NOTE. Blanks in the foregoing statement, to be filled at the Estimate of the Engineer. 81 11 42 8 14 45 8 14 45 25 16 25 16 18 25 183 25 25 25 25 25 24 24 18 181 24 181 18 18 18 119 And this average will in reality be reduced somewhat lower; because on some of the sections where the highest prices are proposed for embankment, there will be none, as on 13 and 20; and on others very little, as on 35 and 36. The actual letting is therefore less than the estimate, for it will be recollected that Mr. Sargent's estimate, fromwhich the foregoing is copied, was predicated on the supposition that the canal would be four feet deep; and to which estimate the sum of $45,972 30 was afterwards added for a five feet cut; being about 16 cents per cubic yard for the excavation of the additional foot. This sum, should no unforeseen difficulties present themselves, it is fair to conclude, will be excess in the estimate. No comparative view of the other items of the contract prices can be made with any approximation to accuracy, for although proposals were offered and received on many of the sections, as well for rock, hard pan, &c. as for common excavation and embankment, yet it is not anticipated that much will occur on the 18 miles, except some solid and detached rock in the neighbourhood of Morrisville, especially on the 19th, 20th and 21st sections, and some shell or slate rock on three or four of the upper sections. Nor can any comparison between the estimated and actual cost of locks, aqueducts, culverts or bridges to be made, as none have yet been put under contract. No. 2. To the board of Canal Commissioners of Pennsylvania. Gentlemen-In compliance with instructions received from the secretary of the board at Philadelphia, on the 8th of July last, relative to a survey for a canal along the valley of the Delaware river. I proceeded immediately to Easton, and as soon as a sufficient party could be organised, the necessary surveys and examinations were commenced, keeping in view a continuation of the canal up the Delaware to Carpenter's point. My attention has been directed to an examination and estimate of the route south of the Lehigh. In commencing this survey, it was important to determine the most eligible mode of crossing the Lehigh, and of making use of that stream as a feeder. To effect these two objects, I adopted the plan of raising the water in the Lehigh, ten feet, by a dam, of corresponding height and accordingly assumed a level ten feet above the surface of the water, at its junction with the Delaware, for the governance of my examinations. From this point a careful and particular estimate of each mile has been made, including fencing, bridges, aqueducts, culverts, rebuilding roads, &c. The aggregate expense of each mile so estimated, together with the amount for lockage, waste wiers, and the dam across the Lehigh, also comparative estimates of the Bristol and Tullytown routes, and the additional expense for a canal of five feet depth, will be seen by a reference to the schedule of estimates hereunto annexed. In constructing this canal the most important difficulty is in passing bluff rocky hills, which in many places, form the shore of the river: making it necessary to raise embankments from the water's edge, which must be protected by a wall, varying in height from fifteen to twenty feet, according to the relative situation of the river banks. A large portion of the route passes over undulating bottom land, soil, generally sand, loam and gravel. routes suggested: consequently the location of the canal must be confined immediately to the valley of the Delaware, as far as Morrisville. At this place a question arises as to the most favourable place of termination. To this effect, different routes have been examined, the most prominent of which are those designated in the schedule of estimates, by the names of the Bristol and Tullytown routes. A view of the relative situation of these routes may be seen by a reference to the map herewith presented. This, it is presumed, will be sufficient for the governance of the board in fixing on the place of termination. The estimates hereto annexed are predicated on the supposition that the canal be 40 feet wide at the top, 28 at bottom, and 4 feet depth. Locks 90 feet clear in length, and 14 feet width. The additional estimate for 5 feet depth, supposes the canal to be 40 feet wide at top, with proportionate width at bottom. Locks 100 feet clear in length and 14 feet width. All which is respectfully submitted, Wasteweirs Dam across Lehigh Add 10 per cent for contingencies After passing New Hope about four miles, the country west of the river becomes more level, bottom land increases in width, and the general aspect would seem to give more latitude to the location of a canal. Under Total amount of the Tullytown route this impression various routes were suggested for the purpose of crossing the country to Neshamony, and actual surveys have been made on the most favourable that could be found: the result of these examinations, I Average per mile at 4 feet cutting, think determines the impracticability of either of the 11,191 32 686,596 77 Whole cost of the 18 miles 97,121 00 H. G. SARGENT, Engineer. December 15, 1827. Average per mile The level for this line was commenced at a benched willow tree opposite the borough of Bristol, corresponding with the anticipated location of the canal at that place, as previously surveyed, and extended along the north side of the turnpike to Neshamony creek. From thence crossing the turnpike the line passes between it and the river, to the place of termination. The surface of the country generally, is considerably undulating, which would cause frequent extra-excavations and embankments. The soil is principally loam, sand and gravel, some cobble stone. In making the estimate I have calculated the cubic All which is respectfully submitted. Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1827. No. 15. To the Board of Canal Commissioners of Pennsylvania. Gentlemen-In pursuance of your instructions relative to the survey for the canal along the valley of the Delaware, I have made the necessary surveys and exami nations from Carpenter's point to Easton, connecting them with the survey previously made from the latter place to tide water. In commencing the survey of the upper route my attention was first directed to the loca tion of a dam at or near the point. With this view observations were made at different places, the most fa vourable of which is near Dunning's ferry, and about two and a half miles above the point. At this place the river is but four hundred and thirteen feet wide. A smooth surface of slate rock extends nearly across, making a permanent foundation for the dam. The Delaware and Hudson canal approaches within fifteen chains of the bank, on the New York side of the river, and the location is in every respect favorable for connecting the two canals, if desirable. Believing this to be the most eligible situation for commencing the survey for the canal, I according assumed a level seven feet above the surface of the water for the government of my examinations down the river. This level will require a dam of 01 feet in height, which, together with the fall in the river immediately below the anticipated location of the dam, will put the canal out of the feach of the floods, with but little extra expense. The location of the canal upon which the estimate is predicated, is confined immediately to the valley of the 122 river the whole distance. Examinations, however, have been made from the Bush hill to the summit level of a proposed route, passing back of the mountain at Walpack Bend, and intersecting the river again at Broadhead's creek. The elevation of the summit is one hundred and twenty feet above the level of the river route, as located at the Bush hill, making two hundred and forty feet extra lockage. This, together with the difficulty of obtaining a quantity of water sufficient to supply the summit level, induced me to confine my estimate to the river route, as being the most eligible of the two. Estimate.-Continued. 21,421 54 21,207 43 5,726 00 20,192 90 17,527 39 58 35,163 56 14,575 89 69 23,841 98 70 37,343 38 In making the estimate, the line has been divided into sections of one mile, and minute estimates made of each section, predicated on the supposition that the canal is to be made entirely inland, four feet deep, and forty feet wide at the top water line, with locks fourteen by ninety feet clear in the chamber, including the cubic yards of excavation, embankment and wall, at prices varying according to the nature of the work, also fences, bridges, aqueducts, culverts and all other necessary appendages, except the locks and dams. The aggregate amount of each section so estimated may be seen by a reference to the schedule of estimates hereunto annexed. The Whole distance 70 miles amount added for lockage and the dam will be found at the close of estimate. The most important difficulties to be surmounted in eonstructing a canal on this route, are in passing bluff rocky mountains, that come close on the river, making it necessary to raise embankments in the river, which must be protected by walls considerably heavier than is required on the route south of the Lehigh. These difficulties are more frequent than on the lower route. The bottom land is more undulating, causing frequent deep excavation and heavy embankments. This together with the additional amount of lockage, will account for the estimate so far exceeding that of the route south of the Lehigh. Any further quantity of water that may be required, after leaving the river at Dunning's ferry, may be obtained from the tributaries of the Delaware, the most important of which are the Bush hill and Broadhead's creek. A map of the route is now making, and will be forwarded to the board as soon as completed. All of which is respectfully submitted, Total amount Estimate of the proposed canal connecting the Schuyl- From Do. to the Delaware, average cut, 7 Forty feet of lockage, at $500 per foot Total for 3 miles less 18 chains, We have received from Washington, the letter of the Post Master General, accompanied with a list of Post Offices in the United States, and the nett amount of Postages received from each for one year ending 31st of March 1827. From this list it appears there were at that time 560 post offices in Pennsylvania. The whole amount of postage collected in the state amounts to $127,821 51, of which the post office in this city paid $77,446 4, nearly ths of the whole amount received from the state-Harrisburg and Pittsburg hold the next rank. We observe one office (Alba.) has contributed seven cents. In looking over this list we notice several offices having the same name-from which circumstance some mistakes must occur in the conveyance of letters. The names of the post offices and the amount received from each are as follows. The number of offices must haye increased considerably within the past year. Bath Beach Grove Beelen's Ferry Berwick Bethany Bethlehem Birchardsville Black Horse Blair's Gap Bloody Run Branchtown Butler Butztown Byberry 45 80 Columbia 4 14 Columbus 42 43 Concord 86 99 Concord Meet. House 15 11 7 23 Coniatville 108 10 Connellsville 88 96 Conyngham 403 10 Cookstown 9 67 Coolbaughs 47 73 Cootstown 49 70 Covington 18 44 Craig's Meadow 113 83 Cross Creek Village 4 08 Curwensville 45 13 Darby 66 91 Davisville 14 59 Dick's Run 250 18 Dillsburgh 50 87 Dillworthtown 392 05 Dimocksville 56 03 Dingham's Ferry 52 20 Donegal 13 50 Douglass' Mills 72 46 Dover 13 57 Downingtown 21 96 Doylestown 3 03 Dry Run 13 35 Dublin 86 16 Dundaff 130 64 Dunnsburgh 18 30 Durham 4 15 Dutottsburgh 16 95 Freedingsburgh 155 74 Freeport 41 00 French Mills 36 52 Friendsville 11 50 Gambles Great Salt Works Green Castle Greenfield 075 Greensburgh, G.co. 46 71 Greensburgh, W.co. 18 64 Greenville 4 41 Greenwood 19 81 Greersburgh 22 73 Gulf Mills 16 59 Half Moon 17 85 Halifax 106 78 Hamburgh 158 57 Hanover 14 61 Harford 0 92 Harlansburgh 96 81 Harmansburgh 29 63 Harmony 10 05 Harrisburgh 15 47 Harrisville 11 35 Lehigh Gap 20 93 Lewisburgh Fannettsburgh 50 66 Ickesburgh 14 99 19 97 Fawn Grove 21 02 Independence 1 05 Fayetteville 8 57 Indiana 148 21 Finleyville Fishing Creek 5 24 Irvine 2 02 Foylesville Fox Township Franklin Franklin Dale Franklintown Frankstown Fredericktown Freeburgh 28 06 Jefferson 69 14 54 80 11 60 145 92 23 34 28 09 53 73 19 70 Kernsville 22 85 9 93 Georgetown 20 99 Georgetown, M. co. 22 69 Kingston 90 40 425 88 Kinzua 8 05 |