covering of ice for three months in the year, we should think the cutting off so much of the navigation would produce more injury than the privilege of proceeding to Albany on the ice, or of procuring a supply of that article for the use of those who require it, would produce benefits. 7th. The shad fishery on the Hudson is considered of much importance to those who follow the business, as well as to those who consume the article, and we should presume the erecting of the contemplated dam would totally destroy the fisheries, and ruin the business of those who depend on it for a living.

8th. In addition to the above, the Commissioners have obtained the opinion of Frederick Graff, Esq. the Superintendent of the water works at Fairmount. He thinks a dam of 24 inches above high tide will not answer the purpose intended, as the space of time that the wheels could work in pumping the water to the reservoir, would be entirely too short to insure a supply. That although the dam on the Schuylkill river is raised six feet six inches above the highest tides, the delay in pumping, occasioned by the tides,

average seven hours out of the twenty-four and in full moon tides, from eight to nine ;

hours. He considers the impediments to the trade on the river, by locking vessels through the dam, so objectional, that he is induced to conclude that the project cannot be beneficial. To raise the dam higher, appears to be out of the question, as it would not only destroy all the wharf and store property of the city, above the dam, but would also destroy so much land as to occasion the damage claims alone, a reason for abandoning the project. He thinks the advantages calculated on by the proposer of the plan, if they could be trebled, would not compensate for the injury to the navigation of the river ;