Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-04-09
From the Charleston Courier.
MANUFACTURES IN AUGUST

From the Charleston Courier.
MANUFACTURES IN AUGUSTA.
Al an adjourned meeting Of The citizens
of Augusta, held on The 9Th instant, for the
purpose of considering the propriety OF
bringing the waters Of the Savannah river
into Thai city, for manufacturing purposes,
and for devisil,g the ways aud means oil
raising the necessary capital 10 execute
tho work, il was decided that the most
practicable and equitable mode Of raising
the funds would he by general tax on the
real estate within the corporate limits OF
the town. The matter having been very
generally discussed previous to The meet
ing, (which was a very large one, embra-
cling, presume, nearly all the property
holders in Augusta,) there was not much
discussion necessary in order TO adopt the
measure, which was decided by acclama-
ton, only one dissenting voice being heard.
The proposition is, 10 construct Canal
whicf shall conduct the waters of The Sa-
| vannah from point six miles above Au-
eusta, through The city and let il back into
the river at point below The lower mar.
ket. A sufficient quantity Of water can 5e
brought into the Canal by means OF spur
| dam extending 10 an island, and that 100
withou, injuriously affecting the navigation
ofthe river. The whole length OF the Ca.
nal will be about 9 miles; it will extend
along the high grounds back of, and in The
immediate vicinity Of the city; when It
riay he lei down aud used twice over, on
Id fee, wheels; il will then be let 10 the
river, where it may again be used AT
The point where the river will enter the
Canal, the water is SO feet above the level
of Tue river at Augusta. The effective fall
in the city will be about Joriy-t'Oo feet,
producing power equal 10 that of l,2OO
horses, which, at a triding outlay, may be
a, any time doubled.
Much 10 The praise Of the public spirited
land holders, the right Of way has been in
almost every instance granted free of
charge. The eos, Of constructing this
work has been estimated by careful and
skillfuI engineers, at about 81 or ninety
thousand dollars. Four per cent. on the
property of Augusta will yield this sum.
| The banks Of Augusta have agreed to loan
one hundred thousand dollars, if so much
be necessary, TO be furnished as the work
| progresses, giving an indulgence of Ten
years, but requiring the guarantee OF The
City Council, who are 10 collect and pay
over the above named tax, issuing 10 the
payers, transferable scrip which shall be
an evidence of ownership in the water
power. This is an easy mode OF raising
The capital, for it amounts to this, That the
property -holdors of Augusta subscribe for
stock in the work, exactly in proportion to
The interest they have at stake. If 1t
should result in failure The loss will fall
equally aud on the proper persons, this,
however, is not appreheuded These per-
sons will have the control Of the work, and
if it lie judicially managed. under any cir
cums,unces, il cannot. fail Of paying re-
muneralins interest, either in water renIs,
or in the enhanced value of real estate
More than fue hundred per cent. has been
realized by the projectors Of similar works
in other parts of The Union, and | venture
The assertion. that after the contracts are
made for this, b;fore spade-fullo of earth
is removed, property will have advanced
in value at least Ten per cent.
The unanimily with which this meeting
decided on the adoption Of the measures
proposed, (only one voice being heard ir.
the oppostion,) leaves but little doubt Of
the Ultimate completion of this grea, work;
indeed it is confidently believed that ii
will be Immediately commenced. Great
as this undertaking is, the fact Of its not
having been long since accomplished, only
demonstrates our inertness and want of
enterprise for the sum necessary 10 COM
plete il is so Insignificant in comparison
with The utility which promises, thatfew
persons can be found, who, after invesllga-
ting the matter, will not come to the con-
clusiun, that even should there never be
cotton mill propelled by it, still, the power
which may be applied TO saw and gisl mill
purposes, furnaces, machine, and oiher
machine shops, will more than pay the
interest on The capital required for its coli
struction. The Georgia Rail Road has
opened vast wheat market 10 Augusta,
and supplies of this article may be OBJ
lained at SO cents per bushel. Any guam
lity of timber may be Coated down the
Savannah river, for the consumption of
saw mills; and added 10 all the other ad-
vanlages 10 be derived from this work, the
trade of Augusta must be accelerated, by
making perfect The most dangerous par, Of
the navigation Of the Savannah river, be-
tween Augusta and The mouptains.
This is truly great work-one of the
boldest steps ever yet taken in the South.
ern States, towards making available the
beautiful resources which nature has scat
tered around US. 1t is hoped tina, this will
be but the corner stone Of a great struc-
ture, and that light is about 10 spring up
ih The city Of Augusta, which will illumi-
nate the whole Soulb, and which will en-
able even the New England spinners to
see through the thick mists which envel-
opes US, and 10 read lesson which shall