15 [32] 
ttttiiac, to the mouth of Savage river, in the Dortliern braiKii of the 
Potomac. Tlie miildle section extends from the nr;out!i of Savage 
liver, in tfie Potomac, to tliat of Bear creek, in tiie Youghiogany. 
The westei-n section, from the moutli of Bear creek to the Oliio, at 
Pittsburg. — (See maps and profiles, from J\% 1 to JS'o. IQ.J 
EASTERN SECTIOJV. 
This section ascends the valley of the Potomac; as the several 
ridges whicii that river traverses and breaks thiough, oblige to follow 
its course, without any deviation, the side on which it should as- 
cend along the river, is the only choice left to the Engineer; we will, 
therefore, compare the respective facilities for receiving tlic bed of a 
canal, which exists on each of those sides. 
From Georgetown to the Little Falls bridge, the northern shore of 
the river is flat, whilst, on tlie southern shore, tlie mountain extends 
closer to the stream, and is more abrupt. 
From the Little Falls to the Monocacy, the northern shore is very 
rugged, but from the Monocacy to Harper's Ferry, it offers a succes- 
sion of flats and bluffs. The soutliein shore on that whole extent, is 
very rugged; its banks of red sJate hang peipendicularly over the 
stt cam in several places. 
From Harper's Ferry to Shepherdstown,both shores present undu- 
lating flats, and a soil easy to work. The same nature of ground 
runs from Shepherdstown to Williamsport. 
From Williamsport to Hancock, the northern shore presents ex- 
tensive flats, whilst the mountain on the southern shore stretches 
closer to the bed of the river. 
From Hancock to Town creek, the northern shore is flat, to the 
promontory formed by Sidelong hill, and from liience presents a suc- 
cession of flats to Town creek. The southern shoi-e offers no great- 
er facilities, except in front of Sidelong hill. 
From Town creek to Old Town, the fiats on the northern shore 
are only interrupted by a j)recipitous bluff, on an extent of about 300 
yards. The southern shore [)resents no advatitages over it. 
From (Jid Town to Cumberland, the northern shore is flat, except 
for one mile along Alumrock, and the same extent along Eraddock's 
hill. 
From Cumberland to the mouth of Savag'e river, the valley grows 
narrower, its flanks close on liie bed of tlie river, and the northern 
shore is little better than the other. 
This short analysis is sutticient to show, that the nort'iern side of 
the valley offers the best ground for receiving the bed (»f a canal. 
Some portions of the southern bank might be more favorable than 
the portions of the northern sliore which f.ice tliem; but, in order to 
render this advantage available, it would he necessary to cross tiie 
river frequently by aqueducts, which would cost more than the ex- 
pense required to subdue the obstacles of the nurthoi n shore. An- 
other important consideration, which should dctcrpiiifc our preft-r- 
