Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-11-09


D. r. EDaEY, Secretary.
Report of The Ricer Committee
The committee appointed TO enquire into the expe-
uiency ut etfectlDs Steamboat Navigation Jsmes
River, from Lynchbnrg to Richmond, torc her with
the probable cost of the work, ask leave to Reports
That, IN the discharge of the duty assigned hem,
they have opened correspondence with Mr. David
Dick, of Meadvle Perm. the enterprising protector
ofsteamboat navigation the Allegheny river; and
Mr.. Thomas Blanchard of Springfield Mass the
builder OF the boat used on that stream The letters
OF those gentlemen communicating description of
their boat, and The results of their experiment. are
herewith submitted. Your committee hnve al so been
favored, by gen enan of this place, with the peru
sal OF private letter from distinguished enoiueer
OF another Safe, upon the subject of the James Ri
yer improvement-and one from another gentleman
OF nigh standing communicating some valuable infor
nation in relation the Schuykili Nayigaton-
From an examination of these documents the several
reports that have been made the legislature and to
the Board of Public Works" upon the noprove
inent of James River, and from verbal information
Obtained from other intelligent Individuals (and a.
mongst them the talented and scientific euninear of
this Stnfel your committee have arrived at the CON
clusion that it would be practicable navigate the
James River will steamboats, of the description used
on tho Allegheny in its present state-or at most
with such improvements of the present sluces a.
could ne maze Mt nconsderabe expense, at least dn-
rlngthe high water of the winter and spring. Whe.
Their such navigation would answer the purpose this
meeting has IN view. presents different and in the
opinion OF your committee much more import ant
QUESTION.
The expors constitute least three our.bs of tho
whole tonnage on James River. The princ,paI arti
c'es OF export arc tobacco and -four. The latter of
these cies, must of necessity be carried to market
IN the later part OF the summer and in the autumn
OF lose ne proht OF the early market which gives to
the Richmond -four such decided advanta res in Snuh
America, and IN the Northern markets of our own
cpuntry The same observation will apply to the
7rger and more valuable part of the tobacco or y; it
being fact well known all engaged in that trade.
that comparatively small proportion of it is ready
t,T expectation earlier than June July. These re-
marks to considerable extent apply also to imports
much the larger portion Of them being made in the
months OF September and October, when the river Is
usually at It's Invest This statement of facts
make apparent to your committee that any improve
ment that would not give us good navigation ut all
seasons of the year would be of inconsiderable adj
vantage 10 Lynchburg Tho upper James river coun
try.
with these views your committee have found it
necessary to enquire whether any, and if any, what
kind OF Improvement would effect this Officer? After
the best consideration your committee have been able
to besiow npon this important question: they have
come to the conclusion that the plan of locks and
dams, from Maidens Adventure to Lynchburp as
recommended by Mr.. Croxet in his able and satsfnc-
tory reports TO the Board of Public Works in 1926
and i32S, for full description and estimate of which
your committee refer TO those Reports herewith sub
m'tted is the only plan that promises this result
whether some alteration might not be made in that
plan, ny Substituting an improved sIuce ma viraton
for locks and DAMS at of the less difficult ponta
your committee vii; not undertake to saw Sbould
the work. however, be undertaken, your committee
would consider this question well worthy the grave
consideration of those to whom its emenf NAV
be committed
Having arrived at this point in their abors the next
subject of enquiry with your committee was, wheth
or the tonnage upon the river could afford to pay such
tolls as would Justify mourning the cost of such
work' BY reference to Dir. Croze,'s Report, filth
Ar Rep Board Pub. Wks page 25s i it will be seen
thai the cost of the Improvement from Lynchburp TO
Maiden's Adventure is estimated at s66414O He
81 I'D tbot fbo follS
S31Oio,or nearly ten per cent per pay the
ioerest on the capital expended and the cost of re-
pairs and superintendent. With view to ascertain
how tar the tonnage of Lynchburg alone would no
towards paying this sum, your COMMITTEES have oh
tanned ffom the warehouse books, flour INSPECTORS
mllers and merchants of Lynchburg estimates of the
actual amount o. tonnage 10 and from Lynchburg
within the last twelve months. The total thus as.
contained is 30 97 ,l48 lbs f7,8i45S3 224O tons
OF which about three fourths shipped down the
river to Richmond, and he other one fourth I'D from
THENCE. Making allowance for the unprsc sdenfed
depression Of trade and commerce of every descrp-
ton during the past year, your committee would feel
justified IN estimating the average amount of 20 600
TONS or a'nt 10 per cent more than The actual
amount thus asccrtalned for last year But, not TO
appear TOO sanguine. your committee viii rate it at
the even amount of 1900 tons. Your committee
estimate tie average cost Of transportation in the
present state OF the navigation 80 per 100 lbs
CT SO II per ton, exclusive Of the toll now paid on
tAc canal below Maidens Adventure by reference |
TO Mr. Crozelrs Report Of 1926, Tl0th An. Rep.
page 46Vl 1T will be seen that he estimates the cost
OF transportation from Lynchburg to Richmond. by
s:eamboats, upon the improved navigation at s GO
per ton For the sake Of even numbers, and to make
some allowance Tor errors in calculation Tstonrh he
considers bis estimates full bigh] your commit ee
WI set thls down a 81 10 per ton, which too taken
from S. IL the present rte leaves reduction of So
per ton ~ cost of transportation Supposnr no in
crease IN the trade of Lyncbborg. be Produced by
this Improvement, the following would be the result
Of This reduction, viz:
$3.50 in tolls wonid produce 900 tons Sos 600
or within 5000 Of The estimated income necessa-
~ 10 insrjfy The work.
50 deducted from the cost Of transportation would
upon 1900 tons produce clear annual saving
to the trade Of Lynchburg of S27,0oo.