Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-06-25
Dow ESTIC.

The FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT of the President and
Directors OF the CHESAPEAKE AND ONO CANAL
occupies one entire page OF the ample sheet OF
the National lntellgencer OF yesterday is an mpor
tant and valuable document but entirely too long for
publication in this paper We can only furnish an abstract
oil its principal statements, TO the progress the work
It's condition and prospects, and the finances Of the Com
pany.
The prevalence of the Cholera in the valley of the Po
tomac during last Summer retarded the works but not
whsahding That obstruction the most costly part of the
new line above Hapers Ferry, IA miles in lengthy has
been completed, bringing 20 miles into USE which
were formerly without WATER that by the first of july
boats enter the Canal from the bed of the Potomac
above Harpers Ferry Falls, from the Shenandoah in
the midst OF them The works above the falls have pro-
ceeded with like diligence.
The force employed this part averaged for the five
weeks preceding the 18th of May, 1900 laborers 655
horses mules and oxen aud the powder employed blast
ing rock, 1000 pounds week The entire force on the
canal, for the same period, 1850 laborers IO4S
horses mules and oxen and an average weekly consump
ton oil 10000 pounds OF gunpowder.
The work done since the first of Nav 1882 has cost
$9l52l 80, OF which E753 OI9 26 was expended above
the Point OF Rocks and $l62, 1872 63 below or the lat
ngton and 2l 22O ~ at the Little Falls dams This
excludes cost of superintendent, land purchases con-
demnations and incidental expenses.
The amount necessary be done before the fire, of
October next in order TO fulfil the contracts and complete
the line OF lO2 miles of canal Is miles of still
navigation, the Report states in the following form, dat
ing from the first OF May last AT that time there re.
NAMED to be done,
For the line of Canal in Washington, SlI7lo % l.2
the head of Harper's Ferry falls, 9i5l5 90
For that above these falls and below the
ferry at Shepherdsown, inclusive of
the lock just let, S2537 90
And for that above Shepherdstown, 5l395s p g. A
Making the total amount, 7O2sJ5 ella
Some of these stated as incidental works the coo
structon Of which may be deferred.
To this sum must be added Sl3500 for another lock
opposite to Shepherdstown in compliance with the cond
tons OF The Virginia Subscription The Board has deter
mined TO transfer the locks above to point below and i'm
crease the canal tour miles, diminishing sill water navi
CATION that much, and thus add 500 900 TO the cost If
the Canal These sums $500, 900, and SI2 5OO added
to the aggregate above give $Sl53I5 81 as the estma,
ed expenditures 10 be made between the first of Nav last
and The Fst oil October next, fulfil the contract Near
~ the whole line below Shepherdsown will be finished
by the first OF August, and the report anticipates thai
concentration OF all the force the line above that point
would finish ii in due time.
The amount of expenditures for The wear end;no NJ,
lst (1lt was 1921 1872 a. in he following proporonsH
For construction, S754,573 81 Engineer Department
Sl9,453 30 Pay OF Officers, Sc 935 so Lands S27
900 49, besides incidental expenses large amount not
included in the above retained by contracts as security
Tor diligence and fidelity in the contractors.
The sums required from May Ist TO October Ist are
stated as follows The estimate of of construction as
stated above is $S15,351, which, added to the retained
amount due CONTRACTOR u.s. exclusive of April estimate and
the retained money OF The month Of May &C. 5000 900 90
To which add for these items, Engineer al
Iowances, expenses, &c. 2O6OOO 90
Total sum required S11Os Oo0 m
To meet this the are:-Cash, 5Os,532 62
Uncaled for and uncollected stock, 6l667I %
Amount TO be received from the Rail Road
Company, above the cost of graduating
road, SC. 100000 90
~, $1,295, 101 81
The report thus shows surplus Of $3.50 900 after com.
Pelng III miles Of canal and still water navigation Upon
the Faith OF this surplus, considering applicable TO the
extension OF the eastern division of the canal TO Cacapon
hey have directed the necessary location and survey
ms sum IS to be used TO prepare The necessary dams and
aqgsducts in part, during the succeeding autumn.
The estimates Tor the remaining IS miles of the Eastern
section OF the canal the next general head prein
nary TO which the report enters into several TO
show the economy with which the work has been pro.
secuted. They show that exclusive of six miles below
ude water lVo miles OF the canal, Of tow path beneath
been made at an expense Of less than S32 600 per mile
and that AZ miles above Hapes Ferry have cost ncIud
ing land purchases COMBINATIONS, and every thing but
contingent expenses, less than 1926 900 per mile
~ tins latter sum is estimated the cost Of the remain
ing 20 mules, making total of 81 $50, 000--of which
the pecuniary resources Of the company making d,,e
allowance 0r unavailable stock, do not present supply