Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-16

-, yt name will be found more suitaoIe,
:, =. hs,;evsd or offering greater advantages
than the Potomac. tho for
The ,rices al which The works upon the LOT.
..., lbs embracing much of the most
;;asc,,I, ,or,;on 70 construct, OF the chesapeake
and Ohio Canal, have been contracted ior' nave
nlaced its spee,ly accomplishment beyond inc
ra,ch If any rational doubt. It's last teeaer'
drawn from the Potomac but nine m'Ies aoo'e
tbc Eastern Branch, will be oil an eie'a,,o" ID
pable. il il be extended 10 the navy ia'u' !"
the mode which your memoriaiis's recoh,neru'
aud annli,d 10 the construction vi suitaoie
docks, of floating the heaviest snip OF war d
bove the height necessary tor her construe''o"
or repsir, without hazard or'deiay. "hen IN.
western section OF the canal shall be como'"'"
with its eastern--and the success OF inc one mas
ensured ALREADY that Of the other-'he'e wiz
be opened, from these docks ana inc ware
nower gathered in tleir vicinity, channel,
which no enemy can close, to the mouth OF the
Mississippi. The contemplated canals from
Pi,sbu p 20 Lake Erie, aud from New Orleans,
,Iono the eastern shore Of the Gulf of Mexico,
,vll p,,end this inland water communication
"a all the ex,remi,ies the Union. A compa'
r,,;veIv short canal, one-third OF which has
been recently ascertained TO be OF very easy
construction. across the counties OF tredrick,
in MARYLAND. and Adams and York, IN Penn
svlvaoia. along The vallies OF the Monocaty ana
the Conewago. will add 10 the resources Of the
former. the produc tions Of The Susquehannah,
and an inland water communication, by means
Of its rapidly extending canals, with those OF
New York, and with the canals now leading
from the mouth Of Swatara 10 Philadelphia,
through the valley Of the Schuylkill.
To the white oak, the locust, the cedar, and
the FIR tree OF the eastern walters, VIII be added,
by an upimpeded and secure navigation, me
live oak Of Florida and Louisiana; TO 'he iron
Of Pennsylyania, Maryland and Virginia, the
salt .pe,re and wa,er-rotted hemp OF kentucky,
the lead of Illinois aud Missouri, and the cop
per of the Lakes, the provisions OF the Ohio,
ard The mineral coal Of the intermediate noun
tains. (Appen. D.
To collect these materials on the margin Of
the Eastern Branch, and 10 fit them Tor use, IN
the prompt construction or repair and equip
ment Of vessels, under the eye oil The Navy De.
partment, would be the office OF this branch OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Leading TO the
Navy Yard of Washing ton, from The nearest
poiu, Of the elevated canal in Georgetowp.
If this branch be Immediately constructed,
it will encounter but few If any obstacles, from
the intervening Improvements OF growing
gress, so will they be, also, adapted 10 its plan
and direction. Unobs'rucled by lock or a
Toll ga,herer, end Offering the cheapest and ca
siest intercourse. at all times Of the cay and
| night, to the inhabitants Of two growing cities,
such an improvement, viii serve as lasting
| monumen. of The benefcence Of the Federal
Government, to people who, having, IN obe>
dience to the wishes OF their parcn, States, sur
rendered to 1t their political rights OF suffrage
and representation, can appeal TO us justice or
only RXy ,1sEJ5ygssaan -. uu uu.
| ~ charged upon them. The same considera.
tons which recommend the construction Of dry
docks upon the Eastern Branch, on an enlarged
scale, for the speedy preparation Of ships, for
actual service in time of war, apply, i, is be-
lieved, with equal il not superior force, to the
erection of such docks on the main river, in the
harbor Ct Alexandria, from whence, fewer OBJ
struc,ions would br encountered by ships of
| the larger class, in descending the Potomac to
the Chesapeake. To the objection, which has
been applied 10 both stations, that the descent
OF these ships would be along crooked cham
mel, the multiplication Of steamboats, on the Po-
tomac will be, il is presumed, sufficient an
swer. Should il be, as your memorialisls hope
the pleasure Of Congress 10 favor, by pecuniary
aid, the consruc ton of the contem 2la,ed branch
from the stem Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal, 10 Alexandra, the accompanying me-
mortal from the Mayor and Common Council
Of that town, soliciting the incorporation Of
join, stock company, with authority to con-
s,ruct such branch, will afford an opportuni-
~ OF extending such aid, in the same mode in
which the wisdom and liberaIi,y of the Federal
Legislature has already assured the success Of
several great National works.
The utility OF the main canal, from which
this branch is to lead, cannot fail to be much
augmented by supplying third market for
the numerous and diversified productions which
are destined to descend the VALLEY Of the Po-
tomac, and another inlet for their valuable re-
turns from abroad.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company
comprehcnds many citizens Of Virginia, as well
as OF Maryland. They have now assigned to
them, under the sanction Of existing laws, The
chartered rights Of a PRIOR company which the
States OF Maryland and Virginia incorporated,
by their joint act, in the FIRST years of their in
dem anH IN yuh4