Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-02

| After an exhibition Of the above prices, to be
relied upon as correct, the public will under
stand with what feelings of distress we obsery-
ed an analysis of prices, double and treble the
above. by which it is said the United States
Engineers were to be governed in making out
/ their estimates, and which would lead them 10
result calculated to disappoint and defeat our
hopes. We are aware that, should these prices
| be furnished in connection with the amount OF
work necessary to be effected, that every indi-
vidual, DESTROYS of correct knowledge, who Will
make his arithmetical calculation, may substi-
tpte the real instead of the proposed rates, and
can arrive al satisfactory and cheering conclu-
sion. But few, however, will trouble themselves
by an inquiry into details The gross estimate
will be laid before the public, and the enemies
of this policy afforded powerful argument lii
i the exaggerated cost. We are DESTROYS, there
fore, that the above rates should be furnished to
the proper officers, accompanied by the certi6,
cate herewith transmitted--that they are true
abstracts from the sealed contracts on the Yves
tern section of the Pennsylvania Canal. No
doubt, the contractors, who have received the
experience of third canal, will be ready to
execute fourth at the same prices.
should be source Of congratuation to our
National and State Councils, that they can "a
vail themselves, at this time, of these reasona-
Bile estimates, and ensure to their investment Of
capital rich return
The amount Of trade, which would pass thro'
this and other communications between the
Eastern and Western waters, is daily and ra-
pidly augmenting. Notwithstanding the draw
back-of land carriage, we observe great in
crease in the amount Of the former articles Of
trade passing through our city, and the addi-
| ton of new, and almost unexpected, objects of
transportation. Within the last two years. the
cotton of Tennessee and North Alabama has
| found its way up 10 Pittsburg, and thence, 6y
| wagons, across the mountains, at rate OF car
riage equal to that by New Orleans and the
cean, to Eastern ports. This is now great and
growing trade. The ex pertinent has succeeded
to the satisfaction of the merchants attempting
| il. They avoid the Southern climatc-enor-
nous commissions and charges--ayal them
| selves of the Western market, and from thence
transport to Baltimore or Philadelphia, as adj
vised--and, moreover follow their usual course
Of travelling and trade. Enough is ascertained
on this sub ect to satisfy US that, if canal COM
munication was completed on the proposed
route that one-haf, If not all, the cotton raised
on the waters running into the Ohio, would
reach its Eastern market by this canal The
difference between the cost of ascending and
descending freight, by steam boats, on the o.
hio river, is never more than one-eighth, and
generally throughout the year is equal.
To the cotton of Tennessee and North Ala
bama may be added the tobacco of the same
district Of country, of Kentucky, of Ohio, large
proportion Of which now finds its way to the
East by the wagon route. To this may be added
the lead of Missouri, which, by canal, would
be transported TO the Eastern States.
The coal Of the Western district of Pennsyl-
vania, which can be afforded to our manufacto-
ries and families, delivered at three cents per
bushel,in the city of Pittsburg, is now transport
ed upwards Of 500 miles on the Ohio river, and
sold at from six to eight cents. ger bushel This
is descending navigation; but, when it is con-
sidered, thatthe boat is sacrificed for five or ten
dollars, and the hands pay their return passage,
you will be satisfied that it can be delivered 800
miles for the same sum. All the above named
articles Of trade are heavy, and their amount,
once diverted to canal will be immensely pro-
ductive, and are all extra articles of transport
tation, not to be found on the New York line
Even in looking around us here, we observe
number of heavy articles, which the canal would
afford us in return We alIude to slate, marble,
and materials, which, administering to our
comfort, and securing our safety, can be pro-
cured only by wagons, at an expense which al
most excludes them.
We are not without hopes that the State Of
Pennsylvania, and especially the Southern and
Western counties, will unite in active and libe-
raj promotion OF this work. Since the explo-
ration ofthe Wills creek and Casselman's route,
and the certainty that the summit level is 5 or
600 feet lower, and the route % miles nearer
than any other, little doubt may be entertained
of the preference it deserves. This throws the
line of the canal much farther into Pennsylva-
MIA, and draws to its support Bedford, Somer-
set, Fayette, Westmoreland, Washington, AL
legheny and Greene counties, in the West One
of the most direct Eastern communications
(and we hope to see them all perfected) may be
found through the Conococheague and Cone
waga, or Conedoguinet, streams, to the juno
ton Of the Union Canal. These streams pass
through the counties Of Adams, Cumberland,
Franklin, and York, who must feel their inter-
est deeply concerned. From these counties we
have every reason TO expect assistance and sup
port.
Generally throughout the State, we trust, for
The honor thereof, that no narrow or selfish po-
lcy may be discovered, calculated to contract