Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-04-27

diameter are bored down into the stump and pene
trate from four to fifteen feet below the surface of
the EARTH and generally not less than ten. These
holes are filled with powder and plugged up and
slow matches applied and in few moments an ex-
plosion follows which scatters the giant into thous
and fragments from the very bottom of the root up
Some half dozen large gum and cypress stumps were
blown up in our presence The smaller stumps, to-
gether with the roots, are drawn up by the immense
dredging machines, of which there are nine on the
work. These machines are all operated by steam
The engines are twenty horse power, and so geered
as to increase that power thirty-fve fold TIE dip
pers draw up ton of matter at every dip, and are
worked with considerable rapidity and as sug-
gested by Gov. Ellis it is surprising that they are
not used in making excavations for Railroads. The
average depth of water in the Canal will be- when
completed eight feet and the average width sixty
live. No where in the rivers or sounds did we find
less than eight feet of water and oener fifteen than
otherwise that vessels of eight feet draft will find
safe passage through these waters when the work is
completed.
The land On either side of the Canal is rich and
destined to be exceedingly valuable. The company
own about six thousand acres oft which is now cov-
cred with dense forest of gum, cypress and pine.
The soil consists chiefly of rich vegetable matter
resting on subsoil of clay and sand thus indica-
ting its superior advantages for agricultural purpo-
ses The Canal ITSELF with the aid of bitches cut
here and there, will drain every acre of this land,
and thus render it all perfectly available The great
abundance of shells in the neighborhood will afford
at very cheap rates supplies of lime; and l do
not hesitate to predict that every of this vast
swamp will in few years be brought into successful
cultivation and will be as valuable farming lands as
any portion of Virginia or North Carolina; for in
climate soil and facilities for transportation of pro-
duce to market it cannot be eXcelled by any other
section of our country.
We passed down North-Landing River, "a beauti-
full stream) twenty miles, and entering Currtuck
Sound, crossed over to Crawford (Currituck C. H.
where we remained all night. The Sound is a beau
tiful sheet of water, ten to fifteen miles broad
and was surprised to find it entirely bare of ship
ping except two small crafts lying off Knots Island
but ought not to have been surprised for it has
really no inlet from the ocean.
On Wednesday morning. having been Joined by
Hon. H. NJ. Shaw and Col John B. Jones-two of
the Directors the part of the State-and several
other gentlemen, we went on board our little Cayp
so again, and put out. Crossing the Sound to Coin
jock Bay, We entered the second canal and going
five miles through it. entered North River far no
bier stream than had any idea North Carolina con-
tanned within her boundary. Down this magnifi-
cent river we steamed till within full view of Pow
ellis Point, and in the waters of the Albemarle
Sound, when We turned back and reached Crawford
about five O'Clock, where tarred till the next
morning and then set out for Portsmouth, reaching
there about o'clock, P. NJ of the same day.
At Coinock there is boarding boat. under the
superintendent of Mrs Campbell, thrifty, lively,
and active lady, who treated us to hot coffee biscuit
butter sweet potatoes, &C., in abundance. Full of
life and animation herself she inspires everybody
around her with the same spirit and feeds them
we'll
Capt. Parks had provided abundant comforts for
the inner man. and those, too of the most superior
quality. Modcsty forbids my mentioning gallant
assault which somebody made upon an enormous
ham, cured by Mr.. Todd, Of Smithfeld. Suffice it.,
every man did his duty.
On our return to Crawford we found Mr.. NJ Court
right, of New York, who had arrived in Portsmouth
after our departure, and come through by land to
meet Mr. c. is the head of the firm of contract
ors for the whole of this work, and well have they
performed their contract, so far. They have dis
| played a zeal and energy which would brook no
hindrance, hesitate at no difficulty. and knew no
such word as fail, and the amount of work already
performed and that being carried on every day,
is truly astonishing
may state, that this is unquestionably one of the
greatest and most important works of internal i'm.
provement in the State, and as before remarked its
importance is not confined to even two States
1t eminenty deserves, and trust will receive the
fostering aid ard care of this State for Virginia
never has and never will put forth helping hand
1t is emphatically, therefore, North-CaroIna work
| of national importance and it is subject of con
graduation that Marshall Parks is at the head of it
| for there is no more fit man in the country.
| On olr return. to Portsmouth, we visited the
Pennsylvania, and Gov. Ellis received salute O
thirteen guns. Commodore Chatard conducted us
over the whole ship and treated us with great dea
of courtesy. In the evening Capt. Parks took u:
round the City Of Norfolk in carriages to show u.
the City. and thus We're indebted to him fo
every thing that kind attention and thoughtf!lnes.
could suggest to make our entire visit pleasant one
There are several other matters might embrace
E this letter, but the fear Of making it too long
strains me. l WILL therefore, conclude.
j. F. S.