Ohio State journal and Columbus gazette (Columbus, Ohio : 1825), 1833-02-16

              PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AND COLUMBUS GAZETTE. (Two Dollar fifty Cent! in Advance; (or, Three Dalian at the end of the year. TERMS New Scrics....lo. 31, Vol. II. COI.UIIIIS, S4TURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1833. Whole Number, 1204. v JOURNAL & GAZETTE. ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CANAL COMMISSIONERS.To the Tonnrable, the General Jlnrmhly of the Slate nf Ohio. The Board of Canal Commissioners, in presenting their present Report, have the pleasure of staling, that the important works committed to their charge by the act of February 4, 182"), "to provide for the Internal Improvement of the Slate of Ohio by navigable Canals," aro now finished, with the exception of the lower lock at Portsmouth, the southern termination of the Ohio Canal, nnd the locks by which llic'iViami Canal is to bo connected with . the OJijo r'CT ot Cincinnati. ' '0iie.Ttt Blofc for the lock at Portsmouth, . are 'prepared and delivered! and part of the '. stone" Tortjje Jocks at Cincinnati are nlw . prepaiJ. ' t. is "xpected tl-.it 1?-.' wliolo aihn'jiit of materials for the locltf ot the latter place will be delivered as soon as the proper season for laying stone shall have arrived, or soon after, so (hat the prosecution of the work will not be delayed on that account. As the foundations of the lower locks which arc to connect the Canals with the Ohio, aro required to be laid live feet below the surface of the river at its lowest stage; the work on these foundations can only be prosecuted advantageously at times of yery low water. In some seasons, this state of things does not occur. Wo cannot therefore predict with certainty, the time when these locks will bo finished. Should the Ohio subside to its lowest stage, or near to that point, and eo remain for a low weeks, both these locks can be founded and completed during the ensuing season. If not, & further delay must bo the necessary' result, unless great expense is incurred in contending with the serious dillicultics attending the excavation of pits in porous earth far below the level of the water in the adjacent river. 1 f it be recollected that these lower locks will only be brought into use when the Ohio is below its ordinary business stage, the inconvenience resulting from a delay in their completion will be considered of less importance. The unexampled flood of February last, occasioned some damage to the Ohio Canal, and the dams and feeders on which it depends for its supply of water. As the repairs were so intimately blended with additional works considered necessary to guard against the effects of similar occur rences in future; tho precise amount of damage cannot be stated, such a statement would gratify the curiosity of the inquirer, but it is nut perceived that it would subserve any valuable purpose. It is however believed that the total amount of damage sustained from the tlood on the whole length of the Ohio Canal, does not vary materially from seventeen thousand dollars. The repairing of these injuries did not materially rrlard openin" of navigation in the spring; and since its coiiiuienjeiiient it lias been subject to few and trilling interruptions from breaches. The unusual occurrence of a sudden an' considerable flood in the Scioto in Aik'-'"1 Canal to the Lake while merchandize purchased in Philadelphia and Baltimore for tho same region pursues other routs, it is evident that tho state of things to which we have alluded, lias operated to diminish motcrially the amount of transportation and revenue on the Ohio Canal. The prevalence of the same disease in the city of Cincinnati, nearly suspended business on the Miami Canal during the month of October, which, in ordinary sen-sons, is ono of the best months for transportation in tho year. It is impossible to estimate with accuracy the amount of reduction attributable to this causo. We shall, however, be within bounds if wo say that the prevalence of the Cholera has diminished the revenue of ouH Canals for tho past year twenty thousand dollars. Notwithstanding these occasion, al fluctuations, the constant and rapid increase of transportation to nnd from placpf lo whieh Canal nnv.galion has, lur several years, been extended, gives strong assuran cos that both tho business and incomo of the Canals will continue to increase, m the resources of our fertile, and, ns yet, comparatively new country, aro developed. The confidence which, previous to (ho commencement of the work, wo felt in the bcnelits which would result from tho Canals, to the commercial ant' agricultural interests of tho State, nnd thfir productivc-nesH as sources of revenue, so far from being diminished, is confirms! by the cxpe-ricuco we have already haJ. The total amount of payments on contractu, including sums paid to Superintendents of repairs, durinj the year ending November 30th. 163;!, ;s, on the Ohio Ca nal. On the Miami Cana, $310,401 5 5t,085 03 for Total disbursements work on the finals, ror wages, subsistence and incidental expenses, of Engineers, nssiotnits und others, engaged in su perintending worn on the Canals, including wages of Acting Commissioner, $18,173 OS Fur expenses of the Hoard of Canal Commissioners other than Actios Commission er, including salary of Clerk, For damages awarded to individuals on account of injuries sustained from the Canals, For purchase of real estate for tlie accommodation of water power on the .Miami Canal, $3(V1400 .r)3 (107 i)8 3.9; 3 HO 3(W 00 Making the total disburse-menu nn account oi l"" Canals thrthe veur ei)i "K November I o wlncli add total disburse ments on nccount of tho Ca- ed by thu General Assembly, connected with tho Canals,) to November 30, 13.11, as staled in tno last annual uepori oi the uoarn, wiibiuvihwiv l.uuu 111 1MB OCIOIO III " , , ,. i, last, occasioned a breach in the fee.' ' dam nals, (including surveys order- across that river below Clnllicot'- ttlia n" unavoidable delay in fillm? iw new division of the Canal cxtendiiiy from thence to the Ohio, then ready to receive the water, was the consequense. The most efficient means were, however, adupted to repair the injury, and the (inal was tilled so that boats passed to th Ohio on the 1 Jth day of October last. The gross amount of tolls collected on the Ohio Canal, during the year ending No vember , 1932, is $7'J,Jd'.J 4s On tho Miami Canal during the same period, 30,841 4' Total, S110.8A1 95 During the year ending December 31, 1832, the gross amount collected for tolls and water rents on the Ohio Canal, is $12,8(17 40 On the Miami Canal, 40,92(i 81 Making the total disbursements of llie Hoard, to Dec. 1. 1X32. .-,,lG3,72.j 21 The aggregate length of the navigable Canals, constructed and owned by the State within her limits, is four iiundukd milks enmnriainir 184 lilt locks, overcoming a to tal amount of ascent and descent of 1347 feet: II euard locks: 23 aqueducts; 2 12 cul verts, 182 of which aro of stone masonry, and CO of wood; !) dams for crossing streams, and 12 feeder dams. oi Sit Making the groBS sum collected from the Canals during the year, $123,794 21 Navigation on both Canals was suddenly closed by the unusual severity of the frosi in the latter part of November, 1831, which materially diminished tho transportation and tolls lor that month, and entirely pre vented navigation during tho succeeding December, mis circumstance win nc count fur tho ureal deficiency in the a mount collected within tho year ending October 31, ns reported by the Auditor of Stale; and alto, for tho year ending No vember 30, compared with tho revenue of tho whole year as above Btated. The greater amount of tho staplo pro iluctions of our soil in one year than in a no ther tho variation in the price of these productions, at different times, in the marts to which they arc sent for sale, as well as the greater or less activity in commerce, are circumstances which sjepsiauly or collectively operate to affect the amount of revenue collected on the Canals in any given year. Wo cannot therefuro anticipate an equal increase of transportation and tolls, though there may bo a constant advance each successive year compared with the preceding. The extensive prevalence of any alarming epidemic, will also oporale to produce a serious depression of business, or its prev alence in one commercial city to a greater extent than in othors, may drive commerce from the one to the others, and thus operate to diminish the transportation on one thoroughfare, while it is increased on others Thus i ecncral stagnation in commercial business was produced to a greater or less extent, in almost all parts of our country, during a Urge portion of tho past season by tho prevalence of tho Cholera; while its more eariy appearance ana longer con tinuance in New York, than in Puiladcl nhia or Baltimore, induced many western merchants to resort to tho latter cities to make purchases and sales, who, under othor circumstances, would have resorted to New York. As most of Iho inorchandizo purchased in Now York, fur the interior uf our State, and also a larire uronorlion of these destined to various parts of tho Ohio valley below Portsmouth, aro transported by way of the ( 'lk III. I It... I -I... HI.. I lll. I III 111 I Vl It 'I 1 1 U I IU UUIIUI, .U ,J4i,U, U1IU SUV VI.IH v." 'I, I and most uf tho surplus produce of the fi. 'C S i? L. - mm 15 lis J 3 : 3 i S 6' 2 S " "I ('bains I.IIChU U Fcct 1 a inWu jVumber limit1 Lacks A'umber Aqueducts same material. The breadth of the locks is fifteen feet between tho walls, nnd the length of the Chambers, being the space between the upper and tho lower pates, 90 feet; mlmittititr boats 7S fret in length, nnd 14 feet 10 inches in breadth, to pass freely through. Aqueducts are constructed with wooden trunk", supported by piers of stone masonry, which, on the Ohio Canal, with the exception of two small structures in the Cuyahoga valley, is of the same character as that used in tha locks. The masonry of the others is of uncut, or hammer dressed stone. The stone culverts oil the Ohio (.'anal, with the exception of a lew of a small class, erected soon after the commencement of the work, nre composed of arches, formed of stone, cut in regular segments, nnd laid in range work, with wing and parapet walls of cut sloe- Those r.i tho Miami Canal. I a lew o.. the Ohio Canal, arc composed of rough or uncut stone. Wood culverts aro used fur land drains, and to pass small spring ruin under the Canal, in situations where they will always be Kept under wulcr, so us not to be liable to decay. Largo nquediicts nnd culverts, as well as dams, nre founded on piles, except where ruck or other secure foundations could be had. Where it has been found necessary to erect lucks, in situations where the earth at tho bottom of the pit was composed of light alluvion, mud, or quick suud, bearing piles nave in some instances been used to form a secure and firm foundation. But mature reflection, confirmed by numerous experiments, has produced the conviction that a more secure, as well as more cheap foundation can be obtained by excavating the pit to an extra depth, and covering it with n stratum of coarse gravel nf from one to two feet in thickness, wrought into puddle, in which the floor timbers arc to be imbedded. This plan has, therefore, in most instances, been adopted. For a more minute nnd detailed description of the manner of executing the work on the Canals, we take the liberty of re ferring to the rules and specifications adopted for their construction; a copy of which, marked A, is herewith trausmitlul. Having thus, in order to avoid repetition, given a gcncrul outline of the plan, we now pruceed to give u more particular description of each Canal, and the branches, fee ders, and other important works connected with, and forming parts of tho system. The Ohio Canal, at its northern extremity, terminates in the Cuyahoga river, on the east side, about half a mile from the junction of that river with Lake Lrie, and at the south westerly corner of the village of Cleveland. That section of the river which extends from its mouth to tho bridge, about 300 vnrds above the termination of the Canul, 23,133 00 forms the harbor into which schooners, sloops, and steam boats enter from llie Lake to dischnro -.n.l rr.celi'o I'.tci. r.nrgo. from ware houses, or m'.et with Car.nl boats for the mutual cm hangc of their lading. The average breadth of the river is here about ono hundred ynrds; its depth from twelve to twenty feet. It opens into the lake by n safe nnd straight channel, in no place less than ten feet in depth : this channel is secured from the deposition of moveable sand by two parallel piers, nbout ItiO feet apart, extending from the shore on each side of tho river, about WW feet into tho lake. These works were erected by tho' United States, and completely answer the contemplated purpose, forming one of the most safe and commodious harbors on the lake, which is accessible in any state of the wind or weather. A small light house, erected on the extremity of the eastern pier, enables vessels to enter the harbor with safety dur ing tho night. This iiiiprovcuien . does credit to the enlightened policy of our nation al government, and to the fidelity and skill of tho officers mid agent) by whom it win executed. Two lucks, each of six feet lift, the cham bers of which lire Jj feel wide and 100 feet long, having eight feet depth of water on the mitro sills, connect the Canul sulh llie river, and admit the largest class uf sloops and schooners which navigate tho lake to pass from the river into a large basin of uenr a quarter of a mile in length, with n medium breudlli of via feet, anil a depth of eight feet. Dry ducks ure so cmi'lrucletl as freely to ad mil lake ves-els und Canul boats, to pass into them, from this basin, for the purpose of receiving repairs. The eco nomy, expedition, and safety with which these repairs nre thus made, greatly encnur-ago mid facilitate the commercial operations connected with Canal navigation. From this basin, the Canal ascends the valley of the Cuyahoga, on the eastern side of the river, twenty four miles to tho Peninsula, where it crosses to the western side; thence along tho western side of the river, ten mile! ; ufler which it leaves the valley I 3S3,003 59 1,778,099 03 all cases where foundations of annnilunts and large culvertslhavc been constructed on this plan. It will probablyUie deemed advisable to substitute culverts for both these aqueducts, particularly that Across Mill creek, when the trunks shall become so much decayed as to require rebuilding. . The trunk of tliolnqueiluct at the Peninsula is about one lundred feet in length. The abutments nmrpier nr of cut stone masonry, laid ill regular range work, and roiling on rock of cli(y slate; of which the bed of the river is licit formed. On this division, Wit Canal receives four feeders. .. Immediately below lock No. thirty-six, north of Fortnge sumisjt, seventeen miles from Cleveland, a copn-ns nd constant supply of woter is introduced from the Cuyahoga by means of a feeder nf twelve chains in length, called theTincry Feeder.' The surface of the rock which forms the bed of the river having about the same elevation, ns the water line of tho level, into which llie feeder is introduced, the duin nl its head is required to be of no greater elevation than is necessary to divert (lie proper quantity of water from the river into the Canal, and is formed by bolting timbers to the rock. Bciides furnishing water for navigation, this feeder furiiiil.es a large quantity which mny be used for hydraulic purposes, belli at Cleveland and ut the intermediate locks, round which an ample stream constantly flows from one level to another. About half a mile below the aqueduct nt the Peninsula, water is also introduced into the Canal from llie river, through a feeder of about two chains in length, called the "Peninsula Feeder.'' A Iuw dam of brush and stone across the river diverts tht necessary quantity of water into this feeder. Both these feeders are secured from the influx of too great a quantity of water in times of flood, by head gates, supported by walls of cut stone masonry, fouuded on rock. Two feeders arc also introduced from the Little Cuyahoga; one below lock twenty- one, thirty-live miles froia Clev. land; the other below lock No. sixteen, thirty-six and a half miles from Cleveland. Head gates, supported by walls of stonu masonry, are also constructed on these rentiers, to regu late the introduction of water. By means uf the former, the water of the Main Cuyahoga may bo commanded, should it ever be found necessary. On this division the river hssbecn diverted from its natural channel in four different places, to make way for II o Canal, to as to avoid tho necessity of encountering sliding Side lulls, and at the same time materially diminish tho length of the line. A great extent of narrows and wash hi.nk', was also encounter, d; rendering it necessary to construct tie Canal in the channel of the river, fur an aggregate distance of more than a mile, ami to secure its banks from the nbniMon ui .''.oodt by walls --t timber tu The near npnrou.V 1' II? ? : 2 31 I5 e IS ill Food Sion 3 5 . - 55 SSI the river to the hill which skirts the valley, in many places, und the serpentine cotirie of both, occasion numerous short curves on this part of tho Canal, mul couse puntly render it less easy to navigate. With the exception of tlese obstructions, nnd the great amount of ascent to he over come by lock, this division occupies ground tolerably favorablu for its coustiuctiou. llie great number of locks which occur in so short a distance, being far greater than on any other division of equal extent, operated to swell the cost of this part of the Canal considerably above the average cost of Iho whole; and for the same rea-on, the amount and expense of ordinary repairs will also be greater. Tho length of the Ports.ee summit level of the Canal, is about 'J miles; iis elevition i 393 fei l above the sulfite of Lake line, 491 above tho level of low water in the Ohio at Portsmouih, 78 feet higher than the Licking summit, and 9.V) Ibove lido water in the Hudson river nt Albmy. Counecied with i Ilia level are ihr'C small lakes, comprising nn aggregate area of 330 ncres. These lukes form a natural reservoir, which prevents a susden rue of the water in thu level, from ike occurrence of rains and swelling of tie; streams which flow into ii : while the greit expanse ol the surface will furnish a largt amount of w a ter to meet any pxtrnnrdmaty demind which mny be occasioned by accidental causes, or a press ol business on the Canal, without I diminishing uiaiermlly the elevation. One of these Ink s, caled the Summit I Lake, near three fourths of a mile in lcugih, forms part of the Canal. 1 lie towing path across it, is constructed partly on floating bridges, made of light limner dowelled together so as to form s perftct lluor, secured in their proper positions by means of long piles driven into tho boltoinot the lake, and rising abovo its surface; and pirily by throwing up a bank along a projecting p in of Iho snore between the brnlges. Tho depth ol the water, and Hie marshy Chirac Dams for ctosung siren mi i eeiU- Darns 11 a- The main trunks of the Ohio and Miami Canals have each a minimum breadth of 40 feet at tho water line, nnd 2(i feet at bottom, with 4 feet depth of water. A largo proportion of both, particularly ot the Ohio Canal, is of much larger dimensions, ha ving a breadth at tho water lino varying from 00 to 130 feet, and a depth of from o to 12 feel. In many places, it even ex ceeds, for considerable distances, those di mensions, both in brosdih and depth. It has been a standing rulo in tho construc tion of the Canals, to incroaso their dimensions beyond the minimum, in all places where it could bo done without materially enhancing the cost. Tho walls of the locks aro of solid stone masonry, resting on floors composed of timbers laid crnsswiso of tho pit covered with planks three inches in thickness, both in tho chambers and under the walls, and between the walls with nn additional floor of two inch plank well jointed, and secured with spikes to the timbers on which thev rest. Thu face of the walls aro of cut stone, tho formation of a towing path of earth along thoio pans of the lake where the bridges are used. The waters of this lake wero formerly discharged northwardly l trough a small outlet into the Litllo Cuyahoga, and thence into tho main river. A swamp extended from tho head of the laka to' the main branch of thu Muskingum, hero called the Tuscarawas; the highest pirt of which, on same country which souks a market in Now laid in regular rnngo work, and in lime York or Canada, passes through, llio Ouio mortar, ui wooio wan grouitu wnnuiv of the main river, and ascending that of l"r l"c "i" "'. !""'" the Liltlo Cuyahoga, nnu llio outlet ol the Summit Lako four miles, it reaches the north end of the Portage summit level al Akron, thirty eight miles from Cleveland. On this division, there aro forty-four locks, overcoming a total ascent of 3'Ji 1-3 feet; '21 of which are within three miles, and sixteen within u mile and a half of thu north end of the summit level. There nre also three aqueducts; ono u-crosi Mill creek, nine miles from Cleveland, of ono reach. One across Tinkers' creek, thirteen miles from Cleveland, uf two reaches. The other across tho Cuyahoga river ut the Peninsula, twenty four miles from Cleveland, of two reaches. The trunk of tho first is lurty feet in length, and is supported by two abutments of uncut stone masonry, resting on a floor of hewn timbers, which extend across the bed of the stream, and under each abutment. The trunk of the second, at Tinkers' creek, is ninety five feet in length, supported by oue pier, and two abutments of un cut stono masonry, resting on a nuor oi hewn timbers, and extending from the cen ter of the pier across eaoh water way and under tho nhutmenls. Tho floon or platforms on which tnese aqueducts urn erected, uru secured from being unileriuim d by means of rows uf sheet piling extending across thu stream, both ut thu bead and at tho foot; and alio, by means of placing on Ihu bed of thu stream, both above und below Ihu iiqui duels, lar-e quantities of stone intermixed with brush. Similar precautions Live bun adopted in a tumble for the eseanp of tha nrnl'n ivn- tor which it occasionally woldj. forma I lies dam which diverts tho requisite quantity of water into uie canal. 1 he leeder h about 50 yards in length, secured by a bead gate of simple and cheap construction. From the south end of the Portngp summit level, the Canal descends along the valley of tho Muskingum, Wi miles to Wc-bs- port, which is situated near the mouth of the Wuknloinaka cre"k, a small westerly branch of that river, 149 miles from Cleveland. This place is on the lowest level be tween the Portage and the Licking sum mits, from bolhol which there is an uninterrupted descent to this point. Proceeding from tho Portairo summit southwardly, the Cnnal occupies the west side of the river to Clinton, six miles; crossing here by means of a dam, it occupies the east or lefl side of ihe rier, 28 miles, to a point auoui -J miles above the mouth of Sun dy creek. Here it recrosses to the right bank on an aqueduct, called the "Tuscarawas aqueduct;" and continuing thence on llie west side, it crosses ihe Walhontling river, about half a mile from its junction with the Muskinsum. on an aoueduct. call- ed the "Walhomling aqueduct;" ond proceeds thence on the same side of the Mus- Kitigum to ehsport. The Tuscarawus nauedtiet. 78 miles from Cleveland, is composed of a trunk ol wood lu leetlong, supported by two abutments and two piers of beautiful and substantial stone masonry; leaving 15U feet of "voter way ior me river, divided into three equal reaches. Each abutment and pier is foum'ed on a double platform of hewn limbers, laid crosswise, one course upon the other, sunk obui.t two feet below tho bed of the river, which is here composed of well compacted gravel. Large quantities of heavy stone thrown about Ihu bases of the piers and abutments, secure them from being undermined by the current; whic.'i is here so gentle, and the bed of the river so linn, thut bearing piles wero deemed unnecessary. Unless an engorgement of drift ngainsl tho piers and abutments should occur, the current of the river can never be sullicient to endanger the foundations, secured as they now are: ond the small amount of drill which floats on this part ol the river, gives nine cause lo apprehend such an event. The WalhondniiT anueduct. near tho vil lage of Roscoo, 13.1 milts Irom Cleveland, is a structure composed of a w ooden trunk, 310 feet in length, divided into five roaches, and supported by four piers and two abut ments ol stonu masonry, of the most sub stanlial character. Each reach is SO feet in tha clear, making an aggrogato of 230 feet water way foi the passage ol the rivor. The piers and abutments are louuded on double platforms of hewn timbers, laid crossw ise one upon the other, supported by bearing piles, driven from ten to lourteen feet into the earth, below llie bottom ol the platforms, and in contact w ith each other, so as to form a continuous) bno under the "Xterinr n& entirely round e-i''i tonnJa-i Hon. Tim platlorms aro placed so low asj to bo always under water, and therefore not exposed to decoy. A large quantity ot h-n vy stone, intermixed Willi brush, is placed round the basu of each pier, and along the faco of each abutment, for the purpose ot preventing the removal of the gravel, and the undermining of any part of the struc ture oy the strung curroni ol tho rivr. immediately below the aqueduct, a continuous line of strong piles, thoroughly driven, is extended entirely across the river, rising lo the surface of low water, in order to prevent the removal of the brush and stone placed under the aqueduct by the force of tho current, in case of an engorge mentnl driftwood and ice against the piers and abutments. This river, which is the largest tributary of the Muskingum, is a stream of great ra pidity, rising very suddenly, and to s great lieiglil. lis banks arc much abraded by its power ful current, and as the hanks are cuniinuully undermining in tunes nf Hood, the trees which grow upon its margin ore precipitated into the stream, ouu carried forward on its surface in great numbers. A' the point where the river is crossed by llie Canal, its bed is composed of loose gravel, which is easily removed by a rapid current, unless thoroughly protected. These circumstances rendered the erection ol a convenient mid secure structure lor the crossing ol ibis river, a work ol more than ordinary difficulty. In ihe original plan of the Canal, it was proposed lo cross iho Walhunding by menus ofadain, w inch would have been a much less expensive method of crossing than the one adopted: but on further ex mun ition and reflection, that plan was abau luned. Tho following reasons opeiated lo produce tins en mgc. To have secured a current sutficiently gentle lo permit canal boats to cross llio river Willi safety, even at a medium siage ol water, would have required a dam of al least 10 teel in height, with a P"ol abov al the place of crossing, of from 300 to 400 tect in breadth. Adamol this heigbl erected on a bod of loose gravel, could svilh difficulty be sustained; and alter the adoption of all ordinary precautious, would bo subject to occasional injuries, from which an interruption of tha navigation would ensue. Nor would such a dam, even if kept in constant repair, ufford, in limes of high floods, a sale passage for boats across thu river. Vexa tious delays, and frequent losses of boats the f?rt !o-t, by rhich it descends southwardly from the summit level. This stream, aitnis place, yields, in the dryest seasons ..I.isiiiiigum in lo-v watT, ir twenly eight and seventy niiwouo hundredths feet, ond is effected by means of three locks of the between 9UJ and 300 cubic feet' of water same dimensions, and constructed in the per iiuouie. Second. From the Tuscorawos, which il also crosses bv means of a dam at Clinton six miles from the south end ot the summit level, and 52 miles from Cleveland. A guard lock, here, serves lo regulale the flow of water, to prevent too great an influx when the river is high, and to pass boats from the river into the Canal, or Irom the Canal into the river, when there is a difference in their elevation in consequence of freshets. Three or four hundred cubic feet of water per minute may be drawn from the river at this point, when al its lowest sings. inra. ihe Canal receives the ivsters of the Meseleo creek, three miles from Clinton, and 53 from Cleveland, by means of a feeder 120 chr.ins in Icntrth. This is a remarkably constant stream, yielding, al the period ot its greatest depression, about 300 cubic feet of water per minute. Fourth. A small but constant feeder of about 21)0 cubic feet per minute, from Mud brook, three miles above Massillon, ami 02 miles from Cleveland. The w ater received Irom these sources, together with that which is brouirht from the summit level. aided by large and numerous springs between .Massillon and Bethlehem, and in the neighborhood of the latter place, supplies the Canol to Zoar, in Tuscarawas county, thirty six miles Irom the summit, and eighty three from Cleveland. Fiflk. Al Zoar, a feeder of a few rods in length serves lo introduce an abundant supply of water from tho river. A guard ock, erected at tho joint expense ot the State and llio Zoar community, regulates the quantity of wuter introduced, prevents tno influx ol Hoods, and at the tame time affords the means ol passing boats Irom the Canal into llio river, and llience lo llie flouring mills owned by that flourishing so ciety on the opposite side of the river Irom the Canal. This teeder supplies the Canal with wa ter twenty one miles, to tho point where mo luscarawas leeder is received, one inilo below Trenton, and one hundred and tour mili-s from Cleveland. Near Dover, ninety three miles from Cleveland, the Cnnal crosses Sugar creek, a iirgo western branch of thu .lii-kniguio, by in .-mis nl a dam formed by a double row of piles, filled between with atone, brush and gravel, nnd covered with plank, laid upon plates resting upon and secured to loo heads of each row of piles, with an ex tensive apron ot hewn Umber, nnd abut moms ol cut stone tuuudcd upon bearing piles. 1 liu waters ol the stream may cou sequent!)' be commanded lor tho use of the Canal; but tho supply lurnished by the Zoar feeder IS so abundant that It has been luuud unnecessary lo appropriate any parlol them to the purposes ol ua.igaiion; und the tor-met owners ul llie hydraulic powet on Ibis SVt of tiie creek rs .-erMili 1 tQjlraw Irom the pool created bv the daw. a quantity ol water equal to thai lurnmhed bv llns stream. 6'xfi. Tho Tuscarawas feeder, which joins the Canal near a mile below the vil lage ol Trenton, and is navmable. Il is I luce miles 20 chains in length, 32 feel wide at the water line, 18 leet at bottom, and 4 feet deep. It receives lis water from the Muskingum or Tuscarawas river, half a mile below the mouth ot Stillwater, a large and important easterly branch ol the river, which rises suutli ol the Cumber land road in Belmont county, and passing through the south westerly part of liarrisuu, enters the river in Tuscarawas county. A guard lock, erected at the head of this feeder, serves to keep out the floods of the river, to regulale llie introduction of wbter, end to pass boats Irom llie Canul into llie river; Irom whence they m.y proceed to Uhnck's mill, on Stillwater, six miles Irom llie head ol Ihe feeder. A low, eoenp cam ol brush and stone1 across the river, answers llie double purpose ol creating HutkwuUr lo U brick's mill, mid ol diverting tho re quisite quuutity into the feeder. A guard gatu nl the junction of the feed cr with tho Canal, is constructed to prevent the flood water, which by any accidental occurrence m iy break into the teed er, Irom flowing into llie Canal; and a large same manner as those on the main Canal. l he discharge of the surplus water which accumulates on tha lower level be. tween ihe t.vo summits, creates an extensive and very valuable hydraulic power, which is located on the immediate bank of the river near I)reed"n. This brunch opens a navigable communication between the Canal and the Muskingum, and by means ol that river, with the important and flourishing town of Zanesville. The Muskingum Side Cut crosses tho akatomaki creek, nenr the town of Dresden, on no aqueduct, 'he trunk of which is one hundred and thirty ci''htteet in lemrth. supported by two abutments and two piers ol cut slene tusoniy, founded on bearing pil e, arianged 'n a cimilar inatiner with those al the u'nihandinir aaueduct. and surmounted by piatlbrina of hewn timber, covered wuii inree inch plank. This mruct.iire presents to the creek, a clear wa ter way, divided into three parts, ol ono hundred and twenty feet. Tue total descent from the Portnce sum mit lo the low level at ehsport, iB two hundred nnd thirty enht sixtv hundredths feet, and is ell' cied by means of twenty nine lurhs, in a uislaucc ot ono hundred and nine miles from the Summit Lake. 1 he Canal along the valley of the Musk-in;u n, between the Purlage summit and the lower level nl Websport, occupies ground favorable on the whole, for its construction. I he crossing of tho main stream above tha mouth of Sandy, of Sugar creek, at Dover, and of the Waloonding, at ltoscoc, presents diliiculties which considerably enhance the cost of tho work. Several formidable blufl's and wash banks, also occur on the line; and the great raiigu of floods from low to Uigli water, requires, in many places, for considerable dmiance.-, high guard banks, slrungly f irtilied witti stone on the exterior slope, to secure the Canal from Iho eli'ects of high freshets. Notliwiihslanding thesa ob-tacleJ, no portion of tho Canal, ufuqual iengih, Ins been con.-tructed at'so small expense. In proceeding from the low level towards the Ohio, the Canal leaves tho immediate! valley ot the Muskingum, and pursuing a south westerly direciiuu, it ascends tho valley of tins akatomalia about nine miles, and parsing through a gap lit thu range of hills which sepirates cms valley from that ol the Licking, it enters and ascends llio valley of tint stream to Newark, in Licking county; thence continuing along the valley of the S mtii Fork of tho rain stream, it readies tue Licking summit, 191 miles from Lako Krie. The Licking Miminit is the hiirhest ground over which the Canal pmben be- i ecu me van. ys oi me iVMoiimguin and llie Scioto more: but tie. Canal here occupies the point of greatest depression in tb diiViiijj ivJjje, or ruilier, table AW, which ' iwpTiHOS Ihu 10 v..;i.:ys, The total ascent in li.e CanaJ, from tha low level ut Wox-pnrl to the Licking sum mil, is lljufeel, t Inch is overcome by meant ot 19 lock;, and tiic distance it 43 miles. Tue elevation i f llie Lickinir summit level is 317 teel above thu level of Lako Lne; 413 feet above the level of low water in ihe Ohio, at Portsmouth; 831 feel abovo the level of tide water in tho Hudson, and 78 feel below the level of llie Portage summit.On the division which extends from Websport to the Licking summit, there ure six aqueducts; three of which occur between Ncbspurl and the north end of the summit level, and three betweon tha summit and the norih end of tho level. Proceeding from Websport toward the summit, we meet with the first of thesa aqieducis where the Canal crosses the mam branch of llie Walt tto naka, 159 miles from Cleveland. The trunk of this aque-iliut is U'J feel long, auppoited by two abutments and two p.erj of cut stone masonry, resting on double platforms of tnn bers, KiiiiK deep una tue bed ol the creek, and secured from undermining by Urge quantities of roug i stone. Tho scco.id, across the North fork of (jicking, at iho town of Newark, is 138 leet in length, having three piers and two ei, nun, nv, ihu ii. sw i iiv syauai, nnu a lai tin t . - . , , waste gale erected a short distance above, ,lbu,'"e"u " cul 6,UI,;! Gauntry, founded . ' 1 nil n H.iriPiil luiiuit l,,,,lti,Pd siitli..inn. I hia serves lo discharge these w aters from the teeder. Both these structures ure supported by abutments of cut stone masonry, lo.imled on platforms of limber, secured' by sheet piling, brush and stone', Irom undermining. By means ot tins leeder, the Canul is u-buiidanlly supplied with water to the point where it receives tho Walhunding leeder, 3 I miles: and in case of a breach in llie Walhondiug leeder or dam, the Tuscansvas feeder is capable of lurnishing the requisite quantity for navigation to llie lower level, al Websport and Dresden, 10 miles turther. St vtnth. After crossing llio Walhondiug aqueduct, and descending through a loc i ol 14 leet lilt, connected with ihu; struc ture, immediately abovu llie village of ltos-coe, 133 miles I rum Cleveland, llie Canal receives llie Walhondiug leeder, which do- rives its waters from Iho river ut thai name on a floor of lievvu limbers suilicicntly long lo extend across me reaches between the abutments jud piers, so ns tu meet under llie center of eacn pier. This florir extends entirely across the stream, and under llie w hole foundation of each abutment and pier, and is secured from undermining by me ins of i-lieet piling, and large quantities of brush and none, placed on tho bed of the stream, both above and below the struc ture. The (,'iii ii, across the middle, or Usccoon fork of Licking, about one mile from thai la-t described, is 123 feel in length, having two p.erj mul two abutment-, constructed, toiin-led, and secur.'d in tiio same manner is that across the North fork. On the Lb-kin binnmit level, a small aqueduct of oiu nhori rcch, occurs al lie- nroii, 13.1 miles; one ut three snort reaches rives us svaisirs iiiii sun iivi-r ui iii.ii name. . . This feeder, which is one mile llnrty chains "l 1:7 "e?i J"1'1.""0 "'. '""r reaches serosa obtain tho full volume of the Tuscarawas in dry seasons, as a feeder to iho summit lovel, that level, and consequently llio sur-faco of the lako, wero reduced about five feet below its original elevation. This little lake, situated on tho summit between ll:0 waters of tho St. Lawrence and the Mississippi, elevated near a thousand feet abovo the ocean, and skirled on its western side by a rano of hills rising 150 foot higher, is an interesting feature in tho formation of the country; which, in Iho vicinity of this sum nit, scorns to bo peculiarly woll titled for the pissago of a Cunul, and tor furnishing it with a constant supply oi water. The main branch of tin Muskingum, here n small river, but remnkihlo lor ihe uni-lor::i quantity of water flowing in it nl nil in length, is navigable, having Ihu same medium breadth, and depth as the main trunk of the Canal. A guard lock, erected at the head ol the feeder, regulates the in troduction ol water from llie river, prevents the South folk of Licking, 111 miles from Cleveland. Thu abutments and piers of these aqueducts are -founded on timber platforms; the bed of the Btream under that across the South fork being paved Willi , ...,,... -. - -- , -- Ul'iajS, Uliu II Cljuuill IU93UV Ol UU1IH the lino of tho Canal, was nboul four feel Bnu properly, or pvoii lives, would bo tho boovb ino luriaco oi mo use. in urucr 10 probable consequences. Il is true, that a dsin across this river is necessary, in order to obtain a portion of its waters lo replenish llio Canal. Bui this dam, which is erected higher up the river, has much less elevation than would have boen required lo secure the safe passage ot boats al the place where the Canul crosses, and is consequently much less difficult lo maintain. When the teeder dam is injured by floods, the Canal may, for a lime, be sup plied with water from other sources, as the wstor of the river is absolutely necessary lor trial purpose only at periods ot llie greatest drought, and before thesa occur, tho in jury to Iho dsm may bo repaired. The aqueduct, III ma mean lime, ult ints a situ passage lor biats. ICxperiencu hai, in several instances, prove I the correcttiejs ol these calculations; Hid navigation rum nu ll iIia i.illnv nf fliiiiila isnn ml iho ,-..,., I stone. Iheso aqueducts aro all low, the of boats between the river and tt.e Canal. Canal having a small elevation above the bsd A dam ol 400 lectin length, 7 leet in height 01 t"u ""'; UIB l "mug prin- sensons ol tho year, bein.' never leas than uninterrupted during high floods and alio 1S00 cubic fuel nr minute, furnishes Ihu principal supply of wit- r to tins summit. Thu surtace of tho stream, b.ing at this point nearly of ihe same elevation as the water line in thu Canal, a simple ombank-incnt of earth, aiout nx fco; in iicijht, wiih when the leeder dam has been out of rcpnr On this diviaion, extendi!!,' from the Portage sutn.inl to ihe lower level between the iwo summits, the Canal receives water: first. From Woll creek, which ttcros- above the aurfacu of low waler, construct ed in a manner nearly similar to that across Sugar creek, raises' Iho waler of the river to llio elevation of the Canal, and diverts llio requisite quantity into the feeder. This feeder furnishes, al all seasons, an abundance of water lo meet the demands of navigation, nnd of cxtensivo hydraulic works. Il is also the channel by which a considerable amount of produco, brought down Iho river Irom tho country through which il hows, is introduced on the Canal, for llie purpose of being transported to llio Lake or lo the unio. Tho waters which descoud, from both direction', to thu lower level belwuen the two bii innits, are discharged by a n iviji-bloliraiie.il which leiv.a to: main tr.iuii al Websport, 1 1J miles fro n Clcvcliud, uinl io c iunei'te.1 wild tii'S Muskiu'iun rivc-r ui 'llresden. Hint branch, wuicli is of the oi'iio ill men i-'iis, und oil tie: si.nc level .villi I ao ui mi Canal, is t.vo inilea lilt y eight Chains in len gtu, and is denominated tue ".Husking. nil Oido Cut; llio descent, cipally for land drains in wet seasons, and limes ut high floods, when a largo portion of tho land udjaccut to tho Canal is covered with waler; culverts may bo advantageously substituted in their places, and the surplus water which cannot bo passed through them, may be ull'crcd to flow across tue i.nnal by means ut waste ;vcir. Arrangements have been msde lor bull ies by nicuiu of a dam stow tudj bclowj trom til level of tho side cul to Out of llio I iuiUm of Laic Ens. ding a culvert in place of the aqueduct at Hebron, which il is expected will be accomplished before the opening of spring navigation. I ho loss of water from leak-ago which aqueducts occasion, forms a norious obpclioii to their use on this tumult, wli-'ro thu ecuiiouiical use of walor is nf greater i.np .rt-.iico linn on any other pail oi i;iu i.. lo.n. O i tins ili.itien, t'.iO Canal receive! tho fil.o.viiijj Ictders: t r ilimiiil froaulii! tVrs.ti.n or Wnlupnrt tcvsl, to luiv svat-r inak In Hie u.i. al U, inuiiin of ths iluskn-suiii, Is 101 1-2 K-e', 'rjai svlilctl 11 uvnsws uul ilia iiina-.a uf lo.v svaiur l.t l.iu U'aio alt.4 ni. mill al mo Mu-linjam u two lent tnhcr I