Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-01-16
CHESAPEAKB 81 OHIO CANAL.
UAGEpsrnWN- DEC. 30.


GER, Esq. Chief Engineer on the CnEs
ApEAKE & ONO CANAL, is now en-
gagged, with a corps of Engineers, il
locating the Canal above the dam nj
Middlekaulf's, preparatory to an ex.
tension of the work above that point;
and that, in consequence Of the heavy
damages for the acquisition Of the right
of way through Washington county,
he is instructed to make location on
both shores of the Potomac; and,
should the right Of way be obtained in
Virginia, upon better terms than in
Maryland, to report the fact to the
Canal Company, and the Canal will
chen be carried over TO the Virginia
shore.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
having been completed as far as Har-
per's Ferry, and it being probable
that early in the course of next sum-
mer it will be in successful operation
to point above Williamsport--it may
not be improper, at this time, to call
public attention to the Importance of
the improvement of the Antietam, eli.
Their by canal or slack water navi ga.
sioa, from the Canal to as high point
as may be deemed practicable and ex.
pcdient-say TO 1agerstown, or even
TO the Pennsylvania line. And we do
rot know that we can more forcibly
illustrate the importance Of the propo-
scd Improvement, than by adverting to
some facts derived from experience on
the newly opened canal from Harper's
Ferry to the District Of Columbia.
We learn that the canal has been open
without a days intermission, for six
weeks; and that a brisk trade is NOV
ing upon it; the price Of transporta-
ton has fallen from 81 25, TO 25 cents
per barrel Of -four; and that when
boats Of the dimensions permitted by
the size of the canal and its locks are
substituted for the narrow keel boat OF
the river, now used, and when the TIA
riff of tolls is regulated according &c
the terms Of the charter OF the Chesa
pcakc and Ohio Canal Company, in
stead of those of the old Potomac
Company, the price of transportation
will be less than it now is, by several
cents barrel.
The millers in the neighborhood oil
the canal can now afford to give Is
cents bushel more to the farmer for
his wheat, than they could before the
use Of the canal reduced the cost o.
transportation. 1t is of no consequence
what the price of flour may be in the
markets on tide water, there will al
ways exist that difference in the price
of grain, in consequence of the reduc
ton of the cost of getting the flour tC
market. The same may be said will
regard to the return freights of mer
chandise, plaster, salt, fish, &c. &c
The following are some of the bene
fits that may be expected to result
from the further prosecution of the
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal westward
The lumber of the upper country or
the Potomac will find a ready marke
and an easy access to it by the Canal
and the coal will be a source of wealth
to all those upon whose lands il may
be discovered, whilst the lower portion
of the State will be blessed in cor
responding degree by its use. Th'
plaster from the East will be brough
back in exchange, invigorating anC
fertilizlng the meagre soil of the up
lands; the Canal thus imparting a dou
bic advantage, enabling the proprie
tors in the upper country to dispose of
profitably, that which is to them now
useless, and to obtain that which they
never would otherwise have been able
TO, and will render their land doubly
valuable for agricultural purposes.
Torch Light.