Documents accompanying the President's Message. From observations made at this barbor, and elsewhere along the lakes, it appears that where the water is so deep that the waves do not break upon the natural bottom, they are best resisted by a vertical structure. This remark is known to be in direct opposition to prevailing notions, and to almost all practice; still it is now advanced with confidence, and may, ere long, be again urged more at large; at any rate, there is some direct proof in relation to the east harbor pier. In consequence of a strong conviction of the soundness of this opinion, the agent at Oswego was requested to "observe the east pier very carefully in every blow, and let me have his [your] opinion whether, if it be made vertical, with a strong wall, it will not do without a breakwater outside of it." The answer is, "I have had an opportunity of witnessing two pretty severe blows from the northeast, in which it would naturally be supposed that the east pier would be most exposed; but the flooring [top] was scarcely wet, while the west pier was continually covered by immense sheets of water; and the same happens in all blows that I have observed." "There has never been any stone thrown outside of the east pier, but a few washed out of the crib while they were sinking them, making an irregular bank a foot or two thick in some places." These circum. stances induce the recommendation to make no change in the east pier but such as is required to give durability to the work, to wit, by substituting, above water, strong stone walls for the work now in wood. The present broad mass of stones on the outside of the west harbor pier, makes the application to it, of the principle here announced, impossible. The sloping profile must, in that case, be continued and perfected. The expense, then, of placing the present work beyond accident, and lighting the entrance will, by these estimates, be Of which, all may be expended to advan tage, according to the calculations of the agent, next year, excepting the cost of the superstructure of the light-house, namely Leaving, as required for the services next year, All the sustaining parts of these struc tures are, as before mentioned, of wood; and all the wooden parts above water are, of course, rapidly decaying. The contemplated labors of the next year have reference to a future substitution, which is unavoidable, of an imperishable material for the decaying portions, and, as there is much to do in this way, the succeeding year should begin the substitution. To give the west harbor pier a permanent character, the profile No. 2 is recommended. The cost will be To give the same character to the east harbor pier, profile No. 3 is recommended. The cost is estimated at To build the light-house, 48,720 45 5,500 00 43,220 45 33,842 00 22,960 00 [23d CONG. 1st SESS. Big Sodus bay.-The artificial works at this harbor are as follows: 1st. A harbor pier, 2,138 feet long, running in a course a little north of east from the neck which connects Long point with the main shore. (See plan.) 2d. Another harbor pier, 1,372 feet long, running a little north of west from the northwest extremity of Point Charles. 3d. A channel pier running nearly north 640 feet from the outer end of the first-mentioned harbor pier; and, 4th. A channel pier running nearly north for 180 feet, and a little east of south about 150 feet from the outer end of the eastern harbor pier. The distance between the two channel piers, giving access to the harbor, is 475 feet. The piers are in part 14 feet, and in part 18 feet wide: they are formed of timber sides connected by cross ties, a floor of logs and top of planks, the interior being filled with stones. In a few places, as seen in the plan, the piers are reinforced by buttresses of timber filled with stones. The works thus far described were commenced in 1829, and finished last year. They appear to have perfectly resisted the action of the waves, and being founded on a bottom of coarse sand and pebbles, have settled but very little in any place. The draught of water into the harber is represented as having been increased by these constructions from less than 8 feet to 9 feet. The work now in progress consists of an extension northward of the west channel pier 210 feet, and of the east channel pier 690 feet. It is supposed that these extensions will be completed this year with the present appropriation. To complete the improvement of this harbor, it is proposed 1st. To extend the western channel pier northward 300 feet, in order to keep the outside sand, which is said to be moved by the current towards the channel piers, from being lodged near the entrance, between the channel piers. This work may - be executed in 1834, and is estimated to cost 2d. To erect a narrow pier along the back of Point Charles, and along the outside of the narrow part of the beach that con. nects this point with the main land, for the purpose of guarding the shore from the wash of the sea, which is now wearing it away. This pier will be about 1,800 feet long. To be erected in 1834, and estimated to cost 3d. To dredge a channel for a length of The substance to be dredged is represent- The sum just stated, viz. $35,000, will give $7,000 00 8,000 00 20,000 00 $35,000 00 23d CONG. 1st SES ] Documents accompanying the President's Message. safe anchorage in all weathers, and, during daylight, an easy entrance. Two other indispensable qualities will still remain to be provided: these are, ready access by night, and such a strong and du rable character in the works themselves, that the advantages mentioned may be secured for all future times. The first of these requisites may be had by the erection of a beacon-light near the end of one of the channel piers, of which the expense will vary according to the mode of construction. If of wood, and founded on a pier of timber and stone, the expense may be about Like all the other harbor improvements on Lakes Ontario and Erie, the operations at Sodus must, thus far, be considered as experimental: indeed, the problem as to this place is not, even now, fully solved; because, although a perfect shelter has been obtained for the deep water within the bay, sufficient depth of water over the bar (between the piers) does not yet exist. There is no reason, however, to doubt the full success of the dredging process; and it is important now to look forward to the means that, in that event, will be needed to impart durability to those portions of the work which, to save cost in the uncertainty of the issue, were erected of perishable materials. All the wood work of the p'ers above the lowest water of the lake will have decayed in eight or ten years. To substitute a facing of large stones for the outer, and of smaller stones for the inner side of the piers, making, with these, s'rong stone walls laid in hydraulic mortar, filling the space between the walls with inferior stones, and paving the top with large stones, will cost, it is supposed, about This latter operation need not be begun for some time; and in fact it may be best to wait, in order closely and fully to observe the effect of weather, of the ice, and of waves, upon the structure. Care. ful observation during two or three years may point out important matters of detail in the conversion of this timber work into stone work. According to these estimates, the future operations at Sodus bay will require the expenditures of the depth was originally but 4, 5, or 6 feet, there is now 16 and 17 feet. The force of the current which has wrought this change has also operated to cause an unequal subsidence in parts of the piers: any further action of this sort may, however, be effectually prevented, and it is believed has been, by a small deposite of stones at the foot of the piers. The piers are of timber sides and cross ties, are filled with stones, and are from 18 to 20 feet wide: as yet their stability has been in no perceptible degree impaired by the violence of storms. In order to obtain a depth of 15 or 16 feet water, it will be neces sary to advance the piers further into the lake, because the shoalest part of the channel is at and near the ends of the piers. It is supposed that a further prolongation 2,700 00 of 900 feet will give the depth required. This prolongation may be executed in 1834, and, according to the esti mate of the agent, will cost $22,500 00 There should be a beacon-light near the end of one of the piers, estimated cost 40,000 00 $77,700 00 Mouth of Genesee river-The object of the improvements of the mouth of this river was to remove from between certain limits a body of sand lying off the mouth, through which there was a crooked channel, with but 6 to 7 feet draught. To accomplish this object, beginning in 1829, two parallel piers were run into the lake from the points which form the mouth of the river. (See the plan.) The piers are distant from each other 360 feet. At the close of 1832, the west pier was 1,720 feet long, and the east pier 1,880 feet long. There have been added, and will be finished this year, out of the appropriation, 585 feet to the west, and 527 feet to the cast pier, making the former 2,305 feet, and the latter 2,407 feet long. The effect on the bottom between the piers has perhaps fully realized the most sanguine hopes: the channel is now straight, and has a depth of 11 feet in the shoalest place. Where Total cost of bringing the works in their present form to completion, The remarks made on the perishable nature of the materials employed in the construction at Oswego and Sodus, apply equally to these. Thus far, this experiment has been completely successful; and there is no reason to doubt a proportional triumph over natural obstacles for the additional means which it is proposed to apply. It becomes necessary therefore to know what must be done to give perma. nency to these important improvements. Adopting a plan similar to that recommended for Sodus, that is, converting the timber work, above water, into masonry of the best kind, the expense is estimated to be about Making the total cost of the future operations at the mouth of the Genesee river 2,700 00 $25,200 00 34,000 00 $59,200 00 Black Rock harbor.-It is through the artificial harbor that the great western canal of the State of New York gains access to Lake Erie; and it is by means of a large lock at the foot of the harbor that vessels passing between Lakes Erie and Ontario, through the Welland canal and Niagara river, avoid the Black Rock rapids. The pier which forms the harbor, by separating it from the river, and keeping the waters up to their lake level, runs south, nearly parallel with the east shore of the river, from the upper end of Squaw island, to within a short distance of Bird island. (See sketch herewith, A.) As the canal enters the Niagara river near the lower end of Squaw island, and leaves it again opposite the point just indicated, this portion of the harbor is also a portion of the canal, the pier and the dyke on Squaw island forming its western margin. This portion of the pier and the dyke was constructed by the State of New York. At the point A, commences the work executed under appropriations from Congress. The pier diverges, at this point, towards the western end of Bird island, and continues 415 yards to B; it then runs south to the island, a distance of 158 yards, (to C,) and, l‹stly, it runs easterly to the eastern end of the island, (to D,) a distance of 200 yards. Bird island is a mere ledge of rocks, scarcely rising in any place above the surface of the lake. This ledge has, however, considerable breadth, though lying chiefly under water, and occasions very heavy breakers in certain frequent winds. A pier was first built upon this island (from C to D) of timber: this was thrown down by the surf-and the operations of this year have been the sub. Documents accompanying the President's Message. stitution, in part, of a mole of large stones. The funds available under the last appropriation are, however, inadequate to such a construction as will insure its stability. The exposure is such, that only a work massive in itself, and made up of large stones, laid on the exterior side, with great care, in the manner adopted at the Buffalo mole, can be expected to withstand the violent action to which it will be exposed. At the eastern extremity of this mole there must be erected a beacon-light. This beacon, aided by the neighboring light-house at Baffalo, will afford safe conduct into the harbor, in almost any state of weather. The additional appropriation needed for completing the mole C D, and for erecting the proposed beacon-light, is estimated to be $3,000. [23d CONG. 1st SESS. and fastened together, and filled with stones, and to construct that part of it which will be above low-water mark of massy stones, the side-walls being laid in hydraulic mortar, and in such a manner as effectually to resist the operation of the surf and ice. The expense of constructing the pier may be estimated at twenty thousand dollars. Total estimated expense of completing Black Rock harbor, twenty-three thousand dollars. Buffalo harbor.-The works at this harbor consist (see plan) of a mole, chiefly of stone, which runs from near the old light-house, northerly about 290 feet, to the south shore of Buffalo creek, and thence (making an angle of about 120 degrees with this first part) about N. 73 deThe appropriations by Congress for this harbor were grees W. say 1,500 feet into the lake. The top of so founded on a project submitted by Major Maurice in the much of this mole as projects into the lake is 16 feet year 1828; which project, besides suggesting the works above the water, and 12 feet wide. This top, near the now finished or in progress, contemplated the erection of end, gradually curves to the south, and swells out into a a pier or mole to commence on the east shore, within the breadth sufficient to afford room for a light-house; the jaws of the harbor, and extend obliquely into the lake, in part of the mole which lies upon the shore is but 12 feet the manner represented at E. One object of this mole higher than the surface of the water, and does not exceed was to render the harbor more safe and tranquil, by ma-9 feet in width at the top. On the exposed side, that is king it more close, and preventing the recoil of the surf to say, on the south, a varying slope, gentle every where, into it from the adjoining beach; but another, and prin- but becoming more and more gradual as the distance from cipal object, was to arrest the sand moving along the the shore is increased, extends from the summit of the shore, and prevent its entrance and accumulation in the structure to the bottom of the lake. By a gradual change harbor. The sand thus borne along was, before the of direction, this slope is made to enclose the mole-head formation of the basin, carried away by the rapid current and foundation of the light-house in such a manner as to of the river; now, it is deposited just within the mouth. cause a considerable enlargement at this part of the work. And although it has not as yet produced any serious in- At the foot of this slope has been driven a row of contigconvenience to the navigation, it threatens seriously to uous piles, and another similar row has been driven at the obstruct it, unless arrested by some suitable means. The intersection of this slope with the surface of the water. proposed mole, it is thought, will be an effectual barrier. Between these two rows the mass is to be made up of The fact of a progressive motion of the sand along the large stones thrown in without particular regard to the shore is evident, in a greater or less degree, in many positions respectively occupied by them. Within the inplaces on the lake. The cause is not obscure, and serves ner row the surface is to be formed of large flat stones, to explain the shutting up of certain rivers in the summer, placed carefully in courses upon their ends or edges, bethe wearing away of points of land, &c. Taking the pres- ing thus deeply imbedded, giving to each other mutual ent case-suppose the wind to blow in the direction a b. support, and exposing their edges only to the action of (See sketch.) Let e be the point at which a wave, roll. the sea. This portion of the work is well advanced. The ing up along the line a b, first begins to disturb the bot- summit of the mole is now in part, and will be wholly, tom, and d the highest point on the shore to which the covered by a horizontal layer of large flat stones, accuwave is driven; a particle of sand may, therefore, be rately adjusted to each other, and well bedded on the transported by the wave from c to d. The wave was con- smaller stones beneath. On the inner or channel side of strained to pursue the course e d, by the direction of the the top there is a vertical fall of 12 feet down to the surwind, but, in recoiling, it will obey only the law of grav. face of what is denominated the tow-path; this fall being ity; and instead of retracing its path, and leaving the par- effected by a wall laid in mortar. Access is gained to the ticle of sand where it was taken up, it must retire by the top from the tow-path by several sets of stone steps proline of greatest declivity of the shore, which is de, (at jecting from the wall. The channel side of the tow-path right angles to the shore,) leaving the particle at e, ad- was built of "crib work," and part of the operations of vanced by the distance ce, on its journey towards the this year has been the substituting a strong stone wall for mouth of the harbor. The succeeding wave lifts the the upper parts of this crib work. particle from e to f, and falls with it from fto g, and so on. All winds (as a b) blowing into the quadrant e h, tend to move the sand towards the harbor, while such as blow into the quadrant e i, for example, kd, tend to cause an opposite motion. But the former are the prevailing winds of the year; and having, moreover, an extensive range along the lake, they drive a heavy surf upon the shore in question: while the latter winds are but occa sional, and, blowing off the land over only a narrow surface of water, cannot produce at this point waves of much comparative force. The balance of tendencies is, therefore, very decidedly towards the Black Rock harbor. It may here be observed that this motion of the sands must be at the expense of the shore towards the mouth of Buffalo creek, because the mole at the mouth of that creek prevents a supply of material from being furnished by the beach further south. It is proposed to extend the new pier from the shore to about 20 feet water, which will give it an average depth, under water, of about 13 or 14 feet, to form it as high as the water's edge, of cribs of strong timber, well framed VOL. X-D On the north side of the channel is a timber pier, filled in with stones. It is nearly parallel with the mole, and is distant from it, in the narrowest part of the channel, about 200 feet. This pier is about 1,250 feet long, the outer end being about 600 feet less advanced into the lake than the end of the mole. This pier is about 15 feet broad. It is designed to give to this pier the permanent character which already belongs, for the greater part, to the mole; and, for this purpose, to raise a wall on the chan nel side, from a little below the surface of the water to three feet above water; to pave the summit with large stones, making it 20 feet broad, and to form a slope of two to one on so much of the north side as extends beyond the beach, at the same time driving a row of contiguous piles along the inner side. At the end of the mole stands a lofty stone light-house, of most beautiful and substantial workmanship. The expenditure of existing appropriations, which must probably be carried somewhat into the next year, will, it is supposed, complete the north pier, the inclined surface and summit of the mole and the light-house, deposite the 23d CONG. 1st SESS.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. stones still required in the space marked w, excavate the spaces marked x y z to a depth of 10 feet, and, in short, do all that was contemplated when the estimate of September 30, 1832, was made. The progress of operations and the present condition of Deduct last year's estimate for the 100 feet, $2,160 00 800 00 5th. Easterly of the boundary of the United States land, there is a point projecting into the creek, (marked z,) and forming animpediment to the navigation just where the creek makes a considerable bend. This should be so excavated that there may be a depth of 10 feet water in a continuous line with the same depth along the side of the mole; estimated expense, Supposed cost, over and above the present appropriation, of bringing the works at Buffalo to entire completion, 2,900 00 7,140 00 1,360 00 6,200 00 $20,000 00 Dunkirk harbor.-Dunkirk harbor is an open bay, of more than a mile across from cape to cape, and offering no natural shelter from winds blowing from the northern quarter. To provide this shelter, a breakwater has been built on a shoal which lies off the middle of the bay, and a pier has been run off towards the breakwater from the western shore. The former is about 1,400 feet long, and the latter 1,564 feet long. Both these are strongly framed timber structures, filled with stones. (See the sketch.) About $4,800, which was available for this year, will have been expended in the construction of the outer 320 feet of the pier. The original design for this harbor, made by Major Maurice, is said to have contemplated the extension of the pier about 300 feet, the breakwater about 600 feet further eastward. The protection afforded by the present works would, it is thought, be improved by such extensions to a degree fully proportionate to the additional cost; at the same time that the eastern channel would not be changed, and the western channel would be left of ample depth. To extend the pier 300 feet, is estimated to No appearances give reason to doubt the stability of the present works; but they cannot be said to be complete so long as the parts above water are of materials rapidly decaying. It will be absolutely necessary, in some few years, to build, above water, strong stone walls in lieu of the present timber facings, and to cover the tops of both pier and breakwater with pavements of large flat stones, all laid in hydraulic mortar. Data for an estimate are not at hand. Erie harbor. This harbor, about four miles long and nearly two miles broad, is formed by what has long been denominated "Presqu' Isle." This is a low, sandy tract of ground, stretching out from the main shore, first being quite narrow, in a northeasterly direction, then gradually increasing in breadth, and turning more and more eastterly, and finally, having acquired a breadth of more than a mile, terminating abruptly nearly north of the town of Erie. This tract has several deeply indented bays at its eastern end, encloses several ponds, and is, in general, thickly covered with woods. (See plan.) At the time the improvements of this harbor were first projected, there existed but one inlet. This was at the east end, and through it there was one crooked and intricate channel, of about 5 feet water. After the works of improvements were well advanced, and had already been attended by the most happy results, giving a draught of 12 feet through a straight channel, a new inlet was unexpectedly made through a narrow part of the Presqu' Isle, near the west end of the harbor. Before adverting to the probable consequences of this breach, it is proper to describe the actual condition of the works at the eastern entrance, and such further operations as may be there called for. From a point on the main shore, which considerably narrows the entrance, (see plan,) a line of harbor pier, six feet wide, was run N. 19 W. 1,700 feet towards the southeastern point of the Presqu' Isle; pursuing the same course, the pier, with a breadth of 10 feet, was prolonged 317 feet further. At this point began the south channel pier, which was run, first, N. 35 E. 482 feet, being 10 feet broad, and then, N. 63 E. 302 feet, with a breadth of 12 feet. On the prolongation of the south harbor pier, the distance across the channel is 600 feet; and at the east end of the south channel pier the channel is 375 feet wide. The north channel pier projects into the lake a distance of 1,017 feet beyond the prolongation just mentioned, and into the harbor a distance of 246 feet, the course of the whole pier being N. 63 E.; its width is gen. erally 13 feet. The north harbor pier was extended in the first instance N. 17 W. 673 feet, to a low point. This point, however, by the action of waves and current, changed its place; thus making it necessary to connect the pier with it, in its new position, which was done by extending the pier N. 27 W. 1,050 feet. In consequence of still further changes in the form and position of this point, it became at last necessary to diverge, and to carry the pier $6,006 80 a further distance of 1,284 feet, to be there united with another point more inland, leaving the outer point as an 9,511 50 exterior breakwater. This harbor pier is six feet wide. The last-mentioned length of 1,284 feet falls within the 1,481 70 operations of the present year, during which it will be completed. The amount now available will also fill the harbor and channel piers entirely full, wherever there is a deficiency of stones; will, besides, cause a deposite of stones to be made for the security of the east end of the Documents accompanying the President's Message. south channel pier, and will supply all deficient planks in the tops of the piers. In regard to a portion of the future operations on the harbor, perhaps the most distinct idea can be formed from the instructions which, in reference thereto, were left with the agent. They are, therefore, in part, here transcribed. "A very careful sounding should be made along both sides of the piers and breakwater, (harbor and channel piers,) and off at the several distances of say 15, 30, and 45 feet. These soundings should be laid down upon a plan of the works drawn on a very large scale. Lines of soundings should also be run across the channel at about every 50 feet, and entered upon the same drawing. "Wherever these soundings show that the sand has been grooved out next the works, stones should be thrown in until they rise 3 or 4 feet above the proper bottom, and have a slope of 2 base to 1 altitude. "In certain places it may be advisable to throw in these stones upon a stratum of brush wood. In case these stones are thrown into a place exposed to a heavy swell, they should be large; if not so exposed, they may be small. The east end of the south channel pier should be reinforced with a mass of large stones without delay. "It is considered very important that the soundings above mentioned should be taken and protracted on the plan with great accuracy; so that, being done from time to time, (the dates always being entered,) the progress of every change in the bottom may be distinctly seen. What will it cost to place these stones? Can they be thrown in this year?" As no estimate is made by the agent, in a letter lately received from him, for throwing stones along the sides of the piers, it is presumed the soundings above directed showed the bottom next the piers to be undisturbed. The above-mentioned reinforcement of the east end of the south channel pier will be effected by the funds in hand. "One of the most important future operations will be the closing the present breach at the junction of the south pier and south breakwater, (south channel pier, and south harbor pier.) "To do this, I would recommend that two rows of piles be driven, as in this sketch; the piles being about 8 or 9 feet apart in each row, and the rows being from 20 to 30 feet apart, according as they can be made to embrace, more or less closely, the ruins of the old work; bat whatever may be the separation of the rows, the several parts of the rows should be accurately straight. These rows should overlap upon the present fixed parts, from 15 to 30 feet. The piles being driven, and secured to each other at the top by temporary ties, small stones should be thrown into the hole at and near the breach, until a level surface has been formed therewith, 15 feet below the surface of the water. Curbs of strong timbers, well secured by cross ties, should then be sunk in close contact with the piles, and so as to occupy all the space between the piles. These cribs being filled with stones, a bank of stones, about 6 feet high and 12 feet broad, should be added on each side of the crib work. A section of this work is here given. What will it cost?" The estimate furnished for this object amounts to $3,045. The breach just described was made by the very same action of the water as is relied on to maintain a straight and deep channel between the piers. The action, however, at this particular point, was greater than was looked for; a portion of the pier work was undermined, upset, and ruined; and so great, at times, was the current through the breach, that the sand of the bottom was scooped out to a depth of 30 feet. This breach must now be repaired with such precautions as will avert any similar accident for the future. These precautions are indicated in the instructions just quoted. [23d CONG. 1st SESS. Up to this moment, this project for the improvement of the harbor has never been brought to bear fully upon its object. The line across the inlet has, indeed, been complete; that is to say, it has connected the two shores once or twice; but, before sufficient time had elapsed to give the maximum result as to the channel, either the waters had worked a passage round the south end of the harbor pier, or they had found an outlet through the breach, thereby materially weakening the action in the channel. Notwithstanding these divisions of the current, however, the experiment, as has been stated, is successful; a deep and direct channel into the harbor having been substituted for one that was both shallow and intricate. But it will not anwer to leave the works in their present state, because the breach will be progressively enlarged by the undermining of more and more of the piers, and at last the current through the channel will be so reduced, that the passage may be closed by a new deposite of sand. The first object then must be to bring the piers, in their present form, to entire completion, by connecting them securely with the shores, so that no water shall pass around them; by fully loading them with stones, so as to give strength to resist the shocks of waves, ice, &c.; by protecting their bases from the undermining force of the current; and by closing the breach, so that all the passing water at the end of the harbor shall be limited to the channel. As before stated, the estimated expense of these operations, over and above the sum now available, is $3,045. Before the formation of the new inlet at the west end of the harbor, especially after some progress had been made in the works, there was no visible reason to doubt the happy issue of the experiment. Is there any reason to doubt it now? This is an important question, and one which at this moment does not, probably, admit of an answer. If the new inlet is to cause a diminished depth of water through the eastern entrance, this new inlet must be closed; if, on the other hand, no sensible effect is produced on the eastern entrance, and none upon the depth in the harbor, then two things may be done: 1st, precautions may be taken to guard the Presqu' Isle from a further spread of the inlet, or, 2d, a western entrance may be formed with part of, if not all, the qualities of the eastern; and should the latter result be obtained, the valuable properties of this harbor would be greatly enhanced. Can this question be solved now? In other words, can the best mode of operation be hit upon now, with that degree of certainty which would warrant the considerable expenditures required? It is thought not. There is good authority for stating that the depth through the new inlet is less now (by about 2 feet in the deepest) than it was some months ago: there is also good authority for stating that the current through the eastern channel has not greatly lessened, and it is certain that the depth through this channel is still quite sufficient; and, though there is no mode of ascertaining accurately whether this channel remains unchanged, has somewhat les. sened, or increased its depth, there is, at least, no direct evidence that the draught has been at all reduced. If, then, no injurious consequences have resulted to the old inlet, from the new, while the former has been in a state not admitting the full display of its improving tendencies, it seems advisable to wait for this display before a decision is bad on the project to be applied to the western entrance. While there was but one shallow and sluggish channel into the harbor, it would have been a bold scheme that contemplated the formation of two artificial channels, wrought to considerable depths solely by the rapidity of the current. One such channel has, however, already been produced; and present appearances, and circumstances which have developed themselves during the present progress of the operations, show that a second is certainly not beyond the scope of possibilities, |