Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-07-10
CoMNuNicArED roR THE VINO.
WATER wORKS-No. ~.

\
In my last communication, | promised to explain
why differed with the Committee, which reported mt
their last meeting sundry resolutions which they re
commenced Tor adoption by tho Common Council of
this city. The majority Of that Committee have re-
solved that II is their opinion that il is expcdien; to
establish works for supplying the city Of Richmond
VITA water from James River. To the first branch
OF TINS resolution, most cordially agree with these
gentlemen; while To the latter, most solernnly dis
sgree with them. II may not be improper and Il NAV
be beneficial To assure my fellow citizens, before
proceed, TINT have no sor, Of expec, alton from any
local benefit to be derived from such works, but am
willing TO assist in the by pecuniury
founded on design such would satisfy me that a
reasonable profit could be derived from these works.
such rs to pay the interest and redeem the principal
IN reasonable time; bu' / most solemnly protest
against plcdgng the faith OF the city generally TO
provide for either the interest or redemption of stock
tn be created by the Common Council. With these
premises i shall endcavor to demonstrate why be
leve the COMMITTEES have been mistaken in the latter
branch of their FIRST resolution, namely that II is ex-
pedient to take the supply of immediately from
James River. and shall defer my intended remarks on
the Casualties and expense OF their plan for future
communication. That il is not expedient for the
following reasons: LIST. The BASIN of the James Ri
yer Canal flows the water Of that River "a feet above
the common tide water Of the river, is fed from its
source Is located in nearythc heart of The business
part OF the city, and the flow above the level of ut
cast three ourths of the business part of The town.
where at least twobrs of the ndiv iduals who would
be willing tn subscribe for daily supply of wafer for
domestic purposes, will be found beg leave to in
qure OF the committee and all Others what is the ne
cessity OF hydraulic operations give this section of
the city supply of water either for cooling or cleans
ing the Streets exngulshing fires or domestic puroo
ses! That 1t is better for the former and latter of
these purposes II taken from the basin than the river
shall endeavor to demonstrate list. That If taken
from say 40 feet below the surface it's temperature 10
below the coolest spring water to be- found i'm or near
this city. That the water taken from that den,b.
conducted INTO filter Of gravel, sand and charcoal
VIII restore the water 10 purity equal TO that which
dcscends from the Clouds clear 81. all impurities BET
ter adapted for cooling the streets and domestic pur
poses than could be- had according to the plan promo
sed by the committee, by this difference that it would
De much cooler asd more efficient in extinguishng
hres, such us occur below Its level According to
the result. or the census far il has progressed
nearly half the population. and two thirds of the
movable property of the city is located below this
level If should be fortunate enough to have con-
vlnced my fellow citizens Us 10 these acts. (& invre
an inquiry OF aoniroversion.) believe | ran DC at liz
lie trouble TO satisfy the Common Council that such
design as 10 water that section of the CITY from this
source. would eventually the appreciation of ev
cry Individual IN the community, it will afford a
revenue derived from domestic purposes sufficient TO
oceed progressively water every part of the CITY
instead OF creating load debt on the CITY 10
works which shall hereafter shew are quite unue
cessary. The James River Company have hereto
Tore been extremely liberal To the city. knowing as
they do that the prosperity Of this city is measuraby
interviewer with their interest They possess surplus
land at the head Of the BASIN a portion of this COM
ureu squa inches OF water would be sufficient for
the supply of water and the erection of the ftering
operations, so as to deliver into the leading and dis
trioutng pipes an abundant supply of the most cool
ahd pure water for the streets Old Market, and all
domestic purposes to all who would require il. This
quantity could always be increased IN clse of fires
by communicating with these pipes a leading. main
pipe i'm nedate from the basin, to be opcned in case
OF fires, into the pipes below the filter This would
greatly aid the supply mentioned in former com
muncation, should the foregoing facts be admitted
IL brings us to enquire into the of the erection OF
the necessary works for watering this section of the
CITY, winch could not exceed 81 1000, excluding the
annual rent 10 the James River COMPANY for Wate,
aud site which would be less than that Of kecpin I'm
the hydraulic establishment according to the pian nro
posed by the committee. Lei us now enquire into
the probable revenue 10 be derived from domestic
convenience This needs individual enquiry; il is
sell evident, that at far less than thai oroposcd
by the committee, il would produce revenue afle,
deductng site and water rent, more than Is per cent
ibis would be fund wherein 10 bottom the extern
6on OF like benefits 10 the other part of the city and
while this work is under execution, time would h.
allowed TO devise some eligible plan for watering the
other part OF tic city, which requires more expen
sve and complicated method. There would reGute
no necessity OF fur her pledge for raising the money
than the pledge OF the revenue arising from these
works The necessary funds could be raised in a few
days, and that section of the wok completed in fhe
space OF SIX months or less. shall in my next point
out some remaining objections as well TO tho design
proposed by the commitc, ms TO the ,lanoerors ron
sequences of funding large deb. on tho city Tho
more especially unless some more equitable mode he
devised to provide for the interest aud redemption oil
the principal than has been suggested bv either ,bs
committee or any of the advocates of that design
- CITIZEN
The Western Ward amounts to near 1000 so that as be
lore remarked there likely he than 10000 nhabi
tans il the CITY from the present census which is believed
| very nnuoly and correctly taking
DfED--In the 9th year of his are, RonEpr W.,
LIAM, son of Josiah Poore.-The friends of IN,