Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-11-29
JAMES RIVER AND KANAwHA COM
PRESIDENTS REPORT.

The work is OF vast magnitude The dlicuites III lne
way ofits successful accomplishment, from the begin
ming have been great, but the advantages OF such an
for trade and commerce, have never been over
estimated.
Its moral influence on the commonwealth in preserv-
ing and cherishng fraternal feelings between the East
and the West which nature would seem inclined to
make separate divisions of the State must be very great
and gives to the improvement transcendan interest ID
the view of every patriot. The consummaon mas not
yet been effected and, under the influence OF nope
deferred the enterprise may have lost many lfeho
but tits the part OF wisdom to Proht py tne lessons Oh
experience, and instead of yielding to despair 10 exert
increased forttude in encounterng the dfcutes winch
yet stand in the way OF full success :. ,... ,
A careful examination OF existing Liabilities oil the
present and prospective resources OF the company, VIII
shew that the public spirit OF those who have venured
their means in the enterprise, will IND no conpensaung
return from their stock, as productive investment, ana
the large outlay made by the state will not prove
source of revenue unless the improvement shall in some
form reach the Western Terminus, which its projectors
contemplated, and compete tor the trade OF the great
valley OF the Mississippi.
1t would not be appropriate to the present OCCASION IN
communicating with those who are SO familiar with the
subject to enter into detail to shew, that IN view OF us
geographical position IN reference to the oher taes "
the Union, of its climate and OF the practca0llty OF
safe and comparatively short and economical means VI
transportation, from the western waters TO lhe I1as.e
Atlantic coast of the United States, the route through
Virginia may fairly compare, and adyantsgeousiy
compete, with any OF the numerous plans OF conhec'on
which have been elsewhere executed or projected.
There beno doubt that the subject pas oSt none
of its interest and while cannot say hatthe dfcutes
have been overcome, or are even now inconsderapie
think may safely congratulate the slockholoefs on he
present condition of the companys aliars' ana leei
justified in urging that the ZEAL which has encountered
so many dsconraging delays and adverse mpedmentS,
has no Just for abatement On the contrary, every
successive step adds the value OF what has already
been done and we may hope, that In some form or
other the avenue will be opened from the chesapeake
bay through the yallies OF the James and hanawha IL
vers, to the Ohio .
In performing the duty assigned to the President Of
the company of laying before you, in general meeting,
report on the condition OF the company, the state OF
the finances and such other matters as he may deem in
terestng shall conform to the usage OF my predeces-
sor and arrange the subjects OF this report under the
heads Of
l. The Condition of the Work.
q The State of the Finances
3 Other Matters of Interest, concerning the Cond
ton and Future Prospects OF the Company.
l. THE CONDITION OF THE WORK.
submit herewith, in an appendix, marked A, full
and satisfactory report from the chief engineer, OF the
operations for the past year, OF the department com
mitted to his CHARGE, embracing the entire line OF the
| company's works
| In the month of September last accompanied by the
chief engineer and Mr. Ellis, OF the directors and by
the superinendents the works respectively under
their charge visited and inspected the line OF improve
ments from Richmond to Charleston, on the kanawha.
| was highly gratied with what saw, and especially
with the capacity Of the canal for almost incacua
Bile increase of trade with the ample means at hand OF
making its works permanent; with the sklliu planning,
and the solid and durable character OF the works in pro-
gress between Lynchburg and Buchanan; with the mex
haustbIe wealth locked up in the mountains. want
ing only outlet to market; with the rch soil OF the
western slope of the Allegheny, and with the certain
result of increasing population enlarged subjects OF state
taxation, and augmentng prohts to the stockholders,
propretors OF the great work, il it shall be accom-
| plished. ~
rience which would enable me fully to appreciate these
great advantages, or to impress them on others. H.
| The productive works OF the company cohsst Oh
| l. The Richmond Dock
| , The Canal from Richmond to Lynchburg.
! 8 The Blue Ridge Turnpike and Ferry.
| 4 The Kanawha Turnpike Road and River.
| The reproductive because unfinished works:
: The Second Division or the works between Lynch
] burg and the mouth of North River, and thence
to Buchanan
| !. The Richmond Dock
The report Of the officer in general superintendent
of the dock, herewith submitted marked B, will shew
that the expenditures for repairs have been nconsdera
bic. The condition othe work is good and nothing
mas occurred during theyear seriously to interrupt its
use Considerations which have been presented in the
reports OF some d my predecessors have continued to
nue. from this In the last year there is SLIGHT
increase in the receipts those of The preceding year
yet the does not bear its just proportion to the
trade of the city. 1t appears, by the records OF the COM
| pany, that the revenue derived from the dock was
For the year ending October 3ist sa5. 4s9 j.
=" " i" lS48. -. 8 SIT 60
The inadequacy of the DOCK in its dimensions for the
purposes Of navigation, has probably exerted more nhu
ence than any other cause in keeping down the revenue
The measures which have been taken, to enlarge and
extend the dock adapting it to the use o vessels enga
ged in the trade OF James river, which come to Rich
mond and connecting it with the canal, will, it is conf
IDENTIFY believed afford an important facility to trade,
and produce large increased income to the company.
2. The Canal from Richmond to LynchbMg.
The organization for the supernendence repair and
preservation OF this important part OF the line appears to
be well arranged both as to efficiency and econo
my The entire line is managed by superintendent
and is inspected daily by suitable persons passing over it
in short sectonsany injury threatening the work is thus
observed and the necessary measures promptly taken for
prevention or repair.
New bridges nave been erected on improved plans,
giving ample space tor the passage of boats and good
materials Of wood and stone collected, ready for at
short notice. insuring speedy repair OF ured de-
cayed work. But two breaches have occurred during
the year. One on the I'd OF April last on the 18th level
which caused the detention OF boats for four days The
Other the 25th of July on the 3ls level interrupted
the passage OF boats ior nine days The repairs
made in most skiul manner with great promptness,
and trihng expense. 1t is believed that the work
which, the 3st level had given way twice before, is
now secure, and the entire work becoming each year
stable authorizes the expectation that breaches in
terrupting trade on the canal and involving heavy
pendures tor repair will become annually less frequent
For full and satisfactory detail OF the operations OF
the superintendent OF repairs, refer to his report, APP
pendix &.
The of James river, during the past season, has
been unusually low, and have deeply regretted that the
passage of boats with heavy freight has been delayed
by the stage OF water at one or two points on tins line
To guard against the future recurrence OF such an annoy
ance the board ofdrecors have ordered that new dam
of stone, laid in hydraulic cement, be constructed at
Maidens Adventure, and it is contemplated to take adj
vantage OF the drawing off the water for that purpose
open safer channel for boats through the pond by re-
moving the rocks, which, at low water, may inter-
rupt the navigation.
Of the locks on this line, IA constructed of stone
and 40 ,ofwood. can well understand the necessity
which compelled the adoption of the less durable
rial at the time otther construction. But the importance
OF the line yand OF an uninterrupted navigation, require
that all the locks should be constructed in the per-
manent manner This may be done gradually without
rous injury, and the canal affords the company the ready
means transporting materials from the quaries the
place where they are to be used The policy adopted is
10 collect and prepare the sone that the work be
done with The least possible delay. By pursuing this
course in a few years all the wooden locks may be re-
placed by others of durable masonry at a small annual
expense and without nterupng business the canal
to any injurious extent.