Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-01-28

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! The following letter from the Hon Abram Rench. 4
,er, addressed 70 Gov Bragg, on the subject Of the
Cape Fear and Deep River improvemenb is pub
lished at the request Of friend: go
-. PirrsBoaoUGn Nov 9th, 1856.
To His Ercelleaeg 7Aos Bragg, Rakigh-
SIR :: Your letter declining the invitation of the
Board Of Directors of the Cape Fear and Deep River
Navigation Company. to visit the works already
done, and those in process of construction laid
before the Board few days since, and have been
directed by them to reply to it. The Board deeply
regret that the pressure of other engagements should
deprive you of an opportunity of making personal
examination Of these works, convinced as they are
that such an examination could not fail to remove
any prejudice which the misrepresentation of GER
tain public journals may have created, and to fix
more firmly the vast Importance Of these works, not
only to the section of country more Immediately in
terested, but also to the State at large.
Since the adjournment of the last General Assem-
bly,. the Directors have made all possible dispatch
in the progress o. the work, consistent with proper
economy and a wise precaution imposed upon them,
as we'll by the Injunction Of previous Legislature,
by resolution of the Board of Stockholders at
general meeting early in the spring of 1856. Guild
ed by those principles, they felt it their duty to
commence operations at the lower part Of the i'm
provement and to secure a good navigation upon
the Cape Fear River before making large expendi-
lures upon Deep River. The first important object
having OeeI attained the WORKS upon Deep hlVeF
were put under contract early the present year. and
most Of them will be finished by its close high up
as the Guph. The navigation will then be open
to the Coal Fields, with the exception Of a
stone lock at Lockville, which, owing to the magn
tude of the work, and the material Of which it is
constructed, could not be finished within the year.
Such is brief view of what has been done. The
amount of money expended do not know with ex-
aciness. detailed statement will hereafter be
made out by the proper officer, as well as an est-
mate OF the amount necessary to finish the entire
work as it ought to be done. These have been
dered and they will be submitted to you as soon
they can be completed but not, fear, in time for
your biennial message. We shall, therefore, be
compelled to ask for special message at later
period of the session, if necessary.
Much of the work done the Cape Fear River
was done with view to strengthen and preserve
the locks and dams heretofore constructed. The
lock and dam at Cross Greek, so long delayed, rs
well as portion Of the work at Buckhorn Falls was
of new construction, and the Directors happy to
be able to say that these two important and most
doubtful points have been secured. The works at
both these points wthstood the terrible freshet we
had in the early part Of September, which may safe
iy be considered as trying to the works as any we
are likely ever to have The re pairs at two other
points were not so successful. The downslopes at
Jones Fall and Silver Run both carried away,
and leaves the dams at these points as they were
before, exposed to be undermined by the falling
water, which, in few years, must cause them to
give way. It will, therefore, he necessary at once
to replace these dau's by new ones, with such i'm.
provements will secure them against similar
disaster. BY these unsuccessful attempts to
the old dams, the company have sustained consider
able loss but they acted under the advice of an able
and experienced engineer, who said he had found
them TO answer in other localities
In conclusion must be allowed to say that the
Prdcttcd6ily OF this great improvement is no long
err question of doubt There is safe naviga-
ton for steamboats, far TocE Vile Open
River, passing successfully those points upon the
Cape Fear which have always been considered most
difficult and doubtful. The only thing now to be
considered is wise management and suitable means.
These latter have been too much stinted from the
very commencement of the work. The means were
not suitable to the great object proposed, and we
now feel the evil of it, and shall continue to feel it
Till most OF the old works substituted by more
substantial and enduring ones. To do this will GER
tainly require additional aid from the Legislature.
There have already been appropriated to this work
something over 500, 900. most of which will be ex-
pended within the present year. There is in addi-
ton, more than 100000 Of old debt still hanging
over the company, and which they were forbidden
to pay out of the $500 900 authorized to be raised
by the last Legislature. This debt has greatly EN-.
barrassed the company in their operations, and it
cannot be longer postponed. The interest of the
company, therefore, we'll justice and fair deal
ing, alike demand that the payment Of this debt
should at once be provided for. To pay this debt
and put the works in successful operation will re-
quire not less than $3OO.OOO. in addition to the
amount heretofore appropriated. The whole expen-
dure, therefore, would be million of dollars
small amount when compared with the magnitude
| and value Of this improvement When completed
in proper manner it will, without doubt, pay
handsome dividend upon much larger amount
How the additional aid required to complete this
truly State-work is to be given the company cheer
| fully submit to the wisdom and patriotism of the
Legislature, confident that they will allow it any
longer to langush for want of proper support much
less that they will allow it to pass into other hand.
! than those of her own citizens
have thus discharged, very imperfectly fear
the duty assigned me by the Board of Directors,
beg to assure you Of the high consideration will
which have the honor to be
Very truly yours.