though such is their eommou appella
tion. The two first of these kind of slui
ces are formed on erroneous principles,
and have failed to render any service to
the navigation of the river. The errors
in the first requiring detail, will be pre
sently explained. The errors in the se
cond kind, or in excavating channels in
the bottom of the stream, consist in at
tempting, on a long line of a stream, in
clining all the way in its whole length, to
regulate the depth by partial cutting or
deepening the bottom. Unless you bring
water to a level the whole length of the
line of its stream, any partial cutting or
deepening in spots along the line, so in
clined, only serves to transpose a shallow
a little further up the line, or to make
hollow basons oi no service. And in a
river where the chief failure in its naviga
tion arises from the too long and too fre
quent deficiency of depth of water neces
sary for boating, owing to the great incli
nation of the plane of its stream, and to
its consequent rapid discharge of water,
if you smooth the plane by removing all
obstructions, the rapidity will of course
be increased, and the sooner will the de
ficiency in the depth be felt. The low
dam or walling plan of improvement,
though the opposite in its effect to the
one described, and not so radically errone
ous on general principles, is no less so in
its application to such a river as Potomac.
To make this manifest, some detail of
the circumstances in which they are used
and placed, is necessary. The ruins of
this kind of work are to be seen some dis
tance above Cumberland, not, however,
reaching to Savage river, and extend at
greater or less intervals to where the ge
neral depth of water is considerably in
creased, becoming more and more rare,
as the water is more abundant. They
consist in low dams running across from
shore to shore, elevated about IS inches
or two feet from the bottom, and made of
rounded stone picked up out of the bed
of the river, of the size that a man can
conveniently handle, the greater part not
larger than a man’s head, and raised on
a broad basis of from 10 to 20 feet in
width. This transverse low wall or dam
is usually connected with two walls about
the same height, but built on a narrower
basis of from six to eight feet, placed pa
rallel to each other, and to the shores, at
the distance of 20 feet from each other,
through which passage, by a gap in the
transverse dam, it is intended to force the
current of the river, and to deepen the
water by collecting it into this artificial
channel. The number of these trans
verse walls, connected, as stated, with 20
-JCaittjt slniras* on the xlv^r, ver>?» great,
but it was not thought necessary to count
them. Indeed, in such a state of ruin
were the greater part of them found that
they were difficult to be distinguished
from the numerous fish-dams found along
the whole course of the river. A few,
but not enough, of them were in a suffi
cient state of preservation to be examined
and to afford the means of ascertWiing
how far they were calculated to aM;wer
the ends intended. The commissioners
are not prepared to say what might be
the effect of this kind of walling on other
rivers, but they are well assured that the
river Potomac cannot be usefully confined
by such contrivances, even if they were
made in the best manner of which that
kind of walling is susceptible. The bot
tom of the river, which forms the drain
of a most mountainous region of such
wide extent, is very unequal in its level,
and abounds in shallows and basons, ac
cording to its obduracy or softness, and
to the increased or diminished force of
the current; sometimes weakened by ex
panding in widened plains, or in the for
mation of islands ; sometimes increased
by contraction between mountains and
rocky banks, and above all by its flowing
so rapidly, in consequence of the great
ness ol its fall compared to its length.—
The result from such circumstances on
this kind of work, situated in the bed of
such a river, is, that these walls cannot
be made sufficiently permanent, and if
they could, so very many of them, would
be required to attain even a trifling depth,
that the benefit would be infinitely too
dear, or an absolute waste of money.-—
These walls, from their nature, cannot be
tight, but if they could be made so, and
the whole body of the water in such a
river could be confined to a chanuel of 20
ieet, the velocity ol the current rushing
through these short channels, with full
room to spretd after it has passed,would
be increased'in proportion to its confine
ment. And the whole volume of water
in the river in the summer and dry sea
sons, especially above the south branch,
would not be sufficient to give the depth
required by boats of sufficient size to be
useful in transportation. Where the quan
tity of water in this river is much increas
ed by the larger tributaries, in order to
give 18 inches depth, and less would be
of no use, it would be necessary to con
tinue the parallel walls much further than
they have ever yet been attempted, so as
to give them a length sufficient to reach
O' er the whole extent of continued shal
lows, which were found in places to cover
3 and 4 miles, i he effect of lengthening
the sluice walls would be in some mea
sure to lessen the velocity, and of course
t» increase the depth of the current, but
*
tfefc evils are mu ah too great to be usefully
remedied by the small effects which could
be produced by these means, if it were
practicable to give durability to walls so
built and so placed. Walls of this kind,
when drawn so long, and winding and
bending, as would be necessary to follow
the course of the current, would be objec
tionable for other reasons independent of
the increased cost and increased liability
to destruction : such as the extreme diffi
culty of guiding a boat with sufficient
accuracy in these narrow' confined tor
rents so as to prevent her striking and
bilging against or over the side walls in
descending;* and in ascending them, her
progress would be very much retarded by
the increased force of the current conse
quent on its confinement. Now on the
supposition of a large proportion of the
distance being so confined, many weeks
would be added to the length of time con
sumed in a trip to and from market, al
ready inconveniently long. In some pla
ces capsons would be required to be plac
ed on the banks to overcome the oppos
ing power of the current. For these rea
sons, and from the experience already
had of the perishable nature and trilling
utility of this sort of work, it appears
that it would be idle to attempt any thing
in future of this kind.
LOCK AND DAM NAVIGATION.
j Another mode is by some relied upon,
to improve the navigation of this river
in consequence of its supposed greater
cheapness, than a canal properly so call
ed, and consists in deepening the water
in the bed of the river, sufficiently for the
purposes of navigation by high dams of
large stone and solid construction, with a
lock or two locks to each dam, and a
short canal for the purposes of descend
ing aud ascending each level.
This mode has many and great incon
veniences inseparable from it; the most
important objection to it is the greater
ex peasCveness of the kind of navigation
which alone it affords, that is, in boats
managed by men instead of boats drawn
by horse; besides this general objection,
many reasons may be adduced to shew
why it cannot be advantageously adopted
on the Potomac River; the general width
of this river is too great, the fall is also
to® considerable, and the alluvial mar
gins which alternate from the right to
the left bank of the river, the whole
length of its course to tide water, and
which vary in elevation from fifteen to
thirty feet, would, in high water, without
enormous expense, form insecure abut
ments to the dams ; this kind of margin
being formed of loose earth, of CQtppara
tive recent formation, would, when ob
structions are placed in the bed of the ri
ver, be liable to be forced and washed
away at the extremities of the dams;
the dams themselves, although ever so
solidly built, would require frequent re
pairs; the fall in the river from Cumber
land to tide water being about 537 feet,
would require about 53 dams, as the
banks would not admit of a greater eleva
tion being to the dams than 10 feet, with
out great risk of damaging the marginal
property, and of increasing the liability
to frequent injuries to the dams them
selves,! each dam would require a lock
of the same lift as the dam, and also an
entering canal with a guard lock,T>f con
siderable elevation, to be used in high
water; add to these the danger of being
thrown by the current over the dams,
however judiciously located, below the
guard lock, and the inconveniences,
which would arise in high water; taking
all these disadvantageous circumstances
into the account, consider the number of
dams, locks, &c. and their great length
from 100 to 800 yards, and the necessary
solidity required in their construction,
and then calculate the other incidental
expenses, the whole amount would be
nearly equal to a regular built canal, and
the advantag.es would be infinitely less.
Upon a full view of the different plans
therefore, it cannot for a moment be
doubted, but that the adoption of a regu
lar canal out of the river, though folio w
ing its ravine, will be the most useful and
durable improvement, and when the ad
vantages and cost of each mode are rela
tively considered, incomparably the
cheapest. 1 he canal which, under all
circumstances, the commissioners have
thought best calculated to suit the loca
lities of Potomac River, on which our
estimates are founded, is one 30 feet wide
at top, 20 feet at bottom, and 3 feet deep ;
the earth to be thrown out next to the ri
ver, to form a tow-path elevated two
feet or thereabouts above the level of the
water in the canal, and the track of the
tow path to be 10 feet wide. The level
of the canal to be generally elevated
above the highest floods, except when it
is found necessary to take in a supply of
* The greater part of wrecks which of
late years have occurred, according to
imformation along the rivers, were in
consequence of the boats being dashed
against the sluice walls.
fLock and Dam, is the kind of naviga
tion adopted on the Schuylkill river, but
that is a small narrow river, with high
banks; and much damage it is said has
been done to marginal property, in conse
quence of the dam.
water from the river, or to pass expen
sive ground along a rocky shore; thirty
feet, it is supposed, is the necessary
width to admit the passage of two boats
of sufficient size to carry 25 tons, and to
admit of a small platform on the bow of
the boat, sufficient to take a horse in upon,
as that in two places would be necessary,
where, it has been found expedient to
cross the river by means of a dam to
avoid too expensive cutting or walling.
In order to ascertain the practicability
and cost of this plan, the commissioners
have had the assistance of the late Engi
neer of the state of Virginia, on whose
sound practical judgment and knowr
ledge entire reliance may be placed, more
especially after the test his estimates
have undergone on that part of the James
River, where part of the canal be had
designed, has been completed.* And it
has been there found, that contractors
and undertakers in sufficient number can
be obtained from various parts of the
United States, to undertake the works at
the estimated cost, whenever the states
think proper to authorise the cutting of
a canal. The report and calculations on
this plan made from Mr. Moore’s field
notes, by Mr. Isaac Briggs, who has
been appointed his successor, as far as
we proceeded before the adjournment,
occasioned by the serious sickness of the
greater part of the Commissioners and
of the Engineers and Surveyors; that is,
about half a mile below Goose Creek,
and since to tide water, are herewith pre
sented, and shew the utmost probable
cost of such a canal for that distance ;
platts of the courses of the river and ca
nal will likewise accompany the plan and
calculations, and all be hereto annexed.
The commissioners have endeavored,
in their examination of the manner and
costs of improving this river, to take as
complete a view of the subject as circum
stances would permit. So as to present
to the legislature such a representation
as would enable them without losing
sight of the ulterior advantages which
must grow out of a canal so located, and
out of the consequent future ramifica
tions and extension of which it will ne
cessarily be the parent, as to be able to
shew, not only the entire cost of the under
taking as far as the national road at Cum
berland, but the cost of so much as may
now appear within the limits of the ways
and means of the tpvo states. With this
view they directed the engineer in the
outset, to make his calculations of the
surveyed route in sections, so as to shew
the whole cost of each section from one
important point to another, along its
whole course. This they supposed would
place the commencement of this great
work completely within the reach of the
resources of the states, as whether the
canal commenced for the present at Cum
berland, and descended the river where
the greatest obstructions to navigation
are found as far as Williams’ Port; or
at tide water, and ascended the river,
every section, when completed, would
add to the whole value of the commerce
and soil of the states, and therefrom
something would at once be received in
tolls. The level and survey of the whole
course being at once ascertained and de
cided, any part of the work likely to afford
the greatest benefit Sc profit might be com
pleted in such a manner as to be united
with the remainder without addition of
cost, or any derangement of the plan.—
This partial cutting in sections, would
enable the states to keep their expendi
tures within reasonable bounds, and to
guard against the necessity of oppressive
burthens. At the same time that they
would lay the foundation of an improve
ment, which when extended across the
mountains and completed, it is no vain
boast to say will be of greater impor
tance than any other of which the topo
graphy of the United States is suscepti
ble. [to be continued.]
* Mr. Isaac Briggs, the present Engi
neer, was himself a contractor for the cut
ting of a part of the James River Canal,
which has been completed, and can expe
rimentally attest their correctness.
Printing -PressThe London Courier
of December 8th, says*—-“A newly in
vented printing press, called the British
and Foreign Printing Machine, was ex
hibited a few days ago to a numerous bo
dy of printers and scientific men, who
expressed themselves highly satisfied
with its extraordinary powers. It ap
pears admirably calculated for the print
ing of books, newspapers, and, in fact,
for every description of work that can be
done by machinery. In velocity of move
ment it rivals steam printing machines,
and far excels them in clearness of im
pression and goodness of register. Two
men and three boys were enabled to
print at the rate of 25 sheets in a mi
nute, every impression being remarkably
clear and perfect. The Patentee, we
understand, is Mr. T. Miller, of 76 Fleet
street.”
It is said that the members of the legis
lature of Illinois'have also nominated and
intend to support Mr. Ci.ay, as a suitable
person to succeed Mr. Monroe in the
presidency of the United States.
LATE FEOM^OLe-AKiJ NEW SPAIN* ’
OH RI.r.STON, JAN- 16. ,
By the schr. Eudora, Capt; Brookings^
arrived last evening .n 1° class from Ha<
vana, we have received from our obliging,
correspondent, the Gazettes oi that place.
to the 4th inst. They contain extracts,
from OKI and Ne\v Spain, of lates da.es
than before received. 'I he Cadiz ac
counts are to the 14th of Nov. and Irom
Vera Cruz they are to the 14th uit.
The accounts given in the Havana pa
pers from Madrid, although brought
down to the 15th of Nov. do not appear,
from a hasty perusal, to be of much in
terest.
Under date oi c,acuz zaaii iNovemucr,
a private letter says, “ I have just heard
by a patroon in 10 days from Barcelona,
that the facticmists of Catalonia have eva
cuated Seo de Urg'el, the national troops
having presented themselves in that
neighborhood and occupied the place.”
The Spanish schr. Amiable Teresa,
which arrived at Havana on the 27th uit.
brought accounts from Mexico to the
m iddle of Dec. By these, it appears that
Gen. Davilla, the former Commandant
of Vera Cruz, was to sail from that port
shortly after her—that Iturbide was still
in Jalapa, where he had an interview with
Gen. Santa Ana, who, having been badly
received, and ordered to proceed under
arrest to Mexico, immediately returned
to Vera Cruz, where he has since, at the
head of his troops, PROCLAIMEI) THE
REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT, and
has published, under date of the 3d uIt.
a long manifestoe to the Mexican nation,
and on the 6th, he also published a letter
to Iturbide, in which he details the ser
vice he had rendered, to make him em
peror, hut finding that he had infringed
upon his oath, and the treaties of Igoala
and Cordova, he was now obliged to pro
claim the Republic, which he did among
2000 bayonets, and the most sincere ap
plause and vivas. This spirit of opposi
tion to Iturbide, had also extended itself
into the interior of Mexico, and Gen San
ta Ana, has been joined by several divi
sions of the army. A flag of truce was
sent to the Castle of St. Juan de Ulu.a, by
>Gen. Santa Ana, but the only answer
received was, that a more liberal inter
change between the Castle and the city
would be acceded to.
Immediately after the change of Go
vernment at Vera Cruz, the exportation
of specie, &c. was permitted under the
regulations of the 22d March, 1822.
On the 10th December Gen. Santa
Ana left Vera Cruz, to attack Echevarri,
Governor of Jalapa, who was at Soledad,
short of provisions. On the 4th, the regi
ment No. 6 marched from the City of
Mexico, for San Luis, where the republi
can standard had also been raised under
the Marquis of Jaral.
The U. S. corvette John Adams, Capt.
Renshaw, arrived at Havana the day be
fore the Eudora sailed, last from Tampi
co.—The U. S. schooner Revenge, Lt.
Levy, had been cruising on the coast of
Florida, in co. with the U. S. revenue
schooner Louisiana, Capt. Jackson, and
was, when last heard from, at Matanzas.
VOICE OF MAINE.
PORTLAND, JAN. 17.
At a meeting composed of most of the
members of both Branches of the Legis
lature of the State of Maine, holden
at the representatives’ chamber, in Port
land, on the evening of the 16th January,
1823, pursuant to previous notice—Hon.
John McDonald was called to the chair,
and J. L. Child, Esq. appointed Secreta
ry.—The following preamble and resolu
tion were proposed and unanimously
adopted, viz:
W hereas it has been represented that
the people of this state are in favor of
the Hon. Wm. Crawford for the next
President; and it being proper to correct
any false impression on this subject;
therefore,
Resolved, That this convention enter
tain the highest respect for the distin
guished talents and public services of
the Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
and do fully believe that no man posses
ses better qualifications for the important
office of President of the United States;
but as the election of president will not
take place for a considerable time to
come, this convention do not deem it ex
pedient to make a formal nomination of
.any person as candidate for that station.
Ordered, that the proceedings of this
convention be published in all the news
papers in this town, signed by the chair
man, and attested by the Secretary.
JOHN MCDONALD, Chairman.
Attest, James L. Childs, Secretary.
WEEKLY ALMANAC.
JAN. ik FEB.
1823.
29 Wednesday
30 Thursday
31 Friday
1 Saturday
2 Sunday
3 Monday
4 Tuesday
SUN
RISES,
6 57
6 56
6 55
6 54
6 53
6 52
6 51
SUN
SETS,
MOON S
PHASES.
« O “
oo O o ?
03 ^ ^
» P 3
co *
&