I S2 ] 66 
But it cannot be denied, that, in time of war, the passage from Long 
Island Sound to Buzzard's Bay, is much exposed to be annoyed, or 
even totally intercepted, by cruisers stationed in the anchorage of 
Gardiner's Bay. This section of our maritime frontier will thus re- 
quire, at such a period, a constant naval force for its protection. A 
naval force will also be required in Barnstable Bay, to secure the eom- 
iiiunication between the mouth of the canal and Boston Bay. 
TAUNTON AND WEYMOUTH CANAL. 
This canal will open to the south in Mt. Hope Bay, a branch of 
'Narragansett Bayj and to the north in Boston Bay. Beginning at 
Weymouth landing, its route would meet the Taunton at Williams' 
landing place, passing through tlie township of Abington, Bridgewa- 
ter, and Raynhani= Its total length will be 26 miles, and its summit 
ground, at Howard's meadow, in Bridgewater town, is 132 feet 10 
inches above the higiiest tides. 
This route was explored and surveyed by a committee appointed in 
March, 1806, by a resolution of the LegislatuE'e of Massachusetts, 
consisting of Messrs. Williams, Taylor, and Eliphalet. The Board 
received also, on the ground itself, exact documents on the contem- 
plated canal, from Mr. Minot Thayer. 
Weymouth Great ])ond, in Weymouth town, a^id Cranberry pond, 
(in Braintree) are considered as resen^ois-s, destined to feed the sum- 
mit level of this canal. Weymouth Great pond has an area of 507^^ 
acres; its deptli vai'ies from 10 to 18 feet; its surface is 147 feet 5 inch- 
es above high tides, and 14 feet 7 inches above the summit level. 
Cranberry pond is 160 feet 9 inches above tide water, 27 feet 1 1 inch- 
es above the summit level, and 13 feet 4 inches above Weymouth 
Gieat pond. 
The outlet of the former gave, on the 5th of November, 1824, 2| 
cubic feet {»er second, atid Cranberry pond gave lA feet — total 3| cu- 
bic feet jier second. These two ponds cannot, between them, feed a 
sumiuit level. Of course, its line of water cannot be raised to the 
level of t!ie lowest, and it will be necessary to drop it sufficiently to 
receive some other supplies of water. 
Braiiitroe town offers two other pontis on a lower level. They are 
called Great and Little pond. The former has an area of about 500 
acres; its sujface is 109 feet 5 inches above tide water, and thus, 
£3 feet 5 inches below tlie summit ground. It gave, on the 1st of 
November, 25| cubic feet. This quantity, added to 3| cubic feet, 
would amount to 296 cubic feet, and prove barely sufficient for the 
expense of lockage, which a canal of ordinary dimensions would re- 
quire, leaving no supply to repair its losses from filtration and evap- 
oration. Ill the winter, the water of the ponds might indeed be prc- 
fivrved and accunujlated by dams, and provide a supply for the open 
