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in the third, it should fall in the Canal above the mouth of that river, 
as it would perhaps be shorter; in the fourth, it should enter the Po- 
tomac to the west or east of South branch cape, above the dam, or a 
dam and lock might be erected at the mouth of the South branch it- 
self. 
From Town creek to Sidelong hill creek, the narrow strip which 
runs along the left shore, offers the best ground for the Canal, which 
must cross Town creek and 15 mile creek, on aqueducts. As the for- 
mer offers a constant supply, it should be guaged, and a feeder run 
to lead its water into the Canal. If Sidelong creek afford the same 
advantage, it should be used in the same manner. The long and per- 
pendicular bluff of Sidelong hill compels to cross the Potomac above 
the mouth of this creek, and follow the right shore till you reach oppo- 
site Conoloway creek. Here the Canal may pass to the left. In- 
deed, from the South branch to this spot, and even to Harper's Ferry, 
it will be proper to examine the right shore, and ascertain whether 
it is not preferable to the other. Supposing the proposed directions 
adopted, the Canal will require three aqueducts, two over the Poto- 
mac, and one over the Great Cacapon. This river and the Conola- 
way may supply the Canal with their waters, and of course must be 
guaged, and feeders led from them. 
From the Conolaway to the Conecocheague, at Williamsport, the 
Canal may follow the left shore, crossing the Conococheague on an 
aqueduct: that stream should be guaged, and a feeder led from it. 
From thence to the foot of Elk mountain, in front of Harper's ferry 
and the Shenandoah, it continues on the same side, crossing Hatictain 
creek. Here we may, 1st, either lead the Canal round the front of 
the bluff, on a shelf or embankment, or 2d, run a dam across the 
ledges, half a mile below Harper's ferry, forming a basin for the boats 
descending the Shenandoah, and a reservoir to supply the lower parts 
of the Canal — the upper part descending by locks, from Elk moun- 
tain, into it. In the first hypothesis, the waters of the Shenandoah 
should supply the Canal. It should be guaged, and a feeder, crossing 
the Potomac on an aqueduct, led to it; that feeder should be naviga> 
ble, to favor the passage of the Shenandoah boats into the Canal. 
From Elk mountain to the Monocacy, the left shore offers the best 
ground, though it presents two formidable obstacles — South and Co- 
toctin mountains. The Canal must be led along their fronts, on 
shelves or embankments, and dams must be erected at the South 
mountain falls, and Cotoctin mountain falls, or Hook's falls, where 
the river breaks through the ridges. They will form reservoirs for 
the lower portions of the Canal. It will cross the Monocacy on an 
aqueduct. That river must be guaged, and a feeder led from it. Grif- 
fin's falls offer a favorable position for a reservoir, by throwing a 
dajn across them. 
From the Monocacy to the Great falls, the Canal must follow the 
stony and pcrpendiculai- bank which leaves a narrow stripof flats on 
the left shore; shelves cut in tlie rock, and embankments will be fre- 
quently required, especially 'twixt the Seneca and Great falls. The 
