The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-08-21
The New River Below Central.

The New River Below Central.
The Richmond Enquirer, referring 10 the inte-
resting letters from New River of our correspond
ent "a D. c." has the following on the New River
below Central, q town on the Virginia and Tennes.
see Railroad:
Is "a. B. c." in the "Dispatch,7 has given ms
some interesting letters from the New River, down
which be "padded bis own canoe" We are also
on q voyage OF discovery, and felt deep interest
In the fate of q fellow traveller amongst these
adventurous scenes. Mr.. G. has opened out spen-
did mine for investigation and future development
Our trip to the kanawha, this time, will post MP
upon the matter; but since It is one to which We
had devoted the coming months, we will follow us
MIR. C.'s letters with few hints. which may
awaken some interest in this almost unknown
river. ~ 7sas
The New River, from Central to the mouth of
Greenbrier, 10 rapid and the fall 10 comparatively
great. But an advantage lies in the fact, that
tho falls are confined to localities and DAMS there
fore will ouly be required to those FALLS
more than tor the purpose of back water, since
large portion of the river at present deep enough
fDr navigation, with small steamboats,, aud only
re9aire che removal OF 9 fsw hedges and boulders
Il 10 estimated that 81 900 900 would prepare New
river from the mouth OF the Greenbrier to Central
distance Of 80 miles, for such boats as generally
navigate the upper waters OF the Ohio, or between
Psrkersburg and Pittsburg. The chaunelis gene
rally narrow, and consequently the water is
deeper than may be expected in wider rivers, even
with more wafer! Bot there is nothing, We are
told which may induce US to make this river nayi.
gable. That the produce will not 60 down and that
the region through which the river passes is not
productive enough to guarantee the Expenditure Of
oneTtenths of million. But we can easily show
whence the produce, whence the freight, and the
trafnc to come FROM Only make such a navisa.
tion - will admit of tho steamboats, of the Ohio,
or the lesser rivers Of the West, and the came
trade will come up this river to Central that we
anticipate for the james river and Kama wha canal,
or the Covington and Ohio road. From the mouth
Of the Greenbrter to Central ia about eighty mies
and from Central to Lynchburg it 10 only ninety
seven miles, making total distance of one hun
dred ana seyenfy-seven miles, of which eighty 10
Dy river navigation, the cheapest mode of inland
trans operation, except on lakes and only reauir-
Ing one million Of dollars to put it into navigable
order.
1 s BY the Covington aud Ohio road It will be ono
hundred and thirty.six miles to Covineton. and
from thence one hundred miles or more 10 Tyuch.
bnrg-so In any case this 10 the best and shortest
route that can be found from the waters Of tho
west TO the Atlantc-and after all . complete va
Yer line would be our choice, since IL is not only
nearer, but II would be ipfnitely less expensive,
yof, Instead OF hfteep Million one million Of dollars
N0eia 90. This u within our reach, and this We
can sceomrlirh and uniess greater efferts are
made 70 push forward the Central water line 10
the kAnAwhA. and that NJ once that inproy I'm ont
VIII pc numbered with those that have died a al,
teidai death-self sacTifced and abandoned. Tho
portage yfrvm Central to the canal Ct Buchanan
WQnld aot Be. more than seventy i've miles, nor
more than atnety-sevsn to LynchburR. This at
Ter 10 worthy the attention Of people, for wepas,
0et tothe West, aud live cannot 60 one way we
win 80 another.