The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-17
THE POTOMAC BRIDGE.

| OF the District, why does not the oecretary OF
War order the work to be concluded ? In an
swering this question, we propose TO accomplish
three objects, viz; 10 quiet the Impotence OF
the nqurers 10 vindicate, if it were necessary,
the Secretary of War, and TO call the attention
Of Congress to the subject
| The answer is, that upon an examination by
competent Engineer, it was found that plan
ofbullding within the appropriation would be too
defective for any thing but temporary pur-
poses, and il was deemed advisable TO adopt
more approved but more expensive plan, and
defer the construction of ii, until Congress
should convene, and make the necessary addi-
tonal appropriation.
| In the course of his remarks upon the subject,
the Secretary of War in his report al the begin
ing OF the session, said
" From the statements contained in the report of
Major Turnbul it is obvious that the repairs if done
upon the plan which formed the basis Of the estimate
| upon which the appropriation made, could not
stand through single of freshet and ice. The
question then presented whether il proper to
commence the repairs upon the only plan which pro-
missed the requisite strength and durability, but the
cost of which would fa exceed the appropriation made
by Congress, and which, known 10 the Depart
ment was supposed TO be ample for the object wait
the sanction Of that body at the approaching session
The great convenience and Importance Of the bridge,
at this point, and the strong interest felt by the ciii
of this District that the repairs should not be de-
ayed, urged the immediate commencement of the work,
while its questionable Proprety under the prospect of
immediate session of Congress- decided the Depart
ment to postpone further operations until that body
should have opportunity of acting upon the subject
The utility and importance of this bridge not only 10
the citizens ofths City and District but the carrying
of the public mall and the Southern travel at the
of the year when the river is obs,ructed by ice,
are so generally felt and acknowledged that need
say more to recommend the additional appropria-
ton required; or that the sanction OF Congress be
given in other foim, at early day of the
son TO the making of the necessary repairs upon the
only safe and durable plan which presents itself
The original plan of the bridge was that of
solid causeway over the shoal parts of the river,
and system of pile work over the channel ways.
This was always considered defective, and the
result proved it was so. The whole force Of the
current was turned into the channel on the Nlr-
gina shore, and to restore the bridge on the same
plan would be .merely to place it there TO be
sweep, off by the next freshet." But the plan pro-
posed by Major Turnbull is "a trussed bridge,
designed by Col. Long, supported upo.i pieces OF
framed timber, filled in with rubbe stone, usual
ly called crib lrork, arranged as follows: Two
large pieces, twenty feet in thickness in the
channel way, &C feet apart in the clear for the
support Of the draw for the passage of vessels,
and five smaller piers, Is feet in thickness and
100 feet apart, each pier to be provided with an
| ice breaker
| The estimate to repair, according to the plan
Of original construction, is $50 7S2
The existing appropriation is 10000
| But the following is the estimate of the cost
of the, plan proposed:
Cost of two large piers for support of
draw 1891
Cost of five small piers at S2,672, each 1852
s35 running feet of dressed superstruc-
ture including the right to use it 1890
66 feet draw, including machinery, &c. 1000
Add for contingencies 2,1S1
S45S03
This is about $4,000 more than the original
estimate for repairs according to the original
plan. The case has been fully and strongly
presented by Mr.. BELL, as will more fully appear
by reference TO the documents accompanying
his report The President, in his Message, said
to Congress, 81 beg leave to invite your particu-
lar attention TO the interests of this District.n-
The whole matter, therefore, is at the disc elton
of Congress, and as our only local legislature,
we hope our local interests will not escape its
attention, nor be permitted TO suffer longer by its
neglect.
MIR. CALHOUN--THE SENATOR OF ONE
OPINION