INLAND NAVIGATION.

35i

rock; and, from as accurate a iurvey as possible, it is supposed that twothousand pounds would be the utmost sum of money wanted to deepenthe channel, so as to let off all the waters from the meadows, and therebyredeem from the floods a large tract of rich land, for grafs, hemp, andIndian corn. In 1789 the state had it in contemplation to raise this sum,and carry into execution a plan so evidently conducive to the generalgood and profit of the community.

In Pennsylvania the river Swetara, which falls into the Sufquehanna,from the north-east, is navigable fifteen miles. It is now in contempla-tion to cut a canal about twenty miles from the river Swetara to theriver Tulpehoken, a branch of the Schuylkill. Should this be effected, apassage would be open to Philadelphia from the Juniatta, the Tyoga,and the east and west branches of the Sufquehanna, which water atleast 15,000,000 acres. From this junction, the general course of theriver is about south-east, until it falls into the head of the Chesapeakbay, just below Havre-de-Grace. It is about a mile wide at its mouth,and is navigable for sea-vessels only about twenty miles, on account ofits rapids. The banks of this river are very romantic, particularlywhere it passes through the mountains. This passage has every appear-ance of having been forced by the pressure of the water, or burst open.by some convulsion of nature.

Besides the aforesaid channels between the western waters and theAtlantic, there are two others to which the Pennsylvanians are turningtheir attention: one from Presqu’ifle, on lake Erie, to Le Bœuf,down the Allegany river to Kiskiminitas ; then up the Kiskiminitas,and from thence by a small portage to the Juniatta, which falls into theSufquehanna : the other from lake Ontario to the east branch of theDelaware, and down that river to Philadelphia. Both these are said tobe very practicable at no very great expence, and considering the enter-prising spirit of the merchants of that city, whose object is concentred in

promoting