Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-12-16

S~e e' utCohstuCfautc ircsnet.
While the navigation through shoals and
risppies Is benefited at this state OF depres
sion by deepening the bed of the river: and
ny the construction OF wing dams, designed
and calculated to throw a greater colann az
water into II, il is frequently injured AZ 4
point OF greater OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the ma.
turai channel is often found on the one s;dr
observing ITS course near the shore. while
the ARTIFICIAL channel is most commonly at
tempted IN the direct line, BY excavations
made IN the ripple or natural dam.
10y tins means. there is danger Of ioiuvins
or destroying boats on the wing dams. when
thare Is an lnconsiderable rise in the water
which sometimes floats the boat upon these
dams, and compels the boatmca 10 tear ava,
the work to suffer the vessel to pass: and
when there IS a more Considerable freshet
the work becomes useless. moreover the
swiftness OF the current in those sluiccs il Of.
ten such. as to require many hours to pass
men, with a small cargo on board, with the
assistance derived from cord. fastened 10
rngs athxed points drawn by a double com
PIGMENT ef men. Since the introduction Of
steamboats, on that river, il is ascertaiued
that TO pass these sluices at one stage or the
water IS so tedious aud so difficult. that the
attempt Is sometimes altogether abandoned.
When the boat eaters the channel. her width
including her wheels. fills up so much Or the
way, that the whole forms a kind or dam 10
the swiftly descending current, which raises
IN front, and so increases the resistance that
the nasigators are obliged very often TO per.
mt the water TO low blythe whole IS a
work OF much labor.
IL then IL. disbursements on this river have
not conferred all the BE- neiits expected 10
Row from them, II IS ewing to the kind ofim-
provement which has been rcsorted 10. II l.
believed. that slaice navigation. whenever
attempted VIII be found totally inadequate 10
the attainment Of any thing permanent or
important.
1T further expenditures should be deemed
exPeaient, 1t becomes a matter OF earnest
consideration, whether a dam across the ri
Yer below Elk Shoals, with a lock on the right
bank, would not IN the end be the cheapest,
and II is certainly the best mode of ovcreom
ing the difficulties presented by that obstacle.
The communication by canal or rail road
from James River to the New river or ttp
per kanawha, is a subject too m~poriani not
TO occupy q prominent place in the arrange
ment of these public works.
BY the construction Of such a road a large
and fertile region will be enabled to send to
market much produce 10 swell the exports al
the State, and add much to the aggregate
wealth Of the communits.
BY The completion on such an undertaking,
the New River, which is now utterly useless
through a large fine river, the longest in the
htatc, weald beceHe a canal contributing to
this object the rsch resources OF a regicn n
bounding IA iron aud lead, and capable oil
producing hemp, wheat and tobacco 10 a
great amount. The distractions 10 the ma
sjgation of this river principally exist at and
below kichmond's fafls-no doubt is enter
tanned that b~atteaux might now be used upon
Il from the lead mines To that point, thus en-
abling produce 10 aseen nd or descend TO the
contemplated road-Thousands Of barrels Of
flour and pounds of tobacco which will mt
otherwise exist would find their way 20 mar
ket through the James River.
Whilst reviewing the subject Ia all its bear
ings upon the great interests at the State, il
cannot escape the observation OF any, that,
all that region Of country which lies between
parkersburg and Winchester, is withou< any
commercial facilities, a road judteionsly loca
ted 10 that part of the State, would benefit a
large number Of e8r fellow citizens, and ira
verse an extensive and fertile country, aud
cannot fail to claim an indalgcnt ccnsidera
t,on. and RANK among the objects deserving
the attention offhe Conmoawe, 9TH.
The Dismal Swamp Canal isa ~Gneimprove-
Rsant, bringing benefits from afar, and con
tributing much to the value and improve
ment of Norfolk, a town which Virginia will
cherish al being the first Seaport or the At
lantic Coast, and which may at 20 distant
day, when the commercial interests OF The
Union shall again be consulted, elsim a com
| parison with any othoY-Comncrcc has built
all the cities in the worlo; the want OF it has
made the largest the habitatioD Tor bats and
for reptiles.
The eDterprising citizens of Petersburg
have projected a rail road from that town to
the Roanoke river, which promises when
viewed as a part Of the whole system, TO be
useful in forming a link Of the chain intended
TO connect the trade Of the southers region
with the m of James River.
Other improvements Of great importance
| will from time TO time present thesnss Ives
| and will doubtless obtain the conDtenance of
the Legislature.
To expedite the plans Of improvement
which the wisdom Of the General Assembly
may think expedient to resume or adopt II is
respectfully suggested that the ksate might
be benefited by undertaking them exclusive
ly upon her own res01rces-rendefing il the
duty Of the Principal Engineer often to 10
spect them aud placing the same under bis
direction and control.
received d communication from John
Mccoy, Esq "a member Of the Board OF
Public Works, under date OF the 18th Of Oc-
tober, announcing his determination to resign
his appointment as a member Of the Board
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