The North-Carolina standard., 1844-12-04

There being bat little descent in those rivers. after
leaving the great falls, usually found near the
commencement of the allurial region, but few
dams would be requisite TO make them permancnt
ly navigabie
Take the Cape Fear, for instance-I am not
informed as TO the descent of its channel below
Fayetteville; but beginning at that point on the
river which can, at all stages of the water, be
reached by STEAMBOATS, from Wilmington
think it very probable that half dozen d1ms with
locks OF ten feet lf each, would render the river
at lltlmes navigable for steamboats, to Fayette-
vile.
With permanent steamboa; navigation from
our excellent port of Wilmington, 10 Fayetteville,
and good Turnyike from thence TO some n1vioa-
BILE point on the noble Yadkin, who can estimate
the vast advantages to the State2
Take the Neuse-already has steamboat as
cended it. in its present unimprovcd condition. as
far as Smith6eld, within twcnty-cight miles Of
Raleigh.
1t is said, by those better acquainted with the
river than myself TO be at all tim, navigabIe from
| Newbern TO, or within a short distance of Way
nesboTongh; some fifty miles distant from Raj
cigh. Allowing foot or two descent in every
mile necessary to give to any stream a current,
can doubt be entertained that eight or ten dams
with locks Of ten feet Lift each, would give pcrma-
ncnt steamboat navigation to the immediate vicini-
| ty Of Raleigh?
ASdu ttle COuTSc OI ItlS river III tllS PRICE Is
extremely circuilous: after winding about for miles
it returns to within very short distance of its own
channel. Across the isthmus at those points of
approximation, short navigable canals might be
cut, with locks at their lower tcrminations-
at once avoiding the expense of any dam-short
cning the navigation, and overcoming whatever
ascent there might be in the natural channel
This improvement would give pcrmancnt steam
boat nayigatjon from Newborn 10 any point on the
Neuse to4which it might be carried and tho laci-
| ity of navi cation would be greatly increased by
dradening the current and making il equal to
slack water navigation. Boats of burthen could
be easily towcd BY steamboats,, or propelled by
other power.
Immediately connected with this improvement
| of the Neuse, is another subject Of importance
altogether worthy Of consideration.
( Our Harbour of Beaufort is believed to be
equal, if not superior to any other on our coast,
south of the Chesapeake.
! Inmy last message drew the attention of the
Legislature 10 the propritty of pressing upon the
attention Of Congress the necessity of making a
ship channel from Pamlico Sound to this EIar
bour; well the necessity and utility of open
| ing ship channel at or near Nag's Head, be-
tween the Albemarle Sound and the Atlantic
Ocean.
! Inow invite your attention. likewise to those sub
/ iccts with a recommendation that you press their
consideration upon the attention Of the General
Governn I.
! But to the connection between the navigation
of the Ncuse and Beaufort Harbour-whatcvcr
connection there NAV be b'twccn Beaufort Har-
bour and Pamlico Sound, the freight boats on the
Nrusc cannot avail thcms Ives of the benefit.
Such crafts rs will navigate the river cannot
live in stormy weather in the wide waters Of the
Neusc below Ncwbc u, and Of tho Pamlico Sound.
The river boats therefore, will have 10 put their
cargocs aboard Of larger craft at Newbern 10 be
taken to Beaufort. This transehipment il is drsir.
able 10 avoid and il is more than probable can bc
avoided
The section of country between NewLern and
Beaufort distance of some forty OF fifty miles, is
comparatively plain, but little elevated above the
Ncuse at Nrwbern or the Ocean at Beaufort, with
soil admirably adapted to the purposes of con-
siructIng canals A canal may be cut from
Beaufort 10 some point on the Trent and Neuse al
near Newbern, so rs 10 avoid any wide water
that might make the navigation dangerous, and
the river boats be locked into this canal and thus
deliver their eargocs from the upper country direct
on ship board in one Of the best Hlrbours ofthc |
Union.
The practicability of this improvement is un-
questionable, if there be streams between these |
two points of sufficient magnitude and elevation
to serve for feeders to the canal Upon this point |
l am not informed; but if there be not such
streams there is ample water of sufficient cleva
ton in lakes Ellis and Long Lake TO answer the
purpose, which, by some additional expense,
might be brought to the canal to supply it.
With good navigation from Beaufort 10 the
vicinity of Raleigh, and good Turnpike or Rail
road westward from that point, who can estimate
its vast importance to This State2 Whether this
improvement be practicable, and what will be its
cost, can be easily ascertaincd The science of
engineering is no longer an occult science, aud its
application no longer mystic art 1t is already
reduced in our country, to common practical
science of every day application. !,
Surveys and estimates can be made, and respon-
si5le persons be found ready to undertake any
enterprise and guarantee its execution for stipu
ated sum- TO undertake now a work of Internal
Improvement is not, as heretofore, taking a leap
IN the dark We only have to look before we i
cap and then can ascertain certainly what c
yill be the result. a
No doubt is entertained that similar system q
If improvements by dams and locks upon the Tar IN
Ind Roanoke rivers, will greatly improve their n
Il
For constructing the dams and locks no mate !. "
'ia can be cheaper and stronger than our long =
eaG pine, well weighed down with stone and its "
durability, when constantly kept Wet, sufficient for
III practical purposes. :
The views expressed in relation to these inn
,rovemcnts made rather with hope that they :,
nay attract public attention and elicit public en- !
uiry, than with the expectation that you will take
my action upon the matter at this time, further !.
Ho -