Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-22
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.


We have been favoured with copies Of the
following interesting correspondence, which
will be very acceptable to large portion OF our
readers, and which we lay before them with
! pleasure: Ndf InfeHtse"ce''
House OF REPRESENTATIVES
! 7fh FEBRUARY, 1926.
S1p We are informed, that the route Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, proposed to be
carried. ~ the way Of Wills Creek and Castle
man River; in the counties OF Bedford and
Somerset, Pennsylvania, is about twenty-six
miles nearer than that by the way OF Deep
Greek, and that the Wills Greek and Castleman
summit level is so much lower than that OF
! Deep Creek, that the lockage will be about 767
fee, less. 1t is, we think, highly probable,
that the waters, which were intended to be
used to supply the summit level at Deep reek
| can be drought to the Castleman summit, in
augmentation gifts supply II that can be ell
| fected, it will make the quantity OF water on
the summit, beyond all doubt, more sufficient
| for the navigation.
The distance from the one route to the 9TH
er, is, we understand, about twenty five miles;
that is somewhat less than the difference in
their length. II is probable, however that
| feeder, to conduct the water from the one sum
nit 70 the other, would exceed, in length, the
distance on direct line, between the two
points. 1t is presumed, hat the feeder, on
whatever construction ii is necessary to build
IT, could not cost more than the same length OF
Canal If this be correct, the water on the
Deep Greek summit can be transferred 10 that
of CastlemaD, without mourning an exPence,
much, if any greater, than would be incurred in
making the twenty-six miles OF Canal, which
that route exceeds the other in length. Ii 1t be
at all practicable to bring the water from the
Deep Greek 10 The Caslleman route, should the
expense even greatly exceed what we nave
supposed, it Is plain that the latter would
have such great advantages, in its command
Of all the water, upon both SUBMITS, as well as
in its comparative shortness, and the compare
tive lowness Gifts upper level, as must ensure
it the preference.
That part of the country which We repre-
sent is deeply interested in the Castleman
route. We are there fore anxious that the Board
of Engineers should be perfectly informed Of
all its advantages, before they come to any con-
clusion, as 10 which Of the routes ought to be
preferred We understand that the Engineer
Corps could, at present, send an intelligent
gentleman, attached to that department, who,
having been frequently engaged in executing
SURVEYS there, has minute knowledge of the.
topography Of that part Of the country, with
sufficient assistance, to the summit Of the two
routes, to ascertain the practcabiity Of carry.
ing feeder from the one to the other, with
out interfering, in any degree, with any other
branch Of the public service.
Our object in addressing you on this sub
ject, is to request that some competent person,
belonging 10 the Corps of Engineers, if il be in
the power Of the Department, may be sent, as
soon as possible, to the Deep Creek and Cas-
t!eman summit, to ascertain the practicability
Of carving feeder from the one TO the other,
as we have before mentioned, that his report
may be before the Board of Engineers prior to
the time they make up their report. To you
we reed not urge the importance OF having all
!he information that can possibly be obtained,
previously to forming final decision, on sub
iect of such vast moment You see its mag
nitude and comprehend its consequences better
than we do.
From the point on Wills Creek where the
Canal, if it takes that route, will approach near
est to Bedford. it is about sixteen miles to that
place, on the Rays Town Branch OF the Juni-
alta River. The head waters of that stream,
and of the Wills Creek, rise very near each
Otncr, anu tUCIC OtiiVi oNiS aH'S Az shN ">Ao"
horhood, which, it is believed, can be brought
to the level Of the Canal, at the point OF its
nearest approach to Bedford, affording safii,
Gent water to supply Canal to that place II
this fact was ascertained, 1t would then De
known, that Canal could be opened, from the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, by the way OF the
Rays Town Branch of the Juniata, to the Sus-
qrehannah. If it be possible for the Depart
ment to send person, al present, on the SER
vice we have before mentioned, to the Castle
man summit, it would be exceedingly crafty
ing to the people in that quarter, and might be
Of great service to the internal improvement OF
the country, 10 direct him, after he has COM
pleted the survey, and made the examination
we have before mentioned, and made report
thereof to the Department, to examine the
ground between the nearest point, on the Ches-
apeake and Ohio Canal route TO Bedford, from
which canal communication can be opened
to that place, the waters emplying into the
Wills Creek, the Rays Town Branch, and the
Cummings Greek, with view to ascertain the
practicability ofconnecting the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, with the navigation OF the Sus.
ouehannah. From Bedford it is not doubted
bu, that canal can he carried through Wood
cock Valley to Huntingdon, and thence down
the Juniata, to the Susquehannah; thus opening
an internal navigation, from the Chesapeake
IL nL;. Conal tbro,,uh tho ctate of PennSyI.