Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-03

In none OF the foregoing imports is the value
of railroad iron, &c, brought via Quebec, in
transit for the United States, included. Neither
do the exports include the value of ships built
at Quebec and sold in England.
The value of transit goods for the United States
IN 1891 was. ....... ......... Si0U,UUO
The value OF ships built for sale at Que
bee, $500 tons at 70, f35l ,0o0..... 40i 900
S2154,O0O
with which addition the gross trade of Canada
for 1851 amounts to $39 ,200,256.
THE PUBLIC WORKS OF CANADA.
There is no country which possesses canals
of the magnitude and Importance Of those in
Canada The elevation from tde-water to
Lake Ontario (exceediug two hundred feet is
overcome by seven canals of various lengths,
from twelve miles to one mile, (but in the ag
gregate only forty-one miles of canal,) having
locks two hundred feet in length between the
gates, and forty-ive feet in width, with an ex-
cayated trunk, from one hundred to one hun
dred and forty feet wide on the watersurface
and depth OF ten feet water
From Lake Ontario to Lake Erie an eleva-
ton of three hundred and thirty feet is sur
mounted by canal twenty-eight miles in
length, with about thirty cut stone locks one
hundred and fifty feet long, by twenty-six and
a half feet wide, designed for propellers and
sail craft. These locks will pass craft of
about FIVE hundred tons burden, while those
on the st. Lawrence have capacity double
this amount.
The total cost Of this navigation may be set
down at twelve millions of dollars.
" The st. Lawrence canal was designed for
paddle-steamers, which are required as tugs, or
to ascend against the current; but from the
magnitude Of the rapids and their regular in
cination, the aid of the locks is not required
in descending the river. Large steamers, draw
ing seven feet water, with passengers and the
mails, leave the foot Of Lake Ontario in the
morning, and reach the wharyes at Montreal
by daylight, without passing single lock. At
some Of the rapids there are obstacles prevent
ing the descent of deeply-laden craft, but the
government are about to give the main chan
mel in all the rapids depth of ten feet water,
when the whole descending trade by steam will
keep the river, leaving the canals to the as.
cending craft.
The time required for the descent Of a
freightsteamer from the head of Lake Ontario
to Montreal is forty-eight hours; the rates of
freight have ranged from twelve and half
cents 1.-THE lowest per barrel, for -four, to
twenty-five cents, including tolls. The upward
trip requires about sixty hours, and the freight
per ton ranges from 81 so to SO for heavy
goods. The ruling freight on railroad iron
last year from Montreal TO Cleveland was 81 so
per gross ton, and for the return cargo of -four
thirty cents a BARREL tolls included in both
cases.
The rates are yet huctuating, as the long
voyage is new, and are so much influenced by
the amount Of up-cargo obtained that they can.
not yet be considered settled. II is believed
that the freight on flour from Lake Erie to
Montreal (including tolls) will be brought down
to twenty cents, and on iron, up to 81.
The construction of q ship canal from the
St Lawrence TO Lake Champlain, so as TO bring
the propellers Of Chicago to Burlington and
whitehall, is now engaging the consideration
OF the Canadian government. This project
originated with the Hon. John Young, chief
commissioner of public works in Canada; and
there is little doubt, from the favor il has re-
ceived from the public, that it will be speedily
accomplished. The cost would only be be.
tween 81 100000 and 100000, and its con-
struction is indispensable to protect the reve-
nues Of the st. Lawrence canals from the
competition Of the Ogdensburg railroad. The
construction Of such work must produce
corresponding enlargement Of the Northern
New 1ork canal, whereupon there will be a
connexion between Lake Erie and tide.water on
the Hudson, via the st. Lawrence, which may
be navigated, without transshipment, dornrard
in four, and up,odrd in FIVE days.
The returns of trade on the Canadian canals
give indication Of decided and satisfactory pro.
gress in the leading articles of up and down
freight. The receipts for tolls upon the Wei
land canal in 1851 are thirty-three per cent.
higher than in 1850 On the ST. Lawrence,
although tonnage has increased, the tolls have
not--the revenue being here reduced by a re.
batement Of toll on cargoes which have passed
the Welland
The following shows the progress Of leading
articles of up and down freight on the Welland
canal in 1850 and 1851:
Dorm trade.