dent's House, at Washington. After crossing the Butler road, it leads us, 4th, into the upper park, surrounded, likewise, with a permanent wall of stone. In its inclosure are the publie stables, (of brick,) three small frame buildings, separated about eighty yards from each other, denominated as the composition, drawing, and preparation rooms, are seen from the road. About two hundred yards in the rear of these buildings is the magazine of powder, designed to contain (environs) one thousand three hundred barrels. The topographical scenery is not surpassed by any west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the climate is salubrious and fruitful. The Allegheny Arsenal was commenced in 1814. The site selected and the greater part of the works erected by Majors Woolly and Wade, late of the army. The remainder of the improvements, filling up an extensive ravine, building timber sheds, &c., erecting walls, &c., were finished under the superintendence of the senior captain of the present ordnance corps. There are at present stationed at this post one Brevet Major, two Lieutenants, one storekeeper, thirty-five enlisted ordnance men, and fourteen citizens employed as mechanics. As an arsenal of the first class, the situation of the country offers every facility, both as regards the commodities and the mechanical operations; and there is not probably a site which would present more favorable results as an ordnance depot, than the one so judiciously selected by the gentlemen whose names are above quoted.-Military and Naval Magazine for May, State. Pennsylvania has had the honour of first introducing a practical exemplification of the great Howard's Plan, but on an improved scale. The benevolent efforts made by some of her estimable sons to reform her penal code and Prison Discipline, I trust will be attended with the success they merit, and I sincerely hope they will gain a signal triumph over the errors and prejudices of the enemies of the system, and prove how unfounded have been their predictions of its failure, Monarchs and military heroes claim for themselves immortal honour in having achieved the conquest of a Territory or a Fortress at the expense of much treasure, and the sacrifice of many thousand lives; their fame is estimated by the quantity of human blood, which is shed in ac complishing their ambitious projects; far otherwise with the country of Penn, her ambition is of a purer and more exalted character; she aims at a more glorious object, a triumph over vice, and by applying the mild precepts of the Christian religion towards perfecting her Institutions, to lay the foundation of future greatness and prosperity. What can be more gratifying to the virtuous mind of man than a consciousness in having succeeded in soothing the sorrows of the afflicted and rescuing the convict from ignominy, and restoring him to the world as a reformed and useful member of the community. Your experience, well known humanity, and practical knowledge of the system of solitary confinement, give you a strong claim to the gratitude and confidence of your fellow citizens, and must fully qualify you to add to the stock of valuable information already com municated by Mr. Vaux, Mr. Livingston, Dr. Bache, Mr. Sergeant, and other gentlemen. I remember with infinite satisfaction the opportunity which was politely afforded me of visiting the State Prison, under your immediate guardianship. It is with great pleasure I can bear testimony of the admirable management adopted in every Department of that Institution. Its healthy and elevated site. Its beautiful architectural proportions; the rigid attention paid to the means of preserving the health of the Prisoners, by cleanliness, ventilation, pure water, and wholesome diet constitute it in my opinion the best regulated and most complete establishment in the world. The favourable impression made on my mind in viewing this splendid edifice can never be effaced, and I wish most ardently that the example of Pennsylvania may be followed by every State of the Union, in adopting the plan of solitary imprisonment, and manual labour. The advantages to be derived from it are of such importance that none but the most prejudiced and fastidious can take exception to it. In awarding justice, we have nothing to fear from gentlemen of honor and science, as it is to be presumed their opinions would be founded on correct principles. From men of impartial and liberal sentiments we have a right to expect a fair and candid decision, but from the capricious and captious who too often view every object through the most jaundiced and distorted vision we look for nothing but vulgar and glaring misrepresentations. I have recently read with great interest and satisfaction, the work of Messieurs De Beaumont and De Tocqueville "on the Penitentiary system in the United States." These gentlemen have done justice to the subject, and their pages are divested of those illiberal and erroneous remarks which so often disgrace modern travellers. You have no doubt perused with attention their useful Book, and must admit the correctness of this observation "that in the Philadelphia Penitentiary, the moral situation in which the convicts are placed is eminently calculated to facilitate their regeneration." We must also fully concur in the truth of the following remarks: "Such is the fatal influence of the wicked upon each other, that one finished rogue in a prison suffices as a model for all who see and hear him to fashion their vices and immorality upon his. It is evident that all moral contagion among the imprisoned, is impossible, where thick walls separate the Prisoners day and night. The new Penitentiaries in which this contagious influence is avoided, have therefore gained a signal advan tage; and as long as that prison has not yet been found whose discipline is completely regenerating in its effects, perhaps we may be permitted to say that the best Prison is that which does not corrupt." I was greatly surprised to find it stated by the authors of this work that they saw two Insane convicts in the Prison. I should suppose they must have been admitted in that state while laboring under temporary derangement. Much has been written on the subject of Penal Jurisprudence, and various are the opinions as to the best and most effectual mode of diminishing crime, and reforming the criminal. Some writers are advocates of the Auburn system of discipline, others are in favor of the penal code of England, which too often hurries the wretched convict into eternity for offences which are not of sufficient magnitude and enormity to justify the ignomini ous punishment of death by the gallows. You may remember to have read among the works of Dr. Franklin, some very sensible remarks and severe strictures on the English criminal Laws, in a letter addressed to Benjamin H. Vaughan, Esq. dated March 14, 1785-that great and good man has declared in the most positive terms his abhorrence of the rigour of those Laws, and expresses his opinion, that in all cases, on the eternal principle of justice and equity, punishments should be proportioned to offences." I cannot conceive that a more judicious and efficient mode of punishment could be adopted than solitary im prisonment on the Pennsylvania plan. I am aware of the attempts which have been made to attach odium to it; perfect unanimity of opinion, however, is seldom to be expected, and men are too easily led astray by prejudice, ignorance, and caprice-without experiment and research, truth cannot be fairly developed, and the more narrowly we investigate, the nearer we approach to it. In the figurative language of a respectable writer "The Sun illuminates the Hills, whilst it is below the horizon, and truth is discovered by the highest minds only, a little before it becomes manifest to the multitude;" thus, men of great intellectual worth are enabled by well directed efforts to propagate doctrines which have a tendency to enlighten and improve the mind, and by gradual and certain progress to reform and benefit the human race. We are told that Bias, one of the Sages of Greece regarded the greater part of mankind as bad, but admitting that only a fourth are so, it must not then surprise us if prisons are increased in large and populous cities, where crime is constantly accumulating with luxury, and misery appears in all its horrors. If criminals are not radically vicious, and are not so depraved as to be beyond the control of the Law, it must therefore be reasonable to suppose that of all the modes of punishment which have hitherto been tried, solitary confinement promises to be most conducive to the moral welfare of the prisoner, and the good of the State. It is much to be regretted that the great and distinguished name of Roscoe has been found among the enemies of this system, the real merits of which could be little understood when it was denounced as cruel and tyrannical, and compared to the Bastile. The Pennslvania system has been founded in a spirit of philanthrophy and justice,-whereas the Bastile was instituted by an act of tyranny, and the voice of a ty rant could command an innocent subject to be incarcerated within the walls of a gloomy dungeon, without a trial, and with no other process than a Lettre de cachet, and because "Le Roile veut" (the King wills it) I thank God, that for the honor of mankind, and the cause of humanity, this monument of Despotism has long since ceased to disgrace the French nation. son. atrocious acts of rapine and murder, to their boisterous mirth and vulgar jests, or be subjected to the ferocious looks and unbridled fury of such monsters, amidst the clanking of chains, the imprecations, and licentious jar gon of the most unrelenting villains. The advantages of solitary imprisonment are obvious, and the happy influence exercised by it over the mind of the convict, cannot be too highly appreciated, and it yet remains for you to ascertain how much it can be improved, and to what extent it may be successfully carried. Permit me before I close this communication (already too prolix) to remark, that in this enlightened age, when the march of intellect is making such rapid strides to ameliorate the moral state of mind; to forward the views of phi lanthropic Statesmen, and men of science, the criminal laws of those countries which declare such crimes capital, and punishable with death, as do not here admit of punishment by solitary imprisonment for a longer pe riod than four or five years, are a violation of the esta blished principles of humanity, and at variance with the doctrines of Christianity. Many of the zealous champions of the English Penal Law contend that prevention is the great end of punishment; but conflicting as are the opinions on this subject, let us lay it down as a maxim, that he who advocates the cause of mercy takes the safe side of the question, provided he does not trample upon and infringe the great precepts of the Christian Religion. There are it is true, certain crimes although not producing death, yet so heinous as to warrant the most severe punishment the Law can inflict. The great objection to the penal Law of Eng. land is that it makes no difference between the felon who commits murder and the criminal who steals a sheep. An eminent English writer who thinks the Criminal Law of England faulty, and condemns it for undue severity, maintains, "that offences are punished not according to the moral guilt which they indicate in the offender, but according to the facility with which they can be committed and to their supposed danger in consequence to the community." edly in favor of solitary imprisonment, may be added To the list of great names of writers who are decid the learned Dr. Paley, who has remarked that " of the reforming punishments which have not yet been tried, none promise so much success as that of solitary im prisonment, or the confinement of prisoners in separate apartments. This improvement augments the terror of the punishment, secludes the criminal from the society of his fellow prisoners, in which society the worse are sure to corrupt the better; weans him from the knowledge of his companions, and from the love of that tur bulent, precarious life in which his vices had engaged him, is calculated to raise up in him reflections on the folly of his choice, and to dispose his mind to such bitter and continued penitence as may produce a lasting alteration on the principles of his conduct." No fetters and whips, or other instruments of torture are tolerated within the walls of the Eastern State PriJustice is here tempered by mercy, and the prisoner has full time to reflect on his past misdeeds, and to repent of having offended the laws of God and his country. The irksomeness of his confinement is greatly relieved by mechanical occupation, and his mind is solaced by the Bible and Prayer Book, whilst he finds additional consolation in the occasional visits from a minister of the Gospel, the learned and amiable Physician of the Institution, and has in you a friend and guardian; for who is so well qualified to take special charge of this Institution as a member of the Society of Friends, whose religion proclaims peace, charity, and good will to all mankind. The opportunities you have enjoyed in visiting and inspecting the condition of the Prisons of Europe and the United States, must render you competent to form a correct opinion on the various methods of managing and enforcing Prison Discipline, and have enabled you to observe the striking contrast which the Pennsylvania system presents to those Gaols, where the brutal punishment of the lash is frequently inflicted for every petty offence, where the young and inexperienced in crime are associated with the most for information from the highest authority, and the best reliance; indeed, we cannot be too solicitous in seeking abandoned malefactors, and obliged by their deplora-informed men, on every subject connected with the ble situation to listen to the fiendish recital of their I have for the present sufficiently trespassed on your time, and have only to say that I heartily wish success to the great cause of Justice and Humanity in which Pennsylvania has embarked; her conduct is truly meri torious, and her example will, I hope, be followed by every State in the Union. I will shortly have the satisnent Judge of this State, who is an accomplished scho faction of communicating to you the opinion of an emi. lar, and a gentleman in whose judgment I have perfect welfare of an enlightened people, and particularly when such circumstances, I consider it is as a duty they owe to we confide in their opinions to elicit truth; and under their country, and to the cause of Philanthropy not to withhold them. I am, Dear Sir, with sentiments of great EASTERN PENITENTIARY, PHILADELPHIA, 9 Month 26th, 1834. Esteemed Friend,-I have to acknowledge the receipt of thy two communications, which would have been sooner replied to, but for the numerous calls on my time, and I am sure thy goodness will excuse the delay. At ing this evil to a great extent, altered their State Prison at Auburn so as to give each convict a separate cell to sleep in, and established a strict and severe discipline during the day, so as to cut off much of the communication which had before existed between the prisoners. The Legislature were so much pleased with this, that a new prison was built at Sing Sing. While this was going on in New York, Pennsylvania satisfied with the The favorable opinion thou hast so kindly and ably efficacy of their former plans, directed the building of expressed respecting our Penitentiary, and the firm a Prison at Pittsburg, and one at Philadelphia, for sepconviction anticipated of its happy result, will I have arate confinement both day and night. No difference no doubt, be fully realized to the entire satisfaction of of opinion exists as to the evil effects of the old mode all the advocates of the system. Thus far we have of allowing all to be together, but the question appears every cause for congratulation, and many of those who to be, whether it is best to allow prisoners to be workwere decidedly, and I believe conscientiously opposed ed together in the day, and lodged separate at night, to the theory of solitary confinement, have after a care- or kept separate both day and night, and deprived of ful and impartial examination of the system as prac- all opportunity of seeing or knowing each other. This tised by us, become thorough converts and warm ad- subject is ably argued in a pamphlet written by G. W. vocates. It must however be admitted that some of Smith, Esq. of this city, entitled, a Defence of the Sys. these, as well as most of the opponents of the system of Solitary Confinement, &c. which contains more tem, have not had a distinct understanding of it.-information on the subject of prisons and prison discipThey supposed that the prisoner was immured in a line, than any work of its size that I have seen. small and perhaps dark cell, without books or employ- the time this was written, we had not the full adment; never seeing the face of man, and rarely hearing vantage of experience,-now after having had five his voice, hence they have said it was "cruel in the years of actual practice, we find that all we promised extreme, and should not be tolerated." But when has been realized, and none of those horrible results some of these very persons have seen the spaciousness predicted by those opposed to us, have occurred. of the cells, the attention paid to their construction, to We find that separate confinement with labour, does the ventilation, heating and facilities to cleanse them- not cause either insanity or disease; we have now priswhen they have seen the men cheerfully engaged in oners who have spent four and one nearly five years their various employments, seen them with their books, with us, who to all appearance are in as good health as and know that they are seen by the keepers and offi- the day they came in, and as respects their minds they cial visitors, that they receive both religious and me- have evidently much improved. It must be admitted chanical instruction, that the system cannot be called that where they labour in workshops together, there is solitary, but is perfectly separate confinement, with a greater choice of trades, and hence more profit will religious, moral, and mechanical instruction:-these accrue to the Institution; this I consider of minor im very opponents cry out "we did not understand you, portance; it is desirable that the prisoner should be and we now fear that instead of being too severe, your made to support himself, this is all I deem necessary. system is too lenient." I do not think we can be un- No State should promote crime, to increase its reve derstood without being seen, and I do rejoice that some nues, and I cannot but believe that where prisoners are distinguished men like thyself, have taken the trouble allowed to associate at all and see each other, they to come, see and know for yourselves. I have some- become acquainted with the persons of each other, and times thought that in speaking of the discipline of the although but little oral communication may take place; Institution, we might say that we discard the word crime is the necessary result. punishment and substitute that of privation. Thus, if a man steals from his fellow man, he is not fit to run at large and is therefore locked up, deprived of socie ty, and many of the luxuries of life. If he conducts himself with propriety, he is comfortable, fed, clothed and allowed to walk in a yard once a day. He is expected to work and earn his living, as this is the duty of all, if he neglects to do this, (unless sick) he is fed accordingly; if he abuses the privilege of his yard, he is not suffered to go into it, if he behaves refractory, he is put into a less comfortable cell, and his diet reduced until he is in a better state of mind; but stripes and chains are entirely discarded, and very little trouble is found in the management of prisoners. The two most important objects of improvement are the security of society and the reformation of the criminal. The latter had ceased to be hoped for under the old prison regulations, (if regulations they could be called) and all acquainted with the subject agreed, that what had been intended for, and called Penitentiaries, produced more crimes than they eradicated, and the only beneficial effect was, that the inmates were prevented from committing depredations on society during their con finement. But it is doubtful whether even in this respect there was any advantage, and whether it would not be as well to dispense with imprisonment rather than herd them together where the hardened and accomplished villain was constantly teaching the novice, and thus creating an extensive community of thieves. Attempts were early made in Pennsylvania to remedy this evil, but from circumstances (not necessary to mention in this letter) were never carried into full opera tion. The neighboring State of New York experienc VOL. XV. 46 Wherever prisoners are allowed to come together; they will know each other and they will communicate together; in order to prevent this, corporal punishment is resorted to, and in exact proportion as it is prevented, is the severity of the whipping. Now this practice I must enter my protest against. From the long and perhaps I may be allowed to say, the extensive knowledge I have had of the various systems in the practice both in Europe and America, the pains I have taken to investigate the effect and results of their discipline, have fully convinced me, that the cruel practice of whipping is a serious and lasting injury; it degrades the individual still lower in his own estimation, it hardens his heart, renders him callous and dead to all the kind and better feelings of our nature,and should he survive the cruel treatment (which I fear is too often inflicted) and be restored again to liberty, he comes upon society with his feelings embittered against mankind, his mind bent on revenge, and ready at the first opportunity to plunge again into crime-thus the second state of this man is worse than the first. I cannot approve of any system, the success of which depends on violence or the lash, nor do I think it will ever be permitted in Pennsylvania. If separate sleeping cells at night, strict discipline during the day, kept up by the fear of the whip has a salutary effect.-I would ask have we not all the advantages where this separation is both day and night, and where there is no necessity for this severity to preserve the discipline of the es. tablishment. To the Philanthropist I would say come, view, examine for yourself,-let the opposers of the Institution cast aside all prejudice, and give it an impar. tial investigation; let them behold the prisoners, view them at their various employments, their health, their in which we shall have 12 or 14 feet depth of water.- From the Lancaster Journal THE MARIETTA BRANCH RAIL WAY, Forming a connection with the Columbia and Philadelphia rail way, at the depot near Columbia. The in teresting report of the Chief Engineer, Mr. Gay, upon this important connection with the Susquehanna, at the Borough of Marietta, is published in this day's paper. By this project, the inclined plane at Columbia is entirely avoided, and one of the most favorable and beautiful points upon the great river, will be opened for an extensive river and inland trade. There can be no doubt of the success of the undertaking. REPORT OF EDWARD F. GAY, ESQ. CIVIL To the Commissioners of the Marietta Rail Way: Gentlemen-Ilaving been desired by you "to make the necessary examinations, for a line of rail way from the borough of Marietta, to the nearest practicable poin! of connection with the Pennsylvania rail way, East of the Columbia inclined plane," I now submit to you the result of my labours, embraced in the following report and estimate, together with a map representing the position of the line with reference to the State Improve Commencing at the East line of the borough of Marietta, the route of the rail way is traced nearly parallel with the Columbia and Marietta turnpike, to station No. 56, being fifteen chains south of 'Spinning Wheel Point, thence bears eastwardly, and crossing Bethel's Run,passes through the northern limits of the borough of Columbia, and after crossing Shawnee Run, it intersects the Pennsylvania rail way near to the Lancaster and Columbia Turnpike, and distant about 20 chains East of the Locomotive Depot,' at the head of the inclined plane. The whole length of the line, as measured, is three miles and sixty nine chains. I send a set of Reports made to the Legislature fromments, as completed. the opening of the Penitenitary to the first of this year, these contain information on several subjects referred to in thy letters, and the tables will give all the statistical information requested; my own Reports contain opinions which I would otherwise here have to reiterate. In reply as to thy inquiries, as to the moral condition of the colored convict as compared to the white, I may say it is inferior, but a few have had advantages of school learning, and the care of masters when young, while most have been hired out from early youth, without any pains having been taken to instill into them principles of morality or religion. Very few are convicted of high | crimes except for Burglary, but these cases are gene. Fally without violence, their propensity appears to be, to pilfer and to steal. They work full as well as our white prisoners and readily receive instruction, and very few have shewn a refractory disposition, three or four out of the whole number received have been slaves, and two of these excellent prisoners.. Our diet consists of one pound of good bread and a pint of coffee or cocoa for breakfast, three quarters of a pound of beef without bone, one pint of soup and as many potatoes as they wish for dinner; we occasionally give instead of beef half a pound of pork, and at some seasons rice instead of potatoes; for supper Indian mush as much as they please, and they get once a month half a gallon of molasses, which is used at discretion, salt is also given to them. Each cell has water introduced into it which the inmates can draw at pleasure. The ground floor of our observatory, being about on a level with the top of the reservoir at Fair Mount (96 feet above high water) we find with regret that we cannot have sufficient supply of water from that source, and therefore have decided on having the necessary water works within our walls. Notwithstanding our elevated site, we find water at 12 feet below the surface; we have just completed a well 30 feet diameter and 26 feet deep, From station No. 85, on the dividing ridge, between Bethel's and Shawnee Runs, a line was traced Northwardly, near the dwelling of Mr. S. Heiss, and connected with the Pennsylvania rail way, about half a mile east of the point proposed, as represented on the map, but as this route was found to possess no advantages over the other, it was abandoned. By reference to the map, it will be seen that the pro posed route, as laid down, is remarkably direct in its general course, and if viewed in connection with the character of the intervening country, affords the shortest possible, and I may add, practicable line, for a rail way between Marietta and the Pennsylvania rail way, by which the inclined plane can be avoided. The character of the line is distinctly and naturally marked into three divisons. The first extending from Marietta to Chicques creek; second, from Chicques to station No. 56 fifteen chains south of 'Spinning Whe Point, and third, from station No. 56, to the Pennsyl vania rail way. The first division is remarkably favorable for the com struction of the rail way, the excavation will be light, and the expense comparatively trifling. As the line crosses the Chicques creek, at the pool of Henry Halde man's Mill dam, a bridge of 383 feet in length will be required at that place, also, a small bridge over the saw mill head-race. The second division, commencing at Chicques creek, is traced along the precipitous face of 'Chicques hill,' and in its course encounters several heavy rock-cuts and embankments. Materials for the embankments, will in some places, be difficult to obtain, as a large portion of the natural soil which originally covered the rocky face of the hill, has been removed, to form the canal and turnpike, which are constructed along its base. The most prominent rock-cuts, which occur on this division, are through, what are commonly known as Chicques Rocks,' and 'Spinning Wheel Point.' At each of these points the maximum depth of excavation will be sixty feet, the distance however, will be quite short, (not exceeding one' chain each) and the position of the cuts favorable for the advantageous application of labor to them. Notwithstanding the face of this hill presents numer ous obstacles which are calculated to render the line expensive, still the difficulties are far from being as serious as would naturally be anticipated by a casual ob server. The third division, commencing at station No. 56, passes over an undulating surface for nearly its whole length. The excavation on the dividing ridge between Bethel's and Shawnee runs, will be heavy, and also the embankments across those runs. The line, however, has been arranged, both in reference to direction and grade, so as to ensure a sufficiency of materials from the excavation to form the embankments, which is the only sure method of preserving a due degree of economy in the construction of this division of the work. I now proceed to show the graduation of the line traced, which is as follows:From Marietta to station descent 20 ft. No. 8, dist. 24 chas, level. ascent per m. 34 ft. rock excavation, the two tracks are designed to be united The form of superstructure estimated for the road, consists of whitefoak sleepers, ten inches in diameter, placed four feet apart, and resting upon broken stone, compacted in longitudinal trenches, 16 inches wide and one foot deep. The sleepers to be notched, and oak rails 6 by 8 inches square, secured to them with wedges. The wood rails to be capped with iron plate rails 24 inches wide, by 5-8 inches thick, properly secured with iron spikes. This form of superstructure is selected, as being little liable to get out of order, and as being easily adjusted when repairs are required; it is also the cheapest form of road that could be adopted with a view to the use of locomotive engines upon it. The following estimate represents the various kind of work required for the entire line, and is believed to be sufficient to complete it. The quantities have been made out with as much care as the nature of the examination would allow of and the prices are such, as I have no doubt the contracts could readily be taken for. pr. m. 27,615 2,080 $98,000 9,800 Total cost, $107,800 Respectfully submitted. EDWARD F. GAY, Engineer. The minimum radius of curvature upon the line, (be- Add for contingencies, 10 per cent. ing at 'Spinning Wheel Point,') is 560 feet, but as the grade at this point may be reduced to 20 feet per mile, it will be unnecessary to apply the highest grades on any curves described with a less radius than 700 feet. The surface may therefore be considered as decidedly favorable for the use of Locomotive Engines on it. This line of rail way, is one naturally calculated to be expensive in its construction yet it affords me pleasure to be able to assure you of its entire practicability, and to express my opinion, that when completed, its advantages will be found to be fully commensurate with its cost. Its object will be to place Marietta (which is admirably adapted, by its location, to accommodate an extensive rail way, canal and river trade,) upon an equal footing with Columbia. It will materially extend the facilities for trans-shipment upon the State Works, and whether viewed as an improvement by itself, supported as it would be by an extensive lumber, coal and canal trade, with a portion of the rapidly increasing passenger travelling-or, as a part of an extension of the Pennsylvania rail way to Harrisburgh, (which must ere long be made, as being the only natural, and in every point of view, the best route for a rail way, connecting Philadelphia with the Seat of State Government,) it will doubtless prove a profitable source of investment to its proprietors. STRASBURG BRANCH RAIL ROAD. This branch extends from the borough of Strasburg, Lancaster county, to the Columbia and Philadelphia Rail Road, near the water station at Lemons', extent about four miles. The whole stock has been taken, and the work it is expected, will be put under contract without delay.—Ib. CANAL FROM COLUMBIA TO TIDE. Mr. Gay, the Principal Engineer, we understand, has completed the survey of this route without encountering any unexpected or great difficulty. The line to the head of the Union Canal is about 30 miles, and allowing five feet water, fifty feet in width, and double locks, the cost is estimated not to exceed 1,800,000 dollars. The projected scale upon which it is proposed to carry it into execution, though it does not exactly come up to our wishes, is certainly grand; yet hardly The estimate has been made both for the grading and equal to the immense business which this line is dessuperstructure of a double track of rail way, with the tined to pass. The stock, it is understood, will be taexception of about one hundred and fifty feet at Chicken in an hour, did it amount to double the sum calcuques Rocks, where, in order to save a large amount of lated.-lb. |