Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-07-07

tall considered for filling it with wa.
ter temporarily.
To obviate this Inconvenience aris-
ing from the Injunction obtained by
the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road
Company, a tender Of n compromise
was made to the latter company to
construct both works Jointly to liar.
pers-Ferry. and a survey was iasiitu.
ted with that view along the contested
points; but this at length resulted in
the refusal Of the Rail Road Company
to compromise for a less extent than
that TO Cumberland-a proposition to
which the canal company would not
acccde from various considerations AT .
lee ting heir interest and the utility of
their work. In this situation they
were left to the necessity Of prosccu-
ting, along with the other company,
the survey TO Cumberland. agreeabiy
to an order Of the Chancellor, when Il
was perceived that the survey thus di
rected would consume many years.
and be &c complished at great cost. and
1t was determined to obtain decision.
1T possible. Of the merits of the ease,
on the facts manifested by the joint
survey to Ilarpers.Fcrry. In this at
tempt the Board were not disappoint-
ed. but had the pleasure to be inform
ell by their counsel that the Chancel-
Tor Of Maryland had directed q return
OF the evidence taken, and had notifi-
ed both companies that he would be
ready to hear and decide their case
upon its merits on the 18th day Of the
present month, provided both parties
were ready for trial. In case of an
appeal to the higher tribunals, hope
is entertained OF speedy ultimate de-
cision. Until that time it is proposed
to commence the construction of the
dam below Harpers-Ferry, and to pre-
pare the materials for the requisite
locks between that place and the Point
at Rocks. Should the decision be un-
favorable TO the canal company. and
the work be consequently driven across
the river, the dam would still be re-
quired on the other side, while the
materials prepared for the locks could
be easily removed. The intimation is
given that the canal being thus CON-
PEELED to seek the Virginia shore, will
re-cross the river, but at what point
no illusions are made. From the
character Of the canal already com.
pieted. the assurance is given, that the
entire Eastern section Of the canal
would have been completed in three
years from its commencement, had no
legal impediment interfered, and the
adequate funds been provided.
From the actual cost of the canal
already made, and an estimated cost
of that part extending to Harpcrs Fer.
~, the whole cost OF the sixty miles of
the canal from Washington, exclusive
OF the contingencies, il is shown, will
not exceed $4,000 per mile.
a minute comparison is instituted
between the work done and TO be done
on these sixty miles, and the work as
estimated by the United States Enri.
neers. and between the respective costs,
actual and estimated. of the two works.
Let II be borne in MUD that the breadth
Of the canal has been increased from
i9 10 60 feet ut top. from SIS to 80 at
bottom, and from ; to 6 feet in the
depth. Notwithstanding the incress
Ell dimensions Of the canal. il will have
cost, for tho sixty miles. S677.1S4 lin
an expenditure ef S1,sI8. 94D less
tisn the cost as estimated for the canal.
Of less dimensions, b. ,hc T.. States
Engineers. This view. 80 favorable to
the present canal, y more particularly
verified by Il comparison Of the actual
cost IT the subdivision. embracing
about / | miles, and which has been in
actual use several months, and the es-
tImatcd cost at the same subdivision.
as made by the Engineers already re.
ferred 10. This portion of the canal
presented the greatest difficulties of
any on the route, and which will not
he surpassed BY any thar are 10 occur
~ ats future progress. No,hw,thstand.
ing. the actual cost has fallen below
the estimate by $4,000 per mile.
From past experience The Board are
confirmed in tie opinion hitherto en-
tertaincd and expressed. that. f the
canal be- permitted u pursue tho Ma
rvland shore, it can be completed from
IIarpers Ferry 10 Cumberland for 83..
10000, which added 10 its coat To the
former place. will bring The whole cx-
pendtturcs Tor the Eastern section 70
about Sj.O0O,O0O, the estimated cost
presented by the Board ~ former
annual report. The present funds Of
the company. Il il sail. will ccrtsinly
carry the work twenty miles beyond
tic point necessary 30 preserve the
charter 81 the company. which. by re
ference 10 tive charter. q. the ,ermina.
ton of 100 miles Of the Canal.
The report adyeris 10 the interest
ins experiments on The canals u Sco:.
land where q velosit, of from 90 :" -
miles per hour has becn attained With