H R
11th Assem.
Tuesday, January 1, 1839.
Laid on the table, and 5,000 copies ordered to be printed t
MESSAGE
of
THE GOVERNOR
transmitting the
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
of the
ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL.
to the
LEGISLATURE OF ILLINOIS,
DECEMBER 31, 1838.
VAND ALIA:
William Walters, Public Printer.
1839.
MESSAGE.
Executive Department,
Vandalia, January 1, 1839.
Sir : In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representa¬
tives, calling on this department for the report of the Board of Commis¬
sioners of the Illinois and Michigan canal, I have the honor herewith to
transmit to you their report made to me in conformity to law, which I
received on this morning, and which I respectfully request you tojay before
the body over which you have the honor to preside.
I am, sir, with high respect,
Your obedient servant,
THOMAS CARLIN.
To the Hon. the Speaker
of the House of Representatives.
REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF CANAL COMMISSIONERS.
Canal Office,
Lockport, Dec. 13, 1838»
To his Excellency Thomas Carlin,
Governor of Illinois.
Sir : In obedience to the requisitions of law, the Board of Commission¬
ers of the Illinois and Michigan canal have the honor of transmitting to
your Excellency the following
ANNUAL REPORT.
.t
The transactions of the first Board, from its commencement of opera¬
tions to the close of the year 1836, were submitted to the Legislature in
January, 1837; soon after which the law was materially amended, im¬
portant examinations were ordered, additional works were authorized,
and the superintendence of the canal was committed to the charge of
the present commissioners.
At the called session, held in July of the same year, the new Board
gave a full detail of their "acts and doings" to the first of June preced¬
ing. This report, therefore, as well to facilitate legislative action as to
elucidate the subject clearly, will begin at that period and complete the
chain of proceedings to the first of the current month.
That the information, herein communicated; might be as satisfactory as
possible, the principal engineer was instructed to spare no pains in report¬
ing the progress and condition of every class of construction—the im¬
provements effected in plans and locations—the suitability of stone and
other material for structures—the character of excavations as now devel-
5
oped—the difficulties that have been obviated, and those yet to be encoun¬
tered—the probable sufficiency of contract prices—-and all other minutia
in anywise appertaining to his department. He has discharged this duty
with his usual frankness and ability, as will be seen by a recurrence to
his report, marked A, which has been carefully examined, and was found
to harmonize so fully with the opinions and observations of the commis¬
sioners as to render it unnecessary, on their part, to say much more on
that branch of the subject.
The documents, marked B, 0, and D, are reports from the resident en¬
gineers, made by order of the Board. They are intentionally more dif¬
fuse than those of the chief engineer, and are believed to be correct rep¬
resentations of the affairs of the respective divisions.
In accordance with the fourteenth section of the canal law of 1836, the
accounts of the Treasurer have been regularly collated with those of the
O .
Branch of the State Bank at Chicago, and their uniform agreement has
been certified at the end of each quarter in the minutes of the Boardé
His ample report, marked E, exhibits the present state of the Treasury—•
the amount, time, and rate of loans—the interest paid and received by
the canal fund—the receipts from the sales of towui lots, and how many
of these lots have been forfeited by the purchasers.
The Secretary of the Board, who, from the beginning, has acted as dis¬
bursing officer of the contingent fund, has discharged that arduous duty
with accuracy and fidelity. His books, accounts and vouchers, like those
of the Treasurer, have been examined and approved, from time to time,
and are now in creditable order. An exposition of the business of his
office, embraced in a report, marked F, will show—1st. The quarterly
accounts of the Branch Bank at Chicago, since the last day of May, 1837.
2d. The amount of all moneys expended by order of the Board,, and the
heads under which the expenditures have been charged. 3d. The accourt t
of sales of lots at Lockport, Ottawa, and La Salle, with the valuation of
each lot, and the sum for which it was sold. 4th. The work done, and
the prices allowed for the various kinds of work. 5th. The contracts
made, with whom made, and the security giyen. 6th. The number of
eugineers, surveyors. draftsmen, clerks, and agents, of every description,
permanently employed, their names and the compensation paid to each.
7th. The amount expended in provisions and materials to aid the con¬
tractors—the quantity of these provisions and materials distributed, and
the cost of what remains in store. 8th. The amounts advanced to con¬
tractors in money and in materials, over and above their monthly esti¬
mates, and also the sums ultimately due to the same contractors in con¬
sequence of the regular deduction of fifteen per centum from the value of
their work.
Of the several items composing the Secretary's exposition, the six first
enumerated contain such information only as the law specifically enjoins
the commissioners to report. The two last have grown out of irregulari¬
ties forcéd upon the Board by the peculiar condition of the country and of
the times. The operations upon the canal, during the whole of the year
1836, and the major part of the year 1837, were chiefly confined to pre¬
paratory work, such as building houses of accommodation for the laborers,
procuring implements, making defences, erecting machinery, &c.; all of
which required but few men ; and indeed very few had yet arrived in thé
6
country. But in the fall of the latter year laborers became more plenty,
and the principal work was prosecuted with great vigor. It was soon as¬
certained, however, that the country was bare of many of the essential
materials required by the contractors ; among which were iron and steel
for manufacturing their tools and machinery, gun-powder for blasting
rock, chains, and cordage for their pumps, cranes and railways, and staple
provisions for the winter sustenance of their workmen. Derangement of
business and heavy pecuniary sacrifices on the part of the contractors
were the results of such a state of things ; besides which many of the la¬
borers were reluctantly compelled to abandon the line, and the contrac¬
tors, deprived of facilities, were unable to employ others, who were con¬
stantly coming in from Canada and the Eastern States. The evil was gen¬
erally acknowledged to be one of vital character. It dispirited the strong¬
est and most enterprising contractors, and was abundantly calculated to
suppress responsible propositions for the remainder of the work, unless at
prices large enough to cover all the actual, and many alleged disadvan¬
tages. Nor was there any reasonable prospect of an early remedy ex¬
cept through the interference of the commissioners. The contractors
were evidently too weak in capital to avail themselves of the proper time
of the year for accumulating sufficient quantities of indispensable supplies;
the Bank, if willing, was not in a condition to afford relief; and a reliance
upon merchants in so new and remote a country was not only precarious,
but calculated to invite monopoly and consequently extortion. It may be
safely advanced that, on works of magnitude, be the contract prices ever
so low, the employer will eventually have to pay whatever it cost the con¬
tractors to execute their work; for it is known that they are rarely if ever
able to finish extensive jobs by which they are to lose. They cannot
long support themselves without adequate compensation. As soon as they
foresee a loss they are almost sure to abandon at all hazards; and work un¬
der such circumstances is apt to be relet on disadvantageous terms to the
State. Every thing therefore that is done to save contractors from losses
and delays, that can be averted, will, to the same extent, promote the inter¬
ests of the'public. Taking these facts and conclusions into view it was
obvious to the commissioners that the contractors must be aided, for
awhile, beyond the monthly regular payments from wffieh fifteen per
centum was to be deducted. Accordingly, at the commencement of the
last season, the Board complied with the general request of the contrac¬
tors to furnish them with such provisions and materials as could not be
readily purchased in the country; each contractor binding himself in writ¬
ing to secure the State against loss by insurance, interest, transportation,
or any contingency, and to pay for the articles as fast as he consumed
them, out of his monthly estimates, if required by the Board. A ware¬
house was built for the purpose, on State property, at Lockport, and, so
planned and positioned that while it increased the value of the surround¬
ing property not yet brought into market, it will at any time command
a profit on its cost. Table No. 6, annexed to the Secretary's report, shows
the amount of capital now involved in the transaction to be $36,917 74,
and table No. 7 exhibits the extent to which aid has been afforded, and
the ample security on which it is based. Experience has proved the utili¬
ty of the measure, bôth in supporting the old contractors and in obtain¬
ing new ones on reasonable terms. Full supplies are now maintained at
7
fair and uniform prices, encouraging the contractor to proceed with con¬
fidence, and enabling him to make better outfits and to do more work with
the same capital and manual fpree.
On the 13th day of November, 1837, the sealed proposals for work,
advertised to be let on that day, were opened, and contracts were entered
into for the remaining sections on the summit and lower divisions, togeth¬
er with the Fox river feeder, dam and guard-lock. Another public letting
was held on the 5th day of June last, which resulted in contracts for
twenty-one miles of that portion of the middle division lying between
Lockport and Dresden, including structures of every description. The
structures of the lower division were let at the same time. It frequently
happens in such cases, as it did in these, that several contractors to whom
work was awarded failed to commence in proper time; and some, not be¬
ing able to command capital, threw up their jobs; but the vacancies have
been subsequently filled at prices as low as could be desired. The line is
now under contract from the Chicago river to the termination at La Salle,
with the exception of about twenty-two miles of shallow cutting between
Dresden and Marseilles, and some other detached parts, amounting by es¬
timate to $1,251,103 15, and a mile and a fraction of excavation in the
Saganaskee swamp, which, from the peculiar character of the work,
as described in the report of the chief engineer, must either be executed
in part by agents of the State, or wholly deferred until it can be drained
through a series of sections below it. To avert the delay incident to the
latter course, the first has been adopted, with orders for the immediate
preparation of appropriate machinery . Efforts will be made to have eve¬
ry thing ready for a commencement by the breaking up of winter. It
was once thought that no subdivision of equal length would cost as much
or present as many difficulties as the one which stretches through this fa¬
mous swamp. The semi-fluid alluvion and vegetable matter, of which
the swamp is mostly constituted, are not more forbidding in their aspect
than they are treacherous in their texture. Hence for nearly two years
it was impracticable at any season, by any mode, to penetrate it so tho¬
roughly as to ascertain with certainty its true depth and character. The
hard freeze of last winter and the low stage of the river and bordering
morasses enabled the resident engineer, with a strong party, to traverse
and sound every part of them. It was found that the Des Plaines could
be safely turned into its ancient channel behind a low island about a mile
in length, redeeming by "the process some three or four hundred acres of
canal land, and securing to the State an important town site which, by
any other arrangement, would have fallen on individual property, Con¬
vinced of the practicability of turning and dyking the river, and that the
flood waters of the Saganaskee valley could be diverted into the Oala-
mic, there was no further hesitation in cancelling the contracts on tfie
original circuitous route, and locating a direct line costing upwards of a
hundred and twenty thousand dollars less, and possessing other obvious
advantages independent of the town site, which at no remote period must
be worth a large sum of money. Fdr details, see reports of the principal
and resident engineers. , ' ?
In making contracts on the summit division, previous to December,
1836, distinct prices were allowed for "solid rock" and "for rock which in
the opinion of the chief engineer may he quarried" This distinction arose
8
in necessity. When the first letting was held in Chicago in June, 1836,
the commissioners, prompted by policy and public opinion, were com¬
pelled to make an experimental letting of a portion of the heavy work
without strict regard to its true value. Among the many proposals that
were submitted at the time, there were but few from experienced con¬
tractors, or such men as could be trusted with difficult undertakings ; and
these, at that early period, with nothing to guide their judgments but a
rapid and superficial examination of the country, were reluctant to act
upon the assertions of the commissioners and engineers, that the rock to
be excavated was wholly stratified. They admitted that the indications
were in favor of that position, but urged that "solid rock" might probably
be encountered towards the bottom of the deep cutting; and, if so, that
much higher prices must be allowed than those at which they were willing
to take the "quarried rock." * The issue was, that the. accepted proposals
and, of course, the contracts embraced both classes. But the commission¬
ers continued so firm in their first impressions, that they disregarded ex¬
travagant bids for "solid rock" whenever the same proposal contained a
reasonable price for "rock which in the opinion of the chief engineer may
be quarried;" and especially as the umpire would be a State agent, and
probably the same who had repeatedly advised the Board that the admis ¬
sion of the contingency in question would involve 110 serious danger.
Through the remainder of that year many sections were opened to
various depths, yet no earnest demands for solid rock compensation were
preferred until just before the meeting of the General Assembly. Those
that were then made were promptly resisted, and the petitioners, threat¬
ening to appeal to the Legislature, were unsuccessfully encouraged by the
commissioners to pursue that course. It will be remembered that during
the session alluded to, a resolution was adopted by the House of Repre¬
sentatives ordering an investigation into the affairs of the canal. The
committee, to whom the subject was referred, made, among others of a
like tendency, the following comment on the estimates of the chief engi¬
neer. "It will be perceived that the item of rock excavation has been
estimated as coming within the denomination of quarried rock, whereas
all the information which your committee has been enabled to obtain upon
that subject, tends to show conclusively that at least two-thirds of the
item will fall under the class of solid rock excavation. If this be the
fact, and that it is has been proved to the satisfaction of the,committee,
the whole amount, as estimated by the engineer, must be greatly enhanced.
By reference to contracts already let as solid rock excavation, it will be
discovered that the average price is nearly $2 55. Assuming this sum,
then, as the price for solid rock excavation, and computing two-thirds of
the whole amount of rock excavation at about $2 55, the price for solid
rock excavation, and the remaining one-third at $1 55, the price per cu¬
bic yard for quarried rock excavation, and the sum total for lock excavation
on this division is found to exceed the estimate of the engineer, $2,050,-
800; by which it appears that the item of rock excavation alone amounts
to $6,814,331. But admitting the whole item to fall under the denomin¬
ation of quarried rock, it is believed that contractors coul^ not be procur¬
ed to excavate t.hp same at prices less than those allowed for solid rock,
on account of the great elevation to which it would have to be raised, after
9
being quarried, to remove it from the works, A moment's reflection will
show the truth of this view of the subject."
These opinions, it is believed, emanating as they did from a high source,
stimulated some of the contractors to insist with pertinacity upon an im¬
mediate allowance for "solid rock." Others, who made no present claim,
spoke freely of their intentions to contest the matter upon the completion
of their work; and it was ascertained by the Board that some of. the par¬
ties, encouraged by able counsel, were actually making preparations to
fortify their position. In view of all these circumstances, and knowing
at the same time the uncertainty ot legal decisions, the commissioners
were forced to believe that,however unjust the claims, there was imminent
danger in permitting the contractors to finish their work, under the exist¬
ing contracts, if it were possible to prevent it without violating the faith and
dignity of the State. It was therefore resolved that jvhile the contrac¬
tor, in disregard of equity, insisted upon every advantage which he could
obtain by law, the commissioners would be equally rigid in ruling him to
the letter of his contract; and accordingly the chief engineer was in¬
structed to issue his certificate of abandonment, in every case, on the first
clear provocation. Some had already violated their contracts by selling
them and giving irrevocable letters of attorney, setting forth a valuable
consideration ; others had failed to commence and prosecute their work in
accordance with the reasonable requisitions of the superintending engi¬
neer; and it was extremely doubtful whether any of them could complete
their jobs within the time specified in their respective articles of agree¬
ment. Thus situated, and being apprised of the determination of the
Board to coerce justice if any longer denied, they were gradually induced
to relinquish their disputed contracts and enter into new ones based upon
the former prices for "quarried rock," with slight additions in such cases
as experience had shown were originally taken at too low a rate. The
final settlement of this vexed question is highly advantageous to both par¬
ties. The contractor is placed upon a footing which leaves no doubt of
his ability to finish his work ; and the State, besides avoiding hazardous
and expensive litigation, can now estimate with certainty the ultimate cost
of her great enterprise.
In the quarterly report of the Board, transmitted to the General Assem¬
bly in July, 1837, it was stated that a correspondence had been opened
with Judge Wright, an eminently "skilful engineer," with a view to the
surveys and examinations required by the third section of the amen¬
datory canal law passed in the previous March. In the meantime, Mr.
Burnett, who is now the resident engineer of the third division, was in¬
structed to make a critical and thorough survey of the dividing ridge
between the Fox and Des Plaines rivers, and "within the limits of the
State." This duty he performed with great care, eliciting information from
every accessible source, and indulging those persons who desired explora¬
tions of particular depressions previously supposed and asserted to be
sufficiently low to afford a cheap feeder.
Judge Wright arrived at Chicago in the early part of October, and on
the 20th of the same month, Mr. Burnett made a detailed report, with a
topographical map and estimates, of the quantities of excavation and
other work necessary to effect the object on the most favorable route of
which the country was susceptible. At that time and through the whole
10
summer, the Des Plaines river was generally admitted to t>e unusually
flush, as was also the Calamie. No gauges were therefore ordered, and
consequently those of the Des Plaines, made by the United States' engi¬
neers in 1830, and of the Calamie, by Mr. Bueklin, were adopted as the
basis of the investigation. Keeping in view, however, that the truth of
these gauges had been strenuously controverted by the advocates of the
upper lu v A or "shallow cut," and that the capacity of the Calamie had
been contended to be even superabundant, the attention of the examin¬
ing engineer was particularly directed to the question, whether the Calamie
could in any event be classed among waters which the law contemplated
as 4sources within the legitimate authority of the State of Illinois a
question which his reputation for sound judgment in every thing connec¬
ted with canaling, his knowledge of the requirements of Indiana depen¬
dant on the Calamie, and his great experience in the adjustment of similar
claims, pre-eminently fitted him to answer with confidence. His plain,
free, and very decided report, marked G, to which Mr. Burnett's is appen¬
ded, will afford all the information required by the statute which enjoin¬
ed the examinations. But notwithstanding the opinion of the Commis¬
sioners, that the report of Judge Wright-—so completely confirming their
original plan—should alone determine the mode of feeding the canal, they
still thought it advisable to seize the first opportunity of reguaging the
summit streams and examining the suitability of the country for sustain¬
ing assistant reservoirs. , The past dry season rendered the measuring of
the Des Plaines almost unnecessary, since for nearly four months the
tightest dam that could be erected, would not, at the point for taking out
a feeder, have saved water enough to propel a single pair of ordinary
mill-stones. Repeated guagings from the 20th of July to the 22d of Au¬
gust, and it wras afterwards still lower, gave an average of less than the
measurement of 1830. The Calamie was guaged on the 8th of August,
and again on the 21st of September, by Mr. Talcott, the competent and
indefatigable resident engineer of the summit division, under the superin¬
tendence of the chief engineer and two of the commissioners, who assist¬
ed in the operation. Every precaution was taken to render the measure¬
ments perfect, but owing to the high stage of water in the lake which
flowed back upon the only point adapted to the purpose, and the quantity
of grass that had recently grown up in the bed of the river, it was im¬
practicable to compute the velocity of the current from top to bottom
with all the precision that was desirable. Averaging the different guages,
which are believed to be over the truth, the quantity estimated was a
fraction less than 7,000 cubic feet' per minute, being only 1,600 feet more
than reported by Mr. Bueklin, but falling short 10,217 cubic feet per
minute of Mr. Belin's estimate as given in the printed report. The
inference is fair, therefore, that Mr. Bueklin was right, and conclusive
that Mr. Bèlin was either wrong in his calculation-, or, which is more
probable, that the error was typographical. It is proper to mention also
that the volume of water continued to decline for some weeks after the
last guaging by Mr. Gooding and Mr. Talcott, but the general sickness
of the. country prevented a repetition of their experiments. An attempt
was made on the 8th of October, when it was found that the river had
fallen two inches since the last and lowest previous guage, but the mea¬
surement was carried no further. In regard to reservoirs, it is sufficient
Il
to say that, besides their pernicious influence upon the health of such a
country, it is believed that they could have rendered but little aid in a
protracted drought like the one just experienced.
in addition to the services required by law, the commissioners availed
themselves of the valuable talents of Judge Wright in general consulta¬
tion. Tie was employed to inspect the entire line, and invited to criticise
freely any and every part of the work in progress, as well as the plans
of the chief engineer and of the Board, all of which were detailed to
him on the ground with great minuteness. A number of written inter¬
rogatories were likewise propounded to him embracing every subject com¬
mented upon by the committee on Roads and Canals, in their report to
the House of Representatives at the same session in which the examina¬
tion was ordered. The report itself had attracted his attention before
he arrived in the State. The answers to these interrogatories, and the
result of the general inspection are embodied in a separate report to the
Board, marked H; by which it will be seen that the present plan of the
canal, being the same originally adopted, has received the deliberate
sanction of one of the ablest, most experienced, and most distinguished
engineers of the age. Nor was that sanction given until after the most
patient scrutiny both of the plan itself, practically examined, and of all
the published discussions and animadversions on the subject. Since that
report was obtained, the operations of another year, wide and varied in
their range, develope nothing but additional confirmation. The fifteen
sections extending from Chicago river to the "Point of Oaks," eight
miles, and lying through the low wet prairie pèriodically flooded by the
Des Plaines river through Mud lake, have been completely defended
against any possible danger from surface water ; and are now, by means
of those defences, accessible and tenable at any season of the year. The
same plan, of drainage and defence is gradually progressing from the
" Point of Oaks " to the Saganaskee swamp, and enough has been
done to inspire the fullest confidence in the practicability and moderate
cost of the work. Much less rock will be encountered than was once
supposed, but the earth excavation will in some few instances cost a shade
more than the estimates. The quantity of water to be pumped is not
greater on an average than was anticipated ; although there are several
sections that will require stronger machinery for that purpose than the
others. The same remarks will apply to the rock cuttings between the
Saganaskee and Lockport, all of which have been' permanently de¬
fended, and many of them so far advanced as to exhibit to the bottom
every variety of material and every difficulty of excavation.
Through Lockport and thence through Juliet, jnany improvements
have^been made in the line. Symmetry and strength have been added ;
the value of the water-power exclusively belonging to the State has been
much increased; and every advantage that plans and locations could
secure to the State has been scrupulously observed. The revenue from
the sales of lots and water privileges in and between these flourishing
towns must ultimately be very large, as will also be the case at the pas¬
sage of the Du Page river, where a manufacturing place of no little im¬
portance must /soon be required to meet the exigencies of the coun¬
try. ,
The costly and exposed sections around the base of the Kankakee
12
bluffs are in the hands of experienced contractors, who are known to have
executed extensive and more difficult iobs on the St. Lawrence canal,
•j
The safety of the plan of construction is now generally conceded, and
the prices at which the work was taken axe fair. From this point to
Marseilles nothing has been let ; thence to Ottawa the work is advanc¬
ing steadily, and will be finished in good time.
The navigable feeder from the Fox river, commencing at Green's mills
and falling into the main canal at the town of Ottawa, and also a lateral
canal and basin extending to the Illinois river, authorized in March, 1837,
have been located with due regard to the enhanced value of the property
of the State. The entire feeder, about five miles long, and a considera¬
ble section of the side cut have been placed under contract, and will
probably be so far adyanced in another year as to render available the
large and valuable water-power thus to be introduced into the heart of
the town. These judicious improvements, ôrdered at the last regular ses¬
sion of the Legislature, cannot fail to advance the prosperity of Ottawa
in a high degree. Strengthened and cultivated as her natural advantages
now are, it is admitted by all intelligent observers that she must soon
become an important manufacturing city, creating a vast amount of busi¬
ness for the canal, diffusing incalculable benefits through an extensive
scope of country, and remunerating the State, by increased value of prop¬
erty, more than threefold the amount of the additional expenditures.
Several mill sites might now be profitably sold at Juliet, where they are
much needed for general convenience, but the Board have no authority
to sell or lease such privileges on any part of the line. The power is in¬
dispensably necessary, and should be conferred on the commissioners or
some other agents at the present session of the General Assembly.
From Ottawa to the termination of the canal at the city of La Salle,
the work, except the basin and steamboat channel, is progressing as rapid¬
ly as was expected. Several sections have been received, and many
others will be ready for delivery early in the coming year. The chan¬
nel and basin will be pushed with vigor on the opening of the next season,
and, if labor can be commanded, they will be in time for the remainder
of the third division, which it is believed may be brought into use in the
spring of 1841.
The principal part of the aqueducts, locks, dams, and culverts of the
middle and lower divisions, have been undertaken by practical mechanics,
skilled and experienced in their line of business ; and, at the instance of
Judge Wright and Mr. Gooding, a superintendent of established reputa¬
tion has been employed by the Board to keep a vigilant watch, and see
that the laying of every stone is in accordance with the specifications of
the contract. By this means uniform and permanent structures may be
expected.
Good stone, conveniently situated and carefully tested, has been found
in sufficient abundance; and water lime or Roman cement, of the most
superior quality, lies in inexhaustible beds scattered along the line from
Lockport to the Little Vermilion river. An improved furnance for calcin-
i ng and a steam-mill for grinding the lime, will soon be put in operation
at Lockport, by Messrs. Norton and Steele, a firm from Canada, who
manufactured principally for the St. Lawrence canals, while under the
control of Judge Wright. The commissioners have contracted with
13
these gentlemen for a supply of the article at fifty cents per bushel, de¬
liverable at the respective structures, and subject to * the inspection of
State agents—terms believed to be unusually favorable.
The fourth section of the canal law of 1837, requires the Board of
Commissioners to cause a survey and estimates to be made, as soon as con¬
venient, of the route of a canal diverging from the main trunk, through,
the Saganaskee swamp and Grassy lake, to intersect the Caiamic river at
the nearest practicable point, and to construct the proposed branch when¬
ever the State of Indiana' shall have undertaken a corresponding work
connecting her system of internal improvements with the Illinois and
Michigan canal. In compliance with this requisition, a party, under the
direction of Mr. Burnett, was ordered to that duty as early as prepara¬
tions could be made. The season being one of extraordinary wetness,
examinations and estimates could not be as accurately made as it was
desirable they should be. But the commissioners, accompanied by the
chief engineer, continued to explore the route until they ' realized their
anticipations of the facility and cheapness with which an excellent canal
might be constructed, uniting at once great public convenience and
utility with a profitable investment of capital. Completed at a cost of
not more than three hundred thousand dollars, it will connect the Illinois
and Michigan canal directly with Lake Erie and all the artificial naviga¬
tion of Indiana and Ohio ; and it is thought that the[water-power, together
with the town which it will create on State property, will more than
reimburse the outlay. For the particulars of the survey, see Mr. Bur¬
nett's report, marked J. Major Lewis, one of the acting commissioners,,
and Mr. Williams, the chief engineer of the Indiana canals, have verbally
expressed their opinions to this Board, that Indiana would certainly ac¬
cept the invitation of the State of Illinois, and meet her at the dividing
line ; but, as yet, no Written communication^ have been enterchanged.
It is highly probable, however, that some step will be taken by Indiana,
at the present session of her Legislature, which may demand immediate
action, on the part of this State. It is therefore proper to inquire whether
the existing laws confer the power on the Board of Commissioners to com¬
mence the prosecution of the work. It will be perceived that the fourth
section of the amendatory act for the construction of the Illinois and
Michigan canal, approved March 2d, 1827, after authorizing a survey
and estimates, uses the following words : "the said work to be constructed
whenever the State of Indiana shall undertake a corresponding work con¬
necting her system of internal improvements with the Illinois and Michi¬
gan canal." The work is ordered to be constructed, but the ways and
means are not pointed out. No doubts are entertained that the power
was intended to be conferred, and that it was designed to appropriate the
necessary means out of the canal fund ; but the sixth section of the law
of January 9th, 1836, says : "the money borrowed, the premiums arising
from the sale of any stock created, the proceeds of the canal lands and
town lots, and all the moneys in any way arising fropt the contemplated
canal, shall constitute the canal fund,and shall be used for canal purposes,
and for no other whatever, until the said canal shall have been completed."
The words, 6 for canal purposes," taken with the context, would seem to
mean, for the purposes of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. If so, a more
explicit appropriation should be made.
14
The enlargement of the natural basin at the confluence of the north
and south branches of the Chicago river, authorized by the 7th section of
the law of 1837, will be commenced sometime during the approaching
summer, unless a scarcity of labor should cause other work to be delayed
by the commencement of that. The exchange of block number 14, the
\ property of the State, for block number 7, belonging to individuals, has
not been effected ; and it is the opinion of the commissioners that it will
be decidedly to the interest of the canal fund to condemn block number
7, for removal, and sell fourteen, after the basin shall have been en¬
larged.
The three commissioners appointed by the circuit judge of the seventh
judicial district to value private property, required for the construction of
the canal, have attended, at the instance of the Board, on two occasions.
At their first meeting all were present, but at the second only two appear¬
ed, when it was contended by counsel, and sustained by the court, that
thé law made no provision for any number less than three to act. The
death of one of them occurred soon afterwards, and application being
made by the claimant for the appointment of another, the judge decided
that no power was anywhere vested for filling vacancies. These defects
in the statute should be removed by amendment.
The agents for the protection of canal lands have been less successful
than was reasonably expected. Depredations, though not so frequent as
formerly, continue to be committed with shameful impunity, arising in
some degree, from the difficulties of obtaining such evidence as will satis¬
fy a jury. Some few judgments have been obtained at considerable cost,
but chiefly against irresponsible persons. The commissioners continue of
opinion, however, that the agency has been beneficial far beyond its ex¬
pense. Firm and vigilant men may yet arrest the lawless and dishonest
practice of plundering lands devoted to so great an object ; and this belief
finds strength in the good effects which were produced by the activity
and fearlessness of Col. William Weatherford during his short period of
service. It is nevertheless due to a large a respectable portion of the in¬
habitants of that section of country to say that public sentiment has under¬
gone and is undergoing a wholesome change in respect to the propriety of
enforcing the laws against all trespassers. If the agents do their duty,
they will find many influential citizens who are ready to aid and support
them. Such assurances have repeatedly been made to the Board by per¬
sons in whom every confidence jan be reposed.
The act, passed in July, 1837, providing conditionally for the sale of
canal "lands to the ampunt of four hundred thousand dollars, made it the
duty of the commissioners to select the lands intended to be sold—-to sub¬
divide them into lots of not less than forty nor more than eighty acres—
and to value them in reference to many considerations. To comply with
these injunctions, it became necessary to employ agents of suitable quali¬
fications for the collection of proper information. Mr. Richard G. Murphy,
of Perry county, and Col. John Flemming, of Shelby, were invited to un¬
dertake the laborious task; and it affords the Board much pleasure to be
able to say that, as far as these gentlemen progressed, they performed the
duties assigned them with unremitting industry and much skill. Attended 1
by Mr. Preston, an excellent surveyor, they examined minutely, and in
regular order, each section of canal land» establishing its corners and taking
15
tabular notes of the quality of soil—the quantity and description of tim¬
ber—the size and character of streams—the amount of improvements, if
any—the location of those improvements—and many other items of in¬
formation highly useful for present and future purposes. A correct knowl¬
edge of these things was deemed indispensable to the Board, in order not
only to select the lots to be offered, and graduate their value generally,
but to guard against being overreached in selling an extraordinary tract of
land for an ordinary price. It is to be regretted that the party was dis¬
persed by sickness before the object was accomplished; but the work
will be resumed and finished as early as it can be economically done ; and
if the pecuniary condition of the people will justify it, the lands authorized
to be sold, or a part of them, will be brought into market in June or
July.
The sixth section of the act of March 2d, 1837, empowers the Board
of Commissioners to sell such parts of the canal lands in the township in
which Chicago is situated, and alternate lots in La Salle and other towns
along the canal route, as might be necessary to produce the sum of one
million of dollars. Under this authority, and since the last session of the
Legislature, a few alternate lots have fyeen sold in Lockport, in Ottawa,
and in La Salle, but more with a view of founding the towns and pre¬
venting individual property froni superceding that of the State, than for
purposes of present revenue. The financial embarrassments of the Union
for nearly the last two years will satisfactorily account for no other prop¬
erty being sold. The sales at the places enumerated, amounting in gross
to $35,400, were effected at liberal prices considering the times, and al¬
most exclusively to actual settlers who are making substantial improve¬
ments. The Treasurer's and Secretary's reports contain specific accounts
of sales.
This rapid review of the condition of the canal and the affairs connec¬
ted with it, taken alone, would probably be thought, insufficient ; but in
conjunction with the appended reports from the Treasurer and Secretary,
and from the principal, the resident, and the examining engineers, it
wilLbe found to embrace as much as could be said on the subject without
repeating information which others had detailed with perspicuity.
It appears from the estimates of the chief engineer, as will be seen by
an examination of his report, dhat according to the contracts made,
adding a full allowance for the light sections not under contract, the sum
of $7,621,442 57 will cover; with very little variation, every expense for
a convenient, substantial, and élégant canal, such as it ought to be for
commercial economy, durability, and State character. The original
estimate of the same engineer, exclusive of the additions at Ottawa and the
enlargement of the basin in Chicago, was $8,654,337 51, being $1,032,-
894 94 more than will be required to complete the work.
Upon a result so important to the people, and, under all the circum¬
stances, so gratifying to the Board, the Commissioners cannot refrain from
tendering to your Excellency their warmest congratulations.
It is the deliberate opinion of the Board that the canal may be finished
in four years, if there be no delay on account of funds. The money al¬
ready consumed amounts to $1,432,445 43, of which $986,355 85 were
disbursed in the last year; and but for the well known awful visitation of
Providence, this sum would have risen to $1,200,000. The operations
16
for the year 1839 will require an additional appropriation of a million
and a half of dollars, and those for 1840, two millions. A small part of
these sums may possibly be derived from sales and collections, but to rely
on that source beyond the interest to be paid on loans, would be a ques¬
tionable policy.
In conclusion, the commissioners reiterate the opinion, expressed in the
first annual report to the Governor, that "if these lands and town lots be
very gradually and cautiously brought into > market, reserving the chief
part until the canal shall have been completed, and all its advantages
clearly understood, there is more than enough to build it on the present
capacious and permanent plan. But, on the contrary, if sales be forced
and all the lands be disposed of before their true value be known, there
cannot fail to be a deficit of several millions of dollars. Many tracts of
land, that would not bring more than five or six dollars per acre if sold
immediately, may be worth, a few years hence, from twenty to one hun¬
dred dollars. Innumerable instances of the kind might be adduced, some
of them iri the yicinity of the canal."
All of which is respectfully submitted,
W. F. THORNTON,
Late President.
JACOB FRY,
Acting Commissioners
Canal Office,
Locfcport, December 10, 1S38.
To the Board of Commissioners
of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Gentlemen : In pursuance of the duties assigned me, I have the honor
to submit the following report.
Since my last annual report to your Board, (à copy of which accom¬
panies this,) the work upon the canal has progressed with as much rapidi¬
ty as, could reasonably have been anticipated, considering the obstacles
presented. Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather of last winter, the
high water of last spring, and the sickness during the past summer and
fall, there has been a large amount of work done, and this ahnount would
probably have been increased at least $300,000, but for the sickness. The
weather during the summer and fall has been remarkably favorable for
canal operations, and particularly for protecting and preparing portions
of work upon the summit division for further progress.
The part of the line from the south branch of Chicago river to summit
or the Point of Oaks, is now placed in such a situation as to insure its safe¬
ty from the high water caused by the overflowing of the Des Plaines
river.
This has hitherto been the cause of much trouble and delay, and oc¬
casioned, for a considerable length of time, an entire suspension of the
work. A small part of the deep-earth cutting in the valley of the Des
Plains, between summit and the Saganaskee, has also been protected, so
17
that the work may be successfully prosecuted during the seasons of high
water. Upon this part of the canal, the contractors have spent most of
the past season in making preparations for a more vigorous prosecution of
the excavation, such as building shantees, providing the necessary fixtures,
grubbing and clearing, &c.; so that the amount of estimates upon work
done is very trifling, compared with that which remains. It should be
observed, too, that several of the sections have been relet since the regu¬
lar letting in June last, and the contractors have not yet had time to make
full preparations.
Tne location of the canal at the Saganaskee swamp and the plan of
constructing it have been materially changed since my first estimate was
made, and a very decided advantage gained in the expense, in the symme¬
try of the line, and in the increased value of State property. The canal
as now located occupies as much of the channel of the river as can be
made available upon a straight line. A new channel for the river will be
opened upon the west side of a low island or peninsula, which extends
the whole length of sections number 42,43, and 44, and will occupy nearly
the same place where the main channel of the river appears once to have been.
An embankment will be made, connected with the spoil-bank on the west
side of the canal at the lower end of section number 41, (which is just
above the Sag, and near the present channel of the river,) crossing the
river from that point to the island, and running thence across the island
to a bayou, which will form a part of the new channel; thence parallel
with the canal and about 22 chains from it, upon the west side of said
island, to a point near the lower end of it; and thence across to the ca¬
nal upon section number 45, where it will be connected with the protec¬
tion so as to exclude tlip waters of the river. Parallel with and near the
embankment upon the west side of the^ island, the artificial channel will
be made so as to unite the'bayou above mentioned with'one that extends
up from the lower end of the island. This channel will be opened 200
feet wide, and all the earth excavated from it deposited upon the island side.
It is believed that a depth of excavation sufficient only to remove the roots
will'be all that will be necessary.,; for the whole river being forced into
thfe channel by the embankment above described, will cause a current
sufficiently strong in time of floods to deepen and enlarge it to the re¬
quisite dimensions. There is a large, deep basin, or expansion of the river
below the channel, of sufficient capacity to hold all the deposite that can
be washed into it.
That part of the canal embraced in sections number 42, 43, and 44,
the only sections upon the Summit Division, except two, which are not
now under contract, has been very properly withheld from contract since
the above described change was made. The only work that can be done
upon it to any advantage, previous to the completion of the sections from
number 44 to the running out of thé level, consists of earth excavation un-
o 1
der water, which it is believed can only be done, with economy, by a
dredging-machine. Such h machine your Board has very properly deter¬
mined to build, under the direction of an efficient agent of the State, who
should also superintend its operation when completed;1 and it should be
in readiness as early next season as practicable. With this machine, all
the work upon the three above mentioned sections, except a small amount
of rock excavation and walling, can probably be performed by the time
B
18
that the sections below will be finished. These once done, the water can
be drawn down so that the rock excavation (which occurs only upon sec¬
tion number 44,) and walling, can be performed with little difficulty or
delay.
When the canal at this point is completed upon the present plan, a
quantity of State land, amounting to about 270 acres, will be reclaimed,
which is, at present, entirely valueless. The whole of the impassable
marsh that now presents so forbidding an appearance will be made dry
land.
The junction of the canal from Calumet river with the main line, being
made at this point upon the reclaimed State land, will make it one of the
most valuable town sites upon the line of the canal, or in the State, The
importance of the point at this junction will be appreciated when it is
understood that the "lateral canal" is the last link in a chain of canals of
nearly twelve hundred miles in length which will, by this, be connected
with the improvements of our own State. All these canals are believed
to be in progress, and some of them are known to be nearly completed,
and the whole chain will probably be completed in three or four years,
to those who have not watched the progress of improvements in neigh¬
boring States, this statement may appear almost incredible, and the follow¬
ing list is, therefore, given to show that there is no exaggeration.
Mites.
Length of Michigan and Erie canal, including both the branch
to Michigan city and to the Illinois State line, (all in Indiana,) 198
Wabash and Erie canal, in Ohio and Indiana, - - 315
Central canal, Indiana, - , - - 310
Cross cut canal, Indiana, - - - - 43
Miami canal, Ohio, - « - - - - 205
White Water canal, Indiana, (length of Richmond branch esti¬
mated,) - - - - - - ' ,90
Canal from Cincinnati to Harrison, on the White Water canal,
(length estimated,) - - - - - - 30
Total - ■ - •» » - r - 1,191
There are several navigable feeders omitted, which would probably in¬
crease the length thirty or forty miles.
The canals above ennumerated are intersected at various points by rail¬
roads and other improvements, which will add much to their usefulness,
and materially increase the importance of a connection with them.
From section number 44 to Lockport, (a sub-division that embraces all
the heavy rock excavation,) the line has been permanently protected from
the river floods, with the exception of sections 45, 46, 47 and 48, a part
of which only requires protection, the rest being above the highest
floods.
When this work was first placed under contract, it was supposed that
all the protection against high water that would be required for the canal
after its completion would be made by the contractors for their own se¬
curity during thé construction; or that, if any further defence were re¬
quired, it could be made with greater economy after the canal was finish¬
ed, But the unusual floods of last year rendered it evident that a strong
19
and permanent defence must be made to prevent the influx of the water
into the canal : and the serious delay occasioned to the work by the want
of such a defence, and the probable recurrence of such delay, satisfacto¬
rily proved the expediency of at once making a protection or defence at
the expense of the State, which should be sufficient for all present and
future purposes. This protection consists of two parellel stone walls,
three feet apart, raised one foot above high water mark, and a wall of
well puddled clay between them, extending down to the firm rock be¬
neath, and as high as the top of the parallel walls.
The Sag and Big run ditch, extending from section number 45 to Big
run, commenced last year, has been completed. The object for which
this is designed was explained in my last annual report.
The cost of the protection and ditch forms no inconsiderable item of
expense, but could not be dispensed with, without causing much delay
during the construction, and materially detracting from the value of the
canal after its completion.
Much labor during the season past has been spent upon the above men¬
tioned work, but as the former is nearly, and the latter entirely comple¬
ted, the whole force that can, in future, be brought -upon the work, may
be directed exclusively to the excavation of the canal.
The work upon the Summit Division, during the past season, has gen¬
erally been well applied, so that the sections that have been worked upon
to any considerable extent are now, with but few exceptions, in a good
condition for future operations. Portions of many of the sections upon
this divission have been worked to bottom, and several of them will proba¬
bly bè completed in the course of next year.
An improvement has been made in the 'plan of constructing sections
, number 66, 67 and 68, by building dry walls in front of the embankment,
which will somewhat increase the cost, but add greatly to the value of
State property and the durability of the canal, and diminish the expense
of repairs.
In connection with section number 68, which passes through the town
of Lockport, and is made 120 feet in width, a hydraulic basin has been
estimated, which is to be constructed in such a manner that the mills or
manufactories which are to be operated by the water-power created here,
will be built upon, and draw their water from, three sides of it—the other
side being next the canal and only separated from it by the towing-path,
a*street, and a tier of warehouse lots. This basin will be connected with
the canal in such a manner that boats or vessels can readily pass into it,
and load or unload at the mills and warehouses. #
The water will be used here for ihe descent of the first two locks,
(which are of ten feet lift each.) though the second lock is located about a
mile below the first. A tail race can be made from the mills upon
ground of such a level as to require but light rock cutting, except for a *
short distance, and the water carried in below the second lock.
The value of the water power created here and at other points upon
th3 canal, by drawing a supply of water directly from lake Michigan,
can be fully appreciated after a season of such severe drought as the past.
The Des Plaines river and many other considerable streams of the coun¬
try have been nearly dried up, and probably three-fourths of the water-
mills throughout a large portion of the United States have been standing
20
still for the last three months. But had this canal been completed, there
would have been, during the season past, an unusual supply of water, as
the surface of the lake has been nine fed four inches above canal bottom,
or thfee feet four inches higher than was originally calculated upon for the
supply.
The line from Lockkport to Dresden, a short distance below the Kan¬
kakee bluffs, was prepared for letting last spring, and offered for contract
on the 5th of June. All the work offered was let, and at such prices,
generally, as were satisfactory, Some of the lowest priced work, howev¬
er, has since been abandoned and relet.
In revising the line for letting, the canal was made very nearly straight
for the whole distance from Lockport to Juliet. This location varied con¬
siderably from the first survey upon which the estimate was originally
made, and the locks are quite differently distributed. The first two locks
are, as before mentioned, about a mile apart—the first in the lower part
of the town of Lockport, and the second, or lock number 2, just below
Fraction run—both upon canal land. Locks number 3 and 4 are located
itpon canal land, about 2£ miles below Lockport. The lockage is twenty
feet, and the same amount of water-power will be created here as at
Lockport.
Lock number 4 brings the canal to the level formed by the pool of dam
number 1. A short distance below said lock, the line runs into the chan¬
nel of the Des Plaines, which will here be turned to the right, and the
whole of the water forced into the channel upon the west side of Nor¬
man's island.
The rock excavation in the bed of the river, from the point where the
canal enters it to the upper end of said island, averages about two and a
half feet in depth; but when the river is turned, the excavation will be
attended with no particular difficulty. The excavation continues across the
island, running out at the lower end of it, where the towing-path crosses the
river, and is thence continued down the right bank to the % guard-lock
at dam number 2, where the independent canal again commences. From
this point to the termination of the canal, the towipg-path is upon the
left or south side. ,
From Norman's island to dam number 1, which is located upon canal
land, just above the town of Juliet, two strong walls, with embankments
between them, will be constructed upon the east side, to confine the water
in the pool of the dam. It is proposed to raise these walls and embank¬
ments seven feet above the comb of the dam, to be perfectly secure from
the highest floods. From dam number 1 to dam number 2, a similar de¬
fence will be required, but of a much less height. c
Both dams will be made of good cut-stone masonry laid in hydraulic
cement. Dam number I will be connected with lock number 5, which
will be upop the west or towing-path side, fclere also a large amount of
water-power will be created which, at this point, will be particularly val¬
uable, and confer great additional value upon State property.
From Juliet to the Du Page, the revised line varies considerably from
the former surveys; This variation was made in order to keep up the
level betwçen five and six feet higher than formerly, so as to cross the Du
Page by ari acqueduct* This will somewhat increase the cost, but make a
piuch better and safer canaL The increased cost will be principally upon
21
the three or four sections immediately below Juliet, and in the aqueduct
across the Du Page, which will cost more than the original plan of cross¬
ing this stream in the pool of a dam. The plan was changed after wit-
nesssing the floods of the last two years, and being fully convinced that
more would be gained by it in safety than would be lost in expense, if,
indeed, the increased expense is not more than compensated by the addi¬
tional water-power that will be given upon the State land at the Du
Page. This State land will form a town site of no inconsiderable impor¬
tance, being beautifully situated in the heart of a fine country, at a con¬
siderable distance from any town that could possibly rival it. The lock¬
age immediately after crossing the Du Page will be fifteen and a half feet,
divided into two locks, number six and seven, and it will be necessary to
draw about 4,500 cubic feet of water per minute past these locks, (exclu¬
sive of the lockage water, ) to supply the canal to Marseilles.
A feeder will be taken into the canal from the Du Page, about^ three
miles above the crossing. The last season has shown this stream to be
one of the most permanent in the State, and it can be introduced as a
feeder at a very moderate expense.
The length of the feeder will be twenty chains, and an embankment is
already nearly completed, extending from the head of the feeder up the
river twenty-seven chains, and connecting with high ground upon the
river bank This embankment, together with that which will necessarily
be formed in the construction of the feeder, will exclude the flood waters
of the Du Page from a depression through which they formerly flowed
into Rock creek. This defence not only secures the safety of the canal,
but pre vents' a considerable quantity of excellent land from being over¬
flowed.
From the Du Page to Dresden, the line has been but slightly changed
since the first survey, but the quantity of slope-wall to protect the canal
at the Kankakee bluffs has been considerably increased, to render the ca¬
nal doubly secure at this exposed point. *
The cost of the canal around the bluffs, at the present contract prices,
will not vary materially, in the aggregate, from the original estimate; and
the contractors are men of responsibility and much experience in similar
kinds of work, so that its completion at present prices is beyond a
doubt.
It will, be seen that, in many particulars, the canal from Lockport to
Dresden is very much improved from the original design/ In addition to
other improvements, betwreen five and six miles of the canal below Lock-
port will have walling either upon one or both sides, which will effectually
prevent the washing of the banks or any serious danger from breaches.
This mode of constructing the canal has been adopted every where that
stone of a suitable quality could be convenient^ obtained in the excava¬
tion, and on portions of the distance abovementioned, stone is quarried for
the express purpose.
These improvements in the mode of construction, and others upon va¬
rious parts of the line which will in some degree increase the cost, have
been the more readily introduced in consequence of an important saving
in expense upon other parts of the canal, which it was known would
reduce the aggregate cost considerably below the original estimate.
The line from Dresden to Marseilles has not yet been prepared for
22
jetting, but this should be done as early next spring as practicable, and
the whole of it placed under contract. The estimate for this part of the
canal will be the same as in my first annual report.
From Marseilles to the western termination of the canal, but particu¬
larly below Ottawa, a large proportion of the earth work has been finish¬
ed. Only six sections upon the main line, and one upon the Fox river
feeder, have been entirely finished and accepted, but ten or twelve sections
mote are nearly done, and might have been completed in October had
not sickness caused a serions interruption in canal operations.
The work upon the Fox river feeder is so far advanced that it may be
completed, withput difficulty, next season. The dam at the head of it is
finished, except a small amount of masonry to raise the abutments to the
requisite height, and the guard-lock will be done next spring.
Several changes in the original plan of constructing portions of the
Wester nDivision have been made with a view to greater permanency
and utility, or to benefit State property. The change in the canal at
Ottawa, for the purpose of benefitting the State property in that place,
increased the cost of construction about $12,000, but will enhance the
value of the property to a much greater amount.
At Pecumsagan creek, a much more expensive and better artificial
channel has been formed than was at first deemed necessary. An extra¬
ordinary flood, in Jnne last, destroyed a considerable amount of work
already done, and showed the necessity of increasing the expenditure to
give additional security to the aqueduct to be built across said chan¬
nel.
There having been some injury sustained upon the heavy embankments
from section number 191 to 195, in consequence of strong winds during
a long continuance of high water, it was thought expedient to protect
the banks that were most exposed by a slope wall. Accordingly the
whole of section number 194, and parts of sections 193 and 195, have
been thus protected, and the whole will probably be made secure before
tlfo spring floods.
The width of the steamboat channel has been increased, for a distance
of 600 feet below the basin, to 160 feet on the bottom, or 60 feet more
than it was first estimated. A similar enlargement has also been made
for a short distance above its entrance into the Illinois river.
Wherever an improvement upon the original plan, increasing the cost
over the original estimates, has suggested itself during the progress of
the work, the facts have been communicated to your Board, and I have
had the satisfaction to find that it has been deemed more important to
increase the permanency, utility and symmetry of the canal, and the ulti¬
mate value pf State property, than to keep the cost in every instance
within the original estimates. It is well known that when those esti¬
mates were made there had not been sufficient time given to mature
plans, or determine, in all cases, the nature of the material that would
be met with in the execution of the work. It was my intention to make
my estimate high enough in the aggregate, but it was not expected that
in all its details it would exactly correspond with the actual cost.
Such full developments have now been made upon nearly all the work
which has been placed under contract, that its character is pretty well
ascertained.
23
The contracts made the past year have generally been made with ex¬
perienced contractors, after they had satisfied themselves of the true value
of the work by actual observation of similar work then in progress, and
had had the benefit of their own or other contractors' experience upon
the same canal for the two years previous. These contracts have been
made, in most cases, at prices below the original estimates for the same
quality of work, and, with very few exceptions, will undoubtedly bê
executed at the prices, and afford a fair profit. If relettings become ne¬
cessary, the work generady will be relet without an increase of prices. '
This opinion has been confirmed by observation and the relettings that
have already takeh place.
The character of the deep-rock cutting, about which such a diversity
of opinion prevailed at the commencement, is now as clearly understood
as that of the light earth work. All the sections have been commenced,
and considerable portions of many of them excavated to bottom,
showing every variety of rock that can be supposed to occur in what still
remains. These developments have reduced the cost of this portion of
the canal to as much certainty as it is possible to arrive at before its com¬
pletion. Heavy contracts have been taken by responsible contractors,
for less than the original estimates, upon quarried rock, and those con¬
tracts, (since the first season,) have, in all cases, been for embodied rock,
whether stratified or solid. Were the whole of the rock excavation
upon the Summit Division to be offered for contract again at this time, it
could, unquestionably, be let to contractors of the highest responsibility
for considerably less than the amount of the present contracts.
The principal structures of masonry upon the canal have nearly all
been,placed under contract the past season, and a commencement made
by quarrying and cutting stone. Twelve out of the fifteen lift-locks
upon the canal have been let; also two stone dams and a guard-lock at
Juliet, the masonry in the abutments and piers of the Fox river aque¬
duct, and two culverts—one of sixteen tand the other of eighteen feet
chord. The masonry in the Fox river aqueduct was awarded or let in
the fall of 1837, but no commencement having been made, it was relet
in June last.
The locks will cost less and the aqueduct more than the original esti¬
mate. The quality of the work in the Fox river aqueduct has been
changed from hammer-dressed to cut-stone, and in the locks it remains
, the same as was originally intended.
Since the work was let, quarries have been opened along the line and
near it, and stone of a very good quality has been obtained. - Water lime
is also found in inexhaustible quantities at Lockport, and in several places
upon the Westèrn Division of the canal; and as a contract has been made
with a gentleman of undoubted responsibility for the manufacture and
delivery of the lime at the places where it is to be used, the cost may be
calculated with certainty. All the contracts for masonry, except for the
Little Vermilion and Peeumsagan aqueducts, and the guard-lock and dam
abutments at the head of the Fox river feeder, w;ere made for so much,
exclusive of the water lime, which was to be furnished by the State.
This was done, first, to secure lime of good quality and procure it in timej
and, secondly, because when the contracts were made it was not known
where it would be obtained, nor at what cost.
24
The materials that-will be obtained for the masonry throughout the
whole extent of the canal can be, had more conveniently, and of much
better quality than was anticipated at the commencement; but in con¬
sequence of the delay caused by the sickness of the past season, it will
probably require two seasons more to complete all the masonry which is
under contract. By placing the remainder of the work of every descrip¬
tion under contract next spring, or early next summer, the canal may
be completed, in three years, from the deep-cut to the western termina¬
tion, unless the seasons should prove more than usually unfavorable. To
accomplish this, and proceed at the same time with a force upon the Sum¬
mit Division sufficient to complete it one year later, will require a great
additional number of laborers. These might easily have been obtained,
had the country through which the line of canal passes proved as healthy
the past as the two preceding years. But unfortunately for the credit of
the canal, it has been otherwise. There has been much sickness upon this
canal, as well as almost every other public work in the west. This may
probably be attributed to the long continued and intense heat of the sum¬
mer, and the severity of the drought. But from whatever cause it may
have proceeded, it was unusual, and will not be likely soon to occur
again. The two preceding years, since the commencement 01" the
canal, had been remarkably healthy, and there is no reason to doubt that
succeeding seasons may prove equally favorable.
When the sickly season commenced in July last, the force upon the
canal was rapidly accumulating, but the sickness in August and Septem¬
ber not only discouraged the laborers abroad from coming here, (for
exaggerated reports of the unhealthfness of the country were every
where circulated,) but caused many that were here to leave the country
altogether, or to engage upon other public "works of the State. Since
these discouraging circumstances occurred, several of the contractors
have exerted themselves to introduce men upon their work .at their own
expense, and have expended considerable sums of money to effect this
object. Their exertions have been attended with some-success, but it is
feared that they will not derive that advantage from the introduction of
laborers that their praise-worthy zeal deserves, in consequence of the
difficulty of keeping these laborers upon their work after they have been
once obtained. It is respectfully suggested whether the State's interests
would not be materially benefitted by making a liberal expenditure of
money in obtaining laborers from a distance for the canal, either directly
through an agent of your Board, or by co-operating with contractors.
Much effort will, at all events, be necessary on the part of contractors,
and the friends of the canal generally, to correct the misrepresentations
that have been made in relation to the sickness, to show the liberal wages
uniformly paid upon dhis canal, and the advantages that this country
presents over almost every other for the investment of their earnings.
The number of laborers upon the canal and connected immediately
with canal operations during the past year, as nearly as can be ascertain¬
ed from the returns made upon each sub-division at the close of <each
quarter, has been as follows, viz :
25
1st quarter ending February 2Sth - - - 790
2d quarter ending May 31st, - - - 1,755
3d quarter ending August 31st - v - - * 2,193
4th quarter ending November 30th - 2,114
From the number of men now engaged it is very evident that several
hundred have left the canal since last summer. There are /many, how¬
ever, who still continue upon the line, that have not yet recovered their
strength sufficiently to labor, and therefore are not included.
O > * 7 • i •
The amount of work done upon the canal during the past year is as
follows, viz :
1st quarter ending February 2Sth i- $109,417 62
2d quarter ending May 31st - - - - 167,128 67
3d quarter ending August 31st - 409,374 33
• 4th quarter ending November 30th - - - 227,741 93
Total in 1838 - - - - - $913,662 55
Total in 1837 - - - - - 346,899 43
Total in 1838J - - - - - $35,744 83
Total àmount of work'done - $1,296,306 81
This statement will show the progressive increase of labor from the
commencement up to this time. It will be seen that but a small amount
of labor was performed last winter and spring, in consequence of the
unprotected state of the work; and that the amount during the last
quarter, instead of being a great,increase upon the summer quarter, as in
1837, shows a vast decrease, in consequence of the cause already ex¬
plained.
The amount of wrork let upon the can&l at the public letting in June
last, was as follows, viz :
Aggregate length of line let upon the Summit Division, exclusive of re¬
lettings,, three miles and 28 chains.
Total amount at estimates - $369,771 58
Total amount ad contract prices - - - 366,199 96
Total amount less than estimates - - - $3,571 62
Aggregate length of line let upon the Middle Division, twenty-one
miles.
• Total amount, (including structures) at estimates - $1,145,329 93
. Total amount at contract prices - 1,091,722 12
•1 ■ i1 ■ •
Dess than estimates - - - - $53,607 81
* The number of laborers on the first of August was probably 3,200.
f The amount paid, instead of the amount of work done, was given in my first
annual repert.
26
Structures upon the Western Division.
Total amount at estimates - - - $215,705 92
Total amount at contract prices - 194,549 84
Less than estimates - - - - $21,156 08
. i —.
. Aggregate length of line let during the year, exclusive of relettings,
twenty-four miles and twenty-eight chains.
Total amount at estimates, including structures, - $1,730,807 43
Total amount at contract prices - - - 1,652,471 92
Less than estimates - - - - $78,335 51
Aggregate length of line now under contract, including all which has
been let, seventy-seven miles and forty-three chains.
Total amount, at present contract prices, including every description of
work which is under contract, $5,871,740 37.
Aggregate length of line not under contract, twenty-four tuiles and
four chains.
Total amount of work to be let, including all the work of every
description which is not now under contract, $1,251,103 15.
Total amout of work under contract - - $5,871,740 37
Total amount of work not under contract - 1,251,103 15
* $7,122,843 52
Add seven per cent, for superintendence and contin¬
gencies - - - - - 498,599 05
Total cost * $7,621,442 57
Original estimate - - - - - 8,654,337 51
Difference - - - - - $1,032,894 94
There has been a constant effort, on the part of some of the pretended
friends of the canal, to make it appear that the estimate submitted in my
first annual report was far too low. It has been stated, even during the past
summer, in some of the newspapers of this State, (and consequently con¬
sidered as an established fact abroad,) that the friends of the canal now
generally admit that the canal will cost much more than this estimate.
But ,this is far'from being the fact, None of the friends of the canal,
who can have any just pretensions to a knowledge of the value or cost of
the. work, ever made such an admission. On the contrary, when it was
discovered that a much greater quantity of rock excavation had been
estimated upon the Summit Division than would be found, the canal was
known to have been over-estimated, notwithstanding considerable addi¬
tional improvements were made upon other parts of the line in conse¬
quence of this saving.
* The cost of the Ottawa side-cut which was not Included in the original estimate,
is embraced in this.
27
In submitting an estimate of the cost of the canal as it now is, I am
not governed by my own judgment alone, or that of other engineers.
A very large proportion of ÙJ whole work, and all that was ever
supposed to be of a doubtful character, is under contract, and much of
it in the hands of men of great experience, sound judgment, and undoubt¬
ed responsibility. They have generally taken the work at prices a shade
below the estimates. All the work which is not under contract is esti¬
mated at prices at least as high as existing contracts, and no doutt is
entertained that the work can be done as low as the estimates. E/ery
item of work has been embraced which it is now supposed can possibly
be necessary, in order, as nearly as practicable, to show the entire cost
of the canal; but it is not pretended that any thing more than the
'probable cost can be shown until the whole work is fully completed. A vari¬
ety of circumstances may occur during the progress of a work of this mag¬
nitude, which cannot now be anticipated, that may, in some degree,
either increase or diminish the cost, but cannot cause a material variation
from the present estimate.
The accompanying reports of Messrs. Talcott, Jerome, and Burnett,
resident engineers, will give a satisfactory account of the progress and
situation of the work upon their respective divisions. The tabular state¬
ments annexed to eadh will show the names of the contractors, the quan¬
tities and amounts of the various items of work performed at the prices
allowed, the sections which are and those which are not under contract,
and the aggregate cost of each section, embracing all the items whether
at contract or estimated prices.
All which is respectfully submitted.
WM. GOODING,
Chief Engineer Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Canal Office,
Lock port, December, 1837.
To the Board of Commissioners
of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Gentlemen: Agreeably to your request, I have collected such facts in
relation to the canal as my duty has led me particularly to observe;
which I have the honor to submit in the following report.
Although the amount of work done upon the canal, during the year
past, has not equalled the expectations of many of its friends, yet a great
number of sections, embracing a vast amount of work, have been suc¬
cessfully commenced, and several of them on the Western Division nearly
completed. The number of laborers has continued gradually to increase,
and there are now as many upon the line as the contractors are at present
prepared to receive. The want of labor that was so much felt last year
and the beginning of the year 1837, and which for a time so much retard¬
ed the progress of the work, it is presumed, will not again exist. It is now
generally known abroad that the country through which the line of canal
passes is very healthy; that several thousand laborers may here find con-
28
stant employment for a number of years; «and that no country in the
world affords such advantages for the investment of the earnings of this
class of men.
The number of laborers engaged upon the canal, on the first of Decem¬
ber last, was not far from 350, and the force was not much augmented
till the opening of spring navigation. There are now actually employed
upon the canal, and in the various operations immediately connected with
caml construction, about 1,700 men. This number might have been
greitly exceeded, had not many of the contractors been negligent in pro¬
viding tools and accommodations for the number of men requisite to pro¬
gress with their work as rapidly as their contracts required. This delay
was, for a short time, in some degree excusable, in consequence of the
hard times and scarcity of labor; but where sections have been suffered
to remain a whole season without being commenced, or where a com¬
mencement seems to have been made barely for show, and no reasonable
assurance has been given of the ultimate prosecution of the work, from the
progress already made, or from visible preparations commensurate with
the magnitude of the job—there can be no doubt that the interests of
' the State will require a reletting as soon as efficient contractors, with
the necessary means, can be lbund, who will take the work at fair
prices.
On this as on other canals, many contractors have sought for and ob¬
tained more work than they can accomplish—some by overrating their
means or ability, arid some with the intention of selling out—they re¬
ceiving the profits, and others performing the operations. Where such
has been the case, and the contracts have been clearly forfeited, your
Board may very properly effect a division of the work by reletting such
sections as the original contractor gannot or will not prosecute, and allow¬
ing him to retain such an amount of work only^ps he can conveniently
manage.
The amount of work performed during the year has been considerably
less than it would have been but for the unfavorable weather that has so
much of the time prevailed'. The last winter was one of unusual rigor,
and the wet weather .during the spring, summer, and fall, without a pre¬
cedent since the first settlement of the country. The streams for a great
part of the year have been very high, particularly the Des Plaines river;
but less interruption to the execution of the work Las resulted from this
cause than might have been anticipated from the unprotected state of
most of the sections; and it has been clearly shown that a defence can
be made, at a moderate expense, that will render the whole work perfect¬
ly secure during the highest floods. The high water in the Illinois river
has been the cause of serious delay in the excavation of the steamboat
basin and channel at the termination, and a large force will be requisite
upon that work as soon as a favorable season for operations shall be pre¬
sented.
The amount of work done on the canal, from December 1, 1836, to
December 1, 1837, according to the monthly estimates, is as folliows,
viz:
29
Upon the summit division - $180,536 97
Upon the western division - 166,362 46
Total - - - - - $346,899 43
Far the most important item of work embraced in the above amount,
is the rock excavation on the Summit Division. Considerable progress
has also been made in the deep earth excavation between Chicago riv¬
er and the Point of Oaks, but there has been so much water upon the
surface since the work was let, that the side ditch, which is to be formed
on the south side of the canal without the spoil-bank, has not yet been
finished ; nor but a. small part of the bank on the north side, which is to
guard against the water that flows from the Des Plaines river in time of
floods, and which is to be formed of the earth excavated from a ditch
within the prism of canal.
On section number 1, several chains in length have been finished, and
on other sections of this part of the line, portions have been sunk to
bottom. On most of the sections of deep rock cutting which have been
in progress during the year, small portions are now at bottom, so that the
quality of both the rock and earth excavation th-ough the deep cut is now
well undersood. Enough has been done to fully "demonstrate the charac¬
ter of the work, and show the ease with which it may be executed.
Contractors, therefore, who have recently taken work, have done so with
a better knowledge of the subject than could previously be obtained.
The estimate of a part of the Summit Division, contained in my re¬
port of last year, has fortunately proved much too high. A large portion
of the excavation between the Point of Oaks and the mouth of ;thé Sa-
ganaskee swamp was supposed, from the examinations made, to be rock,
and estimated as such; but test-pits or shafts have this year been sunk,
which show that the excavation will consist principally of clay and gravel,
with a small portion of detached rock. Since this erflor in relation to the
quality of the excavation was discovered, the work has been re-estimated,
and much of it let at prices below the estimates. This error in my last
year's estimate, which originated in consequence of a want of time to
make the proper examinations, will considerably diminish the cost of the
Summit Division.
During the past year, the greater part of the Middle Division has been
carefully revised from Lockport to Juliet (and a survey made of the routes
through Juliet) under the direction of Mr. Talcott, and the remainder un¬
der the direction of Lieut. Burnett, resident engineer, assisted by Messrs.
Preston and Ryan. Some slight changes in the route of this portion of
the canal have been made, though it remains essentially the same. The
principal alterations are between Lockport and Juliet and the Aux Sable and
Settle creek. This division can now be feadily prepared for letting, as
very few other changes will be necessary.
A change was made in the line of canal opposite to, and for a short
distance below Ottawa, on the Western Division, agreeably to instructions
received from your Board, in order to enhance the value of State proper¬
ty at that place. The change was one unquestionably benefitting the
State interests, but considerably increasing the cost of the canal. Work,
30
to the amount of $1,449 63, had been done on sections 168 and 169 upon
the old line. These sections are now nearly completed.
From section 188 to 195, inclusive, a large quantity of heavy embank¬
ment has been made, and it is believed that the most of these sections
(except the structures and the steamboat basin which is on section 195)
may be finished next year.
The cost of some sections on this division, and probably on each of the
others, will be greater than was anticipated before the quality of the work
had been minutely examined. Rock, or a different kind of excavation
from that which was estimated when the location was first made, some¬
times occurs, and will, of course, increase the expense ; but, on the other
hand, many sections will cost much less than the first estimate.
It was supposed, when my report was made to your Board last year,
that several causes might operate to reduce the cost below the estimates
then made. One cause suggested was a more general attendance of effi¬
cient contractors, and consequently more competition ; another, a reduc¬
tion in the price of labor. Both of these causes have this season fortun¬
ately operated in favor of the canal. The two public lettings (on the
20th of May and 13th of November) were well attended by contractors
of known skill and experience, and the work has been generally let below
the estimates—partly, no doubt, because the character of the work was
better understood, but partly because the price of labor has been so much
reduced. The wages generally, for the year past, have been twenty dol¬
lars per month—six dollars per month less than the year preceeding.
The work that has been placed under contract the past year is as fol¬
lows, viz:
Aggregate length of lettings on the Summit Division, exclusive of relet¬
tings, eighteen miles and twenty-five chains. v
The amount at estimates - - - $2,011,332 03
The amount at contract prices ... 1,925,364 33
Less than estimates - $85,967 70
\ ■ .
Aggregate length of letting on the Western Division, exclusive of the
Fox river feeder, twelve miles and sixty-six chains.
The amount at estimates - $186,200 36
The amount at contract prices - - - 187,143 18
More than estimates - - - $942 82
Length of the Fox river feeder, by the route finally adopted, four miles
and thirty-five chains—all let.
The amount at estimates, including dam and guard-lock $77,451 74
The amount at contract prices - - - 74,700 37
Less than estimates - - - $2,751 37
31
Aggregate length of line let during the year, including the F ox river
feed >r, thirty-five miles and forty-six chains.
The amount at estimates - $2,274,984 13
The amount at contract prices - 2,187,207 88
Less than estimates - $87,776 25
Aggregate length of line now under contract, including the Fox river
feeder and the lettings of the year 1836, fifty-two m liés and three
chains.
The amount of all the work let at contract prices $3,244,234 97
All the Summit Division, except twelve sections, and nearly all of the
Western Division below Marseilles, are under contract. Several sections
have already been relet, but generally as low as the original contract
prices ; yet it would obviously be an error to calculate on the completion
of the whole work without a liberal allowance for relettings. Even were
the prices in all cases high enough to complete the work with judicious
management, still the work will not all be judiciously managed ; and
though it may frequently be relet at fair prices, the State will sometimes
have, at last, to pay more than its actual value, in order to have it execu¬
ted in proper time.
During the past year, ditches have been laid out, placed under contract,
and partly executed from the Point of Oaks to Chichgo river, and from
the mouth of the Saganaskee swamp to Big run ; the object of which is to
receive and carry oft' the water which must otherwise drain into the canal,
or accumulate behind the spoil-banks. By the aid of thèse ditches, the
water (except what falls within the spoil-banks) may be effectually pre¬
vented from conveying deposite into the canal, and also from interrupt¬
ing the progress of the work during the construction.
At the mouth of the Saganaskee swamp, the canal has been so loca*
ted as to reclaim a portion of a canal section (section number fifteen,)
which will be made very valuable, if the junction of the "lateral canal"
with the main line be made at this point. The cost of the canal
will not be materially changed by the slight change which has here been
made in the location, though the character of the work will be different.
The quantity of rock excavation will be much diminished, but a large
amount of embankment required.
Two parallel embankments,'one upon each side of the canal, must be
made the whole length of sections number 42, 43, 44, and part of 45,
or more than a mile and a half, and the excavation of the canal made be-,
tween them. The water between the banks must necessarily be thrown
out by machinery, which will bave to be kept constantly in operation
during the construction. It is important that the contractors should use
their exértions to introduce the most economical method of pumping the
water from their work, as this at present forms no inconsiderable item of
expense. This expense will be comparatively trifling when the proper
defences are made, and more perfect machinery used.
Messrs. Greenwood and Bishop (contractors for sections 13, 14, and
32
15,) have erected a steam-engine for pumping, which is more than ade¬
quate to discharge the water from their work under the most unfavora¬
ble circumstances; and it is believed that this power will be far the most
economical where the quantity of water to be raised is great.
No mechanical work upon the canal has yet been let, except the
masonry in the abutments and piers of the Fox river, Pecumsagan, and
Vermilion aqueducts, and the dam and guard-lock at the head of the
Fox river feeder. It will probably be expedient to let all the structures
between Marseilles and the termination early next spring, so that this
part of the line which is to be supplied with water from the Fox river
feeder may be ready for navigation in the autumn of 1839. This may
easily be accomplished if the contractors will use proper exertions; and,
if they do not, it may be proper either to relet the work, or finish it by
State agents. The completion of this part of the canal will be important
not only with regard to navigation, but also on account of the extensive
hydraulic power that may be immediately brought into use, and which
will add vastly to the value of the State property at Ottawa and La
Salle.
• A portion of the Middle Division should probably also be let in the
spring. The line from Lockport to the, foot of the Kankakee bluffs, which
Will include a great number of structures, and the most of the heavy
work that now remains to be let, should be first placed under contract.
This part of the line is through a beautiful section of country, which
would furnish a large quantity qf supplies; and the work is of a kind
io invite the attention of the most skilful contractors, and insure its com¬
pletion at fair prices.
There is now but little doubt that laborers enough can be procured for
all the work that is let, and that which it is proposed to place under con¬
tract next year. The force upon the canal during the past year, and par¬
ticularly during the summer and autumn, has been rapidly accumulating;
and laborers are still coming in considerable numbers, notwithstanding
the lake navigation is closed. The gradual accumulation of the force upon
the canal will be shown by the estimates for each quarter of the past year,
which are as follows, viz :
1st quarter ending 28th February - - - $7,902.01
2d quarter ending 31st May - - - - 55,647 62
3d quarter ending 31st August - - 112,044 02
4th quarter ending 30th November - - 171,305 78
/
Total - - - - - - $346,899 43
I ' '■ r : "
The entire cost of the Illinois and Michigan canal will probably la]l con¬
siderably s hdid of my estimate of last year; yet experience has shown
that the actual cost of any great public work cannot be determined with
certainty until its completion. The fluctuation in the price of labor and
supplies, and a variety of other causes, render it impossible to estimate the
exact cost of doing work at any future period; but when many experienced
contractors readily contract for work at prices as low or lower than the es¬
timates, it may reasonably be inferred that the estimates are generally
high enough, and that no attempt has been made to underrate the cost of
the canal.
33
Early in the year, and previous to the revision of the Middle Division,
the locating party under the direction of Lieut. Burnett proceeded to
make a survey of the lateral canal (agreeably to the law authorizing the
same) connecting the Illinois and Michigan canal with the Calumet river,
and througn this river, with the Michigan and Erie canal of Indiana.
His very satisfactory report, which I take great pleasure in communi¬
cating to your Board, will show with what care and ability he has execu¬
ted this duty, and the praisë that he and the young gentlemen who have
assisted him so justly deserve.
This canal must be regarded as a valuable auxiliary to the Illinois and
Michigan canal, and an important link in the chain of internal navigation
in the Western States. By this a direct communication with the head of
lake Erie will be obtained by a canal, not exceeding 300 miles in length,
(composed of the lateral or "Illinois and Indiana canal," the "Michigan
and Erie," and a part of the u Wabash and Erie canals,") which will be
particularly useful at such seasons of the year as the lake naviga¬
tion is uncertain or hazardous. It will connect with a chain of ca¬
nals in the States of Indiana and Ohio which passes through the valleys
of the Wabash, the White river, the Maumee, and the Miami, and con¬
nects with the Ohio river at Evansville and Cincinnati. Although this
vast chain of canals is not in the general direction of the commerce of
this State, yet it is believed that this communication will ultimately give a
great accession of business to the Illinois and Michigan canal, by the
cheap and safe intercourse established with the various parts of the country
thus connected.
The cost of this lateral canal will be trifling, compared with the im¬
portance of the object to be obtained by its construction.
The accompanying report, maps, arid profiles, of Lieut. Burnett, will
convey all the information that your Board may require in, relation to the.
route, cost, and plan, of said canal. The engineers employed by your
Board have generally displayed a laudable zeal in the fulfilment of their
duties. Mr. Talcott, the resident engineer on the Summit Division, as¬
sisted by Messrs. Hanchett and Gooding, and Mr. Jerome, the resident
engineer on the Western Division, assisted by Messrs Robinson, O. S. Je¬
rome, and Killaly, have performed their duties in the most prompt and
satisfactory manner.
The recent visit of Judge Wright, an engineer whose high reputation
for judgment, skill, and experience, has been well earned by a long course
of useful service in his profession, has given great satisfaction to the
friends of the Illinois and Michigan canal ; and it is believed that his ap¬
probation of the present plan and location will do much to reconcile con¬
flicting opinions concerning it. During his visit he made an examination
of the whole line of canal, and his attention was called to every portion of
it where the least difference of opinion could prevail in relation to the lo¬
cation and plan of construction, He took much pains to make himself
thoroughly acquainted with every fact necessary to lead to a just conclu¬
sion, and though his visit Was but short, his opinions were not formed
without due deliberation, and may therefore be relied upon with great
confidence. All of which is respectfully submitted.
WM. GOODING,
Chief Engineer Êlinoisand Michigan Canal.
C
34
B.
Lockport, December 10, I83SL
To William Gooding, Esq,
Chief Engineer.
Sir: In compliance with your request, I herewith present the following
report upon the Summit Division of the Illinois and Michigan canal.
For the purpose of rendering the following remarks more perspicuous,,
I have considered the line in three sub-divisions, agreeable to the general
topography of the country and the progress of the work : the first divis¬
ion extending from the south branch of Chicago river to the "Point of
Oaks," or Des Plaines river ; the second from the "Point of Oaks" to, and
including the Saganaskee valley; and the third from said valley to Lockport.
Upon resuming charge of the line in March, 1837, I found nearly
every section that had been commenced overflowed by the Des Plaines
.river, and the work nearly suspended. It was, however, generally resumed
in May following.
x The first sub-division, extending from section one to fifteen, inclusive,
was the second time offered for contract in May, 1837. The unfavorable
appearance of the work (nearly one-half of which was overflowed by
the river) prevented much competition, and the proposals received were
considered much above the real value of the work. Sections one, two,
and three, only, were awarded. The commissioners then determined to
defend the work by a continuous embankment on the north side, formed
by excavation from the prism of the canal, and on the south by a .ditch
without the spoil-bank, to receive the drainage of the country which is
discharged into the southernmost branch of Chicago river. A contract
was accordingly made for this purpose ; soon after which contracts were
made for the construction of the main work, at the engineer's estimate,
subject to the contract for the defence. Owing to inefficiency in the con¬
tractor, the work of defence was abandoned at an early stage, and subse¬
quently awarded to the contractors for the main work, according to their
respective sections.
The season was far advanced before much progress had been made, and
the imperfect protection proved no defence against the unusual high water
in December, 1837. Nearly every section that had been commenced was
overflowed, and the work generally suspended during the winter. It was
resumed early in the spring, and throughout the past season has been
prosecuted with considerable energy. The plan of defence is now com¬
pleted, and what has hitherto been considered one of the greatest obsta¬
cles to the construction of this part of the line effectually overcome.
From the general character of the excavation, (which consists principally
of a very compact blue clay, occasionally intermixed withjfine gravel,) no
great difficulty can be experienced in.keeping the work clear of water.
It is now in a favorable condition for the coming winter; during which it
can be advantageously prosecuted.
At the time of making your first annual report, the work on that part
of the line included in the second sub-division (embracing sections 16 to
44, inclusive,) was supposed to consist principally of rock excavation.
The circumstances which induced that opinion were the regular rock for¬
mation which appears on the west side of the Des Plaines river, opposite
the -'Point of Oaks," and forms its bed for some distance above and belowr
35
this point. It was, therefore, natural to suppose the same geological con¬
struction would be found on the east side of the river, and, time not per¬
mitting the usual examinations by sinking shafts, it was considered in the
estimate as stratified lime-rock. Examinations were made during the
summer and autumn of 1837, which show that no regular rock formation
exists on this part of the line, until we reach the south side of the Saga¬
naskee valley. The excavation will consist chiefly of clay and gravel, a
small portion of detached rock, with an occasional vein of sand—-the
strata varying frequently in compactness and relative position.
That part of the line opposite to the Saganaskee valley was examined
with reference to adopting the present channel, and changing the river to
what appears to have been its former channel on the west side of a penin¬
sular island. These examinations were made at a high stage of water,
which rendered it difficult to make them with the desirable precision. The
data presented, however, were considered sufficient to determine the loca¬
tion by avoiding the river, yet approaching it somewhat nearer than the
original line, and improving its general direction. Upon this location and
some slight changes in the line above, this division, together with all the
sections upon the Summit Division not then under contract, was offered
for letting in November, 1837. The principal part of the sections were
awarded ; but, in consequence of their not being commenced within the
prescribed time, several were declared abandoned, and some of them sub¬
sequently relet at the engineer's estimate.
The winter of 1837-8 afforded a favorable opportunity for making a
more critical estimate of the river opposite to the Saganaskee valley. Its
bed in many places was found to be from six to eighteen inches below the
bottom of the canal and of the necessary width; but its meanders pre¬
cluded the possibilityy>f obtaining a symmetrical line which would embrace
the full benefit of the channel for any considerable distance. The margin
of the channel was particularly examined, and found to consist entirely of
a vegetable deposite from twelve to sixteen feet deep, and approaching
so near a fluid state that two men could with ease force a sounding roa
through it to that depth. -
For the purpose of making a just comparison, that part of the line, lo¬
cated in November, which passes across the bayou or expansion >pf the
river and along its margin, was also examined with much care. Upon
these examinations the following comparative estimates were prepared:
Line located in Nov., length 127.08 chains, esti¬
mate ^ - - - - - $452,815 00
Line through river, length 126 chains, estimate - 324,204 00
V ' '
Showing a difference in favor of the river line, of - $128,611 00
Upon these estimates and an examination of the ground, the commis¬
sioners adopted a line passing through the river varying slightly from that
upon which the examinations were made. 1 This plan involved a change
in the line above this point, much improving its general direction—the line
being now direct from the centre of section 36 to the centre of section
45, or 3 miles 54.18 chains, between the points of deflection. The change
will somewhat increase the quantity of grubbing and excavation on sec-
36
tions 38 and 39, and slightly diminish the excavation on sections 40 and
41; but the difference is trifling, compared with the general result.
It may here be proper to remark that the item for lorming a new chan¬
nel for the river, and an embankment to confine and direct its waters,
was based upon somewhat hypothetical data. The whole surface being
then covered with a heavy mass of ice rendered it impracticable to make
a critical estimate. 1 have recently examined the ground minutely, and
prepared an estimate upon the plan of making a channel 200 feet wide,
and an embankment raised three feet above the highest water, at the
prices for which the work is contracted to be performed.
The length of the line between the extremes of sections 41 and 45
being less than that embraced in the comparative estimates above mention¬
ed,! have revised the estimate accordingly, which will be found in the gen¬
eral tabular statement of the cost of the several sections. In woik of
this character, it is difficult to anticipate all the contingencies that may
occur in the course of construction, and the most careiul estimate may
be exceeded in the aggregate cost. The quantity of earth apd rock exca¬
vation, as well as the prices at which they are estimated, is considered
liberal; it is, therefore, confidently believed that this part of the line can
be constructed at a cost not varying materially from the estimate.
Between the Point of Oaks and the Saganaskee valley, there will be
required four receiving reservoirs for the drainage of the country. These
will consist of a pit formed in the rear of the spoil-bank, about thirty feet
square, excavated to two feet below top-w ater line of canal, with the sides
and bottom paved, and communicating with the canal by a narrow pas¬
sage. It is believed that these will receive the deposite usually carried
into a canal by the drainage-water—forming bars expensive to remove,
and frequently proving a serious embarrassment in the navigation.
The cost of these, together with the grading of the towing-path, paved
water-ways to receive the falling water into the canal without injury to
the banks, and all work not under contract, is included in the aggregate
cost of the sections.
The sections not previously under contract throughout the Summit Di¬
vision were let in June last. Many of them have been commenced, and
generally they are believed to be in the hands of efficient men.
The third sub-division,embracing sections 45 to * 8,inclusive, comprises
the deep rock excavation. Each of these sections have been commenced,
and several of them excavated to bottom, from twelve to thirtv-five rods
in length. During the season of 1837, this part of the work progressed
with an increasing vigor until the unusual rise of the river in December,
which overflowed several of the jobs and suspended further operations
until the ensuing spring. Under these circumstances, it became apparent
that it would be imprudent to rely upon the protection which the contrac¬
tors might think proper to make, though bound, in self-defence, to make
it efficient. It was therefore deemed advisable byuhe commissioners to
construct a permanent and continuous defence against the waters of the
river and the drainage of the country, at the expense of the State. This
may now be considered as complete from section 49 to 60, inclusive—the
work belôw 60 not being subject to overflow from the river. The pro¬
tection on sections 47 and 48 is not far advanced ; but, from their relative
position, no danger can accrue to the work below There can no longer
37
be any apprehension of delay or interruption to the uniform progress of
the work from this cause. The falling water, and what filters through
the fissures of the rock, is readily discharged by the ordinary pump
worked by horse-power. As the work progresses, however, and a larger
surface is to be drained, a resort to steam power will probably be found
the best economy, though not indispensably necessary. Several contrac¬
tors are making arrangements to procure steam-engines during the
winter.
The sickness of the past season has materially checked the progress of
the work ; and though the general health of the country is restored, the
work has not yet assumed its former vigor.
About 150 men have recently been brought from Canada, and two of
the Contractors are now absent for the purpose of procuring others.
Agents are employed for this object; and from the efforts now making,
a considerable reinforcement may be expected in the course of the win¬
ter. An accession of at least 3,000 men should be made to this division
early next spring.
The following amount of the estimates for each quarter of the years
1837-8, will show the comparative progress of the work.
1837.
First quarter ending February 28 - - $3,360 00
Second quarter ending May 31 - 35,693 57
Third quarter ending August 31 46,420 94
Fourth quarter ending November 30 - 95,062 46
$170,536 97
183S.
First quarter ending February 28 58,095 52
Second quarter ending May 31 - 96,651 81
Third quarter ending August 31 - - 231,567 13
Fourth quarter ending November 30 - 142,187 58
528,502 04
When the amount of work performed during the two past years is con¬
trasted with the expectations then formed by many of its friends, some may
feel disappointed; yet when it is considered that the season of 1837 was
unusually wet ; that nearly every section that had been commenced was
overflowed by the river, and the work necessarily suspended until the en¬
suing spring; the sickness that has prevailed through the past season; that
the work is now generally secure against the surface water; and that
cranes and railroads are now successfully employed for removing the rock
on nearly every section—it must be admitted that much has been donfe
under the circumstancés, and that the work presents a truly flattering
prospect for its rapid progress in future.
38
Tabular Statement showing uthe work done, and the prices allowed for
Michigan Canal, to November 30, 1838; also, the estimated value of
Contractors' Names.
! No. of Section.
Length in chains.
Cubic yards earth exca¬
vation.
?
c3
f-
o
C-i
<D-
O
• .—i
fh
Cubic yards of rock ex¬
cavation.
Price per yard.
Cubic yards of ditch ex¬
cavation.
Price per yard.
Cubic yards of embank-'
ment.
-
cts.
cts.
cents.
m
South branch of Chicago river
■-
396
-
mm
mm
mm.
mm
Mad ore 33. Beaubien
1
57
71,016
20
—
m,
ém
mm
—
Mallory & Hurlbut
2
60
24,420
22
—
mm.
mm
mm.
mm
Osborne & Stewart
3
40
32,257
24 à
—
—m
m
mm
mm
Same
4
40
10,665
27 è
—
mm.
mm
mm
—
Ogden & Dole
5
40
25,388
25
—
—•
mm
mm
Same
6
40
45,243
26
—
mm
mm
_
-
Harmon, Loo mis & Raymond
7
40
25,050
25
—
mm.
mm
m.
Same
8
40
42,806
26
—
_
mm
mm.
—
Same
9
40
27,090
25
—
mm.
—
mm
Temple & Carver
10
40
30,710
26
—
mm
m-
\
mm
Same
11
40
28,145
25
—
m.
mm
mm
mm
Same -
12
42
17,780
25
—
mm.
mm 1
mm
mrnm
Greenwood &, Bishop
13
40
33,727
25
—
mm
'mm
Same
14
40
38,272
25 *
—
mm
mm
mm
mm
Same
15
41
65,270
30
—
mm.
mm
mm
___
Greenwood, Osborne & Strail
16
34
31,240
24
—
mm
mm
mm
mm
Same
17
30
27,230
23
—
m,
mm
mm
«m.
Hubbard & Boone
18
30
—
»
_
mm.
mm
mm
mm
Same
19
30
24,580
25
60
100
mm
mm
mm
Same
20
30
9,450
25
mm.
mm
mm
Wilder, Rutter & Bursbee
21
30
19,220
25
28
100
mm
mm
mm
Same
22
29
m~>
mm
mm
mm
Taylor, Breese & Co.
23
30
27,960
26
—
mm
mm.
mm
mm
Same
24
30
17,440
26
60
100
mm
mm
mm
Boyd, Zell & Co.
25
30,
26,780
25
130
100
mm
Mm
mm
Same
26
30
1,600
26
mm.
mm
mm
mm
Edward Cody
27
30
7,890
23
—
mm
mm
mm
mm v
28
30
—
• __ '
m~
mm
mm
Cochran & Armstrong
29
29
1,360
22
Ï6
mm
/ mm
mm.
mm
Harney & Flockhart
30
30
6,260
27
100
mm
mm
E. W. Minor
31
31
9,610
26
, mm
mm
mm
mm
32
30
—
m
mm.
m.
*m
Yarwood A Richardson
33
30
280
29
—
mm
mm.
mm
mm
Robert Jobson
34
30
m—
Ml
mm
T, ,
Ml.
Beach, Rood &, Myers
35
30
—
—
mm
«—
mm
Irwin, Kittering & Co.
36
30
—
—
. mm
— .
—•
—
"mm
Beach, Rood &. Myers
37
30
6,280
30
m-
mm
2,000
30
730
Same
38
33
—
_
•m.
y
mm
Irwin, Kittering &, Co.
39
30
5,270
32
—
mm
mm
- -m
»
Same
40
30
2.640
32
mm
mm
2,300
35
—
i
41
A O
24
6,370
30
—
—
780
25
-
Kennedy & Bracken* •<
43
118
-
mm
i- m
mm
-
44
)
Alton & Pestana
45
30
5,398
20
9,972
123
mm
mm.
mm
Smith, Granger & Co.
46
30
5,498
26
10,495
127
mm
mm
—
William Avery
47
30
6,180
28
—
—
mm
—
«
Same
48
30
4,968
28
15,351
128
—
—
—
* Through river. For embankment and forming a new channel for the river.
39
the various kinds of work" on the Summit Division of the Illinois and
work not under contract9 and the cost of each section, at contract prices.
T3
a
o
o*
0
o
-•r-1
Ï-,
Cm
■ots
bO
g
• rH
G
• i
r—1
0*
o
03
f-
G
c
•<-»
X
G
o
0
g
u
CD
e-
0
o
r-l
f-
Pu-
cts
bo
g ■
j—i
nG
OQ
g
o
•.—I
rQ
G
Q
g
<v
CM
0
o
•fi
A ,
25
w— *•
bO
G
•r-l
Î-»
g
o
T3
g
g
bO
g
«1-1
X
x3
g
f-t
C5
3,515 75
G
£
<U-t
O
œ
0
ci
>%
o
•r-l
rG
G
O
1 535 98
500
400
15
15
975 00
1,350 00
2,200 00
600 00
550 00
250 00
1,400 00
350 00
ro
u
ci
>->
0
Pu
0
. o
•M
Pu
cts
0
g
O
M
u '
u-
O
g
g
O
S
<1
3,515
14,289
5,372
7,924
2,939
6,347
12,048
6,262
11,232
6,772
7,991
7,036
4,445
8,431
9,778
20,099
7,540
o
g
f-
o
£
0
ci
r-l
g
O
O
w u
0
Pî a
2 G
I
G
O
0
* S
G «M
O
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0 «
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«4-1 ^
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03
O
o
Remarks.
75 $12,898 39 $16,414 14 Tow path bridge
47 1,500 00 27,277 66
40 1,500 00 37,310 60
50 1,000 00 36,067 90
70 1,000 00 37,339 00
00 1,000 00 43,231 84
47 1,000 00 45,741 45
50 1,000 00 43,474 46
82 1,000 00 52,400 75
50 1,000 00 51,530 90
50 1,000 00 49,251 75
25 1,000 00 46,041 50
00 1,500 00 40,680 05
75 1,000 00 4',242 35
00 1,500 00 38,734 00
50 1,000 00 44,488 75
80 5,078 67 38,713 87 Road bridge.
6,262 90 750 00 29,419 30
750 00 32,706 85
6,372 00 900 00 36,916 85
2,362 50 900 00 35,438 10
4,833 00 900 00 41,122 85
900 00 45,017 30
8,045 58 800 00 34,040 30
4,630 00 2,150 00 32,491 26h?eservoir
7,005 00 1,200 00 40,002 00 *
416 00 750 00 33,399 50
1,814 70 2,450 00 32,221 00 U_ervoir
36,244 40 36,244 40 "
298 32 900 00 26,349 16
1,689 60 2,150 00 35,120 44Rpqprvftir
2,498 60 900 00 35,119 28 Keservoir'
975 00 40-,636 80 ,41,611 80
1,431 20 900 00 39,866 92
1,200 00 800 00 42,075 40
600 00 2,150 00 37,375 20|Reservoir.
, 750 00 36,608 00
3,291 50 • 1,000 00 43,527 0(H
250 00 1,200 00 62,015 00
3,086 40 1,000 00 50,294 40
2,059 80 800 00 38,779 86
2,106 00 700 00 32,779 25
(Bridge over
234,191 17 320,443 67\ ] river and
f canal.
13,287 84 600 00 120,451 24
14,765 57 600 00 113,969 60
1,730 00 600 00 108,554 03
21,040 64 600 00'l03,487 66l
t Road bridge across slough.
40
TABULAR STATE
Contractors' names.
No. of section.
Length in chains.
Cubic yards earth exca¬
vation.
Price per yard.
Cubic yards rock exca¬
vation,
Price per yard.
Cubic yards ditch exca¬
vation.
Price per yard.
Cubic yards embank¬
ment.
■
cts.
cts.
cents
J. & S. Clifford
49
30
5,695
27 à
5,757
137
180
20
MM
John Rogers
50
30
17,680
26
23,379
141
564
22
MM
Hugunin & Brown
51
30
13,818
35
34,442
155
1,114
55
MM
Same
52
30
14,560
30
4,534
152
s 788
60
MM
Roberts &. Roberts
53
30
4,233
■28
19,790
120
370
29
MM '
James Brooks
54
30
4,292
35
14,870
157
137
40
MM
Same
55
30
4,449
36
3,240
151
MM
MM
MM
Stewarts, Sanger & Wallace
56
30
3,975
23
18,100
169
212
16
—
Same
57
30
3,890
24
19.500
170
157
16
MM
Pruyne, Negus &, Rogers
58
33
3,010
33
28,880
143
—
—
MM
Same
59
27
3,810
31
2,652
135
MM
MM
MM
Hardy & Williams
60
30
3,977
25
26,870
125
MM
MM
MM
Stevens, Douglass & Norton
61
30
7,955
18
23,240
114
MM
MM
MM
John Lonirgan
62
30
4,021
34
9,580
105
MM
MM
MM
Same
63
30
4,500
37
10,625
110
MM
—
MM
John V. Singer
64
36
5,477
16
30,996
103
401
14
M-
Pettibone & Root
65
39
7,563
21
2,806
100
237
15
MM
Same
66
60
13,197
21
4,130
97
1,442
20
11,220
Wm. B. & E. Newton
67
45
17,350
16
5,150
80
< 3,239 E
J 414 R
21)
125$
3,964
Same
68
63
5,580
18
8,800
80
—
South branch & Summit ditch
MM
MM
28,593
2U
.
-M.
Sag and Big run ditch
—
MM
20,020
20
20,873
67
__
MM
2,984
Protection on rock work
—
MM
MM.
MM
MM
MM
_
MM
7
Basin at forks of Chicago river
—fc
—
» <
—
MM
-M
—
Amount of work performed -
» Amount of work not under contract
Length thirty-four miles thirty-one chains. Aggregate cost
1
Note.—Fractions omitted in print.
MËNT—Continued.
41
T3
fi.
ci
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t-
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cts
bli
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1*1
ta
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fi
i
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fi.
«5
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JD
S
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13
fi
ci
te*
fi.
<3
pu
eu
ti¬
c/s
bJO
fi
fil
ci
<v
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' G
ci
fcdO
a
•ri
rÛ
rP
P
U
O
190 00
200 00
30
28
45 00
400
930
45
40
400
930
19
14,532
15
15
••
90
72 00
ci
*
m
T3
fi
ci
te*
X
s
O
2,080
1,700
1,440
458
'73
fi
«5
te*
fi
a.i
<u
O
• H
fi
Ph
50
50
31
40
22,55645
o
fi
o
T3
■a
o
te
C
p
o
a
,502 17
37,990 79
59,636 20
11,769 70
25,036 54
24,985 15
6,570 33
31,56*1 05
34,282 90
42,458 38
4,775 83
34,646 25
28,096 70
11,536 42
13,393 75
33,183 83
4,439 55
11,567 75
9,923 45
9,002 30]
6,135 67
19,024 15
23,853 70
o
c
M t>
o 2
te
u-.
o
a
o
o
>-<
o
5 fi
o 3
747,813 02
$600 00
1,100 00
1,200 00
1,100 00
500 00
500 00
, 800 00
600 00
600 00
600 00
800 00
600 00
600 00
700 00
700 00
1,267 69
4,821 20
1,717 00
83,968 15
a
o
o
s •
Ci œ
a>
E O
E •ci
O fi
"pi fi,
O
O) O
® ci
fi-* +3
O
+-»
03
O
O
$111,730
113,311
117,458
102,171
83,241
91,303
83,673
94,383
9!,654
93,039
67,751
75,809
7 î ,481
64,190
69,003
68,209
36,058
42,583
52
23
76
32
06
07
Q5
29
12
93
72
28
34
59
16
59
50
40
43,500 00
520,423 47
25,027 00
125,132 63
6,135 67
1§;024 15
28,429 00
43,500 00
4,131,690 97
Remarks.
Stop gate.
Water way 500
feet long.
Wood culvert.
Hydraulic ba¬
sin and bridge.
42
In presenting the above estimates, I would observe that throughout the
earth excavation, where the work has been laid out, the quantity is cor¬
rectly calculated, and, if completed at present contract prices, shows the
cost of the work. Wherever the work has not been laid out, the estimate
of quantities has been made liberal, being desirous rather to exceed than
underrate the cost. From section 16 to 44, inclusive, from one to two
thousand cubic yards of detached rock per section has been estimated. The
variation of this item will slightly vary the cost of the section.
Observation and developments of the general character of the work
during its progress, thus far, confirm the opinion that the contract prices
are adequate to the construction of the work.
On the rock cutting, it will be observed that in some cases considerable
discrepancy exists between the present and the original estimates. This
arises in some cases from a misconception of the relative quantity of earth
and rock at the time of making the first estimate. This cannot be cor¬
rectly ascertained until the superincumbent earth is removed and the sur¬
face of the rock fairly exposed. On many of the sections this has been
done, and the quantities carefully estimated; on others, such data has
been obtained, by a partial removal of the earth, as to render the present
estimates a very close approximation to the true amount. Some of the
sections have been let at prices higher than the first estimate, and some
relinquished and subsequently let above the first prices. The most strik¬
ing difference exists in sections 66, 67 and 68. This is in consequence of
a change from the original plan of construction. It was at first designed
to form only a single bank for the towing-path, and suffer the water to
expand over the low ground on the opposite side, which at present is ren¬
dered a marsh by the overflow of Big run. By the present plan, the ca¬
nal is to be confined within regular banks faced with rock taken from the
excavation ; and the waters of Big run confined by a guard-bank extend¬
ing from the bluffs to the head of section 66, where, in connection with the
surplus water of the canal, and the accumulated drainage of the country
from section 46 to this point, it is received into the canal and discharged
directly opposite by a sluice or water-way 500 feet in length.
' This arrangement adds much to the permanence and symmetry of the
canal, and reclaims about 300 acres of valuable land, 200 of which belong
to the State.
The structures embraced in the estimate consist of a towing-path bridge
over the south branch of the Chicago river—three road bridges over the
canal—a bridge over the Des Plaines river at the Sag^—a stop gate on
section 74—a water-way and tow-path bridge on section 66—a wooden
culvert on section 67, and the hydraulic basin on section 68.
Believing that it will frequently be found advantageous to the commerce
of the country, for the lake vessels to navigate the canal as far as Lock-
port, turning or pivot bridges have been estimated.
The formation of a basin at the forks of the Chicago river being consid¬
ered as part of the general plan of the canal, is also embraced in the pres¬
ent estimate.
Respectfully submitted by
Your obedient servant,
EDWARD B. TALCOTT,
Resident Engineer.
43
C.
To William Gooding, Esq.,
Engineer in Chief on the Illinois and Michigan canal.
Sir: In pursuance of your directions, I proceeded with my party, ear¬
ly *last spring, to revise, locate, and prepare for letting, that portion of
the Middle Division of the Illinois and Michigan canal embraced between
Lockport and Dresden, a distance of twentv-one miles—sub-divided into
forty sections, of forty-two chains each. From Lockport to Juliet, a dis¬
tance of three miles and sixty-six chains, the line is entirely changed from
the original survey. At the beginning of this division, is located lock num¬
ber 1, often feet lift, with a guard of two and a half feet, to meet the con¬
tingency arising from the fluctuation of lake Michigan. One mile below,
is located lock number 2, of ten feet lift ; and about one mile and a half
above Juliet, locks number 3 and 4, often feet lift each. For three-fourths
of a mile above, and nearly through Juliet, the canal occupies the bed of
the Des Plaines river, and is of increased width. The banks for this dis¬
tance are to be raised some feet above the ordinary height, and to be pro¬
tected from the wash of the floods by substantial walls on the inner sides.
The river is to be raised to the requisite height by two stone dams at
Juliet. With the upper dam is connected lock number 5, of ten feet lift,
with a guard of four feet, making a valuable water-power on canal land.
With the lower dam is connected a guard-lock; at which point the canal
leaves the river. *
Owing to the great height of the spring floods, it became apparent that
the line from Juliet to and over the Du Page river wrould be benefitted by
being located on a higher level than the former, of some five or six feet.
This location varies the line some considerably from the original, although,
taking the whole distance, the cost of construction is not materially chang¬
ed; and it is believed that a better location has been obtained. By this
means the Du Page river is passed by an aqueduct sufficiently elevated
above the highest floods to secure its permanency.
About three miles above the aqueduct, the Du Page is to be received
into Jthe canal by a side cut of twenty chains in length, connected with a
dam across said river. There is to be a guard-bank extending from the
dam up the east side of the river twenty-six chains. This bank is deem¬
ed necessary to prevent serious injury, which would otherwise accrue to
the canal at this point, from the high floods. Immediately below the aque¬
duct, are lncated locks number 6 and 7, with an aggregate lift of fifteen
and a half feet. From thence to Dresden, a distance of five miles, the
line occupies nearly the ground of the original location. The greater
portion of this distance, the canal passes at the foot of the Kankakee
bluffs; some part of the way in the edge of the Des Plaines and Illinois
rivers—the towing path bafik to be protected from the great floods and
extensive ice jams formed by the uniting of the waters of the Des Plaines
and Kankakee rivers, by a strong wall on the river side.
Especial reference was had, in locating the above twenty-one miles of
canal, in such manner as would best afford those wishing to make an ex¬
amination of the work, every facility to do so with accuracy; the nature
of the excavation being expressed by shafts sunk at suitable distances—a
large stake properly registered planted at the beginning of each section,
44
with intermediate stakes once in sixty-six feet, with the coresponding
levels recorded on the same.
The plans, maps, and profiles, together with an estimate of the cost of
the above work, were prepared and submitted prior to the letting on the
fifth of June last; at which time this portion of the canal was put under
contract. The work generally was commenced as per requirement, and
prosecuted the brief time intervening between that period and the be¬
ginning of the excessive sickness which prevailed through this section of
the country, during several months of the past season—with very consid¬
erable vigor, giving flattering hopes that this portion of the work would
be completed in the time specified.
From the first of August to about the first of November, the severity
of tne sickness caused an almost entire cessation of the progress of the
work, notwithstanding most of the contractors were endeavoring to ad¬
vance it as fast as circumstances would admit. In a few^ instances con¬
tracts have been abandoned and relet; but at present there seems to be
generally, among the contractors, a disposition manifested to make all
suitable progress with the work. Some sections are already nearly com¬
pleted, as a reference to the tabular statement will show. The number of
men employed upon this division of the canal, on the first of September
last, was 145, and the work done was $48,468 42. The number of men
employed on the 30th November, is 607, and the amount of work done,
is $37,857 25; making the total amount of work now done on this divis¬
ion, to be $S6,325 67.
The remainder of this Division, a distance of about seventeen miles,
has not been resurveyed ; but a tabular statement of your former report,
showing the cost of construction of that portion of the canal, is annexed.
The annexed tabular statement is designed more fully to show the
amount of the different denominations of w ork done, the amount of work
to be done, and the total amount when done.
40
Tabular Statement showing the work done, and iheprices allowed for the
gan Canal, from section number 69 to section 108, inclusive, to the
work not wader contract on each section; and ihet total amount when
Names of Contractors.
George Barnett -
Same -
Same -
Same -
Charles Kerr
Sterling & Blanchard -
Same -
James Ryon & Co.
Steel &. Amer -
Mattison & Ryon
N. & S. S. Davis
Samuel R. Bradley -
Hugh McLaughlan
Jeremiah Crotty -
Same -
A. P. McDonald -
Hendrix & Rush -
Same -
; Same -
Richard Morris -
Gay, Manning & Co. -
Same -
Lot Whitcomb -
William A. Chatfield -
L. Whitcomb (Du Page feeder)
Benjamin M. Webber -
John Hassock -
so mû
Hendrix & Rush -
Same -
Sherburn and Gobin -
Obed Smith -
Sherburn & Gobin
Caldwell & Milligan -
James Drummond
H. D. Risley -
Clifford & Stewart
Crawford, Harvey & Harvey
Same - - -
Same -
Same -
G
O
•rh
o
a>
m
O
u
a>
pO
s
3
&
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
m
93
94
95
66
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
a
Qi
c+-( G
o o
•pH
«S
12 >
3 ci
S. o
^ M
O ©
'M
pP
3
O
3,333.45
22,697.40
10,592.13
15,766.04
2,567.66
943.36
mm
2,996.99
73.26
85.58
836.38
1,860.32
1,444.76
7,688.68
4,126.74
1,431.92
264.00
1,059.30
435.02
2,566.21
12,735.00
3,901.50
7,341.00
3,357.17
2,702.00
261.36
10,386.20
8,599.20
816.17
670.00
2,958.40
781.02
123.30
1,557.60
414.92
4,510.13
ci
k*"ï
u
o
A
o
o
•pH
î-c
PH
cents.
18
35
25,16
27
23
18
mm
37
15
20
20
20
22
27
20
20
25
15
23
25
15
20
25
18
15
15
26
26
23
20
20
18
18
24
17
24
cd
o
r-i
<v- fi
O o
•ih
CD
p-, £
' d ci
©
*
o ©
pû
3
O
d
cd
PH
a?
o
•.—<
t-
Ph
3.048.75
1,299.34
5.379.92
'883,08
274.56
1.532.76
5,313.51
792.04
640.65
2,623,64
985.70
676.96
cents.
95
90
74,98
90
60
80
■*
110.4
68
75
70
50
72
ci ^
a
<+-, a
o a
m m
j-h
«J
cd ni
•r-f w
pQ
d
O
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o
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cd
i
fp
Ph
213.41
6,932.90
1,376.24
3,530.82
127.64
126.60
1,639.15
6,638.48
660.44
87.22
mm
3.653.30
3,709.77
2,521.38
1,025.00
270.60
8,224.41
534.90
5,936.56
2,519.00
2.532.31
242.20
600.80
cts
30
30
30
40
50
40
40
20
28
27
20
22
25
25
25
25
20
18
30
23
25
25
3,702.80
23
CD
24
o
o .
£ ®
«£ CD
° a
24
S G
d d
>-.pQ
O I
• ph
pP
3
O
766.96
3,458.77
Lock number 1, twelve and a half feet lift.
Lock number 2, 10 feet lift.
Lock number 3, ten feet lift.
Towing-path bridge over the Des Plaines.
Lock number 5, ten feet lift, with a guard and dam across the Des Plaines.
/ Guard-lock number 1, and dam number 2; -towing-path bridge over canal.
g Road bridge over canal.
a
b
c
d
e
47
various kinds of work on the Middle Division of the Illinois and Michi--
3Oth November, 1838; the amount of work to be done; the amount of
completed.
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cts
cents.
cents.
-
-
mm
-
«
-
$3,560 35
$47,335 99
$6,806 25
-
4,956.18
118.4
475 00
n>:
-
16,470 86
2,134 00
4,226 75
-
-
-
493.39
226.65
8,230 35
37,154 17
2,771 00
f
1,914.79
109.04
-
«
«•
8,551 77
6,997 58
72.82
47
360 00
..
-
1,214 34
91,025 51
3,900 00
«
81.40
75
400 00
4*
-
1,857 06
29,757 04
800 00
«H
«
-
mm
-
-
39,977 85
—
301.66
75
7 00
625.15
420.6
9,898 46
82,419 40
1,950 00
42
-
mm
mm
«•
-
871 70
46,928 85
2,950 00
^ -
-
-
«•
M
497 6!
24,936 44
f
mm
32
802.50
75
8 00
«•
-
4,376 24
17,331 76
mm.
mm
«1
mm
i m ■
mm '
mm
mm
25 00
mm
mm ■
m
**
•
mm
mm
1,706 34
502 77
1,691 51
1,114 22
309 93
783 46
1,598 81
4,120 86
13,113 09
10,031 86
8,567 48
5,737 07
7,301 60
5,364 24
7,379 79
1,670 00
' m
mm
-m
1,125 00
-
4»
209 00
m
m
752 66
5,192 95
3,194 20
•
-
10 00
«
-
1,230 57
9,005 91
-
^ •
«a
-
3,440 00
2,061 00
••
«É
mm
-
m
mm
mm
585 22
2,875 20
mm
m
mm
a*
100 00
mm
1,635 85
5,16.) 95
900 00
mm
mm
-
«i
«
mm
3,045 39
603 34
1,202 88
2,500 00
mm
-
-
10 00
«M
mm
8,982 24
-
mm
mm
»
30 00
«•
mm
69 20
1.472 47
mm
-
-
130 00
'
S
mm
2,756 51
923 48
-
-
•
100 00
M
■mm
3,091 49
8,170 15
m
-
-
mm
m
212 20
12,009 95
2,500 00
mm
-
-
-
50.75
4.14
958 03
82,241 07
5,400 00
-
.
-
mm
652 23
11,859 92
-
~
-
—
mm
—
•
4,157 00
-
mm
-
«M
60 00
m
-
366 40
5,588 65
-
mm
-
-
400 00
— ,
4.
422 19
37,520 17
-
mm
-
m
300 00
mm
l-f «■
580 36
37,707 60
3,375 00
-
mm
220 00
mm
«
319 58
8,366 77
900 00
•
.
' »
mm
21,063 12
m
-■I
—
mm
mm
mm
70,745 49
966 00
«
400 00
mm
mm
400 00
112,400 67
-
•
-
-
350 00
-
-
1,960 36
21,287 18
1,844 16
.<
$86,325 36
957,618 40
47,778 36
o
a
o
n
a
CD
£
d
o
h
« $57,702 59
" 22,831 61
6 48,155 52
15,549 35
c 96,139 85
d, 32,214 10
39,977 85
e 94,267 86
/ 50,750 55
25,434 05
21,708 00
g 7,497 20
13,615 86
11,723 37
9,681 70
6,047 00
h 8,426 60
6,147 70
8,978 60
i 9,139 81
10,236 48
5,501 00
3,460 42
k 7,705 80
I 6,748 27
9.585 58
1,541 67
3,679 99
11,261 64
m 14,722 15
n 88.599 10
12,512 15
4,157 00
5,955 05
o 37,942 36
p 41,662 96
9.586 35
21,063 12
q 71,711 49
112,800 67
t 25,099 70
1,091,722 12
h Wood culvert equal to ten feet chord, i Dam across Rock run with lateral banks;
towing-path bridge, k Wood culvert equal to eight feet chord, I Dam for feeder across
Du Page and guard-gates, m Road bridge over the canal, n Aqueduct over Du Page
river; locks number 6 and 7. o Wood culverts—one of ten feet, one of eight feet chord,
and waste-weir, p Wood culvert equal to eight feet chord, q Wood culvert equal to
eight feet chord, r Stone culvert equal to eight feet chord4
s
o
• rH
■*-»
O
<u
09
<*_
o
O
&
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
12S
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
48
A tabular statement of the remainder of the Middle Division.
$5,933 04
Plain.
8,731 78
Paved water-way.
17,606 00
Plain.
20,211 00
Aqueduct over Aux Sable river—Road bridge.
10,535 25
Plain.
5,762 98
Plain.
7,557 00
Plain.
34,301 12
Lock No. 8—8 feet lift.
5,318 49
Plain.
5,171 45
Plain.
6,215 94
Plain.
4,957 24
Plain.
6,902 91
Wood culvert, 6 feet chord.
4,365 00
Plain.
6,448 40
Waste-weir.
32,671 56
Stone culvert, 24 feet chord, over E. branch of
Nettle creek.
22,655 32
Stone culvert, 30 feet chord, over W. branch of
Nettle creek.
4,880 40
Plain.
4,495 40
Plain.
4,133 40
Paved water-way.
«,357 86
Stone culvert, 6 feet chord.
10,385 70
Wood culvert, 4 feet chord.
8,212 04
Plain.
4,748 04
Plain.
5,309 06
Wood culvert, 12 feet chord.
18,165 75
Plain.
10,300 40
Towing-path bridge.
5,549 96
Paved water-way.
7,096 80
Plain.
5,280 86
Plain.
303.262 15
1,091,722 12
Amount brought forward.
$1,394,984 27
which is respectfully submitted.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM JERCME, Resident Engineer,
49
D.
Ottawa, La Salle Co., III.
December 1, 1838.
To William Gooding Esq.,
Chief Engineer Illinois and Michigan CanaL
Sir : In compliance with your request, I have the honor to present to
you the following report upon the progress of the construction of the
Western Division of the Illinois and Michigan canal, with such other in¬
formation as you have desired.
I was directed to take the charge of the division, as resident engineer,
early in March, 183S. It was then generally located, and all the work
now under contract, excepting some of the structures, section 167, and
the side cut or "lateral canal" at Ottawa, had been let, and was in pro¬
gress of construction.
The Western Division had been divided into three sub-divisions, each
under the superintendence of an assistant engineer, which, on account of
the peculiar character of the work developed, and for convenience, will
be seperately considered.
The first sub-division was made to commence at section 141, or the
eastern extremity of the Division, and to extend to the Fox river aque¬
duct and section 167, at the crossing of Fox river, inclusive. The second,
from section 168 to 179, one-half mile below the western extremity of
Buffalo rock. The Fox river feeder, intended to supply this division ^th
water from the foot of the locks at or near Marseilles to the termination
of the canal on the Illinois river, has been annexed to this sub-division,
as also the "lateral canal" at Ottawa; and the third sub-division embra¬
ces all that portion of the canal from section 180 to its termination, about
three-fourths of a mile below the town site of La Salle. The length of
the main canal embraced in this division, 29.32 miles—of the Fox river
feeder, 4.93, exclusive of the "lateral canal" at Ottawa, proposed to open
a communication with the Illinois river at this place—presenting almost
all the varieties of work that can occur in canal constructions.
Having received no directions to locate definitively that portion of the
sub-division which lies above Marseilles and includes the two lift locks at
that place, which location would not probably have materially altered the
original estimates, that portion of this division is carried into the present
estimate at the amount contained in your report of 1836. The topo¬
graphy of the ground between Marseilles and Ottawa over which the
canal passes is level, with slight undulations, and was generally placed
under contract in the month of June, 1837. It was then supposed to
consist principally of common earth excavation, and contracted for at
correspondent prices. Since then, as the work has progressed, other ma¬
terials have been met with, presenting the varieties of cemented clay,
soft slate, and slate rock, and other silicious and argillaceous compounds
in all the stages of formation from eaçth to rock. These items have been
classified, and your estimate affixed to them, as material for which the
contractors had no contract price ; and it is belie ved that, unless the char¬
acter of the work should further change from what has been discovered,
which is not probable in its present advanced stage, they will prove suffi-
50
cient for its completion. This variety of material is found generally to
exist in strata at various distances from the surface of the earth com¬
mencing with the softer materials first, until, on some of the sections, a
firm slate or sound rock is met with.
The increased expense on account of these materials will be found to
exist principally upon sections 155,159,160, 161, 162,163,164, and 165.
This portion of the Western Division has not progressed as rapidly as
others, owing principally to the irresponsibility of many of the original
contractors, who have since left or entirely neglected their work, enabling
the Board of Commissioners to place the work in better hands. There is an
important increase in the expense of section 167, which includes the Fox
river aqueduct, owing principally to the necessity of advanced prices
upon the masonry of that structure. It was first let in November, 1837,
and relet in June last at such prices and to such men as it is believed are
fully competent to the completion of the masonry of this important struc¬
ture. A wooden superstructure is embraced in the plan, estimates of
which are given. A model of the plan will be presented for the consid¬
eration of the commissioners at an early day. Upon this sub-division
there has been one section completed. The stone culverts upon sections
156 and 158 have been let, and were commenced under favorable auspi¬
ces. Quarries of a species of sand stone were opened that have thus
far stood the test of very severe weather ; and some of this stone, with
other materials, has been delivered.
The second sub-division, extending from Ottawa, passes over the high
bottom of the Illinois valley until it reaches the western extremity of sec¬
tion 173, whence it follows the general outline of the basle of Rocky bluffs
to section 176, inclusive, where it enters a depression that it follows to sec¬
tion 179, which consists principally of high embankment at the crossing
of the outlet of said depression, and is the termination of this sub-di¬
vision.
The estimates of this sub-division will be found to approach very near
to yours of 1836, the principal difference exhibiting itself in those of sec¬
tions 172 and 175, where, in consequence of the convenient distance of
the quarry from which stone is obtained for the Fox river aqueduct, the
locks embodied with them have been let at lower prices than the original
estimates. This and other items diminish the estimated expense of these
sections, as may be seen by reference to the accompanying estimate made
from contract prices. *
The Fox river feeder, with its dam and guard-lock, is advancing rapidly
to completion. The line of the feeder upon which former estimates were
predicated crossed a ridge of land that connected a promontory or mound
upon the bank of the Fox river with the main bluffs of the Fox and the
Illinois valleys. The adoption of this line would have occasioned the ne¬
cessity of very deep cutting through the ridge into a difficult material;
and the former resident was directed by you to make examinations around
the mound, following the bank of the Fox river; which examinations re¬
sulted in the definitive location of that line. This change has materially
lessened the former estimates of the feeder at the* contract prices. More
rock and cemented clay have been found upon some of the sections than
was anticipated; which, together tvith the increased length of the feeder,
occasioned by a curve to form the junction with the main canal upon State
51
land to enhance its value, have contributed to lessen the amount of the
favorable difference existing between former estimates and those of the
work as now located. One section has been completed! The Fox river
dam is completed, except the gravel tilling required above it, which will
be deposited in the course of the next month. The abutment and guard-
lock were not carried much above the present surface of the water. The
severe sickness that we have experienced during the last season delayed
operations until it was too late in the season to lay hydraulic masonry. It
will be secured from injury during the winter, as far as possible, by cov¬
ering it with the heavy stone prepared for its completion. The "lateral
canal" has been commenced and a sufficient quantity of the rock uncov¬
ered, by the earth excavation, to enable us to estimate its probable ex¬
pense with approximate accuracy. The plan of the basin to be attached
to it, not having been fully determined on by the commissioners, nor the
mode of applying the water-power to be obtained through the Fox river
feeder, its estimate cannot be relied on as very accurate. The whole es¬
timates of this work are embraced with those of the division, and it is
connected with it by the direction of the commissioners.
The third sub-divison, extending from section ISO to the Illinois river,
embraces a great variety of work. It is carried from section 167, upon
the high bottom of the Illinois valley near the bluffs, to section 188, whence
it follows the outline of the base of the bluffs crossing the Pecumsagan,
piercing Gamp rock, a remarkable projection from the main bluff'; thence
to the crossing of the Little Verm'.lion, then through La Salle, when it
leaves the bluff and enters upon the river bottom, where the former ca¬
nal commissioners directed the construction of an extensive basin for the
purpose of the canal and river navigation. This basin is made to com¬
municate with the river, through the same bottom land, by a steamboat
channel. The change in the character of the work as it has progressed
upon this sub-division; the injuries that it received during the extraordi¬
nary freshets of last spring; and the necessity of guarding against such
- an occurrence in future, by the construction of extensive protection walls,
will account for thè increase upon these sections of the Western Division.
For example, upon sections 183, 184, 185, 186, and 187, rock was met
with to a much greater extent than was anticipated. Upon sections 188
and 189, there was a large item allowed for sinkage of bank into the
marsh, and an expensive alteration required for symmetry of line upon
* section 190, mainly owing to the increased expense of the Pecumsagan
channel. The wash of the spring freshet occasioned a deposite in the
channel as excavated last year of near 8,000 cubic yards, and produced
the necessity of constructing a permanent stone dam at the upper end of
this artificial channel,; to prevent such accidents in future. This dam is
now nearly completed, and when the slope wall connected with it shall
have been made, it is believed the work will be secure. Upon section 190,
the increase is somewhat owing to the sinkage of the heavy embankment
west of Camp Rock, and the necessity of protection for said embankment.
The expense that sections 192,193, and 194, will incur, cannot be closely
estimated at present, as it is believed that the bank or bluff will continue
to slide into the prism; which slide must be removed to retain the proper
width of canaL Upon sfectioris 196 and 197, a material increase is ex¬
hibited, owing to a modification of the original plan made with the view
52
to accommodate it to the plan of the town site of La Salle, and to give
increased basin room by an increased width of a portion of the steam¬
boat channel. This work has not progressed as was desired by the com¬
missioners, and indeed is far behind the other sections of this division,
when its expensive character is considered. Three sections have been
completed upon this sub-division.
The number of men employed upon this division, as n2ar as could be
ascertained from keeping an average account of the force upon the work
for each month, during the year 1838, is as follows:
For the quarter ending 1st March, 23 teams and 350 men.
For the quarter ending 1st June, 35 teams and 595 men.
For the quarter ending 1st Sept. 55 teams and 960 men.
For the quarter ending 1st Dec. 39 teams and 445 men.
It will be observed that there is a great variation in the force exhibited,
which, so far as refers to the third and fourth quarters, is attributable main¬
ly to the severe sickness of the past season, which still confines one hun¬
dred at least to their shantees.
The migratory character of the men employed is also a main cause for
this variation, as many of them go to the south at the setting in of winter,
to return in the spring There is a great deficiency of stone cutters and
masons upon the line. One hundred and fifty could find immediate em¬
ployment. Some endeavors have been made by the men upon the line
to raise funds to build a hospital for the sick and those who may be injur¬
ed by accidents at the quarries and others. Funds have been obtained to
a considerable amount, and those interested desire to make its location
upon State property at La Salle, should the Legislature encourage
them by giving the Canal Commissioners the power to grant, or lease
to them, land for this laudable purpose. When the character of the men
it is intended to benefit is considered, and their utility in the construction
of public works upon which there is so much to be expended in the vi¬
cinity of the point they would select for this institution, and the fact that
they will incur the main expense themselves, I am induced to believe
that the Legislature will he willing to grant them all the aid in their
power.
Upon this division, you will have observed that there are but seven sec¬
tions, or about three miles and one-half, completed. It should be stated,
however, that ten sections more are so nearly completed that an average
expense of $1,000, or $10,000 for the whole, would complete them. But *
for the sickness of the past season ten miles of the canal would have
been finished. Under all the difficulties of obtaining men, responsible
contractors, and the severe sickness that has visited us, the work may be
said to have made such progress as to insure its completion in about two
years, with adequate funds. 1
It would be desirable, however, to complete it as far as Marseilles by the
spring of 1840, that the portion of the Western Division fed by the
Fox river feeder, and upon which the work has so far advanced to com¬
pletion, should be as soon as possible in successful operation.
All of which is very respectfully submitted by
Yours, &c.
WARD B. BURNETT,
Resident Engineer Western Division IlL and Mich. Canal*
* -v*>
TABULAR STATEMENT shoioing " the work dene, and the prices allowed for the various kinds of
on me rt escern oj
Contractors' Names.
Lovell Kimball »
Maus & Flood
Same
Same -
Same "
Same -
Benjamin T. Lamb
B, McSweeny *
Armour & Knox
P. H. Flood
Glover, Roberts & Co. -
Same -
Conrad Sebangh - ~
Sanger & Son -
Wm. E. Armstrong
*/■ SamU^. ;-
?... *
A. Mc&»JÉrove# - "
Harkrtess & Co.
Cronkhke <& Co.
Abner Sherman
•Russell & Harkness
Wm. O'ffarm -
Wm. Mostea -
John Armour -
I^Burgin -
. Banae -
Johnson & Johnsoa
Nathan EpUS -
A. McK. Groves
Michael Connelly
Wm. Caldwell -
Wm. E. Armstrong
Kenyon & Lamb
E. McSweeny -
Dickinson & Clark
E, McSweeny -
Dickinson &» Clark
Wm. O'tïarra - ~
A. A. Markie -
G. W. Armstrong
Wm. O'HaVra -
A. A. Markie -
G. W. Armstrong
Groves d& Armstrong
G. W. A W. E. Armstrong
Wm . M oaten -
Benjamin F. Lamb
Sanger, Nichols* & Be ale -
Nichols & Beale [Pecum. chan.J
Sanger, Nichols & Be&le
Same
Same ^- -
James Me Martin -
Towiisend, Kinney & Byrne -
Peyton &Co.
H. L. Kinney -
Same
Same
Same
Fox ri ver feeder.
J. Green A4Qo. -
tee<;- «
Same ■>.
. Same ,
Same
Stephen Emmerson !< -
Cronkhito &. Co.
Galïaghan A Co.
Crosier A Walker
Ottawa side cut.
Wm. F. Walker
Line above Marseilles from esti¬
mates of 1835 (mot let)
a
a
•H
w
Ô
*
O
5K
p
o
*tr*
o
$
oo
«M
O
bo
p
a
155
156
157
158
158
160
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168j
16$
170
171
171
m
172
173
174
174
174
175
176
177
178
179
179
179
180
181
181
183
184
184
185
185?
185
1861
185
186
187
187,
18§
187
190.
191
191
193
194
194
s 195
195
196
197
(19 G
(197
J
S
o
4
5
8
ff
ê
m*
t
chains.
42
57
42
42
42
41.70
41.70
42
45,35
42
42
42
42
44.27
42
$
42
37.57
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
42.30
42
42.50
42
42
42
42
43
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
42.14
42.14
42.14
42
41.87
42
43
35.28
35.28
28.28
28.28
30
27.88
51
42
42
42
44
42
42
89.40
29.32
* 4.33
£ i
m -
«
js
•
% .
£ o
a©
. V 'ri
*»
00
£
<r
K
O
'«
X*
3
G
23,848
6,633
6,956
3,752
12,008
394
1,980
3,297
25,298
2,964
15,327
v 514.64
823
1*^04*
( 9,274.17
\ 4,898
4,500
12,318.29
15,743.34
v 2,897:62
3,463
^554,66
481.80
681.80
308
18,178
15,029.43
7,000
535.14
571.75
7,0 66
16,791
35,700
2.856
,27,142
20,940
2,980.6 fi
219
12,183.20
34
10,063.48
11,457
8.397.97
15,142.43
13,135
27.780.90
8J94
6,033.00
5,213
941.80
3,367.60
6,653.53
4,967
51,645.4
25,733
( 13.692
} 6,563
16,510
T3
U
te
>*
lu
V
Prt
V
O
a,
cents.
18
15*
152
15*
16
16
25
25
15
17*
16*
15
14
15
15 >
15(
15
18
16
20
26*
23.45
16
16
24
15
20
16
as
18
20
18
21*
23
3,700
3.200
14,616.30
5,716.09
1,285.15
20,742
6,593
21*
25
26
22
23
33
33
45,43
18
25
35
39
26
25
20
20
21
25
31
35
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45 (
15
15
1-4
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16*
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2,308
187.49
441
299
2,267
1,895.44
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£
cfc.
roo
1 25,
1 25
1 00
1 00
1 00
65.71
32
1,134.54
839
179
1,292.12
6,7 22
15,485
8,132/2
1.326
8,500
1,070
200
1 00
1 20
1 40
1 10
1 10
1 30
1 80
112*
1 50
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1,031
450
949
37
6,484
2,401
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40
50
1,091
300
261
3,200
300
60
40
40
50 j
40 «
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£
$1 08
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75
75
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M
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455.08
$1 oo
1,155.65
4,039
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mm
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m
236.95
2,493.31
1 35
1,401.33
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1 35
mm
*
5,197
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1 50
*■
112.84
39
1 75
mm
52
1,626.43
1 75
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1,161.73
2,652
1 75
1,718
381.22
1 25
136.84
350.78
1 25
399.73
407,94
1 50
151.08
60
4 00
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75
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2,391
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530.88
3,854.94
1,635,35
2.380
575
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1,042
396.33
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138.57
2,283.28
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I,783.05
14,337.83
13,526
6.804.7
4,767.87
II,566
0,506
5,713.13
7,20.3.07
1,253
29.801
7,136
2,652
4,136
1,422
738
331
3,785
43,753.03
25,539.26
31,572
f $842 85
41,944
39.257.85
40.264
19,315.93
18,962.95
41,840.21
798
32,500
11,000
50
4,483.85
2,725.9
3,760
15,265
2 i
25?
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• ï 5'*
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iftî
16 (
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24.78
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50 00
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175 00
ÎG0 00
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40 00 |
45 00
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115 00
15 00
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18 00
12 00
m
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5 00
5 00
162 00
315 tO »
400 0C j t1 3.68$
240 0< I
200 0( !
350 (H j
425 0 1
120 0 M 1
160 ( 0* F
33 0 0
17 2 5
18 C Ô
88
* Length ot feeder.
Timber dam*
Michigan Canal, up to November 30, IS3S; also, the estimated value of work not under contract, and thé aggregate cost of sections.
s
a
G
*
c?
1,714 75
OÎ
O
F-»
su
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$289 00
1,138 86
3,944 00
a $23 00
6 62 50
1,234 80
750 00
7,038 27
424 86
1,022 50
600 00
8,187 92
5,523 20
13,081 82
o
rt
o
Xi
o
F
rt
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kl 64
.->.4 /1 61
4,207 34
2,968 51
3,440 84
1,342 07
824 18
5,036 64
528 34
6,688 73
331 G:
5,254 6
10,373 31
C3
12,345 53
1,225 00
5,250 06
4.;
1,444 58
7,998 01
2,336
3,577
5,3! 9
O QA1
n,Aa
sa
23
09
98
1,921 08
4
1,774
305
8,9 i 6
4,777
7,776
1,465
8,199
5,035
1,217
792
Si
1
25
60
60
75
i
î D
601
02 (
10
10,820 90
30,363 80
f r*
1 *
10 59
11,264 12
17,990 37
13,583 91
36,028 21
15,328 17
22,536 80
23,340 51
23,041
o i
19.899 01 \
17,702 74f
14,878 15
29,583 32
1,880 00
526 00
*»
576 00
3,308 46
2,376 51
10,754 65
1,143 95
462,168 12
rt
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$3,250 58
9,723 23
11,415 76
5,706 55
11,647 84
10,743 40
7.433 62
10,399 74
8,189 72
10,343 21
11,601 05
135,214 60
1,800 00
6,327 00
1,853 24
29,015 91
6,039 92
4,715 04
27,0.25 61
2,057 77
68 97
315 15
5,060 10
139 90
4,006 04
1,812 54
8,244 80
5,136 *0
11,852 34
26,227 71
4,918 57
13,034 74
1,870 70
21.342 98
6,153 09
3,100 29
29,341 24
13.5,371 32
169,026 83
4.782 65
4,770 00
3,665 50
5,499 52
15,622 20
2,299 01
6,935 06
29.222 17
310,000 00
189,656 17,
o
rt
su
P
O
rt
rt
mJ
o
$275 00
950 00
4,6:29 50
1,442 01)
20,900 09
1,800 09
1,300 00
350 00
,500 00
1,442 00
1,500 00
1,800 00
275 00
1,300 00
1,300 00
1,442 00
950 00
1,800 00
1,500 00
275 00
5,100 00
6,400 00
1,500 00
1,500 00
1,752 50
1,300 00
17,000 00
110,000 00
189,656 17
279,639 17
V
JZ
p
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5 -
23 **
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rt *~1
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Structures not under contraot except the two first culverts.
$9,856 22
13,094 84
4,207 34
14,324 27
9,147 39
12,989 91
11,567 58
12,470 26
10,928 08
14,878 45
10,343 21
11,932 72
140,469 22
10,373 91
14,145 53
7,552 00
7,103 30
33,168 00
7,484 50
12,713 05
29,421 13
5,635 00
5,388 06
2,617 13
8,761 89
9,056 50
8,783 70
9,589 29
9,709 95
18,371 03
13,861 46
S7,Q47 80
35,287 37
Culverts 16 feet chord.
Culvert 18 feet choTd.
Sluice or paved water-way.
Wooden culvert 8 feet chord.
Stone culvert 10 feet, and wooden culvert S feet chord.
Waste-weir.
Superstructure of Fox river aqueduot,
Bridge.
Wooden culvert 12 feet chord.
Wooden culvert 8 feet chord.
Lock gates.
Waste-weir.
Lock gates.
Bridge.
Paved water-way.
Wooden culvert 12 feet chord.
Wooden culvert 12 feet chord.
Waste-weir.
Wooden culvert 8 feet chord.
17,330 59
11,264 12
30.125 11
15,454 61
57,371 19 |Lock Sates-
21,481 26 1
25,637 09
52,681 75
158,412 89
221,506 73
34.365 97
6,650 00
4,191 50
5,499 52
16,198 20
3,308 46
4,675 52
17,689 71
30.366 32
110,000 00
189,656 17
Superstructure of PecumsagftU aqueduct.
Lock gates.
Paved water-wav.
I
Superstructure of Little Vermilion aqueduct.
Bridge gateB, &c. for two locks.
Lock gates.
Lock gates.
Stone culvert 10 feet chord*
Bridge.
1,596,168 28
Bridge and one lift lock of 6 feel.
Four lift locks of 8 feet each.
Two stone culverts; two wooden culverts;
of 8 feet each.
one waste-weir; and two lift locks
a Bridge. 6 Mowing, Ac,
53
E.
Treasurer's Office Illinois and Michigan Canal,
Lock fort, December 3, 1S38.
To the Honorable the Board of Commissioners
of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Gentlemen: I have so extended the limits of this my annual report
as to enable me to furnish you with a statement of the entire transac¬
tions of this office for the two years last past.
This presentment of my accounts, although not required by law, will,
I flatter myself, prove more satisfactory to you and to all concerned, as it
will exhibit the nature and extent of the operations of this office, since
the date of the last report of my predecessor. In connection herewith,
see accompanying paper, marked A.
The disbursements of this office for the year ending on the 4th of De¬
cember, 1837, amount to - - - - $346,178 95
Those of the year ending on this inst., amount to - « 986,355 85
■*& «
Aggregate disbursements since the last biennial report . $1,332,534 80
Of this sum there was paid out for the use of the con¬
tingent fund for the year ending on the 4th De¬
cember, 1837 - - - r - $49,000 00
Ditto for the year ending this inst. - 105,956 37
Entire payments to this fund, for 1837-8 - - [$154,956 37
The loans authorized, by the acts of the 9th January, 1836, and the
2d of March, 1837, have been obtained. Of that authorized by the
first named act, $100,000 in 1836, and $400,000, the residue, in 1837.
The first item, with the amount of the premium thereon, at five per cent,
was deposited to the credit of the "canal fund," in the bank of the State
of Illinois, on the first of July, 1837, at an interest of four per cent,
until it should be, by order of the Treasurer, transferred to the Chicago
Branch Bank. The remainder, stated at $400,000 with $20,000, the
amount of the premium thereon, was deposited in the same institution,
to the credit of the State ot Illinois, on the first of January 1838, at an
interest of six per cent, so long as it should stand to this credit—and when
transferred to the credit of the "canal fund," by the requisitions of the
Treasurer for sums none less than $105,000, to bear an interest of four
per cent, until such sums should be again transferred, in sums none less
than $20,000, to the credit of the Treasurer, in the Chicago Branch
Bank—when all interest in favor of the "fund" was to cease.
The second loan was made in 1838, and the proceeds thereof, to the
am ount of $500,000 credited to the "canal fund account," on the 20th
of November ult., by the "Bank of the State of Illinois."
The entire amount of interest realised from the deposites of the pro¬
ceeds of loans, is $11,211 67; which is the exclusive receipt from the de¬
posites of the proceeds of the loans, under the act of the 9th of January,
1836.
54
It will appear then that the entire amount of moneys borrowed up to
the present date, is - - - - $1,000,COO 00
That the entire amount of premiums is - 25,000 00
And that the aggregate amount of interest realised on
loans and premiums is - - - - 11,211 67
Aggregate proceeds of loans up to this date
$1,036,211 67
$348 94
4,025 00
3,150 00
The debit side of the "interest account" stands thus :
A mount of interest on an over draught of $80,000 -
Amount of interest paid on two advances made by
the State Bank, one of $210,000 for September
1st, another of $140,000 for October 1st, both to
the 21st of November uit. -
f
Amount of interest due on $100,000 of canal stock,
first of Januarv, 1838 - -
% i v 7 #
Amount of interest and charges subject to be de¬
manded by the Fund Commisioners for an advance
in payment of interest due on $500,000 of canal
stocks, 1st of July, 1838
To which may be added $3,333 33, the amount of interest paid in ad¬
vance on the last sale of canal stocks, so as to make them bear interest
from the 1st of January next.
The amount of sales, receipts therefrom in the forms of principal and
interest, in 1837-8; the amount of bills receivable now on hand, and the
amount forfeited in 1837-8, for default of payment, is truly set forth by the
following table:
15,300 00
Sales of lots in 1836; receipts
therefrom in 1837-—8, &c.
Sales of lots in Lockport, No¬
vember. 1837 ; receipts in
1837—8, <fcc. - - -
Sales of lots in Lockport, June,
1838; receipts, &c. -
Sales of lots in Ottawa, June,
1838 ; receipts, &c. -
Sales of lots in lia Salle, June,
1838; receipts, &c. -
Miscellaneous sales of wood,
&c. in 1837—8 -
Amount of
Instalm'nts
Interest
Bills recei¬
sales.
paid. ,•
paid.
vable.
1,377,113 00
18,595 10
46,997 49
166,768 90
6,000 00
991 50
535 47
5,008 50
4,475 00
447 50
241 65
4,027 50
16,910 00
1,691 00
913 14
15,219 00
8,015 gO
801 50
432 81
7,213 50
785 99
18 00
767 99
1,413,298 99
22,544 60
49,120 56
199,005 39
Bills for¬
feited.
84-7,470 75
847,470 75
X It will be seen that the sum of $22,544 60 comprises the receipts under
the head of " instalments paid:" Of this * amount, $6,625 was paid
under the act of January 9th, 1836; the balance, $15,901 60, exclusive of
the receipts from miscellaneous sales, being paid under the relief and other
laws passed subsequent to that time.
55
The amount of bills forfeited for default of payment after October,
1837, is - $534,255 75
The amount forfeited after the October and November i
payments of 1838, is - - - 313,215 00
Aggregate amount of bills forfeited as stated above in
f837-8, is - - - - » $847,470 75
The interest account exhibits the following comparative receipts and
disbursements, for the years 1837-8:
Receipts for 1837-8 .... $60,332 23
Disbursements for the same time - - 22,823 94
Balance in favor of said account for the same time - $37,508 29
Including the year 1836, said acount stands thus,
Receipts for the year 1836 - - $62,086 35
Receipts for the years 1837-8 ... 60,332 23
Total receipts for 1836,-7-8 - $122,418 58
Disbursements for 1836 - - - - $214 50
Disbursements for 1837-8 - - - - 22,823 94
Total disbursements for 1836-7-8 ... $23,038 44
Balance in favor of said account for the same time - $99,380 14
The available means, at this time subject to the order of the Treasurer,
constitutes the sum of $70,302 70; an amount inadequate, as it is thought,
to meet the monthly payments to be made on the first of January next,
which will approximate $100,000. The anticipated receipts from "bills
receivable" now on hand for the next year may be stated at $32,717.
The disbursements for the next two years, judging from the enlarged oper¬
ations contemplated, and the progressive increase of expenditure, may be
stated at the probable sum of $3,500,000.
In conclusion, I deem it my duty to recommend to your consideration
the expediency of some judicious modification of the regulations now in
force relative to the canal fund. The propriety of this measure has be¬
come evident to all who have experienced the operation of the present
system of business.
The law, as it now stands, makes it the duty of the Governor to de-
posite all moneys raised for the use of the canal, in some bank or banks
in the State. This duty having been performed by the selection of the
Branch Bank at Chicago, as the depository of the canal fund, it becomes
the duty of the Treasurer to check on this bank in payment of all de¬
mands against said fund—the contractors, by the arrangement, being sub¬
jected to the necessity of periodical journeys from their respective jobs to
56
the city of Chicago, at great expense, inconvenience, and loss of time,
in order that they may get their monthly estimates.
The regulation operates particularly oppressive on the contractors of
the Middle and Western Division, while, in my opinion, it possesses no
particular merit to recommend it to especial favor.
JJNlO. A. McCLERNAND,
Treasurer Board Com. IlL and Mich. CanaL
57
TREASURER
OP
THE ILLLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL,
IN ACCOUNT WITH
THE BRANCH BANK AT CHICAGO.
Dr.
f À.
Chicago Branch Bank in account with the Treasurer of Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Cr.
1836.
Dec.
March 5
June
Sept.
Sept.
Dec.
5
4
4
4
To balance on deposite this day -
To balance on deposite this day -
To balance on deposite this day -
To cash deposited this day
- $306,798 24
297,081 53
235,895 94
5,994 00
241,889 94
To balance on deposite this day - 138,637 68
To cash deposited during the quarter ending this
day - - - - - 35,761 73
1837.
March 5
u
June
Sept.
Dec.
174,399 41
By amount of checks drawn in favor of contrac-
tQrs for work on Illinois and Michigan Canal
during the quarter ending this day
By amount of checks for contingent fund
Balance
By amount of checks drawn in favor of contrac¬
tors for work, &c. during the quarter ending
this day -
By amount of checks for contingent fund
Balance -
By amount of checks drawn in favor of contrac¬
tors for work, See. during the quarter ending
this day - -
By amount of checks for contingent fund
Balance - - -
By amount of checks drawn in favor of contrac¬
tors for work, Sec. during the quarter ending
this day - - -
By amount of checks for contingent fund
Balance -
$6,716 71
3,000 00
297,081 53
306,798 24
50,085 59
11,100 00
235,895 94
297,081 53
93,351 26
9,900 00
138,637 68
241,889 94
147,024 39
25,000 00
2,375 02
174,399 41
OD
Dec. 4
22
1838
March 5
March
Jane
June
July
Sept.
Sept.
Dec.
5
4
4
7
5
5
3
1838.
Dec. 3
To balance on deposite at the commencement of
the fiscal year 1838
To cash deposited this day -
To amount of drafts on State Bank during the
quarter ending this day -
To balance on deposite this day - -
To amount of drafts on State Bank during this
quarter - -
To balance on deposite this day -
To cash deposited this day -
To amount of drafts on State Bank during the
quarter ending this day -
To balance on deposite this day «
To amount deposited during the quarter ending
this day - - - -
To amount transferred from State Bank -
To balance on deposite this day
2,375 02
1,559 32
157,166 67
161,101 01
15,985 06
210,000 00
225,985 06
12,251 56
4.175 96
377,945 00
394,362 52
8,281 04
22,844 94
270,000 00
301,125. 98
1838.
March 5
June
Sept.
Dec.
By amount of checks in favor of contractors for
work, See. on Illinois and Michigan Canal dur¬
ing the quarter ending this day - - 114,115 95
By amount of checks for contingent fund - 31,000 00
Balance - - - - - 15,985 06
161,101 01
By amount of checks for contractors during the
quarter ending this day * - - 183,743 50
By amount of checks for contingent fund - 30,000 00
Baiance - - - - 12,241 56
225,985 06
By amount of checks for contractors during the
quarter ending this day - - - 333,081 48
By amount of checks for contingent fund - 33,000 00
Balance - - - - 8,281 04
By amount of checks for contractors during the
quarter ending this day -
By amount of checks for contingent fund
By amount paid for contingent fund last quarter
By amount of interest on overdraught -
Balance ------
394,362 52
228,623 13
11,956 37
486 51
348 94
59,711 03
301,125 98
o*
CP
JNO. A. McCLERNAND,
Treasurer»
60
F.
Canal Office,
Lockport, Dec. 3, 1838.
To the Board of Commissioners
of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Gentlemen: By reference to former reports, it will be seen that the
one made the first, of June, 1837, was the last which has been laid before
the Legislature. The following is a statement of the business transac¬
tions upon the canal which have passed this office since that date.
Paper number 1 contains an. abstract of the several quarterly accounts
of the Chicago Branch Bank sent to this office; all of which have been
duly examined, and found to agree with the Bank account in the Treasur¬
er's office, and the Treasurer's account in this.
Number 2 contains an account of all moneys expended under the or¬
der of the Board, and the heads under which the same have been
charged.
Number 3 contains a list of sales of town lots in the towns of Lock-
port, Ottawa, and La Salle ; which are all the sales which have taken place
during the time covered by this present report, showing the date of sales
names of purchasers, valuation by the commissioners, and amount sold
for. <
Number 4 is a list of the lettings oh the canal, showing the dates and
names of the contractors. During this time some of the sections have
been more than once put under contract. In such cases, this list contains
only the date of the last contract and the name of the last contractor. It
contains no account of surety given by the contractors, as the law re¬
quiring of the commissioners this precautionary measure had been re¬
pealed previously to their lettings.
Number 5 is a list of officers and agents in the em ploy merit of the
Board, containing the names of persons, the office or nature of employ¬
ment, and the compensation allowed to each.
Number 6 is a list of supplies purchased for the use of contractors,
showing the original cost, the amount distributed to contractors, and the
value of the remainder at cost.
Number 7 shows the balances due from contractors for advances to
them in money and supplies, over and above their monthly payments,
together with the amount of the per centum retained by the com¬
missioners out of the value of work already done by the same contrac¬
tors.
Number 8 is an abstract of my account as disbursing officèr for the
same time, beginning with the balance in my hands on the first of June,
1837, and showing the amount of receipts and disbursements for each
quarter, separately.
61
From the commencement of operations to the present time, there has
been expended upon the work the sum of - - $1,434,838 02
From the commencement up to Dec. 1st 1S36 - $99,910 63
From December 1st 1836 to June 1st, 1837 - 70,902 30
From June 1st 1837, to December 3d, 1838 - - 1,264,025 09
$1,434,838 02
From this deduct the amount in the hands of disbursing
officers 11,998 95
Total amount expended .... $1,422,839 07
But a part of that sum would seem rather to have reference to provid¬
ing a fund for the work than constructing the canal.
The amounts charged under the heads of canal towns - $2,218 50
Real estate - - - - - 3,562 98
Land agency - - - • - - 3,576 25
r >
Total - \ - - - $9,357 73
—all of this description.
A considerable sum has also been expended upon objects càlculated to
enhance the value of the canal property, and to be in themselves valuable
hereafter. Of this description are the sums charged to—
Lokport office - - - - $4,023 06
Lockport houses - , - - - 5,665 70
Well account - - - - 82 25
Block number 70 - - - - - 139 89
Painting accôunt - - - 646 67
Warehouse - - - - - 1 - 4,014 29
Total - - V . - . $14,571 86
All of which is respectfully submitted.
i . J. MANNING,
t *
Secretary.
62
No. 1.
List of the quarterly report of the Chicago Branch Bank, made since
June 1st, 1837.
For quarter ending September 1st, 1837.
Balance to the credit of the Treasurer at the commence¬
ment of. the quarter
Cash received during same -
Amount of Treasurer's checks paid at the Bank during the
quarter - - « ^ - -
Leaving a balance to the credit of the Treasurer, of
For quarter ending December ls£, 1837.
The above balance - - $139,091 58
Cash received at divers times during the
quarter - - - 35,761 73
Treasurer's checks paid during the quarter -
Leaving balance due the Treasurer
For quarter ending March 1st, 1838.
The above balance
Treasurer's credits during the quarter -
Treasurer's checks paid during the quarter
Leaving balance due the Treasurer.
t
For quarter ending June \st, 1838.
$4,929 58
158,729 47
The above balance
22,125 07
Credits to the Treasurer during the quarter 210,000 00
V » m+mmrnm 11 ,m m mmm, i 11MM—
Treasurer's checks paid during the quarter
Leaving balance due the Treasurer -
$236,268 83
5,994 00
242,262 83
103,171 25
139,091 58
474,853 31
169,923 73
4,929 58
163,659 05
141,533 98
22,125 07
232,125 07
224,712 84
7,412 23
63
No. 1.—Continued
For the quarter ending September lsf, 1838.
The above balance - - $7,412 23
Credits of the Treasurer during the quarter 462,120 96
Treasurer's checks paid during the quarter 380,765 96
Protested, check - - 80,000 00
Order upon Board of Commissioners paid by
Bank - - - - 486 51
Interest on loans - - - 348 94
Leaving balance due the Treasurer of -
For quarter ending December ls£, 1838.
!
Above balance * 7,931 78
Credits to the Treasurer during the quarter 292,844 94
Treasurer's checks paid during the quarter
$469,533 19
461,601 41
7,931 78
300,776 72
238,065 56
2,711 10
All of which have been examined, and found to agree with the Bank
account as kept by the Treasurer.
J. MANNING, Secretary.
Canal Office, Lockport, Dec. 3,1838.
64
No. 2.
Statement of the amounts expended under the order of the Board, from the
Is/ of June, 1837, to the 1st of December, 1838.
During quarter ending Sept. 1,1837.
Payments to contractors - - $93,352 26
Payments for contingencies - 10,114 67
During quarter ending Dec. 1, 1837.
Payments to contractors
Payments for contingencies
147,024 39
17,909 36
During quarter ending March 1, 1838.
Payments to contractors - - 114,115 95
Payments for contingencies - 8,850 43
During quarter ending June 1, 1838.
Payments to contractors - - 159,546 49
Payments for contingencies - 20,834 31
- 'r-
During quarter ending Sept. 1,1838.
Payments to contractors - - 344,773 66
,'meats for contingencies -, 15,962 20
228,623 13
16,905 16
During quarter ending Dec. 1,1838,
Payments to contractors
Payments for contingencies
Total paid to contractors
Total paid for contingencies
The amount paid for contingencies
ded and charged under the following
Postage account - -
Canal office
Engineering
Land agency
Incidentals
Treasurer's office -
Lockport office
Lockport houses -
Illinois and Indiana canal
Well account
Real estate
Block number 70 -
Warehouse
Painting account -
1,087,435 88
90,576 13
has been subdivi-
heads, to wit:
$54 17
3,960 25
46,729 96
3,438 25
16,584 92
' 523 14
4,023 66
5.655 70
1,150 00
82 25
3,563 98
139 89
4,014 29
646 67
$103,466 93
163,933 75
122,966 38
180,380 80
360,735 86
245,528 29
1,178,012 01
90,576 13
65
No. 2—Continued
The amount in the hands of the Secretary, the dis¬
burse r of the contingent fund, on the 1st of June,
1837 -
Amount drawn from the Treasurer since
that time »
3,228 01
1,260,797 08
Construction account.
On Summit Division
On Middle Division
On Western Division
612,587 28
73,662 11
401,186 49
Contingent account ...
Contractors' balances -
Balances of supplies account -
J. Manning, Secretary, balance
Balances of other disbursing officers' accounts -
$1,264,025 09
1,087,435 88
90,576 13
37,049 67
36,917 74
7,336 59
4,662 36
$1,263,978 37
Canal Office, Lockport, Dec. 3, 1838.
J. MANNING, Secretary,
E
66
List of lots sold in the towns of Lockport, Ottawa, and La Salle, since
the first day of June, 1837.
Date.
Names of purchasers.
Number of lot.
Number of block.
Valuation.
Amount sold for.
:
Lots sold in Lockport.
1837.
Nov. 22
Lawrence O'Connar -
2
11
$500
$500
John L. Hanchett
2
23
550
550
Chester Ingersoll -
2
81
800
800
J. M. Parks -
6
81
600
600
William Gooding -
2
82
450
450
J. B. Preston -
6
82
.300
300
Edward B. Talcott **
2
87
400
400
Same -
2
88
800
800
Hit am Norton « - «
2
94
400
400
Isaac Hardy -
2
95
250
250
Martin Speiman -
6
99
250
250
William Williams
2
100
700
700
1838.
June 8
John V. Singer -
2
63
700
700
A.M.Jenkins -
6
68
275
275
Chauncey White -
6
88
600
600
Benjamin Farley -
2
83
400
400
Aaron Hopkins \ -
2
93
800
800
John Gooding -
6
100
550
550
J. V. Singer -
2
105
700
700
Lewis Kercheval -
6
112
450
450
Lots sold in Ottawa.
1838.
June 19
Daniel Winlack -
4
55
450
450
Wm. E. Armstrong - - -
6
55
350
350
Robert E. Bradshaw -
8
55
375
375
Armstrong k Manning -
14
55
500
500
Thomas Forbes -
5
56
350
350
Aaron Baine -
9
56
375
375
Alfred Northam -
1
59
* 375
375
Henry L. Brush -
11
59
300
300
John and George Armour
6
64
300
300
Michael Ryan
8
64
400
400
Lawson Hoxsey -
11
64
375
455
A. D. Marlay -
14
64
500
585
Haskell k Kizer *
1
66
525
545
Basnett k Buchanan -
5
66
400
400
Aaron Baine -
9
66
400
430
Hoes k Leland -
11
66
550
550
Ralph Woodruff -
1
85
550
550
John and George Armour
4
85
500
500
William Haskell -
J
85
400
400
William E. Armstrong -
8
85
375
400
Basnett & Buchanan - - »
11
85
550
550
Madison E. Hollister -
1
86
550
600
Alson Woodruff -
.4
86
600
600
*
t-4
a
tS
r—«
o
CO
s
EJ
O
S
<
375
460
500
500
550
400
660
600
300
450
450
425
700
200
100
375
740
550
410
400
450
600
640
550
500
650
600
450
y.
67
No. 3—Continued.
Names of purchasers.
William Stadden
Williams & Hatch -
Joseph H. Morrell -
James Armour
Edward Hollands -
Samuel Tyler
John V. Morehart -
Joseph Hall
William Caldwell -
John and George Armour
Barnes & Tuttle
John & George Armour -
Randolph Sizer
Jane Best «
Lots in La Salle.
Manning & McFarlan
Micajah Mott
Leonard & Brown
Same
Patrick Cunningham
Amariah Watson
John S. Dillon
Harvey Wood
John Allen
John Cody
Palmer & Parker
James Golding
Ay res, King & Baldwin -
Harpin Lindley
Number of lot.
Number of block.
Valuation.
7
86
$375
« -
8
86
400
« —
11
86
500
- »
1
89
500
M. «•
4
89
550
m» ~
7
89
400
« -
8
89
450
-
11
89
600
13
80
300
-
5
90
450
_ V
6
90
450
_ -
9
90
400
-
11
90
700
13
90
200
10
120
800
wm / **
10
91
375
«
10
119
700
10
106
550
» ••
12
106
400
m —
12
117
400
«a»
3
120
450
M «
5
120
600
12
.120
600
— _
5
119
550
5
118
500
-
12
119
550
—
10
118
600
v 4»
12
118
450
December 3, 1838.
J. MANNING, Sèc
list
the
as t
Unq
m
.8
o
o
10
V*
o
c
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
68
No. 4.
f the work put under contract since the first of June, 1837, with
ames of the present contractors, including as well original contracts
7se made for work previously let, and declared abandoned, and re-
• f -*
Names of Contractors.
Madore B. Beaubien
Mallory & Hulbert
Osborn & Stewart -
Osborn & Stewart -
Ogden & Dole -
Same -
Harmons, Loomis & Raymond
Same -
Same -
Temple & Carver -
Same -
Same
Greenwood & Bishop
Same -
Same -
Greenwood, Osbourn,& Strail
Same -
Boon & Hubbard -
Same -
Same -
Wilder, Butler, & Busby -
Same? -
Taylor, Breese, & Paine -
Same
Montgomery, Boyd, Rigney, & Zell
Same -
Edward Cody -
Samuel H. Stedman
Cochran & Armstrong
Harney & Flockhart
Enoch W. Minor -
James Hagan ...
Smith, Yarwood, & Richards
Robert Job s on • -
Myers Beach, & Rood
Irvin, Spafford, & Kittering
Date of contract,
March
July
ii
«
June
a
January
<(
«
July
ii
ii
June
a
June
a
Feb.
ii
it
Nov.
ii
January
a
January
a
June
a
October
July
January
Dec.
July
June
June
u
8,1838.
18, .
16,
22,
9,
15, 1837.
«
ii
16, 1838.
20,
16,
13,
16,
5,
11,
12,
15,
4,1837
2.1738
5, «
16, «
14
•
G
O
O
o
m
O
•
o
&
37
38
39
40
41
45
46
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
69
No. 4—Continued.
Names of Contractors.
Date of contract.
Myers, Beach, & Rood
Same
Irvin, Spafford, & Kittering
Same
Dodd, Morehouse, & Shaw
Alton & Pestana -
Smith, Granger, Caton, & Judd
John & Samuel R. Clifford
John Rogers
Hugunin & Brown
SqmP1 »
J. T. & D. L. Roberts -
James Brooks
Same
Stewart, Sanger, & Wallace
Same
Pruyne, Negus, & Rogers -
Same
Williams & Hardy
Stevens, Douglas, & Norton
John Lonergan
Same
John V. Singer
Pettibone & Root -
XO vy\ p
Wm. B. & E. Newton ~
Same
George Barnet
Same
Same
Same
Charles Kerr
Sterling, Blanchard & Co. -
Same
James Ryan
Steel & Amer -
Matteson & Ryan
N. & S. S. Davis -
Samuel R. Bradley
McLaughlin, Lawless & Co.
Jeremiah Crotty -
June
5,1838.
a
((
June
16, •'
u
66
June
5 M
66
a
August
8, «
Sept.
28, "
Dec.
13,1837.
February 1,1838.
66
66
Dec.
16,1837.
January
1,1838.
66
66
66
31, «
66
66
Nov.
17,1837.
66
66
66
14,1838.
66
66
June
5, «
66
66
January 10, "
Sept.
4,1837.
66
66
Nov.
14, «
66
66
April
1,1838.
ii
66
£É.
• •
66
ti
August
1
June
5, »
66
it
66
li
Oct.
18, »
66
66
June
5,
Nov.
24, «
August
66
7, »
H
Ci
o
«rt
O
ri)
10
o
6
83
84
85
86
87
'88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
170
171
70
No. 4—Continued.
Names of Contractors.
MM*
Date of contract.
Jeremiah Crotty - -
August
7, 1838.
Angus P. McDonald
June
5, "
Hendricks & Rush -
«
16, «
66
Same - -
Same
66
Richard Morris -
66
5, "
66
Gay & Manning - -
66
Same -
66
66
Lot Whit corn be -
Nov.
1, «
Wm. A. Chatfield -
June
16, "
Benjamin M. Webber -
66
5,1 "
John Hassack -
(1
16, "
Same -
66
66
Hendricks & Rush -
66
66
Same -
66
Sherburn & Gobin -
66
5, »
Obed Smith -
»
August
7, «
Same
June
5, "
Caldwell & Mulligan ...
Sept.
14, "
James Drummond -
Nov.
1, "
H. D. Risley - - -
June
16, «
Clifford & Stewart -
66
5, »
Crawford & Harvey s
Oct.
31, "
Same -
66
Same
66
<»
Same
66
66
Benjamin P. Lamb -
June
5, "
Edward McSweeny - -
Sept.
7, "
Armour & Knox - - -
August
1,1837.
Patrick II. Flood -
Sept.
7,1838.
Glover, Roberts, & Matson - - -
Oct.
19, 1837.
* Same -
66
u
Conrad Seabaugh ~
January
3, 1838.
David Sanger & Sons
June
5, "
Wm. E. Armstrong
Dec.
4, 1837.
Wm. & Thos. Harkness
March
21, 1838.
Abiier Sherman, Jr. -
Sept.
28, "
Russell & Harkness ...
66
1, "
John Armour -
July
2, «
Nathan Eels -
August
22,1837.
William Caldwell -
Sept.
12, 1838.
71
No. 4—Continued
No.-of sectiou.
Names of Contractors.
Date of contract
181
Ken y on & Lamb -
August
\
22,1837.
183
Dickinson & Clark -
July
2,1838.
184
Same -
66
66
185
George W. Armstrong -
Nov.
5, «
186
Same - -
«
66
187
G. W. & W. E. Armstrong
a
15,1837.
194
Townsend, Kinney, & Byrne - -
January 20,1838.
195
Henry L. Kinney -
Sept.
6, «
196
Same
«
66
197
Same -
66
Fox river Feeder.
1
Greene, Stadden, & Dunevan
Nov.
14,1837.
2
Same -
«
61
3
Same -
66
66
4
Same -
u
66
5
Same "
u
66
6
Stephen Emmerson (completed)
66
/
August
66
7
Francis Chambers -
13, «
8
Crosiur & Walker -
cm
March ,
21, "
Locks.
1
George Barnet - - -
June
5,1838.
2
Same - -
66
66
3
Charles Kerr ....
August
1 "
J.,
4
Same ....
66
«
6
Hall & Grant
June
5, «
7
Same -
66
66
11
Beale & Cooper -
July
24, "
12
Armstrong <fe Johnston -
Nov.
10, "
13
Durgin & Witham
June
5, "
14
William Byrne
66
66
15
Cooper & Twitchell -
66
66
Aqueduct of Little Vermilion.
William Byrne - - » -
Oct.
8, «
Aqueduct of Pecumsagan.
Thomas Beale -
66
66
72
No. 4—Continued.
«1
* §
*->
-it ■- .— ..I. »
p
o
a
* ->
Names of Contractors.
Date of contract.
Q
•
O
Aqueduct of Fox river.
%
David Sanger & Sons -
June .
5,1838.
Aqueduct of Du Page.
Robert Watson -
August
7, «
Dam Number 1, Lock Number 5.
Wilson, Brodie* & Co. -
June
5, «
Dam Number 2 Sç Guard lock.
(
\
Charles Kerr
«
U
Lateral Canal at Ottawa.
l
Wilburn F. Walker ...
Culvert Number 1.
Nov.
24, •'
Samuel Howard -
June
5. "
Culvert Number 2.
Patrick H. Flood ....
u
U
•
Du Page Feeder.
à
•
N. & S. S. Davis -
August
8, "
Lockpobt, Dec. 3,1838.
J. MANNING, Secretary.
73
No. 5.
List of officers and agents in the employment of the Board.
Names.
William Gooding
E. B. Taleott
William Jerome
W. B. Burnett
J. L. Hanchett
M. A. Gooding
A. J. Mathcwson
J. B. F. Russell
O. 8. Jerome
M. Benjamin
John Green
Michael Ryan
J. B. Preston
William P. Whittle
R. E. Heacock, jr.
Stephen Gooding
Thomas Henry
Robert Elder
Jacob Leopold
Peter Stewart
Office, &c.
Compensa¬
tion.
Chief Engineer
$3,500
-
Resident Engineer
2.000
-
Same
2,000
•mm
Same
2,000
-
Junior Assistant Engineer
1,250
-
Same
1.250
J
«
Same
1,250
m
Same
1,250
mm
Same
1,250
-
Same
1,250
-
Same
1,250
m
Same
1,250
m
Same
1,250
Rodman
coo
-
Same
600
mm
Same
600
mm
Same
600
-
Same
60S)
m
Same
600
-
Superintendent of masonry
1,750
m»
Secretary
mm
Treasurer's Clerk
1,000
m
Clerk
800
1838.
J. MANNING, Secretary.
74
No. 6.
Articles purchased for the use of the contractors to aid in their work*
Articles.
Powder account, No. 1
Flour account, No. 1
Pork account, No. 1
Powder account, No. 2
Pork account, No. 2
Flour account, No. 2
Pork account, No. 3
Canal stores—consisting of iron,
steel, cordage, tools, &c.
Cost.
Amount dis¬
tributed.
Balance.
f4,000 00
6,030 00
16,100 25
24,155 98
4.485 21
6,876 00
. 2,731 88
$4,000 00
5,217 50
11,702 00
12,016 00
4,432 00
4,529 00
2,502 00
$812 50
4,398 25
12,139 98
53 21
2,347 00
229 88
26,777 45
9,840 53
16,936 92
J. MANNING, Secretary.
Canal Office,
Lockport, December 3, 1838.
75
No. 7.
A list of Contractors to whom advances have been made in money and supplies,
showing the balance due from them for such advances, and the amount of the
per cenlage retained upon work already done by them.
Names of such Contractors.
Advance
Per cent.
>
H. D. Risley -
$168
23
87
05
Sanger, Nicholls, and Beale
631
68
9,163
08
Wm. E. Armstrong -
84
28
1,521
24
Nathan Eels -
157
94
345
29
John V. Singer
2,329
55
2,547
00
James Brooks • - *
459
57
2,804
19
Crosiur and Walker -
. 1,162
84
1,613
19
Henry L. Kinney -
7,000
00
2,462
27
David Sanger and Sons -
40
00
788
19
J. T. and D. L. Roberts -
600
00
1,807
66
Cochran and Armstrong -
72
00
44
74
Harvey and Flockhart -
54
00
253
44
James Spence - -
600
00
1,217
24
Greenwood and Bishop ...
306
00
4,997
28
Hugunin and Brown -
500
00
5,263
62
Maus and Flood -
352
80
1,413
39
Conrad Seabaugh -
780
00
49
75
Edward McSweeny -
381
00
1,290
13
G. W. and W. E. Armstrong -
1,040
00
2,642
20
James Hagan - * -
104
00
116
25
James Drummond -
30
34
39
32
Temple and Carver -
815
00
1,658
92
Boon and Hubbard -
537
50
1,310
17
Wm. B. and E. Newton -
1,998
13
1,910
11
E. W. Minor - - - -
36
00
374
79
Steel and Amer -
85
53
115
75
Montgomery, Boyd, Rigney, and Zell -
103
48
1,113
15
Dickinson and Clark -
18
00
1,204
99
Obed Smith -
4
00
99
18
Hall and Grant - - -
51
64
31
50
T. Y. Vannest -
421
00
229
43
John Lonergan -
929
24
3,260
74
Wilson, Brodie and Co. -
551
37
. 439
15
Samuel Howard -
16
00
170
80
Glover, Roberts, and Matson -
300
00
1,003
30
N. and S. S. Davis -
510
25
655
23
Beach, Rood, and Co. - - -
58
34
726
22
Harmon, Loom is, and Raymond
39600
3,232
47
George W. Armstrong -
288
40
29
53
Smith, Granger, Caton, and Judd
500
00
606
30
James Ryan - -
488
13
951
84
Pettibone and Root -
477
50
1,298
01
Wm. A. Chatfield -
18
00
245
37
76
No. 7—Continued.
Names of such Contractors.
Advance
Î.
Per cent.
Benj. M. Webber -
$10
f 6
$90
50
Osborne and Stewart -
154
53
804
96
Williams and Hardy -
182
1C
90
30
Pruyne, Negus, and Rogers -
Lovel Kimball -
5,803
48
4,334
62
132
00
998
84
Crawford and Harvevs ■
76
00
136
26
Stewart, Sanger, and Wallace -
2,188
37
5,087
41
Stevens, Douglas, and Norton -
160
00
105
00
Wm. Avery -
1,580
98
3,445
88
John Rogers -
873
61
3,271
78
Isaac Hardy - -
450
00
à7,049
67
79,431
04
The total amount of the balances due from contractors for advances to them,
over and above their monthly payments, made in money and supplies to aid
them in their work - - - - - $37,049 67
The total amount of the per centum retained by the Commission¬
ers, out of the monthly estimates of work already done by the
same contractors ... . , - $79,431 04
Lockport, Dec. 1838.
J. MANNING, Secretary.
No. 8.
J. Manning, Secretary and Disbursing Officer in account with the Board of Commissioners of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Br. Cr.
1837.
June 1. Balance in the hands of the Secretary $3,228 01
September 1. Amount received during the 3d quar¬
ter of 1837 .... - 19,000 00
December 1. Amount received during the 4th quar¬
ter of 1837 - - - - 15,602 50
1838.
March 1. Amount received during the 1st quarter
of 1838 ..... 35,998 87
June 1. Amount received during the 2d quarter
of 1838 - - - - 32,834 31
September 1. Amount received during the 3d quar¬
ter of 1838 - .... 66,418 47
December 1. Amount received during the 4th quar¬
ter of 1838 ..... 35,409 56
$209,391 78
To balance brought down ... $7,336 59
1837.
September 1. Amount of disbursements during the 3d
quarter of 1S37. ... -$10,114 67
December 1. Amount of disbursements during the 4th
quarter of 1837 .... 18,511 92
1838.
March 1. Amount of disbursements during the 1st
quarter of 1838 .... 41,936 33
June 1. Amount of disbursements during the 2d quar¬
ter of 1838 ..... 30,482 00
September 1. Amount of disbursements during the 3d.
quarter of 1838. .... 62,014 17
December 1. Amount of disbursements during the 4th
quarter of 1838 .... 38,996 10
Balance .... . 7,336 59
$209,391 78
Lockport, December 3,1838
J. MANNING, Secretary
78
G.
Chicago, October 23, 1837.
To the Board of Commissioners
of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Gentlemen: Having been appointed by your honorable Board, under
the 3d section of the law of the State of Illinois, of March 2, 1837, "to
survey and examine the route of the canal as now established, with a
view of ascertaining whether there is a sufficient quantity of water, with¬
in the legitimate authority of the State of Illinois to use, to supply a ca¬
nal of the same size and dimensions as the one now contemplated to be
constructed upon the Summit level of said line of canal;" I have, in pur¬
suance of the duties here pointed out, passed over the whole line of canal
from lake Michigan to Peru, examined all the plans and profiles, and re¬
ceived explanations and descriptions of every part of the work as
projected and marked out, as well as all those parts now in progress of
working under contract; and I think I may say I have now possessed
myself of a full knowledge of the details of the work, as designed by your
chief engineer, in all its localities and bearings upon the very important
question of water, upon which I am required to act.
It appears by act of the Legislature above referred to, that "a supply of
water from sources within the legitimate authority of the State of Illi¬
nois," was to govern all actions upon this matter, and that your Board
had early directed Fox river to be more fully examined than had hereto¬
fore been done.
From an examination of the various canal documents of the last ses
sion of the Legislature, it seems that the question stands as follows :
Shall the feeding water be taken from lake Michigan by a deep cut?
or, shall the Summit be raised ten feet above the lake, and fed from streams
to be brought into it? It has been supposed, and no doubt correctly, that
only three streams of water can be brought on the Summit level—1st.
The Des Plaines river; 2d. The Calamic river; 3d. The Fox river.
The Des Plaines was not in a proper situation to gauge, as there had
been copious rains; I therefore take the former measurements of the
United States engineers, as stated in the reports of the canal committee,
at 54,800 cubic feet per hour.
By calculation it is found that, if twelve boats pass per hour, the lock¬
age water to lock up and down ten feet will be 475,200 feet per hour. If
we then add for leakage at the locks (a small item) and for the evapora¬
tion, we ought not to say less than 500,000 cubic feet of water per hour
will be required, when boats are passing as fast as they can be let through
(or twelve per hour.) It is true that, if boats passing each way were to
meet so as to pass a boat up with the same water which passed one down,
then only half the above amount of lockage water should be estimated for
the twelve boats per hour, although, I believe twelve boats per hour may
be passed each way, if the locks are well attended, and are in perfect or¬
der for filling and discharging the water rapidly.
These premises being admitted y we have to look for 445,200 cubic feet
of water per hour more than the Des Plaines gives us at low water.
The Calamic takes it sourcè in the State of Indiana, and by a bend pas¬
ses into this State, and its present entrance into lake Michigan is within
79
the State. It is, however, well known that its former entrance into the
lake was in Indiana, and that it often has a discharge of its waters at the
latter place in a particular stage of the waters of the lake. It is found by
examination that the waters of Calamic must be raised by a dam near the
mouth of Stony creek (or Rock creek) about six or seven feet, in order to
feed a canal ; and if used for feeding with a copious supply of water,
there should be a descent of at least two inches in each mile. This would
increase the height of the dam to nine feet nearly above the present sur¬
face of water.
The effect of such a dam would be to make back-water, for many miles,
into the State of Indiana; and when we look at all these facts, it is an
undeniable truth that the waters of the Calamic are not the "legitimate
waters of the State of Illinois." To get feeding waters for a canal on a
high level, we must therefore look to Fox river. Before my arrival in
this State, your Board had very judiciously and properly directed Capt.
Burnett, with his party, to examine the country between the Fox river
and the Des Plaines, beginning at the point on Fox river near Elgin,
where former examinations had ended, and extend north to the line of the
State.
Capt. Burnett's report on this survey is now herewith annexed, togeth¬
er with a sketch of the topography of the country, and which gives a
very satisfactory account of what resources of water can be obtained
from Fox river.
The next feasible plan of obtaining water from Fox river is from a
gointinPistaka lake, six or eight miles below the State line ; and thence by
a cutting designated by a red line on the map, to let the waters of Fox
river into Mill creek, a branch of the Des Plaines; and from thence let
them follow the bed of Mill creek and Des Plaines for forty or fifty miles
before they arrive at the canal where they can be received into it.
By the plan proposed by Capt. Burnett, (and which I fully approve) a
dam is to be erected across Fox river to raise its waters two feet only, (as
that is all the descent in the river from the State line to the proposed
dam;) a cutting, rising from nothing to 53J feet, is then to be made for 12^
miles.
This cutting appears by Capt Burnett's report to be fair, and without
rock. The amount of excavation for a cut sixteen feet on the bottom,
and slopes two to one, with the water four or five feet deep, (and it then
would be a doubtful question whether it would pass through the quantity
required,) with the proposed descent of three inches per mile, admitting
that it would discharge the quantity required, the cost would be thus:
3,176,520 cubic yards, at 30 cents - $952,956
Dam across Fox river (on bad bottom) - - 20,000
Contingencies, engineering, &c..5 per cent, (say) - 45,647
$1,018,603
We have here an outlay of more than one million of dollars. Capt.
Burnett estimated the rise of water in Fox river, above its lowest state,
at two feet, and by measurement he found the stream gave 25,000 cubic
feet per minute. If we take half of this quantity as its minimum, at the
80
lowest water, we allow all that it will give, and perhaps more, 12,500 x
60 = 750,000 per hour. As this water has to run, probably fifty miles,
in the marshy bed of the Des Plaines and Mill creek, where it is very
sluggish, and will be several days in reaching the canal through Mill pond,
&c., it is not too much to say that we might lose one-fourth of it by
evaporation in a severe drought and hot sun.
In this calculation I have supposed the whole of Fox river in its lowest
state to be brought through. Now we cannot expect that we shall have
a perfectly tight dam; we shall lose much there; and as we have only
750,000—187,500=562,500 x to 54,800 equal to 617,300 cubic feet of
water from both these rivers, and we want certainly 500,000 feet ; and
upon the most favorable calculation, we have only the 617,300 to rely up¬
on. It is true this quantity might be increased considerably by making
reservoirs of several little lakes at the head of Mill creek.
If we admit that an ample supply can be obtained from this source, we
ought, before adopting the plan, to look at the consequence of taking the
waters of Fox river, and what would be the effect of throwing so much
water into the bed of the Des Plaines. Would it not prevent the sever¬
al large tracts of low (very low) prairie land from being drained, and
brought under cultivation? If I have been correctly informed, this would
be the effect; and this is of very great moment, not only in preventing
this land from being cultivated, but endangering the health of the people
in the surrounding country.
The great objection to this immediate section of country is, that the
lands do not drain freely; and for a permanent work, like the Illinois and
Michigan canal, all the plans should be adopted, in reason, to make every
part of the land more valuable by the drainage which the plan and the
construction of the canal may give. The Illinois and Michigan canal, as
now projected, and under construction may truly be considered as one of
the greatest and most important, in its consequences, of any work of any
age or nation. In looking over this connection between the lakes and
the Mississippi, it is no doubt superior in its advantages to any other
which can ever be farmed. It is the shortest artificial work, with the least
lockage. The climate, soil, and the capability of productions of the coun¬
try which will be benefitted by the construction of this work, will cer¬
tainly equal, if they do not exceed, any other part of the United States;
and when I view it in this light, I think it justly merits to be executed
upon the best and most permanent plan, and will justify, by its revenue,
any outlay which may be put upon it in reason.
Taking a view of the whole ground, and looking at the probable cost of
the deep cutting, of the low level, and the length of time it will take to
accomplish it, and the time the country will lose the benefit; looking, also,
at the great good to the country, and the pecuniary advantage to the
State and the canal, by the creation of water-power at Lockport, and Ju¬
liet, I have no doubt upon my mind that the present plan of cutting dowrn
the Summit, so as to draw feeding water from lake Michigan, ought to be
continued, in preference to any other which I can suggest.
In my remarks I have not entered into calculation to show the many
expenses and losses whi :h would result from raising the level ten feet—
such as the extra lock keeper, annual repair of locks, loss to the country
and State, by not having water-power—the advantages of vessels of large
81
size reaching Lockport before unlading, or lading—these and many other
considerations have a bearing upon this question; and I might say would
admit the case to be stated by putting down the expense of the
low level, and then deducting the additional value given by water-power
to the State property at Lockport and Juliet, and the drainage of
the State land otherwise, on one side—and on the other, the cost
of the high level, with two locks—the cost of the attendance
(brought into capital)—the cost of introducing Fox river, and other
contingencies—such as damages for the injury done to lands along the
Des Plaines; and I fully believe the balance would be in favor of drawing
the feeding water from lake Michigan. In these remarks and opinions, 1
believe I have fully complied with the act directing the appointment. I
shall, however, in another communication, comply with your wishes ill
regard to the details of the work, in its location, arid the various points of
difficulty in construction, and make full remarks upon every point.
Respectfully submitted by
Your obedient servant,
BENJ. WRIGHT,
Civil Engineer.
Chicago, III., October 20, 1837.
To B. Wright, Esq.
Civil Engineer.
Sir: In compliance with a law passed by the Legislaturë of Illinois,
and approved March, 1837, I have been instructed by the Board of Com¬
missioners of the Illinois and Michigan canal to examine the dividing
ridge of the Fox and Des Plaines rivers, withih the limits of this State, to
ascertain the most eligible route for conveying the waters of the Fox
river to supply the Summit Division of the Illinois and Michigan canal,
and to report to you for your consideration the results of that exam¬
ination.
The variety of opinions entertained upon the feasibility of this mode of
feeding the Summit Division, and the great importance of the subject, has
led to the examination of many summits, which a reconnoissance alone
mighf have pronounced impracticable.
In ascending the Fox river, the first summit met with, having a con¬
siderable depression, is that of Popple creek, which empties into the Fox,
about one mile below Elgin, and has its rise with the head waters of the
Du Pagë; thence the depression is continued by the western branch of
Salt creek, and Salt creek itself into the Des Plaines. This summit was
thoroughly examined last year, and by reference to the level obtained,
found totally impracticable.
The depression of Lake and Flint creeks, discharing their waters into
the Fox, and having their rise with the head waters of the northerly
branch of Salt creek, Buffalo creek, and Indian creek, three branches of
the Des Plaines river, were next examined. By these depressions a sum¬
mit cannot be obtained of less than ninety feet above the surface of the
Fox at the mouth of Flint creek.
The next depression examined was that of Slocum's and Bang's lakes,
F
82
which head in extensive sloughs opposite to the head waters ol the
northerly branch of Indian creek. This route presents a summit ridge of
about I(jO feet, above the surface of the Fox, at the outlet of the lake.
The summit of the southerly branch of Deer, or Squaw creek, was
next examined, so far as to show an elevation above the Fox, at the mouth
of said creek, of 20 feet, when it was discovered that it takes its rise near
the head waters of Indian creek, which were known to be too much ele¬
vated for our purpose.
The summit of Round lake, which is one of a chain of lakes discharg¬
ing themselves into the Fox at a point about six and a half miles from the
State line; and Fourth lake, one of another chain forming the southwes¬
terly branch of Mill creek, which discharges itself into the Des Plaines
river, at a 'point about five miles below the State line, was next ex¬
amined, and found to be, at the close of our examinations, the most favor¬
able route. The next depression examined was that of Silver creek,
which discharges itself into the Fox river about two miles south of the
State line. This depression connects itself with Silver lake; then crossing
a high ridge about three quarters of a mile, descends, by a broad slough,
to one of the lakes which form the northerly branch of Mill creek, and
by said creek to the Des Plaines river.
This route would be the shortest of any, being estimated at about one
half mile shorter than the Round and Fourth lake route, but the difference
in level of the summits of these two routes is so decidedly in favor of the
latter that a further comparison is deemed unnecessary.
There is still another depression, of which Cross lake, immediately upon
the State line, is the summit. The surface of that lake is 74.385 feet
above the present surface of the F ox at the State line; and in following the
depressions connected with it, if it were practicable or desirable to do so,
we should be compelled to go beyond the limits of the State.
The most favorable route for passing the dividing ridge having been as¬
certained, the valley of Fox river was examined, from the State line down¬
ward, with reference to guaging the discharges of the river, and selecting
the most eligible point for a dam. The surface of the river at the State
line was supposed to be, from the best information to be obtained, about 2
feet above its lowest stage, and L75 below its highest, and to discharge, at
the most favorable point for gauging, more than 25,000 cubic feet per
minute. From several miles north of the State line, the river has but lit¬
tle fall, and south of it, it has only descent of about one and a half feet per
mile for one and a half miles, when it loses itself in the Pistaka lakes, which
to a great extent are filled with a floating sag, high grass and wild rice.
The waters of the Fox, after passing through these lakes, and receiving
the Nepusink and other branches, emerges from the most southerly of the
group, with a clear, deep, and distinct channel, being at the outlet about 330
yards wide, and from three and a half to nine and a half feet deep. The
most eligible point for a darrl is believed to be at the Indian grave, three
quarters of a mile below that point The river there is about 220 yards
wideband from five and a half to seven feet deep, with a light gravel and
sandy bottom; the west bank is abput thirteen fee thigh, the east bank con¬
sists of a high knoll, connected with the main ridge by low ground, which
is about thirty-five yards wide. In case a dam should be located upon this
site, an embankment will be required across this low ground. The de-
83
scent of the waters of the Fox to the outlet of Round lake, is 6.150 feet.
The estimated descent to site of dam, two miles further south, 7.500 feet—
on account of the very slight descent of the waters of Fox, within the State
limits, and the low nature of the country in the vicinity of the Pistaka
lakes. The surface of the most easterly ci these lakes is assumed at two
feet only above its present level at the outlet of Round lake, where it is
proposed to take out the water for the feeder.
An experimental line has been run from this point across the Round
lake and Fourth lake summit to the mouth of Mill creek, on *the Des
' Plaines river, to ascertain the amount of excavation necessary to accom¬
plish the object of the survey. The Des Plaines river was found to be
75.500 feet below the point of commencement, and the summit or deepest
cutting to be 53.305 feet; and the length of said line before the waters of
the feeder could discharge themselves into the Des Plaines river, by the
valley of Mill creek, is 12 miles 696 yards.
An estimate of the quantity of excavation necessary has been made
from the data of the dimensions and declivity that you recommended, viz:
sixteen feet bottom, slopes of two to one, and a declivity of three inches per
mile, and was found to be about 3,176,520 yards. The only indication of
rock observed in the survey of this summit was occasional detached pieces
of silicious lime rock. About one half mile of the line below Long lake pas¬
ses through a marsh which it will be difficult to drain, and about one mile
and a quarter is located in the beds of Round and Fourth lakes.
All which is respectfully submitted by
Your obedient servant,
WARD B. BURNETT,
Resident Engineer Illinois and Michigan CanaL
Lockport, Illinois,
November 30,1837.
To the Board of Commissioners
of the Illinois and Michigan CanaL
In the prosecution of surveys in the vicinity of4 Fox river, authorized
by the Legislature of this State in March last, I was instructed by you to
make such an examination of the nature of the valley of that stream,
within the State limits, as would be useful in determining the most feasible
manner of improving its navigation.
In compliance with these instructions, a continuous compass and level
line was run upon or near the banks of the Fox, between the navigable
feeder of the Western Division of the Illinois and Michigan canal, at Green's
mills, and the State line. This preliminary survey was made in the
latter part of the month of October; and, as my party have been almost
exclusively engaged since that period upon other estimates and plans, it
has been impossible to prepare those belonging to the Fox river in time for
your annual report. The maps and estimates are now commenced, all df
which will be presented with my report, as soon as they are completed.
In the meantime, as it may be thought desirable to know the general
results of the survey and the feasibility of its object, I have formed from
84
our field books a condensed statement of the difference of level of the sur»
face of the Fox, at those points of the river the most known, with their
respective distances from each other, and the point of commencement.
The surface of the Fox, at the time of the survey was, from the best in¬
formation to be obtained, from one and a half feet, in the most rapid por¬
tions of it, to two and a half feet in the more sluggish above low water ;
and from one and three-fourths feet to three and one-fourth feet, below
high water.
The following statement of levels has been made out from the surface
of the proposed feeder-dam at Green's mills, taken at zero; and the dis¬
tances are such as were obtained by the survey; to which, as the river
v banks were not meandered closely in some distances, should be added about
four miles, in order to obtain the whole length of navigation required.
From
Feeder dam -
Buck ceeek -
Indian creek -
Barnsford's dam
Potter's dam -
Jackson's dam
Blackberry creek
Aurora - - -
Stolp's dam -
Gibson's dam -
Board m an & Co.'s dam
Geneva - - -
Charleston -
Knox & Collins' »
B. M. at Elgin -
Gifford's dam -
One and a half miles below Narrows
Lake creek -
Flint creek - -
Outlet of Slocum's lake
Mouth of Nepasink -
To
Surface of feeder-dam
Buck creek *
Indian creek « - *
Foot of Barnsford's dam - -
Foot of Potter's dam
Foot of Jackson's dam - -
Blackberry creek - - -
Foot of dam at Aurora
Foot of Stolp's saw-mill dam
Foot of Gibson's mill dam
Foot of Boardman & Co.'s mill dam
Foot of dam at Geneva
Foot of dam at Charleston
Foot of Knox & Collins' dam
Surface of water at B. M. near Elgin
Foot of Gifford's dam
One and a half miles below Narrows
Lake creek «
Flint creek -
Outlet of Slocum's lake
Mouth of Nepasink -
State line ■*
Whole distance, as per survey -------
To which add four miles for slight deflection of bank not closely followed «
■CD
~o
S
CO
•rH
ft
0
4.09.49
73.00
1.13.50
13,36.61
1,15.50
8,43.25
12,48.50
2,21.00
1,08.00
3,52.80
2,18.40
1,66.00
7,53.04
2,23.00
1,17.00
6,40.00
7,24.00
4,15.00
4L45.33
10,40.00
7,40.00
»
te
•M .
T3 ©
o
0)
I—I
o
X3
G
a
0
0
5,02.49,
6,15.99!
19,52.60
20,68.10
29,31,35
41,79.85
44,20.85
45,28.85
49,01.65
51,20.05
53.06.05
60,59.09
63,02.09
64.19.09
70^59.09
78,03.09
82,18.09
86,63.42
97.23.42
104^63.42
«-«
o
p
W p
G >
P P
f-> r-1
,P
12
a
0.000
no level
16.915
34.905
2.075
26.600
55.290
10.930
7.255
13.535
14.995
9.935
16.290
4.015
3.520
17.660
8.570
2.040
3.505
7.760
7.650
t •
p "P
ë g
• ■M PJ
O o
i—i w
© O
-G O
% o
0.000
taken.
16.915
51.820
53.895
80.495
135.785
146.715
153.930
167.465
182.460
192.395
208.685
212.710
216.220
233.880
242.450
245.490
248.995
254.755
262.405
104,63.42
108,63.42
262.405
86
In ascending the Fox river from the feeder-dam, its general course to
Aurora, including some extensive bends, is about northeast; and above
that place to the State line it is nearly north.
The difference of level of its surface in the whole of that distance is
262.405 feet; and with reference to the foregoing statement, it will be
seen that the most of this difference is found from and below the village of
Charleston, almost all of it being below a remarkable contraction in the
width of the river, called "the Narrows ;" above which therë is little fall.
Thus we have three divisions of the river that differ essentially in their
descent—the first having an average difference of level at the surface of
about 3.6 feet, (and in some cases 5 feet per mile;) the second of 2.2 feet
per mile ; and the third an average of 0.87 feet per mile. These divisions
differ from each other almost as distinctly in the nature of their banks—
the first having them abrupt, and occasionally of high bluff rock; the
second having them very favorable for a tow-path; and the third, includ¬
ing the Pistaka lakes, having a great extent of low marsh upon either
bank; on which, for a great distance, it would scarcely be possible to con¬
struct a tow-path. |
This variety in the nature of,the banks of the Fox and its descent is
such that more consideration is required for the arrangement of the par¬
ticular parts of its proposed improvement; and in order that a nearer ap¬
proximation may be made, by estimate, to the expense of this important
work, than the results of a preliminary survey can afford, I wish to visit
some points of the river again, before making my report.
Without further examination, I believe the most feasible plan for the
contemplated improvement is that of slack-water navigation, with a tow-
path upon the most favorable side of the river, except in some places,
where it will be advisable to construct short lines of canal.
All of which is respectfully submitted by
Your obedient servant,
WARD B. BURNETT,
Resident Engineer III. and Mich. Canal.
87
IL
Chicago, Oct. 25, 1837.
To the Board of Commisioners
of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Gentlemen: Having passed over the line of the canal from Chicago to Peru,
and obtained, through your chief engineer, a knowledge of the plans of the intended
works of art, as proposed by him, as also the various plans intended to be pur¬
sued in the execution of the very expensive parts of the excavation, and security
of certain points,—I now take pleasure in complying with your request in an¬
swering various questions in relation to the work.
1st. Will a guard-lock be necessary at Chicago river? I do not think I should
build any guard-lock. If I understand this case correctly, the use of a guard-
lock would be to shutout the water from the lake.
If, as a precaution for safety, to guard any part of the 30 miles summit, it
should not be so far distant from the locks at Lockport. The mile or two next
to and above the locks at Lockport, is the only place' where any breach can
happen in this level, and that can be secured better than by a guard-lock so far
off as 30 miles. There are various plans for securing against any breach in the
embankment at Lockport, such as the following: Select a place of rock cutting
about 10 feet deep, as near to Lockport as can oe found, where the rock lays
close, and as few fissures as possible —contract the canal to 30 or 35 feet thus:
Tow-path.
Canal
\
and leave a block of rock, as at a, ten or twelve feet high—cut the face c c with
care, and place in gates, in the marmer as described to me by Mr. Talcott, and
intended by the chief engineer, Mr. Gooding. These, if properly fixed to rest on
the bottom until raised, will be ample security, and can be attended to instantly
upon any appearance of a breach. Wickets should be made in one of the gates,
and a timber may be thrown across for the top of the gates to rest against, if ne¬
cessary. If the Board do not choose to make the gates, a heavy timber of 15 in¬
ches square, laid across, and plank 4 inches thick put down on the bottom of the
canal, at an angle of 45°, with a little straw and fine stuff placed above, would
stop the water in 2 hours.
A waste-weir has been projected of 500 feet long, at some proper point, (say
where the rock cutting is about 4 feet,) and build good masonry with water ce¬
ment uppn this rock, to the top water line; and in order to have additional security,
I would have a number of gates placed in the masonry, that could be raised,
and let out water very rapidly at pleasure.
The value of the water-power at Lockport will be in demand as soon as the
water is in the canal; and to prevent breaking the bank to take out water, I would
advise that a water cement wall be built, with the stone excavated from the carlal,
founded on the rock, and carried up with a batter of one inch to the foot; and at
every 60 Or 80 or 100 feet, I would insert a cast-iron frame of various sizes, say
some of 24 inches square, 20, 18, 12, or any other size, I supposed would be re-
o
o
cv
pb
c
CO
o
q
co
C
a
88
quired, and these being placed at 2 feet or more above the bottom of canal, and
masonry extended behind 10 or 20 feet as you please, and a gate fitted to each.
I should do the same thing at Juliet, where, if 1 have not mistaken the information
obtained, the State holds control of all the water-power on the river. This will
permit you to sell water-power at any point, and in such quantities as may be
wanted, and the purchaser has nothing to do but erect his building and introduce
his water; and you sell the water by the inch as is customary.
This wall, with the earth behind it, is a great additional security to the bank,
and the water is more desirable from this security. I would advise also, as a
precautionary security, the leaving a bar of earth at Chicago river, of SO feet
wide; and when the water is let into the canal, I would only take away 25 or 30
feet wide. I would not fill the summit level with the water from the Chicago,
but let it fill slowly from other streams, before 1 broke this bar of earth; this can
be removed by a dredger.
2d. Will a slope wall be necessary through the earth excavation of the sum¬
mit?
w If the earth proves to be all of the quality of section No. 1, and others I have
seen, I would on no account have a slope wall. Such wall, below the surface of wa¬
ter, is very injurious to boats if the}^ strike it; and if any wall is required, it can
only be to protect the bank above water, and that can be made, when the water is
in the canal, very cheap.
I believe,, with the soil in this cut, vegetation may be made to grow upon it,
and then the frost and rains will not disturb it much, and no wall will ever be
needed.
3d. Will it be necessary to cut down the towing-path?
I would by no means advise cutting down the towing-path; only add 50 to
ICO per cent, to the length of the tow rope, through the earth cutting, and the
trackage is easy. By being so high, the horse is in a cooler atmosphere, and is
not so likely to be thrown into the canal at the rock excavation. The Board
may find it useful to make places in the rock in the form of steps, where a horse
may be taken out, if by accident he should be thrown in; and I see no great or
even any important benefit by cutting down.
4th. Is the present plan of drainage a judicious one, and what difficulty may
be anticipated from water, in excavating the summit?
The greatest difficulty in working this division, is the water, beginning at
Chicago river, and from thence to the end of section 15. If I have understood
the plan of the chief engineer, it is his intention to have a large ditch outside of
the spoil-bank, on the upper or southeast side, and this to be extended, as now
partly done, to the south branch of the Chicago.
It may perhaps be found that some of the sections near the Point of Oaks do
not drain freely by this ditch; if so, then they must be drained across the canal.
À guard-bank of earth must.be raised along the north side, to keep out the water
from the Des Plaines river and from the prairie. These precautions will keep out
surface water, which is nearly all they have to contend with on this part. From
the Point of Oaks, on section 15, to section 45, is the most difficult part to drain.
Many of the sections, from 15 to 39, will drain across the canal, and bank oat
the water of the river and marsh at first, in pieces or parts of their work.
But in order to drain this part, from 15 to 45, effectually, a very large drain,
nearly or quite the size of a 40 feet canal, should be cut, from section 42 or 43,
and extend eastward through the whole Saganaskce swamp, to Stoney creek.,
This must he cut 3 feet at the canal, and 8^ feet deep at the summit of the swamp,
5 miles east of canal, and then continue 7 or 8 miles further, before it will find
a free discharge; the water having so far to run, must have a large bed, as there
will be a great collection of water in heavv rains.
O «■ •
89
If the Board could feel justified in laying out a canal, and excavating it regu¬
larly, 28 feet on the bottom, it would not do more than take off the land water
between sections 16 and 45, which must all pass out this way- unless it is passed
across the canal, and that will be very difficult at times; and at finishing the
work, a large and regular ditch must be cut on the upper side of the canal, from
section 15 to the proposed ditch in the Saganaskee swamp. This must be outside
of the spoil-bank, a guard-bank placed on the lower side, also a ditch from section
45 to section 42.
I cannot urge too strongly upon the Board the very great, importance of hav¬
ing a very large drain through the Sag swamp. It is vitally important to the pros¬
ecution of the canal successfully; and its whole cost, if made as I have recom¬
mended, will be saved in the ease with which the water will be taken off from the
work. From section 45 towards Lockport, a drain is to be made; the upper side
is now going on; (this is right.) I have been particular in describing ail these
drains; they are, however, only recapitulating the plans of your engineers, ex¬
cept as to size, and which 1 think judicious.
5th. Are the contract prices for the work, as let on the canal, sufficienf to
finish it?
I think all the contracts I have noticed are let at what I should consider very
high prices. It is true that I ought not to compare prices given for work in the
Atlantic States with this, because of the great difficulty in obtaining labor and
provisions here; as to the latter, it will be growing better yearly, and so will the
pffce of labor be reduced before the completion of this work. If contractors
cannot sustain themselves with their contracts, it will be for want of good
management.
6th. 66 The size of the locks proposed for the Illinois and Michigan canal is
18 by 110 feet in the chamber. Do you think this the proper size of locks for
this work?"
I do not think I can suggest any improvement in the size of the locks; it is the
best possible. It will carry a boat with 150 tons of lading if required. The loca¬
tion of the locks at Lockport I think very judicious and good; and the plan of en¬
tering the Des Plaines above Juliet I think right, after making dam No. 1 on
State property above the present village of Juliet, and passing down to dam No. 2.
I should then, in both cases, make my lift-lock walls so high as to be a guard-
lock. I should only have two dams at Juliet. The line is then plain to the Du
Page, and passes that river on an acqueduct, and then passing over pretty fair
ground till we reach the Kankakee bluffs. In my examination of these bluffs,
which have been considered as presenting great difficulties, I think your engi¬
neer has proposed locating his line well and skilfully, in keeping so far from the
hills as to give it a chance to slip without coming into his canal. I do not believe
there will be any difficulties which will not be easily overcome, Around these
bluffs your engineer has estimated a much larger quantity of slope wall than I
should use in that work; (perhaps I maybe wrong.) Passing on, the canal is to
cross the Au Sable river, in a pool formed by a dam, requiring a guard-lock on
lower side. The line pursues a plain route of good location to Fox river, over
which it is to pass by an aqueduct. The plan of the aqueduct, if built of wood upon
stone piers, is all right, and the location cannot be improved.
Here it is proposed to take a feeder from Fox river, about four miles in length.
After examining the ground on the two lines run on west side, in company with
the chief engineer, I should give my opinion that the short line with the deep
cutting ought to be adopted.
If hydraulic power can be obtained at Ottawa, through a branch canal to be made
for the accomodation of the village, and to lock down into the Illinois, I would
locate it at right angles with the main stem; and as soon as I left the main line, I
90
would lock down 5 or 6 feet to the level of the plain, and carry that level through
at any poini between Clinton and Fulton streets, making large basins one or two
blocks north of the land now sold and occupied. After bringing the canal to the
line of the street, below all property sold by the State, I would carry a mill canal
along the south side of the street towards Fox river, and place cotton, woollen, or
other factories requiring steady power, below this canal, giving them 15 or 16
feet herd and fall; then leaving a space of 200 feet (more or less,) I would have
canal No. 2, parallel to the other; and on this, I would sell water-power for works
not requiring steady power.
The line then, after passing over good ground for many miles, reaches Camp
rock and Pecumsagan, and Little Vermilion, all which it passes very well; and
although some little expense will be required in lining and. puddling the porous
rock and earth, there is no doubt the location is well rpade.
In relation to the termination by a steamboat canal and basin of large capaci¬
ty, together with a canal boat basin between the two locks, I think the whole plan
is excellent, in relation to the business of the canal and the prosperity of the
State, and I do not think I can suggest any improvement.
If I should make any remark in relation to the work and plans upon this ca¬
nal, it will be to substitute stone aqueducts in place of wood over Fox river, Du
Page,Vermilion, and other smaller streams, where wooden trunks have been pro¬
posed, more particularly Fox, Vermilion, and DuPage; these being large and
important works of art, they ought to be built with stone arches, if stone of good
quality can le obtained.
I see there is difficulty in finding good durable stone in the country. I saw
some good ones about Peru, and perhaps the same strata may be found in the
hills at or near Ottawa. I would by no means advise to build of bad stone. A
wooden trunk, upon stone piers is better than a structure of stone that will soon
decompose. *
If good stone for the cut work, and particularly the arches, could be found 50
or 100 miles below, and near the river, they could not be very expensive to trans¬
port at a proper state of the river; all the stone for the dead work might be found
at hand.
If your Board cannot find good stone for locks, it will be very unfortunate.
These structures should be done in thé best manner, and laid with the best of wa¬
ter lime. I shall send Mr Gooding a sketch of the latest improvements in locks.
I presume it will be some time before the Board will offer contracts for locks,
and in the mean time, stone of .good quality may be found , it is to be hoped.
In reviewing the whole line of this proposed canal, the location of it and the
plans proposed to overcome all the difficulties, I cannot award too much praise to
your engineer. He has shown skill and sound judgment in every part of the line,
and I do not think the plans he has laid down for the prosecution of the work can
be improved upon or made better with the materials so far discovered.
I have the honor to be,
Gentlemen, vour obedient,
BENJ. WRIGHT.
91
J.
Locktort, Illinois,
November 28, 1887®
To Wm. Gooding, Esq.
Chief Engineer Illinois and Michigan Canal.
Sir: I have the honor of presenting to you the data, map, and estimates of
the survey of the Saganaskèe swamp—Grassy lake—Stoney creek—and the
Calumet river, to the State line, made by my party under your instructions in
July last, with reference to the proposed connection of the Illinois and Michigan
canal with the Michigan and Erie canal of Indiana.
Agreeably to your directions, the survey was commenced at the mouth of
Stoney creek, upon the Calumet river, and continued up that stream to the
State line, with a view of locating as high a dam near the point of com¬
mencement as the nature of the stream and its banks would permit,' in
order to create a pool for canal boat navigation from the State line to said
dam, as well as to enable us to pass the summit of the Saganaskee swamp,
with the waters of the Calumet, upon the line of the proposed Illinois and
Indiana canal, with the least possible cutting. This line of river and ca¬
nal navigation completes the proposed connection within the limits of
the State.
When the survey was made, the streams were very much swollen by
rains, and I was informed that the Calumet was seldom, if ever, known to
be higher than at that time. The distance by the left bank of the Calu¬
met river, from the point at which the dam was afterwards located to the
State line, was found to be about twelve miles ; which will be lessened by
the plan of improvement to eleven and a half miles, by clearing and
changing the direction of that bank. The surface of water at the mouth
of Stoney creek was found to be 0.820 below. The base line of level was
assumed at 11.500 above the bottom of the Illinois and Michigan canal at
lake Michigan, or 5.500 above; the lowest surface of the lake at the pro¬
posed site for dam, 0.500 below; at the old Indian ford, 2.087 above; at
the State line, 5.772 above ; and at a point abové Gibson's bridge, and
about two and one-third miles, in the State of Indiana, 7.867 above. The
banks of this river are very uniformly about 8.500 above, so that in Indiana,
above where one level liile terminated, they were overflown by the ihgh
stage of water to a very great extent.
These examinations made, the site of the dam was located about sixty '
chains above the mouth of Stoney creek, as indicated upon the accompa¬
nying maps, and its height placed at 4.000 above, that being considered
the highest that could be safely adopted with reference to the foregoing
levels, and the low nature of the banks of the Calumet, and much of the
surrounding country. The width of the river at this point was found to be
295 feet from bank to bank; and the average depth of a cross section of
the stream, to the base of the foundation for the proposed dam, was fixed
at seven feet; so that the average height of the dam (which has been as¬
sumed at 4.000 feet above the base line,) will be 11.5 feet. The foundation
is gravelly and probably based upon a bed of lime rock.
A dam of this height will elevate the surface of the river, at the State
line, to about 5.500 above, at the lowest stages of the water, and to about
6.500 above, at the highest; allowing one and a half inches per mlie for
back-water during the lowest stage, and two and a half inches in the
highest.
92
The right bank of the river is the most uniform, being indented with
but few sloughs, as its drainage runs chiefly into the Big Calumet, which
lies directly behind and parallel to it, whilst the left bank is broken by
many, requiring embankment and tow-path bridges. It is believed, how¬
ever, that the expense of tow-path bridges to cross the Calumet above
and near the dam, and to recross, as would be advisable in the first case
before reaching the State line—and the additional expense pf grubbing
upon that bank, together with the fact that the tow-path would then be
upon the least productive side of the river, are considerations that will jus¬
tify its location upon the left bank, at the expense included in the accom¬
panying estimate.
In the location of the Illinois and Indiana canal, but one route was
adopted, except for a short distance, in crossing from the Calumet to the
valley of Stoney creek, for which distance two routes have been estimated.
The shortest leaves the river 34.72 chains above the dam—the longest
18 chains above, and they both unite at station 19 of the longest line, at
distances of 47.07 chains, and 57 chains, respectively, from the river. A
guard-lock has been estimated, for either case, where these lines leave the
river. The first line is, including 16.72 chains river navigation, 26.65
chains shorter than the last. From the junction of these two routes near
Rexford's bridge, the line follows up the right bank of Stoney creek,
passing eastward of Lane's island, and to the left of Grassy lake, (an ex¬
pansion of Stoney creek) to the Saganaskee swamp, over which it then
runs from a point of Lane's island to the mouth of Paddock's brook, the
main tributary of Stoney creek; thence continuing about 65 chains, to
the Calumet and Des Plaines summit of the Saganaskee swamp, it follows
the depression of said swamp, which descends almost uniformly to the line
of the Illinois and Michigan canal, with which it connects, by a lockage of
11.25 feet, at the distance of 15 miles and 60 chains from the point of com¬
mencement. In construction and at a more favorable season, the line
may be straightened, and made somewhat shorter, by throwing it further
from the shore into Grassy lake. The dimensions adopted for the canal
were twenty-six feet bottom, and forty feet at top water line—four feet
deep—slopes of one and three-fourths to one. No declivity has been al¬
lowed. These dimensions are those proposed for that portion of the con¬
nection which is to be constructed by the State of Indiana.
The bottom of Stoney creek at the outlet of Grassy lake, or first ripple
of Stoney creek, is about 0.500 below; the Des Plaines and Calumet sum¬
mit of the Saganaskee swamp, as the line is located, is 9,500 above; and
the point of junction with the Illinois and Michigan canal is about 3.25
above.
A second route was examined, diverging from the first, at station 41,
and following a deep slough to the old Sag bridge, westward of Lane's
island, thence descending that branch of the Saganaskee swamp which
receives its water from Bachelor's grove &c., (tributary to Stoney creek,)
it unites with it again at station 296, near the summit of the first line.
This route would give us a second summit to pass, that is higher than
the first, with rock cutting to a very considerable extent, whilst the dis¬
tance saved would not much exceed one mile.
The exavation of the line adopted is estimated to contain hardened
clay, but no more rock, it is believed, will be met with than is included in
the small item of the accompanying estimate. It should be stated, how-
4
93
ever, that on account of the great depth of water upon the Saganaskee
swamp, at the period of the survey, it was not possible to test the nature
of the excavation, from the summit to the turnpike, in a conclusive
manner.
All of which is very respectfully submitted by
Your obedient servant,
WARD B. BURNETT.
Estimate of the stone work of abutments, guard-lock, tyc., is estimated,
upon the ground that the stone may be transported upon the prism of the
canalfilled with the drainage of the country, from the vicinity of the
Illinois and Michigan canal.
For the dam across the Calumet river $46,839 82
2,000 cubic yards, guard-bank, at 20 cents 400 00
30,000 cubic yards tow-path embankment, at
20 cents - 6,000 00
10,000 cubic yards excavation and clearing of
bank at, 25 cents - - 2,600 00
260 feet tow-path bridges of 30 feet span
and less, at $>2 the foot run - 520 00
510 feet tow-path bridges over 30 feet span,
at $2 75 - - - - 1,402 50
840 feet timber for seven 4 feet drains, at 10
cents - - - - 84 00
30 chains first class grubbing, at $10 00 300 00
76 chains second class grubbing at $6 00 456 00
142 chains third class grubbing, at $3 00 426 00
For the. proposed improvement of the
Calumet river - 28,928 32
For 548,311.90 cubic vards, excavation for ca-
— * *
nal (including hardened clay), at 30 cents $164,493 57
For 5,768.80 cubic yards rock excavation, at 90
' cents ^ - 5,191 92
For 11.25 feet lockage,at $25 per foot lift . 28,125 00
For one guard lock, gates, &c. - - 8,691 25
For two waste-weirs and tow-path bridges - 1,975 00
For three road bridges (one for turnpike) - 1,650 00
) " ■11
For construction of Illinois and Indiana canal 231,034 41
Estimated aggregate expense - - 259,962 73
Add ten per cent, for contingencies 25,996 27
Total - 285,959 00
For shortest line if adopted to Stoney creek,
from Calumet river, 16,743.26 cubic yards
additional, at 25 cents - 4,185 81
$290,144 81
3 5556 038 799060
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