350 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 



structed to retain the sewage until the ebb-tide makes, when gates or valves will 

 be opened to allow it to escape into the river, under the water surface, using the 

 waters of Rock creek and the Tiber to cleanse them. 



The present canal should then cease to be used for any other purpose than aa 

 an escape for the waters of the Tiber during extraordinary freshets, and for such 

 surface drainage as cannot be carried across it into the sewers leading to the 

 Potomac, and to this end must be filled up and reduced in size and form to an 

 arched culvert. The proposed canal for commercial purposes, with an outlet in 

 the Eastern Branch, should, in like manner, be carried over the valley of the 

 present canal on an aqueduct or causeway, and then through or along the high 

 ground to the Eastern Branch. 



We have found that the canal is not useful for navigation. A railroad over 

 the same ground, extended along the river front, with tum-outs and sidings to 

 warehouses and depots, free to every owner of a car, would better subserve the 

 public welfare, it is believed, than any water transportation that can be derived 

 from the existing or other canal. Such a road for heavy traffic, with a well- 

 constructed paved street for light vehicles, and a paved walk along the south side r 

 adjacent to the public reservations, connecting the Capitol, botanic garden, Smith- 

 sonian, agricultural, and Washington monument grounds with the grounds about 

 the President's house, would insure greater health, promote public convenience, 

 and greatly enhance the value of property now separated from the settled portions 

 of the city by an impassable barrier. These are additional considerations for 

 using the site of the existing canal as a covered drain or culvert for surface water 

 only. 



The committee has confined itself to pointing out the evil effects of the exist- 

 ing sewerage, the necessity for immediate correction, and a general plan therefor, 

 leaving it for the talent and genius of the most experienced engineers to select 

 the most advantageous sites for the outlets of the sewers, at the most distant 

 points from dense population, and mature the details of a project for carrying this 

 system into effect. 



All of which is respectfully submitted by 



RICHARD DELAFIELD, 



For the Committee of tJie Regents. 

 RICHARD WALLACH, Mayor. 

 HICHARD DELAFIELD, U. 8. Army. 

 PETER PARKER, M. D. 



Washington, D. C, May 15, 1868. 



After discussion,and the unanimous expression of opinion that the canal was 

 a nuisance which should speedily be abated, on motion of Mr. Pruyn the fol- 

 lowing resolution was adopted : 



" Resolved, That the report of the executive committee be accepted, and that 

 the committee be authorized, in their discretion, to unite with the corporate 

 authorities of Washington in a memorial to Congress for such relief as may 

 eventually lead to an abatement of the nuisance complained of." 



On motion of General Delafield, it was 



"Resolved, That the vacancy in the executive committee be filled by the 

 election of Rev. Dr. John Maclean." 



Professor Henry presented his annual report of the operations of the Institution 

 during the year 1868, which was read, accepted, and ordered to be presented to 

 Congress. 



On motion of General Garfield, it was 



" Resolved, That the regents renew their application to Congress to increase 

 the annual appropriation for the care of the government collections to $10,000." 



The board adjourned, to meet at the call of the secretary. 



