The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-08-07

CORRESPONDENCE OF rHs RICHMOND DAILY DrspAroa

CORRESPONDENTS OF The RICHMOND DAILY DrspAroa.
RED SULPHUR SPRINGS
In twoprevious letters have given free sketches
OF two voyages on New River. These VOYAGES were
made partly for pleasure and partly to gratify a
curiosity have always had to see the course and
capacity Of that stream more fully than / had. In
order to give my own opinion after this examina-
tiop, have thought proper TO write this bref let
ter by way OF appendix to the preceding
My opinion know is entitled to no great weight
but 1t may go for what it is worth | think that
New River is 80 nearly navigsbe that had its
course been northeast south east il would long
aso have swarmed with small steamers. 1t has a
plenty OF water, aud its generally narrow and
rocky bed affords every opportunity for its con-
centratlok.
The chief difficulties between the Central Depot
and the mouth of Greenbrier River lie ia a length
OF fifteen miles from French's Mill. They are the
falls at that mill those at the narrows at Peters
Mountain, mcClarity's aud those AT Thompson and
Ciarke'S MILL AT each of these, locks and dams
will be indispensable. McCoy's Falls, three miles
above the New River Springs, will also require a
lock and dam. Save these, there need be no lock-
lug and damiDg L think. In the whole distance
fsom the Central Depot to the mouth of Green
Srier, the stern wheel steamer can easily traverse
all other rapids and rifles On our Western wa
ters these boats arc much used, as they are in
California. They Qflen draw not more than 10
inches OF water, am informed.
As TO how much it would cost to build those five
LOCKS, am unable TO say Nor can undertake
40 speculate on the cost Of cutting sluices in the
lodges OF the rifles and removing tue loose rocks
out OF the channels. All do say is, that the
work Is practicable-that the water is abundaut-
and that in no other western stream can naviga.
ton be maintained 30 steadily through the whole
year rs New River. Ii is tor others to ascertain
the cost-to ascertain the demand tor the improve
nent. But do say that it is to be deplored that
30 noble a stream should be entirely useless rem.
aerng no aid or benefit to the people living on it,
save that ito waters are made TO turn two small
mills In n distance of 50 miles. The river opce
Davigable, it would become great tributary to
the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad aud the
James River and kanawha Canal. Its tribute
would be anDusly and greatly increased; for
though it has very limited low grounds, its high
auds fertile, often wonderfully SO.
A railroad from the Virginia aud Tennessee
Railroad to the Covington and Ohio Railroad,
would Of course cause the abandonment Of tho
Improvement Of the river. But that would bring
INTO use the water power of the river to great ad.
vantage to the conutry it traverses, for purposes
Of manufacturing.
The river is great power, now Idle and useless.
rhe AuestoA what 10 To be done with il and for IL,
Is QUE of great interest. Any that contributes
10 the discussion and helps to direct the public
attention to the subject is l hink, doing public
.ervice. | hope To see In ny day the proper mea,
sures adopted, and TO this nobie river convert
I'd to the public benefs, alive with industry and
activity, every where presenting scsnes OF enter
prize aud thrift. A. b. y.