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

ma igation, to equalize their value, and where
s.culiar causes conspire to check the sudden
Zee of the wages of ordinary labor; and this
rice extended to its humblest Offices, is more
ryer augmented for the attendants in the sub
,erranean tunnel, and in employments of like
exposure.
In an estimate, believed by the Committee to
exceed in amount the probable cost of this Sec
,on of the canal, they have reduced these spe-
ci6c expenditures to 100000 dollars, allow
;no as part Of that sum, four hundred thousand
for unforeseen contingencies.
The Committee doubt not but that this esti-
maize. might be yet further reduced, and that
,be estimates of the other sections of the canal
would admit of larger rateable deduction,
.ince peculiar errors enter into their formation;
as computation for the tunnels and the re-
verse arches at the bottoms of the locks, Of
hard burnt bricks, of dimensions reduced to
.;eh, inches in length and two in thickness, but
&C four inches breadth, at IS per thousand, on
supposition that but 10000 Of such bricks
could be supplied by kiln Of 100000, burnt
in country where wood is nuisance; that
common limestone does not exist, because it
does not appear on the surface Of the earth,
and that lime, for waterproof cement, cannot
be had nearer than the canal of New-York, al
though it had not been searched for in the
country most requiring its use; and it has, in
fact, the Committee is credibly informed, been
since discovered there in great abundance, on
the margin Of a western river.
These errors, if they are such, IN very able
and valuable report, do not affect in any degree
the merit of its authors as scientific men, nor
are the Committee prompted to note them, but
by an imperious sense of duty.
To the unassuminp personaI and m oral worth
and interchangeable industry of the distinguished
member at the head of the Board of Internal
Improvement, they unite with their fellow-citi-
Gems in according the well earned need Of pub
lie applause, nor do they withhold their thanks
from his coadjutors in work of equal labor
and skill The Board have failed only where
less ability was competent to the task which
they have endeayored TO perform, under i'm
oressions perhaps, that the work which they
estimated, would readily command the wealth
of nation for its construction, and with feel
ines which would be less wounded by the dis
coyery that they had under, rather than over
rated its cost
Of their errors, il should also be remarked,
that, in the patient and ingenious analysis of
their constituent elements, the Board have af-
forded an easy corrective, since they have left
nothing to be supplied by those who follow
them, but the labor OF common sense, guided
by the knowledge Of common experience.
In one Of the estimates, submitted to the
Convention In 1928, the transverse section Of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was assumed
10 be- at the water line, 40 feet, at the base, 2S
feet, with depth of four, which multiplied by
the mean breadth, between them, gave SUR
face of 1876 square feet; while the Canal esti-
mated by the Board, having mean breadth of
4o.5 feet, and depth of FIVE feet, has for its
transverse section below its water line, super
fees of 2o2.5 square feet in extent, and would
cost, for excavation alone, according to the es-
Inmates Of the Board, Ss3s,ooo less than that
which they have recommended, and this with
out any reference whatever, TO several circum-
stances in the ground over which the two Ca
nails would pass, tending much TO augment the
cost of that which has the greater breadth.
1t was therefore with prudent regard to the
prac,icability of obtaining funds for the accom-
plishment of this great work, that the Federal
& State Commissioners have forborne TO open
books for the subscription Of its stock, not only
until the estimates of tine Board had been re-
ceiyed. but until some calculation might be
made Of the extent of the aid that may be de-
rived from those sources Of wealth on which
work Of such vast political Importance natu-
rally relies for the means of its execution.
While the private subscriber to Its stock,
may, indeed should be expected to regulate the
amount of his subscription to such an enter
prize. by a consideration of its immediate or
remote returns in the shape OF dividends OF
profits: while the cities, whose trade may be adj
yanced by it, shall blend with this considera-
lion, that of the augmented value which It's sue
cess must bestow upon their liked and active
capi.al,-the States so deeply interested in 1t,
may be expected to regard this prospective In.
come, as Of inconsiderable amount, compared
with the internal resources which so extended
line of inland navigation must promptly de-
velop-the wealth which it must generate, en-
ploy and enIargc-the population which It
must attract, fix, and multiply;--and the Gov
eminent of The United States, strong as is Its
obligation to the District of Columbia, OF which
the founders of the Federal Republic have con-
stuted i, the paternal guardian, must more
sensibly feel that, by the accomplishment oil
such an enterprise, new momentum wiii oe
impaired 10 its defensive power, whether exer-
cised upon the land or the sea, and an lndestruc-
,ible bond provided for the Union, and with 1t
he prosperity Of the People, for whose securi-
~, freedom, and happiness, i, was Instituted