91 [32] 
'T\iQ course of the Ohio i-iver, from Pittsburg to iUe mouth of Big 
Beaver, is in a direction which approaches the Lake, aud that point 
is found to be the most proximate. With the _e,iiidance of a gentle- 
man well acquainted with the district, the Board, after examining the 
falls, ascended the valleys, divergingTor some distance up the Shenan- 
go, which was subsequently visited along its uj)per branches. From 
Warren, at the head of the Big Beaver, where tlic branches called the 
Mahoning, and Silver creek, come in, excursions were made to all 
the points of essential interest to which our attention was di'awn, 
either by the known topography of the couiitry, or by facts ascertain- 
ed under the authority of the adjoining states, or by gentlemen actu- 
ated by motives of public spirit. 
I'he adjoining township of Champion being the highest ground be- 
tween the Beaver and Giand river, had hecu ascertained to be three 
hundred and forty-two feet above Lake Erie, and tivo hundred and 
eighteen feet above the Ohio. It became, therefore, as this line has 
the lowest known summit, a very interesting inquiry, whether a suffi- 
tient command of water coujd be had to make this '' the most suitable 
route," especially, as the gentle slope of the country through Rome, 
Austinburg, and Aslitabuhi, appeared to be favorable ground, and the 
Valley of Grand river, for some distance, afford advantages. An 
important fact had been ascertained by an engineer employed by the 
state of Ohio, viz. that the Cuyahoga could be led eastward, to the 
isumvnit of Champioii. The distance and elevation of tliat point, and 
the quantity of water at command, would tlierefore decide the practi- 
cability of a canal by this route. 
We proceeded, therefore, to the Cuyahoga, and ascended to the ra-' 
J)ids. At this time there had been no i-ain for three or four w eeks. 
The opportunity was favorable to determine nearly the mimimuiu 
quantity of flowing water. The section and velocity of the stream 
Sa ere taken at several places, and the mean of these operations and 
calculations was 56-^^5?^. 
We returned by the track which Mr. Geddes levelled, to the head 
?)f Silver Creek, where the greatest depth of cutting was ascertained 
to be seventeen feet, and the distance between oiie and two miles. 
AVe visited Garret's mill, on this stream, AA'herc it was found, that 
C.oro, was the quantity, per second, of flowing water; and at Park- 
man, a small stream, also, at command, measured iJ^^Yo^t. togethei* 
eSy^g^ being tlie whole of the natural supply at command above Cham- 
])ioi); and it w as the opinion of some of the inhabitants, that the Cuy* 
ahoga was, at times, a quarter to a third lower than at present. 
The length of feeder required would be eighteen miles; the length 
of canal to be supplied from these sources, would be some distance 
down the Beaver, aided by the Mahoning, and fifty miles to the Lake; 
in tlie course of which it would cross some feeble streams from Bloom* 
field Swamp, perhaps low^ enough to receive them. Or, if the line 
Averc to descend into Grand river valley, it would be circuitous, and 
from Austinburg to Paynesville, under peculiar disadvantages, from 
ibe wTisbcd banks, or higii blufts, of earth, along the foot of whic'k 
