Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-22

VOL. XXVHE.---NO. 90.
omoankmen over canal Of tho size of the New York
canal w not exceed from 10 per cent, and this item
forms the whole additional the locks, aqueducs
and culvers being the upon the plan propose.
On comparing section, it will be found that tho
ono 200 feet the other only 1876 loaded
and moving at the of miles per hour the power To-
move her will be nearly 20 per cent less in large than
the smaller canal.
Such canal will permit boats feet long Ia feet ,yido
and drawing feet water carry rs TONS desired
MY own opinion Is, that the most profitable kind Of boat
viii be found TO carry about so TONS
have been thus particular in my views Of great pias
Of improvement from Maiden's Adventure TO Lynchburr
and probably the same ought be continued above the Blue
Ridge
From the point where a canal ought to STOP and rail-
road commence all the examinations quite completes
enough Is known 10 show that there favourable
pass the Allegheny either with railroad email So
as have examined the surveys made, the formidable diff
culues appear TO be the New river these require
examinations 10 determine what kind of Improvement ought
to be adopted.
The law of Apnl T. 1881. appears require of the on
gncers TO state tho advantage and disadvantages the
mcrcial benefits, the propable revenue, Sc
Any statement OF this kind from me- would be entitled
to moments consideration. is well known 10 all
who have been with the opening canals
in this country, that kind of trade is opened: arti-
ces which could reach market bv reason of tho
great expencc of transportation before the canal was OPEN
Cd brought in great abundance afterwards. Tits we'll
known that more than half the tonnage passing in hs
Erie canal consists OF property which would have
been moved ut ALL but for this easy and cheap
This view the question makes impossible for any one
this kind.
thought proper constructing canal TO mako
costs per mile would be reduced, probably 20 10 30 per
cent butt cannot recommend this plan for such work.
in such place the valley Of James river, and for the
BENZ. WRIGHT
Associate Engineer under the act IF 4prIi T. 1881,
Richmond, August 9th, 1881.
RIcHMoNp, August 9th, 1881.
To BENIN Wright, Esq associate Engineer:
DEAR SIR: Your communication of the lth instant,
contains two distinct subjects of inquiry Of which Isl
whether there further surveys necessary beyond tho
Blue Ridge to enable us TO understand all the grounds upon
which an opinion is TO be prcdicated.
myself consider the surveys already made together
with that now in progress and near complexion between
New river and Tennessee line amply sufficient to satisfy
my own mind on the subject. These as iollows
Est survey of James river and OF New river by
Thomas Moore and j. Briggs.
3D. Two surveys made BY myself, Of the James river up
to Covington.
Sd. One survey between James and Roanoke river.
4th. Two surveys between Roanoke and New River.
9th One survey between Lynchburg and Roanoke re-
9th One survey between New river and the Tcnnes-
line. Besides several surveys Of the u States Engi-
nees OF the New river and intervening country between
II and the eastern waters.
Such amount Of facts, corroborating or Connecting
each other appear to quite adequate TO the purpose
far as my own opinions concerned Further operations
therefore will be necessary only whenever you may wish
to obtain further information and for your satisfaction
Asregards the James River up the Blue Ridge, you
consider the data be YOU as sufficient to enable YOU To-
make up mind TO the Improvement you would re-
commend and ask whether we ought or can agree upon
report, in port Of the duties assigned to us.
In answer this, win remark that as regards the Soc
tons for which have made esiInatc and given no
positive opinona joint consideration of every circumstances
connected herewith, will, hope result in concurrence
oil opinions between But at the same time do not
deem this concurrence, however desirable, matter of
indispensable necessity III we were members OF board
or committee, the opinions OF the majority of course
decide the report but between only two persons if iuls
and free conference and enquiries hfto produce
currence OF opinion the separate and conscientious views
OF each, are OF course, all that can be expected.
But as regards the James river, my estimates and views
having been expressed fully and mnutey in various
ports 10 which now have nothing material TO add your
own report itself will establish the fact whether agreo
or not.
The few remarks I can add concerning TIC several
modes OF Improvement spoken Of, are as follows:
iSt MY estimate for canal was made for width Of 30
feet prescribed by law, but should prefer creator
width and deph which of course would increase
the estimate.
ment higher than the estimate The first is the introduce
ton of more short canals and the enlargement of these
The second the fact that the cost of the locks being pre-
dicated upon the expectation of getting hydraulic Inns
from the Blue Ridge, If this should fail the lime was
imported the ockage would thereby be made expen
3D. AS regards the railroad plan, have estimated il az
about equal to the cost OF canal contemplating pre-
the ground for three tracks, laying two only for
the present; the laying of only might produce tenn
porary economy.
SO much for the cost As regards the choice betwoeu
the various schemes have IN my reports leaned towards
the lock and dam system, 0hough admitting defects)
chiefly on the of economy.
justify either canal railroad up the Blue Ridge
The principal objections against these, rcso> ing thonn-
selves mostly into considerations oil their great cost
An election between these plans, taking every ccum-
stance into consideration, found embarrassing 1t sa
difficult financial question, well OF Interesting
policy and depends greatly upon Interior views crcumo
stances and prospects, which present themselves different
ly 10 different persons
The controversy, for instance between canals and rail-
roads, Is as yet far from decided But success should
attend the gigantic efforts OF Baltimore it might become
measure OF sclfdeence to construct railroad along
James Dver Different views OF this subject have been
taken, and although confess do feel any great APP
pehensions from that quarter the consideration is not 10
be rejected Amidst all these difficulties IL is not surpri-
sing that different views have been taken various opin
ions ormcd and is possible that you may quite agree
with Oh the particular section uuder consideration
Richmond 10 the Blue Ridge.
AS my views and estimates all before me and tho
public, in regard TO that section and have done all that
could do, concurrence difference Of opinion will
turaly result from comparison Of your report mine
And whatever this may be- III shall have the effect OF
putting end TO the irresoution and inactivity which
threatens to be rnous to the interior of state to which
srn devoted, shall be satisfied
am, very respectfully,
Your obedicnt servant, G. CROZET, p. z.
RIcusfoND, Aug. 9th, 1881,
of-lhav drawnup short report, in which have Civ
en- opinions az TO the various plans ofmpovemen adapted
OF nd uDO hiatt