which, at the present rates, has produced an increase of thirty thousand seven hundred and sixty-three dollars and nineteen cents in to!ls on flour consequent upon the drawback.

It is true that the tables do not present an increase of tolls on articles shipped westward, upon which a reduction was made. This decrease is, however, to be attributed to the fact that, from the causes previously alluded to, the transportation from the east to the west was much diminished by the limited supplies purchased in the eastern markets, as compared with the previous year. Had the former rates of toll been continued, it is certain that the aggregate amount of revenue derived from that source for the year just ended, would have been reduced by the diversion of the carrying trade to other channels.

The Board have treated this subject somewhat in detail, for the purpose of showing that the deficiency in the revenue from tolls has arisen from causes over which the officers of the Government had no control, and which do not in the least degree affect the character, the usefulness, or the prospects of our improvements. It can scarcely be necessary, at the present day, to enter into an argument to prove that the increase in the collections from this source must be progressive. The revulsion in trade which naturally follows an indulgence in a spirit of wild speculation, or an undue expansion and sudden contraction of the principal circulating medium of the country, may occasionally reduce the amount of tolls from our works below those of a previous year, but it only requires an examination of the advantages of our local position as a carrier between the eastern and western waters, and of the inexhaustible sources of trade which Pennsylvania contains within her own borders, to satisfy the most skeptical that the period is fast approaching when the revenue from our improvements will only be limited by their capacity to accommodate the transportation and travel which may be brought upon them. Portions of the main lines are at present unproductive in consequence of their extensions being still in an unfinished state. These extensions have been so far progressed with, as to admit of their entire comWhen we shall have formed a pletion in the year 1842. connection with the improvements of New York by the North Branch, when we shall have reached the waters of the Lakes by the Erie division, and have afforded an outlet to the coal of Lykens and Bear valleys, by the Wisconisco canal, we shall then find that the anticipations of the friends of the State improvements were not the result of visionary theories.

Besides the increase of trade which can confidently be relied on from the completion of the unfinished lines, and from the additional impetus which must be given to transportation by the rapid development of our mineral resources, which is now taking place along those portions of the public works which have been brought into use, the enterprise of private companies, whose improvements connect with those belonging to the Commonwealth, will undoubtedly swell the receipts from tolls by the new outlets and facilities which they give for the conveyance of our productions to market.

the intersection of the main line of the Pennsylvania Canal
at Middletown, which will tend to throw upon that portion
of our works a large amount of tonnage, which now, from
the capacity of the company's canal, is almost entirely lock-
ed up. When the improvements shall have been made to
the extent contemplated by the company, this canal, besides
increasing the business upon the State works by the larger
amount of coal which will be shipped from the Pinegrove
region, will afford to the citizens of our commercial metropo
lis a continuous canal communication to the eastern base
of the Allegheny mountains for boats of the same capacity
as those which now navigate the Pennsylvania Canal.
These works cannot be considered as rivals to those be-
longing to the Commonwealth. It may be that they will
take off a portion of the transportation from our lines at
their points of intersection, but that loss will be overbalanced
by additional tonnage and travel which will be thrown on to
those lines in consequence of the increased facilities given
to the agriculturist, the manufacturer and the miner, in dis-
posing of the product of their labor.

As another source of revenue the Board would recommend the selling or leasing, under necessary and proper restrictions, of the water-power created by the public works, At present, the Board have no authority to dispose of this surplus power, and individuals are prohibited under heavy penalties, from using it in any manner whatever. If this authority were vested in the Board, it would add much to the wealth of the Commonwealth by the multiplication of manufacturing establishments, and at the same time increase the receipts from our improvements. This, together with the suggestions in a succeeding page, under the head of the motive department of the Portage Railroad, relative to the transportation of passengers, and purchase of trucks for the conveyance of section canal-boats over the Pennsylvania railroads, merit the consideration of the legislative body.

There are one hundred and sixty-five and three-quarter miles of canal now in progress of completion, divided inte Miles. the following lines, viz:

North Branch Division, from the Lackawana to
Athens,

....

Erie extension, from Greenville to the harbor of Erie,
Wisconisco Canal, from the mouth of the Wiscon-
isco creek to Duncan's Island,...

Total unfinished lines in progress,.
Canals and railroads in operation,.

Total number of miles of canal and railroad in pro-
gress and completed, .

90

631

121

1653

7681

934

Sixty-nine miles of canal and railroad which had been commenced have been suspended, as follows:

Sinnemahoning extension,
Kittanning feeder,....

Miles.

33

14

Gettysburg Railroad, (that portion upon which the grading had been commenced,)

Total,......

......

The whole cost of the lines now in progress, is estimated to beNorth Branch extension,

.$3,553,600 86

Erie extension, (including that portion of the
Shenango now in use,).
Wisconisco Canal,

3,384,835 22 416,316 51 $7,354,752 59

The Tide Water Canal, extending a distance of forty-five miles from Columbia to Havre-de-Grace, at the junction of the Susquehanna with the Chesapeake Bay, has been in successful operation during the year. The Williamsport and Elmira Railroad connecting the West Branch Division, by the way of the Chemung Canal and Seneca Lake, with the New York Grand Canal, and the New York and Erie Railroad, will, when finished, give another avenue for transportation and travel, which must ultimately benefit the revenues of the State. The Union Canal Company, too, are widening their locks from the coal region at Pinegrove, to Total amount required to complete,........$2,971,419 27

$39,299 00

During the past year the work on the unfinished lines under contract, has been prosecuted with all the vigor which the amount of the appropriation would permit. The whole are now in such a state of forwardness as to be completed by the year 1842, if the Legislature should see proper to Notwithstanding the general depression of business, the appropriate the requisite funds for that purpose. Their com-ber, 1840, amounted to ninety-six thousand nine hundred tolls on this division, for the year ending the 31st of Octopletion at the earliest day possible, is earnestly urged upon and ninety-six dollars and twenty-five cents. For the same the Legislature as a measure of sound economy. The delay which has already taken place in their prosecution, from the period last year, ninety-four thousand six hundred and nineinadequacy of the annual appropriations, has added conty-five dollars and forty cents. siderably to the cost of their construction. The Commonwealth is now paying a large amount in interest on the sums already expended upon these lines, and until they are brought into use they must continue to be a burthen upon the Treasury. When they shall have been finished, the State may confidently rely upon an increase to her revenue. would therefore seem to be the dictate of a wise and prudent policy that these important connections should be finished without delay. The Board will now proceed to give a statement of the

condition of the several lines of canal and railroad.

Delaware Division.

It

The sum drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal year just ended, for repairs is seventy-six thousand thirty-eight

dollars and six cents.

capacity of this canal should be increased by widening the In their last report, the Board recommended "that the locks. They are at present ninety feet in length and but of about sixty tons burthen, while the water-line of the eleven in width, which will only admit the passage of boats canal is forty feet, and its depth is five feet, sufficient to pass boats of one hundred tons burthen, if the locks were ninety

feet long and seventeen feet wide, the size of those upon the Susquehanna." The Morris Canal Company having commenced widening the locks and increasing the capacity The navigation upon this division opened on the 20th of of the tonnage which has heretofore been transported on the of their canal, which, when finished, will draw off a portion March last, and was continued through the year without any Delaware Division, unless the capacity of the locks should material interruption. During the winter the walls were be increased. It is the undoubted policy of the Commonraised from two to four feet at points most exposed to the ac-wealth, to make this improvement, whenever the state of tion of the ice and high water, in consequence of which the the Treasury will warrant an appropriation for that purpose. last spring ice freshets, heretofore so destructive to the upper levels of this division, passed off without doing any material injury.

Five locks, the aqueduct at Knowles' Creek, and the waste wiers at Morrisville, Neilly's Creek, and Wells' Falls have been partially repaired.

Columbia and Philadelphia Railway.

The travel upon this railway was much impeded in the early part of February last, by the sudden breaking up of the frost. A considerable portion of the road was originally The State wharf at Bristol has undergone a thorough re- laid upon blocks, without a sufficient number of cross-ties to pair; an additional pier has been constructed, and the mud preserve the adjustment necessary for large trains propelled excavated from the river bottom along the whole front.by heavy locomotive engines. The consequence has been, These improvements will afford additional facilities to persons engaged in the transportation of coal, as vessels employed in that trade can now load at the wharf at any stage

of the tide.

The capacity of this line was materially increased during the past season by cleaning out the bars which had formed in the bottom of the canal, and excavating it to its original depth. The Engineer reports that boats heretofore carrying only from forty-five to fifty tons, are now transporting from fifty-five to sixty tons without difficulty.

The new dam at Easton is nearly completed. The progress of the work was retarded by a recent freshet in the Lehigh, which overflowed one of the new abutments, and carried off about 10,000 cubic yards of earth. This dam is built in the most substantial manner, and will, when entirely finished, be able to resist the floods of the Lehigh.

The Board would refer the Legislature to the report of the Principal Engineer, William K. Huffnagle, Esq. for a detail of the transactions upon this division the present

year.

The importance of keeping up an uninterrupted navigation on this line, is too apparent to require any argument.The large and constantly increasing trade from the mineral regions of the Lehigh, supplying a considerable portion of the demand for fuel in the principal markets of the Atlantic States, and entering, as the consumption of coal does, into the economy of large numbers of the community, would seem to point to an early appropriation for repairs, as the best evidence of a wise and provident policy in relation to our public works.

The following estimate shows the amount required for repairs, viz : VOL. IV.-10

that whenever the frost left the ground, the soil becoming saturated, afforded no support to the blocks-the rails would necessarily spread, and the engines and their trains thereby precipitated from the track, to the serious injury of the transporter, a loss of revenue to the Commonwealth, and a most annoying interruption to the regular business of the road. To remedy this defect, an additional number of crossties have been inserted. The security afforded by the improvement already made in this particular, will warrant a farther appropriation for the purpose of inserting cross-ties in all the weak points of the road, and thus render the heavy transportation upon it, in the spring, at once safe and certain.

Since the breaking up of the winter, the transportation has not been interrupted and the business of the road has been conducted in a manner satisfactory to the mercantile and travelling portion of the community, and highly creditable to the officers having it in charge. When the present offi cers were assigned to this railway, they found it in a bad condition, but their intelligente and industry have suggested. and made such improvements as will, when fully completed, as they may be at a comparatively small expense, not only reduce the annual expenditures for repairs, but render the road one of the best in the Union.

Several bridges on this line have received thorough repairs; that over the Conestoga, near Lancaster, has been arched and so strengthened as to bear any weight to which it can be subjected. The bridges over the Gap, at Reeseville, and at Sener's will require slight repairs.

The principal depots, the water stations, and woodsheds, will require but a small expenditure to keep them in repair. The deep-cut at Parkesburg, has been a continual source

of expense. The blue clay or marl, of which the soil is composed, is constantly sliding into the trenches or drains, thereby filling them up, and causing a heavy expenditure to keep them open. To remedy this, the Engineer proposes to construct a stone wall, or wharf composed of logs, tied with shores into the respective sides of the cut. Estimated cost, $3,000.

two points, a distance of six miles, is estimated at eightyone thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars. To this must be added six thousand one hundred and ten dollars for relaying the north track of the plane, the condition of which is becoming such as to impair the safety, as well as the facility of transportation upon it.

The act of the last session of the Legislature, entitled Much inconvenience has been experienced for the want" An Act to provide for continuing the improvements of the of a depot for locomotives in the vicinity of Lancaster. State, and for the payment of the interest on the public The increasing trade which is thrown on the road from debt," appropriated one hundred thousand dollars towards Cumberland Valley, added to that of a more local character, renewing the north track of this railroad from the twentywhich is constantly accumulating at several points near that second nile post to Whitehall, "provided that the said city, is of sufficient importance to justify the erection of a sum shall be taken out of the fund for repairs." As soon depot for the shelter of engines at the proposed point. For after the passage of the act as practicable, contracts were enthe want of such a building when the requisite number of tered into for the delivery of the materials, with the exceplocomotives could at all times be in readiness, the transporta- tion of the iron rails, and the line, divided into fourteen section of produce from what are called the way-stations, has tions, was let to responsible contractors. The work has frequently been delayed for a day or two. This cause of been prosecuted with commendable vigor. The impracticacomplaint on the part of the transporters can be obviated by bility of obtaining the iron rails in this country, at any reathe construction of the depot referred to. Estimated cost sonable rate, suitable for the road, compelled the officers $12,650. An appropriation to that amount will be required having charge of the improvement, to enter into contract if it shall be determined to construct the work. with the agents of a foreign house for one-half the amount required. The balance has been taken from the track abandoned by the construction of the road to avoid the inclined plane at Columbia.

The Board would again call the attention of the Legis lature to the propriety of constructing a road to avoid the Schuylkill Inclined Plane. The many reasons in favor of this measure have been so frequently presented, that it is This will enable the contractors to finish about five and a scarcely necessary to repeat them at this time. The same half miles of the track, which will be brought into immedelay in transportation, the same annual drain upon the re-diate use. The balance of the line only awaits the arrival venues of the Commonwealth to keep up this plane, which of the iron, and will be completed in time for the spring bufirst suggested the necessity of avoiding it by a less objec-siness. The sum of seventy-five thousand dollars was taken tionable route into the city, still exists in all their original from the repair fund for the prosecution of this work, being force. The Board, at the last session, in obedience to a re- all which, in the opinion of the Board, could be spared from solution of the Legislature, made this matter the subject of that fund, under the bill of last session. a special report, in which the relative advantages of the sev eral proposed routes to avoid the plane were specifically stated. three-fourth miles of the track between the Subsequent information confirms the Board in the opinion that the route then recommended is the best, which under points specified in the act of Assembly, is all the circumstances and interests which bear upon this Deduct amount appropriated last session, question can be adopted. By reference to the report of the

The estimated cost of relaying eleven and

$127,130 00

75,000 00 $52,130 00

For a detailed statement of the operations and expendi tures on the road, for the year ending the 31st October, 1840, the Legislature is respectfully referred to the accompanying reports of the Engineer and Supervisors.

The following is an estimate of the amount required for ordinary and extraordinary repairs the ensuing year: Ordinary Repairs.

Engineer, (which will be found among the accompanying Amount required to complete,
documents,) it will be seen that the course of the proposed
route, after leaving Whitehall the point of deflection from
the present road, "continues very direct, the cutting is light,
and undulations so regular as to afford convenient opportu-
nities for deposit, without the necessity of making spoil bank.
After passing through the lands of Llewellen and others,
the line encounters the irregular formation in the vicinity of
Indian Creek, and crosses its north and west forks by heavy
embankments. Thence the line diverges to the north-east,
and passes near Hestonville, where it intersects or is made
parallel with the West Philadelphia road as far as Elliott's
Tavern, a distance of 14 miles. At this point the line takes
an eastern direction, and crosses the Schuylkill above the
dam, intersecting the main line and present route at Pratt's
Garden. The length of this route is 94 miles, having no
grade exceeding 40 feet per mile, which is reduced on the
curves in proportion to their deflection."

The estimates of the Engineer show that the construction of this route would reduce, instead of adding to the annual expenditures of the Commonwealth.

82 miles keying, ditching, &c.,

at $400 per mile,
$32,800 00
8200 locust cross-ties, at $1 00, 8,200 00
875 tons castings, at 80 00, 7,000 00

Bridges,

Extraordinary Repairs.

Wood and water stations,
Depots and pivots,

Whole amount,

$48,000 00

$600 00
300 00
700 00

1,600 00 $49,600 00

If, however, in view of the state of the finances, or from a conviction that the present route should be maintained, the Legislature should determine that the plane shall not be avoided, then it will become necessary that the north track from Whitehall to the head of the plane should be re-laid, The amount drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal and put into complete order for use. The necessity of this year for repairs on the Columbia and Philadelphia Railroad, is obvious. When the renewal of the north track authorized is one hundred and seventy-two thousand four hundred and by the Legislature at its last session, from the intersection nineteen dollars and thirteen cents.

of the West Chester railroad to Whitehall shall have been completed, which will not be delayed longer than the early part of the spring, there will still remain but a single track from the last named station to the head of the plane. The inconvenience of having but one track, even for a short distance, on so great a thoroughfare between the east and the west, has been so frequently presented to the view of the Legislature, as to render any further observations unnecessary. The expense of relaying the tracks between these

76

The weigh-lock at Portsmouth has received considerable repairs. A few further improvements are contemplated, which, with, a small expenditure, will render it complete, and obviate many of the complaints which have been urged against it upon account of injury received by boats when weighed in it.

The amount drawn from the Treasury for re-
pairs during the year ending the 30th day of
November, 1840, is..

Juniata Division.

.$52,466 93

A severe ice freshet at the breaking up of the last winter,

The masonry of the chamber of the outlet lock at Duncan's Island requires re-building. Much inconvenience is experi-injured the works on this line considerably, and prevented the enced, and danger encountered at this point, especially in times of high water, for want of an additional lock the cost of which is estimated at $12,000.

Several of the aqueducts have received considerable repairs since the last report, but much remains to be done to the whole of them during the ensuing winter. Arrangements have been made to re-build that at Clark's creek, its condition being such as to render it it entirely insecure. Stony and Paxton creek aqueducts remain as at the time of the last report, within their arches, sustained by wooden supports and centering. That over the Swatara will require consider able repair, both to its roadway and trunk. The Conoy and Chicques aqueducts also need some repairs.

Lewistown and North's Island dams, the towing path below opening of the navigation until the 7th April. The Aughwick, the Lewistown dam and in the Long Narrows, sustained a great deal of damage. The piers of the rope ferry and the machinery upon them were so much injured by the ice, as to require there being entirely re-built above low water mark, which has accordingly been done.

The navigation upon the first ten miles below Hollidaysburg, was seriously impeded for three or four months of the dry season of the year, in consequence of the insufficient supply of water afforded by the streams which feed those levels. Notwithstanding all the water of these streams was used for the canal, the dams being reported perfectly tight, and no water running over their wiers, it was frequently dif Six of the waste-wiers require repairs, estimated at about ficult to maintain a depth of more than two feet of water in $100 each. The one in the level above the Buck Tavern, this portion of the line. Much delay was consequently exwill have to be re-built, and an additional one is much need-perienced in the passing of boats. The necessity for the ed in the level below York Haven Ferry. Those between completion of the Eastern reservoir is therefore apparent.— Clark's Ferry and Harrisburg, and one near Columbia, were This reservoir will afford a constant supply of water, so that renewed previous to the opening of the navigation. tained, the vexatious delay and expense encountered by the higher Several of the bridges between Harrisburg and Clark's the original capacity of the canal can at all times be maintransporters in dry seasons will be obviated, and Ferry have been entirely re-built with an increased span, so that the prism of the others between Clark's Ferry and Co- character given to the main line of improvement between the Jumbia, require immediate repairs, and eight will have to be re-built. The new towing bridge across the basin at Harrisburg, referred to in the last annual report, has not been commenced. It has, however, been put under contract, and will be completed when the repair fund will warrant it.

The propriety of doubling the locks on this division, has been frequently urged upon the attention of the Board, and as frequently submitted to the decision of the Legislature. The opening of the Tide Water Canal, affording an additional outlet to market for the produce of the Susquehanna and Juniata. The rapid increase in the mining of coal, and the manufacture of iron on the North and West Branches, the completion, at no distant day, of the Wisconisco canal, giving an casy access to the rich coal fields of Lykens and Bear valleys, and the widening of the locks of the Union Canal from Pinegrove to Middletown, now about being commenced by the company, will throw upon this division of the public works an amount of tonnage exceeding the capacity of single locks to pass it without a serious loss of time to the transporter. If the Legislature should be of the opinion that the finances will warrant the doubling of these locks, an appropriation would only be necessary in the first instance to construct those separating short levels.

The amount required for repairs is as follows: Repairs of six waste-wiers,

66

64

Bridges,...

Swatara aqueduct,

Conewago,

Chicques,..

Outlet lock Duncan's Island,.

.$600 00 650 00 ..1,000 00 400 00 150 00

Original lock York Haven Ferry,..2,000 00

18 pair lock gates and other repairs,.
Vertical wall at Peters' mountain,..

Repairs of culvert above Bainbridge,.
Repairs of feeder head gates,..

....

Forty-five miles canal and towing path, $200 per

mile,....

eastern and western waters.

Eight of the uncovered aqueducts have been rebult, and one other is now in the course of completion. Two spans of the Jack's narrows, and one span of Shaver's ford aqueducts, have likewise been rebuilt.

Many of the locks on this division are in a bad condition,

and require considerable repairs. The lining having decayed, must be replaced without delay. The uncertainty of an early appropriation for repairs at the last session, rendered it immost needing it, so as to prosecute the work during the last possible to obtain the materials for the repair of the locks winter and spring.

The construction of a guard-lock in the narrows below Lewistown, has been delayed in consequence of the scarcity of funds. The Engineer reports that the guard-gates at present there," are so much dilapidated and out of repair as to be utterly worthless."

The waste-wiers require general repair; many of them are To lessen the expense of renow entirely unfit for use. building them, the officers have adhered to the old plan of wooden abutments.

The dams are reported as in good order, and requiring very trifling repair.

Thirty-five bridges have received new superstructures and twenty-five stone abutments substituted for wood. There are still twenty-five bridges on this line which require to be re-built.

The following is the estimated cost of repairs on the Juniata Division, for the ensuing year:

500 CO

450 00

Bridges,

100 00

Dams,..

250 00

Ferry at North's Island,.

.9,000 00

Total estimated cost,.

100 00

The amount drawn from the Treasury for re-
pairs on this division, for the year ending the
30th of November, 1840, is

Allegheny Portage Railroad.

Repair Department.

$85,275 56

The operations upon this road have been conducted dur.

Repairs of feeder culvert,..

Total amount of ordinary repairs,.