The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-11
Affairs I'm Washington.
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 1853.
Commencement Of the Washington Water Works a, the
Great Falls Of the Paomao-Proceodinsse Of he Day.
The last Congress passed act providing for bounti
full supply of fresh water at national capital from
the Great Falls of the Potomac river appro prated
hundred thousand dollars for the necessary surveys and
commencement Of the work which 1t will cost three or
four millions to complete The Great Falls OF the Poto-
mac, following the river situated some fourteen
miles above the city Of Warrington. In this distance Of
fourteen miles the river has aggregate fall of 125
feet less to the level of tide water thus af
fording the most splendid advantages for the absolute
nundation Of Washington, by Of an aquet not
the country to the heights which overlook the
city on the northwest
According to arrangements made the corporation Of
this city company, consisting of nearly two hundred
people, left Georgetown yesterday morning. in two
packet BEATS for the Great Falls The President of the
United States and his private secretary the Secretary Of
War; the Mayor Of Washington and the corporate autho
rites of both cities and number OF invited guests
formed the party.
This trip by the canal is highly picturesque and
mantle; and though the weather somewhat windy
and lowering, the voyage yesterday positively de-
Ightful After passing Georgetown, the Potomac be
comes stream and grows still till
reach those RAPIDS three miles on called the Little Falls
whore the whole volume OF the river for about mile
wider than Broadway Above these rapids the river
pand to nearly mile in width nterspsrsed with numsr
GUS little islands, and rippes and small rapids The
shores are lined with sycamore trees, and the
hills each side bold snd xocky, and often
rssp.cus s.ps;sy on ,s the left the result Of the
which is thus confined to the rivers edge the whole dis
tance In fact the passage of the Potomac from the
through labyrinth Of small mountains crooked irregn
lar and exceedingly beautiful The continually chan yng
but always bold and graphic landscape afforded con
the party The President though raised among the gra
mite hills Of New Hampshire, compelled 70 admit that
the scenery Of this upper Potomac actually approaches
The boats having left Georgetown At nine o'clock did
age was made st the average Of canal packets
tour miles per hour. This was good speed, however, In
this case owing to the extraordinary number Of locks
through which We have to pass
The Great Falls OF the Potomac are occasionsd By
range Of small mouI tans which here the stream.
all the way 10 Harpsrs Ferry but here, in cutting
it. way through Il is compressed Into channel some
den piung. Of twenty feet With very pretty rapids
for several mills below The lands the opposite side
Of the river are the property Of Commodore Ap Catssby
manufacturing city to be called South Lowell The old
house over there st exhibited to travellers where
several weeks In romantic recreation Il Is wild scene
Of rocks and woods and cliffs, and rushing waters but
in this practical sse II does Seem to be pity that such
just above the falls, close By the canal l. the Crom.
men Hotel Here the party landed and after Chamber
ing the rocks 10 the immediate Of the cataract
and viewing 1t awhile, the party returned to the initial
point Of the Washington Aqueducs prayer was then
made by the Rev. Dr Pyns, of the Episcopa Church.
Captain Meigs Of the typographical Engineers who
has undor the direction OF the Secretary Of War; the
charge Of the work, then made speech explanatory Of
the prise and closed by inviting President Pierce
turn up the rst spadefu Of EARTH Tho President took
the spsdsy and, after few appropriate remarks the
great work he abou! to initiate and the
advantages to the federal capital Of Washington Of
bount1 supply of water, turned up few spadcfus Of
the OIL and followed successfully by the
OF War senator Douglas the Mayor Of Washington and
others ca n speaking little the blessings Of plenty Of
cold water Washington and ca sh In hts turn shoveng
mn shoyeul or two of DIRT much to the amusement o.
| sundry out, iders accustomed to the business.
| After these doings the company In long shanty,
built for the accommodation OF the worknen sat down to
rather substantial dinner which they devoured with
will the eating being followed by toasts champagne and
the whole concluding with prayer by the Row
/ Henry Slicer Of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Late In the night the company were landed again In
/ Georgetown whence they quietly dispersed to their
borss full ofciAl report OF the whole affair will b.
Published hy order Of the corporation OF ths city Ours
JACOB