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


road, to be graduated by this company, with a
stipulation to complete itby the end Of the ensu-
ing winter; two months and one-,hird sooner,
than is required, by the late compromise efec-
ted between thetwo companies.
At the same time, the undersigned have sought.
in those contracts. to preserve the navigation OF
the Canal from serious Interruptions, by regula.
tons carefully guarded. and approved by the con-
tractors themselves. They are charged, BY one
OF them, with responsibility to the party az.
grieved, for any interruption which may occur to
any boat between sunrise and sunset OF each day,
while the navigation of the Canal is open, as 1t
will be from the commencement OF the ensuing
month. except for few weeks in the approach
ing harvest. and when the navigation OF the river
is suspended BY drought or frost.
In looking forward, after an attentive review
of the past, the Board entertain the confident be-
lief. that the Governments OF the Union and OF
the several States, who are concurrent parties to
the great enterprise which has SO signally trl.
umnhed over all the moral as well as physical
distractions that have impeded its growth, will
not allow il to lansuish, for want OF the compar-
ativeiy small sum required for its eastern Sec
ton.
II is proposed, therefore. to invite from the
Congress Of the United States, and the States OF
Maryland and Virginia, an enlargement OF their
respective subscriptions, to an extent adequate
to this object.
Maryland will it is humby conceived, readily
discern that this company have complied with
her wishes, in manner which has reduced, tor
the benefit of another work in which she takes
deep interest, by an entire moiety. the fund which
she designed to be the price OF the compromise
which her influence has effected and the means of
extending the canal to Cacapon.
While heavy expense has been incurred Tor
the benefit of the Shenandoah trade, and the lib
eral subscription of Virginia has provided tor
other connexions, between the southern shore OF
the Potomac and the canal on its opposite bank,
there yet remain important objects to be attained
in the future commerce Of the northern frontier
Of that great State, through the Potomac. which
will conciliate, it is confidently believed, her
favorable regard.
The capital Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company now exceeds four millions OF dollars.
one fourth only Of which has been supplied by
the United States; and the relation Of this great
work to the District, of which Congress Is the ex.
elusive Legislature, combined with the national
character impaired to it, by its enlarged dimen.
SONS aud solid structure, as well as by its obvl.
Gus purpose and tendency, to unite the eastern
and western waters. by the shortest practicable
connection through the centre Of the Union, con.
stitute too many claims on the liberality. wisdom
and patriotism Of Congress, to doubt their future
exertions in it's behalf.
In aid Of the western section, which Mary
land has, now, united with Virginia in giving to
this company power to commence. with funds to
be specially subscribed for that object. Pennsyl-
vania has requested her Senators and Represen.
tatives IN Congress, to ask from the General
Government tue subscription Of million OF dol
lars.
For the portion of this section comp'ehendins
the Allegany, whether that mountain is to be
crossed by canal or railway, no better pr0vls.
ion has occurred to the undersigned. than that
which once received the sanction OF very high
authority, in letter addressed to the President
of the United States, and subscribed with the
names of seventy.six members OF the House
Of Representatives asking the direction OF part
Of the military force Of the country to this nation
al object.
Keeping the completion Of the entire work al
ways steadily in view, the solicitude Of the un-
designed to reach the coal mines Of the Alega-
ny has never been, for moment, abated, or di.
verted from its object.
In considering all the resources for completing
this work, that should not be omitted which the
revenue Of its expended capital may be expected
TO afford, either directly, by its immediate appIi
cation to the construction Of the canal, or by aug
menting the market price, and favoring future
to its stock.
The tolls for the last fiscal year have amounted
to S22, 625, IS, having fallen short OF the sum
received during the year next preceding, in con-
sequence of the unavoidable obstruction OF the
navigation Of the Potomac by the works above
Harper's Ferry, and of the very deficient wheat
crop Of the last harvest.
This declenson Of revenue has been ascrlbed
to the withdrawal ofs part Of the usual supplies
Of the District markets from their accustomed
channel, by the Intervention Of the Baltimore
Railroad at the Point Of Rocks; but the reports OF
the canal collector show this suggestion to be
groundless.
The revenue of the canal, like the commerce
Of the District Of Columbia, will be ever subject
to such fuctuation, till its tonnage rests on a
foundation less mutable, than the wheat crops Of
the upper country, single agricultural product,
subject to annual variations Of quality as well as