Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-02
|yal Intelligence""City Affairs. &c

PRESIDENT FILLMoRE.-It is reported that
President Fillmore contemplates visiting several
of the Southern States soon after the 4th of
March. As he will probably pass through this
city, would it not be well for the people to meet
together tan early day, and tender him the hos
pitalities OF the city! No man deserves more ut
the hands of his countrymen; and we feel
sured that the Wings especially will take plea
sure in honoring him. In the discharge of the
duties of his high Office, he has known no East,
West no North nor no South. Every measure
Of his administration has been dictated by wis
dom and patriotism. Let us, then, meet togeth-
or and make arrangements to give the Patriot and
Statesman suitable reception. The people of
Wilmington, N. c., are already moving the
subject; all the Southern cities on the main
liue of travel will likewise take suitable action
let not be the last to acknowledge his just
claims upon our admiration and respect.
IMPROVEME OF JAMES RIVER.
Between Warwick Bar and City Point there
AREAS every person knows who has travelled
James Rver-two re- markable bends in the chan.
mel. The first is Mill Rock Reach, where the
channel, after course of eight miles returns to
within 100 yards of its starting place. This mar
row pass is called the Dutchman's Gap and
the highest point is about $50 feet above low
water mark. In this Reach is Cox's Bar. The
second bend is just above the junction of the
James and Appomatox Rivers, where only about
one hall mile is gained after course of some nine
miles.
Now the question naturally presents ITSELF
ho rIt The
by cutting through these passes? We await
with some anxiety, the repore of the Surveyors,
for solution of this question. AS regards the
churchman's Gap" it is thought that this mode
Of Improvement might be more economical as
we'll as more effective, than to dredge out Cor's
Bar, which is said to be fully twosthrds of
mile in length. If it shall be found practicable
to cut through these passes of course saving of
sixteen miles will be obtained in the distance be-
tween Richmond and City Point, and one of the
unconstitutional bars" be entirely avoided.
With regard to Harrison's Bar we understand
that the channel has gradually improved in the
depth of its water. aud that the river is now
forcing out better channel This. we untler-
stand, was predicted in 1826sby C. Crozet, ESQ.,
Capt. Stansbury did not concur in this opinion
though he was OF opinion that if a channel were
once dredged out it would maintain its depth
A comparison, however, of Captain Sanbury's
survey with that made by the coast survey in
1882 shows conclusively, we learn, that the
channel has very much improved. In 1896 the bar
between the 10 feet low water lines was one
mile in length. In 1882 it reduced to half
a mile. In 1886 there was an extensive middle
ground on this bar, dividing it into two channels
with 6 feet ut average high water in each. In
Is SO the middle ground had essentially disap-
l0t, IL! aud l2a feet the two cha nnels had be
come one, and the depth at ordinary high water
had increased 16a feet. The bottom has been as
certained by boring consist for the most part at
the surface and for six feet below, of hard pave
ment OF pebbles, mixed with shells and grey sand
below which mud and yellow sand occurs. The
current as within the last years greatly improved
this bar notwithstanding The rigid character o.
the bottom, and it rational to suppose tina
It would maintain considerably increased depth
f it was dredged out.
Shoud,the report of the Surveyors confirm the
truth of the statement of the Pilots on the river,
that with the exception of Goose Hill Flats and
Harrison's Bar, nineteen feet of water can be
carried all the way up to City Point, and shonld
the Goose Hill Flats admit OF similar improve
nnent, it appears to be the opinion of those well
informed on the subect that fully this depth
could be permanently secured for Harrison's
Bar.