Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-08-18
COMMUNICATION.
MR. G,rLAiiER:

definitely the plan which I propose, Ia
lppr"ve the Navigation of the Potomac,
and whether would obtain nv propel.
ing po"er from steam or horses.-fo
which interrocatorics | answer: That.
according 10 my op'n'on. n towing
path will be required along tho margin
At the river for the double purpose Of
towing by horse power, aud To afford
facilities ior the near approach 10 the
river during high water, for the dc.
livery of property to anil from the
boats. Tina: the expense of construct.
IN. this path will be slight. when the
advantages resulting from il are duly
appreciated. IL having the effee. to
place IL at the option Of the Canal
t"rnpan and those concerned to navi.
gate the Canal by steam or horse pow
~. a shall be most convenient. TO
overcome the several rapids, dams
will be required to check the current.
~ we'll az one ut the Point Of Rocks
tn raise the water tn n sufficient height
% act "a a feeder To that portion Of the
lanai already completed below the
Point of Rocks; and TO pass these
required ; the l!t locks 90 ascend and
descend. and the guard locks to pre-
vent too great au influx Of water du-
ing the high stages Of the river. /
have thus briefly land rs believe, ex.
piici'fyl shown my plan of improve
ment oil the Potomac. which is, accord
ing 60 my opinion, the only mode of
Improvement that ought to be adopted
under any circumstances. The first
thing to be- considered, by those having
charge OF the construction of public
works OF this kind, is, the permauency,
and the cost Of construction. To az.
ford any person acquainted with canal
ling an opportunity TO Judge of the
difference Of the expense, they have
but To pass over the ground mentioned,
tn form an opinion, and believe I may
also add. OF the strength and durabili
~ OF the work. At some particular
points, the difficulties will be almost
Insurmountable, one Of which only I
will meniion-a place opposite the
- Bull Ring" near IIarpers Ferry.
where an independent canal will have
To he constructed across bed of de
'tachcd rocks which have be Ell collecting
for ages. and lie in perfect confusion
10 an unknown depth. affording innu-
merable assures, which a coating OF
pudding may cover, but can never com
pletc'y staunch. If this was the only
difficult place, IL would be of less mo
ment; but il is only one of MANY. -
This mode OF Improvement will no
doubt appear new and novel TO many.
but ii has precedent in the State OF
New York, which adopted this kind OF
improvement to connect the Erie Ca.
nal with Lake Ontario, thereby Sc.
curing to herself the commerce Of this
great inland sea. and participatin. in
the benefits of the Weiland Canal
The Oswego Rivcr,which has been thus
Improved. is nearly as rapid and large
as the Potomac. requiring, In the dis.
lance of % miles, u dams Of from Il
10 feet breadth, and believe 10 lfi
locks and several guard locks. Per
haps ! risk too much in thus Offering
my opinion on subject of so much
Importance to this section Of country,
and indeed, I think | may add,) I,
every citizen of the union for when
consider the importance OF this great
work, think IL truly national. con
Ceive then, that 1 am not doing more
than every freeman has a right To dt
on subject Of such vital importance
to our common country. NOtwiih.
standing this work was commenced by
company, incorporated for the pur.
pose, undoubtedly, az procuring t.
themselves profitable investment OF
tSeir funds, ii does not lessen the
honor due 10 the bold spirits who pro
Jccted and have been instrumental
IN prosecuting IL; nciiher does IL ds
away rs Importance TO the nation but
m my opinion, ought to furnish strong.
er Inducements TO our authorities. Il
furnish the fostering aid OF our united
and happy government TO see il car.
rcd fully into effect. This canal /,
calculated be the grand thOrOughfsre,
opening a complete communication be
tween the interior md the capital u
oar country; anil IN case UC invasion o.
our frontier, (which God forbid SHOULD
happcn.) the benefits of a canal wil
he most fully shown, in afIording IA
ciiIiies Tor the transportation of our
armies and munitions Of war. I,isI
nothing ia saying. that our oycrnmen
actually expended more money dufins
The late war, 10 arming and supporting
the frontiers, than woRid have bull
this anil all the canals now completed
20 the State OF New York, leading .,
the which, had the canals
been previously constructed, woult
have been saved to the country.
CLINTON, j..
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