If, by clearing the bed of the river, its depth were increased, and more boats were employed, it is computed that the price would be brought to one half of the expense of land carriage. The Potomac Company, by whom this useful navigation has been opened, was incorporated for this purpose, by Acts of the States of Maryland and Virginia, passed in the year 17841, which authorised the fund to be distributed in shares, and raised by subscription. The original capital, or stock, consisted of seven hundred and one shares, which, at four hundred and forty-four dollars and four ninths, the value of each, amounted to three hundred and eleven thousand five hundred and sixty dollars. these shares, two hundred and twenty are the property of the State of Maryland, and seventy of Virginia. The Company has the power of increasing the capital by additional shares. The particular management and inspection of the work are confided to a President and five Directors, elected for a term Of The charter for the navigation of the Shenandoah river, was granted by the legislature of Virginia, in not exceeding three years, and invested with powers to appoint the treasurer, clerk, and other minor officers. The share-holders ineet once a year, and vote according to the number of shares, a hundred of which constitute a quorum, to whom all proceedings are communicated. Every ten shares, and every fifth share above ten, give a vote. The shares of defaulters are sold publicly. Foreigners, not naturalised, may be subscribers. The fund is still unproductive, as the annual amount of tolls, or tonnage, has been expended on the further improvements of the navigation. In 1807, the expenses of that of the Potomac amounted to 375,648 dollars; of the Shenandoah, to 65,000; and of the Conegocheague Creek to 500 dollars. Within the last year, a further sum of a hundred thousand was voted by the Company. The annual repairs, when the work shall have been completed, have been estimated at twenty thousand dollars. In the course of one year, ending the first of August, 1807, the amount of tolls on articles which passed the locks of the Potomac,- was upwards of fifteen thousand dollars; but in the two following years there was a falling off, that of 1808 amount If, by clearing the bed of the river, its depth were increased, and more boats were employed, it is computed that the price would be brought to one half of the expense of land carriage. The Potomac Company, by whom this useful navigation has been opened, was incorporated for this purpose, by Acts of the States of Maryland and Virginia, passed in the year 17841, which authorised the fund to be distributed in shares, and raised by subscription. The original capital, or stock, consisted of seven hundred and one shares, which, at four hundred and forty-four dollars and four ninths, the value of each, amounted to three hundred and eleven thousand five hundred and sixty dollars. these shares, two hundred and twenty are the property of the State of Maryland, and seventy of Virginia. The Company has the power of increasing the capital by additional shares. The particular management and inspection of the work are confided to a President and five Directors, elected for a term Of The charter for the navigation of the Shenandoah river, was granted by the legislature of Virginia, in In a national point of view this work will be of great advantage in accelerating the progress of agriculture, arts, and manufactures, diminishing the price of carriage, and facilitating the exchange of the productions and commodities of the countries watered by those rivers. The treasures of vast mountainous and woody tracts, hitherto unknown from the difficulty of communication, will be rendered accessible and inviting to every speculation of research, knowledge, or lucre. Much remains to be done. The banks of the rivers are still overhung with loose rocks and trees which impede the navigation, especially when by the melting of the ice and heavy fall of rains, the streams become resistless torrents which carry away every thing they meet in their boisterous course. The distance from Washington to the falls of the Potomac on the Virginia side is about twenty miles. By the bridge, above Georgetown, near the Little-Falls, it was five miles shorter; but, some years ago, this bridge was destroyed, by the pressure of accumulated ice and water after a sudden thaw, and has not been since repaired. The wild and romantic scenery of the Great Falls, which are seen most to advantage from the Virginia side, is scarcely to be equalled. There is a stupendous projecting rock covered with cedar, where one may sit and gaze at the waters dashing with impetuosity over the rugged surface. At the close of winter, vast masses of ice, rolling over the rocks with hideous crash, present a scene truly sublime. To those whose curiosity leads them to visit this terrific sport of nature, it may be useful to mention, that at a small distance, M. de Caraman', and the writer of this account, found a hospitable cabin that afforded oats to their horses, and eggs, milk, and ham for themselves. Several delicious springs issue from a neighbouring hill, which commands an enchanting prospect. The trees which abound here most are willow, birch, cedar, and oaks, of different species. The yellow jessamine is of a prodigious size. The prickly pear grows on the banks of the canal. White hore-hound and sweet-fennel5, of which there is great plenty, are employed by the inhabitants for medicinal drinks. The odour 2 Then Secretary of the French Legation in the United States, now chargé d'affaires at the Hague. 2 Bignonia radicans. 4 Marrubium vulgare. 3 Cactus opuntia. 5 Fæniculum dulce. |