Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1837-01-03

On Tie surrcv far a sL!P ClH7L fran Richmond Ia
artrich. Lrny IL: '.a roros'd far ris coaa~c'i"a If
the JamGs !'rer md kn'"cta im"r0r"Rcat tr!M Tide
acatcr: by CHARLES ELLET, jE {. T..
R:cmNo>u, Nov. %, 1856.
To the Pr,sinsm and Dirtr:.rs q hs
Jn.@,s Rirsr raA KaaGrrha C'oHbr"g:
- ENTLEMEN:!u compliance with the rrsoIn"a
&E Of year board OF Angus, 2}h THAT lia Chief E:-
gneer be requested take measures rs curly day
practicable to have survey and csnae made u. the
hes, possible plaza OF locking d,wn from the old ca"a! al
proper point in or n:ar the city Of Rchin'nd to
tide James river aud the hest plan t. unite with
tae river and tie Deck each plan b"i:g separate from
the others, and report Tie survey, pl.ns. DC 20 le
board" herewith pre$eE! views "n shat uJj"cl, and
the plaza which dec!n beet adr;' {" The Csc. have
not attempted to comply with The fell purprrt oi the
solution and furnish parae map and estimate Of each
Of the plans that might bc aut"1 since the time winch
could bc devoted 10 this question is limited, and mes Of
these plans manr>i IfaGqaalc 10 the wants oil The
trade aud the convenience ui :h:' city.
have therefore restricted myself, for the present -
the determination Of he best mode IF connecting lie
work with tide water, am. making the mast suitable
rangement for lii. accommodation OF the Intera! and
foreign commerce OF HE pnrt.
aware, that in uii.r"g my present plan in place
of those which have been suggested 4! ott.i times.
sufficient satisfy the precise Environments al the !aw,
have exceeded the G!,c contemplated b. In" ca;!er.
and have perhaps trasl the limit Of l. pG.yers Of
the company; but whatever :"!!uercc :% cnsie .a!!on
may have the action n The board, presume should
hardly prevent the devc! 'pn'nt Of project which may
possess sufficient Importance 10 tead 10 modification Of
the charter itself.
To open communication between the canal and The
river By either o. The lines "h hAv" pointed out for
the purpose. is easily accJ,::yi> There is no diff
Guilty in placing the produce brought by TIE canal in
tide water r!vcrug The wEiarv"s of the dock;
and il tins all I required by the character and
purposes u" The work. tle duty Of forming this
ton would b. OF grca! simplicity But the improve
ment in which you are engaged Is DESIGNED t" become
the medium OF irirlcon;iu:'ica'ioH between foreign
countries aud the interior oil our own; the line OF transit
c,La h.fl
trbuted in the West and of the products OF the Wet
which Intended for foreign niaskels And III i:';s
effort comes competition with two Lies On iiit
North already in full operation, and OF vera others
OF almost equal p:eeaslonS, either contemplated or
in progress Of construction. So that however far may
be the present prospects of the company IN this field Of
enterprise becomes the friends Of The improvement TO
enhance to the utmost. tine advantages winch they pos
spss and overcome Us far as practicable lie inpedirs
in the way Of their success. Among the advantages "i
the line one OF Tie most colscu"us, is. perhaps, Tie
possesson of valley highly favorable irr the consluc'
ton of the work, while am"r :'t obstacles 10 DE mas
tered in the rivalry, the comparative Imc"n eaence ct
tb.. NAVIGATION which leafs to lis outlet And although
this difficulty may appra! to aIPy rather 10 lls aipt'r
aud the shipper than I" TIE J;:s ana iAana"'ia com
pany is moi be Quilted, that III" character and stand
pp Of the work directly interested III lis removal.
Every toll "i Western produce, and every bale @!
goods which brought 10 the cy, are suGec 10 TAX
in the cast and risk ot transportation, and IN time IN
passing from tic canal to the shipping from the
ses T., the warehouses; and the cast ct i!siisrage,
though considerable in Itself, is si;a!I amount IN c"-
parison with ,ic Inconvenience ad less IT Having the
business which needs r at The G!aser, transacted
by agents. at the distance OF sixty n:I:s from the city
and The risk uf ran$pDalion tne DELAY a The vessel
md the inactivity vi c#p.ta Will" lie ship ana cargo
are detained in port. The Company Is anect"d by t!iS
loss The risk is attended! u u' additional insurance.
and the delay b. Increase of freight; and these
charges are tax upon tie tar, whic, tn The extent "i
its operation places the work III position IHtarora1ie to
an ecual competition with Us rivals
i, becomes necessary, trs"re III add!'t"n 20 tie I'M
nortance OF opening passage III Ike produce ro, the
canal TO the wirves ei.iu"e as lar as H.acticubc,
the expense Of delivering it Oh shrhoad; and 1t this
can BE- effected by plan which will simultaneously re-
duce the other chorces and skS TO which II IS exposed
md uroo; the prosperity OF the city which Is the Ter.
,;raon Of the va: k. lis claims the consideration Ct
The company will be- pr"portt"u.!y enanced Hnt I'M
ill the nconvenisncc OF ranSshrment Is oF%rc"nn ana
the delay and cost of transporting TIE carg q each YES
re that is consigned 10 this POT; To Hatwck or IN Cly
Point are ohyiaed these conditions caEnot be satisfied
And am persuaded thu. plan that aves space be-
tween the termination OF the James River aud Kama.
wha Improvement and The shipping, can be regarded as
adequate TO the commerce o! III" city or the wants VI Inc
trade Of the n:einr ana TIA, termination should be
received as admissible that does no; bring the shipping
M TO the business part OF the town, ard enable IL
law the canal boats alongside Tie vessels.
The nlan proposed is designed 10 effect this object
.nd without discussing the merits OF ,t"r pro cctS by
v,ch il is supposed such Connec ion might be accom-
nlshed further than necessary to s!ew their made
onacy 10 the purpose. will comne myself to the reu
sons which have prompted me to recommend the one
before you and to the facts which establish It's su:hclen
CIV, and the proilableness Of the investment.
The condition Of James river from Warwick TO Har'
,;.ons bar is generally known There is am informed
no point where the plh less than II feet at common
tides and il is not unusual for ships Of burihen 10 take
in part of their lading at Warwick and afterwards
d.op down below arrisons bar and make up their car
ao gut owing to the difficulty Of ascending the river
t. Warwick without the aid Of steam and the necessity
Of employing lighters after doing SO, this is not fire