Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-10


own domestic condition. and the obligation which
rests upon them to do so, is high and impcrlous
From the numerous works which have been
brought to public view. those in which the State
has become interested in part. or undertaken 10
construct at her own expense. juaties the pup,
lie expec tation that they will be resumed ana
prosecuted to their final completion.
Although many works have been proJec'ed'
highly beneficial to large neighborhoods anu even
the counties in which they may be situated YET We
there are few of magnitude and Importance sniii-
Gent TO entitle them to the character OF state I'M
In considering this subject, the mind cannot
fail to contemplate the great commercial aoVah-
tapes winch would be derived from the compile
ton of those works already begun on the James
River Heretofore this seems to have been con
sidered the first object, and of Importance enough
to Justify the General Assembly in making 1t the
exclusive property Of the Commonwealth;
II. then, private enterprise is prevented from
carving on this work, the obligation to iiaish It,
becomes much more strong on the part oil the go
vernment; and was its navigation rendered equa'
to that of similar works OF other states whch are
intended to serve as channels tor the introeec-
ton Of produce from the rich regions OF the west,
there cannot be doubt, but that the exports
from this river would be greatly augmented.
This fine river is the natural channel and is the
shortest. and might be the easiest, cheapest
and most certain route through which the m
exhaustible abundance produced from the rich
soil of the Western States could find its way
to the Atlantic.
To invite the agricultural products Of that
country to their large cities. has been the object
of those vast expenditures encountered by some
of our sister States; and were success to attend
their efforts that trade would be cheapy acquir-
ed at the cost of additional millions: the pro-
ducts of the labor of three millions OF people
would then be secured, with certainty OF their
increasing SO long as the confederacy existed.
The improvements put upon this great channel
to the West. not less important IN the acquire
ment Of that commerce. than To the trade oil the
interior of our own country. have been construct
ed at an unreasonable and unparalleled expense
This is deeply to be regretted. it is. never
theless, believed that, by judcious change in
the mode of conducting this work, steamboat ma
vication could be accomplished TO Lvnchburg.
for about the sum Of six hundred thousand dol
lars.
That part of this Improvement which forms
the road between Co,ington and kenawha. was
never we'll located. graduated or constructed
ont with the exception of few miles. which 1t
will be Indispensable necessary to pave, no ex
penditure will be required. other than to keep II
in proper repair for some time.
The road which lies between the Great Falls
of Kenawha and Charestown has not been finish
ed. owing to the failure of the constructors to
comply with their engagements The near ap-
proach of your SESSION induced the J,mcs River
GaHplH T. Rsaq FEN sHBn p PH fSH
to YOU.
The location of the residue of this road from
Charestown to Sandy, does great credit to the
skill and ingenuity of the Principal Engineer,
and will be work to which the State may adj
vert with pleasure-Yet there's in the arrange
ment, growing out of the terms of the law, some
defect, as the commercial point on that frontier
NAV be thrown beyond the jurisdiction of the
State, and thus lose manv of the contemplated
benefits. This can readily be remcdied by new
legislative enactment.
The construction of the western part of the
Turnpike has been contracted for and is in pro-
Sress. Mcssrs. Coffiman, Royce and Chappell,
the undertakers. hal finished about 6 miles of
it early in October last, in manner highly sat
isfactory. and every expectation is confidently
entertained. that they will faithfully and punctu.
ally perform their engagements. The expendi-
lures made for the improvement Of the kenhawa
River, the other branch Of this channel to the
west have not been attended with all the benefits
which were expected to flow from them.
In attempting to improve the bed of the river.
il Is perfectly obvious. that all the work would be
performed whilst the river was a, its greatest de-
preston. At this stage of the water the chan
mel ia often different from that observed by the
current when there is but incOnsiderabie reshet
Whilst the navigation through shoals and rip
plies is benefited at this state of depression bs
deepening the bed of the river. and by the Goa
structon of wing dams, designed and calculated
to throw greater column Of water into il, il is
frequently injured at point of greater elevation
because the natural channel is often found on
the one side observin. its course near tie shore
while the artificial channel is most commonly at
tempted in the direct line. by excavations made
in the ripple or natural dam.
BY this means. there is danger of iniurine or
destroying boats OH the wing dams. when there
is an inconslderable rise in the water, which some
times floats the boats upon these dams, and com
pels the boatmen to tear away the work to suffer
the vessel 20 pass; and when there is q more
considerable freshet. the work becomes useless;
moreover the sWlftDess of the current in those