
With regard 10 the western section: The COM
mittee will refer to the official report made 10y
the United States Engineers 10 the general go
vernment, in which, after examining the ground
in company with Messrs, Holgate, Clark and
Treziyulny, the first Pennsylvania canal com
missioners, they say, from Pittsburg to the
mouth of the Kiskiminitas, the valley OF the Ali
leghany offers no difficulties in the way OF the
canal" The committee confidently believe,
from facts assertained by many accurate obser.
vers, that the entire line of the contemplated
canals, (about 6fty-.hrse miles in TIE EXTENT
will not cost more than $4,000 per mile, and
will afford Cat cost less per mile than that oil
the turnpike from Philadelphia to Columbia)
high way which, when completed, will require
little expense 10 keep it in repair, and upon
which one boat, with the aid Of one horse, one
man and one boy, will carry twenty-five tons to
greater distance in day, than can be carried
upon turnpike by ten men, forty horses and
ten wagons, while the cost of each wagon will
be as much as boat.
In sdverting TO these facts, the committee
.vo;d ohse that in addition 10 MAJ