| job Documents
any Consequence till we came to Catons Gutt what is called Houses Falts
another Rift between that and Andietum and what is called Shepherds
Falls a little below Shepherds Town being the only Obstructions and
Much might be easily removed at very small Fxpence. from Catons Gutt
to Paynes Falls about 5 Miles Distance will we think be in prudence our
present Object and 2500£ Pensylva. Currency it is thought by an English-
man in whom I have very great Confidence and a German who has been
long employed in blowing Rocks will reduce Shannandore to allow a toler-
able passage and make a towing Path. If we ever get through the Shan-
nandore I need not remark that all the Force above may he easily drawn
to a point at Seneca or any other Obstruction below which will admit of
Improvement at a tolerable Expense. We choose to blow a Passage rather
than attempt Navign. through Locks because the Falls no where appear
too steep for Vessells to come down if they had but Room enough and
this plan is the more eligable as it avoids a very strong Objection to Locks
from the Freshes Ice etc. our Boat came through and we are satisfied
loaded Battoes might with safety was there Room enough and a Channel
deepned. I had the pleasure too to be fully satisfied there's no weight in
a plausible Objection made some Time since=" that deepning the Water
where there are at present Ledges of Rocks would draw off the Water
and occasion Shallows above for suppose about 20 or 3o Feet in width is
deepned 2 Feet for Instance what Effect can it have on a Body of Water
constantly supplied of 200 or 250 Yards width besides on actual sounding
and I was attentive to the Circumstance I find the water deep above those
Ledges no Nrhere as I recollect less than 5 Feet generally more and sotue-
times double that depth. but suppose the worst, Timber or Stone might
easily be placed in other Breaks of the Ledge of Rocks so as to keep the
Water to it's natural height by counteracting the new Draft in a new
Obstruction. Should this mode of effecting the navigation he generally
approved I am not tmapprized that the Scheme of raising Money by Sub-
scription is liable to Objection and I think with many that this River
justly claims the Attention of the Legislatures of both Provinces. I sin-
cerely wish they could be both brought into one generous and grand
Scheme and atn sure that the vast addition to Trade would soon repay
almost any Expence but I fancy you and I are too well acquainted with
the Difficulties of carrying points of Consequence through the three
Branches of one Legisl. to entertain Expectations that both Legislatures
will soon concur circumstantially in the same Scheme for clearing Potow-
tnack. If any Thing should be given in Maryland in a public Way a
Subscription will certainly he an essential Condition and from what I
have understood in Virginia the plan of a Corporation Subscription of
Shares and tolls would be the most agreeable there. A great many of the
interested in Maryland are willing to put their Hands into their own
pockets at once and I believe the Germans of whom we have numbers in
good Circumstances are much disposed to it so that if the people of your
side can be brought to do their just part, I do not mean an Arithmetical
exactness, I flatter myself the Thing is well within our power and that a
considerable part may still be done this year.-To convince people of the
immediate advantages to themselves I make this Estimate.
Another reference is made to this objection in the subscription paper; see
infra, no. V.
|
