[32] 
U 
features, ami measure its water- courses, to ascertain tiieir sufficiency 
to fcc(! tlie ivrojcctecl canals; sucli are the. preiiminary operations 
which must precede the more minute details of the project. 
The j^eneral facts estahiished by these preparatory operations, ena- 
ble to indicate aj)proximatively the I'oute which the canal must fol- 
low. Then, we must trace its directing; line on the ground itself, 
and, with the level in hand, bend it to every local circumstance. Tlie 
route of its feeders, the capacity of its reservoirs t!ie location of its 
locks, and the system to a<!opt in vaiying their lifts; the location of its 
dams, tunnels, and culverts, must be deterrriined at the same time; 
the nature of the soil must be ascertained, and tlie feeding water- 
courses accurately guaged, when they are at t!«e highest, and whets 
they are at the lowest stage. This second series of operations de- 
termine the final location of tlic line of canal, and ascertains the se- 
veral works it) earlli, timbei- and masonry, which will be retjuired; 
as well as tiie quaiitity atid distribution of the waters, which the lo- 
calities afford to feed the diir'erent levels, in an equal and sufficient 
ujanncr. 
Tiu'se being ascertained, the only remaining operations are, to 
draw these several works, of earth, timber, and masonry; calculate 
their dirnensions; fix their construction, and the nature and manner 
of em}!lt»yit)g the materials required for this purpose; and, lastly, to 
estimate exactly their cost, and draw up the detailed statement of it. 
By following the successive series of operations which we have 
just analyzed, notliing is left to conjecture; every part of the work is 
studied and ascertained and no chance is left for mistakes of facts, 
or miscalculations, to endanger the success of its completion. This 
legular mode of proceeding is the surest way to avoid those illusive 
deceptions, from whence such works have so frequently failed. The 
general pi-oject corres])onds in its results with the details; the whole 
combines economy, solidity and durability, and the estimates being 
founded upon positive and ascertained facts, their accuracy may be 
depended uj)on. 
Upon tluse principles the Board have divided the task which was 
confided to them, in the following manner. 
1st. Reconnoitering and making the preparatory survey of each 
project. 
2d. Tracing it in detail on the ground. 
3d. Drawitig the works, and ascertaining their estimate. 
Passing to tlic successive examination of the several routes for ca- 
nals mentioned above, we will begin by that which is destined to 
unite the Chesapeake and Ohio. 
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL, 
This canal jiiay be divided in three sections, eastern, middle, and 
western. Tlse eastern section extends from the tide-water in the Po- 
