43 [ 32 ] 
From Comiellsvillc to Robstown, the river winds during twenty- 
four or twenty-five miles: on all this extent, the right bank is far pre- 
ferable to the other. Except in three or lour places, where you meet 
with bluffs, it consists of flats or gentle slopes, where the canal can 
be run without difficulty. As to these bluffs, they consist of schistose 
i*ock, easy to work. The only stream of any importance which joins 
the Youghiogeny between Connellsville and Robstown, is Jacobs* 
creek, and it gives but little water in dry seasons. That 4'oute is also 
intercepted by two or three deep ravines, which the canal must cross 
on aqueducts. 
The distance between Robstown and M*Kee*sport is about sixteen 
miles. Along this I'oute the right shore remains preferable to the 
other; it consists of a succession of flats and spurs, which, being of a 
schistose nature and moderate height, will offer no considerable ob- 
structions to the canal. 
From M'Kec's poit to Pittsburg, the right shore of the Mononga- 
hela offers a most favorable ground, except along two spaces of about 
a mile each, where rugged bluffs close on the river. The first is be- 
low Judge Wallis' and the field of Braddock's defeat; the second before 
reaching Pittsburg. The whole distance in following the right bank 
of the river, is between M'Kee's port and Pittsburg, fi-om fifteen to 
sixteen miles. 
The highest floods of the Youghiogeny occur between Casselman's 
river and Connellsville — they rise to eighteen feet. At Connellsville 
they rise from twelve to fifteen feet. Salt wells may be dug in its val- 
ley; coal and iron are abundant; and excellent materials for building, 
timber, and stone, are found all along it. 
Phe preparatory surveys of this western section were not com- 
menced during the last season (1824). They can alone fix the gene- 
ral route of the canal: they will be directed on the following bases: 
From Bear creek, the canal must follow tiie right shore of the val- 
ley, descending along the Youghiogeny; and though it is most favora- 
ble, (presenting a rugged bank only for four or five hundred yards,) 
when it reaches Selby's port bridge, two lines of direction may be 
tried, one along the right, and the other along the left bank, to the 
old salt works. The depth and breadth of the valleys and ravines, 
"which it will be necessary to cross on aqueducts, will be measur- 
ed, and the location of these aqueducts, and of the dams to form 
reservoirs will be fixed. 
If, between Selby's port and the old salt works, the left shore 
presents any advantages over the other, deserving tlie expense and 
trouble of crossing twice the Y^oughiogeny, the location and dimen- 
sions of two aqueducts, one at Selby's port, and one above the old 
salt works, will be determined, and a feeder led from Cassellman's 
river to the latter. 
From the old salt works to the Ohiopyle falls, the canal must fol- 
low the right shore, which is most favorable, and then crossing In-r 
dian creek, on an aqueduct, continue along the same bank to the 
paper mill four or five miles south of Connellsville. It will he pro- 
