SCHUYLKILL PERMANENT BRIDGE. ]^p 



pour into the lap of commerce, abundant supplies for fo- 

 reign markets ; and tlie land transportation passing over 

 it, is very considerable. Twelve feet water can be car- 

 ried over the bar at the river's mouth; and it is well 

 known, that a channel may be made, to escape the bar, 

 for large vessels, at no formidable expence. Four fa - 

 thoms, on an average, may be carried, after passing the 

 bar, up to and along the whole City front. It is to be 

 most seriously hoped, that no obstacles to this important 

 navigation, will in future be added. One error proba> 

 bly unavoidable, which cannot now be rectified, com- 

 mitted in the zeal for a new and essential improvement 

 and accommodation is enough. Passages for vessels, 

 through draws, should be insisted on, if at any time other 

 bridges should be required, where they interfere with 

 the navigation. Posterity should never be disinherited, 

 to serve present and paitial objects. 



The impediment to the navigation of the Thames, by 

 old London bridge, has long been highly inj urious. In- 

 somuch that it is said, in an estimate presented to the 

 British Parliament a few years ago, (1801) that the dif- 

 ference in the price of coals above, from that beloxv bridge 

 would in a short time, pay for taking down the old, and 

 building a ncTi; bridge, to 2i'diXmt large vessels, either un- 

 der, or through the bridge, by means of a draw. And 

 there is a great plan in progress for that purpose. 



It is mentioned with no view to personal adulation, 

 but as a successful instance, for the encouragement of 

 persistance in commendable pursuits, too often thwarted 

 by opposite interests or opinions, that the " Act for in- 

 corporating a Company for erecting a Permanent Bridge 

 over the River Schwjlkill, at or near the Citij of Philadeh 



