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raise or lower it, as the case may require. This plan will be a great improve-ment upon the old joint, although a little more^expensive at first.

Another objection remains to be considered, which, at first sight, appearsmore formidable still than high chimneys. It is the passage of sailingvessels, built above Cincinnati , and sent to the ocean full rigged. On thisquestion I have eased my mind by conversing with a competent and intelligentseaman. Capt. R. L. Browning, of the U. S. Navy , a resident at Cincinnati ,has authorised me to state, that there is no necessity whatever to step the mastsof a vessel, before she gets to New Orleans , for the purpose of towing,—and thather rigging, when put up, will only prove an impediment to her easy towing.This appears very plain and correct to a landsman, but I have cited navalauthority to meet objections raised by watermen. The barque built last year atMarietta, and commanded by Capt. Lewis, measured 300 tons burden, and was40 feet high from the water to the lower mast-head, according to CaptainBrowning. Vessels of that description, therefore, .may, if they choose, passthe bridge in the very highest stage of water with the main-mast up. Nor willthe bridge prove an obstruction to the passage of that large class of iron steamersconstructed at Pittsburgh . These vessels will, when the works at Memphis arefinished, have there the best opportunity of shipping their masts, which opera-tion is not so easily performed at other places, where no machinery is erectedfor the purpose.

2. LOCATION OF BRIDGE.

During my visit at Cincinnati in May last, Mr. R. H. Rickey and myselfmade a survey across the river from Cincinnati to Covington, in line of Mainstreet. The distance from the corner of Wharf and Main street on the Cincin­ nati side, to the comer of Garrard and Wharf streets on the Covington side,was found to be 1658 feet. This survey, for the present purpose, is sufficientlyaccurate, and as it is the only one I have made, I have adopted its profile for theplan, which is hereby submitted to your consideration. Although the line ofMain street appears to possess some superior advantages, it does not follow thatit has been definitively chosen for the location of the bridge. It may be observedhere, that a bridge is perfectly practicable at any point of the city. The generalwants of the community will have to be duly considered in the choice of a site,taking into consideration the degree of facility of construction offered by thedifferent locations.

As the charter granted by the legislature of Kentucky leaves the location ofthe bridge entirely at the option of the Company, it is very important that thesame liberal provision should be inserted in the charter to be obtained from thelegislature of Ohio . It will be the interest of the Company to select the bestlocation; and as their interests and those of the community are identical, thepublic will be best served if the Company is left entirely free in its choice.Where the business of the community can be best promoted,—wherever thegreatest intercourse is likely to be, and where the approaches of the bridge do theleast injury and offer the greatest accommodations,—there will be the mostadvantageous site.

A greater difference exists between the many sites which present themselves,with respect to the nature of the river bed, its width, and the form of the banks.On this, the engineer who plans the work should be necessarily consulted. Thebank on the Kentucky side rests upon a stratum of limestone, which, from all