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LIBRARY OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 
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 I.H.S. 
 
III. Leois. 
 
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 H R, 
 
 11th Assemc. 
 
 Tuesday, January I, 1839. 
 
 Laid on the table, and 5,000 copies ordered to be printed , 
 
 MESSAGE 
 
 OI? 
 
 THE GOVERNOR 
 
 TRANSMITTING THE 
 
 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 
 
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 OF THE 
 
 ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL, 
 
 TO THE 
 
 LEGISLATURE OF ILLINOIS, 
 
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 DECEMBER 31, 1838. 
 
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 YANDALIA: 
 
 William Walters, Public Printer. 
 
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 MESSAGE. 
 
 \ 
 
 Executive Department, 
 
 Vandalia , January 1, 1839. 
 
 Sir: Incompliance 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 tolay 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. 
 
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 EFORT 
 
 OF THE 
 
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 BOARD OF CANAL COMMISSIONERS. 
 
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 Canal Office, 
 
 Lockpo?'t , Dec. 13, 1838. 
 
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 To Ms 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, 
 
 ■N ». • •. > 
 
 V \ > 1 . 
 
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 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. ( , v ■ 
 
 The documents, marked B, C, 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 alfairs 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 
 Branch of the State Bank at Chicago, and their uniform agreement has 
 been certified at the end of each cjuarter in the minutes of the Board, 
 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 town 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 account 
 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 given. 6th. The number of 
 engineers, 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 forced 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 the 
 
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 unqble 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 which 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 a& fast as he consumed 
 them, out oi 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, both 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 force. 
 
 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 CJhicago 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 01,251,103 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 
 an(| 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 Cala- 
 mic, there was no further hesitation in cancelling the contracts on the 
 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. For 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 u 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 w r ere 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 i(, 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 no 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 wffiom 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 he 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 l ock 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 could not be procur¬ 
 ed to excavate the 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 presept claim, 
 spoke freely of their intentions to contest the matter upon the corppletion 
 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 uqcertainty 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 while 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 enterprize. 
 
 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 
 
summer, the Des Plaines river was generally admitted to be unusually 
 flush, as was also the Calamic. No gauges were therefore ordered, and 
 consequently those of the Des Plaines, made by the United States’ engi¬ 
 neers in 1830, and of the Calamic, by Mr. Bucklin, 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 level or “shallow cut,” and that the .capacity of the Calamic had 
 been contended to be even superabundant, the attention of the examin¬ 
 ing engineer was particularly directed to the question, whether the Calamic 
 could in any event be classed among waters which the law contemplated 
 as 4 sources 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 Calamic, 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 thfe 20th of July to the 22d of Au¬ 
 gust, and it was afterwards still lower, gave an average of less than the 
 measurement of 1830. The Calamic 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. Bucklin, 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. Bucklin was right, and conclusive 
 that Mr. Belin 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 
 
11 
 
 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. He 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 periodically 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 Sagaiiaskee 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, many 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. 
 
 Th6 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 jobs on the St. Lawrence canal. 
 The safety of the plan of construction is now generally conceded, and 
 the prices at which the work was taken are 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 advanced 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, ordered 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 Genera] 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 ufee 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¬ 
 ing 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 th <3 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 Calamic 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 communications 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 from 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, “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. 
 
 i 
 
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 
 the 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 amount 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 
 by Mr. Preston, an excellent surveyor, they examined minutely, and in 
 2 'egular 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 been solcf in Lockport, in Ottawa, 
 and in La Salle, but more with a view of founding, the towns and pre¬ 
 venting individual property from 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 
 will be 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, that according to the contracts made, 
 adding a full allowance for the light sections not under contract, the sum 
 of $7,fi21,442 57 will cover, with very little variation, every expense for 
 a convenient, substantial, and elegant 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 mdlions. 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 in the vicinity of the canal.” 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 W. F. THORNTON, 
 
 Late President . 
 JACOB FRY, 
 
 Acting Commissioner . 
 
 Canal Office, 
 
 Lockport , December 10, 1838. 
 
 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, (a 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 amount 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. 
 
 The 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 wesf side of a low island or peninsula, which extends 
 the whole length of sections number 4*2,43, 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 the 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 
 the 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 the level, consists of earth excavation un¬ 
 der water, which it is believed can only be done, with economy, by a 
 dredging-machine. Such a 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; 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. 
 
 YV hen 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. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 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 ------- 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 wall 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 the 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 
 
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 be 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 
 th?, 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 feet four inches above canal bottom, 
 or three 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 
 upon canal land, about 2f 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 towing-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. 
 
 Both dams will be made of good cut-stone masonry laid in hydraulic 
 cement. Dam number 1 will be connected with lock number 5, which 
 will be upon the west or towing-path side. Here 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 between five and six feet higher than formerly, so as to cross the Du 
 Page by anacqueduct. This will somewhat increase the cost, but make a 
 much 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 w r ith 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 prevents 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, between 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 conveniently 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 w ill 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 w r as knowm would 
 reduce the aggregate cost considerably below r the original estimate. 
 
 The line from Dresden to Marseilles has not yet been prepared for 
 
22 
 
 letting, 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 Fcx river 
 feeder, have been entirely finished and accepted, but ten or twelve sections 
 more are nearly done, and might have been completed in October had 
 not sickness caused a serious interruption in canal operations. 
 
 The work upon the Fox river feeder is so far advanced that it may be 
 completed, without 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, j . 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 
 the spring floods. 
 
 The width of the steamboat channel has been increased, for a distance 
 of 600 feet below r 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, lias 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 of State property, than to keep the cost in every instance 
 within the original estimates. It is w r ell 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 be 
 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 taken 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 Avork. 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, 
 Avhether stratified or solid. Were the Avhole 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 darns 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 and 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 Avork in the Fox river aqueduct has been 
 changed from hammer-dressed to cut-stone, and in the locks it remains 
 the same as Avas originally intended. 
 
 Since the Avork Avas 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 Western Division of the canal; and as a contract has been made 
 Avith a gentleman of undoubted responsibility for the manufacture and 
 delivery of the lime at the places Avhere it is to be used, the cost may be 
 calculated with certainty. All the contracts for masonry, except for the 
 Little Vermilion and Pecumsagan aqueducts, and the guard-lock and dam 
 abutments at the head of the Fox river feeder, Avere made for so much, 
 exclusive of the Avater lime, Avhich Avas to be furnished by the State. 
 This Avas done, first, to secure lime of good quality and procure it in time; 
 and, secondlv, because when the contracts were made it Avas not known 
 Avhere it would be obtained, nor at Avhat 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 of 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 unhealthiness 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 this 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 
 
 i 
 
 1st quarter ending February 2Sth - - - 790 
 
 2d quarter ending May 31st - - - 1,755 
 
 3d quarter ending August 31st - - ■* - * 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. 
 
 The amount of work done upon the canal during the past year is as 
 follows, viz: 
 
 1st quarter ending February 28th - 
 2d quarter ending May 31st - 
 3d quarter ending August 31st 
 4th quarter ending November 30th - 
 
 $109,417 62 
 167,128 67 
 409,374 33 
 227,741 93 
 
 Total in 183S 
 Total in 1837 
 Total in 1836 
 
 $913,662 55 
 346,899 43 
 f 35,744 83 
 
 Total amount of work done k - $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 df 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 work let upon the canal 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 at 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 
 
 Less than estimates - $53,607 81 
 
 * The number of laborers on the first of August was probably 3,200. 
 t The amount paid, instead of the amount of work done, was given in my first 
 annual report. 
 
Structures upon the Western Division. 
 
 Total amount at estimates - - - $215,705 92 
 
 Total amount at contract prices - - - 194,549 S4 
 
 Less than estimates - $21,156 08 
 
 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 miles 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 
 Original estimate 
 
 - * $7,621,442 57 
 
 - 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, Avhen 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 the 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 doubt is 
 entertained that the work can be done as low as the estimates. Every 
 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 each 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 utader 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. 
 
 Genele'men: 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 
 canal construction, about 1,700 men. This number might have been 
 greatly 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 ante rests of 
 the State will require a reletting as soon as efficient contractors, with 
 the necessary means, can be found, 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, and 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 cannot or will not prosecute, and allow¬ 
 ing him to retain such an amount of work only as 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 .has 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 folllows, 
 viz: 
 
29 
 
 Upon the summit division - $180,536 97 
 
 Upon the western division - 166,362 46 
 
 i 1 
 
 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 through 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 the 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 error 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 
 Nettle creek. This division can now be readily 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 complete^!. 
 
 From section 18S 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. 
 
 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 
 
 $2,751 37 
 
 Less than estimates 
 
31 
 
 Aggregate length of line let daring the year, including the Fox river 
 feeder, thirty-five miles and forty-six chains. 
 
 The amount at estimates - $2,274,984 13 
 
 The amount at contract prices - 2,187,207 SS 
 
 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 miles 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 off the water which must otherwise drain into the canal, 
 or accumulate behind the spoil-banks. By the aid of these 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 have to be kept constantly in operation 
 during the construction. It is important that the contractors should use 
 their exertions 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 he 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 Ottaw r a 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 of supplies; and the work is of a kind 
 to 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 
 
 The entire cost of the Illinois and Michigan canal will probably fall con¬ 
 siderably short 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 Lo 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 praise 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 “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 t 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 trilling, compared with the im¬ 
 portance of the object to be obtained by its construction. 
 
 The accompanying report, maps, and 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 concerniog 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 Illinois and Michigan Canal. 
 
 C 
 
34 
 
 B. 
 
 Lockpoet, December 10, 1838. 
 
 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. 
 
 The first sub-division, extending from section one to fifteen, inclusive, 
 was the second time offered for contract in Mav, 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 w r ere 
 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 with fine 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 w'est side of the Des Plaines river, opposite 
 the “Point of Oaks,” and forms its bed for some distance above and belo^v 
 
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 possibility_of 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 rod 
 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 of 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 
 
 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. 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 forming 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. I 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 work of 
 this character, it is difficult to anticipate all the contingencies that may 
 occur in the course of construction, and the most careful estimate may 
 be exceeded in the aggregate cost. The quantity of earth and 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-water 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 tw r elve to thirty-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 by the 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 below 60 not being subject to overflow 7 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. 
 
 $3,360 00 
 35,693 57 
 46,420 94 
 95,062 46 
 
 -$170,536 97 
 
 5S,095 52 
 96,651 81 
 231,567 13 
 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 done 
 under the circumstances, and that the work presents a truly flattering 
 prospect for its rapid progress in future. 
 
 X X o 
 
 1837. 
 
 First quarter ending February 28 
 Second quarter ending May 31 
 Third quarter ending August 31 
 Fourth quarter ending November 30 
 
 1838. 
 
 First quarter ending February 28 
 Second quarter ending May 31 
 Third quarter ending August 31 
 Fourth quarter ending November 30 
 
38 
 
 Tabular Statement showing “ the 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. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 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. 
 
 
 South branch of Chicago river 
 
 - 
 
 396 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 Madore B. Beaubien 
 
 1 
 
 57 
 
 71,016 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 Mallory Sc Hurlbut 
 
 2 
 
 60 
 
 24,420 
 
 22 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 Osborne Sc Stewart 
 
 3 
 
 40 
 
 32,257 
 
 24h 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 4 
 
 40 
 
 10,665 
 
 27 h 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 Ogden Sc Dole 
 
 5 
 
 40 
 
 25,388 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 6 
 
 40 
 
 45,243 
 
 26 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — ■„ 
 
 — 
 
 Harmon, Loomis &. Raymond 
 
 7 
 
 40 
 
 25,050 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 8 
 
 40 
 
 42,806 
 
 26 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 9 
 
 40 
 
 27,090 
 
 25 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Temple Sc Carver 
 
 10 
 
 40 
 
 30,710 
 
 26 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 11 
 
 40 
 
 28,145 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 12 
 
 42 
 
 17,780 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Greenwood Sc Bishop 
 
 13 
 
 40 
 
 33,727 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 14 
 
 40 
 
 38,272 
 
 25 i 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 15 
 
 41 
 
 65,270 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Greenwood, Osborne Sc Strail 
 
 16 
 
 34 
 
 31,240 
 
 24 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 17 
 
 30 
 
 27,230 
 
 23 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Hubbard Sc Boone 
 
 18 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 19 
 
 30 
 
 24,580 
 
 25 
 
 60 
 
 100 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 9,450 
 
 25 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Wilder, Rutter & Bursbee 
 
 21 
 
 30 
 
 19,220 
 
 25 
 
 28 
 
 100 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 22 
 
 29 
 
 — 
 
 _ 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Taylor, Breese Sc Co. 
 
 23 
 
 30 
 
 27,960 
 
 26 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 24 
 
 30 
 
 17,440 
 
 26 
 
 60 
 
 100 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Boyd, Zell & Co. 
 
 25 
 
 30 
 
 26,780 
 
 25 
 
 130 
 
 100 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 26 
 
 30 
 
 1,600 
 
 26 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Edward Cody 
 
 27 
 
 30 
 
 7,890 
 
 23 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 28 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Cochran Sc Armstrong 
 
 29 
 
 29 
 
 1,360 
 
 22 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Harney Sc Flockhart 
 
 30 
 
 30 
 
 6,260 
 
 27 
 
 16 
 
 100 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 E. W. Minor 
 
 31 
 
 OO 
 
 31 
 
 on 
 
 9,610 
 
 26 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Yarwood Sc Richardson 
 
 33 
 
 uU 
 
 30 
 
 280 
 
 29 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 I 
 
 , 
 
 
 Robert Jobson 
 
 34 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Beach, Rood Sc Myers 
 
 35 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Irwin, Kittering & Co. 
 
 36 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 Beach, Rood Sc Myers 
 
 Same 
 
 37 
 
 30 
 
 6,280 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 2 
 
 ,000 
 
 30 
 
 730 
 
 38 
 
 33 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Irwin, Kittering Sc Co. 
 
 39 
 
 30 
 
 5,270 
 
 32 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 40 
 
 30 
 
 2,640 
 
 32 
 
 — • 
 
 — 
 
 2 
 
 ,300 
 
 35 
 
 — 
 
 
 41 
 
 24 
 
 6,370 
 
 30 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 780 
 
 25 
 
 — 
 
 
 42 
 
 
 ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kennedy Sc Bracken* 4 
 
 43 
 
 44 
 
 118 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 \ 
 
 Alton Sc Pestana 
 
 45 
 
 30 
 
 5,398 
 
 20 
 
 9,972 
 
 123 
 
 
 _ 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Smith, Granger & Co. 
 
 46 
 
 30 
 
 5,498 
 
 26 
 
 10,495 
 
 127 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 William Avery 
 
 47 
 
 30 
 
 6,180 
 
 28 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 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 contract , and the cost of each section , at contract prices. 
 
 Price per yard. , 
 
 Cubic yards of lining. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Cubic yards puddling. 
 
 | Price per yard. 
 
 Grubbing and clearing. 
 
 Cubic yards of wall. 
 
 T3 
 
 d 
 
 r*H 
 
 &. 
 
 OJ 
 
 o 
 
 •r-< 
 
 f-t 
 
 pH 
 
 Amount of work done. 
 
 Amount, of work not 
 
 under contract. 
 
 Cost of section at con¬ 
 
 tract prices. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 cts 
 
 
 cts 
 
 
 cts 
 
 
 
 cts 
 
 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 
 3,515 75 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 $3,515 75 
 
 $12,898 39 
 
 $16,414 14 
 
 Tow path bridge 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 mm 
 
 14,289 47 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 27,277 66 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 5,372 40 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 37,310 60 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 mm 
 
 7,924 50 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 36,067 90 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 m. 
 
 2,939 70 
 
 1,000 OC 
 
 37,339 00 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 «. 
 
 6,347 00 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 43,231 84 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 12,048 47 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 45,741 45 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 
 6,262 50 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 43,474 46 
 
 
 _ 
 
 — 
 
 _ 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 
 11,232 82 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 52,400 75 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 
 6,772 50 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 51,530 90 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 7,991 50 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 49,251 75 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 .. 
 
 7,036 25 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 46,041 50 
 
 mm" - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 4,445 00 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 40,680 05 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 
 8,431 75 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 41,242 35 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 
 9,778 00 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 38,734 00 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 * 
 
 20,099 50 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 44,488 75 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 7,540 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 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 2,362 50 
 
 900 00 
 
 35,438 10 
 
 ♦ 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 • — 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 4,833 00 
 
 900 00 
 
 41,122 85 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 900 00 
 
 45,017 30 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 
 t 535 98 
 
 - 
 
 
 8,045 58 
 
 800 00 
 
 34,040 30 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 4,630 00 
 
 2,150 00 
 
 32,491 26 
 
 Reservoir. 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 7,005 00 
 
 1,200 00 
 
 40,002 00 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 
 416 00 
 
 750 00 
 
 33,399 50 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 1,814 70 
 
 2,450 00 
 
 32,221 00 
 
 Reservoir. 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 36,244 40 
 
 36,244 40 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 m , 
 
 - 
 
 
 298 32 
 
 900 00 
 
 26,349 16 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 1,689 60 
 
 2,150 00 
 
 35,120 44 
 
 Reservoir. 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 2,498 60 
 
 900 00 
 
 35,119 28 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 975 00 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 975 00 
 
 40,636 80 
 
 41.611 80 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 1,350 00 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 1,431 20 
 
 900 00 
 
 39.866 92 
 
 
 ... 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 2,200 00 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 1,200 00 
 
 800 00 
 
 42,075 40 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 600 00 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 600 00 
 
 2,150 00 
 
 37,375 20 
 
 Reservoir. 
 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 * 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 750 00 
 
 36,608 00 
 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 500 
 
 15 
 
 550 00 
 
 - 
 
 
 3,291 50 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 43,527 00 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 250 00 
 
 - 
 
 
 250 00 
 
 1,200 00 
 
 62,015 00 
 
 
 i_ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 1,400 00 
 
 - 
 
 
 3,086 40 
 
 1.000 OC 
 
 50,294 40 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 400 
 
 15 
 
 350 00 
 
 - 
 
 
 2,059 80 
 
 800 0C 
 
 38,779 8C 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 2,106 0C 
 
 700 0C 
 
 32,779 2£ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ( Bridge ovjs 
 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 «, 
 
 234,191 1' 
 
 " 320,443 6 r 
 
 1 river and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 f canal. 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 13,287 8^ 
 
 i 600 0< 
 
 3 120,451 2^ 
 
 1 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 mm 
 
 14,765 5' 
 
 r 600 o 
 
 3 113,969 61 
 
 3 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 m 
 
 , 1,730 0( 
 
 600 0 
 
 0 108,554 0 
 
 3 
 
 
 i - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 1 21,040 64 
 
 1 600 0 
 
 0103,487 6 
 
 6 
 
 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£ 
 
 5,757 
 
 137 
 
 180 
 
 20 
 
 — 
 
 John Rogers 
 
 50 
 
 30 
 
 17,680 
 
 26 
 
 23,379 
 
 141 
 
 564 
 
 22 
 
 — 
 
 Hugunin & Brown 
 
 51 
 
 30 
 
 13,818 
 
 35 
 
 34,442 
 
 155 
 
 1,114 
 
 55 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 52 
 
 30 
 
 14,560 
 
 30 
 
 4,534 
 
 152 
 
 788 
 
 60 
 
 — 
 
 Roberts & Roberts 
 
 53 
 
 30 
 
 4,233 
 
 28 
 
 19,790 
 
 120 
 
 370 
 
 29 
 
 — 
 
 James Brooks 
 
 54 
 
 30 
 
 4,292 
 
 35 
 
 14,870 
 
 157 
 
 137 
 
 40 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 55 
 
 30 
 
 4,449 
 
 36 
 
 3,240 
 
 151 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Stewarts, Sanger & Wallace 
 
 5G 
 
 30 
 
 3,975 
 
 23 
 
 18,100 
 
 169 
 
 212 
 
 16 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 57 
 
 30 
 
 3,890 
 
 24 
 
 19,500 
 
 170 
 
 157 
 
 16 
 
 — 
 
 Pruyne, Negus & Rogers 
 
 58 
 
 33 
 
 3,010 
 
 33 
 
 28,880 
 
 143 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 59 
 
 27 
 
 3,810 
 
 31 
 
 2,652 
 
 135 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 Hardy & Williams 
 
 60 
 
 30 
 
 3,977 
 
 25 
 
 26,870 
 
 125 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Stevens, Douglass & Norton 
 
 61 
 
 30 
 
 7,955 
 
 18 
 
 23,240 
 
 114 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 John Lonirgan 
 
 62 
 
 30 
 
 4,021 
 
 34 
 
 9,580 
 
 105 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 63 
 
 30 
 
 4,500 
 
 37 
 
 10,625 
 
 110 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 John V. Singer 
 
 64 
 
 36 
 
 5,477 
 
 16 
 
 30,996 
 
 103 
 
 401 
 
 14 
 
 — 
 
 Pettibone & Root 
 
 65 
 
 39 
 
 7,563 
 
 21 
 
 2,806 
 
 100 
 
 237 
 
 15 
 
 — 
 
 Same 
 
 66 
 
 60 
 
 13,197 
 
 21 
 
 4,130 
 
 97 
 
 1,442 
 
 20 
 
 J 1,220 
 
 Wm. B. & E. Newton 
 
 67 
 
 45 
 
 17,350 
 
 16 
 
 5,150 
 
 80 
 
 5 3,239 E 
 } 414 R 
 
 21 > 
 
 125$ 
 
 3,964 
 
 Same 
 
 68 
 
 63 
 
 5,580 
 
 18 
 
 8,800 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 South branch & Summit ditch 
 
 _ 
 
 . 
 
 28,593 
 
 2 U 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 , _ 
 
 , 
 
 
 Sag and Big run ditch 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 20,020 
 
 20 
 
 20,873 
 
 67 
 
 •— 
 
 - 
 
 2,984 
 
 Protection on rock work 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — , 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Basin at forks of Chicago river 
 
 —• 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 Amount of work performed - 
 Amount of work not under contract 
 Length thirty-four miles thirty-one chains. Aggregate cost 
 
 Note. —Fractions omitted in print. 
 
41 
 
 MENT—Continued. 
 
 Price per yard. , 
 
 Cubic yards lining. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Cubic yarps puddling. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Grubbing and clearing. 
 
 Cubic yards wall. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Amount of work done. 
 
 Amount of work not 
 
 under contract. 
 
 Cost of section, at con¬ 
 
 tract prices. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 cts 
 
 
 cts 
 
 
 cts 
 
 
 
 cts 
 
 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 $9,502 17 
 
 $600 00 
 
 $111,730 52 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 
 190 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 37,990 79 
 
 1,100 00 
 
 113,311 23 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 200 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 59,636 20 
 
 1,200 00 
 
 117,458 76 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 11,769 70 
 
 1,100 00 
 
 102,171 32 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 «- 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 25,036 54 
 
 500 00 
 
 83,241 06 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 •» 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 24,985 15 
 
 500 00 
 
 91,303 07 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 6,570 33 
 
 800 00 
 
 83,673 05 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 31,561 05 
 
 600 00 
 
 94,383 29 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 «• 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 ♦ *" 
 
 - 
 
 34,282 90 
 
 600 00 
 
 91,654 12 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 m 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 42,458 38 
 
 600 00 
 
 93,039 93 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 4,775 83 
 
 800 00 
 
 67,751 72 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 
 • 
 
 ** 
 
 - 
 
 34,646 25 
 
 600 00 
 
 75,809 28 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 «* 
 
 •a* 
 
 
 28,096 70 
 
 600 00 
 
 71,481 34 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 11,536 42 
 
 700 00 
 
 64,190 59 
 
 
 _ 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 mm 
 
 
 - 
 
 13,393 75 
 
 700 00 
 
 69,003 16 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 • 
 
 
 33,183 83 
 
 1,267 69 
 
 68,209 59 
 
 Stop gate. 
 
 
 • 
 
 _ 
 
 
 - 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 4,439 55 
 
 - 
 
 36,058 50 
 
 
 30 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 .. 
 
 - 
 
 45 00 
 
 2,080 
 
 50 
 
 11,567 75 
 
 4,821 20 
 
 42,583 40 
 
 Water way 500 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 feet long. 
 
 28 
 
 400 
 
 45 
 
 400 
 
 15 
 
 - 
 
 1,700 
 
 50 
 
 9,923 45 
 
 1,717 00 
 
 25,027 00 
 
 Wood culvert. 
 
 _ 
 
 930 
 
 40 
 
 930 
 
 15 
 
 • 
 
 1,440 
 
 31 
 
 9,002 30 
 
 83,968 15 
 
 125,132 63 
 
 Hydraulic ba- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 sin and bridge. 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 _ 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 
 6,135 67 
 
 - 
 
 6,135 67 
 
 
 19 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 mm 
 
 - 
 
 72 00 
 
 458 
 
 40 
 
 19,024 15 
 
 - 
 
 19,024 15 
 
 
 — 
 
 • 
 
 — 
 
 14,532 
 
 90 
 
 «• 
 
 22,556 
 
 45 
 
 23,853 70 
 
 - 
 
 28,429 00 
 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 •• 
 
 43,500 00 
 
 43,500 00 
 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 747,813 02 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 520,423 47 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 *• 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 - 
 
 4,131,690 97 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 % 
 
 # 
 
 t 
 
42 
 
 In presenting the above estimates, I would observe that throughout the 
 efirth 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 gpard-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, of ten 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, of ten 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 would 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 the 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 located 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 bank 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 the 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 $86,325 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 work done, the amount of work 
 to be done, and.the total amount when done. 
 
 \ 
 
 * 
 
46 
 
 Tabular Statement showing the work done , and the prices allowed for the 
 gan Canal , from section number 69 to section 108, inclusive, to the 
 work not under contract on each section; and the total amount when 
 
 Names of Contractors. 
 
 
 Number of section. 
 
 Cubic yards of earth 
 
 excavation. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Cubic yards of rock 
 
 excavation. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Cubic yards of earth 
 
 embankment. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Cubic yards of rock 
 
 embankment. 
 
 George Barnett - 
 
 
 69 
 
 3,333.45 
 
 cents. 
 
 18 
 
 3,048.75 
 
 cents. 
 
 95 
 
 213.41 
 
 cts 
 
 30 
 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 70 
 
 22,697.40 
 
 35 
 
 1,299.34 
 
 90 
 
 6,932.90 
 
 30 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 71 
 
 10,592.13 
 
 25,16 
 
 5.379.92 
 
 74,98 
 
 1,376.24 
 
 30 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 72 
 
 15,766.04 
 
 , 27 
 
 '883,08 
 
 90 
 
 3,530.82 
 
 40 
 
 - 
 
 Charles Kerr 
 
 r 
 
 73 
 
 2,567.66 
 
 23 
 
 274.56 
 
 60 
 
 127.64 
 
 50 
 
 - 
 
 Sterling & Blanchard - 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 74 
 
 943.36 
 
 18 
 
 1,532.76 
 
 80 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 75 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 James Ryon & Co. 
 
 - 
 
 76 
 
 2,996.99 
 
 37 
 
 5,313.51 
 
 .110.4 
 
 126.60 
 
 40 
 
 - 
 
 Steel & Amer 
 
 - 
 
 77 
 
 73.26 
 
 15 
 
 792.04 
 
 68 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 766.96 
 
 Mattison &. Ryon 
 
 N. & S. S. Davis 
 
 - 
 
 78 
 
 85.58 
 
 20 
 
 640.65 
 
 75 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 79 
 
 836.38 
 
 20 
 
 2,623,64 
 
 70 
 
 1,639.15 
 
 40 
 
 3,458.77 
 
 Samuel R. Bradley 
 
 - 
 
 80 
 
 1,860.32 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 6,638.48 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 Hugh McLaughlan 
 
 - 
 
 81 
 
 1,444.76 
 
 22 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 660.44 
 
 28 
 
 - 
 
 Jeremiah Crotty - 
 
 - 
 
 82 
 
 7,6S8.68 
 
 22 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 83 
 
 4,126.74 
 
 27 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 A. P. McDonald - 
 
 - 
 
 84 
 
 1,431.92 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 87.22 
 
 27 
 
 - 
 
 Hendrix & Rush - 
 
 - 
 
 85 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 86 
 
 264.00 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 3,653.30 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 87 
 
 1,059.30 
 
 25 
 
 985.70 
 
 50 
 
 3,709.77 
 
 22 
 
 - 
 
 Richard Morris - 
 
 - 
 
 88 
 
 435.02 
 
 15 
 
 676.96 
 
 72 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Gay, Manning & Co. - 
 
 - 
 
 89 
 
 2,566.21 
 
 23 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 2,521.38 
 
 25 
 
 •- 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 90 
 
 12,735.00 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 1,025.00 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 Lot Whitcomb - 
 
 - 
 
 91 
 
 3,901.50 
 
 15 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 William A. Chatfield - 
 
 - 
 
 92 
 
 7,341.00 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 270.60 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 L. Whitcomb (Du Page feeder) 
 
 - 
 
 3,357.17 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 8,224.41 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 Benjamin M. Webber - 
 
 - 
 
 93 
 
 2,702.00 
 
 18 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 534.90 
 
 20 
 
 - 
 
 John Hassock 
 
 - 
 
 94 
 
 261.36 
 
 15 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 95 
 
 10,386.20 
 
 15 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 5,936.56 
 
 18 
 
 - 
 
 Hendrix & Rush - 
 
 - 
 
 66 
 
 8,599.20 
 
 26 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 2,519.00 
 
 30 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 97 
 
 816.17 
 
 26 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 -• 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Sherburn and Gobin - 
 
 - 
 
 98 
 
 670.00 
 
 23 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 2,532.31 
 
 23 
 
 - 
 
 Obed Smith 
 
 - 
 
 99 
 
 2,958.40 
 
 20 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 242.20 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 Sherburn & Gobin 
 
 - 
 
 100 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Caldwell & Milligan - 
 
 - 
 
 101 
 
 781.02 
 
 20 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 600.80 
 
 25 
 
 - 
 
 James Drummond 
 
 - 
 
 102 
 
 123.30 
 
 18 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 * - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 H. D. Risley 
 
 Clifford & Siewart 
 
 - 
 
 103 
 
 1,557.60 
 
 18 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 104 
 
 414.92 
 
 24 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Crawford, Harvey & Harvey 
 
 105 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 106 
 
 • 
 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 107 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 
 108 
 
 4,510.13 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 3,702.80 
 
 23 
 
 i 
 
 
 a Lock number 1, twelve and a half feet lift. 
 b Lock number 2, 10 feet lift. 
 c Lock number 3, ten feet lift. 
 d Towing-path bridge over the Des Plaines. 
 
 e 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. 
 
47 
 
 various kinds of work on the Middle Division of the Illinois and Michi - 
 30 th November , 1838 ; the amount of work to be done; the amount of 
 completed. 
 
 1 Price per yard. 
 
 Cubic yards of slope 
 
 wall. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Grubbing &, clearing. 
 
 Cubic y’ds of masonry. 
 
 Price per yard. 
 
 Aggregate now done. 
 
 Aggregate to be done; 
 
 under contract 
 
 Aggregate of items not 
 
 under contract. 
 
 Total when done. 
 
 cts 
 
 
 cents. 
 
 
 
 cents. 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 $3,560 35 
 
 $47,335 99 
 
 $6,806 25 
 
 a $57,702 59 
 
 - 
 
 4,056.18 
 
 118.4 
 
 475 00 
 
 
 - 
 
 16,470 86 
 
 2,134 00 
 
 4,226 75 
 
 22,831 61 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 493.39 
 
 226.65 
 
 8,230 35 
 
 37,154 17 
 
 2,771 00 
 
 b 48,155 52 
 
 - 
 
 1,914.79 
 
 109.04 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 8,551 77 
 
 6,997 58 
 
 • 
 
 15,549 35 
 
 - 
 
 72.82 
 
 47 
 
 360 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 1,214 34 
 
 91,025 51 
 
 3,900 00 
 
 c 96,139 85 
 
 - 
 
 81.40 
 
 75 
 
 400 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 1,857 06 
 
 29,757 04 
 
 800 00 
 
 d 32,214 10 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 39,977 85 
 
 «. 
 
 39,977 85 
 
 - 
 
 301.66 
 
 75 
 
 7 00 
 
 625.15 
 
 420.6 
 
 9,898 46 
 
 82,419 40 
 
 1,950 00 
 
 e 94,267 86 
 
 42 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 871 70 
 
 46,928 85 
 
 2,950 00 
 
 / 50,750 55 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 497 61 
 
 24,936 44 
 
 - 
 
 25,434 05 
 
 32 
 
 . 802.50 
 
 • 75 
 
 8 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 4,376 24 
 
 17,331 76 
 
 
 21,708 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 1,706 34 
 
 4,120 86 
 
 1,670 00 
 
 g 7,497 20 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 «• 
 
 - 
 
 502 77 
 
 13,113 09 
 
 
 13,615 86 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 1,691 51 
 
 10,031 86 
 
 - 
 
 11,723 37 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 1,114 22 
 
 8,567 48 
 
 • 
 
 9,681 70 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 
 309 93 
 
 / 5,737 07 
 
 • 
 
 6,047 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 m 
 
 - 
 
 7,301 60 
 
 1,125 00 
 
 h 8,426 60 
 
 * 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 « 
 
 783 46 
 
 5,364 24 
 
 • 
 
 6,147 70 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 25 00 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 1,598 81 
 
 7,379 79 
 
 • 
 
 8,978 60 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 200 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 752 66 
 
 5,192 95 
 
 3,194 20 
 
 i 9,139 81 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 10 00 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 1,230 57 
 
 9,005 91 
 
 
 10,236 48 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 3,440 00 
 
 2,061 00 
 
 — 
 
 5,501 00 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 585 22 
 
 2,875 20 
 
 • 
 
 3,460 42 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 100 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 1,635 85 
 
 5,169 95 
 
 900 00 
 
 k 7,705 80 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 
 3,045 39 
 
 1,202 88 
 
 2,500 00 
 
 l 6,748 27 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 10 00 
 
 m' 
 
 - 
 
 603 34 
 
 8,982 24 
 
 • 
 
 9,585 58 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 30 00 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 69 20 
 
 1,472 47 
 
 
 1,541 67 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 130 00 
 
 ~ 
 
 - 
 
 2,756 51 
 
 923 48 
 
 
 3,679 99 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 100 00 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 3,091 49 
 
 8,170 15 
 
 - 
 
 11,261 64 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 212 20 
 
 12,009 95 
 
 2,500 00 
 
 m 14,722 15 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 50.75 
 
 4.14 
 
 958 03 
 
 82,241 07 
 
 . 5,400 00 
 
 71 88.599 10 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 652 23 
 
 11,859 92 
 
 - 
 
 12,512 15 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 w 
 
 - 
 
 4,157 00 
 
 - 
 
 4,157 00 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 60 00 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 366 40 
 
 5,588 65 
 
 
 5,955 05 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 400 00 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 422 19 
 
 37,520 17 
 
 - 
 
 o37,942 36 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 300 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 580 36 
 
 37,707 60 
 
 3,375 00 
 
 p 41,662 96 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 220 00 
 
 «• 
 
 • 
 
 319 58 
 
 8,366 77 
 
 900 00 
 
 9,586 35 
 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 21,063 12 
 
 - 
 
 21,063 12 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 70,745 49 
 
 966 00 
 
 q 71,711 49 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 400 00 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 400 00 
 
 112,400 67 
 
 - 
 
 112,800 67 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 350 00 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 1,960 36 
 
 21,287 18 
 
 1,844 16 
 
 r 25,099 70 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 $86,325 36 
 
 957,618 40 
 
 47,778 36 
 
 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 W 7 ood culvert equal to 
 eight feet chord, r Stone culvert equal to eight feet chord 
 
48 
 
 A tabular statement of the remainder of the Middle Bivision. 
 
 No. of section. 
 
 
 
 109 
 
 $5,933 04 
 
 Plain. 
 
 110 
 
 8,731 78 
 
 Paved water-way. 
 
 111 
 
 17,606 00 
 
 Plain. 
 
 112 
 
 20,211 00 
 
 Aqueduct over Aux Sable river—Road bridge. 
 
 113 
 
 10,535 25 
 
 Plain. 
 
 114 
 
 5,762 93 
 
 Plain. 
 
 115 
 
 7,557 00 
 
 Plain. 
 
 116 
 
 34,301 12 
 
 Lock No. 8—8 feet lift. 
 
 117 
 
 5,318 49 
 
 Plain. 
 
 118 
 
 5,171 45 
 
 Plain. 
 
 119 
 
 6,215 94 
 
 Plain. 
 
 120 
 
 4,957 24 
 
 Plain. 
 
 121 
 
 6,902 91 
 
 Wood culvert, 6 feet chord. 
 
 122 
 
 4,365 00 
 
 Plain. 
 
 123 
 
 6,448 40 
 
 Waste-weir. 
 
 124 
 
 32,671 56 
 
 Stone culvert, 24 feet chord, over E. branch of 
 Nettle creek. 
 
 125 
 
 22,655 32 
 
 Stone culvert, 30 feet chord, over W. branch of 
 Nettle creek. 
 
 126 
 
 4,880 40 
 
 Plain. 
 
 127 
 
 4,495 40 
 
 Plain. 
 
 128 
 
 4,133 40 
 
 Paved water-way. 
 
 129 
 
 n 9,357 86 
 
 Stone culvert, 6 feet chord. 
 
 130 
 
 10,385 70 
 
 Wood culvert, 4 feet chord. 
 
 131 
 
 8,212 04 
 
 Plain. 
 
 132 
 
 4,748 04 
 
 Plain. 
 
 133 
 
 5,309 06 
 
 Wood culvert, 12 feet chord. 
 
 134 
 
 18,165 75 
 
 Plain. 
 
 135 
 
 10,300 40 
 
 Towing-path bridge. 
 
 136 
 
 5,549 96 
 
 Paved water-way. 
 
 137 
 
 7,096 80 
 
 Plain. 
 
 138 
 
 5,280 86 
 
 Plain. 
 
 
 303.262 15 
 
 • * 
 
 
 1,091,722 12 
 
 Amount brought forward. » 
 
 
 $1,394,984 27 
 
 , . 4.J< * • * 
 
 All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 With great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 WILLIAM JEROME, 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, 1838. 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 with 
 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. 
 
 Haying 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 earth to rock. These items have been 
 classified, and your estimate affixed to them, as material for which the 
 contractors had no nontract price; and it is believed 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 
 
 eient for its completion. This variety of material is found generally t< 
 exist in stiata at vaiious distances Irom the surface of the earth com 
 mencing w ith the softei materials firstj 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 tc 
 exist principally upon sections 155, 159,160, 161, 162, 163,164, and 165 
 1 his portion ot the Western Division has not progressed as rapidly at 
 others, owing principally to the irresponsibility of many of the origina, 
 contractors, who have since left or entirely neglected their work, enabling 
 the Board of Commissioners to place the work m 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 pi ices and to such men as it is believed are 
 folly competent to the completion of the masonry of this important struct 
 tuie. A. wooden supeistiucture is embraced in the plan, estimates of 
 which are given. A model ot the plan will be presented for the consid¬ 
 eration of the commissioners at an early day. Upon this sub-division 
 theie 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 hffih 
 bottom of the Illinois valley until it reaches the western extremity of sec¬ 
 tion 173, whence it follows the general outline of the base 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. 
 
 Ihe 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 tlqat connected a promontory or mound 
 upon the bank of the Fox river With the main blalls 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 tile former resident was directed by you to make examinations around 
 the mound, following ifle 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 with 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 aporoximate 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. 
 f* 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 1SS, whence 
 it follows the outline of the base of the bluffs crossing the Pecumsagan, 
 piercing Camp rock, a remarkable projection from the main bluff; thence 
 to the crossing of the Little Vermilion, 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 the 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 
 Imarsh, 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 
 ithis artificial channel, to prevent such accidents in future. This dam is 
 liow nearly completed, and when the slope wall connected with it shall 
 jaave been made, it is believed the work will be secure. Upon section 190, 
 :he 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 
 , ,o slide into the prism; which slide must be removed to retain the proper 
 width of canal. Upon sections 196 and 197, a material increase is ex- 
 libited, owing to a modification of the original plan made with the view 
 
 |p|wwr^. ^ r ' * \ y ... ^ > 
 
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 oth^r 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 near 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 pafct 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 toj 
 a considerable amount, and those interested desire to make its locatiorJ 
 upon State property at La Salle, should the Legislature encourage! 
 them by giving the Canal Commissioners the power to grant, or leasJ 
 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 constructor 
 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 tha 
 they will incur the main expense themselves, I am induced to believ< 
 that the Legislature will he willing to grant them all the aid in theii 
 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 he 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. Bu 
 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 bi 
 said to have made such progress as to insure its completion in about two 
 years, with adequate funds. 
 
 It would be desirable, however, to complete it as far as Marseilles by tho 
 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 III . and Mich . Canal* j 
 

 
 1 ’ 
 
 / 
 
 
 % 
 
 / 
 
 
 v 
 
 # i* 
 
 \ < 
 
 
 
 
 
 
' , , _ . „' fnr , * kinds of imrk , on the W esle m Division of the I Uinois and Michigan Canal, up to November 30, 1838; also, the estimated value of work not under contract, and the aggregate cost of sections . 
 
 TABULAR STATEMENT showing “ the work dune, and the prices allowed for the various hinds oj wor/c, on me u ; J 6 1 
 
 Contraoton’ Names. 
 
 & 
 
 j 
 
 tii 
 
 d . 
 
 « o 
 0.2 
 
 Lovell Kimball - 
 Mbub A 
 
 Same 
 Same 
 Same 
 Same 
 
 Benjamin T. Lamb 
 E. McSweeny - 
 Armour A Knox 
 p. H. Elood 
 
 Glover, Roberts A Co. - 
 Same 
 
 Conrad Sebaugh 
 Sanger A Son - 
 Wm. E. Armstrong 
 
 Same 
 Same 
 
 A. McK. Groves 
 Harkness Sc Co. 
 
 Cronkbite Sc Co. 
 
 Abuer Sherman 
 Russell & Harkness - 
 Wm. O’Harra - 
 Wm. Mosten f - 
 John Armour - 
 Ezra Durgin 
 Same 
 
 Johnson A Johnson 
 Nathan Eells 
 A. MoK. Groves 
 Michael Connelly 
 Wm. Caldwell - 
 Wm. E. Armstrong 
 Kenyon A Lamb 
 E. McSweeny - 
 Dickinson A Clark 
 E. McSweeny - 
 Dickinson A ClaTk 
 Wm. O’Harra - 
 A. A. Markle - 
 G. W. Armstrong 
 Wm. O’liarra - 
 A. A. Markle - 
 G. W. Armstrong 
 Groves A Armstrong - 
 G. \V. A W. E. Armstrong 
 Wm. Mosten 
 Benjamin F. Lamb 
 Sanger, Nichols A Beale - 
 
 Nichols A Beale [Pecum. chan. 1 
 Banger, Nichols A Beale 
 Same 
 Same 
 
 James McMartin 
 
 Townsenh, Kinney A Byrns - 
 
 Peyton A Co. 
 
 H. L. Kinney - 
 Same - 
 Same - 
 
 Same 
 
 Fox rixer feeder. 
 
 J. Green Zc Co. - 
 Same 
 Same 
 Same 
 Same 
 
 Stephen Emmerson 
 Oronkhite A Co. 
 
 Gallaghan A Co. 
 
 Crosier A Walker 
 
 Ottawa ride cut. 
 
 Wm. F. Walker 
 
 Line above Marseilles from esti¬ 
 mates of 1836 (not It;j 
 
 155 
 
 156 
 
 157 
 
 158 
 
 159 
 
 160 
 ICO 
 161 
 162 
 163 
 
 161 
 
 165 
 
 166 
 
 167 
 
 168 
 
 169 
 
 170 
 
 171 
 
 171 
 
 172 
 
 172 
 
 173 
 
 174 
 174 
 
 174 
 
 175 
 
 176 
 
 177 
 17* 
 179 
 179 
 
 179 
 
 180 
 181 
 182 
 
 183 
 
 184 
 
 184 
 
 185 
 185 
 
 185 
 186) 
 1861 
 
 186 
 187 
 
 187 
 
 188 
 
 189 
 
 190 
 
 191 
 
 192 
 
 193 
 
 194 
 
 194 
 
 195 
 
 195 
 
 196 
 
 197 
 
 <196 
 )197 
 
 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 
 
 42.1 
 4 
 42.14 
 42 
 36 
 
 23,848 
 
 6,633 
 
 6,956 
 
 3,752 
 
 12,008 
 
 394 
 
 1.980 
 
 3,297 
 
 25,298 
 
 2,964 
 
 15,327 
 
 sta.t 
 
 823 
 
 17,4041 
 
 < 9,274.17 
 ) 4,898 
 4,500 
 
 3,463 
 
 4,554.6 
 
 481.8 
 
 681.6 
 
 308 
 18,178 
 15,02 
 7,000 
 535. 
 571. 
 
 7,066 
 
 16,791 
 
 35,700 
 
 2.856 
 
 27,142 
 
 20,040 
 
 2,980.i 
 
 219 
 
 12,183*20 
 
 34 
 
 40.14,' 
 42.14 
 40 14 
 
 41.37 
 
 42 
 
 43 
 
 35.28 
 
 35.28 
 
 28.28 
 28.28 
 
 30 
 
 27.88 
 
 51 
 
 42 
 
 42 
 
 42 
 
 44 
 
 42 
 
 42 
 
 42 
 
 11,457 
 
 8,397.9 
 
 15,442.4 
 
 13,135 
 
 27,780.9 
 
 8,194 
 
 4,967 
 
 51,64. 
 
 25,733 
 
 89.40 20,742 
 
 29.32 
 * 4.93 
 
 
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 excavation. 
 
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 Cp 
 
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 cents. 
 
 
 cts. 
 
 
 cts. 
 
 
 cents 
 
 
 
 
 cts. 
 
 
 18 
 
 154 
 
 2,308 
 
 1 00 
 
 : 
 
 
 10 
 
 50 
 
 
 - 
 
 2,391 
 
 154 
 
 - 
 
 154 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 “ 
 
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 15* 
 
 _ 
 
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 187.49 
 
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 1,031 J 
 
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 89 
 
 51 08 
 
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 450 5 
 
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 441 
 
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 256 
 
 75 
 
 365 
 
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 174 
 
 
 
 37 
 
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 164 
 
 299 
 
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 6,484*' 
 
 2,401 
 
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 140 
 
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 C 590.88 
 | 3,854.94 
 
 15 
 
 21 
 
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 2,2G7 
 
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 - 
 
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 1,655.35 
 
 18.6 
 
 - 
 
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 Total amount of work done. 
 
 Amount of work to be done. 
 
 Amount not under contract. 
 
 Aggregate amount of the 
 
 sections. 
 
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 $6,605 
 
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 - 
 
 
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 52 
 
 
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 576 
 
 00 
 
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 20 
 
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 46 
 
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 51 
 
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 52 
 
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 00 
 
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 12 
 
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 189,656 
 
 17 
 
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 12 
 
 1 1,131,000 16 
 
 279,639 
 
 17 
 
 1,596,168 
 
 28 
 
 Structures not under contract except the two first culvert*. 
 
 Bridge. 
 
 Wooden culvert 12 feet chord. 
 Wooden culvert 8 feet chord. 
 
 Lock gates. 
 
 Waste-weir. 
 
 Paved water-way. 
 
 Wooden culvert 12 feet chord. 
 
 Culverts 16 feet chord. 
 
 Wooden culvert 8 feet chord. 
 
 Superstructure of Pecumsagan aqueduct. 
 
 Lock gates. 
 
 Lock gates. 
 
 Stone culvert 10 feet chord. 
 
 Bridge. 
 
 Bridge and one lift lock of 6 feet. 
 
 Four lift locks of 8 feet each. 
 
 Two stone culverts; tw»o wooden culverts; one waste-weir; and two Kft locks 
 
 of 8 feet each. 
 
 * Length of feeder. 
 
 t Timber dam. 
 
 a Bridge. 6 Mowing, Ac. 
 
53 
 
 E. 
 
 Treasurer’s Office Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
 
 Lockport , December 3, 1338, 
 
 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 
 is to enable me to furnish you with a statement of the entire transac- 
 ions of this office for the two years last past. 
 
 This presentment of my accounts, although not required by law, will, 
 flatter myself, prove more satisfactory to you and to all concerned, as it 
 vill exhibit the nature and extent of the operations of this office, since 
 he date of the last report of my predecessor. In connection herewith, 
 ee accompanying paper, marked A. ■ ”, | 
 
 The disbursements of this office for the year ending on the 4th of Dc- 
 ;ember, 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 ..... 
 
 Ditto for the, year ending this inst. - 
 
 Entire payments to this fund, for 1837-8 - - $154,956 37 
 
 The loans authorized by the acts of the 9th. January, 1836, and the 
 Jd of March, 1837, have been obtained. Of that authorized by the 
 Erst 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, 
 vas deposited to the credit of the “canal fund,” in the bank of the State 
 if Illinois, on the first of July, 1837, at an interest of four per cent, 
 mtil it should be, by order of the Treasurer, transferred to the Chicago 
 3ranch Bank. The remainder, stated at $400,000 with $20,000, the 
 amount of the premium thereon, was deposited in the same, institution, 
 o the credit of the State of Illinois, on the first of January 1838, at an 
 nterest of six per cent, so long as it should stand to this credit—and when 
 ;ransferred 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 
 )er cent, until such sums should be again transferred, in sums none less 
 han $20,000, to the credit of the Treasurer, in the Chicago Branch 
 lank—when all interest in favor of the “fund” was to cease. 
 
 The second loan was made in 1838, and the proceeds thereof, to the 
 im ount of $500,000 credited to the “canal fund account,” on the 20th 
 af 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. 
 
 $49,000 00 
 105,956 37 
 
/ 
 
 54 
 
 It will appear then that the entire amount of moneys borrowed up to 
 
 the present date, is 
 
 That the entire amount of premiums is 
 And that the aggregate amount of interest realised on 
 loans and premiums is - 
 
 $1,000,€00 00 
 
 25,600 00 
 
 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: 
 
 Amount 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 ult. r 
 
 Amount of interest due on $100,000 of canal stock, 
 first of January, 1838 - 
 
 Amount of interest and charges subject to be de¬ 
 manded by the FundCommisioners 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 IS37-8; 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 
 
 15,300 00 
 
 following table: 
 
 Amount of 
 sales. 
 
 Instalments 
 
 paid. 
 
 Interest 
 
 paid. 
 
 V 
 
 Bills recei 
 vable. 
 
 Bills for¬ 
 feited. 
 
 1,377,113 00 
 
 18,595 10 
 
 46,997 49 
 
 166,768 90 
 
 847,470 75 
 
 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 00 
 
 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 
 
 847,470 75 
 
 Salesof lots in 1836; receipts 
 therefrom in 1837—8, &c. 
 Sales oflots in Look port, No¬ 
 vember. 1837; receipts in 
 1837—8, &c. - 
 Sales oflots in Lockport,Junc, 
 1838; receipts, &c. - 
 Bales of lots in Ottawa. June, 
 1838; receipts, &c. - 
 Bales of lots in LaSalle, June, 
 1838; receipts, &c. - 
 Miscellaneous sales of wood. 
 &c. in 1837—8 - 
 
 It will be seen that the sum of $22,544 60 comprises the receipts under 
 the head of “ instalments paid.” Gf 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. 
 
 ' 
 
 x 7 
 
55 
 
 The amount of bills forfeited for default of payment after October, 
 1837, is - - - - - ft 534,255 75 
 
 The amount forfeited after the October and November 
 payments of 1838, is 
 
 313,215 00 
 
 
 Aggregate amount of bills forfeited as stated above in 
 1837-8, 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 - 
 
 Receipts for the years 1837-8 
 
 Total receipts for 1836^-7-8 - - 
 
 Disbursements for 1836 - 
 
 Disbursements for 1837-8 - 
 
 Total disbursements for 1S36-7-8 
 
 Balance in favor of said account for the same time 
 
 2,086 35 
 60,332 23 
 
 $122,418 58 
 
 $214 50 
 22,823 94 
 
 $23,038 44 
 
 $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-r 
 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 
 
 V 
 
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. 
 
 JJNO. A. McCLERNAND, 
 
 Treasurer Board Com. III. and Mich. Canal . 
 
 
 >V' \> 1- V 4 
 
57 
 
 
 — 
 
 TREASURER 
 
 . ' • .v V . 
 
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 Vi 
 
 JNO. A. McCLERNAND 
 
¥ 
 
 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 he 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 on 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 employment 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 officer 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 - 
 
 From the commencement up to Dec. 1st 1836 
 From December 1st 1836 to June 1st, 1837 
 From June 1st 1837, to December 3d, 1838 - 
 
 From this deduct the amount in the hands of disbursing 
 officers ------ 
 
 Total amount expended - - - 
 
 $1,434,838 02 
 
 $99,910 63 
 70,902 30 
 1,264,025 09 
 
 ,434,838 02 
 
 11,998 95 
 
 $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 
 
 Total 
 
 $9,357 73 
 
 -—all of this description. 
 
 A considerable sum has also been expended upon objects calculated 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 account ----- 646 67 
 
 Warehouse - - - - - 4,014 29 
 
 Total 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 $14,571 86 
 
 J. MANNING, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 / 
 
62 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 List of the quarterly report of the Chicago Branch Bank , made since 
 
 June 14, 1837. 
 
 * ' ■' •' ' 1 
 
 * K •) i \ . y r \ ‘ ^ 
 
 For quarter ending September Is/, 1837. 
 
 3 '• , -" 1 > ; ' ■' ’■ 
 
 j ; , ^ 
 
 Balance to the credit of the Treasurer at the commence¬ 
 ment of the quarter - 
 
 Cash received during same - 
 
 $236,268 S3 
 5,994 00 
 
 Amount of Treasurer’s checks paid at the Bank during the 
 quarter - 
 
 > 
 
 242,262 83 
 
 103,171 25 
 
 Leaving a balance to the credit of the Treasurer, of 
 
 139,091 58 
 
 \ 
 
 For quarter ending December Is/, 1837. 
 
 1 
 
 The above balance - - $139,091 58 
 
 Cash received at divers times during the 
 
 quarter - - - 35,761 73 
 
 •• 
 
 474,853 31 
 169,923 73 
 
 * ■>>»;* . »' . , < ) i ,, . . '-"T 
 
 Treasurer’s checks paid during the quarter 
 
 y ' ' * ' v • • • ' . 
 
 ■ . 1 i » (> ■ ■ ■ ■ r, 
 
 Leaving balance due the Treasurer - 
 
 4,929 58 
 
 For quarter ending March Is/, 1838. 
 
 *: ,1. 7 " V 
 
 The above balance - $4,929 58 
 
 Treasurer’s credits during the quarter - 158,729 47 
 
 Aii , 3 •• 
 
 •Ai -' .f } « 
 
 163,659 05 
 141,533 98 
 
 *' 
 
 Treasurer’s checks paid during the quarter 
 
 Leaving balance due the Treasurer - 
 
 22,125 07 
 
 i j y ' A - , ' , 
 
 For quarter ending June Is/, 1838. 
 
 
 The above balance - 22,125 07 
 
 Credits to the Treasurer during the quarter 210,000 00 
 
 232,125 07 
 224,712 84 
 
 Treasurer’s checks paid during the quarter 
 
 Leaving balance due the Treasurer - 
 
 ¥ 
 
 \ , . - 
 
 7,412 23 
 
 » 
 
 i % » 
 
 
63 
 
 No. 1.—Continued. 
 
 For the quarter ending September ls£, 1838. 
 
 The above balance - $7,412 23 
 
 ' V i ~ f 
 
 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 
 
 $469,533 19 
 
 ' ' * '* ‘.'A.,*/ « 
 
 Order upon Board of Commissioners paid by 
 
 
 Bank - 486 51 
 
 1 
 
 Interest on loans ... 348 94 
 
 , ' S ' , q v' ? . > *•» V / i •, r . 
 
 461,601 41 
 
 Leaving balance due the Treasurer of 
 
 7,931 78 
 
 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 
 
 300,776 72 
 
 238,065 56 
 • • 
 
 > ;• i . v ‘ , / 
 
 , , A V v. ■ . r i . 
 
 $62,711 16 
 
 ■ 
 
 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. 
 
 • < . V . k ijtfW 7 ) ' •' ' • ! :v . ‘ 
 
 > 
 
64 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Statement of the amounts expended under the order of the Board, from the 
 ls£ of June , 1837, to the of December , 1838. 
 
 During quarter ending Sept. 1,1837. 
 Payments to contractors 
 Payments for contingencies 
 
 During quarter ending Dec. 1 , 1837. 
 Payments to contractors 
 Payments for contingencies 
 
 During quarter ending March 1, 1838. 
 Payments to contractors, - 
 Payments for contingencies 
 
 During quarter ending June 1, 1838. 
 Payments to contractors 
 Payments for contingencies 
 
 During quarter ending Sept. 1,1838. 
 Payments to contractors 
 Payments for contingencies 
 
 During quarter ending Dec. 1 , 1838. 
 Payments to contractors 
 Payments for contingencies 
 
 $93,352 26 
 10,114 67 
 
 147,024 39 
 17,909 36 
 
 114,115 95 
 8,850 43 
 
 159,546 49 
 20,834 31 
 
 344,773 66 
 15,962 20 
 
 228,623 13 
 16,905 16 
 
 Total paid to contractors 
 Total paid for contingencies 
 
 1,087,435 88 
 90,576 13 
 
 The amount paid for contingencies has been subdivi- 
 
 the following heads, to wit: 
 
 Postage account - 
 
 m 
 
 $54 17 
 
 Canal office 
 
 m 
 
 3,960 25 
 
 Engineering 
 
 - 
 
 46,729 96 
 
 Land agency 
 
 - 
 
 3,438 25 
 
 Incidentals 
 
 ~ 
 
 16,584 92 
 
 Treasurer’s office - 
 
 - 
 
 523 14 
 
 Lockport office 
 
 - 
 
 4,023 66 
 
 Lockport houses 
 
 - 
 
 5,655 70 
 
 Illinois and Indiana canal 
 
 - 
 
 1,150 00 
 
 Well account 
 
 . 
 
 82 25 
 
 Real estate 
 
 - 
 
 3,563 98 
 
 Block number 70 - 
 
 m 
 
 139 89 
 
 Warehouse - 
 
 - 
 
 4,014 29 
 
 Painting account - 
 
 «■> 
 
 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. 
 
 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 
 
 The amount in the hands of the Secretary, the dis¬ 
 burse!* of the contingent fund, on the 1st of June, 
 1837 - 3,228 01 
 
 Amount drawn from the Treasurer since 
 
 that time - 1,260,797 08 
 
 $1,264,025 09 
 
 1,087,435 8S 
 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. 
 
 \ V 
 
 - x V 
 
 i 
 
 i i 
 
 * * < 
 
 Names of purchasers. 
 
 Number of lot. 
 
 Number of block. 
 
 Valuation. 
 
 ;-- 1 
 
 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 
 
 
 , San^e* - 
 
 2 
 
 88 
 
 800 
 
 800 
 
 
 Hiram Norton - 
 
 2 
 
 94 
 
 400 
 
 400 
 
 
 Isaac Hardy * 
 
 2 
 
 95 
 
 250 
 
 250 
 
 
 Martin Spelman - 
 
 6 
 
 99 
 
 250 
 
 250 
 
 
 William Williams - 
 
 2 
 
 100 
 
 700 
 
 700 
 
 1838. 
 
 \ 
 
 John V. Singer - 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 June 8 
 
 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 
 
 4 
 
 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 & Manning - 
 
 14 
 
 55 
 
 500 
 
 500 
 
 
 Thomas Forbes - 
 
 5 
 
 56 
 
 350 
 
 350 
 
 
 Aaron Baine - 
 
 9 
 
 56 
 
 375 
 
 375 1 
 
 
 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 & Kizer - 
 
 1 
 
 66 
 
 525 
 
 545 
 
 
 Basnett & Buchanan - 
 
 5 
 
 66 
 
 400 
 
 400 
 
 
 Aaron Baine - 
 
 9 
 
 66 
 
 400 
 
 430 
 
 
 Hoes & Leland - 
 
 11 
 
 66 
 
 550 
 
 550 
 
 
 Ralph Woodruff - 
 
 1 
 
 85 
 
 550 
 
 550 
 
 ' * 
 
 John and George Armour 
 
 4 
 
 85 
 
 500 
 
 500 
 
 s 
 
 William Haskell - 
 
 7 
 
 85 
 
 400 
 
 400 
 
 
 William E. Armstrong - 
 
 8 
 
 85 
 
 375 
 
 400 
 
 
 Basnett & Buchanan - 
 
 11 
 
 85 
 
 550 
 
 550 
 
 
 Madison E. Hollister n. 
 
 1 
 
 86 
 
 550 
 
 600 
 
 
 Alsou Woodruff - 
 
 4 
 
 86 
 
 600 
 
 600 
 
67 
 
 i 
 
 No. 3—Continued. 
 
 Date. 
 
 r - • 
 
 '■* ’» j V -• ’ * ■ , \ • 
 
 Names of purchasers. 
 
 c 
 
 Number of lot. 
 
 Number of block. 
 
 Valuation. 
 
 Amount sold for. 
 
 1838. 
 June 19 
 
 1 
 
 William Stadden - 
 
 7 
 
 86 
 
 $375 
 
 $375 
 
 
 Williams & Hatch - 
 
 8 
 
 86 
 
 400 
 
 460 
 
 
 Joseph H. Morrell - - 
 
 11 
 
 86 
 
 500 
 
 500 
 
 
 James Armour - 
 
 1 
 
 89 
 
 500 
 
 500 
 
 
 Edward Hollands - 
 
 4 
 
 89 
 
 550 
 
 550 
 
 
 Samuel Tyler - 
 
 7 
 
 89 
 
 400 
 
 400 
 
 
 John V. Morehart - 
 
 8 ■ 
 
 89 
 
 450 
 
 660 
 
 
 Joseph Hall - 
 
 11 
 
 89 
 
 600 
 
 600 
 
 
 William Caldwell - 
 
 13 
 
 80 
 
 300 
 
 300 
 
 
 John and George Armour 
 
 5 
 
 90 
 
 450 
 
 450 
 
 
 Barnes & Tuttle - 
 
 6 
 
 90 
 
 450 
 
 450 
 
 
 John & George Armour - 
 
 9 
 
 90 
 
 400 
 
 425 
 
 * « 
 
 Randolph Sizer - 
 
 11 
 
 90 
 
 700 
 
 700 
 
 ■<sh 
 
 Jane Best - 
 
 13 
 
 90 
 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 1838. 
 
 June’ 25 
 
 Lots in La Salle. 
 
 Manning & McFarlan - 
 
 10 
 
 120 
 
 800 
 
 1,100 
 
 
 Micajah Mott - 
 
 10 
 
 91 
 
 375 
 
 375 
 
 
 Leonard & Brown - 
 
 10 
 
 119 
 
 700 
 
 740 
 
 
 Same - 
 
 10 
 
 106 
 
 550 
 
 550 
 
 
 Patrick Cunningham - 
 
 12 
 
 106 
 
 400 
 
 410 
 
 
 Amariah Watson - 
 
 12 
 
 117 
 
 400 
 
 400 
 
 
 John S. Dillon - 
 
 3 
 
 120 
 
 450 
 
 450 
 
 
 Harvey Wood - 
 
 5 
 
 120 
 
 600 
 
 600 
 
 r % 
 
 John Allen - - - 
 
 12 
 
 120 
 
 600 
 
 640 
 
 
 John Cody - - - 
 
 5 
 
 119 
 
 550 
 
 550 
 
 
 Palmer & Parker •> - 
 
 5 
 
 118 
 
 500 
 
 500 
 
 
 James Golding - 
 
 12 
 
 119 
 
 550 
 
 650 
 
 
 Ayres, King &, Baldwin - 
 Harpin Lindley - 
 
 10 
 
 118 
 
 600 
 
 600 
 
 
 12 
 
 118 
 
 450 
 
 450 
 
 Lock port, December 3, 1838. 
 
 J, MANNING, Secretary. 
 
 4 , . . ' 
 
 ■ • ■ • t y k ' V 
 
 >■ ■■ 
 
 f; I 
 
 /.i 
 
 
 *Y,4 j ' )C 
 
 • fi ■ 
 
68 
 
 % 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 A list of the work put under contract since the first of June , 1837, with 
 the names of the present contractors , including as well original contracts 
 as those made for work previously let , and declared abandoned , and re¬ 
 linquished. 
 
 i 
 
 No. of section. 
 
 Names of Contractors. 
 
 \ 
 
 Date of contract. 
 
 , t 
 
 1 
 
 Madore B. Beaubien 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 March 
 
 8,1838. 
 
 2 
 
 Mallory & Hulbert 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 July 
 
 18, “ 
 
 3 
 
 Osborn & Stewart - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 ** 
 
 ti 
 
 a 
 
 4 
 
 Osborn & Stewart - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 tt 
 
 5 
 
 Ogden & Dole 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 June 
 
 16, * 
 
 6 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 «< 
 
 7 
 
 Harmons, Loomis & Raymond 
 
 — 
 
 - 
 
 January 22, “ 
 
 8 
 
 Same 
 
 «• 
 
 - 
 
 
 ft 
 
 u 
 
 9 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 10 
 
 Temple &; Carver - 
 
 
 - 
 
 •> 
 
 July 
 
 9, “ 
 
 11 
 
 Same 
 
 
 m- 
 
 - 
 
 (< 
 
 it 
 
 12 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 \ • 
 
 
 a 
 
 13 
 
 Greenwood & Bishop 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 15, 1837. 
 
 14 
 
 Same 
 
 . 
 
 ‘m 
 
 . 
 
 « 
 
 tt 
 
 15 
 
 Same 
 
 
 m 
 
 • 
 
 tt 
 
 tt 
 
 16 
 
 Greenwood, Osbourn, & Strail 
 
 . 
 
 
 June 
 
 16, 1838. 
 
 17 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 m 
 
 
 ft 
 
 it 
 
 IS 
 
 Boon & Hubbard * 
 
 «*• 
 
 
 •* 
 
 Feb. 
 
 20, “ 
 
 19 
 
 Same 
 
 «r 
 
 
 • 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
 20 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 V 
 
 
 tt 
 
 a 
 
 21 
 
 Wilder, Butler, & Busby 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 Nov. 
 
 16, “ 
 
 22 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 «» 
 
 tt 
 
 it 
 
 23 
 
 Taylor, Breese, & Paine 
 
 «• 
 
 - 
 
 y 
 
 January 13, ** 
 
 24 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 m. 
 
 u 
 
 it 
 
 25 
 
 Montgomery, Boyd, Rigney, & Zell 
 
 *■ 
 
 January 16, “ 
 
 26 
 
 Same 
 
 m 
 
 
 m 
 
 a 
 
 it 
 
 27 
 
 Edward Cody 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 '• 
 
 June 
 
 5, “ 
 
 28 
 
 Samuel H. Stedman 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 u 
 
 tt 
 
 29 
 
 Cochran & Armstrong 
 
 •» 
 
 • 
 
 m 
 
 October 
 
 ii, •< 
 
 30 
 
 Harney & Flockhart 
 
 m 
 
 
 . 
 
 July 
 
 12, “ 
 
 31 
 
 Enoch W. Minor - 
 
 •> 
 
 m 
 
 •» 
 
 January 15, “ 
 
 32 
 
 James Hagan 
 
 «► 
 
 m 
 
 «. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 4,1837 
 
 33 
 
 Smith, Yarwood, & Richards 
 
 m 
 
 • 
 
 July 
 
 2.1738 
 
 34 
 
 Robert Jobson 
 
 • 
 
 
 m 
 
 June 
 
 5, “ 
 
 35 
 
 Myers Beach, & Rood 
 
 • 
 
 
 m 
 
 June 
 
 16, “ 
 
 36 
 
 Irvin, Spafford, & Kittering 
 
 - 
 
 
 tt 
 
 ii 
 
 
c 
 
 o 
 
 •iH 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 
 •++ 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 £ 
 
 37 
 
 3S 
 
 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 
 
 ,s 
 
 69 
 
 No. 4—Continued. 
 
 Names of Contractors. 
 
 i 
 
 ... 
 
 * 
 
 Date of 
 
 ) f»V y 
 
 contract. 
 
 
 
 
 
 r" ■’ 1 * 
 
 Myers, Beach, & Rood 
 
 •• 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 5,1838. 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 
 n 
 
 it 
 
 Irvin, Spafford, & Kittering 
 
 *• 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 16, •• 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 n 
 
 it 
 
 Dodd, Morehouse, Shaw 
 
 ♦ 
 
 * 
 
 June 
 
 5, “ 
 
 Alton & Pestana - 
 
 
 •• 
 
 ' * / 7 
 
 n 
 
 Smith, Granger, Caton, & Judd 
 
 <• 
 
 - 
 
 August 
 
 s, “ 
 
 John & Samuel R. Clifford 
 
 
 - 
 
 Sept. 
 
 28, “ 
 
 John Rogers 
 
 - 
 
 ' - 
 
 Dec. 
 
 13,1837. 
 
 Hug unin & Brown 
 
 •» 
 
 •m 
 
 February 1,1838. 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 am 
 
 il 
 
 << 
 
 J. T. & D. L. Roberts 
 
 . 
 
 
 Dec. 
 
 16,1837. 
 
 James Brooks 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 January 
 
 1,1838. 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 it 
 
 u 
 
 Stewart, Sanger, & Wallace 
 
 - 
 
 m 
 
 ii 
 
 \ ‘ 1 ' • \ 
 
 31, “ 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 it 
 
 “ 
 
 Pruyne, Negus, & Rogers - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 Nov. 
 
 17,1837. 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 « 
 
 n 
 
 Williams & Hardy 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 u 
 
 14,1838. 
 
 Stevens, Douglas, & Norton 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 n 
 
 u 
 
 John Lonergan 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 5, “ 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 n 
 
 it 
 
 John V* Singer 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 January 10, “ 
 
 Pettibone & Root ^ 
 
 • 
 
 m 
 
 Sept. 
 
 4,1837. 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 ■ '' ' 
 
 « 
 
 u 
 
 Wm. B. & E. Newton 
 
 • 
 
 mi 
 
 Nov. 
 
 14, « 
 
 Same 
 
 «• 
 
 
 n 
 
 a 
 
 George Barnet 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 April 
 
 1,1838. 
 
 Same 
 
 •• 
 
 m 
 
 n 
 
 u 
 
 Same 
 
 
 am 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 Same 
 
 
 m 
 
 « 
 
 u 
 
 Charles Kerr 
 
 
 /. 
 
 August 
 
 i, “ 
 
 Sterling, Blanchard & Co. - 
 
 «• 
 
 • 
 
 June 
 
 5, “ 
 
 - Same 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 James Ryan 
 
 m 
 
 
 it 
 
 “ 
 
 Steel & Amer 
 
 m 
 
 
 Cct. 
 
 18, “ 
 
 Matteson & Ryan 
 
 am 
 
 
 n 
 
 u 
 
 N. & S. S. Davis - 
 
 
 
 June 
 
 5, “ 
 
 Samuel R. Bradley 
 
 - 
 
 
 Nov. 
 
 24, « 
 
 McLaughlin, Lawless & Co. 
 
 
 , ; | 
 
 August 
 
 7, « 
 
 Jeremiah Crotty - 
 
 - 
 
 am 
 
 u 
 
 it 
 
70 
 
 No. 4—Continued. 
 
 No. of section. 
 
 Names of Contractors. 
 
 
 
 Date of contract. 
 
 83 
 
 Jeremiah Crotty 
 
 - 
 
 
 • 
 
 August 
 
 7, 1838. 
 
 84 
 
 Angus P. McDonald 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 June . 
 
 5, 
 
 a 
 
 8.5 
 
 Hendricks & Rush - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 *» 
 
 a 
 
 16, 
 
 ' it 
 
 86 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 tt 
 
 
 a 
 
 87 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 it 
 
 
 a 
 
 88 
 
 Richard Morris 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 tt 
 
 5, 
 
 tt 
 
 89 
 
 Gay & Manning 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 tt 
 
 
 n 
 
 90 
 
 Same 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 u 
 
 
 u 
 
 91 
 
 Lot Whitcombe 
 
 ♦ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Nov. 
 
 i. 
 
 a 
 
 92 
 
 Wm. A.Chatfield - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 16, 
 
 a 
 
 93 
 
 Benjamin M. Webber 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 5, 
 
 a 
 
 94 
 
 John Hassack 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 16, 
 
 a 
 
 95 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 .. 
 
 
 a 
 
 96 
 
 Hendricks & Rush - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 
 tt 
 
 97 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 
 a 
 
 98 
 
 Sherbiirn & Gobin - 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 
 5, 
 
 a 
 
 99 
 
 Obed Smith 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 August 
 
 7, 
 
 a 
 
 100 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 June 
 
 5 , 
 
 n 
 
 101 
 
 Caldwell & Mulligan 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Sept. 
 
 14, 
 
 tt 
 
 102 
 
 James Drummond - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 Nov. 
 
 1, 
 
 a 
 
 103 
 
 H. D. Risley 
 
 - 
 
 » 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 16, 
 
 a 
 
 104 
 
 Clifford & Stewart - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 n 
 
 5 , 
 
 u 
 
 105 
 
 Crawford & Harveys 
 
 - 
 
 m 
 
 «• 
 
 Oct. 
 
 31, 
 
 tt 
 
 106 
 
 Same 
 
 
 - 
 
 «■* 
 
 tt 
 
 
 a 
 
 107 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 
 (. 
 
 108 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 •» 
 
 a 
 
 
 a 
 
 160 
 
 Benjamin F. Lamb - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 June 
 
 5, 
 
 u 
 
 161 
 
 Edward McSweeny 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Sept. 
 
 7, 
 
 a 
 
 162 
 
 Armour & Knox 
 
 • 
 
 /m 
 
 - 
 
 August 
 
 1, 1837. 
 
 *163 
 
 Patrick H. Flood 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 Sept. 
 
 7, 1838. 
 
 164 
 
 Glover, Roberts, & Matson 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Oct. 
 
 19, 1837. 
 
 165 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 m 
 
 •» 
 
 a 
 
 
 a 
 
 166 
 
 Conrad Seabaugh - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 •• 
 
 January 
 
 3, 1838. 
 
 167 
 
 David Sanger & Sons 
 
 
 V f > ' * ; 
 
 4m 
 
 June 
 
 5 , 
 
 a 
 
 170 
 
 Wm. E. Armstrong 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Dec. 
 
 4, 
 
 1837. 
 
 171 
 
 Wm. & Thos. Harkness 
 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 March 
 
 21, 1838. 
 
 172 
 
 Abner Sherman, Jr. 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Sept. 
 
 28, 
 
 a 
 
 173 
 
 Russell & Harkness 
 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 a 
 
 i, 
 
 a 
 
 174 
 
 John Armour 
 
 - 
 
 / / t' 
 
 - 
 
 July 
 
 2, 
 
 a 
 
 178 
 
 Nathan Eels 
 
 • 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 August 
 
 22, 
 
 1837. 
 
 179 
 
 William Caldwell - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 «* 
 
 Sept. 
 
 12, 1838. 
 
71 
 
 No. 4—Continued. 
 
 No. of sectiou. 
 
 s, 
 
 Names of Contractors. 
 
 / 
 
 Date of contract 
 
 181 
 
 Kenyon & Lamb - 
 
 
 August 
 
 22,1837. 
 
 183 
 
 Dickinson & Clark - 
 
 - 
 
 July 
 
 2,1838. 
 
 184 
 
 Same ... 
 
 
 << 
 
 . i 
 
 u 
 
 185 
 
 George W. Armstrong 
 
 - 
 
 Nov. 
 
 r 5, “ 
 
 186 
 
 Same - 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 ii 
 
 187 
 
 G. W. & W. E. Armstrong 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 15,1837, 
 
 194 
 
 Townsend, Kinney, & Byrne 
 
 - 
 
 January 20,1838. 
 
 195 
 
 Henry L. Kinney - 
 
 - 
 
 Sept. 
 
 6, “ 
 
 196 
 
 Same 
 
 ■» 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 197 
 
 Same - 
 
 - 
 
 it 
 
 „ / 
 
 a 
 
 
 Fox river Feeder . 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Greene, Stadden, & Dunevan 
 
 
 Nov. 
 
 14,1837. 
 
 2 
 
 ** Same - 
 
 . 
 
 “ 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 Same - 
 
 - 
 
 ii 
 
 it 
 
 4 
 
 Same 
 
 
 ii 
 
 sa 
 
 5 
 
 Same - 
 
 - 
 
 ii 
 
 Cv 
 
 6 
 
 Stephen Emmerson (completed) 
 
 •» 
 
 ii 
 
 it 
 
 7 
 
 Francis Chambers - 
 
 - 
 
 August 
 
 13, “ 
 
 8 
 
 Crosiur & Walker - 
 
 - 
 
 March 
 
 21, “ 
 
 
 Locks . 
 
 
 41 Jr -A * p* ( ■ 
 
 
 1 
 
 George Barnet - 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 5,1838. 
 
 2 
 
 Same - 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 <9* 
 
 3 
 
 Charles Kerr / - 
 
 - 
 
 August 
 
 1, “ 
 
 4 
 
 Same - 
 
 - 
 
 “ 
 
 <( 
 
 6 
 
 Hall & Grant - 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 5, “ 
 
 7 
 
 Same - 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 u 
 
 11 
 
 Beale & Cooper - 
 
 - 
 
 July 
 
 24, “ 
 
 12 
 
 Armstrong & Johnston 
 
 - 
 
 Nov. 
 
 10, “ 
 
 13 
 
 Durgin & Witham 
 
 - 
 
 June 
 
 5, « 
 
 14 
 
 William Byrne - 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 15 
 
 Cooper & Twitchell 
 
 - 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 
 Aqueduct of Little Vermilion . 
 
 
 
 
 
 William Byrne - 
 
 - 
 
 Oct. 
 
 8, “ 
 
 
 Aqueduct of Pecumsagan. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thomas Beale - 
 
 m 
 
 u 
 
 ii 
 
Hq. of contract. 
 
 No, 4—Continued. 
 
 v r 
 
 )•' v 
 
 Aqueduct of Fox river . 
 
 David Sanger & Sons «* 
 
 Aqueduct of Du Page . 
 
 _ , 1 \ 
 
 Robert Watson - 
 
 Dam Number 1 , Lock Number 5 . 
 
 Wilson, Brodie, & Co. 
 
 11 v 
 
 Dam Number 2 Guard lock . 
 
 Charles Kerr ■ 
 
 Lateral Canal at Ottawa . 
 Wilburn F. Walker 
 
 Culvert Number 1 . 
 
 Samuel Howard - 
 
 f <\ „ , f > v . , • , 
 
 Culvert Number 2 . 
 
 \ • V i * •• • - 
 
 Patrick H. Flood - 
 
 •*. .A\, i y L 
 
 Du Page Feeder . 
 
 ■ ■ > : - 
 
 N.&S.S. Davis - 
 
 Lockport, Dec, 3,1838* 
 
 June 5,1838. 
 
 August 7, “ 
 
 June 
 
 5, 
 
 a. 
 
 u 
 
 tt 
 
 Nov. 24, 
 
 
 June 
 
 5. “ 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
 s *' 
 
 August 8, “ 
 
 — 
 
 J. MANNING, Secretary 9 
 
73 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 
 List of officers and agents in the employment of the Board . 
 
 Names, 
 
 ) 
 
 William Gooding 
 E. B. Talcott 
 William Jerome 
 W. B. Burnett 
 J. L. JIanchett 
 M. A. Gooding 
 A. J. Mathcwson 
 J. B. F. Russell 
 O. S. 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 
 J. Manning 
 J. Rucker 
 R. McFarlan 
 
 
 Office, &c. 
 
 Compensa-* 
 
 tion. 
 
 
 
 « • < V 
 
 Chief Engineer 
 
 
 $3,500 
 
 
 \ 
 
 Resident Engineer 
 
 • 
 
 2,000 
 
 - 
 
 * ( 
 
 Same 
 
 
 2,000 
 
 - 
 
 
 Same 
 
 
 2,000 
 
 
 *» 
 
 Junior Assistant Engineer 
 
 1,250 
 
 m 
 
 <9 
 
 Same 
 
 <*» 
 
 1,250 
 
 
 m 
 
 Same 
 
 •*» 
 
 1,250 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 1,250 
 
 
 \ 
 
 Same 
 
 t 
 
 1,250 
 
 m 
 
 • 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 1,250 
 
 m 
 
 <9 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 1,250 
 
 • 
 
 m 
 
 Same 
 
 • 
 
 1,250 
 
 •9 
 
 m 
 
 Same 
 
 4 
 
 1,250 
 
 m 
 
 - 
 
 Rodman 
 
 
 coo 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 ■9 
 
 600 
 
 
 - 
 
 Same 
 
 - 
 
 600 
 
 ** 
 
 m 
 
 Same 
 
 <• 
 
 600 
 
 
 m 
 
 Same 
 
 
 600 
 
 - 
 
 m 
 
 Same 
 
 ! * 
 
 600 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Superintendent of masonry 
 
 
 1 f 
 
 m 
 
 Secretary 
 
 - 
 
 1,750 
 
 *9 
 
 m 
 
 Treasurer’s Clerk 
 
 - 
 
 1,000 
 
 / 
 
 m 
 
 Clerk 
 
 m 
 
 800 
 
 Lockport, December 3, 1838. 
 
 J. MANNING, Secretary* 
 
 v 
 
74 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 Articles purchased for the use of the contractors to aid in their work . 
 
 \ x - '-Of ' r V, 1 •* ’ *• 
 
 Articles. 
 
 
 Cost. 
 
 Amount dis¬ 
 tributed. 
 
 Balance. 
 
 - 
 
 Powder account, No. 
 
 1 ‘ 
 
 $4,000 
 
 00 
 
 $4,000 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 Flour account, 
 
 No. 1 
 
 , 
 
 6,030 
 
 00 
 
 5,217 
 
 50 
 
 $812 
 
 50 
 
 Pork account, 
 
 No. 1 
 
 • ! 
 
 16,100 
 
 25 
 
 11,702 
 
 00 
 
 4,398 
 
 25 
 
 Powder account, No. 
 
 
 24,155 
 
 98 
 
 12,016 
 
 00 
 
 12,139 
 
 98 
 
 Pork account, 
 
 No. 2 
 
 " ' •' ,/' A t. 
 
 4,485 
 
 21 
 
 4,432 
 
 00 
 
 53 
 
 21 
 
 Flour account, 
 
 No. 2 
 
 -. 
 
 6,876 
 
 00 
 
 4,529 
 
 00 
 
 2,347 
 
 00 
 
 Pork account, 
 
 No. 3 
 
 • 
 
 2,731 
 
 88 
 
 2,502 
 
 00 
 
 229 
 
 88 
 
 Canal stores— 
 
 -consisting of iron, 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 . * r 
 
 
 steel, cordag* 
 
 • ‘ i ' - 
 
 ( 
 
 ■—■- 
 
 e, tools, 
 
 &c. 
 
 ♦At ^ • 
 
 t 
 
 26,777 
 
 45 
 
 9,840 
 
 53 
 
 16,936 
 
 92 
 
 Canal Office, 
 
 Lockport , December 3, 1838. 
 
 J. MANNING, Secretary . 
 
 
 , r.. 
 
 
 
 
 . ' ■ ■< ’ i 
 
 
 
 •X >: : 
 
 / 
 
 . - r t * • ’ > -• 
 
 
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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 - - v 
 
 
 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, Loomis, 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 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
V 
 
 . 76 
 
 . » 
 
 No. 7—Continued. 
 
 Names of such Contractors. 
 
 Advance. 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 f 
 
 Benj. M. Webber ? ♦ 
 
 4 * 
 
 $10 f 6 
 
 $90 50 
 
 Osborne and Stewart - 
 
 154 53 
 
 804 96 
 
 Williams and Hardy - 
 
 182 1C 
 
 90 30 
 
 Pruyne, Negus, and Rogers 
 
 5,803 48 
 
 4,334 62 
 
 Lovel Kimball - 
 
 132 00 
 
 998 84 
 
 Crawford and Harveys ... 
 
 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 Roofers .... 
 
 u 
 
 Isaac Hardy - * - 
 
 873 61 
 450 00 
 
 3,271 78 
 
 • K' r \ ■ r ** , , _ f' 
 
 37,049 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 
 
 J. MANNING, Secretary . 
 
 Lockport, Dec . 1838. 
 
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. Manning, Secretary and Disbursing Officer in account with the Board of Commissioners of the lllijioisand Michigan Canal . 
 
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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 hoilr. 
 
 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, 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 source 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 thaf 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 
 point in Pistaka 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 k 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 534 feet, is then to be made for 124 
 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, 5 per cent. (sa.v) - 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 
 
 0 
 
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 betw een the lakes and 
 the Mississippi, it is no doubt superior in its advantages to any other 
 which can ever be formed. 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 dowm 
 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.th 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, I 
 believe I have fully complied with the act directing the appointment. I 
 shall, however, in another communication, comply with your wishes in 
 regard to the details of the work, in its location, and 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 Legislature 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, within 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 
 might 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 
 DuPage; 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 ol 
 about 100 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 r 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 w r as 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 Fox at the State line; and in following the 
 depressions connected with it, if it w r ere 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 1.75 bekrw 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, w hen 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 dam is believed to he at the Indian grave, three 
 quarters of a mile below that point. The river there is about 220 yards 
 wide, and from five and a half to seven feet deep, with a light gravel and 
 sandy bottom; the w r est bank is about thirteen feet high, 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 dc- 
 
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 of 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 of 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 feasibJfe 
 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 
 feederof the Western Division of the Illinois and Michigan c?nal,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 of 
 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 
 banks were not meandered closely in some distances, should be added about 
 four miles, in order to obtain the whole length of navigation required. 
 
85 
 
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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 off 
 Charleston, almost all of it being below a remarkable contraction in the 
 width of the river, called ‘‘the Narrows;” above which there 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 . 
 
 % 
 
 f 
 
87 
 
 H. 
 
 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. 
 
 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 manner as described to me by Mr. Taleott, 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 upon this rock, to the top waterline; andin 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 canal, 
 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- 
 
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 I 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,<tnd 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 wail, with the earth behind it, is a great additional security to the bank, 
 and the water is more desirable from this security. 1 would advise also, as a 
 precautionary security, the leaving a bar of earth at Chicago river, of 30 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 I 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? 
 
 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 they 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. 
 
 J 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 
 100 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. 
 A 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 
 tho 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 out 
 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 Saganaskee swamp, to Stoney creek. 
 This must be cut 3 feet at the canal, and 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 heavy rains. 
 
89 
 
 If the Board could feel justified in laying out a canal, and excavating it regu¬ 
 larly, 26 feet on the bottom, it would not do more than take off the land water 
 between sections 15 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 all 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, sufficient to 
 finish it? 
 
 1 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 
 P’-ice 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. “ 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. I 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 thesa 
 bluffs your engineer has estimated a much larger quantity of slope wall than W 
 should use in that work; (perhaps I may be 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 point 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, 1 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 head 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 made. 
 
 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 be 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 the 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 tjme 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 
 $>e improved upon or made better with the materials so far discovered. 
 
 I have the honor to be. 
 
 Gentlemen, vour obedient, 
 
 BENJ. WRIGHT. 
 
91 
 
 J. 
 
 Lockport, Illinois, 
 
 November 28, 1837* 
 
 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 Saganaskee 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 Jpy the left bank of the Calu¬ 
 met river, from the point at w'hich 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 above 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 line 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 of 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 
 IS 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- 
 
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, fyc., 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 $16,839 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 
 
 ForJ548,311.90 cubic yards, 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 
 
 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 
 
* 
 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 386.4IL62 C001 
 
 MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR TRANSMITTING THE 
 
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