Excerpts from The Papers of Thomas Jefferson

Julian P. Boyd, ed.. (Princeton, N.J., 1953)

Volume 12: 7 August 1787 to 31 March 1788

14 Aug 1787 To Joseph Jones, pp. 33-35.

pp. 33-34: "I have never yet thanked you, but with the heart, for the act of assembly confirming the agreement with Maryland, the pamphlet and papers I received from you a twelvemonth ago."

[According to the index for Volumes 7-12, the only letter Jefferson received from Joseph Jones is contained in Volume 9, pp. 296-298. I have returned this volume to UMBC's library, but according to the index there was nothing in that letter dealing with Maryland. There are no editor's notes attached to the letter in this volume, and so no further information beyond what may be contained in the Volume 9 letter.]

20 December 1787 From James Madison, pp. 443-445.

pp. 444-445: "I subjoin an extract from a letter from Genl. Washington dated Decr. 7^th. which contains the best information I can give you as to the progress of the works on the Potowmack."

'The survey [writes Washington] of the Country between the Eastern and Western waters is not yet reported by the Commissioners, though promised to be made very shortly, the survey being compleated. No draught that can convey an adequate idea of the work on this river has been yet taken. Much of the labour, except at the great falls, has been bestowed in the bed of the river, in a removal of rocks, and deepening the water. At the great falls the labour has indeed been great. The water there (a sufficiency I mean) is taken into a Canal about two hundred yards above the Cateract, and conveyed by a level cut (through a solid rock in some places, and much stone every where) more than a mile to the lock Seats, five in number by means of which when compleated, the craft will be let into the River below the falls (which together amounts to seventy six feet). At the Seneca falls, six miles above the great falls, a channel which has been formed by the river when inundated is under improvement for navigation. The same, in part, at Shannandoah. At the lower falls, where nothing has yet been done, a level cut and locks are proposed. These constitute the principal difficulties and will be the great expence of this undertaking. The parts of the river between requiring loose stones only to be removed in order to deepen the water where it is too shallow in dry seasons.'

1 January 1788 From George Washington, pp. 488-491.

p. 489: "The States of Virginia and Maryland have opened (for I believe it is compleated) a road from the No. branch of Potomack, commencing at, or near the mouth of Savage River, to the Cheat River, from whence the former are continuing it to the navigable Water of the little Kanhawa."