42 



gestion of value to the subject which you have in hand, will.' 

 prove to be a correct description of the locality and of the 

 difficulties to be overcome in enabling the migratory fishes to 

 ascend the Potomac beyond the Great Falls. 



Yours, &c.. Ri). Eaxdolpii. 



The accompanying map will sliow tlie profiles of lines run^. 

 and localities referred to in Major Randolph's report, as w^ell 

 as the localiton and plan of a fish-way proposed by Commis- 

 sioner T. B. Ferguson, which provides for the construction 

 of a channel, by blasting the rocks, with a grade of about 

 three feet to the liundred, and then by means of devices foi- 

 breaking the current, ascend in souic two hundred feet about 

 sixteen feet, and then by following the low places in the 

 rocks, ascend some twenty-eight feet in eight hundred. This^ 

 would necessitate the erection of a Avail at a point wliere the 

 water makes into the rock on tlie Maryland side opposite U> 

 the main falls. We have traced in the plan, simply as an 

 illustration, a fish-way patented by Jas. 1). Brewer, as it is 

 one of the latest models, but do not intend in any manner to 

 be understood as recommending its adoption, as we prefer to 

 bo governed, in deciding on a plan, by the results of the ex- 

 periments wliich will be tested in tlic coming Spring before 

 anything can be done towards the erection of a fish-Avay at 

 this point. We would suggest, tliat, as four States and the 

 District oi" Columl>ia are interested in tlic resiilts to be ob- 

 tained, and as tlie work will have to be done on land owned 

 by the United States (government, and as the success of any 

 plan is very dependent on the election and management ol' 

 the (Tovernment Water Woi'ks at this poiut, that some action 

 ])e taken by your Excellency, or the Genei-al Assembly, to 

 secure at least co-operation on the part of the General Gov- 

 ernment. 



We find that it is entirely feasible to construct fish-ways 

 over the dams throughout the State, and recommend that 

 some statutory provision be made to ensure the enjoyment of 

 the ancient and common law right which the people living on 

 our rivers have to the IVee passage of the fish to their spawn- 

 ing beds. They have been entirely cut ofl:' from the Gun- 

 powder by the several dams on tliat stream. We are in- 



