Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-28
CETY "A FE MKNg g .

! HE BASlN--I1E DUN CONNEAION, &c.
The Basin Of the James River and Kanawha Canal
is situated every resident knows in the heart of the
city. The volume OF water is immense, being amply
sufficient to float the whole navy of the United States
Its depth, learn, varies from seven to forty feet so
that the Pennsylvania, probably the largest ship in
the world, could ride in safety in this artificial lake.
AT the loot Eastern end OF the Basin stands the
famous Galego Mills, which derive never-tailiug
supply of water from the canal. We have recently
given minute description of these mills, to render
useless again to aude to them. The Southern margin
Oh the BASIN, we are sorry to say been properly
improved. Instead of the few gloomy aud uncomfor-
table looking storesf any one of them aspjres even to
'he 0ighlty oil Subscriptions houses Tor the
accommodation OF the commerce of the West ought to
De erected bu' the lrst step towards improvement iu
that quarter, must be taken by the city authorities The
streets on the South side of the Basin are absolutely
impossible in wet weather, for either man or beast and
it is not unusual witness drays and
Wagons stalled in the of the street along the
Southern margin OF the Basin. Sound policy would
seem to dictate the necessity of aiordng every facility
to commerce; we humby submit therefore, to the con-
gregaed wisdom Of the City Council, whether sound
policy would not be consulted in first improving the
avenues OF commerce, and then mending the ways on
the suburbs OF the city The streets leading to the
shipping ought to be improved and then those arc und
the Basin. Every allurement which human ingenuity
cen invent, or human means accomplish ought to be
held out to attract trade and commerce to the city.
The Northern margin Of the Basin is dotted with
coal yards, but owing to the eec is OF unwse and
runous Tariff this important branch of trade is lam
gushing. Here, also, may be found several large
warehouses, occu lied by OF most enterprsng
and thrifty merchants, who conduct heavy commits
sion and forwarding business. Now, we sincerely be-
leve, that it the city authorities would cause the banks
OF the Basin to be graded and paved, that property
owners along Its whole extent would realise the
sty OF erecting substantial brick warehouses for the ac
commodaon of the vast commerce, which must
sooner later, seek outlet through the James Ri
yer and Kanawha Canal. We need not remark, that
the city, in this way, would be reimbursed an hundred
fold for the original outlay.
The Dock Connexion is progressing slowly, though
surely Several locks are in process of construction,
and we have never seen substantial or handsoner
specimens OF masonry. Mr.. McGrand, the intelligent
and genemanly contractor expects to be able to com
pete the Whole work by the time specified in his cona
tract. The editor OF the Norfolk Herald some time
since, took occasion to complain Of the hardness of
the Company in making the Dock Connexon, and wens
so tar as to state that not spadelu of earth iii he
had beeen correctly intorned) had been removed to-
wards the construction Of this work" At the time of
making the complaint the heaviest portion OF the ex-
cavaton had been fnshed and the contractor was ac-
lively engaged in constructing those wonderful contr-
vances by which the largest stones are conveyed from
one extremity of the works to the other with degree
OF CELEBRITY, precision and safety really remarkable
OF course, friend of the Norfolk Herald spoke too
fast. He had been deceived by some one who probably
felt nnduly anxious to realize the golden stream
which he imagined would flow through this Dock con-
nexon into the lap of Norfolk If our friend of The
Herald oou1d nm and a.a III,
he would return home thoroughly convinced tba the,
excavations iii either Pompe or tIercuanpum were
not crcums ance' in comparison with those on The
Dock Connection.
When this Dock connection shall be finished--when
the Canal shall tap the teeming Valley othe Mississippi
and empty its rich commerce into the hear of our CITY
Richmond will become another Thebes, and our mer.
chants princes.
AT present, we know of no place in the city more
unnvltng than the mud-walks around the Basin No
could be induced to take prornen AIDE there
purely tor the pleasure desirable therefrom Hence the
banks OF the Basin are pretty generally monopolized
by mongre crowd who go down into the water in
boats Thsis especially the ease on the Sabbath
hence, officer Warrington, who is charged with the
duty of preserving order in this locality, generally
fndsample employment throughout the oay. On Sun
day last he hoped down upon crowd OF negroes and
muatoes on the South side Of the BASIN to the utter
dismay OF those who knew his metal and therefore IAN
away, as we'll as to the cost of stubborn lie How
who stood his ground and threatened to "knock
the officer down if he fooled with him." James Per-
kins or that appears to be the ofhe foolish fell
low finally knocked under and begged the officers par
don; but no could appease the wrath OF this
faithful guardian OF the honour OF the corporation; so
he marched Perkins off to the cage and yesterday
laid the whole case before his Honour who ordered the
insolent fellow to be mildly punished.