17 [32] 
io the Little falls, the waters rise less and less. It generally freezes 
in January and February. 
From the surveys of Messrs. Moore & Briggs, the distances from 
Cumberland to the bridge of the Little Falls, have been found as 
follows: 
From the mouth of Savage river to Cumberland, 
(Major Abert's survey,) . - - 271 miles. 
From Cumberland to the Great Cacapon, - 54|^ 
From the Great Cacapon to Conococheague, - 33i 
From Conococheague to Harper's Ferry, - 38^ 
From Harper's Ferry to the Great Fails, - 46^ 
From the Great Falls to tide-water - - 9 
2091 miles. 
The general descent of its bed is, nearly, as follows: 
From the mouth of Savage river to Cumberland,^ 
(Major Abert's Survey,) - . _ 327^ feet 
From Cumberland to tide wate, - - 537 
8641 feet. 
Siich are tlie local features of the valley, through which this sec- 
tion of the canal, east of the Alleghany, must be directed. We will 
now proceed to those preparatory operations, which were necessary 
to determine the route through which this section must pass. 
The execution of these operations and preparatory surveys, were 
confided to the talents of Major Abert, of the Topographical Engi- 
neers of the United States' Army. He was assisted by the Licuts. 
of Aj'ullery, Swift, Macomb, Bennet, Long, and Wilson. The Board 
havii/g left Washington in the beginning of June, the necessary in- 
structions could not be sent to Major Abert till the 30th of that month, 
when they had examined the ground. That officer was, meanwhile, 
making the necessary preparations for rendering himself, with his 
assistants, on the spot; and, in the first days of July, began the ope- 
rations entrusted to him. But in the middle of August he was obliged 
to suspend them: the country had become unhealthy, and his officers 
were all taken sick. The result of these operations, as far as he 
could bring them to a conclusion, in the short time whilst he could 
remain on the ground, is joined to this report; and, what he perform- 
ed in that time proves, that, in beginning his labors early next spring, 
he will be enabled to complete, during the next season, the preparatory 
surveys of that section of the canal. 
These surveys will determine the data which must guide us in 
adapting its line exactly to the ground, and fix the precise position of 
its several works. As to the practicability of this section, there can 
exist no doubt. The ground offers no difficulties which may not be 
overcome, at a moderate expense. The tributary streams of the Po- 
tomac provide supplies beyond what the consumption of the canal re- 
