Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-12
From the National htelEgener.

of Alabama, authorising the laying Of tom
mage duty Of FIVE cents on all vessels entering
the port of Mobile. The object is to improve
the navigation Of that river, so as 10 enable YES
sells of certain class TO reach the town OF Mo
bile with facility; and moved to refer it to the
Committee on the Judiciary; which motion was
agreed to.
| Mr. Van Buren,, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, to whor, the subject was referred
reported bill to annul Gan act concerning
wrecks and wrecked property" passed by the
| Governor and Legislative Council OF the Ter
| ritory of Florida; which was read, and passed
| 10 u second reading.
The bill further 10 amend the judicial sys-
| tenn of the United States" and
The bill for "altering The time OF holding the
| session Of the supreme court OF the United
! States" were severally read second time, and,
Oh motion Of Mr. Van Buren,, were postponed
| to, and made the order Of the day for, Wednes-
| day the 18th inst.
| The Senate then proceeded to consider, as in
| committee Of the whole, the bill "for the SUR
vey of d route for canal between the Atlantic
and the Gulf Of Mexico"
Mr.. Johnston, Of Louisiana, said he would
| make few remarks on the object OF the bill.
| 1t provides, SAID he, for an examination OF all
| the country south Of the St. Mary's and APP
palaChicola rivers, to ascertain the most eligi-
| BILE route through which to connect the Allan
tic and the Bay of Mexico. at contemplates,
after this reconnaissance, a scientific survey OF
the several routes, with view TO obtain all the
facts in relation to the localities Of the country
| and the coast, and to obtain such plans, estl-
mates, and opinions, as will hereafter enable
Congress 10 act on this subject.
1t has IN view two distinct objects: LIST. ~
Canal, in connexion with general system OF
internal navigation. IDLY The practicability
of ship channel. feel il, said MIR. my du-
ty, as well from The pubic station which hi
here, as The peculiar interest and position OF
the State which ! represent, to bring before
this House, separately, subject which con-
Germs my State, which uniles, every interest,
| and III which, happily, we can all concur with
out violating any constitutional principle. The
connexion Of the Gulf of Mexico with the At
| lantc forms u part OF the great system OF in.
land navigation. 1t is the most important
link in the chain Of communication. 1t is The
point OF union between the two great portions OF
our countryside East and the West. Its po-
litical, military and commercial advantages,
need not be illustrated here. The public opin.
ion is already sufficiently enlightened ana de-
termined 1t remains only for US TO give it effect
In regard to canal navi CATION, il is satisiac-
tory TO know, that the work is not only practl
cable, but Of easy execution and at small ex-
pense.
Many routes have been indicated, all of which
are probably con, enient, but it requires an &C
curate survey and estimate, to obtain know
ledge Of the 10, alities and expense, to enable
to decide. Two routes have been particularly
mentioned in the bill That from the st. Mary's
to Appalachi>ola, is deemed practicable and
thought to possess many advantages. 1t pass
rs through sandy soil, Of moderate elevation,
abundanty supplied with water, and commune
Gates with both seas in deep channel; its dis
lance not exceeding 200 miles, anu may be, in
time, with increased advantage, extended to
Pensacola Bay, and thence to Mobile Bay
That from st. Johns to Vacassausa Bay, is
work o. easy execution. The Peninsula is ola
secondary formation, or ailuvion, with little CT
ovation, and penetrated by Gain of Lakes,
which deviate only small distance from the
shortest line Of communication between the two
seas. The distance is not more than 90 miles,
Is Of which is already navigable by the river.
Throughout the remaining "a miles, the soil is
light, with little elevation, easily exsavated, and
many natural facilities. From the ST. Johns,
the first sixteen miles are alluyon, with an ele-
walton Of only three feet above the waters of
that river. From thence the line passes over
region whose elevation is estimated at IL feet,
and indented throughout by lakes, valleys and
creeks. 1t is formed of strata of sand and
clay, and bedded on limestone, lying probably
below The point Of excavation The remaining
2S miles Of the line, is genle inclination from
the great Prairie Alachua to the Gulf, with sand,
clay, and broken fragments of stone, mixed and
easily removed. Throughout the whole line,
there is an adequate supply Of water, with an
elevation of five feet in the centre, and deeii-
nation from that height to the Atlantic in 81
miles, and to the Gulf in "a.
II Is, moreover, to be observed, that, by unit
ing the channels Of chain of Lakes that ex-
tend into the interior, you will greatly diminish
the line of excavation, the labor, and expense.
while you will only increase the line of commu-
nication Is miles. Thus much have deemed
1t necessary to say, in regard to the two routed
designated. But there are other and higher
considerations connected with this subject, that
claim the attention Of this body. mean the
possibility Of ship channel across the PENN
sula-an object which, if accomplished, Won d
operate an extraordinary revolution in the ma
vigation and commerce of this continent
From the information which have on this sub
ject, and the opinions of practical, experienced,
and scientific men, do not entertain doubt