No. 112.J ' 831 



These esiiDiates are intended for mere approximationj but from 

 the experience and conceded capacity of the engineer, are deemed 

 highly accurate and reliable. The cost of a railroad from Frank- 

 lin Falls to Port Kentj now supplied by the plank road, was 

 estimated in this table at §771,980. 



The lateral branches of this navigation, included in the survey 

 of Prof. Benedict, would penetrate deeply towards the w^est into 

 the forests of St. Lawrence, Hamilton and Franklin counties, 

 and on the eastward along the western limits of Essex, almost 

 touching the vast iron masses of the Adirondacs, and opening 

 their resources to the wants and enterprise of the coal mines of 

 the west. In commenting upon other physical features of this 

 district, Prof. Benedict advances in reference to the lateral im- 

 provements to wiiich I have alluded, the following forcible con- 

 siderations: " Extensive lines of small boat navigation, with very 

 few and short interruptions, traverse all considerable sections of 

 the surface.^ The aggregate extent of these lines is probably not 

 less than three hundred miles, all of which could be rendered 

 navigable for boats of fifty tons burthen at comparatively trilling 

 expense. Thus the great njineral district of Newcomb, may com- 

 municate wath Long Lake through the rich chain of lakes on the 

 upper Hudson. A line of more than fifty miles in length extends 

 from the head of Long lake to HilFs falls, eight miles below 

 Tupper's lake, in which a portage of one mile and a quarter, em- 

 bracing seventy feet fall, constitutes the only impediment to ex- 

 isting navigation. The Moose, Beaver, Saranac, and various other 

 rivers furnish similar facilities. In like manner, the head waters 

 of Beaver river may communicate with Kaquct river, through 

 Bog river and Big and Little Tupper's lakes ; or with Long lake 

 through Little Tupper's lake and Forked lake." 



The immense results, which tlie consummation of this pro- 

 ject may produce to the jmblic interests of the State, it is not my 

 province to discuss. I may, however, suggest that a territory 

 wjiicli occupies an area of more than three millions of acres, ex- 

 ceeding the saperfice of more than one State, and now slumber- 

 ing in an unlnoken solitude, would thus be aroused into practical 

 existtnce, and moved by tlu^ pulsations of industry and enter- 



