Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-15

tant transportation. The price OF Goals theTe'
varies from six to eight cents bushel. But the
main reliance for bringing into extensive use the
coal Of the Allegheny, must be, not oni on the
completion Of the eastern section OF the canal,
but on the further extension OF the improved ma.
VACATION Of the Potomac, either By continued
canal. or BY a system Of locks and dams above
ICumberlaud, as high up The North Brsach, a.
Westernport at the mouth Of Georges creek anu
near the mouth Of the Savage.
From the banks Of the former Of those streams,
one mile above its mouth, coal is now shipped,
in seasons Of very high water, at the expense, to
the proprietor, of cent bushel, which pays the
cost both Of digging and lading; while its price,
when delivered at Wiliamsport, is as much as
eighteen, and at Harper's Ferry, twenty cents
bushel.
The distance from WiIlamsport to the coal
banks on Georges creek, by water. is about one
hundred and FIVE miles; and, If the highest toll
be charged that could lawfully be demanded, and
the highest price allowed for transportation, at
which it has been computed; or for the former
two cents. and the latter one cent ton, per mile,
twelve and quarter cents would pay all charges
but the rent of the mine for delivering this CON.
modify at the upper of those markets; and allow.
ing the present difference of price, for its delve.
ry at the lower. BY the present detective naviga-
ton, between Wil'iamsport and Harper's Ferry,
fourteen and quarter cents instead OF twenty,
would be its price, at the latter.
But, as the expense Of toll and transportation
would each be reduced to half the above es-
innate. Goals may be delivered at Wllliamsport,
when the improved navigation Of the Potomac
shall have been extended to the Allegheny, a,
six and 6ye-eishths cents bushel, or allowing
three eighths of cent for the subsistence Of the
miner, now paid by The proprietor, at seven cents
exclusive Of the rent Of the mine; the amount OF
which will depend on the extent Of the coal re.
sion. and the competition Of its numerous pro-
pretors.
At this estimate, Goals could be delivered in
the District of Columbia at about twelve and a
half cents, on the supposition that each bushel Oh
eighty pounds weight paid toll Of four cents,
and the ton Of twenty-eisht bushels, one hundred
and twelve cents, for the use Of two hundred and
five miles Of improved navigation.
The extent Of the coal region may be inferred
from the fact, that the present price of the most
convenient coal lands varies from one hundred,
to one hundred and fifty dollars the acre: SO that
the rent of the mine would not enhance the cost
of the commodity more than one fourth, or, at
most, one-half cent bushel; BY which its cost
would be raised to thirteen cents bushe. at the
District whsrves; or to three dollars and sixty.
four cents per ton, moiety only OF the present
current price in this District, in seasons of unob.
structed navigation.
1t is evident, therefore. that coal will bear a
heavier toll than has been last suggested. at least
for some time after the improvement of the Pc.
tomac navigation shall have reached the Allpgha-
ny; and perhaps il should bear a heavier, until
other staples shall yield TO the Canal Company
a revenue to supply the place OF part OF that IN,
come, which this prime necessary OF lite and
powerful agent, in multiplying all its comforts.
is so certain to affnrd.
AT cent ton per mile, moie'y of the legal
maximum toll, allowing half a cent ton per
mile for transportation, 90 cents for the wages,
9 for the subsistence OF the laborer. who digs and
delivers it at the waters edge. and IA cents the
ton for mine rent, its COST at the district wharves
would be but S3 53a the ton, or less than 10
cents the bushe of 80Ibs
Supposing the quantity which annually de-.
scended the river to tide water, to amount to one
thousand boat loads, or hundred thousand tons.
making no estimate for that which would stop on
the way down. in voyage of 205 miles. along
the margin Of two States, the borders Of which
nave UctH StTippeu VI Veu uuuet tOi ,ia'i udl
distance, to give place to cultivation, and which
will hereafter be lined with towns and villages,
the annual toll, at this rate, would exceed $780,
600, or three per cent. on the entire capital ex.
pended in giving activity to this important branch
of traffic.
Lumber. or the produce of the forest alone,
has yielded, on the New York canal, nearly
thrice the amount of this revenue; and when the
Potomac canal shall have assembled to the uncul-
tivated lands of Virginia, Maryland. and Penn
sylvania. on the head waters Of the Potomac, a
revenue from this source equal to that from Goals
may be expected on this canal. And il to those
TWO commodities be added the tolls on lime, both
hydraulic and common, applied as well to agri
culture as the arts IN general, and on various
species Of marble and stone, on hemp and iron,
it requires no stretch OF imagination to perceive,
without any reference to the tolls, on the return
loads of merchandise, plaster, and fish, that the
stockholders Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
will be amply remunerated for the sacrifices they
have made, and the losses they have unavoidably
sustained, during the unexpected delay Of the
progress Of their great enterprise.