Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-11-29

II OF ndf6IRH.
II It's said. by those better acquainted with
the river than myself, to be at all times nav;.
gable from Newbern to, or within a sbos.
distance of Waynesborough; some fifty milss
distant from Raleigh. Allowing foot A.
two descent in every mile necessary to give
to any stream current, can doubt be ante,s
tanned that eight or ten dams with locks If
ten feet lift each, would give permanent
steamboat navigation to the immediate yicin.
ity OF Raleigh!
Again, the course Of this river in some MA.
ces is extremely circuitous: after winding a.
bout for miles it returns to within very sher,
distance of its own channel. Across the 18th
mus at those points Of approximation. sho,,
navigable canals might be cut, with locks At
their lower terminations,-thus at once avoid.
ing the expense of any dam-shorteninc tho
navigation, and overcoming whatever ascent
there might be in the natural channel.
This improvement would give permanen,
steamboat navigation from Newbern to anv
point on the Neuse to which it might be car.
ried; and the facility of navigation would be-
greatly increased by deadening the current
and making it equal 10 slack water navigation.
Boats Of bnrthen could be easily towed BY
steamboats,, or propelled by other power.
Immediately connected with this improve.
ment of the Neuse, is another subject of i'm.
portance altogether worthy of consideration.
Our Harbour of Beaufort is believed to be
eqnal, if not superior to any other on our
coast. south Of the Chesapeake.
In my last message drew the attention Of
the Legislature to the propriety of pressing
upon the attention of Congress the necessity
of making ship channel from PamIico Sound
to this Harbor; as we'll as the necessity and
utility of opening ship channel at. or near,
Nag's Head, between the Aibemarle Sound
and the Atlantic Ocean. .--
now invite your attention. likewise, 10
those subjects with a recommendation that
you press their consideration upon the atteH,
tion of the General Government.
But to the connexion between the naviga.
ton of the Neuse and Beaufort Harbour
whatever connexion there may be between
Beaufort Harbour and Pamlco Sound, the
freight boats on the Nense cannot avail them
selves of its benefit.
Snch craft as will navigate the river cannot
live in stormy weather in the wide waters Of
the Neuse below Newbern. and of the Pamli-
co Sound. The river boats, therefore, will
have to put their cargoes aboard of larger craft
at Newbern to be taken to Beaufort. This
Itransshipment it is desirable to avoid, and it
is more than probable it can be avoided.
The section of country between Newbern
and Beaufort, distance of some forty or fifty
miles, is comparatively plain, but little ele-
waited above the Nense at Newbern, or the
Ocean at Beaufort, with soil admirably a.
dapted to the purposes of constructing canals.
4 canal may be cut from Beaufort to some
point on the Trent and Neuse at or near New
bern, so as to avoid any wider waters that
might make the navigation dangerous, and
the river boats be locked into this canal. and
thus deliver their cargoes from the upper coun-
try direct on ship hoard in one OF the best
Harbours of the Union.
The practcablitY of this improvement is
unquestionable, if there be streams between
these two points of sufficient magnitude and
elevation to serve for feeders to the canal
Upon this point am not informed but if
there be not such streams, there is ample wa
ter Of sufficient elevation in lakes Ellis and
Long lake to answer the purpose, which, by
some additional expense, might be brougEtto
the canal to supply it, -5-s -.
With good navigation from Beaufort to the
vicinity Of Raleigh, and good Turnpike or
Railroad westward from that point, whocan
estimate its vas importance to this State!-
Whether this improvement be practicable. and
what will be its costs, can be easily ascertain
ed. The science of eng ineerng is no longer
an occult science. and its application no long.
er mystic art. 1t is already reduced, IN our
country, to a common practical science OF ev.
cry day application.
Surveys and estimates can be made, and
responsible persons can be found ready to un-
dertake any enterprise and guarantee its exc
cuton for stipulated sum. To undertake
now work Of Internal Improvement is not,
as heretofore, taking leap in the dark. We
only have to look before we leap, and then
We can ascertain certainly what will be the
result.
No doubt is entertained that similar sys-
tenn of Improvements by dams and locks up
on the Tar and Roanoke rivers, will greatly
improve their navigation.
For constructing the dams and locks no
material can be cheaper and stronger than our
long leaf pine. well weighed down with stone,
and its durability, when constantly kept wet,
sufficient for all practical purposes.
The views expressed in relation to these
Improvements are made rather with hope
that they may attract public attention and ell
cit public enquiry, than with the expectation
that you will take any action upon the matter
at this time, further than, it may be, to lnSI'
tute some inquiry to obtain information.
have but little to add to the suggestions
made to the last Legislature relative to I'M
p1ovements in the middle and western pats
of the State. They want good roads. Give
them facility in getting to good markets. anu
their energy and industry will supply them
with all they need.
THE ELECTION. :,
was duly notified by the SHERIFF. Da'Io'
|, son of the death Of the Hon. Charles bfun'.
nell, member elect Of that county 70 'n'
House of Commons; and by the Sheriff OF oas.
, well, of the death of the Hon. Levi WaIke',s
: member elect from that county TO the f1ou.f
of Commons; and by the Sheriff of Greene "
: the death of the Hon IanneS Harner. IneIn