Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-14
From ihe National Mietjgencer.
4 VISIT TO THE CANAL.


,,,,n,,b the finished sections of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal, to the Seneca Feeder, has gwen
IN. such unmingled satisfaction with that great
NATIONAL WoRx, as far as completed, and hil-
"a nv mind with so much admiration OF the mag
nifceut scenery which that region OF country
furnishes. that | am induced 10 communicate
that satisfaction to the public, and requeit the
aid of YOUR columns for the purpose. JoHN y.
A,,us. late President of the United States, hrst
b,,Se ground on this Canal, III the presence ol
an assembled multitude, Oh the fourth OF july
1928. lie had already sanctioned the policy oi
the system, of which this work l. but part, by
his approval OF the appropriation OF Il million OF
dollar, from the National Treasury towards lis
construction This act constituted prominent
feature Of MS administration. HIS name and
the policy Of his administration, arethus ldenu-
6eI with thi, GREAT Work. 1t shall remain
IN imperishabe monument of the wisdom OF his
administrations aud of the virtues associated with
hi, Industrious name. For the original design
and projection of this Canal, the nation Is indebt-
cd 10 the expanded patriotism and ardent zeal OF
TuARIEs FENTox MERCER, the De WITT Gin
roy of Virginia. His wisdom planned II, aud ms
eloouence procured its adoption. BY the States
oG MARYLAND and Virginia, and the NarlOna! Lee
yislature. Its execution, thus tar, has been com-
mitted to his charge, aud the work itself Is the
best justification OF the choice OF the stockholders.
This work is projected upon scale Of magaiil-
cence commensurate with the great interests 1t
isintended to subserve, and the extent Ut the
vast regions which it will consolidate into one.
Its least depth Of water Is SIX feet. and It's
minimum breadth sixty. Where sufficient
room can be commanded. it is enlarged to egh-
~ feet. occasionally expanded. ON consider
ihe distances, to a much broader surface
Where ample space has been afforded by the
bending of the Potomac, or the receding of the
hills which frequently drive il to the very margin
af-ihe river, the average width is eighty feet
This is a broad and liberal expanse of Canal,
which while it fills :he eye with beautiful sheet
OF water, satisfies the judgment. The expedition
aud ease OF Navigating such Canal, are vastly
Superior to those OF 4 narrower and shOaier
one. The resistance 10 the moving boat is
mversely as the capacity of the Canal
The extra expense OF constructing such Canal.
Is greatly overbalanced bv the advantages which
secures; and beyond all doubt justhes the scale
which has been adopted. Its capacity exceeds
that Of the New York Canals One hundred and
twenty-five per cent. TWENTY-FIVE locks. Of eight
ieee lift each raise the canal from tide water in
the basin at Georgetown. To the Seneca Feeder,
an elevation of two hundred feet in the distance
"f twenty two miles. These locks are built of
hewn stone, some of granite, aud others OF sand
stone, grey and red, laid in cement of an excel
lent quality. They are the must perfect works
ot the Kind have ever seen, and. from the ST.
!tIty OF their appearance, seem built for eternity.
On cmptyng the locks in descending,I was pleas
ed 10 tiGd that they were as mperious to the wa
ter as though they had been hewn into the solid
rock. This Is great excellence, and ensures their
durability.
The sides and slope of the Canal, for the most
of the distance and Wherever the nature of the
soil renders it desirable. are lined with wall OF
stone from the bottom TO two feet above the wa
Ter lme THIS will effectually prevent all abra.
sion Of the banks bv the agitation aud retuX OF
The water, on the passage of a boat at any at
tanable speed. A new expedient Is adopted t.
avoid the announcement and dangerous Obstruc
ton of bridges. The roads pass ,nlder the Ca
nal through culvert, serving the double purpose
Of an aQueduct and viaduct. There are only two
OF these subaqueous bridges between Georgetown
aEd Seneca, the company having purchased uT
most of the land cut of by the Canal and river.
The numerous bridges on the New York Canals
are great annoyance, and have occasioned Sc
Neral Of the most distressing and terrible disas
tiers to the ruwary passengers. This Canal ha
thus every possible preparation for durability ant
security, aud appears as solid and imperishab
as rock excavation and solid masonry can max
it.
1t Is hardly possible to conceive more Difficult