Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-15

we naturally come now to consideration Of
the plans on which II has been proposed to improve
the James and Jackson's rivers. The mode. by
an Independent canal, and tina, by locks and dams,
oeing nrst and almost alone in public view, will
iimi' our revision. And here your committee would
oes ieave TO remark that IN the brief comparisons
which they shall attempt to make, they do not pre-
tend to the minute and specific accuracy which en-
ters into the calculations of the scientific Engineers
Out nave attained their conclusions with view to
accommodate the commerce OF these rivers, AID
win al attentive regard TO economy. The present
trade, upon these rivers, il estimated a. 1000
Tons; freighisge, two-thrds descending, one.third
ascending. Its great augmentation, through an i'm
proved and convenient mode of commu ucation. be-
tween the Eastern and Western waters. has been
iondiy antcipsted and assured, upon train of in
genious and profound speculations, Unto which il
Is not necessary to enter for the present pur
w That may be its increase, is entirely coniectural.
ana while II Is held in view all object of great
importance, the uncertainty surrounding 1t makes
II proper Tor US to look to things as they &C uallv
exist, and to adapt our arrangements to them. Div
ing such aptitude asmay suit probable exi,enc;es
which may arise. What, then, doe, the trad. nm
inns line OF communication, require! A safe, ready
uninterrupted, cheap transportation The first and
MIRO purposes, to all necessary and convenient
ends, may be accomplished by an independen, canal
along the vales of the two rivers, and also Inv he
aeep and qulescent sheets OF water produced by
dams across the beds of the rivers These sbe.,s
easily approached on either side, present. ~ svsrn
situation, ready outlet to the activity of com
merce; While the canal, on the side bordered Inv
.ne rivers, canno, conveniently receive its burden
Out al gwen points. Allowing to safety, convent
ence and steadiness, in the transportation of conn
merce, their due weight, cheapness has ALWAYS pre-
seh'ed the most complex and powerful considera
ions, In defining The mode of improving inland
al.
scientific and vigorous minds have devised IN re
heve the Trade oil small rivers from heavy expenses
which Cypress 1t, have been invariably arranged 70,
tue application OF the only two powers, those of
man and horse, whose agency has been emnovsJ
In their navigation. Canals, suited TO the uses Of
The latter power, have been preferred bv the mos,
sA"ui engineers as the cheapest mode of improy-
'',e sns"o" streams. Ihis preference, in its orr
gin, was, no doubt, wise and udicious. Pm, NODE,
developments of science have added a new and sf'
ncacious agent IN steam power 10 The machiuerv
OF ART whch mas, IN great variety of instances
extensively affecting social industry superceded
manual iorce; demonstrated its superiority. in ca
pacny and cheapness, to horse power; and pro.
duced great and astonishing changes in the contri-
Oh ingenuity, for the promotion of individu
al and social wealth. The public mind has bsan
much interested and agitated by this wonder.vork-
ing power; and the hand of enterprise has applied
It to the navigation of rivers The various exnsr;
mehts which have been made in different parts Of
'he world, leave no room to doubt, EXCEPT with III.
most sceptical, that wherever a sufficient volume Of
wafer can be procured, steamboats, can be adv.n.
'aSeousiy used The estimates which have been
~ .A' A1nsiheef' pages prove that
steam power is not more expensive tn, r.
power, when applied to the purposes of river ma,
CATION. III this be SO, and your COMMITTEES have M
reason to dstrus' the calculations, and ts can,c,v
clearly within the control of art to accomplish ali
the purposes of horse power in such navigation.
'he principai circumstances of comparison on this
point are, the relative expenses of improvements
suited TO each kind OF force. And the most gen.
erai view OF the subject, will satisfy every nerson
OF intelligence, that the plan OF locks and dams
upon these rivers, will be the cheapest. These
brief comparisons, aided by the minute. full. and
able comparative exposition, made by the Eapineer
OF the State, in his Report 10 the Board of Puhlc
Works, in June last, (pages lead 10
Inc conclusion, that the plan of improvement upon
these rivers, by locks and dams, under suitable
investigation. w
While your Committee have come to this con-
ciusion, it is matter of consideration, whether an
enureiy slack water nsvig a;ion is most expedient
oes' suited TO the vans of the trade of these r,
vers; and absolutely required TO reduce the ex
penses OF transportation In steamboats, to the INV
est estimafe. suppose iwo-thirds OF The commerce
travelling this course to descead, and the Other
third 10 ascend these rivers; it /. obvious thar he
greater force In conducting IL will be expended il
tracking with the flowing Of the waters: and The
iorce OF The current, added to the artificial pro,
peillng power, will diminish the expense if the
dangers, attending the velocity, can be obyisted
oy art. Iha. this can be effected in most places
where the current should be used, is supposed to be
beyond doubt ~ ~
Holding in view the wants Of the trade upon
rf.sar .n1 al =
convenience, your Committee would suggest some
lev objections which are presented by he pI,n Of
an entire still ater navigation, as Recommended
by the Engineer: First--i, will cost considerably
more thao u modified In the way which will here.
after se recommended Secondly AS to the dis
lance between Msiden's Adventure and I,yncbbprq
me iali IN the liver to be overcome IS stated IN he
about three hundred and sixty feet: then supposing
the dams 10 be raised, upon an average i've feet
above the surface OF the water, which is as high
as can well be presumed, seeing it is proposed TO
nave low dams, there would be seventy-two dams
ana locks. The chance Of finding some of these
oui OF order, and the delay of the iowboat, which
must wait Tor all the boats i, has in tow TO paas
one d. 'ime, before 1t can proceed in IFS pas
sage would De heavy burden upon The com
merce OF the river: And the expense of keep
Ing seveD,y-two locks and dams in reo,ir
as well as the pay Of seveniy-:wo Iock-keepers
would make heavy item in the annual exn1nses
OF me establishment, Thirdly, il would throw the
WAFER oacK INTO every creek and riyule, Uhey
peinS most generally low and sluggish) where II
would become siagnant and produce deIe erious ef
fects upon the health IF all who reside on or nsa,
the river Thi' objection ought, in tie opinion OF
your committee, TO have much weigh; because
the healb indeed the lives of ividuas. canoo,
be estimated in money: Add TO this the damage.
Tor injuries 10 the adjoining lands, and harsssins
Applications for compensation for incidental in ures
TO crops IRON hoodings; for your committee can