I 
66 TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AMERICA i 
also appear that it is well situated for trading 
with the interior parts of the country. 
The water in the Patowmac continues 
nearly the same depth that it is opposite to the 
city for one mite higher, where a large rock 
rises up in the middle of the river,, on each 
side of which there are sand-banks. It is said 
that there is a deep channel between this rock 
and the shore, but it is so intricate that it 
would be dangerous to attempt to take a large 
vessel through it. The navigation, however, 
is safe to the little falls for river craft, five 
miles further on ; here a canal, which extends 
two miles and a half, the length of these falls 
or rapids, has been cut and perfected, which 
opens a free passage for boats as far as the 
. ' ' N 
great falls, which are seven miles from the 
others. The descent of the river at these is 
seventy-six feet in a mile and a quarter; but 
it is intended to make another canal here 
also ; a part of it is already cut, and every exer¬ 
tion is making to have the whole completed 
with expedition.* From hence to Fort Cum¬ 
berland, one hundred and ninety-one miles 
above the federal city, there is a free naviga¬ 
tion, and boats are continually passing up and 
clown. Beyond this, the passage in the river 
is obstructed in numerous places; but there is 
* For a further description of these Falls see Letter 
