The Washington herald., 1907-08-04
He Urged improvement of Potomac Epen Before
Revolution Company Undertook the Project in
1885 -MatiIdapiIIe, at Great Falls, Expected to
Be the Metropolis of the Locks Remain.

l7S4. for the Potomac Company authoriz-
ing the stockholders to secure capital
to improve the navigation of the Potomac
River from tide water 10 a point on the
North Branch by clearing a channel IN
the stream, or by cutting canals around
Obstructions, with necessary locks and
buildings, and to charge fixed tolls for
the passage Of loaded boats at three
given points; work to be commenced
within one year, to be completed between
Cumberland and Great Falls within three
years; to tide water within ten years.
Maryland and Virginia Subscribe.
Each State subscribed TO fifty shares
of the stock. Virginia voted her shares
to Washington, who accepted the gift in
trust for educational purposes; at the
same time the two States jointly APP
propriated S6,666 for opening and keeping
in repair a highway TO connect with the
Western river at whatever point the
commissioners appointed for the purpose
might select as most convenient and
beneficial to the Western settlers. Wash
ington urged the purchase of stock by
his friends, being firmly convinced they
f-tNfA NlA44A4GLNA1 4f0llaE bhf4 ~ bNA cent
on the investment Four hundred and
three shares We're at once subscribed
giving the company q working capital of
over S2O0000. In the first election OF
officers Washington was chosen presi-
dent, with Thomas Johnson. Simeon Lee.
John Fitzgerald, and George Gilpin di-
rectoTs. James Rumsev. celebrated
mechanician. familiar with the river. was
secured as superintendent, and prelimi-
nary work was commenced at once. This
same James Rumsey. on December IL,
l7Sl. exhibited TO Washington and others
assembled at Shepherdstown a loaded
boat propelled by steam. which made
/ four miles against the strong current OF
the stream in an hour, and might prob
ably have done eight miles had not the
/ freezing Of water in the pipes broken
them 50 that they had 70 be tied up
with rags The most important impede
ments 20 navigation in the Potomac were
at the mouths of Seneca Creek and the
Shenandoah River. the rapids Of Little
Falls, and the cataract at Great Falls.
where, III the course Of a mile, there is
"a fail of seventy feet. At the first TWO
| points It was decided 20 clear channels
| IN the stream; workmen were blasting
and removing powders in the summer of
| l1S5 and until the fan freshets drove
them 10 the more serious undertaking at
the TWO other points.
Difficult to Get WOrkmen.
Competent workmen We're secured with
much dihiculty. even with the induce
ments of unusually good pay and ample
supplies of Spirits; finally slave labor
was employed On October Is, l7S5. the
| board OF directors met at Great Falls
for a two days session. We may be sure
there was earnest discussion of the prob
/ lens before them. The meeting was ad-
! journed to the following March, when an
accurate draft of the track for the canal
could be made. with the courses and dis
/ tances, and different risings and fallings
F in the ground should be prepared for
/ their consideration. A year later an ex-
/ tension Of the time allowed for com
/ pledon of the work from Cumberland tC
/ Great Falls was asked and granted.
Political conditions in the new republic
were very unsettled, money was becom-
/ ing scarcer and scarcer. and men were
/ becoming discouraged. Some probably re.
called with regret the prosperous days ot
English dominion Public improvements
would be OF doubtful benefit. il was said
Many subscribers to the Potomac stocI
hesitated to pay their assessments. En-.
thusiasm in the project seemed to have
waned and only with much difficulty
could sufficient funds be raised to prose
cute the work. Yet the directors per
severed, and by the fall of 17SS LOADED
boats could pass from Cumberland t,
Great Rails. and the way was open t,
tide water in 1892.
When Washington again went into tn,
public service as first President under tn,
Constitution, the affairs OF the Potoma,
company languished even more sadly
for his had been the animating spirit tina
moved things Yet in a letter addresse,
to Thomas Jefferson from Mount Vernon
dated February L. 17S9, We find Wash
ingtop's enthusiasm unabated:
Wherever the produce Of the parts Of the c7uutr
bordering the sources Of the Potomac and con
tguous 70 the long rivers that run into it partic7
larry the Shenandoah and South Branch) shall b
water bourne down TO tide water for exp0rtation
conceive this place Great Falls must become yer
valuable. From the c0nveniancy Of the basin
little above the spot where the locks are 20 b
placed and from the induceneut which VIII be sr
per-added By several fine mill seats cannot enter
tain a doubt Of the establishment Of a town j
| that place. Indeed, mercantile people are desirou
that the event should take place soon as possible
| Manufactures OF various commodities and in ior,
particularly. win doubtless be carried on ther
70 advantage. The mill seats I know have Ion
been considered as very valuable ones Probabi
Georgetown and this place viii participate lareel
and happily in the great emOluments 10 be derive
through the inland navigation Of the upper an
western country.
Town Named MatiIdaviIIe.
The new town was plotted near the ba
sin. and many sales of lots in Matilda