Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-03-11

that the protecting wall at the southern abutme nj
being done, this dam might likewise last for few
years longer. Nevertheless, in consideration of its
great importance to the navigation Of the line, the
precautionary policy Of new supporting dam OF
stone has here been adopted, in like manner A, AT
boshers dam; and contract has been made for the
| contraction Of the work.
The attention of the directory has beep ,e,;v.l,,
directed IN the course OF the past season to The sb
JeC' OF the proposed additional communications be-
tween inc canal and the opposite side of the river
upon more careful investigation of this subject,
inc question has arisen, whether bridges would not
DC preferable to dams, for the purpose of forming
these communications, and whether it may not be
expedlent for the company to apply TO the Legsla.
ture Tor the passage OF law authorizing the
change. IL appeared to the directory, that which
ever OF The two modes OF communication might ulti.
mately be adopted four Of these additional connec-
ons would give proper facility the trade passing
between the cana, and the opposite shore Of the
river, and ought to be regarded as a reasonable
Imminent o. the Obligations of the company under
the Sd section of the charter Ia order TO assist in
deciding the question of preference as well in re.
gard to the best mode OF communication as TO The
proper sites to he selected, careful examinations
nave been made. and explanatory charts prepared
with n view to alternative plans of connection at
loat suitable points upon the river. These exami.
nations, together with the accompanying charts
were originally intended to bc conducted by MIR
Lake, under the instructions Of the chief eng neer;
but by reason OF the i'll health of both these officers
uey ultimately devolved upon Col John Pryor,
one oil the resident engineers and party of assis-
tants. The whole subject OF these connections
along with letter from Judge Wright and Mr. Sill
10 lhe board OF directors, and the report estimates
and charts OF Col Pryor, are respectfully referred
10 The consideration OF the stockholders. (See Ap.
pendix Az
Beforel close the present branch of the report, I
beg leave again to remind the stock shat the
power OF the company TO inf psnates for injuries
zone 10 us property, being limited to persons using
the canal and by such use, voluntarily subiectng
themselves TO its regulations, various provisions es-
sentlal TO proper protection Of public works which
are TO be found among the rules and regulations of
other States and are not contained in the provisions
OF the act OF assembly ot March sh, 1887, entitled
an act TO punish the burning and otherwise inju-
ring OF pubic property, and for other purposes
have been necessarily omitted, and form no part of
the rules and regulations reported for the consdeTa-
lion oil the stockholders. With view 10 perfec:
and complete the system of regulation for the canal
these provisions should be embodied in n bill amen
d'tory OF the aforesaid act and recommended 10
the adoption Of the Legislature"
From daily occurrences the line of the canal
ihese acduonal provisions cannot be too earnestly
recommended To the immediate attention OF the
stockholders, and by the stockholders to the early
consideration of the Legislature To facilitate ac-
uon upon the subject, compilation IN the shape OF
oiI has been prepared, and will be communicated
10 the committee OF the stockholders.
beg leave also to suggest to the attention Of The
stockholders, the proprety Of immediate appli-
cation 10 the legislature, for an amendment of The
forty fourth ion of the charter so as TO substi
tute the ton OF 2O00 for the ton of 224O lbs Such
an amendment would be eminenty conducive 10
the convenience of the public, as well as TO that of
the company, in the collection of the tolls; and its
every day value to the community would infinitely
outweigh the consideration of the very inconsidera-
BILE addition 10 the tariff which would be the effect
OF the change.
?. Progress IF Construction in the Second Grand
Division Of The Canal
Upon the regular commencement of operations on
the WORK above LyRchburg, several new regulations
were adopted by the Board of Directors with a
view more effectually 10 ensure general fidelity of
execution, and TO give additional solidty and per
manency TO the masonry of the line. The residen-
ces were reduced from about ten miles in length
loWn TO about SIX miles each; and the resident en-.
sneers were required 10 reside in the centre of their
residences; 10 perform all their duties on foot and
Except when prevented by other indispensable Off
nal business, 10 walk their lines at least once in
,vs!y day, see ~ the contractors EN- Moved
ind 10 visit all the works in progress upon their re-
'pecuve divisions. The appointment also of regular
'npernendents Of masonry, selected for their expe
Renee and practical skill authorized with pre-
'crioed duties and powers IN reference 20 this I'M
portant part OF the work. and two of these officers
have been introduced upon that part of the line.
Material changes were likewise adopted in the plans
and specifications OF some OF the works OF ART. |
Greater thickness was called for in the abutments
Of the farm bridges the backing of the wood locks
was also required TO be made thicker, and 10 be |
well grouted, with hydraulic cement; and the dam,
across the river all ordered 10 be constructed
exclusively of stone
Since the last annual meeting of the stockholders,
ehange has been made in the location of the ca
lal, al sections 81 and p ia the second grand diy-
non. At lhSt period, IN consequence of the inter
erence OF these sections with the line of the LYNCH
1urS and Blue Ridge turnpike rond it was conside-
en necessary TO procure an alteration in the site of
he road, so as 10 throw 1t upon the neishborino |
ms ana merely 10 get possession of the ground
re-occupied by the road, which was calculated 10
hord the most advantageous location for the canal
J pon al application TO the Legislature for the re-
lulsite authority 10 make the change general pro
'ision calculated TO meet his and ali Other cases of
Hmiiar description that might occur in the further
progress OF The work. was inserted IN the 4th section
If the act passed on The 4th March last. entitled
AN act TO amend the Charter of the James River
ind hanawha Company" Subsequently, however
% the passage OF the act, unexpected difficulties oc
;uTred IN the adjustment OF tha claims of the turn
pike company and Of the propnetors OF the adjacent
lands. The prospect of heavy damages indIced a
reconsideration Of this subject; and II being decided
10 Introduce slack water navigation upon Tat mart
Of the line, by means Of an additional dam throw n
across the river near the point Of difficulty il he
llme unnecessary TO resort to the powers which the
Legislature bad conferred and the provisions OF the
act OF assembly have not been called INTO operation
timely attention has been psid TO the regular
condemnation Of the lands actually occupisd no lie
location Of the Canal in the second grand division.
IN compliance with previous call, the board Of
assessors met Oh or about the 26,h OF Apri last ot
LynchbuTg, and adjourned on the 6h of NAV AZ
Ter service OF ten days. Win the execution of
SIX sections immediately above the town which
were formerly assessed. and were reporied 10 the
stockholders IN the Fourth Annual Report. tbev
assessed the whole Of the lands taken for ibe sc II
the canal upon the line of %. miles extending from,
Lynchburg TO the mouth OF the North river. a
copy OF these assessments. amounting in the AGRA
gate to Sl1,95O, is herewith communicated. iSee
Appendix By '
With the exception Of the six sections. slre,dv
under contract, and the dams, the'lock-ra,es and
the bridges all the work in the second grand divis
ion was contracted for in November 1899 In In.
~ last, the SIX dams and the lock gates were also
put under contract; since which time. the contr,c,s
Tor dams Nos 4, and g, have been abandoned nv
the contractors. These three dams together yvitb
the bridges, and one cuyer, constitute the whole
oithe work not now under contact within the limits
Of the 27t miles.
The york placed under contract in the sssond
grand division Of the canal has thus far been n,ose
ented with energy, and has progressed as RAPIDLY
as could have been anticipated. Fifteen sections
equal m extent 70 thirteen and one half miles. will
be completed Exclusive Of mechanical work. no
the lst Of January. The masoHry Of the locks bss
not yet been eommencsd, but a large portion of
materials, such as stone, timber and blank. has
cavated.
Bya detailed statement, furnished by the p,inei.
pal assistant engineer, Mr. Gill, which is herewith
c mm1n.cated II vii be perceived that for the lock
pits, G796 cubic yards hayHsbeen excavated. and
for the locks, 4l49 cubic yards Of ttone ore1,,sd
together with $3.50 Inca feet Of timber and ioist
and 7ilO feet Of pland provided; and tbnt for H. s