USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historical sketches of the ten miles square forming the District of Columbia : with a picture of Washington, describing objects of general interest or curiosity at the metropolis of the Union. > Part 27
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897
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
As to what regards the total value of the maximum of trade which can be borne on the canal, we can offer nothing more than conjectures, and in such case the field is vast: therefore, we are far from pretending to offer here any result which can be considered as within reasonable limits of exactness. We have, therefore, but some views of a very general nature to submit on this point.
The maximum of annual trade, from West to East, accor- ding to the calculations above, will consist-
Ist, Of 14,400 boats, carrying each 60 tons, and together, tons, 864,000
21, Of 120,000 tons for the Eastern Section, of
the products of the first and second class, coal excepted, -
120,000
Total, tons, 984,000
Which, at the rate of sixty dollars per ton, price adopted in the preceding calculations, will give $59,040,000 3d, 150,000 tons of coal, at the rate of 7 dollars each, 1,050.000
Total of the maximum of annual trade which can pass from West to East on the canal, - And, as the trade from East to West, on the re- turn trade may be supposed equal in value to the above, or to - 60,000,000
$60,090,000
It follows that the maximum of trade which can pass in both directions, will be, in one year, $120,150,000 Before terminating these considerations on the physical ad- vantages produced by the canal, we think that, in strict justice to this work, we should submit the following observations, having for objeet to show, that the general results above pre- sented are below the truth, and must be regarded as mini- mum quantities.
1st. All our calculations have been based on the popula- tion of the census of 1820, while, in strictness, they should have been made on the probable population which will exist at the period when the canal will go into operation. But, in supposing that the canal be commenced in 1827, it can scarce- ly be completed before 1838: at this period, our population, at the present rate of increase, will be above one-half more than it was in 1820.
2
398
فضاء
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
2d. We have not taken into account the contemplated cana! from Pittsburg to Lake Erie, and which may be considered the continuation of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, as far as this Lake. The Chesapeake being then united with Lake Erie by a water communication of about 460 miles in extent, (a distance nearly equal to that from the port of Erie to Alba- ny,) all the territory bordering on the great Lakes, with the exception of Ontario, must participate in the trade of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Combined with this work, the Ohio and Erie Canal would have offered results much more favorable than those we have presented, in the comparisons which we have made between the expense of construction, on the one hand, and, on the other, the augmentation of territo- vial value; the successive increase of products; the extension of trade, both inland and foreign; and the revenue, strictly so called, of the work. These results would have been by so much the more advantageous, as, taking an equal distance, the Ohio and Erie Canal will be much less expensive than the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
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3d. Neither have we spoken, by anticipation, of the advan- tages to be afforded to this work by the proposed canal from Georgetown to Baltimore, and of which the surveys, at pre- sent in execution, promise the most favorable results.
4th. In the estimation of the return trade, one-fifth would have been nearer to the truth, than one-tenth; but, in adopt- ing this last proportion, our object has been to keep ourselves as to the revenge of the canal,as near as possible to the minimum
5th. Finally, in all our computations, we have taken care to compare, separately, the expense of construction of the whole canal, and that of the Eastern and Western Sections taken together. Our object, in thus proceeding, was, to show how unfavorable to the different results was the Middle Section, which, being only the fifth part of the length of the canal, still counts for five-elevenths of the expense of the whole. Our object has also been to shew how desirable it is that proper investigations should be made to determine, as has been before suggested in this report, the comparative ad- vantage between a canal and a mail-wav, to connect Cumber- land with the mouth of Casselman's river.
Before leaving this subject, we hope to be permitted to ex- press our acknowledgement to General Walter Smith, of Georgetown, D. C. for the zeal and care with which he has kindly furnished us with data which were indispensable for forming the foregoing calculations Without these data, it would have been impossible to have given to this subject of our report the extent which its importance deserves.
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599
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Having terminated this rapid view of the physical advanta- ges offered by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, it only remains for us, in conclusion, to submit some ideas on the other advan- tages which will result from the execution of this work.
One of the most important results of the acquisition of Louisiana, has been, to afford to the country West of the Al- leghany, an outlet to the sea. The tide of emigration then flowed towards those fertile regions, and their population now increases with a rapidity to which no other country can fur- nish a parallel. Already a part of this population finding itself placed at too great a distance from the Gulf, and the amount of its productions heing considerable, demands new outlets; that by the Mississippi is not sufficient for them; they require more. A chain of mountains of secondary rank, such as the Alleghanies, cannot bar the progress of a nation so en- terprising as ours, and still less darken the future prospects of this great federal empire. This chain should be broken at every point where it is practicable, and the most prudent policy appears to be to hasten in the execution.
The State of New York, in turning this chain to the North, has shown the first example; and, while in reward of its en- terprise, its prosperity advances with rapid strides, the illus- trious citizen whose elevated views especially advanced this great work, has enrolled his name on the list of the benefac- tors of his country.
But, scarcely has this communication through the State of New York gone into entire and active operation, before it is perceived that, in a short time, it will not be sufficient to satis- fy the demands made upon it. Thus, a few years will have sufficed to produce results which exceed what the most san- guine hopes could have anticipated. This fact, taken alone, proves that new communications will become indispensable.
New York and New Orleans are, at the present time, the only points towards which the products of the West can be economically directed. But, these two points, placed, the one to the North, the other to the South, have each a certain sphere of action, which cannot extend beyond certain limits, and there remains between their respective commercial range, if we may use this expression, a large extent of our territory, which, on account of its too great distance from each of these emporiums, is unable to transport its products to them, with profit.
These portions of our territory includes, more particularly. the States of Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illi- nois, and the Michigan Territory; to these we might bare
400
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
added the Western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania. But, limiting ourselves to the States and Territory cited, we find an extent of 250,000 square miles of fertile country, whose population amounted, in 1800, to 377,567, and in 1820, to 1,779,949. These States, if deprived of cconomical conimu- nications with the Ocean, cannot attain a reasonable degree of commercial prosperity; with the exception of cotton, they all cultivate nearly the same productions, and consequently, they cannot possess an internal trade among themselves of much activity: it is only by exporting these productions that they can, in this respect, contribute to, and participate in the whole prosperity of the Union.
In such a state of things, the question of policy is not, it seenis to us, to know if these communications will be profi- table, but, in fact, to ascertain if the number of those which are practicable, will be sufficient. We will observe, on this point, that this extent of 950,000 square miles is at least equal to the kingdoms of France and the Netherlands taken togeth- er, of which the population is not less than 35 millions of in- habitants. These two wealthy kingdoms possess, together, a development of coast of 2,500 miles, besides eight large na- vigable rivers, which form a communication between the inte- rior of the country and the Ocean. The Western States referred to, may be considered as capable to support, at a fu- ture day, a population equal to that of those kingdoms. The great fertility of the soil, and the commercial enterprise which characterises our population, leave no doubt on this head; and if proofs were, however, necessary, we need only to recollect that, at the present time, when our manufactures are yet in their infancy, our inland trade is already the third in amount of that of France, while our foreign trade is equal to that of this fine kingdom. These States will, therefore, re- quire a certain number of outlets to facilitate the exportation of all their products, and the importation of the returns; and it is doubtful if even four of these outlets will be found prac- ticable between the Juniata and the Savannah river, even by the combination of canals and rail-ways. Thus, instead of fearing that these communications will not be profitable, we should rather apprehend that, at a future day, they will be found insufficient for the passage of the trade between the West and the East. The insurmountable obstacles opposed by nature are thus the only ones which should limit our cf- forts: for, the more economical outlets we can open through this chain, the more will the resources of the West develope themselves, and the more will the East and the West become united by indissoluble bonds of a common interest.
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401
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Among these outlets, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal holds a conspicuous rank: its degree of practicability is well setiled; the relations between the expense of its construction and its physical advantages, have been established, we trust, in a sa- tisfactory manner; but it also offers other advantages, which it is important to enumerate.
It opens into the Chesapeake, whose central situation on our Atlantic coast is equally favorable for its trade with the South or with the North: and while, in time of war, this trade will find protection behind the ægis of our Naval forces in Hampton Roads, the canal will assure to our maratime estab- lishments in this quarter, abundant resources of every kind; a circumstance which will associate still more intimately the regions of the West with our destinies on the Ocean. These Naval establishments will also be placed in communication with Pittsburg, a city destined to become the great manufac- turing emporium of the West, and of which the different branches of industry will be of the greatest importance for Naval supplies.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal also enjoys, in common with all those which can be made to traverse the ridge of the Alleghany, the inestimable advantage of furnishing to the States and Territories whose exportations and importations are made through the Mississippi, a safe communication with the sea, in case the circumstances of war should close or ren- der dangerous the passage by the mouth of this great artery of the regions of the West. In order properly to appreciate the value of such an advantage, it is proper here to observe, that the coast of Louisiana does not offer any position from which our fleets can, in an effectual manner, protect the out- let of the Mississippi into the Gulf. The coast itself of Lou- isiana will soon be invulnerable, but the opening of this great river will remain always exposed to blockade as a commercial outlet. The fate of Cuba is yet uncertain, and cur establish- ments at Pensacola, unfortunately, are not of a nature to ad- mit vessels of the first classes. Thus, it is not sufficient to have defended the coast of Louisiana, and to have insured the possession of the Delta of the Mississippi: it is also neces- sary to assure to the valley of this noble river, lateral outlets to the Ocean. Without such outlets, the commerce of exten- sive districts may, in the course of events, become, as it were, entirely paralyzed, and the consequences would be beyond all description.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal not only offers the short- est outlet between the Ohio and the Atlantic, but also, coa-
402
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
nected with the contemplated canal from Pittsburg to Lake Erie, it will afford a direct communication between the upper Lakes and the Ocean, and will form a military line of opera- tions which cannot, in any circumstances, be cut off or inter- cepted. This line will join the centre of our Northern with the centre of our Atlantic frontier, and with the Capital of the Union. In time of war, it will give every facility to concen- trate, rapidly and economically, on either of these frontiers, troops and military supplies of every kind; and thus will give them, particularly the Northern frontier, a degree of strength which expensive works of defence could not procure.
Such are the principal considerations which, in our humble opinion, have appeared to us proper to demonstrate the de- gree of importance of the great work which forms the subject of the present report.
All which is respectfully submitted.
S. BERNARD, Brig. Gen. Member of the Board of Internal Improvement.
WM. TELL POUSSIN, Capt. Top. Engs. Assistant to the Board.
WILLIAM HOWARD, Civil Eng. Assistant of the Board.
Washington City, Oct. 23, 1826,
403
General Estimate.
The foregoing report is exceedingly valuable for its extensive information and scientific results -- the officers engaged in the survey, calculated on a work of uncommon solidity and strength, to last for ages; but, in the pecuniary facts, the report is somewhat at variance with the actual price of labor and materials on the Eastern section-a very considerable reduction in both items, from the of- ficial estimates of the United States Engineers, is happily so far the Inorder that the rea- der may form his own opinion of the fact, we sub- join condensed estimates of the whole line from Georgetown to Pittsburgh-
Gen. Bernard's Estimate.
Distance. Ascent and Number |Am'nt of the Descent. of Locks Estimate.
Mls. Yds
Feet.
Eastern Section, 186
00
578
74
Dollars. 8,177,051 05
Middle Section,
70 1010
196:
246
10,028,122 86
Western section
440
61
4. 170,223 78
341 1450
$155
398
22,375,427 69
Geddes and Roberts' Estimate.
Fasteru Section, as estimated by Geddes and Roberts, Mls. Chs. 40 Feet. Av. per mile io 1827 ,
156 61 $4,008,005 $213,01
Do. do
do
47 Feet. Av. per mile 4,330,991 23,239
Do. do
do
60 Feet. Av. per mile 4,479,346 23,950
$6
404
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Western section as per fore- going estimates,
153 47 $7,362,690 47,93S
Do. do
do
48 Feet. Av. per mile 7,732,661 50,347
Do.
do
do
60 Feet. Av. per mile 8,048,673 52,404
Bernard's Estimate, . Geddes and Robert's, (highest) -
$22,375,499 60 12,528,019 00
Difference,
9,847,408 69
Various acts of incorporation, &c. of the Che- sapeake and Ohio Canal, having been passed by the legislatures of Virginia, Maryland and Penn- sylvania-Congress passed three several acts, in May 1828, entitled as follows-
No 1. An act to amend and explain an act, entitled " .An act confirming an act of the Legislature of Virginia, incorpora- ting the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, and an act of the State of Maryland, for the same purpose. "-[ Appro- ved MMay 23, 1528. ]
2. An act authorizing a subscription to the stock of the Ches- apeake and Ohio Canal Company .- [Approved 24th May, 1828.]
3. An act to enlarge the powers of the several Corporations of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes .- [Approved, May 24, 1828, ] as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the Corporation of Washington, the Corporation of Georgetown, and the Corporation of Alexandria, within the District of Co- lumbia, shall severally, have full power and authority to sub- scribe and pay for shares of the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company; and all such subscriptions as shall have been already made by either of the said Corporations, shall, and the same are hereby declared to be valid and binding on the said Corporations, respectively.
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405
U. S. Law-District Subscripcions.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, that the said Corporations shall, severally, have power and authority, from time to time, as the same may be deemed by them, respectively, either ne- cessary or expedient, to borrow money, at any rate of interest not exceeding six per centum per annum, to pay their respect- ive subscriptions, and the interest accruing thereon, to the amount which they have subscribed, or shall hereafther sub- seribe.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, that the said Corporations are, respectively, empowered to employ an agent or agents, for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions to the loan or loans authorized by this act, or of selling, from time to time, the certificates of stock which may be created in pursuance thereof . and to fix the compensation of such agent or agents, which they shall respectively pay, as well as all other expenses attend- ing the said loans, out of the proceeds thereof, or of any other funds which they may respectively provide.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, that a tax, at the rate of one per centum, and thirteen hundredths of one per centum, on the assessed value of the real and personal estates within the City of Washington, as shall appear by the appraisement thereof, made under the authority of the Corporation, or of the several acts of Congress hereinafter declared to be revived and in force, within the said Corporation, to be existing at the time hereinafter limited for the collection of the said tax; and at the rate of fifty-six hundredths of one per centum on the as- sessed value of the real and person estate within the town of Georgetown, as shall appear by the appraisement thereof, made under the authority of the Corporation, or of the several acts of Congress hereinafter declared to be revived and in force, within the said Corporation, to be existing at the time herein- after limited for the collection of the said tax; and at the rate of fifty-eight hundredths of one per centum on the assessed value of the real and personal estate within the town of Alex- andria, as shall appear by the appraisement thereof, made un- der the anthority of the Corporation of the said town, or of the several acts of Congress, hereinafter declared to be reviv- ed and in force, within the said Corporation, to be existing at the time hereinafter limited for the collection of the sakl tax; be, and the same is hereby, imposed and assessed on the real and personal estate lying and being in the said city and towns: and, upon the failure of the said Corporations, or of any of them, to pay, into the Treasury of the United States, ninety days before the same shall become due, to the holder of the shares or certificates of such long or loans, as atoresaid, acs
406
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
cording to the terms and conditions thereof, the sum or sums which they, or any of them, shall have respectfully stipulated to pay at the expiration of the period aforesaid, so that the same shall not be ascertained beforehand to be in readiness to meet the demand or claim about to arise on the shares or cer- tificates of the said loan-the President of the United States shall be, and he is hereby, empowered to appoint a collector or collectors, whose duty it shall be to proceed and collect the tax imposed, as above, on the real and personal estate in the said city and towns, or either of them, the Corporation or Corporations of which shall have so failed to pay, as afore- said, in advance, the sum or sums about to become due and demandable as afcresaid, or any part thereof remaining un- paid, as aforesaid, into the Treasury, ninety days in advance; such part, in case a part only be so in arrear, to be ratably and equally assessed, levied, and collected, upon the property chargeable as aforesaid, with the said tax, within the said city and towns, or either of them, making such default in paying as required, ninety days in advance, as aforesaid: the appraise- ment or assessment of the value of the said estates, prepara- tory to the collection of the said tax, if not previously made by the said Corporation, to be made in the mode prescribed, as aforesaid, in the several acts of Congress, hereby revived and put in operation: Provided, That, if satisfactory evidence be afforded the President of the United States, by the several Corporations aforesaid, that they are proceeding, in good faith, to raise and pay, in due time, their portions, respective- ly, of the said loan or loans, and will be competent to raise the same by the means on which they rely, he shall be, and he is hereby, empowered to restrain such collector or collectors from proceeding to collect the said tax within the Corporation affording the evidence aforesaid, until the expiration of the ninety day's afore said, when, if the amount of the said tax be not actually paid, the collection thereof shall proceed, with- out further delay, on notice to the collector of such default.
In act No. 2, Congress authorises a subscrip- tion, on the part of the United States, of 10,000 shares, and in No. 3, further authorizes the Cor- porations of Washington, Georgetown and Alex- andria to subscribe and pay for shares in the Ca- nal; accordingly the United States and the Corpo-
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1
.
407
Commencement.
rations of the District, subscribed, through Com- missioners appointed for that purpose, as follows-
United States, $10,000
Washington 10,000
Georgetown 2,500
Alexandria 2,500
which, with other public and individual subscrip- tions, in May 1829, were swelled to $6,089 shares, ($100 each, ) amounting to $3,608,900. Instal- ments, actually paid in at the same date, $520,814 (the amount expended on various objects, in September, 1829, 8178,850 26:) which, with the Holland loan, places the company in the certain possession of $3,500,000, enough to secure the completion of the canal to Cumberland.
Ou the 4th of July, 1828, accompanied by most imposing ceremonies, near the Little Falls, a spade was delivered by Gen. Mercer, President of the company, into the hands of the Hon. J. Q. Adams, then President of the United States, who, in view of a vast multitude of spectators, broke ground, and dug up several sods of earth. Since that time the work has proceeded with great an. imation, nearly 100 sections being put under con- · tract. On the end of March, 1830, that part of the Canal around the Little Falls was finished, and permanently opened for navigation: several boats with produce from the upper country pass- ed through. This canal presents a sheet of wa-
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
ter from 80 to 100 feet in width, a minimum depth cf 6 feet, and two miles in length, exclusive of half a mile of the old Potomac Canal, connecting it with the river at the head of the Little Falls; for the two miles above stated the bed of the new Canal varies from the line of the old one, and is in fact a new piece of work; for the other half mile, the bed of the old, was used to form a part of the new Canal.
The prism of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is unusually great; more than double, we believe, that of the Erie Canal, and the greater facility of draught it produces, gives this work advantages over most others.
The line of the Canal as far as Seneca is under contract and expected to be completed by the 1st July, 1830. Such is the progress of the prepar- ations made by the Directors, that should the Rail Road Company, at an early day, meet the propo- sition of the Canal Company for the removal of the legal impediments that obstruct the progress of both works beyond the Point of Rocks, it is conjectured, that the entire line of the Canal to Harper's Ferry may be opened in July, 1831.
During the past year the Company employed Mr. Rush to negotiate a loan of 1,500,000, dol- lars, on the credit of the citizens of Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria, to meet their sub- scriptions towards the work.
409
Loan
The choice of Mr. Rush, by Mr. Gales, Mayor of Washington, was excellent and judicious .-- He obtained the money of certain capitalists in Holland,-terms, a Five per Cent. Stock, at ninety-one and a half. The capitalists took the loan at private subscription; and on bringing it out to the public at Amsterdam, although they only called for three millions of florins, seven. teen millions were subscribed on the first day, being fourteen millions more than were wanted. The stock rose to one hundred and one, and con- tinued to maintain itself at that price by the last accounts. Mr. Rothschild the great London ca- pitalist, to whom Mr. Rush made known this loan, evinced a desire to take it at six per cent. ; but Mr R. did better in Holland. The house through which he chiefly obtained it, is that of the Messrs. Crommelin's,-an ancient and well known house in Amsterdam, and now more extensively enga- ged in trade with the United States than any o. ther known in Holland.
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