SURVEY OF THE SAGINAW RIVER, IN THE VICINITY OF EAST SAGINAW,

MICHIGAN.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE,

Detroit, Mich., January 24, 1874. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report on the survey of the Saginaw River, in the vicinity of East Saginaw, Mich. On the 20th of September, 1873, I received the Department letter of the 15th of the same month. I was directed by this letter to make such personal examination of the obstructed portions of the Saginaw River be low East Saginaw as would enable me to report what would be the proba ble cost of an examination or survey necessary for the preparation of a plan and estimate of cost of improvement.

Accordingly I proceeded to East Saginaw on the 22d of September. 1873, and, in company with a number of the leading citizens of the vicin ity, viewed the obstructions which were complained of.

I was offered all the assistance necessary to make the survey, and hence, on the following day, wrote to you recommending it and fixing its probable cost at five hundred dollars, ($500.)

Accordingly you directed me, by letter dated October 2, 1873, to pro ceed with its prosecution at as early a period as practicable.

I therefore detailed Mr. Henry Gillman, civil engineer, to take imme diate charge of it, and he proceeded to do so on the 8th of October, 1873 A copy of his report is hereto annexed and forms a part of this report. A map of the locality is sent to-day by express.

The obstructions complained of are all situated within a distance of 7 miles below the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad-bridge. The main obstruction is the Carrollton Bar, about one mile below this bridge: the other obstructions being minor bars lower down, whihe it is believed can be removed by dredging, after the improvement at Carrollton Bar is made.

This improvement consists in confining the water at this point of the river by means of a double row of piling, to be driven near the easter shore of the river. This method of improvement was suggested by me. and I believe that the survey has shown its correctness. The cost of the work will probably be as follows:

Carrollton Bar.

5,240 piles, at $4..

58,000 cubic yards dredging in channel, at 25 cents per cubic yard......

8,733 cubic yards dredging in connection therewith, at 25 cents per cubic yard...

Contingencies

37,643

3,506

Total

41.

The cost of the work that may and probably will be required at other portions of the river below is as follows:

52,000 cubic yards dredging, at 25 cents per cubic yard....... Contingencies....

$13,00

1,300"

Total....

14.300

The total cost of the whole improvement will therefore be $56,000. I respectfully recommend that this whole sum be appropriated for this purpose. It is insignificant when compared with the great amonat of commerce which will be benefited thereby. I was informed that the

export trade of the river in 1872 amounted to over $13,000,000. The statistics of this commerce were promised me, but have not been received. I have been informed that they have been sent direct to Congress.

I indorse everything that Mr. Gillman says with regard to Wicke's and McLane's docks, and the dumping of dredged sand in the river; and I respectfully urge upon Congress such legislation as will enable officers in charge of river improvements to prevent parties from injuring or obstructing the navigable and improved channels, entirely to subserve their own interest to the detriment of the general good.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WEITZEL,
Major of Engineers.

Brig. Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., Washington, D. C.

EAST SAGINAW, MICH., November 7, 1873. SIR: I have the honor to report the completion of the survey and examination of the Saginaw River, ordered at this place.

The survey extends from the railroad-bridge to about 74 miles below East Saginaw, including the towns of Carrollton and Zilwaukee and Burt's Mill; and the shore-line on both sides of the river, the docks, and other features of the ground have all been carefully located, as well as the islands, bayous, &c., while soundings have been taken throughout the entire extent.

The great impediment to the navigation of this part of the river is the Carrollton Bar, which of late years has been growing more troublesome, owing to the deposits of sand drifted from the dredgings, &c., of the upper part of the river. The location of Wicke's and McLane's docks have, no doubt, exerted an injurious influence in this direction. The fiver, also, immediately widens here, and at the times of the spring freshet, when the current has a velocity of three miles per hour, it overflows the low bank on the eastward, into the adjacent marsh, and the effect of the scouring action is lost. To remedy this I would respectfully propose that the large body of water thus distributed and wasted be utilized by being confined to the channel by a double row of pile-work, to be driven from Wicke's dock, along the easterly shore of the river, and conforming as much as possible to the general direction of the shore, to a point opposite the north end of Webster's dock. The piles to be well and closely driven, and strengthened by timbers securely bolted at the top. The piles should reach above highwater mark. A certain amount of dredging would be required in connection with driving the piles, and it is advisable that some dredging should also be done in the channel to perfect the work; but there seems to be little doubt that the first spring freshet confined to the river-bed in the manner proposed would sweep away the entire obstruction complained of, and make a permanent channel of sufficient depth through

out.

An examination of the river shows that wherever the river is most narrow, even though tortuous, the channel is deepest. This is well exhibited in the vicinity of Zilwaukee, the narrowest part of the river, and the most winding, the water there being of a greater depth than anywhere else.

Except at the time of the spring freshet the current is extremely sluggish, the velocity at most being about one-half mile per hour. During northerly winds the current frequently runs up stream. The spring freshet raises the water generally from 6 to 7 feet above the mean water-level, often submerging the docks at East Saginaw. The rise is usually gradual, its maximum height being obtained in from two to three weeks; the flood lasts, varied with slight fluctuations, from three to four weeks, at the end of which time the river subsides to the mean level, which, during the remainder of the year, is only affected by the disturbing influences common to most rivers. There are no difficulties to be encountered in dredging, the bottom consisting of fine sand overlaying a bluish clay.

There has been a large amount of dredging done in the river, about $80,000 raised by local taxation having already been expended for the purpose, but it has been an intermittent work and has not been protected by piling. In consequence the result has been unsatisfactory. Government hitherto has given no aid here. As to the importance of the work it is unnecessary for me to speak, as you are already informed on the subject. The export trade of Saginaw River alone, in 1872, amounted to $13,141,224. A large proportion of this was with foreign countries.

As statistics embracing the value of the productions and commerce of this place are being collected, to be duly forwarded to you by the persons interested in this improvement, further reference to this subject on my part would be superfluons.

As the bed of the river is constantly changing, the sand being continually brought down and deposited on the bar and in its vicinity, (the greatest change, however, occurring during the spring freshet,) any estimate as to the amount of dredging required must, consequently, be merely approximate.

The length of the proposed pile-work is 3,930 feet, containing an aggregate of 5,240 piles. The cost of piles, including driving, bracing, and bolting, at $4 each..

Dredging, in connection with pile-driving, 3,930 feet by 20 feet, at an average depth of 3 feet-8,733 cubic yards, at 25 cents per cubic yard................ To dredge a channel 100 feet wide by 12 feet deep, outside the line of piles, at present condition of bottom-58,000 cubic yards, at 25 cents per cubic yard

Being a total, for pile-work and dredging at Carrollton Bar, of...... Additional dredging in other parts of river, if considered advisable at this time, 52,000 cubic yards, at 25 cents per cubic yard..................

Being a grand total of .....

$20.960 (w

2.153 25

14,500 0

37,643

13.000 0

50,643

Though I have included "an estimate for dredging in other parts of the river,” would respectfully submit that the result of the improvement proposed at the Carrol ton Bar be awaited before this be undertaken.

In this connection I would call attention to the advisability of more care being taken as to location of docks in the river. This is a matter of serious importance and shook. be judiciously controlled. The dumping of dredged sand into the river should als be more thoroughly proceeded against, so as to put a stop to the practice altogether. The points throughout the survey have been made as permanent as possible and marked for future reference.

A water-gauge was also established, and read and recorded during the taking of the soundings, being referred to a bench-mark, the corner of the stone water-table of the Commercial block on Genesee street, near the bridge, East Saginaw, so that comparison can be made with any future examinations and surveys.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
HENRY GILLMAN,

Report of the Quartermaster-General and Commissary-General of Subsistence, giving their views upon certain classes of claims growing out of the late war.

FEBRUARY 10, 1874.-Referred to the Committee on War-Claims and ordered to be printed.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
February 6, 1874.

The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives, for the information of the Committee on War-Claims, reports of the Quartermaster-General and Commissary-General of Subsistence, giving their views upon certain classes of claims growing out of the late war.

These reports to accompany letter of the 24th ultimo transmitting to the House a copy of General Orders No. 100, dated April 24, 1863, publishing "instructions for the government of Armies of the United States in the field."

WM. W. BELKNAP,
Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, D. C., January 30, 1874.

SIR I have the honor to return herewith the communication of the Committee on War-Claims, House of Representatives, (by its clerk,) requesting "a copy of the report or rules prepared by Dr. Francis Lieber in regard to, or regulating intercourse with, rebel States," which was referred to the Quartermaster-General for any suggestions he may desire to make thereon in connection with the subject of claims for quartermaster's stores which originated during the war.

Claims for quartermaster's stores taken and used during the war in certain States and districts are investigated by the Quartermaster-General, under the law of July 4, 1864. The law makes it his duty to report each case, when certain conditions are satisfied, to the Third Auditor, ¦ with a recommendation for settlement.

The Quartermaster-General has done this so far as the clerical and other force at his command has permitted. He has always himself held that his action is confined to a report with recommendation, and that if any error appears in his conclusion, his report and recommendation are properly, like all other matters of account or settlement of which he takes official cognizance, subject to revision and correction by the accounting officers, viz, the Third Auditor and Second Comptroller of the Treasury.

Payment is made, finally, only upon a statement and settlement of the account, approved by these officers.

Over 30,000 of these claims have been filed in the Quartermaster General's Office. About 12,000 are still on file, which may be considered as not definitely settled or disposed of. It is not possible for the Quar termaster-General to definitely and absolutely reject a claim. Unde the law, it is his duty to examine it, and when convinced that it is just and right, to report it with recommendation. Hence, if at any time not so convinced, he can only lay it aside and decline to make a report and recommendation, and the claimant is able and has a right to call it up again upon the production of additional evidence, or upon new arg ment addressed to the merits of the case.

Certain claims, apparently fraudulent, have been reported to the Auditor, with suggestion that the parties be prosecuted under the la relative to attempts to collect fraudulent claims against the United States. The Quartermaster-General, himself, has no authority to inst tute criminal proceedings. Such proceedings are for the Departmen of Justice, upon request of the Treasury.

The Quartermaster General has several times advised members of Congress calling upon him on business of their constituents in relation to these claims, that, in his opinion, the preferable method of disposing of them would be to institute commissions to visit the various districts of country, give public notice that they would receive claims between certain dates, and then at proper times hear and examine witnesses, and thus close up and determine the claims before the lapse of time makes it impossible to ascertain the facts for or against the justice of the claim made. This, in his opinion, would secure a speedier settleme=" than he is able to afford, and would enable the United States to fix a time after which no claim should be entertained by any other author."; than that of Congress itself.

Other claims against the Quartermaster's Department arise out of the occupation of real estate, lands, and buildings, by the Army. Others are for services not paid for when rendered. In fact, a claim may aris out of any unpaid obligation of the military service through the Quar termaster's Department. Excepting the claims to which the law of Jul 4, 1864, applies, all claims presented to this office are examined, and, if believed to be just, settled; under the general authority and duty the Executive to pay the debts of the Government for the War Depar ment, by reference to the Secretary of War with report and recom mendation, and then by payment either by a disbursing-officer, subje to subsequent revision and settlement by the accounting-officers of the Treasury, or, if the claim be for a liability of some standing, general; by reference to the Third Auditor, who examines all the evidence, and