Near the point of beginning above mentioned, that is near N° 17, guard gates will be requisite, to • prevent the water in high freshes from overwlielming tlie Canal and Locks. But as the Navigation between this point, and that a little to the westward of N" 9, must also be improved, to enable loaded boats to pass in dry seasons, it necessarily claimed attention : Here Mr. Schuyler found good banks on botli sides of the river, at a place a little above N° 9, tlie width of tlie river about

INLAND LOCK-NAVIGATION. 1093

200 j^ards. If a dam was here erected across the river about nine feet high it would probably deaden tlie water to wliere the Canals and Locks above mentioned shall enter tlie river, near Guy Johnson's, and so overcome the Willow, and the other rapids in tliat space. If the bottom of the river should be rock, tlie expence of the dam, would not be great, if not, it must be piled; in either case tliere is little doubt but that it would stand the shock of the ice and freslies ; a Lock would be requisite here, to ascend into, and descend from, tliis dam. At some distance below this dam and lock, a canal may be led from the river on the south side, secured with guard gates, and run througli low lands, and well slieltered along the foot of tlie hills and re-enter the river at Daniel Peck's, Avhicli is supposed to be about N^ 5, and tluTS, with tlie necessary locks, every difficulty would be obviated. For want of accurate surveys and implements to determine the quantity, and kind of earth and stone, or rock, to be removed, it is absolutely impossible to ascertain Avith any degree of precision, tlie expence that would attend the proper improvement of tliis part of the river ; it certainly will be considerable, probably not less than <£20,000.