"I give i/uff Soaks
far Vie fauinding ef a CoUegi itirihis. Colony*^

'Y^LU'^lMIT^IEI^SflirY"

1912

(iEORGE \\',\.shim;ti)X, IsT Pkesidext of the P,atowm.\(;iv Company
(01(1 Engra\'inK of an Original Painting by f iilbeit Stnait)

EARLY CHAPTERS IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE
PATOMAC ROUTE TO THE WEST

BY
MRS. CORRA BACON-FOSTER

WASHINGTON
Published by the Columbia Historical Society
1912

Copyright, 1912
By The Columbia Historical Society

insceibbd to the
Memoey of
ROSE Mc.HENEY BRACKETT.

IN THREE PARTS.
I.
The Ohio Company and Other Adventures.
1748 to 1774.
II.
The Patowmack Company.
1784 to 1828.
From its Unpublislied Records.
III.
Life of Colo. Charles Simms, Gtentleman.
With Selections from Ms Correspondence.

ILLUSTEATIONS.

Gen. George Washington, First President of the Patow
mack Company. (Old Engraving of an Original Paint
ing by Gilbert Stuart.)  Frontispiece
Gov. Thomas Johnson, Second President of the Patow
mack Company. (Family Group by Chas. Peale in the
Maryland Historical Society Gallery.)  Opposite 18
Great Seal of the Patowmack Company. (Reproduced
from Original by the Maurice Joyce Co.) . . Preceding 33
First Annual Report of the Patowmack Company.
(Original in Possession of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal Co.)  Opposite 74
Little Falls of the Potomac. Entrance to the old Canal at
Extreme Right. (Photograph by Mr. B. G. Foster.)
Opposite 86
Old Stone at the Entrance to the old Canal around Little
Falls. (Photograph by Miss Violet Bacon-Foster.) Opposite 90
Letter from Gov. Wm. Paca of Maryland. (Original in
Possession of th6 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Co.)
Opposite 98
Great Falls of the Potomac in 1802. (Drawn by Beck,
Lithograph in the Library of Congress.) .... Opposite 104
The First Lock at the Great Falls of the Potomac. (Pho
tograph by Miss Violet Bacon-Foster.)  Opposite 112
The Second Lock at the Great Falls of the Potomac.
(Photograph by Miss Violet Bacon-Foster.) Opposite 120
View of the Potomac River from the Fifth Lock at the
Great Falls. (Charcoal Drawing by Miss Milicent
Strange.)  Opposite 130
Gen. John Mason, Last President of the Patowmack Com
pany. (From Portrait in Possession of Mrs. V. C.
Dawson.)  Opposite 140

viii Illustrations.
Autographs of Stockholders in the Patowmack Company. Opposite 170
Autographs of Stockholders in the Patowmack Company. Opposite 190
Colo. Charles Simms, Gentleman. (Drawn by Mrs. J. 0.
Estabrook from a Minature.)  Preceding 237
Harpers Ferry, Showing First Arsenal Buildings. (Rare
English Engraving of 1800.)  Opposite 260

PART I.
THE OHIO COMPANY AND OTHER
ADVENTURES. 1748 to 1774.

[Reprinted from the Eecords of the Columbia Historical Society.]

THE OHIO COMPANY, 1748-1874.
By MRS. COBRA BACON-FOSTER.
(Read before the Society, December 14, 1909.)
The story of the first incorporated effort to secure
an easy communication between the English settle
ments on the Atlantic coast and the great country west
of the Alleghany Mountains commences about 1740,
when Thomas Cresap,i the sturdy Yorkshire man, built
'Biographical Sketch of the Life of the late Capt. Michael Cresap.
Cumberland, Md. Printed for the author (John J. Jacob) by J. W.
Buchanan, 1826.
Reprint, Cincinnati, Ohio, with notes and appendix:, for Wm. Dodge
by Jno. F. Uhlhom, Steam Job Printer, 58 W. 3d St., 1866.
Cin. edition, page 29:
"The Cresap family is large, extensive and respectable; it will not
yield the homage of superiority to any family in Virginia or Maryland.
. . . Col. Thos. Cresap ... the head and founder of the Cresap family,
emigrated from Yorkshire, England when about fifteen years of age, but
the dark shades of obscurity rest upon all the intermediate part of his
life from this period until he married a Miss Johnson at the age of about
thirty and settled at, or near the place now called Havre de Grace ou the
Susquehanna River. He was at this time poor, and in providing the
necessary articles for housekeeping got involved in debt to the enormous
sum of 9£ currency, when it is believed with a view to extricate himself
from this debt he took a trip to Virginia, got acquainted with and rented
a farm from the Washington family with the intention of removing to
that colony. But during his absence his wife was delivered of her first
born son, Daniel and on his return refused to go to Virginia. Now
however he might be displeased at this he acquiesced; and after having
paid his 9£ debt he removed higher up the Susquehanna to or near the
3

4 The Ohio Cornpa-ny.
place called Wright 's Ferry, opposite the present town of Columbia and
obtained a Maryland title for 500 acres of good land. But this unfortu
nately at that time was disputed territory; and as others set up a claim
to this land under a Pennsylvania title a war — called the Conojacular
War — took place. Cresap espoused the cause of Lord Baltimore with as
much zeal and ardor as the Pennites did that of Mr. Penn, and a battle
ensued at a place called Peach Bottom. Cresap 's party proved victorious,
kept the field and wounded some of the Pennites. But they soon recruited
their army and beseiged the old fellow in his own home which happened
I think to be built of stone. The attack was made in the night, but as
the beseiger had neither cannon or battering rams it was found that the
fort was impregnable. Finding that it would in all probability be a
work of time the beseigers built a fire some distance from the house that
they might warm themselves, counsel and deliberate. Cresap, aware of
his perilous situation, put out his son Daniel, nine or ten years old to
warn his neighbors and friends to his assistance; but the assailants
discovered and took him prisoner. . . . The beseigers finding all their
efforts unavailing at length . . . set fire to the roof of his house. This
had the desired effect, the fort was no longer tenable. As no terms of
capitulation were offered the Colonel flew to the door wounding the
sentinel who stood there and made good his retreat to his boat, which
happened to be so fast as not to be loosened in time and he was sur
rounded and taken. They tied his hands behind him and were pushing
across the river with their herculean prisoner, watched and guarded by
a man on each side, but our old Yorkshire hero, seizing a favorable
opportunity elbowed one into the river. . . . When the guard arrived at
Lancaster with their prisoner they had him handcuffed with iron, which
was no sooner done than raising both hands together he gave the smith
such a tremendous blow upon his black pate that it brought him to the
ground. . . . The prisoner was committed to jail in Philadelphia but for
some reason it seems they soon grew tired of their guest and wanted him
to go home, which he refused to do until liberated by order of the king.
"During all this time Mrs. Cresap with her children took shelter in an
Indian town near Little York. . . . Soon after this Col. Cresap removed
to Antietam on a valuable farm called the ' Long Meadows, ' now in pos
session of the Spring family. On this farm he built a house of stone
over a spring designed as a fort because he was on the frontier and in
advance of a white population. He now commenced as an Indian trader
and borrowed from Mr. Dulany 500£ to aid him in his business. Having
provided a large quantity of furs and skins he shipped them to England.
But fortune still frowned. The ship was taken by the French and once
more he was compelled to begin the world anew. He gave Mr. Dulany
his land, 1400 acres, for the debt and removed to the place now called
'Old Town,' but by himself, 'Skipton' after the place of his nativity.
This place is a few miles above the junction of the north and south

The Ohio Company. 5
branches of the Potomac, on the north fork and it became his permanent
residence, here he acquired an immense landed estate on both sides of
the river, in Virginia and Maryland. It was perhaps about this time
that he renewed his acquaintance with the Washington family and he
entered conjointly into an association with two or three gentlemen of
this name, of which I think the General was one, George Mason and
many other gentlemen in England and America and formed what was
called the ' Ohio Company. ' This company made the first English settle
ment at Pittsburg before the Braddock war and it was through their
means and efforts that the first path was traced through that vast chain of
mountains. Col. Cresap as one of the company and active agent thereof
. . . employed an Indian, Nemacolin, to lay out and mark a road from
Cumberland to Pittsburg. . . .
' ' There can be no doubt that the exertions of this company had a
strong tendancy to accelerate the exploration and settlement of the
western country.
' ' Col. Cresap 's literary attainments were small. His mind was how
ever vigorous, comprehensive and strong, by industry and application he
obtained a sufficient knowledge of mathematics to be entrusted with the
surveyorship of Prince George County . . . and such also was his decision
and energy of mind that he frequently represented his county in the
legislature. Benevolent and hospitable, Indians called him 'Big Spoon.'
He was not large, but of great muscular strength. He lived to reach
105 years.
"At the age of seventy he went to London. While there he was com
missioned by Lord Baltimore to run the western line of Maryland with
a view to ascertain which of the two branches of the Potomac was the
largest and which was in reality the fountain head or first source of that
river. "The original autograph map was made by Col. Cresap in the neat
style of a good county surveyor and sent by him to Gov. Sharpe. It
came to Mr. Gilmor's possession with many other of the Eidout papers
and is attested by Horatio Ridout whose father was Sharpe 's secretary.
This was the first map ever made to show the course and fountains of
the north and south branches of the Potomac Eiver in regard to which
there has been so much controversy between Maryland and Virginia. ' '—
Note p. 39, Cin. ed.
(Map, made prior to 1754 given in Md. Archives, Vol. 6, p. 72.)
"When eighty he married a second time. When one-hundred he made
a land and sea journey to Nova Scotia. His son Michael was a celebrated
character on the frontier for many years, was ignorantly accused of the
murder of Chief Logan's family, died in the Revolutionary service." —
Ohio Archceological and Historical Quarterly, Vol. 10, p. 146, with sketch
of house.

6 The Ohio Comfany.
him a fortified home on a beautiful bluff overlooking
the upper Potomac and near a deserted old village of
the Shawnees.^
To-day no one knows what impulse drove this man
beyond the last outpost of civilization for his third
venture in life. Did the wife who had refused to go
to Virginia, cheerfully consent to go with her young
family into the wilderness? The home made secure
against attack and the crop of wheat and Indian corn
safely stored, with an Indian for guide and companion,
Cresap strode forth bound for the west to trade and
prospect. His repeated expeditions — we infer they
were successful — led him farther and farther into and
beyond the mountain ranges to the great western coun
try, even beyond the "Beautiful River" where no
white man had then dared fix his abode.
Thomas Cresap seems to have settled on the west bank of the Susque
hanna some time about 1730 under a grant from Lord Baltimore; being
a man of intelligence and strength of character he was intrusted with the
supervision of that neighborhood, surveying land for settlers, collecting
taxes and quit rents. The Penns were also claiming that portion of the
country and settlers on the east side of the river gave the Marylanders
much trouble. These culminated in open warfare when in 1736 a settle
ment of Palatines fancied they were properly in Pennsylvania and refused
to pay Maryland taxes. Cresap was several times assaulted in his own
house and finally was burnt out and arrested and kept in irons for nearly
two years. This naturally embittered him very much, his resentment
against Pennsylvania never smouldered and when opportunity offered he
never hesitated to strike. The friendship of all Indians for him at that
period of his career is shown by the fact that Shawnees gave his wife
and children shelter and protection during his imprisonment.
"Journal of Capt. Chas. Lewis, a soldier in Braddock's army. Dee. 2,
1755. While foraging — "We arrived about two o'clock at a plantation
of one Cresap 's, most delightfully situated on land that gave me great
pleasure, 'twas a piece of low ground entirely surrounded by the moun
tains, the prospect remantick, high rocks on the sides of the mountains
some hundred feet perpendicular to the river Potomack. Here we lodged
this night in a, comfortable house. ' ' — Wisconsin Hist. Soc, Draper MSS.
*18 IJ. W., Va. Hist. Mag., Vol. 4, p. 109.

The Ohio Company. 7
From Indians and the occasional hunters he met, he
learned that the French were preparing to take posses
sion of all that fertile land.^ Imbued with the true
Briton's hatred of the papist Frenchman he pondered
seriously upon the situation as he returned to the east
laden with his valuable pelts. He then probably con
cluded that to locate English colonies with strong mili
tary protection would check invasion and repel attacks
of hostile Indians; such settlements would be in Vir
ginia territory and if he had his will not open to Penn-
sylvanians.* He had sometimes hunted with George
Croghan,^ who was in the employ of Philadelphia mer
chants and also in the confidence of Sir William John
son, of the Mohawk Valley." Croghan, it is true, was
always most amiable with Virginians, but he was Irish
and under the genial influence of Cresap 's fine rum he
doubtless told much of his patrons' plans that he had
been wise to reserve.^
The hatred of Cresap for the Pennsylvanians we may
regard as the first political incident in our story; he
regarded them as the enemies of himself and Mary
land. As Maryland had no western territory he would
naturally go to Virginia with his projects. So loading
a stout boat with his accumulation of fine furs and
wrapping his gentleman's costume in waterproof cover
he floated with the current of the Potomac to the civili
zation in tide- water settlements, skilfully avoiding
rocks and shoals by day, by night tied up out of reach
of possible marauders. At Great Falls was the only
'R. G. Thwaites, "France in America." W. M. Sloane, "French
War and Revolution," p. 267. Facsimile of the Celeron plate, "The
Olden Time," Craig, Vol. 1, p. 288.
¦* Thwaites, ' ' France in America, ' ' p. 144.
»W. M. Darlington, "Christopher Gist's Journals," p. 176.
«F. W. Halsey, "The Old New York Frontier," p. 95.
'Writings of Benjamin Franklin, Smyth, Vol. 4, p. 461, Vol. 5, p. 46.

8 The Ohio Company.
portage, but there he found rest and refreshment at
the warehouse of Ludwell Lee in the town of "Philae."
Thence to the York the sailing would be mere pas
time — with fair winds.
Many of the prominent men of the colony were at
the time in the Assembly in session at Williamsburg.
The intelligent Cresap had no difficulty in interesting
them in his view of the political and economic situation
over the mountains. Indeed some such scheme must
already have suggested itself as a result of the Treaty
of Lancaster in 1744,^ when Thos. Lee for Virginia
paid to the Indians £200 in gold and £300 in goods for
a deed recognizing the king's right to all the "lands
that are or shall be by His Majesty's appointment in
the colony of Virginia." Lord Baltimore at the same
time paid £300 in goods for a release of all claim to
western Maryland "as far as two miles . . . above
where Thos. Cresap has a hunting or trading cabin."
A strong company was at once formed (1748) for trad
ing with the Indians and establishing settlements in
the western country. This was the organization of the
"Ohio Company," the most powerful of all pre-Revo-
lutionary trade corporations and the first incorporated
effort to reach the great west. Its lineal successors
have been: the Potomac Company, 1784, the Chesa
peake and Ohio Canal Company, 1826, the National
Road, the first national inland improvement, 1806. We
might include the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, com
pleted to St. Louis in 1857.'*
'Penna. Col. Records, Vol. 4, pp. 698-737.
° Bancroft, Vol. 3, p. 29, p. 50. — ' ' While Penna. neglected its western
frontier the Ohio Co. of Va. profiting by the intelligence of Indian
hunters who had followed every stream to its head spring and crossed
every gap in the mountain ranges discovered the path by Will's Creek
to the Ohio. Their stores in 1750 were carried no farther than that
creek." W. H. Lowdermilk, Cumberland, Md., p. 26. Darlington, Gist's

The Ohio Company. 9
The company was organized in 1748 and secured
from the King in May, 1749, a charter and grant to a
half million acres of land on these terms — 200,000 acres
to be at once located on the north of the Ohio River
with the provision that if the company did not erect a
fort on the land and maintain a sufficient garrison
therein and locate at their own expense a hundred
families therein in seven years the grants would be
void, but if these terms were accomplished they were
to receive the further grant of 300,000 acres of land.
On a second petition the company secured the entire
grant with very little restriction as to location.
Thos. Lee, at the time president of His Majesty's
Council in Virginia, held two of the twenty shares and
was president of the company, the John Hanbury Co.,
of London, held two shares and were the London
agents, Geo. Mason became and always remained the
treasurer, John Mercer, the most distinguished lawyer
in the colonies, was chosen secretary and legal adviser,
Thomas Cresap became the manager in the field, Law
rence and Augustine Washington held shares, three
shares were held in Maryland. Upon his arrival Gov
ernor Dinwiddie promptly secured shares and was a
valuable member.^" Upon a general meeting at Staf
ford Court House in 1749 they agreed with H. Parker
for the carriage of all their goods from the Falls of
the Potomac to their general factory on the Ohio and
authorized Colonel Cresap to have a road opened to
these places."
Journals, p. 224, etc. "The papers of the Ohio Company are in the
possession of Mr. Robt. Clarke of Cleveland, Ohio." — Fernow.
" Dinwiddie Papers, Vol. 1, p. 17, in reply to a letter from Cresap,
' ' I have the success and prosperity of the Ohio Co. much at heart. ' '
"Toner, "Washington's Journal," 1747-8, p. 65, "Mem, to survey
the lands at the mouth of Little Cacapehon and the mouth of 15 mile Ck.
for the gentlemen of the Ohio Co. ' ' See note, p. 64.

lo The Ohio Company.
These terms required energetic action. By the ad
vice of Cresap, Christopher Gist,^^ a man of good fam
ily connections, educated, experienced in dealing with
Indians, familiar with the Ohio country, living by pref
erence on the frontier, was engaged to select the enor
mous tract of land by actual observation, to go as far
down the river as the "Palls" (Louisville) and to se
cure the friendship of the chiefs of the tribes he en
countered. In November, 1749, he set out on this
hazardous mission, leaving Will's Creek (Cumberland)
well equipped for the journey. He critically examined
the country to the north of the great river as far as the
Miamis, cultivated the acquaintance of the numerous
chiefs by making them many presents of trinkets from
the "Great White Father," took copious notes by the
way and made plots of many good locations and in
three months returned weary and foot-sore to the com
pany's station at Will's Creek. His report was emi
nently satisfactory. The company at once built a
storehouse at Will's Creek and ordered £4,000 worth
of trading goods from Hanbury & Co., in London.
Cresap with the assistance of the Indian Nemacolin
surveyed and blazed a path from Will's Creek to the
point on the Monongahela afterwards known as Fort
Red Stone, the home of Christopher Gist.^^ This was
the original survey of the road over the mountains fol
lowed by Washington in 1754, Braddock in 1755 and
the engineers of the "National Pike" in 1807 and the
railroad engineers in our own day.
But it was necessary to have the king's grant of land
recognized by the savages in possession, hence in 1752
^'Darlington, "Gist's Journals," p. 88.
"Lowdermilk, "Cumberland," p. 29. He built there the first house
west of the mountains to have a nailed-on roof. Eleven families settled
about him.

The Ohio Company. ii
Gist, as agent of the company, with three commission
ers from Virginia, met the Half King and other chiefs
at Logstown on the Ohio and made a treaty by which
was secured to white settlers unmolested possession of
lands southeast of the Ohio.^* George Croghan was a
subscribing witness. Gist was then instructed to lay
off a town at Chartier's Creek, just below the junction
of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers; £400 was
allowed for building the protecting fortification; he
with several families settled there. A third depot of
supplies had been built at Red Stone and the temporary
store at Will's Creek replaced by one more commodious
and capable of defence, a town called Charlottesburg
was also there laid out and trade in town lots was quite
active for a time.^^
The business prospered; no shares of the stock could
be bought. The favored holders were jubilant. In
transportation of stores the Potomac and Mononga
hela rivers were utilized.
But clouds lowered on the horizon. The Pennsyl
vania and New York traders were not pleased with the
Virginia monopoly, claiming the same privileges under
the terms of the Lancaster treaty of 1744. And the
French were not caught napping; they soon followed
up the planting of the Celeron lead plates with armed
invasion. In 1752 the Virginia Assembly passed an act for en
couraging western settlement by relieving the settlers
from all taxation. In 1754 during the exodus to the
"Darlington, "Mercer's Instructions to Gist in Reference to Terms
of Treaty," pp. 231-6.
"Lowdermilk, "Cumberland," pp. 30-1. Hulbert, "Historic High
ways," Vol. 4, opposite p. 26. Plan of Fort Cumberland and vicinity
dated Feb., 1755, shows the two store houses of the Ohio Co., one a long
two -story building, the other much smaller, like a block house, both across
the Potomac River from the fort and consequently in Virginia territory.

12 The Ohio Company.
protection of the east another act was passed, with
much opposition, for taking £10,000 from the revenues
for military service on the frontier. In 1766 an act
was passed with an appropriation of £200 for the im
provement of Braddock's road. All these acts were
in the interest of the Ohio Company and secured by the
influence of the stockholders."
From the first days of the settlement the Virginians
of the tide water country had used their many water
ways as highways between their widely separated plan
tations, and much of the early legislation was directed
to the improvement of navigation on these streams ;"
hence it was but natural that they should seek a water
transportation to the country beyond the mountains as
soon as trade with the Indians and frontiersmen be
came of value. The Ohio Company had used the Po
tomac from 1749.^^
The importance of the beaver as a factor in the com
mercial and political history of the English and French
colonization has been recognized by all historians. The
barter for these and other valuable pelts led the adven
turous traders farther and farther beyond the defiles
of the mountain boundaries of the English colonies;
returning they gave glowing descriptions of the beauty
and fertility of the country — of the noble streams flow
ing to the southwest and to the great lakes. Early in
the eighteenth century New York and Philadelphia
'"Arthur Dobbs, John Hanbury, Samuel Smith, Jas. Wardrop, Capel
Hanbury, Robt. Dinwiddie, Esqr., Exec, of Thos. Lee, late President and
Governor of Va. — 2 shares. John Tayloe, Esq., Prestly Thornton, Esq.,
Exrs. of Law. Washington, Augustine Washington, Richard Lee, Nath.
Chapman, Jacob Giles, Thos. Cresap, John Mercer, James Scott, Robert
Carter, George Mason.
"Hening's Statutes of Va., Vols. 5-6.
"Report of Gen. J. F. Mercer from Com. on roads, *90, 19th Congress,
1st session, House Document.

The Ohio Company. 13
merchants were sending out wily traders well equipped
with firearms as well as with firewater and trinkets
adapted to captivate the savage taste, such as beads,
bits of looking glass and bright ribbons. The mer
chants reaped a rich harvest from the returns. For
convenience these traders often located their families
far out on the frontier.^'' Of these hardy adventurers
Christopher Gist, George Croghan, Thos. Cresap and
his son Michael became famous in the trying years
after the French invasion. A few sturdy Palatines
pushed on through the valleys of Pennsylvania to west
ern Maryland and the beautiful valley of Virginia along
the Shenandoah; they were followed in a few years by
the -Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who went into and be
yond the mountains.^"
Meantime, about 1747, two young gentlemen, George
Washington and George William Fairfax, were amus
ing themselves in surveying fields and outlying lots
about Mt. Vernon and Belvoir on the lower Potomac;
an occasional companion was a slim lad of about the
same age with a pleasant, refined countenance lighted
by a pair of wonderful dark eyes; he cared little for
horses and athletic sports, but was reading law in
Mr. Bordley's office at Annapolis; this stripling was
Thomas Johnson, Maryland's greatest son.^^ Thus
early commenced the lifelong friendship between these
men. The cynical Lord Fairfax, who was at the time
visiting his cousin, became interested in the surveying
and in the young man who arrived at such accurate
results, and who he was told had his own fortune to
seek. He chose the shy, awkward and overgrown lad
for his companion on many excursions, to the amuse-
" All histories of the period.
="Esten Cooke, "Virginia," Chap. 23.
'' Tradition in the Johnson family.

14 The Ohio Company.
ment of a bright lady of the family, who remarked that
the two must be congenial company, "as the Lord never
spoke at all and George only when addressed. "^^
When Lord Fairfax sent out Mr. Geen, an expe
rienced surveyor, to explore and locate his northern
lines, he had evidently heard of the location of the
western boundary of Maryland by Captain Thomas
Cresap,^^ he employed the two young gentlemen to ac
company him as assistants, paying each the goodly
sum of a daily doubloon. Of the two months thus em
ployed we have an interesting account in Washington's
diary in which he jotted down his close observation of
soil, timber and streams; he was for several days the
guest of Captain Cresap and had his first experience
of a Potomac freshet.^* The surveyor's report of his
assistants 'work evidently pleased the Lord for he soon
appointed Washington surveyor-in-chief with head
quarters at his hunting lodge, Greenway Court, in the
Shenandoah Valley.
In the three years thus occupied Washington had
constant opportunity to become very familiar with the
upper Potomac in its various stages of drouth and
high water. He must have often visited the depot of
the Ohio Company at Will's Creek and the two-storied,
stockaded home of Thomas Cresap. Upon the receipt
of his military appointment in 1751^5 he returned to
^See Dr. Weir Mitchell's "Autobiography of George Washington in
His Youth," p. 72: "George only when spoken to and the Lord once a
week. ' '
^ Cresap probably made the survey of the headwaters of the Potomac
about 1745. His original map is among the Gilmor Papers in the Mary
land Hist. Soc. collection. Legend— " First map ever made to show the
course and fountains of the north and south branches of the Potomac
River." Signed by Mr. Horatio Ridout, the son of Gov. Sharpe 's
secretary. '* Toner's "Journal of Washington," 1747-8, p. 7.
^ Dinwiddie Papers, Vol. 1, pp. 49-59.

The Ohio Company. 15
the lower country and found the engrossing topic of
the day to be "The Ohio Company and its golden
future. ' '
In 1753 the tidings of the French invasion was
brought in by returning hunters. Governor Dinwid
die, a holder of Ohio Company stock, promptly sent
the best envoy at hand, also interested, to investigate
and to warn.2® The heroic winter journey made by
Washington and Gist to the French camp on the Alle
ghany is too well known to here recite.^'' The French
did not heed the warning and thereby lost a continent.
A detachment was sent to fortify the Forks of the Ohio
and to defend the company's stores at Chartier's
Creek, but were too late.^* When Washington was
sent to assist Captain Trent he opened the path blazed
by Cresap and Nemacolin into a fair wagon road; it
had hitherto been merely a trail for moccasined feet
and pack horses. General Braddock made of it a mili
tary road in 1755. Doubtless the colonists' jealousy
of the success of the Ohio Company was one cause of
their lukewarm support of his campaign. During the
Washington and Braddock campaigns heavily laden
boats were constantly passing up and down the Poto
mac. The militant Governor Sharpe of Maryland, in
company with Braddock's commissary-general, made
a careful inspection of the river from Cumberland to
Great Falls and reported that while artillery could not
be carried by that route all other supplies might.^^
During the terrible years of conflict on the frontier
=« The same, Vol. 1, pp. 49-59.
""Washington's Journal," Ford, Vol. 1, p. 11. "Gist's Journals,"
Darlington, p. 80.
^ Letter from Washington to Col. Bouquet, Ford, Vol. 2, p. 62.
™ Jan. 28, 1755. ' ' These gentlemen stepped into a small boat at Fort
Cumberland and descended the Potomac to Alexandria." Lowdermilk,
p. 103. Also Sharpe 's letter in Md. Archives, Vol. 6, p. 186.

1 6 The Ohio Company.
little thought was given to trade, transportation or set
tlement. The Ohio Company's seven years of grace
lapsed. The last meetings of the company of which
we have any record were called through the Virginia
and Maryland Gazettes in 1778 and 1779 by George
Mason, treasurer, for "business of the utmost im
portance."^" The great political influence of the Ohio Company
had been shown by the selection of the Potomac route
for General Braddock's advance on Fort Du Quesne —
this influence had been exerted in London and was most
displeasing to the Philadelphians, who contended they
had better roads and greater facilities for transporting
and provisioning troops in Pennsylvania.^^
General Forbes in 1758, after some delay, selected a
Pennsylvania route for his advance and made a road
directly over the mountains, much to the disgust of the
Virginians and Marylanders. That was the era of
provincial distrust and jealousy. Here is one of the
Virginia Colonel Washington's letters on the selection
of the route addressed to Colonel Bouquet in command
of the advance :^-
"Camp neae Foet Cumberland, 2d. August. 1758.
"Sir; — The matters of which we spoke relative to the roads,
have since our parting, been the subject of my closest reflec
tion, and so far am I from altering my opinion, that the more
time and attention I bestow, the more I am confirmed in it,
and the reasons for taking Braddock's road appear in a
stronger point of view. To enumerate the whole of these
reasons would be tedious, and to you who have become so
much master of the subject, unnecessary. I shall therefore,
briefly mention a few only which I think so obvious in them
selves, that they must effectually remove objections.
» Va. Gazette, May 1, 1778. Maryland Gazette, Nov. 10, 1779.
"¦ Lowdermilk, p. 238, and many other authorities.
== Quoted in Lowdermilk, p. 238. Ford, Vol. 2, p. 62.

The Frederick Town Adventurers. 17
' ' Several years ago the Virginians and Pennsylvanians com
menced a trade with the Indians settled on the Ohio, and to
obviate the many inconveniences of a bad road, they, after
reiterated and ineffectual efforts to discover where a good one
might be made employed for the purpose several of the most
intelligent Indians who in course of many years hunting had
acquired a perfect knowledge of these mountains. The
Indians having taken the greatest pains to gain the rewards
offered for this discovery, declared that the path leading from
Will's Creek was infinitely preferable to any that could be
made at any other place. Time and experience so clearly
demonstrated this truth that the Pennsylvania traders com
monly carried out their goods by Will 's Creek. Therefore the
Ohio Company in 1753 at considerable expense opened the
road. In 1754 the troops whom I had the honor to command
greatly repaired it, as far as Gist's plantation; and in 1755
it was widened and completed by Gen. Braddock to within
six miles of Fort Du Quesne. A road that has so long been
opened, and so well and so often repaired must be much firmer
and better than a new one, allowing the ground to be equally
good. ' '
The distance by the way of Braddock's road from
Will's Creek to Fort Du Quesne was 115 miles, com
paratively level, from Raystown in Pennsylvania
through the trackless forest and over mountain ranges
was 100 miles, but the new road was cut and the ad
vance made on that line.
So there were then two routes to the Ohio which
after the pacification of the Indians in 1768 were well
worn by westward bound parties of homeseekers.
The Feedeeick Town Adventtjeees.
Projects for clearing the channels in the Potomac
Riven began to be agitated in the sixties. Probably
the Johnson brothers, at Frederick, were the first to
suggest organizing a company to improve tl'e naviga-
3

1 8 The Frederick Toien Adventurers.
tion. They had early settled in that rich valley, had
prospered, were progressive and public-spirited citi
zens. Thomas Johnson was doubtless interested with
them in many enterprises and joined them in the
county in 1779.
Studying the noble river that sweeps in graceful
curves past the valley it was not strange that they
should become impatient of the heavy toll to be paid
on the wagon transportation to Baltimore of the prod
ucts of their farms and furnaces, and seek another
outlet, so Thomas Johnson appears to have attempted
to organize a company to raise the means for improv
ing the navigation of the Potomac. Our only knowl
edge of it is from the following letter by Washington,
which on account of its importance we will quote in
full:33 "July 20, 1770.
"Sir; — I was honored with your favor of the 18th of June
about the last of that month, and read it with all the attention
I was capable of ; from that time till now I have not been able
to enquire into the sentiments of any of the gentlemen of this
side in respect to the scheme of opening the inland navigation
of Potowmack by private subscription, in the manner you
have proposed — and therefore any opinion which I may now
offer on this head will be considered I hope, as the result of
my own private thinking, not of the public.
"That no person concerned in this event wishes to see an
undertaking of the sort go forward with more sincerity and
ardor than I do, I can truly assure you ; and I will at all times
give any assistance in my power to promote the design, but
I leave you to judge from the trial which before this you have
undoubtedly made, how few there are, (not immediately bene-
¦i'This letter was among the Potomac Co. papers; it was loaned to
Mr. Andrew Stewart for his fine report in 1826, "Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal," House Doc, 228, 1st Session, 19th Congress. Its present loca
tion is not known; it is not given by Ford or Sparks.

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The Frederick Toivn Adventurers. 19
fited by it) that will contribute any thing worth while to the
work ; and how many small sums are required to raise a large
one. Upon your plan of raising money it appears to me there
will be found but two kinds of people who will subscribe much
towards it. Those who are actuated by motives of public
spirit, and those again who from their proximity to the navi
gation will reap the salutatory effects of, clearing the river.
The number of the latter you must be a competent judge of;
those of the former, is more difficult to ascertain; for which
reason, I own to you, that I am not without my doubts of
your scheme falling through, however sanguine your first
hopes may be from the rapidity of subscribers, for it is to be
supposed that your subscription papers will probably be
opened among those whose interests must naturally incline
them to wish well to the undertaking, and consequently will
aid it; but when you come to shift the scene a little, and
apply to them who are unconnected with the river, and the
advantage of its navigation how slowly will you advance.
"This, sir, is my sentiment generally, upon your plan of
obtaining subscriptions for extending the navigation of the
Potowmack, whereas I conceive, that if the subscriptions were
vested by the two legislatures, with a kind of property in the
navigation under certain restrictions and limitations and to
be re-imbursed their first advances with a high interest
thereon, by a certain easy toll on all craft proportionate to
their respective burthens, in the manner I am told works of
this sort are effected in the inland parts of England, or upon
the plan of turnpike roads; you would add thereby a third
class of men, to the two I have mentioned, and gain consider
able strength by it. I mean the monied gentry, who tempted
by lucrative views would advance largely on account of the
high interest.
' ' This I am inclined to think, is the only method by which
this desirable work will ever be accomplished in the manner
it ought to be, for as to its becoming an object of public
expense, I never expect to see it. Our interests (in Virginia
at least) are too much divided — our views too confined, if our
finances were better, to suffer that, which appears to redound

20 The Frederick Toxem Adventurers.
to the advantage of a part of the community only, to become
a tax on the whole, though in the instance before us, there is-
the strongest speculative proof in the world to me of the im
mense advantages which Virginia and Maryland might derive,
(and at a very small comparative expense) by making the
Potowmack the channel of conlmerce between Great Britain
and that immense territory, a tract of country which is
unfolding to our view, the advantages of Avhich are too great
and too obvious, I should think to become the subject of serious
debate, but which through ill-timed parsimony and supineness
may be wrested from us and conducted through other chan
nels, such as the Susquehanna, (which I have seen recom
mended by some writers) — the Lakes, &c. How difficult it will
be to divert it afterwards time only can show.
"Thus far, sir, I have taken the liberty of communicating
my sentiments on the different modes of establishing a fund,
but if from the efforts you have already made on the north
side of the Potowmack it should be found that my views are
rather imaginary than real, (as I heartily wish they may
prove) I have no doubt but the same spirit may be stirred up
on the south side, if gentlemen of influence in the counties of
Hampshire, Frederick, Loudoun and Fairfax will heartily
engage in it and receive all occasional sums, received from
those who may wish to see a work of this sort undertaken,
although they expect no benefit themselves from it.
"As to the manner in which you propose to execute the
work in order to avoid the inconvenience which you seem to
apprehend from locks, I profess myself to be a very incompe
tent judge of it. It is a general received opinion I know that
by reducing one fall you too frequently create many, but how
far this inconvenience is to be avoided by the method you
speak of, those who have examined the rifts — the depth of
water above, &c. must be infinitely the best qualified to deter
mine. But I am inclined to think that, if you were to exhibit
your scheme to the public upon a more extensive plan than
the one now printed, it would meet with a more general appro
bation, for so long as it is considered a partial scheme, so long
will it be partially attended to — whereas — if it was recom-

The Vandalia Company. 2i
mended to the public notice upon a more enlarged plan, and as
a means of becoming the channel of commerce of the extensive
and valuable trade of a rising empire; — and the operations
to begin at the lower landings, (also the Great Falls), and to
extend upwards to as high as Fort Cumberland, or as far as
the expenditure of the money would carry them, from whence
the portage to the waters of the Ohio must commence, I think
many would be induced to contribute their mite, that other-
vnse will not. It may be said the expense of doing this will
be considerably augmented. I readily grant it, but I believe
that the subscriptions will increase in proportion ; at any rate
I think that there will be at least an equal sum raised by this
means, and that the end of your plan will be as effectually
answered by it. ' '
Johnson's scheme is probably the one referred to by
Scharf** where he gives the following gentlemen as
managers: Colonel George Mason, Jacob Hite, James
Hamilton, John Hough, Jolm Patterson and Abraham
Hite, of Virginia ; Rev. Thos. Bacon, Dr. David Ross,
Christopher Loundes, Thos. Cresap, Benj. Chambers,
Jonathan Hagar, Thos. Prather, John Carey, Casper
Schaaf, Robt. Peter and Evan Shelby, of Maryland;
Colonel George Mercer and Col. Thos. Prather were
elected treasurers.
Vandalia Company.
Others outside of Maryland and Virginia were obser
vant of the natural restrictions upon western trade.
Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, the greatest of all
American promoters, published in 1764 a scheme for
utilizing the Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers to
reach the upper Alleghany.^^ Sir William Johnson, of
^*Scharf, "History of Maryland," Vol. 2, p. 258. The date, 1762, is
evidently an error.
=' Morris, "An Historical Account of Else and Progress and Present
State of Canal Navigation in Pennsylvania," 1795.

22 The Vandalia Company.
New York, Governor Richard Franklin, of Pennsyl
vania, Samuel Wharton, merchant, with George Cro
ghan, hunter and trader, were planning colonization
on a gigantic scale.^" The Indian tribes north of the
Ohio who had plundered Wharton's stores and mur
dered some of his traders, were summoned to a council
at Fort Stanwix on the Mohawk in 1768. After many
days of feasting and drinking the savages were cajoled
into signing away an enormous quantity of western
land to the white men.^^
Wharton then went to London and associated with
himself Benjamin Franklin, Thos. Walpole, a man of
political influence and wealth, our old acquaintance,
John Hanbury, Governor Thos. Pownall and others in
an effort to secure a grant of land from the crown for
a new colony beyond the mountains. After many vexa
tious delays they were about to succeed in establishing
the buffer province of Vandalia when the expose of
Franklin's connection with the Hutchinson letters
ruined their schemes.
Immediately after the close of hostilities on the fron
tier the Ohio Company had sent George Mercer, son of
the secretary, to London to renew the old charter. He
remained there six years, accomplishing nothing; he
finally accepted for the company an offer to combine
with the Walpole Company and returned to America
about 1774. The Ohio Company refused to confirm
his action. In 1770 Mercer had the assistance of Thos.
Cresap, who went from Maryland for the purpose.
In 1754 Virginia had made a grant of 200,000 acres
on the Kanawha for the benefit of her men engaged in
the French and Indian War. There was much diffi
culty ia locating these military warrants. Washing-
"See Benj. Franklin's letters to his son, in Smyth, Vols. 4-5-6.
" Halsey, ' ' Old New York Frontier, ' ' p. 99.

The Vandalia Company. 23
ton became the agent of the claimants and served his
clients faithfully. In 1770 he made a personal inspec
tion of the lands on the Ohio and Kanawha. On the
way homeward he visited Colonel Cresap, who had re
cently returned from London with the latest informa
tion of the new province on the Ohio.^* He at once
wrote several eloquent letters to Governors Botecourt
and Dunmore, pleading for justice for the defenders
of Virginia's frontiers.^® Mercer had secured recog
nition of the soldiers' rights from the Walpole Com
pany, but Washington was evidently ignorant of it.*"
While all this paper disputation was going on set
tlers were pouring into the rich valleys beyond the
mountains, selecting homesteads and paying scant at
tention to paper titles, fearing only the wily foe who
lurked in the surrounding thickets.*^
For many years Washington was a member of the
Virginia House of Burgesses. Early in 1772 he se
cured an act for opening the Potomac navigation.*^
Writing to Dr. Boucher from Mt. Vernon, May 4, 1772,
he referred to this act :
"... An act has passed this session empowering Trustees
(to be chosen by ye Subscribers to the Scheme) to raise money
by way of Subscriptions & Lottery, for the purpose of opening
& extending the Navigation of Potowmack from the Tide
water, to Fort Cumberland ; & for perpetuating the Tolls aris
ing from vessels to the Adventurers in the Scheme — but ye
execution of it must necessarily be suspended till something
similar passes into a Law in your Province. ' '
^ Ford, Vol. 2, Diary, Oct. 8, 1770.
»" Ford, Vol. 2, p. 272.
"Mercer secured from the Walpole Co. for the Ohio Co. 2/72 of the
new grant, for himself 1/72. This last possibly had something to do
with the company's repudiation of the contract.
"Doddridge, Joseph, "Notes on Settlement in Va.," pp. 99-112.
« Hening, Va. Statutes, Vol. 8, p. 573. Ford, Vol. 2, p. 348.

24 The Ballendine Scheme.
Thomas Johnson exerted himself to secure a like act
from the Maryland assembly but failed on account of
the opposition of Baltimore merchants. This is al
luded to in Washington's letter to Jefferson from Mt.
Vernon, March 29, 1784.
"... More than ten years ago I secured the passage of an
act for the opening of Potowmack navigation. . . . The local
interest of that place (Baltimore) joined to the short-sighted
policies or contracted views of another part of the Assembly
gave Mr. Thos. Johnson, who was a warm Promoter of the
Scheme on the north side of the Potowmack a great deal of
trouble. ' '
The Ballendine Scheme.
John Ballendine, gentleman, of Fairfax County, Vir
ginia, for many years engaged in iron works at Col
chester*^ and at the Falls of the James River, familiar
with the Potomac, took notice of the drift of public
interest and concocted a most brilliant plan for achiev
ing fame — and a fortune. Taking advantage of a
meeting of the governors of the two colonies, Lord
Fairfax and a number of prominent gentlemen in
Prince William County,** he secured from them on the
8th of May, 1772, a testimonial of their confidence in
his integrity and ability with a subscription to a fund
to enable him to go to Great Britain to examine canals,
locks, etc. there in operation with a view to applying
the knowledge thus obtained to the improvement of the
navigation of the Potomac and James rivers. In Au
gust he inspected the Potomac and from the head of
the navigable waters of the North Branch he followed
*^Ford, Vol. 2, p. 142. Washington Diary, Jan 8, 1760; "Directed an
Indictment to be formed by Mr. Johnston against John Ballendine for
il fraud in some Iron he sold me." Sept. 24, 1768: "Colo Henry Lee
& Lady & Miss Ballendine came to dinner & stayd all night. ' '
* Ford, Vol. 2. Washington in letter to Boucher refers to Gov. Eden 's
visit to Va., May 23, 1772.

The Ballendine Scheme. 25
the Nemacolin Path to the Monongahela in "the pro
posed Ohio Province." He announced that the dis
tance between the two rivers was not more than ten or
eleven miles !*^
He reached London with his credentials in the height
of the Walpole Company excitement and was doubtless
well received.*** Franklin had opened the way for Bal
lendine in his famous reply to the Lords Commission
ers of Trade in which he stated :
"The country is well watered by several navigable rivers
communicating with each other and by which and a short land
carriage of only forty miles the produce of the lands of the
Ohio can even now be sent cheaper to the seaport town of
Alexandria on the river Potomac than any kind of merchan
dise is at present sent from Northampton to London. ' '"
Soon Ballendine (1773) had in circulation his "Pro
posals for opening the navigation of the Rivers James
and Potomac" and was seeking subscribers. It was
a formidable document by which the subscriber was
insured against all possible loss, the installments of the
sums subscribed were to be paid only on the certifica
tions of the two governors that certain portions of the
work had been completed in a satisfactory manner. In
a printed advertisement widely circulated he stated :
" It is proposed by Mr. Ballendine that the locks intended to
be erected in the Eivers James and Potomac shall always have
four feet of water in them, as that is the general depth of those
rivers, except in the spring and fall (which are the great
periods of exportation and importation from and into Mary-
"'"A connected view of the whole internal navigation of the IJ. S.,"
published by the author, Phila., 1830 (written 1825), in which the Ballen
dine English contracts were copied. I have been so far unable to locate
the original authority.
" Spark 's ' ' Washington, ' ' Vol. 2, appendix 7, p. 483.
" Same as above.

26 The Ballendine Scheme.
land and Virginia) when these rivers usually have from six
to eight feet water in them. Mr. Ballendine is thoroughly
convinced from an experience of fifteen years that all kinds
of British goods can be carried from George Town to the head
of navigation at 6d. ster. per cwt. He proposes at first to
employ barges of only 60 feet keel, 15 feet wide and 8 feet in
depth, which will not draw more than two feet of water. But
when the country on the Ohio is thickly settled, barges of 150
and 200 tons can be properly made use of. It requires but
three days for barges to go down the stream from head waters
to Alexandria and eight to ascend."
Franklin's political difficulties probably defeated
Ballendine 's efforts in London, at any rate he is known
to have been circulating a subscription among the
prominent gentlemen of Virginia and Maryland in
1774. In his efforts he liberally patronized the Mary
land and Virginia Gazettes.
From the Maryland Gazette of September 8, 1774:
' ' The subscriber being just arrived from Great Britain with
a number of engineers and artificers in order to remove the
obstructions to the navigation of the Potowmack Eiver at and
above the Lower Falls and thinking himself fully qualified for
such an undertaking, agreable to the proposals before his em
barkation to Europe, he is desirous to have a meeting of his
principal subscribers and others interested in this necessary
work, and considering it most convenient to all concerned to
have the same at George Town in Maryland, he proposes that
it shall be there on Monday, 26th day of September next. At
which time and place he will certainly attend and be ready
to lay before them an accurate plan and estimates of the
expence, also an Act of the Virginia Assembly, and likewise a
subscription from some of the principal proprietors, &c. of the
Province of Vandalia now residing in England, for the further
encouragement of the proposed undertaking.
"( Signed ) John Ballendine. ' '

The Ballendine Scheme. 27
A meeting was held at Georgetown on October 10,
attended by Washington, Johnson and other promi
nent men, who subscribed substantial sums to the fol
lowing :**
"We the subscribers, have considered John Ballendine 's
plan and proposal for clearing Potowmack Eiver and do ap
prove it ; to enable him to set about that useful and necessary
undertaking we do hereby agree and promise severally to con
tribute such assistance or pay such sums as we respectively
subscribe to the trustees named in the said proposals, or to
their order, at such times and places and in such proportions
as shall be required for the purpose of clearing said river.
Witness our hands this 10th. day of Oct. 1774.
"N. B. As nothing effectual can be properly done for less
than £30.000, this subscription is not binding unless the value
of £30.000 Pennsylvania currency, be subscribed. ' '
About £8,000 in the various currencies in use was
subscribed at the meeting, Washington heading the list
with £500 Virginia currency, Ch. Carroll, of Carroll-
ton, following with $1,000 at 7.6. Thos. Johnson was
present and David Ross for the Frederick Company
subscribed £400 (was this the company formed by John
son in 1770?). This meeting was followed by this an
nouncement in the Maryland Gazette of October 25 :
"A plan and estimate for opening the navigation of Potow
mack Eiver above the Falls being approved by many persons
interested therein the following gentlemen are appointed
Trustees by the subscriber to adjust and settle all matters
related thereto; George Washington, George Mason, Thomp
son Mason, Bryan Fairfax, Daniel McCarty, John Carlyle,
John Dalton, Wm. Eamsay, Eobert Adam, Wm. BUzey, John
Hough, Jos. Janney, Isaac Lane, Eobt. Eutherford, Abram
Hite, Jos. Neville of Virginia, Gentlemen— Thos. Johnson Jr.,
" From a paper, ' ' Old Georgetown, ' ' read by Mr. Hugh Taggart before
the Columbia Historical Society, May 13, 1907. Authority not given.

28 The Ballendine Scheme.
Launcelot Jaques, Daniel Carroll, David Eoss, Eobt. Peter,
John Murdock, Thos. Eichardson, Thos. Johns, Wm. Deakins,
Adam Stewart, Eichard Thompson, John Hanson, Chas.
Beatty, John Cary, Jacob Toung, James Marshall, Dan. &
Sam. Hughes, Thos. Cresap, Jonathan Hagar, John Stall of
Maryland, Gentlemen; — who are requested to meet at George
Town on Saturday the 12th of November in order to elect and
choose a small and convenient number of the Trustees which
shall be a committee to act for the whole. This meeting is
judged to be the more necessary as the subscriber is now at
work on the locks at the lower Falls on the Maryland side of
the river with what hands he has.
' ' ( Signed ) John Ballendine. ' '
From the Virginia Gazette of January 14, 1775 :
"Falls of the Potowmack, Dec. 22, 1774.
"At a meeting of the Trustees for opening the navigation of
Potowmack Eiver held at George Town Dec. 1, 1774 Thos.
Johnson, Jr., Attorney-at-law, Wm. Deakins, Adam Stewart,
Thos. Johns, Thos. Eichardson, of Georgetown, merchants, —
"Wm. Ellzey, Eobt. Alexander, Philip Alexander of Virginia
present, who ordered and directed that the subscriber should
on the credit and at the risk of the above named Trustees hire
fifty slaves to labor in cutting the canals around the several
Falls of said Eiver; and at another meeting of Trustees for
the purpose aforesaid held at Alexandria 19th inst., present
Geo. Washington, John Carlyle, John Dalton, Wm. Eamsay,
Gentlemen of Virginia together with many of the Trustees at
the former meeting, who recognized and approved of the order
for hiring fifty slaves and agreed to become equally liable.
In consequence of which order of the Trustees I hereby give
notice that I want to hire negro men for the ensuing year for
the purpose above mentioned. Any person inclining to hire
the whole or any part of them may see the proceedings of the
said Trustees subscribed with their respective hands in my
custody. "(Signed) John Ballendine."

The Ballendine Scheme. 29
Again in the issue for October 28, 1775 :
"Falls of the James Eiver, Oct. 25. 1775.
"At the earnest solicitation of many gentlemen on Potow
mack and influenced by my own interest on that river I have
been endeavoring to open its navigation from tide water
upwards, and have been at considerable expense in prepara
tion &c. to forward that useful work, but the necessity of a
Maryland Act of Assembly co-operating with one passed in
Virginia and which I have not been able to obtain has obliged
me to decline it for the present. This disappointment would
be the more affecting if it did not afford me an opportunity
of employing my time and attention in opening and extending
the navigation of James Eiver, which though a work less
interesting to me is of equal utility to the public. But to
make my interest in some measure correspond with the pub-
lick's I have paid £360 sterling to Mr. Patrick Coutts for the
lands situated on the river where the water must be taken
out into the canal & which I have began and done some part
of the canal with other improvements very expensive.
"I therefore inform the publick that having a fee simple
therein, I am going on with the canal at my own expense, and
will farther risk my whole fortune & time on the success of
my undertaking, and desire no aid or assistance until I make
this navigation safe and easy to Shockoe warehouse ; expecting
never-the-less the more large & generous contributions from
all who benefit when the work is done.
"(Signed) John Ballendine.

I want to hire 100 slaves for the above purpose and
should be glad to treat with any person or persons inclinable ;
at the same time could assist with the best part of their winter
clothing, if not otherwise provided. ' '
But the lowering of another war cloud effectually
terminated all these efforts for public improvements
and we have no record of attempts to open an easier
communication with the great west for ten years,

30 The Ballendine Scheme.
although settlers in an ever increasing number fol
lowed the sun on the old "Nemocolin Path."
Ballendine 's furnace at Richmond was offered at
sheriff's sale. His proprietary rights there, however,
received recognition in the charter secured in 1784 for
the "James River and Potowmack Companies."
When the Potowmack Company was organized in
1785 for the purpose of improving the navigation of
that river, John Ballendine was one of the first sub
scribers to the stock.*^
" Hening Statutes of Va., Vol. 11, p. 580, 1784. ' ' And be it farther
enacted, That so much of every act, and acts within the purview of this
Act, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed. Provided, nevertheless.
That nothing in this act shall be construed so as to take away the right
which the representatives of John Ballendine have to that part of the
canal which is already begun, and to all the advantages resulting from
the same, but the same shall be valued by a jury in manner and form as
before directed and the said representatives shall be entitled to so many
shares in the said Company, and to so much of the surplus water as the
said jury shall determine, or they shall receive, at their option, the value
thereof in money, to be estimated by the said jury."

PART II.
THE PATOWMACK COMPANY
1785 to 1828.
From Its Unpublished Records.
(By Permission of the Trustees of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal Company.)

Great Seal of the Patowmack Company
(Reproduced from Original by the Maurice Joyce Co.)

[Eeprinted from the Eecords of the Columbia Historical Society.]

THE PATOWMACK COMPANY, 1785-1828.
(Read before the Society, November 21, 1911.)
During the long serious years of the Revolutionary
War emigration to the fertile country west of the
mountains increasingly continued. Three routes were
popular: Boone's path through Cumberland Gap, by
the mountain passes of Pennsylvania, and by the most
direct and best improved road, so often the recipient
of public funds, from Fort Cumberland to Old Fort
Red Stone on the Monongahela. It had been opened
in 1748 by the Ohio Company, made fit for wagons in
military service in 1753-4, thoroughly graded and
bridged by Braddock in 1754, well repaired by Virginia
in 1766 and thereafter kept in condition for the contin
uous traffic to the west. To it converged the two
routes from Baltimore and Winchester; it was also
much used by Philadelphia traders.^
Washington from his youth had regarded the west
ern country with its trade as of incalculable value to
Virginia ; we have seen his effort in the Legislature to
secure means to utilize the Potomac River for trans-
portation,^ and his cheerful assistance in the Ballen
dine scheme, Utopian as it was. The idea did not en
tirely give way to the excitement of war; Maryland
business men were constantly revolving schemes for
easier communication with western settlers. In the
spring of 1783 the legislature passed an act appoint
ing Charles Beatty, of Montgomery County, and
' See Washington 's letter to Colonel Bouquet in Part I.
= Hening, "Act of the Virginia Legislature in 1772."
4 33

34 The Pato'wmack Company.
Normand Bruce, of Frederick, commissioners to ex
amine the Potomac River and make an estimate of the
cost of making it navigable, and they had drawn £250
for preliminary expense.^ If they made a report it is
not now to be found.
During the tedious waiting for the dismissal of the
army, Washington often thought of his lands on the
Ohio and of a more ready access to them, as well as of
the political significance of the isolated settlements.
His letters to Lafayette and Chastellux are of peculiar
interest in this connection.
' ' To THE Marquis de Lafayette. "Princeton, 12 October, 1783.
" ... I have it in contemplation to make a tour thro' all
the Eastern States, thence into Canada, thence up the St.
Lawrence and thro' the lakes to Detroit, thence to Lake Mich
igan by land or water, thence thro' the Western Country, by
the river Illinois to the river Mississippi, and down the same
to New Orleans, thence into Georgia by the way of Pensacola,
and then thro' the two Carolinas home. A great tour this,
you will say. Probably it may take place nowhere but in
imagination, tho' it is my wish to begin it in the latter end of
April of next year."
"To THE ChEVALIEK DE ChASTELLUX. "Princeton, 12 October, 1783.
"Having the appearance, and indeed the enjoyment of
peace, without a final declaration of it, I, who am only wait
ing for the ceremonials, or till the British forces shall have
taken leave of New York, am placed in an awkward and disa
greeable situation, it being my anxious desire to quit the walks
of public life, and under the shadow of my own vine and my
own fig tree to seek those enjoyments and that relaxation,
' Original draft among papers of 1783 in Maryland Historical Society
collections.

The Patowmack Company. 35
which a mind, that has been constantly upon the stretch for
more than eight years, stands so much in need of. ' '
"I have lately made a tour through the Lakes George and
Champlain, as far as Crown Point. Then returning to Sche
nectady, I proceeded up the Mohawk River to Port Schuyler
(formerly Port Stanwix), and crossed over to the Wood
Creek, which empties into the Oneida Lake, and affords the
water communication with Lake Ontario. I then traversed the
country to the head of the eastern branch of the Susquehanna,
and viewed the Lake Otsego, and the portage between that
Lake and the Mohawk River at Canajoharie. Prompted by
these actual observations, I could not help taking a more con
templative and extensive view of the vast inland navigation of
these United States, from maps and the information of others ;
and could not but be struck with the immense diffusion and
importance of it, and with the goodness of that Providence,
which has dealt her favors to us with so profuse a hand.
Would to God we may have wisdom enough to improve them.
I shall not rest contented, till I have explored the western
country, and traversed those lines, or great part of them,
which have given bounds to a new empire. But when it may,
if it ever shall, happen, I dare not say, as my first attention
must be given to the deranged situation of my private con
cerns, which are not a little injured by almost nine years'
absence and total disregard of them. ..."
On the occasion of the resignation of his commission
as commander-in-chief of the army Washington spent
several days in Annapolis, where the congress of the
United States was then in session. The State legisla
ture was also in session. Certainly the opportunities
were improved for exchange of opinions on this en
grossing subject, in which Thos. Johnson at least was
equally enthusiastic, and Thos. Jefferson discursive as
usual.* * ' ' Annals of Annapolis, ' ' David Eidgeley, 1840.

36 The Patowmack Company.
While still enjoying the relaxation of rest at home,
he wrote the following beautiful letters :
' ' To THE Marquis de Lafayette.
"Mount Vernon, 1 February, 1784.
"At length, my dear Marquis, I am become a private citizen
on the banks of the Potomac; and under the shadow of my
own vine and my own fig tree, free from the bustle of a camp,
and the busy scenes of public life, I am dolacing myself with
those tranquil enjoyments, of which the soldier, who is ever
in pursuit of fame, the statesman, whose watchful days and
sleepless nights are spent in devising schemes to promote the
welfare of his own, perhaps the ruin of other countries, as if
this globe was insufficient for us all, and the courtier, who is
always watching the countenance of his prince, in hopes of
catching a gracious smile, can have very little conception. I
have not only retired from all public employments, but I am
retiring within myself, and shall be able to view the solitary
walk, and tread the paths of private life, with heartfelt satis
faction. Envious of none, I am determined to be pleased with
all; and this, my dear friend, being the order for my march,
I will move gently down the stream of life, until I sleep with
my fathers. ' '
"To Major-General Knox.
Mount Vernon, 20 February, 1784.
" ... I am just beginning to experience that ease and
freedom from public cares, which, however desirable, takes
some time to realize ; for strange as it may seem, it is never
theless true, that it was not until lately I could get the better
of my usual custom of ruminating, as soon as I waked in the
morning, on the business of the ensuing day ; and of my sur
prise at finding, after revolving many things in my mind,
that I was no longer a public man, nor had any thing to do
with public transactions.
"I feel now, however, as I conceive a wearied traveller must
do, who, after treading many a painful step with a heavy
burthen on his shoulders, is eased of the latter, having reached

The Patowmack Company. 37
the haven to which all the former were directed; and from
his housetop is looking back, and tracing with an eager eye
the meanders by which he escaled the quicksands and mires
which lay in his way ; and into which none but the all-powerful
Guide and Dispenser of human events could have prevented
his falling. ' '
Neither master nor mistress found the anticipated
calm and leisure; the long neglect of business and
household were to be repaired, old friends and neigh
bors were to be entertained; but amid all the impera
tive demands upon mind and time Washington soon
found opportunities for conference and correspond
ence with many prominent and influential men in the
country on the important topic of communication with
the west; George Mason, James Madison and Thomas
Jefferson were confidential friends, often in earnest
consultation about the library fire at Mount Vernon.
The letters of March to and from Jefferson are inter
esting and indicative of the general interest.
"Thos. Jefferson to Gen. George Washington.
Annapolis, March 6, 1784.
"... The present hurry forbids me to write to you on a
subject I have much at heart, the approaching & opening the
Navigation of the Ohio & Potowmac. I will trouble you by
the next post. ' ' "March 15,
" ... It (western boundary) will preserve to us all the
upper parts of Tohogany & Cheat-rivers within which much
will be done to open these which are the true doors to the
Western commerce. Thermion of this navigation with that of
the Potowmac is a subject on which I mentioned that I would
take the liberty of writing to you — I am sure its value and
practicability are well known to you. This is the moment,
however, for seizing it if ever we mean to have it. All the
world is becoming commercial. . . . For the trade of the Ohio

38 The Patowmack Company.
or that which shall come into it from its own waters of the
Mississippi, it is nearer to Alexandria than to New York by
730 miles & is interrupted by one portage only. Nature then
has declared in favor of the Potowmac and thro' that channel
offers to pour into our lap the whole commerce of the Western
world. But unfortunately by the Hudson is already open &
known in practice ; ours is still to be opened. ... It behoves
us then to open our doors to it. ' '
"To Thomas Jefferson in Congress.
"Mount Vernon, 29 march, 1784.
"Bear Sir, It was not in my power to answer your favor of
the 15th by the last post, for the reason then assigned. I
wish I may be able to do it to your satisfaction now, as I am
obliged to pay attention to the other company, the Governor
being gone.
"My opinion coincides perfectly with yours respecting the
practicability of an easy and short communication between
the waters of the Ohio and Potomac, of the advantages of that
communication and the preference it has over all others, and
of the policy there would be in this State of Maryland to
adopt and render it facile. But I confess to you freely, I
have no expectation, that the public will adopt the measure;
for, besides the jealousies that prevail, and the difficulty of
proportioning such funds as may be allotted for the purposes
you have mentioned, there are two others, which, in my opin
ion, will be harder yet to surmount. These are (if I have not
imbibed too unfavorable an opinion of my countrymen) the
impracticability of bringing the great and truly wise policy
of the measure to their view, and the difficulty of extracting
money from them for such a purpose, if it could be done ; for
it appears to me, maugre all the sufferings of the public
creditors, breach of public faith, and loss of reputation, that
payment of the taxes, which are already laid, will be post
poned as long as possible. How then are we to expect new
ones for purposes more remote ?
"I am not so disinterested in this matter as you are; but
I am made very happy to find that a man of discernment and

The Patowmack Company. 39
liberality, who has no particular interest in the plan, thinks
as I do, who have lands in the country, the value of which
would be enhanced by the adoption of such a measure.
"More than ten years ago I was struck with the importance
of it; and, despairing of any aid from the public, I became
a principal mover of a bill to empower a number of subscribers
to undertake at their own expense, on conditions which were
expressed, the extension of the navigation from tide water to
Will's Creek, about one hundred and fifty miles; and I de
voutly wish that this may not be the only expedient by which
it can be effected now. To get this business in motion, I was
obliged even upon that ground to comprehend James River,
in order to remove the jealousies, which arose from the attempt
to extend the navigation of the Potomac. The plan however,
was in a tolerably good train, when I set out for Cambridge
in 1775, and would have been in an excellent way, had it not
been for the difficulties, which were met with in the Maryland
Assembly from the opposition which was given (according to
report) by the Baltimore merchants, who were alarmed, and
perhaps not without cause, at the consequence of water trans
portation to Georgetown of the produce, which usually came
to their market by land.
"The local interest of that place, joined to the shortsighted
politics or contracted views of another part of the Assembly,
gave Mr. Thomas Johnson, who was a warm promoter of the
scheme on the north side of the Potomac, a great deal of
trouble. In this situation I left matters when I took command
of the army. The war afterwards called men's attention to
different objects, and all the money they could or would raise
was applied to other purposes. But with you I am satisfied
that not a moment ought to be lost in re-commencing this
business, as I know the Yorkers will lose no time to remove
every obstacle in the way of the other communication, as soon
as the posts of Oswego and Niagara are surrendered; and I
shall be mistaken if they do not build vessels for the navi
gation of the Lakes, which will supersede the necessity of
coasting on either side.
' ' It appears to me that the interest and policy of Maryland

40 The Patowmack Company.
are proportionably concerned with those of Virginia, to re
move obstructions, and to invite the trade of the western
countery into the channel you have mentioned. You will have
frequent opportunities of learning the sentiments of the prin
cipal characters of that State, respecting this matter; and
I wish if it should fall in your way, that you would discourse
with Mr. Thomas Johnson, formerly governor of Maryland,
on this subject. How far, upon mature consideration, I may
depart from the resolution I had formed, of living perfectly
at my ease, exempt from every form of responsibility, is more
than I can at present absolutely determine. The sums granted,
the manner of granting them, powers and objects, would merit
consideration. The trouble, if my situation at the time would
permit me to engage in a work of the sort, would be set at
nought; and the immense advantages, which this country
would derive from the measure, would be no small stimulus
to the undertaking, if that undertaking could be made to
comport with those ideas, and that line of conduct, with which
I meant to glide gently down the current of life, and it did not
interfere with any other plan I might have in contemplation. ' '
"I will not enter upon the subject of commerce. It has its
advantages and disadvantages; but which of them prepon
derates, is not now the question. From trade our citizens will
not be restrained, and therefore it behoves us to place it in
the most convenient channels under proper regulations, freed
as much as possible from those vices, which luxury, the conse
quence of wealth and power, naturally introduce." Etc., etc.
It only required the earnest persistence and power
ful influence of Washington to secure the incorpora
tion of the first company for making easy an inter
communication with the great west. This company
was the lineal successor of the pioneer Ohio Company
and included the Frederick Company and the Ballen
dine adventurers. Its successor is the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company, which I believe is operated
under the same charter.

The Patowmack Company. 41
We have intimation of some opposition to such a
scheme in the letters written General Washington by
one Stephen Sayre, of George Town, which are on file
in the Library of Congress. In the one dated October
10, 1784, is suggested a "Tontine for raising money for
the improvement of the navigation of the Powtow-
mack" and scouts the idea that any locks would be
necessary ; he had a plan of his own more practicable
to propose instead. In another letter dated August 8
he urged that "no time be lost in removing prejudices
against the work which are worse than the rocks in
our way. ' '
One great obstacle in the way of any movement for
utilizing the Potomac was the diversity of the commer
cial laws of the two states. By some carelessness in
the legislation of 1776 Virginia had ceded to Mary
land jurisdiction over the river, reserving only the
right of free navigation. The situation was thus ren
dered almost intolerable and there was a popular de^
mand for an adjustment of traffic regulations. James
Madison, Jr., an able and earnest young man, was
chairman of the committee on commerce in the lower
house of the Virginia legislature. On June 28, 1784,
the following resolutions which he introduced were
carried :
"Whereas; Great inconveniences are found to result from
the want of some concerted regulations between this state and
the state of Maryland touching the jurisdiction and navigation
of the river Potomac; Resolved that George Mason, Edmund
Randolph, James Madison, Jr. and Alex. Henderson, Esqs. be
appointed commissioners and that they or any three of them
do meet such commissioners as may be appointed on the part
of Maryland and in concert with them frame such liberal and
equitable regulations concerning said river as may be mutually
advantageous to the two states and that they make report

42 The Patowmack Company.
thereon to the General Assembly. Resolved ; That the Execu
tive be requested to notify the State of Maryland of the above
appointment, with the object of it, and desire its concurrence
in the proposition. ' '
In Maryland under the lead of Thomas Johnson,
then in the state senate, the i^roposition was accepted
by the Assembly and Thos. Johnson, Thos. Stone,
Samuel Chase and Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer ap
pointed conferees to meet the Virginians at Alexan
dria March 20, 1785. The result, known as the Mount
Vernon compact, was accepted and ratified by both
legislatures. The outcome has been considered as the
origin of the call for the constitutional convention held
at Philadelphia in 1787.^
During the summer and fall of 1784 many confer
ences were held in both states and the public became
very enthusiastic over the prospect of a great inter
state improvement. According to one of Madison's
letters to Jefferson it is evident that the Baltimore mer
chants still opposed the scheme, but western Maryland
had grown powerful in twelve years and western Mary
land demanded release from Baltimore monopoly and
extortion. In the cool days of September General Washington
set out for a journey over the mountains to settle some
disputes on his lands near Fort Pitt, and, as he wrote in
his diary on the 4th, "one object of this journey is to
obtain information of the nearest & best communica
tion between the eastern and western Waters, and to
facilitate as much as in me lay, the Inland Navigation
of the Potowmack. ' ' Six weeks were spent on this ride
of 680 miles, going over the familiar Nemacolin Path,
returning by a more southerly route to seek a possible
good portage from the Potomac to the Cheat, state
''John Fiske in "Critical Period."

The Patowmack Company. 43
policy dictating avoidance of Pennsylvania territory.
He found a long, rough and perilous way over indis
tinct mountain trails, but no feasible portage. On this
journey he encountered Albert Gallatin in a frontier
settlement. At Red Stone he very possibly met Jacob
Joder, who had recently returned from a most re
markable venture ; in 1782 he had taken a boat load of
flour down the rivers to New Orleans, there disposed
of cargo and boat, invested in furs from the northwest
which he took to Havana and exchanged for sugar
which he sold in Philadelphia for a handsome profit.
Thus would Washington be reminded of the trade and
political possibilities of free navigation of the Missis
sippi; this political interest was a great factor in his
determination to effect the Potomac transportation.
The territory of the United States extended to the
Mississippi, which was nature's outlet for the com
merce of the immense trans- Appalachian region; the
lower river was controlled by the Spanish — it would
be possible for them to induce the people of the south
west to unite with them ; also the traders from Canada
were very active along the Great Lakes where Great
Britain retained possession of the frontier posts —
surely speedy action was necessary if Virginia would
profit by the opportunities now open to her.
On the way west he had spent a night at Bath, where
we learn from the Maryland Gazette of 13 June, 1784,
James Rumsey was "at the time associated with Rob
ert Throckmorton in keeping a very commodious
boarding house at the sign of the Liberty Pole and
Flag." Rumsey seized this opportunity to interest
the great man in his latest invention for propelling
boats against the stream by a mechanical contrivance
and exhibited his model which worked perfectly, and
secured a certificate from General Washington. This

44 The Patowmack Company.
was not a model of the steamboat publicly exhibited at
Shepherd's Town December 3 and 11, 1786, but the ac
quaintance later brought results interesting to us in
our subject.
Immediately upon his return to Mt. Vernon Wash
ington prepared a report of his journey which he en
closed in an eloquent letter to Governor Harrison, in
which he enclosed a bill for an act incorporating a com
pany for opening the Potomac navigation. The bill
was also sent to Thos. Johnson of Maryland accom
panied by the following hitherto unpublished letter :
"Mount Vernon, Oct. 15, 1784.
"Bear Sir, On a supposition that you are now at Annapolis,
the petition of the Potowmack Company is enclosed to your
care. A duplicate has been forwarded to the Assembly of this
state; the fate of which I have not yet heard, but entertain
no doubt of its favorable reception; as there are many aus
picious proofs of liberality and justice already exhibited in
the proceedings of the present session. I hope the same spirit
will mark the proceedings of yours. The want of energy in
the Federal government — the pulling of one State & party
of States against another & the commotion amongst the East
ern people have sunk our national character much below par;
and has brought our politics and credit to the brink of a
precipice ; a step or two further must plunge us into a Sea of
Troubles, perhaps anarchy and confusion. I trust that a
proper sense of justice & unanimity in those States which
have not drunk so deep of the cup of folly may yet retrieve
our affairs. But no time is to be lost in essaying them.
' ' I have written to no gentlemen in your Assembly respect
ing the Potowmack business but yourself. The justice of the
cause and your management of it will insure success. With
great regard and respect I am Dear Sir," etc."
The bill was passed in the Virginia Assembly in
October, in Maryland in November.
' From original.

The Patowmack Company. 45
Of a mass meeting called for the discussion of the
project at Alexandria we have only the account pub
lished in the Virginia Gazette of December 4 :
"At a numerous and respectable meeting held the 15th. of
last month at Alexandria by gentlemen of this state and Mary
land to deliberate and consult on the vast great political and
commercial object, the rendering navigable the Potowmack
River from tide water, it was unanimously resolved that every
possible effort ought to be exerted to render those waters navi
gable to their utmost sources. . . . This is perhaps a work of
more political than commercial consequence, as it will be one
of the grandest chains for preserving the Federal Union. The
western world will have free access to us and we shall be one
and the same people whatever system of European politics
may be adopted. ' '
When Washington went to Richmond on the 15th of
November to meet the Marquis de Lafayette he con
ferred with many of the members of the Assembly on
the subject and then accompanied the Marquis to An
napolis. To Madison and Joseph Jones he wrote
from Mt. Vernon on the 28th :
"In one word, it should seem to me, that if the public can
not take it up with efficient funds, & with out those delays
which might be involved by a limping conduct it had better be
placed in the hands of a corporate company. ' '
The bills not being entirely satisfactory as intro
duced into the two state legislatures a conference was
arranged for delegates from both to meet in Annapolis.
The report, as recorded, is as follows :
"At a meeting in the city of Annapolis, on the 22d day of
December. 1784, of the commissioners appointed by the Com
monwealth of Virginia to confer with persons authorized on
the part of the State of Maryland, upon the subject of opening
and improving the navigation of the river Potomac, and con-

46 The Patowmack Company.
certing a plan for opening a proper road between the waters
of the Potomac and the most convenient western waters, and a
committee appointed by the Senate and House of Delegates of
Maryland, to meet the Commissioners of Virginia for the pur
pose aforesaid — were present,
' ' General Washington and General Gates from Virginia ;
"The Hon. Thomas Stone, Samuel Hughes, and Charles
Carroll of CarroUton, Esquires, of the Senate ; and
"John Cadwallader, Samuel Chase, John Debutts, George
Digges, Philip Key, Gustavus Scott, and Joseph Dashiell,
Esquires, of the House of Delegates.
"General Washington in the chair; Randolph B. Latimer
appointed Clerk.
"The conference proceeded to take the subject-matters to
them referred, into their consideration, and, thereupon, came
to the following resolutions:
' ' That it is the opinion of this conference, that the removing
the obstructions in the river Potomac, and the making the
same capable of navigation from tide water as far up the north
branch of the said river as may be convenient and practicable,
will increase the commerce of the Commonwealth of Virginia
and State of Maryland, and greatly promote the political
interests of the United States, by forming a free and easy
communication with the People settled on the western waters,
already very considerable in their numbers, and rapidly in
creasing from the mildness of the climate and the fertility of
the soil.
' ' That it is the opinion of the conference, that the proposal
to establish a company for opening the river Potomac, merits
the approbation of, and deserves to be patronized by, Virginia
and Maryland, and that a similar law ought to be passed by
the legislatures of the two governments, to promote and en
courage so laudable an undertaking.
' ' That it is the opinion of this conference, that it would be
proper for Virginia and Maryland each to become subscribers
to the amount of fifty shares, and that such subscription would
evince to the public the opinion of the legislatures of the prac
ticability and great utility of the plan, and that the example

The Patowmack Company. 47
would encourage individuals to embark in the measure, give
vigor and security to so important an undertaking, and be
a substantial proof to our brethren of the Western Territory,
of our disposition to connect ourselves with them by the
strongest bonds of friendship and mutual interest.
"That is the opinion of this conference, that an act of
Assembly of Virginia 'For opening and extending the navi
gation of the river Potomac from Fort Cumberland to tide
water, ' ought to be repealed.
"That it is the opinion of this conference, from the best
information they have obtained, that a road to begin about the
mouth of Stony River may be carried in about twenty or
twenty-two miles to the Dunker Bottom on Cheat river ; from
whence, this conference are of opinion, that batteaux naviga
tion may be made, though, perhaps, at considerable expense.
That if such navigation cannot be effected, by continuing the
road about twenty miles farther, it would intersect the Monon
gahela, where the navigation is good and has been long
practised. ' ' That a road from Port Cumberland to Turkey Foot would
be about thirty-three miles, from whence an improvement of
the Youghiogeny river would be necessary, though probably
it might be done at less expense than the navigation of the
Cheat river could be rendered convenient from the Dunker
Bottom. "That it is a general opinion, that the navigation on Po
tomac may be extended to the most convenient point below,
or even above the mouth of Stony river, from whence to set
off a road to Cheat river ; and this conference is satisfied that
that road, from the nature of the country through which it
may pass, wholly through Virginia and Maryland, will be
much better than a road can be made at any reasonable ex
pense from Fort Cumberland to the Youghiogeny, which must
be carried partly through Pennsylvania.
' ' That it is the opinion of this conference, that, if the navi
gation on Potomac should be carried to about the mouth of
Stony river, a communication with the western waters, through
a road from thence, extended even to Monongalia, would be
preferable in most points of view to that by a road from Fort

48 The Patowmack Company.
Cumberland to Turkey Foot, the only other way practicable,
and in any great degree useful ; that the communication by a
road from Fort Cumberland to the present navigable parts
of the Youghiogeny, and thence through that river, though in
the opinion of this conference a second object only, would
facilitate the intercourse with a very respectable number of
the western settlers, contribute much to their convenience and
accommodation, and that the benefits resulting therefrom, to
these states, would compensate the expense of improving the
road. ' ' The conference therefore, recommends that the Legislatures
of Virginia and Maryland appoint skilful persons to view and
accurately examine and survey Potomac, from Fort Cumber
land to the mouth of Stony river, and the Cheat, from about
the Dunker Bottom to the present navigable part thereof, and
if they judge the navigation can be extended to a convenient
distance above Port Cumberland, that they may from thence
survey, lay off, and mark, a road to the Cheat river, or continue
the same to the navigation, as they may think will most effectu
ally establish the communication between the said eastern and
western waters. And that the said road be cut and cleared,
not less than eighty feet, and properly improved and main
tained in repair, not less than forty nor more than fifty feet
wide, at the joint expense of both States ; and your conferees
beg leave to recommend that each State appropriate three
thousand three hundred and thirty three and one third dollars
for the purpose; and this conference are further of opinion,
that the States of Virginia and Maryland request permission
of the State of Pennsylvania to lay out and improve a road
through such part of that State as may be necessary, in the
best and most proper direction from Fort Cumberland to the
navigable part of the Youghiogeny; and, on such permission
being obtained, that proper persons be appointed to survey,
mark, clear, and improve, such road, at the equal expense of
Virginia and Maryland.
"Which are submitted to the consideration of the Legisla
tures of Virginia and Maryland.
"By order, "^
' From original.

The Patowmack Company. 49
To Madison General Washington immediately wrote
this report : "Annapolis. 28 Dec. 1784.
"Bear Sir;
"I have been favored with your letter of the 11th. The
proceedings of the Conference and the Act and the Resolution
of the Legislature consequent thereupon (herewith trans
mitted to the Assembly), are so full and explanatory of the
motive which governed in the business, that it is scarce neces
sary for me to say anything in addition to them, except that
this State seems highly impressed with the importance of the
object which we have had under consideration, and are de
sirous of seeing accomplished.
"We have reduced most of the Tolls from what they were
in the first Bill, and have added something to a few others —
upon the whole we have made them as low as we conceived
from the best information before us, and such estimates as
we had means to calculate upon as they can be fixed without
hazarding the plan altogether. — We made the Value of the
Commodity the governing principle in the establishment of
the Tolls; — but having had an eye to some bulky articles of
produce, & to the encouragement of the growth and manufac
ture of some others, as much as to prevent a tedious enumera
tion of the different species of all, we departed from the gen
eral rule in many instances. — The rates of the tollage as now
fixed, may still appear high to some of the Southern gentle
men when they compare them with those on James River, but
as there is no comparison in the expense & risk of the two
undertakings, so neither ought there to be in the Tolls.
"I am fully persuaded that the gentlemen who were ap
pointed and who have had this matter under consideration
were actuated by no other motives than to hit (if they could
do so) upon such a happy medium as would not be burthen-
some to individuals or give jealousy to the people on one
hand, nor discouragement to adventurers on the other. — To
secure success and to give vigor to the undertaking, it was
judged advisable for each State to contribute (upon the
terms of private subscribers) to the expense of it, especially
5

50 The Patowmack Company.
as it might have a happy infiuence on the minds of the West
ern Settlers, and it may be observed here, that only part of
this money can be called for immediately, provided the work
goes on — And afterwards only in the proportion of its
progress. ' ' Though there is no obligation upon the State to adopt this
(if it is inconvenient, or repugnant to their wishes) yet I
should be highly pleased to hear that they had done so. — (Our
advantages will most assuredly be equal to those of Maryland,
and our public spirit ought not in my opinion to be less) — as
also the resolutions respecting the roads of communication,
both of which tho' they look in some degree to different objects,
are both very important — that of the Yohiogany (thro' Penn
sylvania) is particularly so for the Furs and Peltry of the
Lakes, because it is the most direct rout by which they can
be transported; — whilst it is exceedingly convenient to the
people who inhabit the Ohio, (or Allegany) above Fort Pitt,
the lower part of the Monongahela and all the Yohiogany.
"Matters might perhaps have been better digested if more
time had been taken, but the fear of not getting the report to
Richmond before the Assembly would have risen, occasioned
more hurry than accuracy — or even real despatch — But to
alter the Act now, further than to accommodate it to circum
stances when it is essential, or to remedy an obvious error, if
any should be discovered, will not do. The bill passed this
Assembly with only nine dissenting voices and got thro' both
Houses in a day — so earnest were the members of getting it
to you in time.
"It is now near 12 at night, and I am writing with an
Aching head, having been constantly employed in this business
since the 22nd. without assistance from my colleagues. Gen.
Gates having been sick the whole time & Colo. Blackburn not
attending. "But for this I would be more explicit.
"I am with great esteem & regard Dear Sir,
" Yr. Most Obt. Ser't.
"Geo. Washington.

The Patowmack Company. $T
"1 am ashamed to send such a letter but cannot give you
a fairer one, G. W.
"Jas. Madison, Esqr.''^
The articles of the compact between the states,
known as "the Mount Vernon," were drawn up and
duly forwarded to the respective legislatures at the
fall sessions of 1785. The sixth article reads :
"The river Potomac shall be considered as a common high
way for the purposes of navigation and commerce to the
citizens of Virginia and Maryland, and of the United States
and to all other persons in amity with the said states trading
to or from Virginia or Maryland.
"Seventh; — The citizens of each state respectively shall
have full property in the shores of the Potomac rive adjoining
their lands."
The compact was approved by both legislatures with
the farther stipulation introduced by Thomas Stone in
the Maryland senate :
"That joint application be made to Congress for consent to
form a compact for the purpose of affording in and in just
proportion naval protection to Chesapeake Bay and Potomac
river which may be left unprovided for by Congress; — That
currencies should be regulated; — That duties and imposts
should be the same in both states ; That commissioners should
be annually appointed to regulate commerce ; — That Delaware
and Pennsylvania should be notified and requested to join
with Virginia and Maryland. "
The amendment was sent to Virginia and ratified.
This compact between Virginia and Maryland in the
interest of the Potomac improvement is another polit
ical incident in the history of the development of this
route to the west and as before stated has been con
sidered by Madison and other statesmen as the initial
' From Madison MSS. in the Library of Congress.

52 The Patowmack Company.
step toward calling the national convention in 1787
which framed our constitution.
Meanwhile Washington with unwonted enthusiasm
was writing to absent friends and wielding all of his
great influence to secure support for the "adventure,"
as such undertakings were appropriately called. To
Richard Henry Lee, then president of Congress, he
wrote December 14 :
"The Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland have now under
consideration the extension of the inland navigation of the
Rivers Potowmac and James, and opening a communication
between them and the western waters. They seem fully im
pressed with the political as well as the commercial advan
tages, which would result from the accomplishment of these
great objects; and I hope will embrace the present moment
to put them in a train for execution. Would it not at the
same time be worthy of the wisdom and attention of Congress
to have the western waters well explored, the navigation of
them fully ascertained, accurately laid down, and a complete
and perfect map made of the country; as least as far west-
wardly as the Miamies, running into the Ohio and Lake Erie,
and to see how the waters of these communicate with the river
St. Joseph, which empties into the Lake Michigan, and with
the Wabash ? For I cannot forbear observing that the Miami
village, in Hutchin's map, if it and the waters are laid down
with accuracy, points to a very important point for the Union.
The expense attending such an undertaking could not be great ;
the advantages would be unbounded ; for sure I am, nature has
made such a display of her bounties in those regions, that
the more the country is explored, the more it will rise in esti
mation, consequently the greater will be the revenue to the
Union. ' '
- Again, February 8, 1785 :
' ' Since my last I have had the honor to receive your favors
of the 26th of December and 16th of January. I have now the
pleasure to inform you that the Assemblies of Virginia and

The Patowmack Company. 53
Maryland have enacted laws, of which the inclosed is a copy.
They are exactly similar in both States. At the same time
and at the joint and equal expense of the two governments,
the sum of 6666.66 is voted for opening and keeping in repair
a road from the highest practicable navigation of this river
to that of the river Cheat, or Monongahela, as commissioners,
who are appointed to survey and lay out the same, shall find
most convenient and beneficial to the western settlers; and
they have concurred in an application to the state of Pennsyl
vania for permission to open another road from Fort Cumber
land to the Youghiogheny, at the Three Forks, or Turkey
Foot." With the final action of the Virginia Assembly on
the 5th of January, 1785, the Patowmack Company was
formally launched, subscription books were opened at
Richmond, Alexandria and Winchester in Virginia,
and at Annapolis, Frederick and Georgetown in Mary
land, to be closed by the tenth of May.
In the Maryland Gazette of February appeared this
advertisement :
"PATOWMACK CANAL!
' ' By Virtue of an act of the last General Assembly of Mary
land entitled 'An Act for establishing a company for opening
and extending the Navigation of the River Patowmack' notice
is hereby given that the laudable subscriptions so essentially
necessary to accomplish a work fraught with such universal
advantages is now opened at Annapolis where it will so con
tinue until the 10th of May next in the hands of
"Christopher Richmond, John Davidson."
In January Madison, whose assistance had been so
valuable, wrote to Jefferson, whose interest we per
ceive by his letters was also most lively.
" Shortly after his (Washington with Lafayette) departure,
a joint memorial from a number of citizens of Virginia and

54 The Patowmack Company.
Maryland, interested in the Potomac, was presented to the
Assembly, stating the practicability and importance of the
work, and praying for an act of incorporation, and grant of
perpetual toll to the undertaking of it. A bill had been pre
pared at the same meeting which produced the memorial, and
was transmitted to Richmond at the same time. A like me
morial and bill went to Annapolis, where the Legislature of
Maryland was sitting.
"The Assembly here lent a ready ear to the project; but a
difficulty arose from the height of the tolls proposed, the
danger of destroying the uniformity essential in the proceed
ings of the two States by altering them, and the scarcity of
time for negotiating with Maryland a bill satisfactory to both
States. Short as the time was, however, the attempt was de
cided on, and the negotiation committed to General Washing
ton himself. General Gates, who happened to be in the way,
and Col. Blackburn, were associated with him. The latter did
not act; the two former pushed immediately to Annapolis,
where the sickness of General Gates threw the whole agency
on General Washington. By his exertions, in concert with
Committees of the two branches of the Legislature, an amend
ment of the plan was digested in a few days, passed through
both Houses in one day, with nine dissenting voices only, and
dispatched for Richmond, where it arrived just in time for
the close of the Session. A corresponding Act was imme
diately introduced, and passed without opposition.
"The Scheme declares that the subscribers shall be an in
corporated body; that there shall be 500 shares, amounting
to about 220,000 dollars, of which the States of Virginia and
Maryland are each to take 50 shares; that the tolls shall be
collected in three portions, at the three principal falls, and
with the works vest as real estate in the members of the Com
pany ; and that the works shall be begun within one year and
finished within ten years, under the penalty of entire for
feiture. "In addition to these acts, joint resolutions have passed the
Legislatures of Virginia and Maryland for clearing a road
from the head of Potomac navigation to Cheat river, or if neces-

The Patowmack Company. 55
sary to Monongalia, and 3.333 1/3 dollars are voted for the
work by each State. Pennsylvania is also to be applied to by
the Governors of the two States for leave to clear a road
through her jurisdiction, if it should be found necessary, from
Potomac to Yohogania; to which the Assembly here have
added a proposition to unite with Maryland in representing
to Pennsylvania the advantages which will accrue on a part
of her citizens from opening the proposed communication with
the sea, and the reasonableness of her securing to those who
are to be at the expense the use of her waters as a thorough
fare to and from the Country beyond her limits, free from
all imposts and restrictions whatever, and as a channel of
trade with her citizens, free from greater imposts than may
be levied on any other channel of importation. This resolu
tion did not pass till it was too late to refer it to General
Washington's negociations with Maryland. It now makes a
part of the task alloted to the Commissioners who are to settle
with Maryland the jurisdiction and navigation of Potomac,
below tide water. By another Resolution of this State, per
sons are to be forthwith appointed by the Executive to survey
the upper parts of James river, the country through which a
road must pass to the navigable waters of the New River, and
these waters down to the Ohio. I am told by a member of the
Assembly, who seems well acquainted both with the inter
mediate ground and with the western waters in question, that
a road of 25 or 30 miles in length will link these waters with'
James River, and will strike a branch of the former which
yields a fine navigation, and falls into the main stream of the
Kenhawa below the obstructions lying in this river down to
the Ohio. If these be facts James River will have a great
superiority over Potomac, the road from which to Cheat river
is, indeed, computed by General Washington at 20 miles only,
but he thinks the expence of making the latter navigable will
require a continuation of the road to Monongalia, which will
lengthen it to forty miles. The road to Yohogania is com
puted by the General at 30 miles."
' ' The Treasurer is by this act directed to subscribe 50 shares

56 The Patowmack Company.
in the Potomac and 100 shares in the James River companies,
which shall vest in General Washington and his heirs. This
mode of adding some substantial to the many rewards bestowed
on him was deemed least injurious to his delicacy, as well as
least dangerous as a precedent. It was submitted in place of a
direct pension, urged on the House by the indiscreet zeal of
some of his friends. Though it will not be an equivalent succor
in all respects, it will save the General from subscriptions
which would have oppressed his finances; and if the schemes
be executed within the period fixed, may yield a revenue for
some years before the term of his. At all events, it will demon
strate the grateful wishes of his country, and will promote the
object which he has so much at heart. The earnestness with-
which he espouses the undertaking is hardly to be described,
and shews that a mind like his, capable of great views, cannot
bear a vacancy ; and surely he could not have chosen an occu
pation more worthy of succeeding to that of establishing the
political rights of his Country than the patronage of works
for the extensive and lasting improvement of its natural ad
vantages ; works which will double the value of half the lands
within the Commonwealth, will extend its commerce, link with
its interests those of the Western States, and lessen the emi
gration of its citizens by enhancing the profitableness of
situations which they now desert in search of better."

At an early hour on the 17th of May, 1785, an unu
sual number of the gentry of Virginia and Maryland
met in Alexandria to organize the much heralded com
pany for improving the navigation of the Potomac.
After a mid-day banquet they were called to order in
the assembly room, so often the scene of festivity, by
His Excellency General Washington. In brief intro
ductory remarks he expressed his pleasure in meeting
so large and representative a company, referred to the
magnitude of the proposed enterprise — its political as
well as commercial significance — and assured his audi-

The Patowmack Company. 57
tors of the certainty of ultimate reimbursement to the
subscribers. Eesponses followed in the same confident
strain and the meeting proceeded to the business of
organization. The minutes of the meeting as transcribed by John
Potts, Jr., are among the Gilmor papers in the collec
tions of the Maryland Historical Society, who cour
teously have permitted a copy. The originals are not
to be found. "Alexandria, 17th. May, 1785.
"This day & at this Town pursuant to the act of the Gen
eral Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia for Opening
and Extending the Navigation of Patowmack River & pur
suant to the act of the General Assembly of the State of
Maryland for the same purpose, there was a general meeting
of the Subscribers to the undertaking who proceeded to the
Choice of a Chairman & elected Daniel Carroll Esq. to that
office & appointed Charles Lee Esq. Clerk of the Meeting.
"The Book that has been opened for receiving subscriptions
at the City of Richmond, at the Towns of Alexandria & Win
chester in Virginia, & at the City of Annapolis, at George
Town & Frederick Town in the State of Maryland being pro
duced & examined the Subscriptions therein appeared to be
as follows —
In Richmond Book,  One hundred Shares,
In Alexandria Book, .... One hundred thirty-five Shares,
In Winchester Book, .... Thirty-one Shares,
In Annapolis Book,  Seventy-three Shares,
In George Town Book, . . Forty-two Shares,
In Frederick Town Book, . Twenty-two Shares,
Amounting in all to Four hundred and three Shares, which
made a Capital of 40.300£ Sterling money.
"On a Motion made & seconded; Resolved — That the Sub
scribers present in person together with those present by
Proxy proceed to the Choice of a President and Directors of
the Patowmack Company & that the President & Directors

58 The Patowmack Company.
now to be chosen should continue in Office untill the first Mon
day in the Month of August which shall be in the year 1786.
"Resolved — That at every General Meeting in taking the
votes of the Proprietors each Proprietor shall give in his vote
or votes at the Clerk's table in writing, and when the vote or
votes shall be given by Proxy, that the name of each Con
stituent be also inserted.
"Ordered — That Chas. Simms and Jas. Keith be a Com
mittee to examine the deputations to act & vote as Proxy & to
make report thereof to this Meeting, who having made report
accordingly —
"Resolved — That the deputations from Thos. Blackburn to
Wm. Brown, from Thos. Johnson to Abraham Faw, and from
Jno. Lynn to Abraham Faw, to act & vote for them respec
tively at this Meeting appearing to have been executed before
One witness only, are Illegal & insufficient & that the said
Blackburn Johnson & Lynn be not admitted to vote their
respective Proxys aforesaid. — "
' ' The Proprietors present as well as such of the absent Pro
prietors as are represented by Proxys having given in their
votes in manner before mentioned for the choice of a President
& four Directors of the Patowmack Company, & the said votes
being duly examined & accounted, a majority of votes was in
favor of his Excellency, George Washington to be President
& in favor of Thos. Johnson, Thos. Sim Lee, James Fitzgerald
and George Gilpin to be Directors & thereupon his Excellency
George Washington, Thos. Johnson, Thos. Sim Lee, James
Fitzgerald and George Gilpin were declared by the Chairman
to be elected President and Directors of the Patowmack
Company. "Ordered — That the names of the Proprietors who were
present in proper person, & also of those who voted & acted by
Proxy at this meeting with the names of each Proxy respec
tively be inserted in the Minutes. ' '
"Present in proper person —
His Excellency, George Washington

The Patowmack Company.

59

Danfcl Carroll,
Wm. Deakins, junr.
Henry Townsend,
Jno. Boucher,

Robert Peter,
Chas. Worthington,
Jas. M. Lingan,
Bernard 0 'Neill,

Thos. C. Crampline, Geo. Digges,
Abraham Faw, Horatio Gates
Edward Beeson,
John Gunnell,
Lund Washington
Wm. Lowry,

Edward Smith,
Chas. Little,
Wm. Hepburn,
Benj. Shrieve,
Dan'l McPherson,
Geo. Gilpin,
Robert Hooks,
Joseph Janney,
Baldwin Dade,
James Keith,
Wm. Lyles,
Dennis Ramsay,
Chas. Lee.

Sam'l Davidson,
Thos. Beall of George,
Benj. Stoddert,
Lionel Bradstreet,
Jas. Johnston,
Peter Bruin,
Joseph Holmes,
Roger West,
Henry Lyles,
John Harper,
Wm. Brown,
Leven Powell,
Wm. Ellzey,
Dan'l Roberdeau,
Benj. Dulany,
Alex. Henderson,
Jno. Potts, Junr.
Richard Conway,

Wm. Scott,
Wm. Hartshorne,
Chas. Simms,
Sam'l L. Brown,
John Allison,
James Lawreson,
David Stuart,
Wm. Herbert,
Jno. Fitzgerald,
' ' Present by Proxy —
Jacquelin Ambler, Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Vir
ginia, by His Excellency George Washington,
Richard Harrison, Jas. W. Harrison, Thos. Lewis, Rob't.
Mackey, Henry Ridgeley, Wm. Bates, Geo. Scott, James
Rumsey by Peter B. Bruin ;
Baker Johnson, Geo. Schertzell, Thos. Sim Lee, Joseph Chap-
line, Philip Thomas, Thos. Beatty, Joseph Sim, Jno. T.
Amelung, Thos. Grant, Thos. Hawkins, Patrick L. Smith,
by Abraham Faw ;
Alex. White, Philip Pendleton, Wm. Drew, Moses Hunter,
Wm. Brady, Wm. MlcKeward, James Campbell, Henry Bedin-
ger, Geo. Scott, Geo. Hite, Walter Baker, Abraham Shep
herd, Benj. Beisler, Cornelius Wyncoop by Horatio Gates."
"Resolved — That the writings concerning the deputations
to vote and act as Proxy be delivered together with the Sub
scribers voting and the Minutes of this Meeting to the Presi
dent and Directors & that a General Meeting of the Patow-

6o The Patowmack Company.
mack Company be held at George Town on the first Mondty in
August next.
"(Signed) "Chas. Lee,
"Clerk of the Meeting."
And thus the first incorporation of a company for
the improvement of our inland water ways was accom
plished; its successors have been many but none have
ventured into unknown difficulties and perplexities
with greater courage or higher motives; their aims
were to benefit the remote settler, to safeguard the
Union and incidentally, to place a remunerative invest
ment. Washington and Johnson had been equally ac
tive in securing the charters from their respective
states — Washington never lost his faith or interest in
the project, Johnson's activity seems to have ceased
when he became commissioner of the District of Co
lumbia, although he always maintained that his shares
were of great value. This new company was the lineal
successor of the powerful old Ohio Company; George
Mason and others still treasured the stock of that un
fortunate organization and vainly sought its recogni
tion by the new. It will be noticed that very few of the
subscribed shares were unrepresented at the initial
meeting; among these were John Ballendine, Gover
nors Paca and Harrison. Such a subscription list in
such a time of financial stress and uncertainty is evi
dence of the great popular interest and confidence in
the ultimate result.
On the 18th General Washingion addressed the fol
lowing note to Thos. Johnson and Thos. Sim Lee :
"Gentlemen; — At a meeting of the Subscribers to the Po
towmack Navigation held yesterday agreeable to the Acts of
Assembly of both States, a President and Directors were

The Patowmack Company. 6i
chosen, the former I have accepted of, & you two in conjunc
tion with George Gilpin & John Fitzgerald Esqrs. were
appointed Directors, which I hope will be agreeable to you.
As the season begins to advance I have thought necessary
that we should have a meeting as soon as it can be with con
venience, I have appointed Monday the 30th Inst, for that
purpose. I have no doubt of your punctual attendance at
that time. The place I leave to you to fix upon, & request
your answer by return of the Express, which is sent on this
special Business, You'll also please mention the Hour you
would wish to meet on.
' ' I have the honor to be &c, G. Washington
"May 19th. '85. Since the letter which accompanies this
was wrote by Genl. Washington I have found a private copy.
(Mr. Buff of this town) who is to return immediately to this
place, hence to save expense to the Company committed it to
his care. If you find it necessary to send an express to Mr.
Lee the expense shall be paid at the meeting.'"
At the first meeting of the directory there were many
important questions to be decided ; two long days were
spent in almost continuous session in a private room
of the old City Hotel. William Hartshorne, a promi
nent merchant and underwriter of Alexandria, was ap
pointed treasurer with an allowance of 3 per cent.,
bonded at £10,000 sterling with two securities. John
Potts, Jr., a member of a Pennsylvania family, was se
lected for "clerk to this Board, to be paid 21s. sterling
for each day he shall attend, beside his reasonable ex
penses when he occasionally attends out of Alexandria
and thereby incurs an extraordinary expense." This
attended to the gentlemen resolved:
"That it is the opinion of this Board that it is the most
eligible to employ two sets of hands, one of them in opening
and improving the navigation from Great Falls to Payne's
Falls and the other from the upper part of Shenandoah Falls
° From original.

62 The Patowmack Company.
to the highest place practicable on the North Branch. That
each sett consist of fifty men to be under the general direc
tion of one skilful person who shall have a proper assistant,
as well as three overseers with each party.
"Ordered that the Proprietors of the said Company pay
into the hands of William Hartshorne, treasurer, on each
share £5 ster. on or before July 15 and also the further sum
of £2. 10 s ster. on or before October first next."
Books were directed to be opened at Mr. Harts-
horne's store for subscriptions for the 97 unsold shares.
(It was not long before 87 of these were taken by three
firms in Amsterdam, Holland, probably induced thereto
by Louis Casanove, their American agent.) Ordered,
advertisements to be inserted in Philadelphia, Balti
more and Alexandria papers for a skilful person to
conduct the work from Great Falls upward — also for
two assistants and overseers — also liberal wages with
provisions and a reasonable quantity of spirits offered
to not over one hundred good hands. Ordered,
a letter to Capt. Abraham Shepherd, of Shepherd's
Town, requesting him to contract for the building of
two strong boats for the use of the company, to be 35
feet long 8 wide and not less than 20 inches deep, in the
common manner of the flats used at the ferries on the
Potowmack above tide water ; also two other like boats
to be contracted for by Col. Josias Clapham. A gen
eral view of the river with the superintendent was rec
ommended to be made after the general meeting in
August. No applicants appearing on the first of July the
meeting was adjourned until the 14th. The energetic
Gilpin undertook to meet and employ laborers that
should apply at Seneca and Shenandoah. It must be
remembered that the work to be done required untried
skill; no engineer in America had ever seen a canal

The Patowmack Company. 63
lock, few understood anything of the mechanical prin
ciples involved. There were no applicants for the su
perintendency on the 14th. After some deliberation it
was resolved to proffer the position to James Rumsey,
the most skilled mechanician in the two states, a man
of genius, industrious and inventive, his pay to be £200
Virginia currency per year ' ' inclusive of all expenses
he may incur." Mr. Richardson Stewart was ap
pointed assistant manager at a salary of £125 Virginia
currency. The second assistant was not appointed,
but his selection left to Mr. Rumsey. The rations for
laborers were to be: one pound salt pork, or one and
quarter pounds salt beef, or one and half fresh beef or
mutton, one and half pounds flour or bread and three
gills of rum per day.
After the general meeting in Georgetown, of which
there is no record, the president and directors, accom
panied by a number of shareholders, started on a tour
of inspection of the river under the guidance of Rumsey.
"The object of this tour (up the Potomac) was to inspect
minutely the course of the Potomac from Georgetown to
Harper's Ferry, and ascertain in what places and to what
extent it was necessary to construct canals and remove ob
structions in the river. The directors went up by land, part
of the distance on one side and part on the other; but they
returned from Harper's Perry to the head of Great Falls
above Georgetown in boats; thus effecting a thorough exami
nation of the river. ' '
General Washington left the party at Seneca and —
(from the Diary) :
"August 5th. After breakfast, and after directing Mr.
Rumsey, when he had marked the way and set the laborers at
work, to meet us at Harper's Ferry, myself and the directors
set out for the same place by way of Frederick Town in Mary
land. Dined at a Dutchman's two miles above the mouth of

64 The Patowmack Company.
the Monocacy, and reached Frederick Town about five o'clock.
Drank tea, supped, and lodged at Governor Johnson's. In the
evening the bells rang and guns were fired ; and a committee
waited upon me by order of the gentlemen of the town to
request, that I would stay the next day and partake of a
public dinner, which the town were desirous of giving me.
But as arrangements had been made, and the time for examin
ing Shenandoah Falls, previously to the day fixed for receiv
ing laborers into pay, was short, I found it most expedient to
decline the honor. "^°
The full board met for a three days' session at
Shenandoah Falls on the Sth of August and resolved :
"That the President and all the directors having yes
terday viewed and examined the Shenandoah Falls
from the flat water above to that below were unani
mously of opinion that the navigation may be carried
through the falls without a lock and that the purposes
of the incorporation would be best promoted by the
speediest removal of obstructions within the above de
scribed space." The following letter was written to
Mr. Rumsey, transcribed in the minutes and signed in
duplicate by General Washington :
"Sir, — As you have attended the President and directors in
their view and examination of the river from the upper part
of the Seneca Falls to the Great Palls and from the flat water
above to the fiat water below the Shenandoah Falls you are
possessed not only of their opinion of the course in general to
be improved and their idea of the manner of effecting the
work but also of their sentiments on many particular spots. —
The President and directors have no doubt could they per
sonally attend the work in its progress and see the river and
those places in its different situations, they might in many
instances depart from their present opinions. — The nature of
the work and our situations make it therefore, necessary to
leave it in your discretion to vary from what you may have
."See Ford, "Writings of Washington," Vol. 10, p. 487.

The Patowmack Company. 65
conceived our opinion to be as to the track or manner of
executing the work. And we do it the more cheerfully as
you seem to be equally impressed as ourselves with the im
portance of a straight navigation and the advantages of
avoiding as far as well may be, cross currents. The oppor
tunity you will have to watch the water at different heights
and your, industry in examining more minutely the different
obstructions will enable you to exercise the discretionary
power left with you to your own credit and satisfaction. You
are already apprised of our change of resolution as to the
place of working the upper party and the reasons which
induced that change, and as effecting the navigation through
the Shenandoah and Seneca Falls will be immediately advan
tageous to a great extent of country you are not to consider
yourself restricted to the number of flfty hands for each
party, but you are to employ as many as you have an oppor
tunity to engage and you can work to advantage, so that the
work may be expedited ; but you must immediately on exceed
ing one hundred in the whole give information to the Presi
dent least any disappointment should happen in the ready
payment of the company's debts, which by all means is to be
avoided. ' ' For the President and Directors
"(signed) G. Washington."

Up to that time no public undertaking had ever
aroused so much enthusiasm. When we consider the
lean and impoverished condition of the gentry after
the war it seems almost incredible that 403 shares,
amounting to £40,300, should have been readily sub
scribed. It is worthy of note that John Ballendine 's
subscription was one of the first received in the Alex
andria office. For forty years the work of this com
pany occupied relatively the same position in the atten
tion of the mechanical world as the Panama canal does
in ours — but unfortunately a nation's plethoric purse
6

66 The Patowmack Company.
could not be called upon to remedy untoward condi
tions. The locks constructed at Great Falls were the
engineering feat of the eighteenth century and were
described in every scientific publication in the civilized
world. This work was the culmination of Washing
ton's hope for national expansion, for prosperity, for
national unity and in its future he never lost his faith.
To those of us who have considered this great and good
man as an abstraction, a merely practical man of good
hard sense and moral rectitude, the story of his con
nection with this enterprise will be a surprise, reveal
ing him as a man of vivid imagination and unbounded
enthusiasm; read this letter written to Lafayette in
July, 1785 :
' ' I wish to see the sons and daughters of the world in peace
and busily employed in the more agreeable amusement of ful-
filing the first and great commandment — 'Increase and mul
tiply,' as an encouragement to which we have opened the
fertile plains of the Ohio to the poor, the needy and the op
pressed of the Earth. Any one therefore who is heavy laden,
or who wants land to cultivate, may repair thither and abound,
as in the Land of Promise, with milk and honey, the ways
are preparing, and the roads will be made easy, thro' the
channels of Potomac and James rivers. ' '
In letters addressed to David Humphreys and others
in the same month he further emphasizes his fear of
Spanish influence and his attitude on the question of
opening the navigation of the Mississippi.
"I may be singular in my ideas, but they are these; that to
open a door to, and make easy the way for those settlers to
the westward (who ought to advance regularly and com
pactly) before we make any stir about the navigation of the
Mississippi, and before our settlements are far advanced
toward that river would be our true line of policy."

The Patowmack Company. 67
"To Edmund Randolph, "13 August, 1785.
"Bear Sir,
"... The great object, for the accomplishment of which
I wish to see the inland navigation of the Rivers James &
Potomack improved & extended, is to connect the Western
Territory with the Atlantic States; all others with me are
secondary. ' '
' ' To Richard Henry Lee, "22d August, 1785.
"... However singular the opinion may be, I cannot
divest myself of it, that the navigation of the Mississippi, at
this time, ought to be no object with us. On the contrary,
until we have a little time allowed to open and make easy the
ways between the Atlantic States and the western territory,
the obstruction had better remain. There is nothing which
binds one county or one State to another, but interest. With
out this cement the western inhabitants who more than prob
ably will be composed in a great degree of foreigners, can have
no predilection for us, and a commercial connection is the
only tie we can have. ' '
In the intervals of attending board meetings and in
specting critical points in the river. General Washing
ton wrote many eloquent letters to influential public
men as well as friends on the engrossing topic — the
summer and fall were very fully employed. Many
guests also were to be entertained; Mr. Hunter, an
English traveler, has left a pleasant account of his
visit :
"At three the dinner was on the table and we were shown
by the General into another room, where everything was set
off with a peculiar taste, and at the same time very neat and
plain. The General sent the bottle about pretty freely after
dinner and gave success to the Navigation of the Potomac for
his toast, which he has very much at heart, and when finished
will I suppose be the first river in the world. He never under-

68 The Patowmack Company.
takes anything without having first well considered of it, and
consulted different people, but when ever he has begun any
thing, no obstacle or difficulty can come in his way but what
he is determined to surmount. The General's character seems
to be a prudent but a very persevering one.
"He is quite pleased at the idea of the Baltimore mer
chants laughing at him and saying it was a ridiculous plan
and would never succeed. 'They begin now,' says the Gen
eral, 'to look a little serious about the matter, as they know
it must hurt their commerce amazingly. ' ' '^'¦
The directory of the James River project through
Edmund Randolph tendered the presidency of their
company to General Washington, who in the following
letter declined the additional responsibility :
"16 Sept. 1785.
"... I feel very sensibly, the honor and confidence which has
been reposed in me by the James river company; and regret
it will not be in my power to discharge the duties of President
of the Board of Directors, with that punctuality and attention
which the trust requires. — Every service however that I can
render, compatible with my other avocations, shall be afforded
with pleasure, and I am happy in being associated in the
business with gentlemen so competent to the purposes of their
appointment — and from what I have heard of the navigation,
and seen of the Falls, I think your work may be soon and
easily accomplished — and that it will be of great public utility,
as well as private emolument to the subscribers when done ; —
for the advantage of both, tho' I believe the business lies in
another line, I would earnestly recommend it to you to press
the execution of the survey between James river and the navi
gable waters of the Kanhawa, and a proper investigation of
the latter. It will be a source of great commerce with the
capitol and in my opinion will be productive of great political
consequences to this country; — the business of a similar
nature, as it respects this river, is at an entire stand. — Mr.
" See W. Va. Sistorical Mag., Vol. 1, p. 60.

The Patowmack Company. 69
Massey who was first appointed on the part of this State, hav
ing declined acting ; the IMaryland Commissioner knows of no
other in his room, and is unable, tho ' ready to proceed.
"Besides what appears in the minutes, which are enclosed,
it is in contemplation by the Board of Directors of the Navi
gation of this river, to endeavor to hire a number of slaves
next year as labourers thereon, — and as the Great Falls are
tremendous, and the navigation thereof, in whatever manner
it is attempted will require much skill and practical knowl
edge in the execution; we propose, before this is undertaken,
to invite a proper person from Europe, who has been employed
in works of this kind, as a superintendant of it; With respect
to the other parts of the river, tho' what are called the Shen
andoah Falls are as difficult in my opinion as the Falls of
James river at Westham, we seem to have confidence enough
in ourselves to undertake them; and mean to do so without
having recourse to either canals or Locks. — Thro' all the Falls
and rapids above the Great Falls, we mean to attempt nothing
more than to open a strait passage to avoid, as much as pos-
siljle, currents ; — giving sufficient depth, and as much smooth
ness as may be to the surface; — and if Rumsey 's project fails
(of which he has not the smallest apprehension) to pull the
Boats up by chains floated by buoys; — the latter, when Ice
begins to form, may be slipped and thereby saved; whilst the
former rivoted to rocks at bottom, may remain during the
intemperate season undisturbed and without injury.
"Upon an estimate of the expence of those chains and
Buoys, we (that is, the Directors of the Potomac navigation
and myself) are of opinion, without having an eye to the
probable advantages which are expected to be derived from
Rumsey 's mechanical discovery, than it will be inflnitely less
than what must arise from cutting canals, building Locks,
making track paths, &c., as was the design of Balendine and
others; and will have this advantage over them, that when
once done, that is when the passage is opened in a straight
direction in the natural bed of the river, it is done as it were
forever, whereas canals and Locks, beside the natural decay
of them, are exposed to much injury from Ice, drift wood, and

170 The Patowmack Company.
even the common freshes; in a word, are never safe where
there are such sudden inundations and violent torrents, as the
rivers in this country are subject to. ' ' Etc.
Johnson and Lee seldom attended directory meet
ings held at Alexandria but seem to have given their
personal attention to the work about Shenandoah and
Seneca. In September Johnson wrote General Wash
ington from Frederick :
"Sir, 1 received your letter of the 10th Inst, five days after
its Date and the next day had an Opportunity of showing it
to Mr. Lee he had very lately been to see Mr. Rumsey and was
Spectator of several successful Blasts.
"Rumsey had discharged several disorderly Fellows and had
but one left that he was any way desirous of getting rid of
he had then about seventy hands Mr. Lee says the Men seemed
to work with Spirit and the Difficulties appear less in the
progress of the Work than were expected it seems they only
want more Strength.
' ' We both think it desirable to have Negroes as well as pur
chase Servants but imagine very few can be got in this State
perhaps indeed they cannot be removed from hence on the
Virginia side of the Great Falls with propriety we think your
supply must be altogether from Virginia and we are alto
gether unacquainted with the common Terms we both must
and are willing to submit this Point to yourself and the other
Gent, as you are so much better informed than we are we think
their labour will be more valuable than that of common white
Hirelings As to the number there 's no other check as we can
see but Employment for them in Winter Your and the other
Gents View of the Great Falls will have enabled you to correct
my Guesses if we go on Imagine we might find Employment
for 100 Hands perhaps more Amongst the Servants I think it
would be well to have four Smiths some Carpenters and a
Wheelwright or two As the Season is fast approaching in
which we must resolve whether to do any Thing this Winter
or not I had determined to meet you at Seneca today and to

The Patowmack Company. 7^
have gone with you to the Great Falls Tomorrow but last
Night I reed, a pressing message to go to .Annapolis I there
fore gave up so much of my Design as to seeing the Great Falls
and a very rainy Day prevents my meeting you at Seneca to
remedy it as far as my Situation will allow though I would
prefer half an Hours Conversation on the Subject to all I can
write in a Day I have amused myself with writing my Ideas
on the Canal and Locks in detail and making Calculations of
the Expence which indeed surprises me for its smallness in
the Amount though I do not see where to add to bring it
nearer my former Conjectures I enclose them to you my
intention must be their Recommendation I propose to myself
the pleasure of seeing you before long
"The Butcher who was to have supplied Mr. Stewarts
party would not enter into the Contract on my return without
being ascertained there should be 50 Rations issued I told
him there was a probability of more instead of less and pre
vailed on him to take a letter from me to Mr. Stewart he set
off with it but came back without going near Mr. Stewart
or coming to me on his Return I was unwell and knew noth
ing of this Bchr. for a Week or ten days afterwards.
"I fear Mr. Stewart has been equally disappointed about
Boats Colo. Clapham has been ill and as has been common
with us this Season has had a great proportion of his people
sick he has been obliged to take his own people out of his
Crops for he could not hire Hands I dare say he is as much
chagrined at the Delay as Mr. Stewart for no Body is more
friendly to the Success of the Work than he is. ' ' Etc.^^
Free white labor of the time was unskilful and unre
liable, the management at once perceived that recourse
must be had to slaves. A large number of redemption-
ers or indentured servants were purchased from Euro
pean ships landing in Philadelphia and Baltimore.
These were classed at the works as "Red Boys,"
"Blue Boys," etc., according to their ships. Irish
servants appear to have given the superintendents
'^ From original.

72 The Patowmack Company.
very much annoyance, to judge from the press of the
day. In the Maryland Chronicle of the 22d February,
1786, we find this :
"From the Alexandria Gazette of the 1st. January we hear
that several servants who had been purchased to work on the
Potowmack Navigation lately ran away, but being soon after
apprehended, were sentenced to have their heads & eyebrows
shaved, which operation was immediately executed, and is to
be continued every week during the time of their servitude,
or until their behaviour evinces that they are brought to a
sense of their duty. This notice, it is expected, will suffi
ciently apprize the country should they again make a similar
attempt. ' '
James Rumsey also on June 21, 1786, advertises
from Great Falls :
"These indented Irish servants, Wm. Fee (shaved,) James
Nevin, Francis Caey, Arthur Mullin, (shaved) Thos. Moore,
James Munnay, Hugh Taylor, Rob't Meighan, Taylor took a
variety of clothes with him, among them a super fine green
cloth coat with bright buttons. £60 reward for all or £10
for each."
July 10th:
' ' Four more Irish servants & a woman belonging to a neigh
boring planter, claims to have married Taylor, she wore a
crimson frieze clothe cloak, a blue petticoat & a white furred
hat, (all stolen,) £100 reward for all or £20 for each."
As in modern times real estate values along the
river were enhanced. One John Canmell laid off a
town on the west side of Seneca on the river in Mont
gomery County and advertised it as "the most advan
tageous place for erecting a town, for benefit of the
coming navigation. ' '
On the 18th of October there was a two days' session
of the full board at Great Falls. The question of labor
was most perplexing, the indentured servants were

The Patowmack Company. 73
quite as unreliable as the hired men; it was resolved to
hire negro slaves for £20 Virginia currency per annum
with comfortable clothing and substantial rations; so
henceforth there were three classes of laborers em
ployed, with the usual clashes between them. On the
new year hands were working at Shenandoah, Seneca
and Great Falls, at the last place building huts for the
men and digging the canal. Rumsey was instructed to
order as many boats as would be needed for work in
the bed of the river. This ingenious young man seems
to have put aside his schemes for utilizing steam in
navigation and to have devoted all his energies to the
service of his employers — for a time at least. He
wrote almost daily reports to the treasurer, Mr. Harts
horne ; this will serve as a specimen :
' ' Great Falls potowmack July 3d 1786. Sir We have Been
much Imposed upon the last Two weeks in the powder way
(we had our Blowers, One Run off the other Blown up) we
therefore was Obliged to have two new hands put to Blowing
and there was much attention gave to them least Axedents
should happen yet they used the powder Rather too Extrava
gant, But that was not all they have certainly stolen a Con
siderable Quantity as we have not more by us than will last
until tomorrow noon. Our hole troop is Such Villians that we
must for the future give the powder into Charge of a person
appointed for that purpose to measure it to them on the
ground by a Charger. — I hope you will have it in your power
to send us powder here Immediately (if Left at Mr. Shep
herds we can get it. ) I am just finishing some houses at Bath
for which I want foure Boxes of window glass 8 by 10 if you
will be kind enough to furnish it, and Deliver it to the Bearer
of this letter Mr. Mordacai Throckmorton he will send it up
for me, and I will Settle with you for it, as well as all other
of my accounts, the next time I Come to town, I am with
esteem your friend and serv't James Rumsey
"P. S. please to send lib of Salt Petre with the powder,
we think we Can make matches with it that will Save powder. ' '

74 The Patowmack Company.
At a three days' session at Great Falls in March,
1786, Rumsey was directed to give his personal atten
tion to the point where the largest force was employed
and James Smith was appointed an assistant manager.
A call was made for 10£ ster. on each share.
"And upon a view and examination of the different
tracks proposed to carry the canal in, it was unani
mously determined that the one last examined between
the river and the Falls Island is the most eligible and
that it be taken in that course."
In August the general meeting of the proprietors of
the Potowmack Company was held in Alexandria and
was very largely attended. General Washington read
the first annual report of the president and directors,
which autograph report has been preserved and is
herewith represented. "Annual Report, August, 1786.
' ' The President and directors of the Potomac Company beg
leave to report that they have called for four dividends on the
several subscriptions as follows; the first of 5%, the sec
ond of 2%, the third of 10%, the fourth of 10%. Amounting
in the whole to Twelve thousand, four hundred and thirty
pounds sterling, of which there has been paid, five thousand
nine hundred & forty pounds sterling. The several expendi
tures will appear by the Treasurer's account, who has in hand
one thousand six hundred thirty six pounds 13s 2. Virginia
Currency equal to One thousand Two hundred Twenty seven
pounds 10s 2 sterling. —
"With respect to the business we beg leave to refer to the
Secretary's Books which contain all our orders relating
thereto. ' ' In consequence of these orders the Work has been carryed
on at the Seneca and Shenandoah Falls while the waters were
low enough to admit of it. After the river rose too high, the
hands were removed to the Great Falls, where a considerable
progress has been made in cutting a canal and the most of the

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(:.- y-ii/-x^*t^.^.i
First .\nxu-\l Report of the Patowm.ack Cumpaxy
(Original in Possession of the Chesapeake ami Ohio Canal Co.)
The Patowmack Company. 75
men are still employed on account of the uncommon wet
Season. (Erasure of two lines.)
"We beg leave to remind the Subscribers that this is the
day appointed by law for electing a President & Directors for
the ensuing year. "In behalf of the Directors,
"G. Washington P.
"Alexandria, Aug. 7th. 1786"
The committee appointed to report on the proceedings of
the Directors thus reported ; —
"In obedience to an order of the General meeting of the
Proprietors of the Potowmack Company at Alexandria Augt,
7th 1786 we your committee beg leave to report that, we have
carefully examined the account of the President and Direc
tors and find the monies credited for dividends received, and
charges made for expenditures and disbursements, to be fairly
and justly stated. That we have perused their book of pro
ceedings and orders, from which it appears to us, they have
directed and managed the Company's business with great
attention and ability.
"That it is our opinion the President and Directors ought
to be allowed out of the Company's money for their expenses
in going to, attending and returning from their different meet
ings as follows ; viz. — General Washington, thirty four pounds,
ten shillings, Thomas Johnson, Esq. thirty pounds, Thomas
Sim Lee Esq. twenty two pounds ten shillings, John Fitz
gerald Esq. Thirty four pounds, ten shillings, George Gilpin
Esq. thirty four pounds ten shillings, it being in proportion
to the time each has attended at thirty shillings, Virginia
currency, per day. All of which is submitted to the Meeting.
"Signed. R. Hooe
John Thomas Boucher
Wm. Lyles "^^
"From the Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser, Thursday,
Aug. 17, 1786. "On Monday last, agreeable to law, a general meeting
of the Potowmack Company was held at Mr. Wise's Tavern, when an

76 The Patowmack Company.
Of these earnest and interested gentlemen of the di
rectory George Gilpin was the most untiring. For
twelve years he was indefatigable in his service to the
company ; the work at Shenandoah, Seneca, Great and
Little Falls he constantly supervised, even undertaking
the construction of the great locks in the absence of a
competent engineer. He familiarized himself with
every point in the river from Cumberland to tide water.
The journeys to these widely separated places were of
course always made on horseback.
Probably the first man to pay serious attention to
the improvement of our inland water ways as a means
of communication with the west was the shrewd and
speculative Robert Morris. He organized a company
for uniting the Schuylkill with the Susquehanna by
means of a canal and brought a number of consulting
engineers from England before actually commencing
any work. One of these General Washington enter
tained while he was on his way to advise with the
promoters of the James River scheme and he insisted
upon securing his expert advice in this letter to the
other members of the board resident in Alexandria.^^
account of the proceedings of the President and Directors was laid before
the Company and received with infinite satisfaction. Prom this it
appears that the great national work which forms the object of the
Company is prosecuted with an industry and order truly characteristic
of the illustrious President and highly honorable to the Directors; and
there is fullest room to expect an entire success of their undertaking.
The friends to American commerce and American happiness will no
doubt feel much pleasure in contemplating flie probable success of the
work which, while it contributes to the Aggrandizement of the one, will
serve as a lasting monument of the amity and sisterly love with which
two states can concur in promoting the second. The Company after
re-electing their officers for the last year and unanimously decreeing a
vote of thanks to them for their past attention, fixed on George Town
as the place of holding the next annual meeting."
" James Brindley, the first of the great English canal engineers of
the eighteenth century was an enthusiast on the subject of slack water

The Patowmack Company. 77
"Mt. Vernon, 31st. March, 1786.
' ' To. CoL. Gilpin and Fitzgerald.
" Gentn., "Yesterday Mr. Brindley, in company with a Mr. Harris,
Manager for the James river Company, left this on their way
to Richmond from whence Mr. Brindley expects to be returned,
as far as Alexandria, in seven days from the date hereof. I
have engaged him to call upon Colo. Gilpin on his rout back.
"Mr. Brindley and Mr. Harris took the great Falls in their
way down and both approve of the present line for our Canal
— tlie first very much. He conceives that 9-lOths of the ex-
pence of the one fifth proposed will be saved by this cut, the
work altogether as secure, and the entrance into the river by
no means unfavorable. He thinks however that a good deal
of attention and judgment is required in fixing locks there;
the height of which he observes is always governed by the
ground — they frequently run from four to eighteen feet, and
sometimes as high as twenty-four. The nature and declina
tion of the ground, according to him, is alone to direct — and
where this will admit he thinks the larger the Locks are made
the better, because more convenient.
' ' With respect to this part of the business I feel, and always
have confessed an entire incompetency: — nor do I conceive
that theoretical knowledge alone is adequate to the under
taking. Locks, upon the most judicious plan, will certainly
be expensive ; and if not properly constructed and judiciously
placed, may be altogether useless. It is for these reasons
therefore that I have frequently suggested (though no decision
has been had) the propriety of employing a professional man.
"Nevertheless whether the expense of obtaining one in, and
bringing him from Europe has been thought unnecessary, or
too burthensome for the advantages, which are to be expected,
I know not; but as it is said no person in this country has
more practical knowledge than Mr. Brindley, I submit to your
consideration the propriety of engaging him to take the Palls
canals; when jocularly asked onee what he supposed was the mission of
rivers, or for what they were created, replied, ' ' to feed navigable canals
of course. ' ' The Brindley mentioned in the text was his son, also a noted
canal engineer.

78 The Patowmack Company.
in his way back ; to examine, level and digest a plan for Locks
at that place ; if it shall appear good, and his reasons in sup
port of the spots and sizes conclusive it will justify the adop
tion ; if palpably erroneous, there is no obligation upon us to
follow him, and the expence in that case is the only evil which
can result from it — this for the chance of a probable good, I
am not only willing but desirous of encountering ; and if Colo.
Gilpin has not already made the trip to that place which he
proposed at our last visit, and disappointment there, it would
give me great pleasure if it could be so timed as to accompany
Mr. Brindley; this would not only give countenance to the
measure, but aid also, and might serve to remove the little
jealousies which otherwise arise in the minds of our own
managers. Taking Mr. Brindley to the works now may ulti
mately save expence — at the same time having a plan before
us, enable us at all convenient times to provide materials for
its execution. "I am etc. etc.
"P. S. If my proposition is acceded to, it would be better
to fix at once what Mr. Brindley is to receive, and I will
readily subscribe my name to what you two gentlemen shall
agree to give him."
The years of 1785-6 were remarkable for the extra
ordinary amount of the rainfall; on several occasions
the great forty-foot rock that towers above the flood
at Great Falls was submerged. Of course under such
conditions work in the bed of the stream was impos
sible and very little progress was made. It became
necessary to ask an extension of time from the legis
latures. So on the 2d of October, 1786, a petition was
addressed to the legislatures :
"For an extension of the three years' time allowed for the
work between Great Palls and Cumberland to November 1790
or such other time as your Honors shall deem reasonable for
making and improving the Navigation between Great Falls
and Fort Cumberland, reciting that the Company have en-

The Patowmack Company. 79
tered on the work within the time limited & prosecuted the
same at great expense with unremitted assiduity with such
prospect of success that they hope and expect to complete the
whole navigation within the ten years allowed, but that the
latter part of the summer and the fall of 1785 were so unfa
vorable that the hands employed in the bed of the river above
the Great Falls were often drove from their work by rises of
the waters and frequently kept out for several days together
so that the work could not proceed as was wished and expected.
And the last summer hath proved so very rainy that the water
has constantly kept up too high to permit any work to be done
in the bed of the river though the Company retained a consid
erable number of men in their service through the whole of
the last winter with the view of being prepared to enter on
the work about the 20th. June, the time that the water is com
monly low„enough for such purposes and thus by extraor
dinary exertion to retreive the unavoidable loss of time in the
preceding year. (Signed) G.Washington."
By the various rolls of the overseers it is seen that
over two hundred men had been employed during the
summer of 1786.
Mr. James Rumsey had grievances against Mr.
Richardson, assistant manager, and brought charges
against him under ten heads : incapacity, want of truth
and candor, disobedience of his orders, misrepresenta
tions to the board, interfering with overseer's men,
telling them it was to keep up his dignity, appointing
improper persons overseers, cruelty to servants, refus
ing to permit officers of court to serve any process
upon his men, thus permitting them to terrorize the
country people, stirring up strife against Rumsey,
prejudicing neighboring people against company so
that wagoners dare not deliver goods to the works, etc.
To which the board replied :
" Having heard the charges . . . and the testimony adduced
in support thereof and having maturely considered the same

8o The Patowmack Company.
are of opinion; — 1st. — previous to the first application they
took the measures they thought most likely to give them an
opportunity of employing managers who had experience in
works of the nature of that in contemplation, but as no per
son offered who had practical knowledge in such business, Mr.
Rumsey was appointed and continued as principal till his res
ignation (in July) in which event the Board under all circum
stances advanced the present to the place of the late manager
without any endeavors on the part of Mr. Stewart to impress
on the Board an idea of his competency to the work and in
general he has not fallen short of their expectations in its
progress. ' '
The charges were taken up in detail but not proven.
The board deplored the impossibility of securing labor
ers of good morals.
The two legislatures promptly acted upon the peti
tion for extension of time and passed the acts in
November. Financial troubles now began to threaten in earnest.
The low condition of national affairs affected every
thing, capitalists became very timid, many assessments
were not paid, the spirit of enthusiasm was becoming
faint. Notices were sent delinquents in 1787 threaten
ing sales of delinquent shares, a few subscribers re
sponded, but fifty-five were advertised for public sale
in Alexandria and Georgetown. No bidders appear
ing, the sales were twice postponed. Some satisfac
tory arrangements seem to have been made with many
of these holders. Another assessment of six per cent.
was called.
At the proper date for the annual meeting of the
shareholders in August General Washington was in
Philadelphia attending the Constitutional Convention,
the meeting was held at Alexandria in November when
the president made the following report :

The Patowmack Company. 8i
"Second Annual Report.
"The President & Directors of the Potowmack Company
beg leave to report that they have call'd for one Dividend of
six p. cent since their communication of August 7th, 1786, of
which a small part only, has been received, & there are still
considerable Ballances due of the sums previously call'd for,
the particulars of which being too tedious for this report, will
appear by reference to the Books of the Treasurer.
' ' The several Expenditures have appeared by the amts. this
day laid before you by which a Ballance of 64. 8s is due the
treasurer. "For the several orders in conducting the Business en
trusted to our care we beg leave to refer you to the books of
the Secretary — in consequence of which the work has been
carried on at the Great Falls where the Canal is extended
down to the place at which the Locks must begin, the whole of
which Canal is nearly completed — One of the most difficult
passes also, between the Great Falls & Seneca is open'd & a
good Towpath made. The River continued high throughout
the summer & fall of 1786 which greatly retarded the opera
tions intended. A part of the Hands were sent to Seneca in
July last, & hopes were entertained from the report of Mr.
Smith, that the River would be pass'd by loaded Boats on the
approaching Spring, but the bad state of Health experienced
by the people there will prevent its being effected as soon as
was reasonably supposed.
"At Shenandoah the work has been carried on at the most
difficult & Expensive part, which promises the success wished
for, although in appearance so much has not been done as if
the Hands had been employed on the more easy parts.
' ' It appears to us by the Books of the Treasurer, which you
have before you, that the sums paid into his hands since our
last report amount to Four Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty
nine Pounds Sixteen Shillings & four pence Sterling which
added to the former sum received makes Ten Thousand Seven
Hundred & twenty nine Pounds Sixteen shillings & four
pence Sterling in which are to be considered the Servants,
7

82 The Patowmack Company.
Utensils &c. on hand belonging to the Company agreeable to
the Lists herewith submitted to you.
' ' In behalf of the Directors
"Alexandeu "(signed) G°. Washington, P"
"Novr. 8th 1787"
Acts were secured from the legislatures in Novem
ber, 1787, giving a more speedy remedy against delin
quent subscribers. Work continued at Shenandoah,
Seneca and Great Falls. Of the board meetings few
records were kept, as Mr. Potts had removed to Phila
delphia for a time. At the meeting at Shenandoah in
June, 1788, Mr. Hartshorne was requested to serve
until a proper person could be secured to act as clerk.
At this meeting the board resolved to employ only one
manager and Mr. Smith was retained. This remark
able letter was addressed to Mr. Richardson :
' ' We met today by appointment to hear the charges against
you but could not with propriety go into an examination of
witnesses in your absence, which however to be regretted we
believe is involuntary. On a general view of the situation of
the Company's affairs being of the opinion that the present
funds or prospects will not warrant our continuing two man
agers we have come to the inclosed resolution. It is with
reluctance we found ourselves under the necessity to make an
arrangement which at this point of time may possibly be
thought by your enemies to be occasioned by the charges
against you, but it has proceeded solely from our duty and
inclination to promote the Company's interest without being
infiuenced in any degree by facts alleged and not examined
into. The preference given to IMr. Smith is on different prin
ciples and we expect cannot surprise you or hurt your feel
ings. We request on the expiration of your present year you
will deliver up the property of the Company under your care
to his hands. "(Signed) G. Washington, P
Thos. Johnson
T. S. Lee
Geo. Gilpin."

The Patowmack Company. ' 83
The board, "being of opinion that the work at the
Great Falls, Seneca and Shenandoah, being so far per
fected in the approaching season as to permit the pas
sage of loaded boats in favorable seasons, is an object
highly interesting to the company and the public, rec
ommend the most vigorous efforts for that purpose,
and that with that view the force now at the Seneca
and Great Falls be employed there till the water be low
in July and after leaving a sufficient number to go on
with the work at those places that the rest be removed
to the Shenandoah and that the force be increased as
the occasion may require and opportunity will serve."
The board allowed Mr. Smith, manager, £25 annually
to indemnify him for expenses he may incur by the
visits of the president and directors and strangers
travelling and other personal expenses to avoid the
trouble of keeping minute accounts.
General Washington submitted the annual report of
1788, but no record of the general meeting has been
kept. "Third Annual Report
"The President & Directors of the Potomack Company beg
leave to report that, since the general meeting of last year by
which they were instructed to petition the Legislatures of the
two States to pass an Act obliging the delinquent Subscribers
to pay their respective quotas in a more summary way than
by the common course of Law, they now have the pleasure
to inform the Company that such Laws have been obtained
which they expect will be competent to the intention, although
the good Effects of them have not been as yet very productive.
"Since the call of six p. cent laid before the last meeting
we have been under the necessity, from the Delinquency of
the Subscribers, to call for six and one half p. cent more
which in the whole makes 40 p. cent on each share subscribed.
' ' For the several orders in conducting the business entrusted
to our care we beg leave to refer you to the Secretary's Books.

84 The Patowmack Company.
The unusual height of the Waters this Spring & Summer have
greatly retarded our Operations on the River but should the
Weather become more favorable we have reason to believe
that a partial though not a perfect Navigation may be effected
this fall & winter from Fort Cumberland to the Great Falls —
at which place the Canal is nearly completed. Our principal
force has been applied to the Shenandoah & Seneca Falls,
which considering the number of hands & the unfavorable
Season are in as great forwardness as we could expect.
"It appears to us by the Books of the Treasurer which you
have had before you that the sums paid into his hands since
last year's report amount to £2990, 2/2 Sterling which added
to the former sum received makes Thirteen Thousand Seven
Hundred & Nineteen Pounds Eighteen Shillings & Sixpence
Sterling in which are to be considered the servants utensils
&c. on hand belonging to the Company agreeably to the lists
herewith submitted to you.
"G. Washington P.
"Alexandria 4th August
1788" At a meeting in George Town in September, 1789,
Thomas Johnson qualified as president, George Gilpin,
Jas. Fitzgerald and Notley Young as directors. It was
then ordered that the subscribers should pay £5 on each
share on or before November 15. It was also ordered
that the treasurer take the most effectual legal meas
ures to compel a speedy payment of all monies remain
ing unpaid on the several calls preceding this last
special call. This order was repeated in April of the
next year, and in September it was ordered that ten
per cent, be immediately called for on each share in the
company and the same is ordered to be paid to the
treasurer on or before November, 1790. At the same
time either director was authorized to employ hands to
work on the river between WilUamsport and Cumber
land. In October the president and directors found

The Patowmack Company. 85
themselves obliged to take condemnation proceedings
of land and water power at Great Falls, having been
unable to make terms with Henry Lee, owner of the
land. This was carried into effect in 1792. About the
same time Edward McCarty was paid £150 Maryland
currency for completing the navigation from the upper
part of the Ohio Bottom, or lot No. 5, to the still water
below Thos. Dameron's by carrying the water by a cut
of thirty feet wide.
An order signed by Geo. Gilpin, David Stuart and
Wm. Deakins, jr., directed Messrs. Gant and Fitzhugh
to take proper steps for the condemnation of lands
through which tlie canal at Little Falls passes.
An agreement was made with Colonel Thurston, of
Frederick Co., Virginia, to commence the business of
clearing obstacles from the Shenandoah River. This
was done, it seems, to comply with the terms of an act
of the Virginia legislature requiring work to be com
menced on the Potomac tributaries at once. Thus the
Patowmack Company entered upon the most stormy
period of its history. The same act permitted aliens
to become stockholders in the company and a large
block of stock was sold to merchants in Amsterdam in
Holland. With an advertisement for 200 slaves came the call
for another ten per cent, on each share, and the con
tract was given for four locks at Little Falls.
At the general annual meeting in 1792 the following
report was read :
' ' 1792. Gentlemen, The president and directors of the Poto
mac Company beg leave to make the following report respect
ing the state of the treasury and the situation and progress of
the works on the various parts of the river.
"From the treasurer's books it appears that the sum of
money expended is £32,971 Virginia currency; the sums due

86 The Patowmack Company.
from delinquent subscribers £6543 ; cash in the hands of the
treasurer amounts to £4775. for particulars on this head
you will herewith receive an extract from the treasurer's
books. "Since our report delivered at the meeting in August last,
the passage between the Seneca and the Great Falls has been
made safe and easy by making it straight in many places, re
moving rocks and throwing up dams to collect and deepen
the water where ever it was necessary.
"The navigation at Hook's Fall has been made perfectly
safe, by making the passage straight along the Virginia shore.
"A canal at the Little Palls is cut on the Maryland side of
the river nearly the whole distance necessary, and in general
to the full depth, the stone is swept out and a wall built for
nearly a mile; the digging for the lock seats is let out for a
specific sum and the work commenced. As the number of
hands intended to be employed at this place could not be
procured and those that were got being sickly the work has
not been carried on with that expedition we wished and in
tended, but have every reason to expect it will be nearly, if
not quite, completed this fall and winter.
"We farther report that Captain Thomas Beall of Fort
Cumberland has undertaken to complete the navigation from
that place to Gregg's Mill according to law for a certain sum.
Mr. Denton Jaques has engaged to employ hands and clear a
small rapid near Port Frederick called Garrison Falls. Cap
tain Henry is now employed in clearing the Shepardstown
Falls, all of which we will have finished with the greatest dis
patch in our power.
"We are gentlemen. Tour obedient servants.
"Signed, John Fitzgerald, George Gilpin, Dd. Stuart."
The report is in the handwriting of Thos. Johnson,
president, but he neglected to sign it. The business
like tone is quite different from any other of the annual
reports that have been preserved.
At the general meeting in 1793 James Fitzgerald was

Lrrn.K. Falls of thk Poto.\l\c — I'.XTUAXrE to the Old Caxal at I^xtkkme Iaicht
(Pho(i.ma;)h l>y Mr. H. (.'.. Fdstrr)

The Patowmack Company. 87
elected president, Geo. Gilpin, Wm. Deakins, Jr., James
Keith and Thos. Beall of George, directors. On ac
count of excellent work the, pay of the three managers
was increased £6 Virginia currency per month. The
treasurer was ordered to advertise delinquent shares
for sale "but not to express the names of their pro
prietors, only the number of shares in each State and
that he do by a special messenger inform the several
persons whose shares are intended for sale." In this
list of 44 we find the names of James Rumsey, Francis
Key, Henry Lyles, Warner Washington, two Jenifers,
James Syme and Henry Lee.
The Virginia legislature permitted the trustees to
lay off a town at Great Falls to be called Matildaville
from which great things were expected. It cannot now
be accurately located but the name lingered on Virginia
maps for fifty years. In 1793 Lee and the directory
came to terms, the legal proceedings were dismissed
and the secretary adds "never again resorted to."
Hartshorne and Potts were the witnesses of the trans
action. The latter erected a fine forge at Matildaville,
which, with the sawmill and grist mill, made quite a
manufacturing center. Beside these the company had
erected an imposing residence for the superintendent
(the ruins are still in evidence) ; there were also store
houses and boarding houses.
Financial difficulties beset these worthy gentlemen,
the directors, so unaccustomed to the management of
large enterprises; when the receipts came in from their
argent calls expenses were lavish, when these were
exhausted the works were idle and only those abso
lutely required to care for their properties were re
tained in service. In January, 1794, they found them
selves under the necessity of appealing to the banks
for assistance until further collections could be made.

88 The Patowmack Company.
Another extension of two years' time was secured
from the legislatures.
One hundred shares were added to the capital stock ;
of these the state of Maryland took forty and indi
viduals sixty. Calls were made for twelve per cent.
and £10 on each share of the new stock. Work was
now pushed on all parts of the river. Tobias Lear^®
and John Templeton became directors. Through
Lear's advice, probably, the following resolution was
passed :
' ' That the president on behalf of the Company apply to the
president and manager of the Schuylkill and Susquehanna
Canal Company for their permission to Mr. Weston to come
down to the Great Falls of the Potomac to examine the works
constructing there and give his opinion thereupon and that he
do at the same time apply to Mr. Weston and make him ac
quainted with the application and request his compliance in
case he can be spared."
Which indicates that Mr. Morris was proceeding
with his scheme, and the hesitancy with which the di
rectory undertook the task at Great Falls.
Under date of 12 December, 1794, President Wash
ington wrote Lear :
"For many very important reasons (unnecessary to enu
merate to you) the navigation of that river ought to be pushed
forward with all the celerity which the nature of the work
will admit. Viewing the matter as I do I shall not neglect
any fair opportunity of facilitating a visit from Mr. Weston
to that quarter, but (under the rose I must say it) however
fair the assurances of his going thither may be, you may take
it for granted that from motives of jealousy there is a counter
tide to that measure ; and I wish you may not find something
similar to it in another quarter, if the operations on the
^° ' ' Anon. Observations on the Eiver Potowmack and the Country
Contiguous, &e," N. Y., 1793, also published in the Ne-U) YorHc Magazine
or Literary Repository, Vol. 5, 1794. Now known to have been written

The Patowmack Company. 89
Shenandoah are postponed much longer. Do not forget how
the trade of Fredericksburg and Falmouth, Hanover Town
on York river and indeed Richmond itself will be affected by
the opening of this navigation. I shall not be at all surprised
therefore if applications to the Assembly of Virginia respect
ing it should meet with much coldness and difficulty."
In fact Virginians generally appear to be gradually
losing interest in the work, but Maryland ever stood
loyally ready to assist by encouragement and funds.
A month later Washington wrote that "The Penn
sylvania Canal Company has granted Mr. Weston per
mission to visit Great Falls." Again he wrote in
February :
"Weston was detained by canal matters; much has been
said of late of the inclined plane in Connecticut river — of the
utility of it I mean. It would be well to question Mr. Weston
pretty fully on this mode of raising and lowering boats, as
the simplicity, cheapness and effect is the subject of eulogism."
And in March :
"Presume Weston is on the Potomac. He is certainly a
judicious man. I am pleased to learn that the locks which
have been erected at Little Falls have stood the test of a first
trial so well and this pleasure will be increased if Mr. Weston
should make a favorable report of them."^^
by Tobias Lear in the interest of the Potowmack Company. On the
2d of August Washington had written Lear from Mt. Vernon, "Monday
next being the day fixed on by the constitution of the Potomac Company
for their annual meeting, and as you seem resolved to relinquish your
present ofiice as president, — I wish you would turn your thoughts atten
tively to the situation of it and revolve seriously on characters fit, and
proper to supply the places, of those who perhaps ought to, as well as
those who will quit the directorship ; that our struggles in that interesting
and expensive concern the labor of years may not end in disgrace
and loss."
" ' ' An Historical Account of the Bise, Progress and Present State of
Canal Navigation," Philadelphia, 1795. By order of the Company,
Eobert Morris, President. William Weston was the engineer and super
intendent of the Schuylkill and Susquehanna canal; page 68, "Early in

90 The Patowmack Company.
The gentleman made his visit and examination, con
firmed Brindley 's advice as to the course of the canal
and locks and returned with £370 ster. in pocket.
Early in 1795 twenty-four shares were sold at Alex
andria and eleven at Georgetown for fairly good prices,
the principal purchasers being one Jesse Simms and
Gustavus Scott. At the general meeting it was an
nounced that tolls would be collected above Great Falls,
the navigation being so far improved as to justify the
collection. Books were opened for one hundred addi
tional shares in order to commence work on the Shen
andoah River. The state of Maryland subscribed for
sixty, individuals for the remaining forty. The locks
and works at Little Falls were reported as completed
and all impediments removed between that place and
Great Falls. £10 ster. was called on the new shares.
Renewed vigor was infused into the directory and two
of them made a close inspection of the river from Cum
berland down. Workmen were employed at many
places, but still an experienced engineer was badly
needed at Great Falls in the erection of the large locks.
Lear appealed to Washington who soon replied:
"November 30 1795. If the directors are in want of such
a character as the enclosed letter describes, it may be well to
intimate it as soon as possible as it is not likely Mr. Myers
will remain long unemployed as lock navigation is "contem
plated in many parts of the country. I have not seen the
the month of January, 1793 arrived from London Wm. Weston, Esq.
the engineer engaged by the company, a gentleman who had directed
the execution of some of the principal canals iu England, whose great
abilities activities and experience in all the branches of his department
have merited and obtained the perfect confidence and esteem of the
managers, and of whose advice and assistance which have been solieitated
and given as occasion might permit, will be of the utmost importance
towards facilitating improvements of a similar nature in the neighbor
ing states."

(Jld :^tox-e ,at the Extkaxoe to the Old Cax'al .\hol'xd Little Falls
(Photograph by Miss ^'iolet Bacon Foster)

The Patowmack Company. 91
gentleman myself but understand from others that his testi
monials are full and ample & that he is a stout and healthy
man ... P. S. I will send to & have a little conversation
with iir. Myers and give you the result in my next. ' '
December 26th:
"This letter will be handed you by Capt. Myers, of whom
I have made mention in a former letter. Being desirous of
knowing whether the Directors of the Potomack Company are
disposed to employ him as an engineer & superintendent of
their lock navigation, and on what terms, he has resolved to
wait on them for those purposes. The testimonials of his skill
as an Architect, and of his knowledge relative to locks, &c.
will I presume be presented to you. These with such farther
inquiries as prudence may induce you to make, will enable
you to decide on your measures and thereby place Capt.
Myers on the ground of Certainty. ' '
In the minutes of the directors' meeting at Union
Hotel in Georgetown on the 4th of January, 1796, we
read: "Capt. Christopher Myers having been invited by the Di
rectors to meet them on the subject of engaging as engineer
and superintendant of the works to be executed on the Poto
mac produced at this meeting documents and plans as evi
dences of his fitness for the business in which his services
may be required upon the examination and consideration of
which ; — ¦
Resolved, that a -stipend of $1600 per year be offered to
Capt. Myers as a compensation for his services, with this
understanding, that at the expiration of the year, such further
allowance may be made to him as shall appear to the directors
adequate to his services, it being thought best to put it upon
this footing as Capt. Myers is unacquainted with the expense
of supporting a family &c. in this country. . . . This having
been communicated to Capt. Myers he accepted the same."
At the meeting of the next month it was resolved to
immediately complete the house on the lot belonging to

92 The Patowmack Company.
the company at Great Falls and to erect such other
works as may be necessary for the accommodation of
the hands who may be employed in the cheapest man
ner that will answer the purpose. The dimensions of
the building for the hands to be 72 feet long by 18 wide,
7 feet high in the clear, covered with plank. Also that
a quantity of three-inch rope — not less than two coils —
be procured and fixed in the ring bolts below the Falls
for the purpose of hauling boats up the river. John
Henry was employed as clerk for the company at a
salary of $500. There was still much trouble in secur
ing skilled workmen. Work was pushed on the resi
dence for the superintendent, which was of stone and
brick, two stories, 25 feet front, 35 in depth. A second
call was made for 10 per cent, on all shares. Again
collections were difficult, measures were taken to force
payments, while $1,500 was discounted at the Bank of
Columbia. And now appears upon the minutes the name of
Thos. Beall, of Sam'l, with whom there was much trou
ble over a contract to clear the upper river. This
worthy gentleman was a pioneer at Fort Cumberland,
a very prominent man in western Maryland, who do
nated ground for the courthouse and offered to erect
the building if the state would organize a new county.
The present beautiful structure and the handsome old
school opposite occupy sites given by him. He had
contracted on the last day of 1792 to clear the river of
all obstructions and to open canals through all shoals
from Cumberland to WilUamsport within one year for
the sum of £1,900 current money of Maryland, giving
bond for £3,800 for faithful performance. Of course
the task was an impossible one, but he claimed to have
performed it. His time was extended and in 1796 he
was paid £80 in order to encourage him to complete

The Patowmack Company. 93
his contract, which he never did. Final settlement was
made in 1799, after his failure to comply with the terms
of two succeeding contracts.
In July, 1796, a market house, thirty by fourteen feet,
was built in Matildaville. There was another call for
twenty per cent, on new shares. The breadth of the
locks at Great Falls was extended to fourteen from
twelve feet. More Irish laborers were bought in Balti
more on a credit of sixty days. Tobias Lear was in
August elected president, with Keith, Templeman, Fen-
dall and John Mason directors. A settlement was had
with General Darke, who had furnished supplies to the
company from its organization.
With the advent of the brilliant John Mason into the
directory renewed energy characterized the proceed
ings of the company, which was composed largely of
the conservative wealthy class that we know as the
Federalist political party. With the exception of
two years he remained in the directory until the com
pany was merged into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company in 1828, most of the time as its president,
thus following the example of his father, George Ma
son, who had been the treasurer of the Ohio Company
and ever refused to acknowledge its extinction.
It was ordered that Captain Myers, the engineer, be
allowed $2,400 per annum for this year and the next
and the further sum of $5,000 if he completes the locks
at Great Falls so that loaded boats can pass in twelve
months, or $2,500 if in fifteen months, or in proportion
for any time above twelve and under fifteen. Beall
was paid another sum of $400 to complete his contract.
A third appeal was made to the legislatures for a
further extension of time, which, as always, was readily
granted. Myers was a disagreeable person, and the
directors had many unpleasant affairs with him. He

94 The Patowmack Company.
obstinately refused to deliver to them his specifications
and plans for the locks, he demanded an annual stipend
of $4,000, he frequently absented himself for weeks
from the works. Finally in May, 1797, this letter was
addressed him:
"Sir, For certain reasons, which may be made known when
necessary, we consider you as discharged from the service of
the Potowmack Company."
(Signed by the president and directors.)
There were in this year two more calls for ten per
cent. each. Investigation revealed that £11,724 had
been expended in 1796 at Great Falls. Retrench
ment again became the order of the day. At a called
meeting of the stockholders it was ordered that the
work for the present be confined to the space between
the basin and the two lower lock seats, that the acting
directors take measures to carry on the work on this
plan in the most economical manner, also that they
have a platform or an inclined plane constructed to
make it more convenient to take flour or other goods
from the lower lock seats to the river. Later the di
rectory resolved to engage a superintendent of excava
tion of the lower lock seats, to have carts, horses, etc.,
to transport flour from the basin to the inclined plane,
and for hauling of sand, etc. Lear's storehouse was
secured for deposit of such flour as might be sent down
the river to be put below in transit ; resolved to charge
ten cents per barrel for storage and transport. Another
change was made in the course of the locks. Leonard
Harbaugh was employed to superintend construction
of the locks. Ten per cent, again called for and another
sale of delinquent stock ordered. A letter was re
ceived from Ferdinand Fairfax, a godson of General
Washington, relative to opening the navigation of the

The Patowmack Company. 95
Shenandoah. In excavating for the lower locks a
borer's work was estimated to be six feet; in case he
did not complete that amount he was to be deprived of
his daily quota of whiskey.
At the general meeting in August, when 308 shares
were represented, it was resolved to relinquish any ex
clusive rights the company held by acts of the legisla
ture to the improvement of the Shenandoah in favor of
any local company that would be formed within nine
months and render that river navigable to boats carry
ing fifty barrels of flour within three years. It was
ordered to sell or mortgage all the shares belonging to
the company. The directory was authorized to open
books for thirty additional shares at £135 ster. Also
to mortgage the tolls for the amount of $16,000, all
monies to be applied to the works at Great Falls. Ap
plication was made to the legislature for authority to
collect tolls at Great Falls on condition of delivering
at the expenses of the company all articles subject to
tolls into boats below the Falls.
Funds being entirely exhausted all sorts of projects
were considered for carrying on and completing the
work at Great Falls. The German indented servants
were sold, laborers were discharged. In distress a
special meeting of the shareholders was held in Feb
ruary, 1798, of which Thos. Sim Lee was chairman and
Benj. Stoddart secretary. The directors were then
authorized to borrow not more than 100 shares from
the proprietors to mortgage for loan, said stock to be
returned on or before August, 1800. Washington at
tended this meeting and voted his 73 shares. The re
port of the president graphically gives the situation:
"Gentlemen, Agreeably to the instructions and power given
to us at your last annual meeting, we have used our best
endeavors to procure funds for carrying on and completing

96 The Patowmack Company.
the works of the Company at Great Falls; but all our exer
tions have been ineffectual, — Aid from individuals could not
be expected upon any terms in our power to offer.- — Applica
tion has been made to the Assemblies of Virginia and Mary
land for a grant of money, either upon loan, or to be vested
in new shares as they might choose ; but without success.
' ' That no opportunity of pushing on the works at the Great
Falls might be lost, while the proper season continued, the
president and directors have obtained, on their notes, for the
use of the Potomac Company, from the Bank of Columbia,
$4500, and from the Bank of Alexandria $1500. Beside
which there is yet due for wages of workmen and other expenses
incurred on account of the Company's work, about $4000,
making in the whole the sum of $10,000.
' ' To meet these engagements, which must be done in a very
short time, there is only a balance of $1200 due from subscrip
tions to shares, that can be calculated upon ; and twenty-nine
shares of the Company, which were bought in for the Com
pany at the public sales, as stated in our last report of August.
To offer these shares in the market at the present moment,
would not only cause a heavy sacrifice to the Company in the
sale of them, but it would also greatly depress the value of
the stock in the public estimation.
"Under these circumstances we have thought it our duty,
gentlemen, to call a general meeting of the stockholders, that
they might take such measures relative to the affairs of the
Company as in their wisdom should seem proper. But we
cannot forbear to impress upon you the necessit'y there is for
obtaining the means of meeting the present engagements of
the Company without delay, as well as the expediency of pro
viding funds to continue the operations at Great Falls, if not
with the activity that could be wished, at least to prevent their
being stopped altogether.
"From a draft of the works at the Great Falls, which will
be laid before you, you will see the progress that has been
made at that place. To complete the locks there from the
present state of the work, will, from the best estimates we can
make, cost $40,000. But so much will depend upon the rise

The Patowmack Company. 97
or fall of labor, provisions &c. in the prosecution of the work,
that no certain estimate can be made.
"We have obtained from the legislatures of Virginia and
Maryland a law authorizing the collection of full tolls imme
diately at or near the mouth of Conococheague and at or near
the Great Falls or Watt's Branch, on condition that the Com
pany shall receive at the Great Falls, transport across the
lock seats, and put into boats below, such articles as may be
brought there for transportation. Tolls are also granted at
the Little Falls on all articles not passing the Great Falls.
The legislatures have also extended the time for completing
the navigation, to the year 1802. From these tolls a sum may
be expected for the present season that will give some aid in
carrying on the work, beside paying the expenses of collection
&c. and its increase will be in proportion to the activity with
which the works may be carried on. ' '
'"Signed, Tobias Leak, Pres., Jas. Keith, John Templeman,
John Mason."
In May, 1798, it was resolved that the sum of $6,000
be reserved from the money arising from the sale of
stock for the building of a warehouse and a new ma
chine for passing articles over the lock seats. The
president was authorized to mortgage as many shares
as could be obtained and to borrow as much stock as
could be had, and to use as much thereof as would pro
duce $10,000. One of the "huts" at the Falls was
rented for $45 per annum. At the next meeting the
president reported that a loan had been made by
Daniel Carroll, of Duddington, of $2,500 of six per cent.
stock of the United States, and by General Washington
of $3,498 of the same. Another loan of $2,000 might
be expected from Mr. Carroll. The superintendent
and overseer were discharged, as funds would not per
mit more work. Instructions were given the clerk at
Great Falls as to the manner of delivering flour to
boats at foot of the inclined plane.

98 The Patowmack Company.
At the general meeting in August it was reported
that tolls collected at Great Falls amounted to over
$2,000, which was not at all discouraging for future
prospects, if only the money could be raised for the
completion of the locks. Some funds must have been
obtained, for the following order was entered :
' ' Mr. Panton, Sir, As soon as Mr. Loeffler brings hands from
Seneca have a small guard put in the canal at some convenient
place twenty or thirty yards below the bridge at the Forge to
throw the water below off, then clear out the passage through
the basin, next that the stumps and obstacles be cleared out of
the way at the little basin below the lock and place so stopped
as to let the water discharge itself over the top of the dam."
It is interesting to locate these localities on the
ground. The Maryland legislature was petitioned to
take one hundred additional shares. Harbaugh exhib
ited the model of a machine for letting down and hoist
ing merchandise at Great Falls with estimate of its
expense ; one was ordered and a shed built for its shel
ter. The horses and wagons were sold.
General Washington attended the general meeting
on the fifth of August held in Georgetown. The affairs
of the company were at the lowest ebb. The president
reported that all efforts to obtain loans or aid from the
Maryland legislature had failed. Work had in conse
quence been at a stand for the past two seasons. To
save expense in the transport of merchandise at Great
Falls a shed had been built at lower end of lock for
warehouse and a new machine installed for hoisting, so
all hauling had been saved. The tolls were less than
the preceding year, owing to short crops and low water.
An eloquent letter had been sent each shareholder and
member of the legislatures representing the situation
and soliciting relief.^''^ It was
" See broadside, appendix B.

The Patowmack Company. 99
Resolved, that there shall be paid upon each share an addi
tional sum of not less than one hundred dollars, the whole
amount not to exceed $60,000 and that payment shall not be
compelled until $40,000 has been subscribed and the legisla
tures pass laws to enforce the payments. That the President
and Directors of the Potowmack Company for the time being
be authorized and required to petition the legislatures of
Maryland and Virginia at their next sessions for the farther
payment of at least one hundred dollars upon each share held
by the said states respectively, as well as for a law empowering
the President and Directors to enforce payment of such sums
as individuals may agree to pay upon the shares held by them,
and also directing that each share shall receive dividends in
proportion to the sum actually paid upon it."
Each failed; the $40,000wasnot subscribed, although
General Washington headed the list with his twenty-
three individual shares; the state of Maryland was
obdurate. The struggle was ended when the Maryland House
of Delegates in July, 1799,
' ' Resolved, That the treasurer of the Western Shore be and
he is hereby authorized and empowered to subscribe in behalf
of this state for one hundred and thirty shares in the aug
mented capital stock of the Potowmack Company; vizt. the
sum of £130 ster. for each share to be paid in six per cent.
stock of the U. S. at par.
"Resolved, that the trustees of this state transfer the said
amount of six per cent, stock to the president and directors
of the Potowmack Company or their order on the Governor
and Councils certifying to them that Bond with sufScient
security has been lodged with them to complete the locks and
navigation of said river at the Great Falls and not before. ' '
At the general meeting called for the 10th of Decem
ber Washington voted his shares by proxy. The presi
dent recited the efforts to raise money for the comple
tion of the locks, the proprietors resolved that one

lOO The Patowmack Company.
hundred and thirty shares of stock be created and sub
scription lists opened for £130 ster. ; also resolved that
none of the funds advanced by Maryland be used bef ore
instructions from the next regular general meeting.
At the called general meeting in January the president
and directors were authorized and instructed to give a
bond or bonds in their corporate capacity in the penalty
of $150,000 to the persons who subscribed the bond
given to the state of Maryland, dated December 10,
1799, conditioned to relieve each and every one of them
for all consequences which may result from said bond.
This was carried by 288 votes; opposed were 88 cast
by Cazenave for himself and the Hollanders.
In January Hartshorne resigned as treasurer and
thus the last of the original officers of the company
passed out. He was succeeded by Joseph Carleton,
who served until his death in 1812; he also acted as
secretary, much to the discomfort of the reader of his
minutes. The locks which had been originally planned to be
one hundred by eighteen feet were by the legislatures
reduced to eighty by fourteen; Weston had advised
eighty by twelve. Boats were rarely more than seven
or eight feet wide and sixty feet long ; none were more
than ten by seventy; the difficulty of ascent would never
admit of greater size. Economy of water and time in
the locks was a question, not to mention the excavation
of solid rock for the lower locks, where 4,300 cubic
yards of stone were to be removed.
With money the works were pushed. Leonard Har
baugh was again placed in charge, an iron chest was
ordered for the use of the clerk at Great Falls, which
had evidently not previously been needed. The basin
was crowded with boats, the hoisting machine was
working night and day. The president reported suffi
cient funds on hand to complete the navigation from

The Patowmack Company. loi
tide water to George's Creek! Work on the Shenan
doah agitated. Probably one strong motive for under
taking this additional responsibility was the fact that
the shareholders from Berkeley County were losing
interest and sacrificing their stock.
At a meeting in June, 1801, at Great Falls, the di
rectors ordered contracts made for timber for lock
gates and decided that lock 1 should rise twenty-one
feet instead of eighteen, lock 2 from fifteen feet to
eighteen, 3 from twelve to ten feet eight inches, said 3
to be widened to admit two boats of usual size, 4 to be
completed as a canal to communicate between 3 and 5,
5 to raise from twelve feet to sixteen and that 5 if nec
essary be enlarged or lengthened to contain enough
water for the lower lock, that a reservoir be made east
of 3 for supply of water. They authorized the super
intendent to engage a master and common workmen to
push the work. A Mrs. Jane Myers appears to have
been speculating in Matildaville realty, as the directors
rented her five houses until Christmas for four dollars
each, monthly. According to the account of John
Davis, a travelling Englishman, she also kept a public
house.^* " John Davis, ' ' Personal Adventures and Travels of Four and a Half
Years in the United States &c.," London, 1817. "I beheld the course of
a large river abruptly obstructed by rocks over which it was breaking
with a tremendous roar while the foam of the waters seemed ascending
to the clouds and the shores that confined it to tremble at the convolution.
I gazed for some time in silent awe at this war of the elements, when
having recovered from my admiration I could not help exclaiming to the
Great Maker of Heaven and Earth 'Lord what is man that Thou art
mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou regardest him?' A little
below the Tails on the banks of the Potomac stand a few scattered
buildings which form a kind of hamlet called ' Gharlotteville ' (Matilda
ville?). The first settler in this savage wilderness was the lady of
General Lee from whose christian name the place takes its appellation.
In a house of entertainment kept by widow Myers I was accommodated
with a supper and a bed. This buxom widow was a Methodist and pos
sessed of considerable property."

I02 The Patowmack Company.
The president's report for 1801 is pleasant reading
after its pessimistic predecessors.
"Since your last annual meeting we found no opportunity
of having the locks at Great Falls undertaken by contract.
. . . There remained therefore no alternative for the Com
pany but to continue to carry on the work by hired laborers
as in the past year. In this way we have pushed forward the
operations with all the expedition in our power. It appeared
however to us that as this progressed and branched out of
course into different kinds of work it would become absolutely
necessary to have constantly on the spot a person of experience
and judgment in whom we could confide in order to secure
as effectually as possible the speedy and faithful execution of
every part of the plan. Accordingly early in the season we
entered into an agreement with Leonard Harbaugh for this
purpose. In this agreement it was a material consideration
with us to interest him essentially in having the locks finished
in time for boats to pass with the water of spring 1802. . . .
Expense of the works at Great Falls had been $21,000. . . .
No debts (current) were due by the Company except for land
condemned at Little Falls. . . . From this view of the Com
pany's affairs we have now laid before you we presume you
will derive much satisfaction. It must appear evident that
without some unforeseen accident the great object held out in
our last report, that of a free navigation of the Potomac dur
ing a considerable portion of the year from the mouth of
George's Creek to tide water will be accomplished by the end
of the year in time for the ensuing spring water. ' '
Keith and the same directors were re-elected.
There was a supplemental report of an accident to
one of the workmen in consequence of which he had
become blind. An appropriation was made for his
support, and this was continued during the existence of
the company. In fact the last entry in the minute books
of the directory meetings is an order for the payment
of his pension.

The Patowmack Company. 103
At this meeting an order was given for a complete
map of the Potomac from Savage River to tide water.
No mention is now made of the contemplated road west
from the North Branch, western settlers were evidently
not in mind.
In December, 1801, the directors made a report to the
Assembly of Virginia that the locks were completed,
slyly reminding them of the generosity of Maryland,
and asking their assistance in making the Shenandoah
navigable also, but the application was received too
late for action at that session.
The locks were opened for business in February,
1802, and in continuous use until 1830. By the tables
annexed you vsdll see that the volume of trade was large
and the receipts from tolls quite a respectable sum.
These locks being the greatest engineering accom
plishment of the eighteenth century in America, were
.visited by all travellers, domestic and foreign. In 1796
the British Minister with suite and a young lord who
came from England for that express purpose spent a
day at the Falls. Manaseh Cutler, who was interested
in founding a colony on the Ohio for Revolutionary
soldiers, left an account of his inspection.
"Washington, January 30, 1802. Went early in the
morning to Georgetown where j\Ir. Frank Dodge, j\Ir. Tenney
and I took horses and went up to the Great Falls, about twelve
miles. Visited on the way the cannon foundry, saw them
boring the solid cast iron cannon. Viewed the locks at the
lower Falls where the boats pass with ease. The canal is about
two miles in length. Passed the great bridge which is a very
handsome one and well built in the form of the bridge over
the Merrimac above Newburyport. The river very narrow
near and at the bridge, but said to be deep. Arrived at the
Great Palls and put up at Mrs. Myers. The appearance of
the river is singular; filled with rocks about three fourths of

I04 The Patowmack Company.
a mile — no large cataracts but frequent falls and brought into
a narrow bed with high rocky banks at the locks. At the lower
locks appeared about forty feet wide; said to be thirty five
feet deep. The work of the locks (six in number) very neat.
The lower lock cut through a solid rock by blasting about
forty seven feet deep and twelve feet wide. The water was
to have passed this day but not being quite completed is to
be opened for the passage of boats on Tuesday, February
second. The canal is three fourths of a mile. It is a place
capable of much business by water works, but indolence reigns
and the country through which we passed the picture of lazi
ness, negligence and poverty. Old fields and woods."
The Rev. Mr. Cutler was accustomed to the prim
countryside about Boston.
Had the company been content with the original in
tention of improving the navigation of the Potomac
only all would have been well with them, but unfortu
nately they listened to the importunities of the business
men on its tributaries and undertook the improvement
of the Shenandoah, the Monocacy, the Antietam and
the Conococheague. In 1802 the company declared its
first and only dividend. In that year Chas. Simms, the
ablest man ever associated with the company, became a
director. He was an attorney of Alexandria, an origi
nal shareholder, with Jas. Keith the credential commit
tee of the meeting of organization. The membership
of the company now embraced the most prominent men
of the newly formed District of Columbia; Thos. Law
and the Carrolls were very active and always gener
ous ; Greenleaf held twenty-four shares.
At the solicitation of Washington an arsenal had
been located at the mouth of the Shenandoah and a
canal cut there for the convenience of the works, in
consideration for its use the company offered the gov
ernment to render the Shenandoah navigable ; however

The Patowmack Company. 105
for a time they were unable to secure any concessions
they could accept from the state of Virginia.
Work in the bed of the river was pushed, for which
they had excellent facilities in the extraordinarily dry
summer of 1802. Much trouble was caused by fish
dams in the river and tributaries ; many suits were en
tered against the owners.
In 1803 Virginia appointed commissioners to view
the works on the Potomac, and as guests of the com
pany they were royally entertained. The treasurer
was ordered to procure a common seal of an appro
priate design for the use of the company. Only two
impressions of this beautiful seal are known to be in
existence to-day. Funds were again becoming low, the
directors were authorized to borrow from the banks
for the work on the Shenandoah. Premiums were of
fered for good boats, as there seems to always have
been a shortage.^" Meetings of the directory were
often held at Charles Town in 1804, work being pushed
on the Shenandoah, where the locks were to be wooden.
There was much difficulty in securing an amicable
arrangement for the use of the government canal at
the arsenal.
The amiable gentlemen directors always appre
ciated faithful service ; at Christmas, 1803,
"In consequence of the services of Leonard Harbaugh in
opening the navigation of the Potomac River as superintendent
of the works generally and more particularly on account of
the useful improvement in the lock gates made by him, a silver
cup to contain one quart be procured with suitable devices
and inscriptions under the direction of Mr. Dorsey Mr. Mason
and Mr. Laird and that the same with the approbation of the
general meeting be presented him. ' '
" See newspapers of corresponding date.

io6 The Patowmack Company.
In 1805 Harbaugh was authorized to secure subscrip
tions on the Shenandoah to a loan, all subscribers to
be entitled to free tolls on the rivers. A premium of
five per cent, was later offered. The president reported
to the general meeting that
' ' with pain we are under the necessity of informing the stock
holders that for some time past we have on account of the
want of funds desisted from all operations of any importance
upon the Shenandoah. We owe the banks and individuals
$31,000. It is certainly an object of great importance to the
Company to adopt the means of raising such sums as may be
adequate to finishing the navigation of the Shenandoah from
its forks to Balls ' Falls, if funds cannot be obtained to extend
it into the Potomac."
The collections of tolls for 1805 amounted to $5,213,
while the expenses had been $19,447.
Nicholas King, whom we recollect from his plans of
Washington, joined Harbaugh in locating the junction
of the Shenandoah with the Potomac navigation. Mill
owners on the former were notified that the company
had the legal right to compel them to open their dams.
Wm. Hartshorne was the chairman of the general
meeting in 1806. Four hundred and forty-two shares
were represented. The board was ordered to render
the Potomac navigable at low water at once. $20,000
was required to complete the work in the Shenandoah.
The president was authorized to borrow from the banks
of Alexandria and Potomac. The president reported
Shenandoah subscriptions from individuals to be
$15,060, of which $5,570 had been collected, the locks at
Lyttle's Falls and Wilson's upper mill complete with
their canals, the lock at the lower mill nearly finished
and considerable progress had been made on the re
maining locks at the same place; no doubt was enter
tained but the whole of the above locks which were the

The Patowmack Company. 107
only ones necessary on the piver will be completed
during the month of October, and all other obstructions
removed early in the next year from the forks of the
Shenandoah to the Potomac, about fifty miles.
We learn from an order of the directors that the
channels in the bed of the Potomac were improved by
banking with saplings and brush loaded with stone.
For some unexplained cause Harbaugh was discharged
in November ; directors Foxall and Peter were expected
to find a substitute. In the settlement of his accounts
in February Mrs. Harbaugh was allowed $30 for at
tendance on sick men. Thomas Harbaugh was ap
pointed in his brother's place.
The country was awakening to the value of improved
roads and communications under the inspiration of the
enlightened views of President Jefferson and Secretary
Gallatin. In 1806 was issued the famous order for re
ports of all public works in use or in contemplation in
the entire country; this order was receivel by the share
holders at the general meeting in 1807, when Chas.
Simms was elected president and served for eight
years in that capacity. The president at that meeting
reported :
"the completion of the works on the Shenandoah, boats from
Port Republic could reach tide water; the navigation might
have gone higher if the residents had been more interested
and generous. Business was hampered by lack of sufficient
boats to carry produce, only about sixty five of the best class
being employed few were provided with tarpaulins and hand
pumps. Neither was the fiour of the best quality, nor were
the barrels what they should be."
John Mason compiled the report of the Potowmack
Company for the Secretary of the Treasury and it was
a masterpiece in its way.^"
^° See appendix C.

io8 The Patowmack Company.
At the meeting in August, Hartshorne was again
chairman. A petition was ordered to Virginia and
Maryland to form by-laws for the regulation of the
company's business and for the protection of merchan
dise in transport ; also to render it easy for foreigners
to transfer stock. The people on the Shenandoah were
making much trouble with mill dams and fish pots.
New gates were ordered for the locks at Great Falls
and stone was to replace the wooden locks at Little
Falls. Again the company was out of funds. Rather than
appeal to the Maryland legislature or farther increase
the stock a lottery was suggested. This was the popu
lar mode of raising money for all kinds of schemes,
even churches were built with the proceeds and orphan
asylums thus endowed. A special general meeting was
called for the fourth of May, 1809, where 144 shares
were represented. It was then resolved
"That the president and directors of the Potomac Com
pany be authorized to make an appeal to the next session of
Congress to pass an act to authorize the Company to raise by
one or more lotteries the sum of $100,000 for completing the
navigation of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, or to obtain
from Congress such sum of money as they may be disposed to
grant in any other mode for that purpose. ' '
Jos. Riddle, David Wyley, Dan. Carroll, of Dudding
ton, Cuthbert Powell and John Fendall were appointed
a committee to assist the directory.
Philip B. Key was the chairman of the meeting in
August, 1809, 382 shares represented. The president
reported the directory considered it their duty explic
itly to state that unless money could be procured in
some way or other the progress of the useful work in
which the company has been so long engaged and have
expended so much money must cease.

The Patowmack Company. 109
At the meeting in 1810 a lottery scheme under the
laws of Maryland was adopted. The appeal to Con
gress had signally failed, as any proposition coming
from a concern notoriously Federalist was bound to
do. And just then, too, the national government was
much engaged in solving riddles propounded by Napo
leon and Great Britain. As usual in such cases of dis
turbance capital sought secure hiding places and all
enterprises suffered.
The act of the state of Maryland secured at the
solicitation of the directory authorized a lottery to
raise $300,000 for the improvement of the navigation of
the Potomac and its branches, of which the following is
the authorized ticket :
"Potowmack and Shenandoah Navigation Lottery  No 
"By authorization of the State of Maryland,
"This ticket will entitle the Bearer to such prize as may
be drawn to its number if demanded within twelve months
after the drawing shall have been completed, subject to 15%
deduction. "By order of the President & Directors of the Potow
mack Co. " (Signed)  Treasurer."
A special meeting was called for the 10th of May,
1810, when it was resolved that the bond demanded by
the state of Maryland for the correct conduct of the
lottery should be given under seal of the corporation.
The agents to be employed to also serve under bond.
Later Joseph Carleton, the treasurer of the company,
was appointed agent for the sale of tickets with a
salary of $500 per annum with travelling expenses.
Tickets were to be sold for $10 each with a discount for
blocks of five hundred. Fortunately the honorable
gentlemen could not foresee the disasters this would
bring upon them.

no The Patowmack Company.
Thompson Mason was the chairman of the general
meeting in August, 387 shares represented. The presi
dent reported :
"$10,343 expended, $7915 received from tolls. The want
of funds prevented progress in improving the beds of the
Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. He recited the appeal to
the Maryland legislature to authorize a lottery and they,
infiuenced by a spirit of patriotism and liberality honourable
to themselves, passed an act authorizing the Company to raise
by lottery or lotteries, the sum of $300,000 for the purpose of
the improvement of the navigation of the river Potomac and
its tributary streams; a sum amply sufficient to accomplish
that great and useful object in the most full and complete
manner. Whether the benevolent and liberal views of the
Assembly of Maryland in granting to the Company so im
portant a privilege will be realized, depends on the spirit and
liberality of those interested in the agriculture and commerce
and in the growth and prosperity of the towns in the fertile
and extensive country adjacent to the Potomac and Shenan
doah rivers. If they should not justly appreciate the advan
tages which will result from making those rivers navigable
and patronize the lottery with spirit and energy, no hope can
be entertained that the lottery will succeed ; but it is believed
that they will avail themselves of so fair an opportunity of
promoting their own interest and prosperity."
The directory then announced the scheme of the
lottery to raise $20,000 with one of their number,
Josiah Thompson, as special agent in charge.
Tobias Thompson was in charge of all work on the
rivers. A farther extension of five years was asked from
1811 in which to render the Potomac navigable in the
dryest seasons. With Chas. Simms, a Virginian, presi
dent, the custom of holding alternate directory meetings
in Alexandria was resumed, except when it was neces
sary to meet at some place on the upper river.

The Patowmack Company. m
At the general meeting in 1811, Daniel Carroll, Esq.,
chairman, the president reported:
"$21,505 expended, principally on debts, $22,542 on bank
curtailments, interest and expense of the lottery. Receipts
from tolls $22,542. Impressed ^\'ith the importance of draw
ing the first class of the lottery they were under the necessity
of commencing the drawing of that class under circumstances
unfavorable or of relinquishing the plan of raising money by
lotteries and the prospect and advantages of rendering the
Potomac and Shenandoah rivers navigable at all seasons
within a reasonable time. Rather than the public and the
Company should be deprived of these advantages they thought
it better to encounter the risk of drawing the lottery with a
large proportion of the tickets remaining unsold, and accord
ingly commenced the drawing on the 6 May last and have
drawn 8000 tickets. In the course of the drawing the wheel
has gained $21,060 and an unusual great proportion of the
large prizes still remain in the wheel; a well grounded hope
may be entertained of $10,000 or $15,000 being raised by the
first class of the lottery, which they flatter themselves, has
and will be so conducted as to give general satisfaction and to
facilitate the drawing of subsequent classes."
He also reported that private parties along the
rivers occasionally assisted in the work by labor or
funds. The laws on riparian rights were to be invoked
against unpatriotic citizens of Virginia.
Permission was secured from the Secretary of War
to erect a warehouse on public ground at Harper's
Ferry. Maryland citizens have always been public spirited.
A subscription of $20,000 was raised for the improve
ment of the Antietam River from the Pennsylvania
line. It was offered to the company, who accepted it
at six per cent, to be repaid in tolls. Work to be im
mediately commenced. John Rogan appointed super
intendent of the work at $50 per month.

112 The Patowmack Company.
Legal difficulties were accumulating at different
points, so Upton Lawrence and Sam'l Hughes were
retained as counsel for the company in 1812. In May
the greatly esteemed treasurer, Jos. Carleton, died and
Joseph Brewer was appointed, while Jonah Thompson
took charge of the lottery business. New locks were
ordered for Little Falls to be twelve feet wide. Land
to be there condemned for change in direction. Much
annoyance in regard to river frontage. At the ap
pointed directory meeting in July there was no quorum
for the first time in the history of the company. At
the general meeting in 1812, Jas. Keith, chairman, the
president reported:
"New locks of stone at Little Falls. Permanent low water
navigation in the Potomac cpmpleted to Stubblefield. Ex
penditures $32,257, $12,856 for bank curtailments, discounts
and debts to Maryland for loans ; $2083 expended on Antietam,
subscriptions $5708. Tolls collected $14,394. Principal mer
chandise flour, 75,235 barrels, 3,946 barrels of whiskey, 414
tons iron."
The president regretted that some lottery debts could
not be collected without suit. In the present distracted
state of the country he doubted if the second drawing
would be successful. The debt of the company amounted
to $48,801, resources $5,775.
The Shenandoah people were becoming very impa
tient of the delays in the work and did not hesitate to
so express themselves in most emphatic language, hence
the company resolved :
"That if a subscription can be made by them in loans of
money and labor sufficient to improve the navigation of the
North Branch so as to make it navigable at all seasons, or
with a small rise of water, as soon as the Directors shall be
informed thereof, that they will direct the superintendent of

The Fir.st Lock at the Great Falls of the Potomac
(Photograph by Miss \'iolet Bacon Foster)

The Patowmack Company. 113
the Company in conjunction with a commissioner or com
missioners to be appointed by the said subscribers to lay out
the said branch from its mouth to Mill Creek, in convenient
districts and contract and agree with such commissioners for
opening and improving the respective districts of said river
for such sums of money as may be agreed on by said parties
on any district of said river being made navigable according
to contract, and loans and labor made and performed by indi
viduals, and a certificate thereof given by the commissioner
of such district of the sum each subscriber is entitled to re
ceive for money or labor, that the Potomac Company will pay
an interest of six per cent, per annum on the amount. . . .
And the president and directors do promise and agree that
the amount expressed in such certificate shall be refunded
and paid to the legal holder of them in five, six and seven
years in equal installments and the interest thereon shall be
punctually paid annually."
The next lottery drawing was ordered for Novem
ber 27.
A very ugly dispute arose as to the ownership of
tickets not paid for at the time of the drawing. It was
submitted to arbitration and decided in favor of the
company, but the opportunity was given the claimants
to select others if they would give security. The ques
tion was not finally decided for several years.
Rivals appeared in the field, undeterred by the trou
bles of the Patowmack Company. The directors there
fore employed Thompson Mason to present a memorial
and remonstrance to the Assembly of Virginia against
the passage of an act for incorporating a company for
cutting a canal from Seneca Falls to Hunting Creek.
He appears to have been successful, as we hear no more
of the undertaking.
The showing of the business done on the Potomac
probably caused the Maryland Assembly to again assist
the company by a loan of $30,000 in 1813. A special

114 The Patowmack Company.
meeting of the stockholders was held on February 22
for consideration of the question of acceptance. In
explanation of this we must remember the financial
condition of the United States in that year and also
that the political complexion of the company was Fed
eralist; this last was probably the cause of John
Mason's leaving the directory, to return in two years
however. About 1812 David Bailie Warden, consul general at
Paris, now remembered as a collector of Americana,
visited in the United States and was a guest in the
beautiful home of John Mason on Analostan Island.
In 1816 he published in Paris, " Chrorographical and
Statistical Description of the District of Columbia,-
&c.," in which he thus described the work at Great
Falls then in the flush of success :
"... The boats employed for the navigation of these
rivers are 75 feet long, 5 feet wide, and draw 18 inches, carry
20 tons. Two with more than 100 barrels of flour each, pass
the locks at Great Falls in an hour, and it rarely happens that
the boat or cargo is injured. The cost of carrying a barrel of
flour from Cumberland to George Town was one-half less by
water, including tolls, than by land. ' '
A loan of $10,000 at six per cent, was offered by
Edward McCarty and others of the upper river for the
improvement of the navigation of the Potomac from
Coxes Falls to the mouth of New Creek, to be repaid
out of tolls collected. It was accepted and the superin
tendent directed to make the necessary contracts. Mr.
McCarty will be remembered as having been associated
with Thos. Beall, of Sam'l, in his first contract.
William Marbury was the chairman of the general
meeting in 1813, when the president reported $32,437
expended; $11,816 tolls collected. The want of funds
prevented the progress of the works to the extent that

The Patowmack Company. nS
could be wished. The directory, impressed with the
importance of obtaining funds if practicable, had made
application to the legislature of Maryland for a loan
of money and that honorable body with their usual
liberality agreed to loan the company $30,000 in six
per cent. U. S. bank stock on the security they required
being given. Subsequent events rendering it highly
probable that U. S. stock might greatly depreciate the
directory did not think it advisable to accept of the
loan without the approbation of the company. Work
men were employed in removing obstacles about Great
Falls and in repairing locks. In consequence of the
trouble with Gray and Milligan over contract and
claim to a $20,000 prize and the difficulty in selling
tickets in the present distressed state of the country
the managers thought it most prudent to suspend
the drawing of the lottery, at least until the dispute
with Gray and Milligan be settled. Ordered, arbitra
tion with these obnoxious gentlemen. The pension to
the blind laborer at Great Falls, as always, provided
for. The Shenandoah proposition was not making much
progress and the people along the stream were in a bad
temper. In October President Simms with directors
Thompson and Marbury appointed a meeting at New
Market for conference. After some pretty direct state
ments the gentlemen on the part of the Patowmack
Company proposed that they should relinquish all
rights to open the Shenandoah navigation and transfer
them to a company to be established by Virginia, on
consideration that such company reimburse the value
of the locks and other work done that may be deemed
useful to the new company, such to be ascertained by
two or more experienced and disinterested persons to
be chosen by the respective companies. If such com-

II 6 The Patowmack Company.
pany be not formed in six months and work com
menced in eighteen months after forming of the
company the rights of the Patowmack Company to
continue, and a farther term of five years shall be
allowed them for completion of work. The proposition
was accepted and was referred to annual meeting of
the Patowmack Company for ratification; which was
secured in a special meeting for November.
Then attempts were made to arrange with Antietam
and Monocacy subscribers.
"1813 "To THE Honorable Senate and House of Delegates of
Virginia ;
"The petition of the president and directors of the Potowmack
Company respectfully represents that the Potowmack Com
pany have long since removed the great obstacles to the navi
gation of the Potomac river from tide watefr to about thirty
miles above Cumberland so as to render the navigation safe
and easy for boats with a moderate rise of water and for the
last three years have used all the means within their power
to increase the depth of the water in the bed of the river by
making dams in the shallow parts of the river and although
considerable progress has been made in effecting that object
yet it is not so fully accomplished as they wish and the interest
of the community requires ; your petitioners therefore humbly
pray your Honors to allow the Potowmack Company the
farther time of five years to be computed from the expiration
of the time already granted. Finding it was not practicable
with the funds they possessed, or could procure to complete
the navigation of the Shenandoah river within a reasonable
time, although the principal obstacles have been removed at a
great expense, and sundry inhabitants of the counties adjacent
being desirous that it should be made navigable as soon as
possible and believing that object would be more speedily
effected by forming a new company, they entered into an
agreement with them for that purpose. ' '

The Patowmack Company. 117
A petition was made to the legislature of Maryland
to modify the proffered loan so as to enable the com
pany to refund in same kind of stock and to accept as
pledge the tolls of the company, which probably was
granted. The stock was to be deposited in such bank
as would advance cash on it to be expended solely on
the improvement of navigation from tide water to Har
per 's Ferry and for completing the locks at Little Falls,
until the navigation should be such as to admit of the
free and safe passage of boats with eighty barrels of
flour every day in the year. Directors to visit the work
once every month. Josiah Thompson was appointed
superintendent. A second drawing of the lottery com
menced in November.
At the general meeting in 1814 the president reported
$26,998 expended, tolls collected $9,109. Received from
Maryland $30,000 in U. S. stock. Loans of $19,790 on
$20,000 of the stock. McCarty 's loan had been partly
expended on the upper river. Work at Antietam sus
pended on account of non-payment of subscriptions.
Locks at Little Falls nearly completed.
In November another $5,000 was discounted. Chas.
Simms transferred his stock and resigned as president
to be succeeded temporarily by Elie Williams. Ap
plication was made to the District of Columbia, Mary
land and Virginia for a law empowering the company
to protect its water rights. Gray instituted suit
against Jonah Thompson on the lottery prize question
and won; thereupon appeal was taken to the U. S.
Supreme Court.
This statement was issued in June, 1815 :
"The directors find that the diminished intercourse on the
river navigation during the war and the disbursements of the
Company within that period on the new Locks at the Little
Falls and other work, has so far depressed the funds of the

II 8 The Patowmack Company.
Company that with all the aid of accruing funds there will
scarcely be a sufficiency to complete the new locks in time
to pass boats and other craft before the old locks which are
of wood and much decayed will be wholly unfit for use. The
funds of the Company not being competent to the payment of
discounts on the bank debts and continuing the work on
the new locks, the alternative is left of discontinuing the work
and paying the discounts, for a few months only, when the
failure of the old locks will leave no means of paying debt or
discount, or to suspend the payment of discount for a short
period till the new locks are completed by which an ample
revenue will be secured for the payment of both. . . . The
directors do not hesitate to adopt the latter alternative, in
full confidence that the measure will meet the concurrence of
all concerned."
At the general meeting in 1815 Elie Williams was
elected president, Geo. Peter, Wm. Marbury, Jonah
Thompson and Jno. C. Vowell directors.
Thoroughly aroused the Shenandoah people pre
sented this communication :
"A sufficient number of subscriptions have been obtained to
constitute a company, but many, if not a majority, of them
are conditional who will withdraw unless the directors of
the Potomac Company will make the terms much more accom
modating than the law prescribes. The people in the country
complain that the Potomac Company has not treated them
well, they say they have for many years held out the idea of a
speedy accomplishment of that work in which they felt them
selves so much interested, they say they were (many of them)
induced to loan money to the Company and to purchase
lottery tickets in order to promote so desirable an object, and
nothing of any consequence has been done and when the Com
pany discover they cannot accomplish it, when the prospect
of suspension of commerce presented itself, when turnpike
roads are opening in every direction, whereby the tolls will
be greatly curtailed, the Potomac Company are willing to
relinquish their claims on being paid the value of their im-

The Patowmack Company. 119
provements. The feeling of the people has been excited
and their resentment aroused, and it will require considerable
concessions to reconcile them, indeed some of them are so
exasperated that nothing but an immense advantage from the
navigation of the river would induce them to use it were
it now complete under the management of the Potomac
Company. ' ' I really think the Potomac Company ought in justice and
in regard to their own interest, to bear a proportional part of
the expenses of opening the Shenandoah river. If that river
is opened there is no doubt but the tolls at Great Palls will
increase more than 100%, I think 200%, whereas in its present
situation it is a real expense to the Company. It is a maxim
in justice that when two or more are materially benefited each
should bear an equal share of the cost. ' '
Then the directors agreed to recommend to the stock
holders to change the terms proposed and acceded to
by the directors of the Patowmack Company and the
persons present at the New Market conference as
follows, thus :
"That instead of payment proposed to be made by the new
company for the work done on the Shenandoah by the Potow
mack Company the amount of the valuation to be made as
agreed on shall be subscribed by the Potowmack Company
to the stock of the new company and divide in common with
their stock holders in proportion to the stock subscribed."
The president reported at the meeting in August:
"The loan from Cumberland section has been expended on
the North Branch. The contemplated improvement of the
Antietam had been effected only in part from the refusal of a
number of subscribers under an apprehension and belief (sanc
tioned by public opinion) that the estimate for the work was
too low and some of the subscriptions too small. On an over
ture from the Shenandoah company a conditional proposition
has been made to relinquish to them the tolls on the Shenan-

I20 The Patowmack Company.
doah on condition they would complete its navigation within
a given period. . . .
"The drawing of the second class lottery had commenced
and progressed several days when it was interrupted and
suspended by a dispute with a certain Robt. Gray respecting
the property of a ticket which had come out of the wheel
with a prize of $20,000, while in possession of the managers
and before it had been bought by Gray or any other person.
This dispute produced a suit by Gray which was tried in the
District Court of Alexandria and a verdict given against the
Company; but under circumstances which made it advisable
to appeal to the Supreme Court of the U. S. where the case
is now pending, this will suspend the drawing of the lottery
until the event is known. In the trial of this cause it became
inportant to the Company that Col. Chas. Simms' testimony
should be used; he therefore thought proper to resign his seat
at this Board and dispose of his interest to render him a
competent witness. ' '
"Resolved; to aim at rendering the navigation of the Po
towmack river such that boats with one hundred barrels of
flour may pass at any period of the year when not prevented
by frost.
' ' Resolved at the general meeting, ' In regard to the Shenan
doah Company as before given, that the Shenandoah com
pany shall have the right any time within ten years to pur
chase the stock as subscribed by the Potowmack Company. ' ' '
Jonah Thompson was appointed to meet members of
the Shenandoah Company and to negotiate with them
for transferring to them all the rights of the Patow
mack Company on such terms as he may deem proper.
He reported:
"In consideration of the conveyance of the canals, cuts,
locks and all and every of the rights, claims and interests of
the Potowmack Company on the Shenandoah, the Shenandoah
company do agree to pay to the Potowmack Company the sum
of $15,000 to be taken in shares of $50 of stock of the new

The Second Lock ,\t the Great F'ai-ls of the Pot(ima(
(Photograph by Miss Violet Bacon Faster)

The Patowmack Company. 121
company; and farther that the Potowmack Company do bind
themselves to secure by indisputable title their rights to the
said canals etc. clear of the adverse claims of the United
States and individuals, especially of the U. S. Armory, Wil
son's, Graves' and Craighill's mills. Subject to the ratifica
tions of both companies at their general meetings.
' ' Notwithstanding the sum is much less than that expended
and below its value, yet in consideration of various circum
stances and the accommodation of extensive and fertile settle
ments remote from market the directors do agree."
The treasurer was ordered to pay Jonah Thompson
$191.51 for services and expenses, and thus was closed
a stormy episode in the history.
In 1816 the president reported expenditures of
$40,282, with receipts from tolls of $7,501. Payments
had been made of pressing claims on old debts under
judgments, for labor, for repairs to locks and for
salaries. The suit brought by Gray was decided in his favor
by the Supreme Court, although the company was rep
resented by such distinguished men as Mr. Walter
Jones and Mr. Pinckney. This discomfiture so changed
the aspect of the lottery as to render the tickets on
hand in a measure unsalable and a prosecution of the
scheme hopeless in benefit and almost certain as to loss;
in this unpleasant predicament the managers had no
alternative but to wait for the sale of the tickets or to
proceed in the drawing with a certainty of consider
able loss. It was
"Resolved to borrow if possible $26,000 for the new locks
at Little Falls and payment of old claims.
"Resolved to ratify agreement with the Shenandoah com
pany without guarantee against the United States or indi
viduals. ' '

122 TKe Patowmack Company.
In response the seven banks of the District loaned
the company the $26,000, to be repaid from tolls after
settlement of current expenses. ^^
As usual the blind Wiley was voted his pension.
A special meeting was called in December, 1816, Geo.
Peter, Esq., chairman, to consider another troublesome
matter. Four hundred and thirty-eight shares repre
sented. One John K. Smith had purchased the land
about Little Falls and wished to combine with the com
pany in control of the water rights in speculative in
terests. The company resolved :
' ' That as many mill sites be laid off along the canal as may
be conveniently embraced within fifty four acres from the
lower end of it the said sites to extend from the canal to the
river; that five of these sites be sold at auction and the pro
ceeds to be equally divided, the remainder of the sites to be
alternately divided between the Company and Mr. Smith, — or
he may hold option for ten days to pay for water rights
$60,000, the navigation not to be interfered with;"
which offer he declined.
The company accepted a compromise with Gray on
the lottery question and the drawing proceeded.
A fine petition and statement of monies expended by
the company wth a tabulated statement of the business
done in the time between 1799 and 1816 was prepared
to present to the Virginia legislature in opposition to
another company asking a charter for a canal from
Seneca to Alexandria. It was prepared by John Peter
and supplemented by a letter from John Mason to
Chas. Fenton Mercer, asking him to present both to the
legislature. In a petition an extention of time for three
years for the completion of the work in the bed of the
^Columbia, $8,100, Union, $4,300, Farmers & Mechanics, $3,300,
Metropolitan, $3,000, Patriotic, $2,000, Washington, $3,900, Central,
$1,400.

The Patowmack Company. 123
river was asked. Another project was to construct a
canal from Leesburg to Alexandria. Mason wrote
Mercer to have consideration of this postponed.
At the regular meeting in August, 1817, John Mason
was elected president, which office he held for eleven
years or during the farther existence of the Patowmack
Company ; 508 shares were represented. J. K. Smith
was once more before them with a petition, saying he
had been two years trying to adjust matters at Little
Falls, he would now offer $30,000 for water power on
terms given Henry Lee at Great Falls, for which he
paid nothing ; if declined he would bring suit to deter
mine his rights. He called on the stockholders to de
cide on the issue.
The president reported collection of tolls $13,948.
During the past season's unusual low water boats with
fifty to sixty barrels of flour had continuously passed
down from Harper's Ferry. From Mason's report to
Virginia it appears that total expenses from 1785, had
been $650,000, tolls from 1799, $162,380.
In 1818 the treasurer of Maryland began asking about
the debt and interest due the state. Jonah Thompson
reported the final closing of the lottery with a profit of
about $486 and many prizes still unpaid.
At the general meeting the president reported the
Little Falls locks open. $15,000 had been borrowed
from District banks on the condition that no farther
work would be commenced until debts to them were
paid. New gates had been provided for the lower lock
at Great Falls. No settlement had been made with
Smith. The lottery had not proved a success and
Maryland had forbidden any more drawings under the
old permit. Jos. Brewer, treasurer, resigned, Jas.
Moore, Jr., appointed.

124 '^^^ Patowmack Company.
At a meeting of the Patowmack Company held at
Semmes' Tavern in George Town the 2d day of Au
gust, 1819 :
"William Marbury, Esqr. was appointed chairman and
John K. Smith and Lewis G. Davidson a committee to ex
amine the proxies who reported in due manner. Shares
voting ; — Maryland, 220, Virginia, 120, John Mason, 5, James
Keith sr. 3, John C. Vowell, 6, Thos. Vowell, 6, William Mar
bury, 1, Wm. Campbell, 10, John Laird, 18, H. Foxall, 1,
Jonah Thompson, 1, A. C. Casenove, 1, Amsterdam merchants,
49, James Keith jr. 10, Lewis G. Davidson, 3, John K. Smith,
1, 455 shares.
"Then proceeded to the election of president and directors
to manage the business of the Company for the ensuing year,
when the following persons were unanimously elected; John
Mason Esqr. president, John Laird, Henry Foxall, Jonah
Thompson and John C. Vowell Esqrs. directors.
"Resolved; That the president and directors communicate
to the Treasurer of Maryland a statement of the receipts and
disbursements of the Company during the last year, and to
inform him of the inability of the Company to comply with
the Resolution of the Legislature of that State in relation to
the immediate payment of the interest which has accrued on
the debt due it. That they express on the part of the stock
holders the hope that he may not consider himself under the
late resolution of the State compelled to bring a suit against
the Company, at least until they can have time to make farther
representations to the Legislature on that subject.^^
"Resolved; That the president and directors present a
memorial to the Legislature of Maryland at their next session
setting forth the deranged state of the funds of the Company,
the state of the navigation and a view of the facilities afforded
in transportation to a large district of that State, and praying
for the forbearance of the State in relation to the present debt,
and for such other aid as the State may have in its power to
grant. ^ See appendix D.

The Patowmack Company. 125
"Resolved; That the subject of the letter this day received
from Mr. John K. Smith in relation to the use of the surplus
water at the Little Falls be referred to the President and
Directors, who may call a meeting of the stockholders if they
deem it necessary.
"Ordered; That the President and Directors allow Mr.
Foxall what compensation they may think right for his atten
tion to the locks at the Little Falls.
"Resolved; That the President and Directors request the
board of works of the State of Virginia to permit their prin
cipal Engineer to examine the works executed and to consider
those proposed to be executed on the river Potomac above tide
water, and to explore the country lying between the waters
of the Potomac and the waters of the Ohio, with a view to the
best manner of improving the navigation of the river and of
facilitating the communication, by way of the Potomac with
the western waters, and for the purpose of reporting his
observations and opinions on these points to the Board of
Works and to the Potowmack Company.
"Resolved; That the President and Directors apply to the
Board of Works of Virginia, or to the Legislature of that
State to authorize the Board of Works, in their discretion as
may be the proper course to grant such aid from the general
fund appropriated for such purposes, as has been customary
in relation to similar undertakings and the interest of that
State may appear. "(Signed,) Wm. Maeburt."
The president reported:
' ' No material change in the year. From the state of funds
the Board did not think themselves authorized to attempt any
thing more than to keep the present works in repair. The
new locks at Little Falls have been put in good order. The
gates to the lower lock at Great Falls which gave way during
the last summer have been entirely renewed and well secured,
and it having been found that all the gates of the other locks
there are decayed and liable to be broken down and interrupt
navigation it was determined to replace them. . . . With some

126 The Patowmack Company.
little repairs to walls the whole lockage at the two places will
be in good order and likely to last a long time. Maryland
extended the time on her debt provided the interest was paid
to July last. Unable to pay the interest and some other press
ing claims for making locks, deferred action to general meet
ing. Tolls colected $12,514. from 775 boats."
In November the board agreed with J. K. Smith to
use water power jointly at Little Falls, he furnishing
land for mill sites, they surplus water for power; he
agreed to erect a mill at once, they to guard against
depletion of canal. There had previously been a large
mill property at this point.
By the House of Delegates, Maryland, December 13,
1819: "Whereas the State of Maryland by a large investment in
the stock of the Potowmack Company is deeply interested in
its prosperity, both as an object highly beneficial to the com
munity and as a source of future revenue to the State, and
as it is believed that by the consent of the State and of the
stockholders generally, measures might be adopted to advance
the improvement and completion of the said canal so as to
render it profitable to the stockholders, and impart greater
advantages to the State, therefore ; — •
' ' Resolved, — That the president and directors of the Potow
mack Company be requested forth with to lay before the legis
lature such information relative to the situation of the Com
pany as they may deem important, and that they suggest such
plans for the consideration of the legislature as they may con
sider calculated to promote the interest of said Company,
and State.
' ' Resolved, — That a copy of the above preamble and resolu
tion be forwarded to the president and directors of the Po
towmack Company."
Reply :

The Patowmack Company. 127
"To THE Honorable President of the Senate and the
Honorable Speaker of House of Delegates op the
State op ^Iaryland ;
"Gentlemen; —
"In obedience to the joint resolution of the two houses of
the legislature of the State of ^Maryland passed on the 21st.
of last month and by instructions from the Board of Directors
of the Potowmack Company I have the honor to make the fol
lowing communication; —
' ' On the one hand the situation of the Potowmack Company
in its relation to the State of Maryland as a stockholder, as in
its relation to all the other stockholders, is at present far from
an agreeable one. Loaded with an heavy debt, it has not had
it in its power to apply any of its large receipts in the way of
dividends toward retributing them for the capital long ago
invested, indeed it has been with difSculty, able to make the
requisite repairs in its extensive works, pay indispensable cur
rent expenses, and provide in part for the interest of its
debt. "On the other hand, the situation of the Company in rela
tion to that part of the State of Maryland which is contiguous
to the waters of the upper Potomac and to all the community
in any way concerned in the raising, transportation and sale
of the produce of the extensive and fertile country bordering
on the waters on either side, is highly favorable.
"For a detail of those advantages, and disadvantages, as
well as for a minute description of the nature and state of
the works, and of the extent of the improvements on the river
reference is respectfully prayed to the several communications
made in behalf of the Board of Directors for the information
of the Legislature on the 30th June 1818, and on the 15th
November 1819 to the Treasurer of the Western Shore of
Maryland. "An institution that shall be capable of facilitating the
transportation of such vast masses of the products of agri
culture and manufactures and of the objects of commerce and
which furnishes at this time the means of bearing annually
from the interior of the country to tide water markets produce

128 The Patowmack Company.
of the value of more than half a million of dollars, and at a
saving in the carriage of at least $50,000 in each year, can
but merit the patronage and the assistance of the State whose
country is pervaded by the navigation to which it has given
rise. "And accordingly the Potowmack Company from its origin
to this time has received from both the states of Maryland
and Virginia repeated evidences of encouragement and favour.
"The affairs of the Company may in a condensed view be
presented thus; —
"The capital or dividing stock is made up of
701 shares of £100 ster. or $444.44 each $311,555.55
of which the State of Maryland holds 220 shares 97,777.77
"The State of Virginia 70 shares retained in
its own right & 50 presented to Gen. Wash
ington  120 shares 53,333.33
"Individuals 361 " 160,444.45
"In round numbers the whole sum actually ex
pended on the works from the commencement
of the operations of the Company in 1784 may
be stated as $670,000.00
"And the debt due from the Company including
the $30,000 and interest due the State of Mary
land, at 150,000.00
' ' The tolls received since the existence of the Com
pany and re-invested in carrying on the works,
except the small sum of $3,890 once divided to
the stockholders, — amount to 185,202.78
' ' An average amount of tolls now received may be
fairly put at rather more than less than 15,000.00
"If then new subscriptions were opened and additional
stock was taken to an amount sufficient to pay the debt of the
Company at par, or at the rate at which the original stock
holders came in, the whole amount of the capital or of the
dividing stock would be about $462,000, on which (all the
expensive and important parts of the work being finished)
the tolls received would now, or very soon, give, after paying

The Patowmack Company. 129
current expenses, a dividend of 3% with a prospect of increase
proportional to the population and cultivation of the upper
country ; but however advantageous such a measure would be
to the stockholders generally, by bringing their inactive
capital into use, it is believed that such is the present extreme
pressure in money matters, it would be impossible to induce
individuals concerned to take additional stock, and if this
should be deemed an eligible course it could only be pursued
by means of additional subscriptions on the part of the States
of Maryland and Virginia for the whole sum requisite. Or
should by similar acts the two states permit the stockholders
in general meeting to open subscriptions for new stock at such
rate below par as they might with a view to inviting new
subscriptions, and to the ultimate interest of the present
stockholders determine on, and direct the respective agents
of the stockholders to take a considerable portion of the stock
so created, it is possible that the assent of the stockholders to
a reduction in the price of such additional shares might be
had, and that the sum necessary to effect the object might be
raised. ' ' But as it would be at a sacriflce, to a certain degree of the
interests of those who originated the enterprise and advanced
their money in its prosecution more than thirty years ago and
since on former occasions when new subscriptions were opened
the original stockholders on account of this advance had re
quired that the shares should be set at a rate considerably
above par and they were so taken up.
"This last plan is suggested with much diffidence.
' ' With very great respect etc. etc. John Mason
"Note; — The original subscriptions were for 500 shares of
£100 ster. each, (of which twenty-nine were forfeited and sunk)
there were two other subscriptions opened and filled, one in
1796 for 100 shares, and one in 1798 for 130 shares, the last
230 shares were taken at 30% above par — that is at £130 ster.
"January 26, 1820."
It was resolved in the general meeting of August,
1820, that

130 The Patowmack Company.
"The thanks of the stock holders of the Potowmack Com
pany be presented to Mr. Thos, Moore for the trouble he has
been pleased to take at their request with the permission of
the Board of Works of Virginia in exploring the intermediate
country with a view of connecting the waters of the Ohio and
Potomac and of examining the navigation and the works on
the Potomac and particularly for the able and important
communication he has recently made to the Company on these
subjects, and that the President and Directors express to
Mr. Moore the high sense the stockholders entertain of his
skill as an engineer and of the great worth of his general
character. ' '^^
"6th of August, 1821.
"The President and Directors of the Potomac Company
beg leave to submit to the stockholders in general meeting con
vened the following report.
"Since the last general meeting nothing material has oc
curred in the affairs of the Company, except the appointment
by the States of Virginia and Maryland of a board of commis
sioners to perform certain duties in relation to the Company,
which circumstance will be more particularly noticed before
the conclusion of this report.
"Everything in the power of the Directors has been done
to preserve the works in good repair, and to keep the naviga
tion at least in as favorable a state as it has been of late years.
"The pair of decayed lock gates at the Great Palls, which
at the time of the last report, remained only to be replaced
have been now completed and well hung. At the head of the
canal at that place (mentioned by the engineer of the board
of works of the State of Virginia on his examination of the
summer of 1820) there was a deficiency of water, as compared
with that usually in the river above, since then the wing dam
at that place has been considerably raised and extended, the
work has been done in a stable manner, and the canal cleansed,
so that now the whole line of canaling and lockage of that
important pass, is in complete order, and well capable of
^ See appendix E.

\']EW OF THE Potomac River from the Fifth Lock at the (iREat Palls
(Charcoal Drawing by Miss Mili."cn( Strange)

The Patowmack Company. 131
receiving and delivering all boats that can navigate the river
in its present state of improvement. On the Seneca canal
some work has been done in clearing it of the collection of drift
timber and of the stone and gravel that the freshes had
deposited there. At the Little Palls the works are in good
repair, the canal has for some time been gradually filling up
by means of ordinary deposit and the wash from the hills, and
though no material delays or injuries have as yet been experi
enced from this circumstance, it has become necessary to pro
vide against it ; to facilitate the cleansing of this and the canal
at the Great Falls the Directors have determined to build a
small mud-machine to be worked by manual labor, calculated to
save both time and expense in an operation which must from
the nature of the case be frequently repeated. This machine
is now on hand, and it is expected will be at work during the
low water of the present season. The navigation has been
carried on during the last season as usual and without inter
ruption. "By the return of the Treasurer numbered one, and here
with submitted, will be shown the number of boats employed
and the kinds and quantities of produce and merchandise
transported, with their estimated value, and that the tolls
collected thereon have amounted during the year ending on
the first day of this month to $12,490.61. For the receipts
and disbursements of the Company during the same period
and for the present state of the debt of the Company, refer
ence is prayed to the statements numbered 2, 3 and 4 and filed
as making part of this report.
"The President and Directors can but call the particular
attention of the Stockholders to the late step so important to
their interests taken as before intimated by the States of Vir
ginia and Maryland; they have procured and herewith lay
before the meeting for the better understanding of that sub
ject, the act of the Virginia Legislature passed the 27th of
January last, and the corresponding resolutions passed by the
Legislature of Maryland on the 16th of February following;
and they have to add that it is known that in pursuance with
these legislative provisions the executives of those states have

132 The Patowmack Company.
respectively appointed two commissioners, men of high stand
ing and residing in the vicinity of the waters of the Potomac.
"No official communication has as yet been received from
the commissioners, but it is presumed that it cannot be long
before they will enter on the duties assigned them and that the
Company will be called on for such information relative to its
affairs as they may desire to possess. At the last general meet
ing the President and Directors made a full exposition of
the then state of the differences existing between the Company
and ]Mr. John Kelly Smith in relation to the Company's rights
and privileges on the river at and near the canal at the Little
Falls, since then they have not heard any thing further from
Mr. Smith or his agents upon the subject.
"(Signed) J. Mason
Jonah Thompson
John Laird
Jno. C. Vowell"
"August 5, 1822. Annual Report.
"To the Stockholders of the Potomac Company the Presi
dent and Directors respectfully report; —
"That during the last year the works of the Company and
the navigation of the river have under gone no material
changes — As usual the transportation by this channel has
been considerable and constant at all times but the driest
seasons and during the hard frost.
"On the works some repairs have become necessary. In
two of the locks at the Great Falls the walls had partially
given way, and the canal at the Little Falls had become so
filled with sediment as to threaten an interruption to the
navigation. The opportunity of the present dry season has
been improved to rebuild the walls at the Great Falls, and to
cleanse the canal and repair the sluice gates and wing dam
at the Little Falls. Without accident the whole will be com
pleted during the present month in an effectual and perma
nent manner.
"The annexed exhibits from the Treasurer will show in
detail the present state of the affairs of the Company.

The Patowmack Company. 133
"The annual report of the state of the works and of the
monied concerns of the Company as required by a law of the
state of Virginia from all the incorporated companies in which
that state has an interest, was made by order of the President
and Directors on the 5th day of December last, a copy of which
is herewith furnished.
"Within the last few months communications have been
received from the agent of the state of Maryland for the West
ern Shore respecting the debt due to it from the Company,
and from the Treasurer of the new Shenandoah Company
inviting the attention of the Potowmack Company, as a matter
of policy, to the question of reducing the tolls, in conjunction
with the Shenandoah Company, on articles shipped on the
Shenandoah river. Both these subjects having been deemed
by the Board of Directors as proper to be submitted to the
consideration of the Stockholders, were laid over for their in
structions, and they are now accordingly submitted.
' ' In the month of January last a letter was addressed to the
President of the Potowmack Company by the chairman of a
committee of the House of Delegates of the state of Maryland re
questing information on various points relative to the affairs of
the Company, and asking his opinion of a plan proposed to be
submitted to the legislature of that state for the improvement
of the navigation of Potomac river; to which letter an imme
diate reply was made, and the information required, fur
nished. Copies of these papers are annexed to this report.
"The President of the Company on this occasion begs leave
to remark, that in making up the opinion which he was called
upon to give, as well from the tenor of the letter of the chair
man of the committee, as from a knowledge that the Legis
lature was about to rise, there being no time allowed to consult
the stockholders or even to call a Board of Directors at that
inclement season of the year, he was compelled to act on his
own judgment, and he humbly trusts that the opinion he has
thus given, and the plan he has ventured to suggest, may be
received by the Stockholders, as arising from the proper
motives and the best consideration he was able on such short

134 '^^^ Patowmack Company.
notice to give the subject. At any rate it will be perceived
that in the manner these were given, they can in no way
commit the Company.
' ' The commissioners appointed by the states of Virginia and
Maryland to perform certain duties having relation to the
navigation of the Potomac and the affairs of the Company,
as stated in the report made by the Board of Directors to the
last general meeting of the Stockholders, did not convene
during the last year owing as was understood to some infor
mality in the proceedings of one of the states, leading to their
appointment. "They held their first meeting in the beginning of last
month at Georgetown and after a session of a few days ad
journed to meet about the middle of that month at Cumber
land, for the purpose of entering on the examination of the
state of navigation of the river, and of the works of the
Company, in which examination, attended by the principal
engineer of the Board of works of Virginia, it is believed
they are now engaged.
"During the late session of the commissioners in George
Town, in compliance with the instructions of the Stockholders,
documents and papers from the office of the Company, were
furnished them, giving information on all the points relative
to which it was required ; which information is now preparing
to be handed them in an official communication and particular
form at their request.
"The farther improvement of the Potomac river was
brought to the view of Congress at the last session by several
reports of committees, the most important of which was from
the committee of the District of Columbia made on sundry
memorials of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, Maryland and
Virginia praying the aid of the Federal Government toward
that object. This lengthy and luminous document has been
recently published. — The President and Directors think it
proper to call the attention of the general meeting to it and
particularly to that part of it, in which it is proposed to engraft,
by means of the necessary alterations in the charter, a new
Company on the present one, and to supercede the use of the

The Patowmack Company. 135
natural bed of the river, by a resort to a navigable canal
from tide water to Cumberland.
' ' The President and Directors before concluding this report
beg leave to congratulate the Stockholders on the many evi
dences lately given of the interest in the completion of this
navigation which has been excited as well in the Legislatures
of the states of Virginia and Maryland as in Congress and the
neighboring community, and which they can but hope will
lead to a favorable result. "(Signed) J. Mason
Jonah Thompson
Jno. C. Vowell"
And here the records of the Patowmack Company
end. Whether no board meetings were after held, or
whether the records were not preserved may not now
be known. The subsequent proceedings of the com
pany are given in the annual reports of the president
and directors only. The last recorded order is for the
payment of the usual pension to the blind laborer.
Annual Report of 1823.
"The President and Directors of the Potomac Company in
this their annual report beg leave respectfully to state to the
stockholders, That the works of the Company and the naviga
tion of the river are in quite as good a state as usual of late
years. The repairs to the locks at Great Falls, mentioned as
requisite in the last annual report have been completed. At
the Little Falls, the canal has been cleansed, the banks re
paired and three pairs of new sluice gates inserted to great
advantage, in preventing the accumulation of foreign matter
in the canal. The canals at Seneca Falls and Harpers Ferry
have also been rendered better capable of navigation by
repairs and removing the loose stone from them. Some work
has also been done in refitting the sluiceways and wing dams
on different parts of the river.
"The exhibits from the Treasurer herewith submitted give
a detailed view of the affairs of the Company. . . .

136 The Patowmack Company.
"The resolution of the stockholders passed at their last
annual meeting in consequence of the application of the agent
of the State of Maryland for payment of the debt due to that
state, was communicated as directed to the agent; suit was it
appears, notwithstanding, ordered by him, and the subject
was about to be taken up by the legislature of Maryland, of
which proceeding having been advised by a person then at
tending the legislature on the part of the Company and
apprehending a course hostile to the interests of the Company,
the President and Directors immediately forwarded a peti
tion to that legislature, which was fortunately presented in
time, and was the means of obtaining the farther indulgence
to the Company. As a sequel to the information submitted
to the stockholders at their meetings in February last, in rela
tion to the proceedings of the legislatures of Virginia and
Maryland, then in session, on the subject of the contemplated
incorporation of a new company under certain stipulations
with the existing company, for the purpose of cutting a canal
to be supplied by the waters of the Potomac and its tributary
streams from the highest practicable point in the North
Branch to tide water, the President and Directors have to
state, that in Virginia a law passed for the incorporation of
a new company, the provisions of which will be seen by the
printed act; and the circumstances of its connection with
the existing company will be explained by the report of James
M. Mason who attended the legislature of that state by
appointment of the Board of Directors as agent of the
Company. ' ' In Maryland after several weeks ' discussion and the meas
ure having assumed in the committee of the whole of the
House of Delegates the shape exhibited in the bill no. 57 after
some of the provisions deemed by its friends most valuable
had been stricken out by a vote of the House, the bill was
withdrawn by the members in the Powtomack interest.
' ' Great interest has been excited in both states on this ques
tion of the improvement of the navigation of the upper
Potomac by means of an independent canal, and there can be
no doubt that it will be renewed at the next session of the

The Patowmack Company. i37
Maryland legislature and possibly in some shape in the Vir
ginia legislature. It is plain from the communications had
with the legislatures of those states at their last sessions, and
from the nature of the case, that whenever it becomes a matter
for legislation, the interests of this Company must be deeply
involved. "It will be seen by the report of the commissioners ap
pointed by the two states to examine the affairs of the Patow
mack Company, the state of the navigation of the river, &e.
made last winter that they strongly intimate that a new com
pany may be legally and equitably established by law to effect
the proposed work, without any provision for, or remunera
tion to that Company or its creditors. Without undertaking
here to combat this opinion which the President and Directors
must regard as unfounded, they will only remark, that so far
as the legislatures of the states concerned have acted, more
liberal views of the subject have been taken.
"The President and Directors beg leave to call particular
attention of the stockholders to this point, they can but con
sider it of great importance under the peculiar circumstances
of the case, as well to the community as to the Company and
its creditors, that measures should be taken to determine and
to make known thro' some channel to the legislature of Jlary-
land and if necessary to that of Virginia, on what terms this
Company will by agreement consent to surrender its charter,
and inasmuch as its funds are exhausted and its debts pressing
however it may have law and right on its side, the President
and Directors beg leave to recommend that the conditions so
proposed be of the most moderate and conciliatory nature.
"All of which is respectfully submitted."
The submitted copy of the following valuable report
with its various enclosures is not to be found. This is
from the original draft by John Mason.
"August 2d, 1824.
"The President and Directors, to the stockholders of the
Potomac Company, in general meeting assembled, respect
fully report ; —

138 The Patowmack Company.
"That since the last annual meeting nothing material as to
the condition of the works on the river has occurred, no change
of any importance has been made in them, and they have been
kept at a small expense, in the usual repair.
"The documents furnished by the Treasurer of the Com
pany herewith exhibited, and numbered from one to four,
show in detail the present state of its affairs.
"No. 1 shows the number of boats and the tonnage that have
been employed, the tolls received and the estimated value of
the articles from which they were collected during the year
ending on the first of Aug. 1824.
"No. 2 is a statement of the quantity and kinds of produce
and manufactures transported from the upper country within
the same period.
"No. 3 gives a particular account of the disbursements of
money made in that year.
' ' No. 4 is a table of the debts of the Company in which is set
forth the several sums due, to whom owing and the total
amount as struck on the 1st. of Aug. 1824.
"A copy of the report as required by law made by the
President and Directors to the Board of Works of the State
of Virginia is also submitted.
"In their last annual report the President and Directors
ventured to state an opinion that great interest had been
excited in the neighboring community relative to the improve
ment of the navigation of the upper Potomac, by means of
an independent canal. In this they have not been mistaken.
In the month of November last, as no doubt is known to most
of the stockholders, a number of highly respected citizens,
regularly delegated from many of the counties of Virginia
and Maryland, from Pennsylvania and from the District of
Columbia, convened in the city of Washington; and being
duly organized as a deliberative body, discussed for several
days, with great zeal and ability, not only that branch of the
subject but also the practicability and propriety of connecting
the waters of the Ohio with those of the Potomac by a canal
to be extended from the eastern base of the Alleghany across
the mountain; the proceedings of this important convention

The Patowmack Company. i39
terminated in the passage of a number of appropriate resolu
tions, and the appointment of several standing committees to
carry them into effect. A copy of these resolutions, together
with the other proceedings of the convention, is now laid
before this meeting. It will be observed that in more than one
point of view they have an essential bearing on the interests
of this Company.
"In consequence of petitions from the committees of the
convention, acts were passed during the past winter, by the
legislatures of both Virginia and Maryland, for incorporating
a new company to make a navigable canal from the tide water
of the Potomac in the District of Columbia to the mouth of
Savage Creek, on the north branch of said river, and extend
ing thence across the Alleghany mountains to some convenient
point on the navigable waters of the Ohio or some of its
tributary streams, nearly on the plan recommended by the
convention. But as in as much as in the act of Maryland,
certain qualifications were annexed to some of the provisions
of that of Virginia which qualifications were not afterwards
acted on by the legislature of Virginia, and since no assent
(as required by the acts of Virginia and Maryland) has as
yet been given by the legislature of Pennsylvania, or by the
Congress of the United States to the provisions of these acts,
both of them remain inoperative. By a reference to the said
acts of Virginia and Maryland it will be found, that it is
expressly provided, that they shall not take effect until the
assent of the Potowmack Company shall have been formally
signified, and it will be seen on what terms it is proposed that
it shall surrender its rights to, and amalgamate its interests
with, those of the new company; the stockholders will thus
be enabled to determine how far it may be expedient at this
time, to take order on the subject. The Board of Directors
from all that has passed, can but believe that whatever course
this matter may ultimately take, a fair and liberal provision
will be made, as well for the direct interest of this Company,
which has so long toiled for the good of the community, as for
that of its creditors who have furnished money for the ad-
vencement of the object.

140 The Patowmack Company.
"The President and Directors take particular pleasure in
remarking, as a strong evidence of the impetus which has
been given by public opinion on this subject, that the Presi
dent of the United States in his message to Congress at the
commencement of last session, took occasion to mention, in
approbatory terms, the convention of citizens which had then
recently taken place to discuss the question of the Potomac
and Ohio canals ; and to call the attention of Congress to this
among other objects of internal improvements, that the result
was, that Congress in April last passed an act, authorizing
the President to employ skilful engineers, and such of the
officers of the corps of engineers and others whom he might
cause to be detailed on that duty, to make the necessary sur
veys, plans and estimates of the routes of such roads and
canals, as he might deem of national importance, in a com
mercial or military point of view, and that soon after the
President designated, as the first object to be attended to,
under this act, the route of the canals recommended by the
convention and adopted by the legislatures of Virginia and
IMaryland as before stated, and he appointed a most able and
efficient body of engineers, civil and military, who are now
actually employed in exploring the summit level between the
head waters of the Potomac and Ohio, and in tracing and
taking the levels of their several tributaries, from which it is
expected the projected canals may be fed.
' ' On all which, as leading to the consumation of the original
views of this Company, the President and Directors beg leave
to congratulate the stockholders, and to express a firm belief,
that the day is not distant, when with the aid of the general
government and of the government of the contiguous states,
this great work will be undertaken. "(Signed) J. Mason
Jonah Thompson
Jno. C. Vowell"
On the 27th day of January, 1824, the legislature of
Virginia passed an act incorporating the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company which should become law

Gen. John Mason, La.st President of Patowmack Company
(From Portrait in Possession of Mrs. \'. C. Dawson)

The Patowmack Company. 141
when assent should be given to its terms by Maryland,
the Congress of the United States and by the stock
holders of the Patowmack Company. Subscriptions to
the new stock might be paid in Patowmack stock at par
or in the duly authenticated claims of its creditors,
provided that the certificates of stock shall not exceed
in the whole amount the sum of $311,111.11, nor the
claims the sum of $175,800.00.
At a special meeting of the stockholders on the 16th
of May, 1825, assent was given to the propositions of
Virginia. Annual Report of 1825.
"To the Stockholders of the Potowmack Company, the
President and Directors beg leave to report.
"That the last year the navigation in the several parts of
the river has been kept in nearly its usual state, with very
little expense, that latterly however, it has become somewhat
obstructed by the partial falling of the walls of some of the
canals, and by deposit of mud in others, as well as from decay
on some of the lock gates, to remedy which and to make the
necessary repairs, preparations are now making in order to
take advantage of the present low water. It is believed the
disbursements required to effect all that is wanting will not
be considerable.
"The papers numbered one to five furnished by the Treas
urer and annexed to this report are respectfully referred to,
for the state of the Company's affairs in detail. . . .
"In compliance with one of the resolutions of the stock
holders passed at the general meeting held on the 16th of
May last, as soon as the requisite papers could be prepared,
the President of the Company transmitted to the Executives
of Virginia and Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively and
to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States authen
ticated copies of so much of the proceedings of that meeting
as went to declare the full and free assent of the Potowmack
Company to the act of the state of Virginia passed at the
December session in the year 1823 entitled 'An act incor-

142 The Patowmack Company.
porating the Chesapeake and Ohio Company' and as went
toward providing for the surrender, at the proper time, of
the charter of the Potowmack Company to the same Chesa
peake and Ohio Canal Company, as will be more particularly
seen by reference to the recorded copies of the several letters
addressed to the Governors of Virginia, Maryland and Penn
sylvania and to the Secretary of the Treasury. In conse
quence of which communications on the part of the Company
commissioners have been appointed by the President of the
United States, by the executive of the state of Maryland and
by the executive of the state of Virginia for causing books to
be opened for receiving subscriptions to the capital stock of
the company to be incorporated, as contemplated by the act
of Virginia before recited and by the acts of Maryland and of
the Congress of the United States connected therewith. From
Pennsylvania nothing has been heard on the subject. . . .
"The resolution of the general meeting which required the
President should give notice to the creditors of the Company of
its determination to surrender its charter, and of the alternative
given them in relation to their debts, by the proposed charter
of the new company, and that he should furnish the creditors
with the actual state and prospects of the Company, in order
to enable them the better to judge as to the option reserved to
them, &c. has been so far complied with as that the whole
proceedings bearing on the question, authenticated by the
certificate of the treasurer and clerk of the Company have
been published in the newspapers. The action on the last
part of that resolution has been postponed until by the settle
ments made at the close of the year just ending, a more accu
rate view could be given, to the creditors, of the state of the
affairs of the Company and of its prospects.
"A copy of the last annual report made by the President
and Directors (as required by law of the state of Virginia)
to the Board of Works of that state, is annexed, for the infor
mation of the stockholders.
' ' The President and Directors ought not to close this report
without bringing to the view of the stockholders, a very
extraordinary occurrence which has recently taken place in

The Patowmack Company. 143
relation to the disposable funds of the Company by which
they have been completely deprived, for the present year at
least, of every dollar they had in hand. The transaction
alluded to is the actual seizing upon and withholding from
the treasurer, the whole amount of his deposits in one of the
banks of this town by the officers of that institution, not only
against all custom and propriety on such occasions, but against
a positive agreement on that subject, as will be shown.
"In the month of March last a 'deposit was made in the
Union Bank of this town under an express agreement with the
officers of the bank which was from time to time increased
until the sum was considerable. During the month of July
a check was drawn for a part of the sum then there at his
credit, by the treasurer, which having been refused, the case
as it then stood was referred to Board of Directors, who di
rected that the entire balance lying in that bank belonging
to the Company, should be withdrawn and deposited in the
Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Georgetown. A check was
accordingly drawn on the same day- — to wit, the 13th July ult.
and presented for said balance which being refused, it was
put into the hands of a notary public and being again refused
to him on formal presentation it was protested. Whereupon
by order of the Board a letter was addressed on July 18 by
the Treasurer to the Board of Directors of the Union Bank
remonstrating against the transaction and claiming their in
terference. "No answer having been received from the Directors of that
bank, and it having been understood that it had happened
that a sufficient number of members had not since the date
of that letter met to form a board, the President of the Com
pany by instruction from the Board addressed on the 29th
July a letter to the president of the Union Bank requesting
him to call a special board to act upon the subject. Nothing
has since been heard from him, and it is understood that a
board has not been called.
"For a better understanding of the detail of this matter
reference is prayed to the minute made by the treasurer on

144 ^^^ Patowmack Company.
the day book under date 31st March and 13th July and corre
spondence recorded."All of which is respectfully submitted
"(Signed) J. Mason, Pres^.
"Jno. C. Vowell, Jonah Thompson, C. O'Neil, J. Laird."
"Annual Report of 1826.
"The President and Directors beg leave respectfully to
report : —
' ' That in order to keep up the navigation on the lower part
of the river it became indispensably necessary since the last
annual meeting to effect considerable repairs to the works at
the Little Falls, the canal which had not been cleaned out
for several years was during the last season cleaned out for
its whole length, the wall at its entrance has been repaired
and heightened, the boat course at its mouth cleaned of the
rocks which obstructed the passage of boats, one of the
tumbling dams has been made good from its foundation, and
other necessary repairs have been completed. Also contracts
have been made for the immediate erection of a new pair of
upper gates and for the framing of other gates to be in readi
ness in case of accident or sudden dis-repair.
"At the Great Falls the lowermost pair of lock gates, the
largest and most important of the works at that place have
been replaced by a new pair of substantial materials and good
workmanship. A new waste water sluice of stone masonry
has been built, the entire canal cleaned out and the wing wall
at the entrance has been repaired and heightened so as to
afford eighteen inches more water in a low stage of the river
than heretofore.
' ' The sluices and dams between the Great Falls and Seneca
canal were repaired and rebuilt so far as the season would
admit and the passage through Seneca canal has been consid
erably improved.
' ' The usual statements of the Treasurer of the Company are
presented as part of this report and as exhibits of the affairs
to the Company in detail, numberd 1 to 5. . . .

The Patowmack Company. 145
' ' In compliance with the resolution of the last annual meet
ing and under the advice of the counsel of the Company, meas
ures were taken by the President and Directors to recover
possession of the funds improperly withheld by the Union
Bank, and after having made a formal demand of the deposit
and restoration being refused, a suit was brought for its re
covery and damages. About two months after this process
was commenced intimations were indirectly made to the Board
of Directors of the Company that if now applied for the Bank
would restore the money. Whereupon the Treasurer was in
structed to present two checks on the Bank, one for the amount
of the principal withheld, viz. $5989.79, and the other for the
amount of the interest which had accrued as allowed by the
act of Congress at the rate of 12% per annum, for the time
that the money had been withheld ; the check for the principal
sum was paid, and that for the interest was refused. The suit
is now prosecuted to recover that interest; the reception of
which entire sum will not indemnify the Company for the loss
sustained by the withholding of this money from it ; which had
been set apart for the purchase of the certificates of the Cum
berland Bank of Allegheny for the purpose of discharging a
debt due in that bank by some of the Company's creditors,
and which it was bound to reserve in virtue of a pledge made
of certain tolls long ago received, the said certificates having
so much appreciated in value before the Company could obtain
the use of its money, as to require a much larger sum to effect
the object in view.
"In the month of June application was made by the Chief
of the Ordnance Department of the United States for permis
sion to the superintendent of the Public Armory at Harpers
Ferry to fix a lock gate in the canal of the Company, on the
opposite side of the river, for the purpose of increasing in dry
seasons the quantity of water in the canal leading to the
Public works. This measure appearing to the Board to be
one likely to prove beneficial to the United States without
being injurious to the navigation if properly effected, permis
sion was cheerfully given, on condition that a person should
be kept at the gate at the expense of the United States, to

146 The Patowmack Company.
insure a free passage to boats at such times as the gate was to
be used for the object in view; and that in the events of its
being found, notwithstanding, an obstruction to the naviga
tion, it should be removed. . . .
"As required by the laws of Virginia, the usual annual
report of the state of the Company's funds and of their works
&c. was transmitted in December last to the Board of Public
Works of that state. A copy of which is herewith presented.
' ' In relation to the contemplated amalgamation of the affairs
of the Potowmack Company with those of the projected
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, nothing farther has
been done, inasmuch as the commissioners, appointed under
the several acts of Virginia, Maryland and of Congress for
receiving subscriptions for stock in the last mentioned Com
pany, have not as yet thought it prudent, under the circum
stances of the case, to open books for that purpose.
' ' It will, in order to preserve the navigation of the river in
a tolerable state for the ensuing season, be indispensable that
provision be made for renewing most of the other gates at the
Little Falls locks, and to rebuild many of the dams, sluices
and wing walls on the upper part of the river, and particu
larly between Seneca Falls and Harpers Ferry. These are
estimated to cost from $1500 to $1700. After the reservation
of a sum sufficient for this object and for ordinary expenses,
it will be perceived by the exhibits of the Treasurer that there
will remain a balance of a few thousand dollars from the re
ceipts of the last year, applicable to the claims of the creditors
of the Company in such manner as the President and stock
holders may deem proper to appropriate it.
"All of which is respectfully submitted by
"(Signed) J. Mason, Prest. Po. Cy.
Jonah Thompson
Jno. C. Vowell
C. O'Neil"
"Annual Report for 1827.
"The President and Directors of the Patowmack Company,
to the stockholders in general meeting.

The Patowmack Company. 147
' ' Respectfully report : —
' ' That, as anticipated by the Board of Directors in their last
annual communication to the general meeting, it has been
found that much work was required to be done for the then
ensuing season, in order to preserve the navigation, in repair
ing the locks on the canals at the Great and Little Falls, in
rebuilding the dams, sluices and wing walls in the upper part
of the river and in amending the courses.
"Advantage was taken of the low stage of the water in the
latter part of last summer, and in the fall to execute these
works to a considerable amount from Harpers Ferry to the
head of Seneca and thence to tide water, but the approach of
winter rendered the days too short to work with effect, and
the rise in the waters rendered it necessary to desist from
farther operations. A portion therefore was not finally com
pleted. What was done however has so far improved the
navigation as to admit of the transport of ten barrels more of
flour in the same stage of water. Some repairs were also done
between the mouth of Opecon ( ?) and Williamsport, and be
tween the mouth of South Branch and Cumberland. Much
however yet remains to be done, both on the river and at Great
and Little Falls ; at the latter places, a competent force under
the direction of skilful workmen and judicious superintendence
is now in train of executing such repairs as are essential there.
At the Great Falls careful examination of the works displayed
the imperious necessity of replacing many of the timbers at
tached and forming part of the locks which were in a state
of natural decay, and in pulling down and rebuilding from
the foundation, the masonry of some of the locks which were
in a state of dilapidation from the imperfection originally -in
the mode of facing them with hewn stone. At the Little Falls
a pair of new gates (the upper ones) have been inserted, and
skilful carpenters are employed in framing new gates for the
remaining locks, for which the materials are principally pro
vided and are on the ground, in order for insertion whenever
required. ' ' The Treasurer of the Company has by order of the Board
made two visits of inspection and examination to various parts

148 The Patowmack Company.
of the river above the Great Falls, and has ascertained the
state of the Company's works, their condition and that of the
navigation and has made on each occasion a separate and de
tailed report which are herewith submitted. After his first
tour of inspection and upon his recommendation as to the
mode of executing the work, permission has been granted by
the Board to Isaac McPherson to erect a dam and mill on the
Monocacy a few miles above its junction with the Patowmack,
and to Dr. Henry Boteler of Shepherdstown the same privi
lege has been granted for the buildiijg of a dam and mill on
the Patowmack upon conditions and stipulations which, when
complied with, will afford sufficient security for the preserva
tion of the navigation and for its improvement, at the same
time offering great prospect of an increase, to a considerable
amount, of tolls. The mill on the Monocacy, so encouraged,
has been completed and has already furnished a considerable
addition to the produce which has passed through the locks
from that part of the country. That near Shepherdstown is
progressing rapidly to completion.
"Within the last few years the supply of certain articles,
particularly of coal, lumber and timber from the upper part
of the Patowmack to intermediate points on its banks above
Great Falls, has been gradually increasing, and latterly, as
was believed, became an object sufficient to merit the attention
of the Board of Directors, and to authorize the expense of
establishing collections of tolls at such places on the upper
river as were designated by the laws of the two states from
whom the Company derives its charter. Accordingly since
the last general meeting of the stockholders, collectors have
been appointed at Williamsport, Shepherdstown and Harpers
Ferry, at which places considerable tolls have already been
collected and when the requisite arrangements, as to these,
shall have been completed, there is good reason to expect that
a handsome increase of revenue may be derived from them.
' ' The suit prosecuted against the Union Bank of George
Town for damages because of its with-holding certain funds
of the Company, as stated in the last annual report, has termi-

The Patowmack Company. 149
nated in a judgment in favor of the Company to the amount
of the damages claimed by it.
"The Cumberland loan, so called and more particularly
mentioned in former reports, as having under a special pledge
a claim on the Company to priority of payment, has been now
fully discharged, both principal and interest, and all the sur
plus funds arising from the tolls of the year just closed have
been appropriated for the purpose of extinguishing a part of
the loan of twenty-six thousand dollars made by certain banks
in the District who were next entitled by special pledge to
priority of payment, as will be shown in detail in the reports
of the Treasurer herewith submitted.
"The commissioners appointed under the acts of Virginia,
Maryland and of Congress for receiving subscriptions to stock
in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, not having
as yet opened their books, nothing farther has been done, as
regards the corporate act of the Patowmack Company of the
16th May 1825, assenting to the provisions of the above men
tioned acts incorporating that Company.
"All of which is respectfully submitted.
" (Signed) J. Mason, Jonah Thompson, C. O'Neil, Jno. C.
Vowell. ' ' Annual Report for 1828.
' ' To THE Stockholders of the Patowmack Company in
General Annual Meeting assembled ;
"The President and Directors Respectfully report; —
' ' That in addition to the repairs and improvement stated in
the last annual report to have been made on the different locks,
canals and other works in various parts of the river, three of
the locks at the Great Falls have of necessity and at consider
able expense undergone a thorough repair in the stone work,
two of them having been rebuilt from the ground, and a large
portion of no. 3 lock been replaced from the foundation. A
considerable expenditure was also made in repairs of the
gates and other works requiring carpenter's assistance. At
the Little Falls a considerable portion of the canal has been

150 The Patowmack Company.
cleaned out, one of the tumbling dams has been rebuilt with
stone from its foundation, and three pairs of new gates framed
of first rate timber have been inserted to replace others which
from long and the natural decay incident to works of that
kind, had become unsafe longer to be trusted to. Timber for
a fourth pair has been also provided and is on the spot and
partly framed for the purpose.
' ' On the Monocacy the navigation has been made good from
its mouth to McPherson's mill and store, particularly referred
to in the last report, a distance of nearly five miles, and there
is no doubt the tolls already received, and to be received from
the produce manufactured at that establisliment will soon re
imburse the cost of this improvement.
"At Paynes Falls below Harpers Perry and at Stubbeville
Falls below the Great Falls some permanent and advantageous
improvements have been made.
"The differences existing with the Union Bank of George
town have been terminated, the officers of that bank having at
length consented to a settlement in the mode directed by the
stockholders of this Company, by dismissing the suits and dis
charging the judgments which the bank had obtained against
the Company, and by consenting to receive from it, on account
of the loan of $26,000 of 1816 the same proportions with
the other banks concerned in the loan ; which has accordingly
been carried into execution, and the judgment obtained by
the Company against the said bank has been satisfied by it
by a full payment of it with costs of suit, &c
' ' The usual annual statements of the Treasurer of the Com
pany displaying the monied and other concerns of the Com
pany in the exhibits No. 1 to 5 are herewith submitted;
They are 1st, A statement of the quantity and estimated value
of produce and other articles transported on the Patowmack
in the year ending 31st July 1828, with the tonnage employed
in conveying the same and the tolls which have accrued there
from. — ¦
"2nd. — A general abstract showing the various kinds of
produce and other articles transported during the said period.

The Patowmack Company. 151
"3rd. — A classifled abstract of the disbursements made by
the Treasurer for the year ending 31st July 1828.
"4th. — An account for the attendance of the President and
Directors respectively on the business of the Company during
their term of service just completed.
' ' 5th. — A statement of the debts of the Company and of the
interest thereon to the date of its assent to the acts of the sev
eral sates and of the Congress of the United States incorpor
ating the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, and showing
the farther interest to 31st July 1828.
"It will be perceived that since the last annual exhibit of
the accounts of the Company payments have been made of
principal of debt to the amount of $7,322.83
and of interest to the amount of 2,880.29
10^3.12
and that independent of the Lottery affairs, the debts of the
Company now stand for principal and interest to 16th May
1825, the date of the assent before mentioned, at the sum of
very nearly $176,400.
"The annual report has been made to the Board of Public
Works of the State of Virginia, as required by the law of that
state and the same will be found recorded in the Journal of
Proceedings of the Company. "(Signed) J. Mason Prest.
Jonah Thompson
C. O'Neil
Jno. C. Vowell"
On the 15th of August, 1828, the conveyance to the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company was made, the
deed being signed by J. Mason, Jonah Thompson, John
Laird and Clement Smith, and the Patowmack Com
pany passed into oblivion with its memories of heroic
struggles and high ideals. Work had been commenced
on the new enterprise July 4, 1826, when President
Adams threw out the first spade of soil at High Island,

152 The Patowmack Company.
but the old works were used until 1830, when the locks
at G-reat Falls were dismantled and abandoned. The
canal at Little Falls was long used in its original state.
Only an occasional one of the many visitors to the
beautiful Falls of the Potomac pauses to cast an inquir
ing glance at the remains of the long ditch-like excava
tion vanishing in the glade and the ruins of the stone
laid sluice-way and mill as he passes. Barely a student
seeks the obscure path that, correctly followed, leads to
the old commodious basin, now a cultivated field, past
the tottering ruins of the once handsome home of the
superintendent to the five locks farther down the wood,
three of them faced with dressed brown stone from the
quarries at Seneca, two of them blasted through the
solid rock of a cleft between two towering peaks that
stand as gigantic guards to this portal to the rushing
current below. Peering into this forbidding gorge one
realizes the full import of the old chronicler who wrote,
' ' rarely an accident happens to boat or cargo. ' '
Forest trees have pushed their roots down and the
stone out, have insinuated themselves through from the
inside and seemingly hang in midair from the walls
and rise in groups and singly from the bed of the locks.
Nature has full possession. Imagination fails to pic
ture the old time scene of life and activity.
With the exception of Mount Vernon this spot is
more intimately associated with Washington's every
day life than any other, yet there is nothing about the
locality to call the attention of the tourist to the fact
that the ground he treads has been hallowed by long
and close association with the "Father of his Coun
try," and that these ruins represent the first corporate
attempt at inland improvement of waterways and for
communication with the western country.

The Patowmack Company. 153
Pkesidents and Members op the Boaed op Dikectoks
OP THE Patowmack Company.
Virginia. Maryland.
Geo. Washington  4 years. Thos. Johnson  4 years.
Jno. Fitzgerald  3 years. Tobias Lear  2 years.
James Keith  9 years. Elie Williams  2 years.
Chas. Simms  8 years. John Mason  11 years.
Thos. Johnson, Thos. Sim Lee, Geo. G-ilpin, Jas.
Fitzgerald, Notley Young, David Stuart, Wm. Deakins,
Jr., Thos. Beall of George, Jas. Keith, Jno. Templeton,
Tobias Lear, Philip Fendall, John Mason, Josias Clap
ham, Isaac McPherson, Francis Deakins, H. Dorsey,
John Laird, Geo. Peter, Henry Foxall, Wm. Steuart,
Josiah Thompson, Elie Williams, Jonah Thompson,
Wm. Marbury, Jno. Vowell, C. 0 'Neil, Clement Smith.
Among the chairmen of the general annual meetings
were Thos. Sim Lee, Jas. Fitzgerald, Gustavus Scott,
Thompson Mason, Alex. White, Chas. Simms, Wm.
Hartshorne, W. A. Worthington, Jno. Carroll, Philip
B. Key, Dan. Carroll, Esq., Jas. Keith, Jno. Laird, Wm.
Marbury, Benj. Stoddert, etc.
The treasurers were Wm. Hartshorne, Jos. Carleton,
Jos. Brewer, Jas. Moore, Jr., and Eobt. Barnard.
Note. — Since the above was written the members of the Fairfax County
(Va.) Chapter, Daughters of the American Eevolution have placed a
handsome bronze tablet at Great Falls in honor of George Washington
the Citizen and of the Patowmack Company.

Appendix A.
Geo. Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Governor of
Virginia.
"Mt. Vernon, 10 October, 1784.
"Bear Sir, Upon my return from the western country a
few days ago, I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the
17th ultimo. It has always been my intention to pay my re
spects to you, before the chance of another early and hard
winter should make a warm flreside too comfortable to be
relinquished. And I shall feel an additional pleasure in
offering this tribute to you, by having the company of the
Marquis de Lafayette, when he shall have revisited this place
from his eastern tour, now every day to be expected.
"I shall take the liberty now, my dear Sir, to suggest a
matter, which would (if I am not too short-sighted a politi
cian) mark your administration as an important era in the
annals of this country, if it should be recommended by you
and adopted by the Assembly.
"It has long been my decided opinion, that the shortest,
easiest, and least expensive communication with the invaluable
and extensive country back of us would be by one or both of
the rivers of this State, which have their sources in the
Apalachian mountains. Nor am I singular in this opinion.
Evans, in his Map and Analysis of the Middle Colonies, which,
considering the early period at which they were given to the
public, are done with amazing exactness, and Hutchins since,
in his Topographical Description of the western country, (a
good part of which is from actual surveys,) are decidedly of
the same sentiments; as indeed are all others, who have had
opportunities, and have been at the pains, to investigate and
consider the subject.
' ' But that this may not now stand as mere matter of opinion
or assertion, unsupported by facts (such at least as the best
maps now extant, compared with the oral testimony, which my
154

Appendix A. I55
opportunities in the course of the war have enabled me to
obtain) , I shall give you the different routes and distances from
Detroit, by which all the trade of the north-western parts of
the united territory must pass ; unless the Spaniards, contrary
to their present policy, should engage part of it, or the British
should attempt to force nature, by carrying the trade of the
upper Lakes by the River Otawas into Canada, w hich I scarcely
think they will or could effect. Taking Detroit then (which
is putting ourselves in as unfavorable a point of view as we
can be well placed, because it is upon the line of the British
territory) , as a point by which, as I have already observed, all
that part of the trade must come, it appears from the state
ment enclosed, that the tide waters of this State are nearer to
it by one hundred and sixty-eight miles than that of the River
St. Lawrence ; or thaij that of the Hudson at Albany, by one
hundred and seventy-six miles.
"Maryland stands upon similar ground with Virginia.
Pennsylvania, although the Susquehannah is an unfriendly
water, much impeded, it is said, with rocks and rapids, and
nowhere communicating with those, which lead to her capital,
has it in contemplation to open a communication between
Toby's creek, which empties into the Allegany river ninety-
flve miles above Fort Pitt, and the west branch of Susque
hannah, and to cut a canal between the waters of the latter
and the Schuylkill ; the expense of which is easier to be con
ceived, than estimated or described by me. A people how
ever, who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and
who will pursue their advantages, may achieve almost any
thing. In the meantime, under the uncertainty of these un
dertakings, they are smoothing the roads and paving the ways
for the trade of that western world. That New York will do
the same as soon as the Britist garrisons are removed, which
are at present insurmountable obstacles in their way, no per
son, who knows the temper, genius and policy of those people
as well as I do, can harlior the smallest doubt.
' ' Thus much with respect to rival States. Let me now take
a short view of our own; and, being aware of the objections
which are in the way, I will, in order to contrast them, enum
erate them with the advantages.

156 Appendix A.
"The first and principal one is, the unfortunate jealousy,
which ever has and it is to be feared ever will prevail, lest
one part of the State should obtain an advantage over the
other parts, (as if the benefits of trade were not diffusive and
beneficial to all). Then follows a train of difficulties, namely,
that our people are already heavily taxed; that we have no
money ; that the advantages of this trade are remote ; that the
most direct route for it is through other States, over which
we have no control ; that the routes over which we have control
are as distant as either of those which lead to Philadelphia,
Albany or Montreal ; that a sufficient spirit of commerce does
not pervade the citizens of this commonwealth; and that we
are in fact doing for others, what they ought to do for them
selves. "Without going into the investigation of a question, which
has employed the pens of able politicians, namely, whether
trade with foreigners is an advantage or disadvantage to a
country, this State, as a part of the confederated States, all
of whom have the spirit of it very strongly working within
them, must adopt it, or submit to the evils arising therefrom
without receiving its benefits. Common policy, therefore,
points clearly and strongly to the propriety of our enjoying
all the advantages, which nature and our local situation afford
us ; and evinces clearly, that, unless this spirit could be totally
eradicated in other States as well as in this, and every man
be made to become either a cultivator of the land or a manu
facturer of such articles as are prompted by necessity, such
stimulus should be employed as will force this spirit, by show
ing to our countrymen the superior advantages we possess be
yond others, and the importance of being upon a footing with
our neighbors.
"If this is fair reasoning, it ought to follow as a conse
quence, that we should do our part towards opening the com
munication with the fur and peltry trade of the Lakes, and
for the produce of the country which lies within, and which
will, so soon as matters are settled with the Indians, and the
terms on which Congress mean to dispose of the land, found
to be favourable, are announced, be settled faster than any

Appendix A. i57
other ever did, or any one would imagine. This, then, when
considered in an interested point of view, is alone sufficient to
excite our endeavors. But in my opinion there is a political
consideration for so doing, which is of still greater importance.
"I need not remark to you. Sir, that the flanks and rear of
the United States are possessed by other powers, and formid
able ones too ; nor how necessary it is to apply the cement of
interest to bind all parts of the Union together by indissoluble
bonds, especially that part of it, which lies immediately west
of us, with the middle States. Por what ties, let me ask,
should we have upon those people ? How entirely unconnected
with them shall we be, and what troubles may we not appre
hend, if the Spaniards on their right, and Great Britain on
their left, instead of throwing stumbling-blocks in their way,
as they now do, should hold out lures for their trade and
alliance ? What, when they get strength, which will be sooner
than most people conceive (from the emigration of foreigners,
who will have no particular predilection towards us, as well
as from the removal of our own citizens), will be the conse
quence of their having formed close connections with both or
either of those powers, in a commercial way ? It needs not, in
my opinion, the gift of prophecy to foretell.
"The western settlers (I speak now from my own observa
tion) stand as it were upon a pivot. The touch of a feather
would turn them anyway. They have looked down the Missis
sippi, until the Spaniards, very impoliticly I think for them
selves, threw difficulties in their way; and they looked that
way for no other reason, than because they could glide gently
down the stream ; without considering perhaps, the difficulties
of the voyage back again, and the time necessary to perform
it in; and because they have no other means of coming to us
but by long land transportation and unimproved roads.
These causes have hitherto checked the industry of the pres-
ent settlers ; for except the demand for provisions, occasioned
by the increase of population, and a little fiour, which the
necessities of the Spaniards compel them to buy, they have no
incitements to labor. But smoothe the road, and make easy
the way for them, and then see what an influx of articles will

158 Appendix A.
be poured upon us; how amazingly our exports will be in
creased by them, and how amply we shall be compensated for
any trouble and expense we may encounter to effect it.
"A combination of circumstances makes the present con
juncture more favorable for Virginia, than for any other State
in the Union, to fix these matters. The jealous and untoward
disposition of the Spaniards on one hand, and the private
views of some individuals, coinciding with the general policy
of the Court of Great Britain on the other, to retain as long
as possible the posts of Detroit, Niagara, and Oswego, &c.,
(which though done under the letter of the treaty is certainly
an infraction of the spirit of it, and injurious to the Union,)
may be improved to the greatest advantage by this State, if
she would open the avenues to the trade of that country, and
embrace the present moment to establish it. It only wants a
beginning. The western inhabitants would do their part
towards its execution. Weak as they are, they would meet
us at least half way, rather than be driven into the arms of or
be made dependent upon foreigners; which would eventually
either bring on a separation of them from us, or a war be
tween the United States and one or the other of those powers,
most probably with the Spaniards.
"The preliminary steps to the attainment of this great ob
ject would be attended with very little expense, and might at
the same time that it served to attract the attention of the
western country, and to convince the wavering inhabitants of
our disposition to connect ourselves with them, and to facili
tate their commerce with us, be a means of removing those
jealousies, which otherwise might take place among ourselves.
"These, in my opinion, are to appoint commissioners, who
from their situation, integrity, and abilities, can be under no
suspicion of prejudice or predilection to one part more than
to another. Let these commissioners make actual surveys of
James River and Potomac from tide water to their respective
sources ; note with great accuracy the kind of navigation and
the obstructions in it, the difficulty and expense attending the
removal of these obstructions, the distances from place to place
through their whole extent, and the nearest and best portages

Appendix A. 159
between these waters and the streams capable of improvement
which run into the Ohio ; traverse these in like manner to their
junction with the Ohio, and with equal accuracy. The navi
gation of this river (i. e., the Ohio) being well known, they
will have less to do in the examination of it ; but, nevertheless,
let the courses and distances be taken to the mouth of the
Muskingum, and up that river (notwithstanding it is in the
ceded lands) to the carrying place to the Cayahoga ; down the
Cayahoga to Lake Erie ; and thence to Detroit. Let them do
the same with Big Beaver Creek, although part of it is in the
State of Pennsylvania; and with the Scioto also. In a word,
let the waters east and west of the Ohio, which invite our
notice by their proximity, and by the ease with which land
transportation may be had between them and the Lakes on one
side, and the Rivers Potomac and James on the other, be ex
plored, accurately delineated, and a correct and connected
map of the whole be presented to the public. These things
being done, I shall be mistaken if prejudice does not yield to
facts, jealousy to candor, and, finally if reason and nature,
thus aided, will not dictate what is right and proper to be
done. "In the mean while, if it should be thought that the lapse
of time, which is necessary to effect this work, may be attended
with injurious consequences, could not there be a sum of money
granted towards opening the best, or, if it should be deemed
more eligible, two of the nearest communications (one to the
northward and another to the southward) with the settle
ments to the westward; and an act be passed, if there should
not appear a manifest disposition in the Assembly to make it
a public undertaking, to incorporate and encourage private
adventurers, if any should associate and solicit the same, for
the purpose of extending the navigation of the Potomac or
James River; and, in the former case, to request the concur
rence of Maryland in the measure ? It will appear from my
statement of the different routes (and, as far as my means of
information have extended, I have done it with the utmost
candor), that all the produce of the settlements about Fort
Pitt can be brought to Alexandria by the Youghiogheny in

i6o Appendix A.
three hundred and four miles, whereof only thirty-one is land
transportation ; and by the Monongahela and Cheat Rivers in
three hundred and sixty miles, twenty of which only are land
carriage. Whereas the common road from Fort Pitt to Phila
delphia is three hundred and twenty miles, all land transpor
tation; or four hundred and seventy-six miles, if the Ohio,
Toby's Creek, Susquehannah, and Schuylkill are made use of
for this purpose. How much of this is by land I know not;
but, from the nature of the country, it must be very consid
erable. How much the interest and feelings of people thus
circumstanced would be engaged to promote it, requires no
illustration. "Por my own part, I think it highly probable, that, upon
the strictest scrutiny if the Falls of the Great Kanhawa can
be made navigable, or a short portage be had there, it will be
found of equal importance and convenience to improve the
navigation of both the James and Potomac. The latter, I am
fully persuaded, affords the nearest communication with the
Lakes; but James River may be more convenient for all the
settlers below the mouth of the Great Kanhawa, and for some
distance perhaps above and west of it ; for I have no expecta
tion, that any part of the trade above the Falls of the Ohio
will go down that river and the Mississippi, much less that the
returns will ever come up them, unless our want of foresight
and good management is the occasion of it. Or, upon trial, if
it should be found that these rivers, from the before-mentioned
Falls, will admit the descent of sea-vessels, in which ease, and
the navigations of the former's becoming free, it is probable
that both vessels and cargoes will be carried to foreign markets
and sold; but the returns for them will never in the natural
course of things ascend the long and rapid current of that
river, which with the Ohio to the Falls, in their meanderings,
is little if any short of two thousand miles. Upon the whole,
the object in my estimation is of vast commercial and political
importance. In these lights I think posterity will consider it,
and regret, (if our conduct should give them cause,) that the
present favorable moment to secure so great a blessing for
them was neglected.

Appendix A. i6i
"One thing more remains, which I had like to have forgot,
and that is, the supposed difficulty of obtaining a passage
through the State of Pennsylvania. How an application to
its legislature would be relished, in the first instance, I will
not undertake to decide ; but of one thing I am almost certain,
such an application would place that body in a very delicate
situation. There is in the State of Pennsylvania at least one
hundred thousand souls west of Laurel Hill, who are groaning
under the inconveniences of a long land transportation. They
are wishing, indeed they are looking, for the improvement and
extension of inland navigation; and if this cannot be made
easy for them to Philadelphia (at any rate it must be lengthy)
they will seek a mart elsewhere; the consequences of which
would be, that the State, though contrary to the interests of
its seaports, must submit to the loss of so much of its trade,
or hazard not only the loss of the trade but the loss of the
settlement also; for an opposition on the part of government
to the extension of water transportation, so consonant with
the essential interests of a large body of people, or any extra
ordinary impositions upon the exports or imports to or from
another State, would ultimately bring on a separation between
its eastern and western settlements; toward's which there is
not wanting a disposition at this moment in that part of it
beyond the mountains. I consider Rumsey 's discovery for
working boats against stream, by mechanical powers (princi
pally), as not only a very fortunate invention for these States
in general, but as one of those circumstances, which have com
bined to render the present epoch favorable above all others
for fixing, if we are disposed to avail ourselves of them, a
large portion of the trade of the western country in the bosom
of this State irrevocably.
"Long as this letter is, I intended to have written a fuller
and more digested one, upon this important subject ; but have
met with so many interruptions since my return home, as to
have almost precluded my writing at all. What I now give
is crude; but if you are in sentiment with me, I have said
enough; if there is not an accordance of opinion, I have said
too much; and all I pray in the latter case is, that you will
12

i62 Appendix A.
do me the justice to believe my motives are pure, however
erroneous my judgement may be in this matter, and that I
am, with the most perfect esteem and friendship, Dear Sir,
yours, &c.
Beply : Nov. 13th.
"I was in great hopes of seeing you here before this, that
I might acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10th of
last month in person, and tell you how much I approve of
your plan for opening the navigation of the western waters.
The letter was so much more explicit than I could be, that I
took the liberty to lay it before the Assembly, who appear so
impressed with the utility of the measure, that I dare say they
will order the survey you propose immediately, and will at
their next sitting proceed to carry the plan into execution. ' '
"5th January, 1785.
' ' To Major-General Knox.
"My dear Sir,
". . . In my last I informed you that I was endeavoring
to stimulate my Countrymen to the extension of the inland
navigation of our Rivers; and to the opening of the best and
easiest communication for Land transportation between them
and the Western Waters. I am just returned from Annapolis
to which place I was requested to go by our Assembly (with
my bosom friend Genl. Gates, who being at Richmond con
trived to edge himself into the commission) for the purpose of
arranging matters, and forming a Law which should be simi
lar in both States, so far as it respected the river Potomack,
which separates them. I met the most perfect accordance in
that legislature; and the matter is now reported to ours, for
its concurrence."
"To do this will be a great political work — may be im
mensely extensive in a commercial point ; and beyond all ques
tion, will be exceedingly beneficial for those who advance the
money for the purpose of extending the Navigation of the

Appendix A. 163
river, as the tolls arising therefrom are to be held in per
petuity and will increase every year. ' '
"Charles County, Maryland
"To George Washington Esquire
"Sir I hereby authorize and request you as President of
the Potomac Company to subscribe for me two shares to the
before mentioned Copartnery, or to consider me (if consistent
with the regulations of the Company) as an adventurer to
the amount of two shares.
' ' I take the liberty to observe that I have long agoe earnestly
desired the exhibition of the present Scheme, and would have
subscribed forthwith, but that the Company's Books were kept
at a considerable distance from my home, and I was not in
formed 'till lately that I could become a partner by letter
signifying my consent. I hope I am not too late. And if I
am considered as a Partner I hereby oblige myself, my heirs,
executors and administrators to pay to the President and
Directors of the Potomac Company, or to such persons as they
shall authorize to receive the amount of two shares in the said
Company in such manner as the President and Directors shall
require. I am your Most Obedient.
"M. I. Stone
"June 3d, 1785."
From Gailliard Hunt, Life and Writings of Jas.
Madison, Vol. 3, p. 182.
Madison to Jepfbeson, October 3, 1785.
"On my journey I called at Mount Vernon and had the
pleasure of finding the General in perfect health. He ha4
just returned from a trip up the Potomac. He grows mor^
and more sanguine as he examines further into the practica
bility of opening its navigation. The subscriptions are cqpir
pleted within a few shares and the work is already begun at
some of the lesser obstructions. It is overlooked by Rumsey^
the inventor of the boats which I have in former letter^ pifiP:
tioned to you. He has not yet disclosed his secret. ' ' Etc., ejtc.

164 Appendix A.
"Mt. Vernon, 10 November, 1785.
General Washington to George William Fairfax,
"My Bear Sir;
"... We have commenced our operations on the naviga
tion of this river; and I am happy to inform you, that the
difficulties rather vanish than increase as we proceed. — James
river is under similar circumstances; and a cut between the
waters of Albemarle in No. Carolina, and Elizabeth river in
this State, is also in contemplation — and if the whole is
effected, and I see nothing to prevent it, it will give the great
est and most advantageous inland Navigation to this Country
of any in the Union; or I believe, in the world; — for as the
Shenandoah, the South branch, Monocasy and Conogocheague
are equally capable of great improvement, they will no doubt
be immediately attem^pted ; and more than probable a commu
nication by good roads will be opened with the waters to the
westward of us; by means of the No. Branch of Potomac,
which interlocks with the Cheat river and Yohogany (branches
of the Monongahela) that empty into the Ohio at Fort Pitt.—
The same is equally practicable between James River and the
Greenbrier, a branch of the Great Kanhawa, which empties,
300 miles below that place ; by means whereof the whole trade
of that Territory which is now unfolding to our view, may be
drawn into this State — equally productive of political as com
mercial advantages." "22 August, 1785.
To William Grayson (in Congress).
"We have got the Potomac navigation in hand. Workmen
are employed under the best manager and assistants we could
obtain, at the Palls of the Shenandoah and Seneca ; and I am
happy to inform you, that, upon a critical examination of
them by the Directors, the manager, and myself, we are unani
mously of opinion, that the difficulties at these two places do
not exceed the expectations we had formed of them ; and that
the navigation through them might be effected without the
aid of locks. How far we may have been deceived with re
spect to the first (as the water though low may yet fall), I

Appendix A. 165
shall not decide ; but we are not mistaken, I think, in our con
jectures of the other."
To Henry Lee in Congkess.
"Mount Vernon, 18 June, 1786.
"My Bear Sir;
"... The advantages with which the inland navigation of
the Rivers James and Potomac are pregnant, must strike every
mind that reasons upon the subject; but there is, I perceive,
a diversity of sentiment respecting the benefits and the conse
quences, which may flow from the free and immediate use of
the Mississippi. My opinion of this matter has been uni
formly the same; and no light in which I have been able to
consider the subject is likely to change it. It is, neither to
relinquish nor to push our claim to this navigation, but in the
mean while to open all the communications, which nature has
afforded, between the Atlantic States and the western terri
tory, and to encourage the use of them to the utmost. In my
judgment it is a matter of very serious concern to the well-
being of the former to make it the interest of the latter to
trade with them; without which, the ties of consanguinity,
which are weakening every day, will soon be no bond, and we
shall be no more a few years hence to the inhabitants of that
country, than the British and Spaniards are at this day; not
so much, indeed, because commercial connexions, it is well
known, lead to others, and united are difficult to be broken,
and these must take place with the Spaniards, if the naviga
tion of the Mississippi is opened.
' ' Clear I am, that it would be for the interest of the western
settlers, as low down the Ohio as the Big Kanhawa, and back
to the Lakes, to bring their produce through one of the chan
nels I have named; but the way must be cleared, and made
easy and obvious to them, or else the ease with which people
glide down stream will give a different bias to their thinking
and acting. Whenever the new States become so populous
and so extended to the westward, as really to need it, there
will be no power which can deprive them of the use of the

1 66 Appendix A.
Mississippi. Why then should we prematurely urge a matter,
which is displeasing and may produce disagreeable conse
quences, if it is our interest to let it sleep? It may require
some management to quiet the restless and impetuous spirits
of Kentucky, of whose conduct I am more apprehensive in this
business, than I am of all the opposition that will be given by
the Spaniards."
Thos. Jeppekson to Gen. Washington.
"Paris, May 10, 1788.
"... I am now to acknowledge the honor of your two
letters of Nov. 27 & Feb. 13, both of which have come to hand
since my last to you of Dec. 4 & 5. The details you are so
good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the
Potowmac & Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the
union of these two rivers as among the strongest links of con
nexion between the eastern & western sides of our confed
eracy. It will moreover add to the commerce of Virginia in
particular all the upper parts of the Ohio & its waters.
Another vast object & of much less difficulty is to add also all
the country on the Lakes & their waters. ' '
Gen. Washington to Thos. Jefferson in Pakis.
"Mount Vernon, 31 August, 1788.
"Sir,
' ' I was very much gratifled a little time ago by the receipt
of your letter dated the 2d of May. You have my best thanks
for the political information contained in it, as well as for the
satisfactory account of the canal of Languedoc It gives me
great pleasure to be made acquainted with the particulars of
that stupendous work, though I do not expect to derive any
but speculative advantages from it.
"When America will be able to embark in projects of such
pecuniary extent, I know not; probably not for very many
years to come ; but it will be a good example, and not without
its use, if we can carry our present undertakings happily into
effect. Of this we have now the fairest prospect. Notwith-

Appendix A. 167
standing the real scarcity of money, and the difficulty of col
lecting it, the laborers employed by the Potomac Company
have made very great progress in removing the obstructions
at the Shanandoah, Seneca, and Great Falls; insomuch that,
if this summer had not proved unusually rainy, and if we
could have had a favorable autumn, the navigation might have
been sufficiently opened (though not completed) for boats to
have passed from Fort Cumberland to within nine miles of
a shipping port, by the flrst of January next. There remains
now no doubt of the practicability of the plan, or that, upon
the ulterior operations being performed, this will become the
great avenue into the western country ; a country which is now
settling in an ettraordinarily rapid manner, under uncom
monly favorable circumstances, and which promises to afford
a capacious asylum for the poor and persecuted of the earth. ' '
"13 February, 1789.
"A desire of encouraging whatever is useful and economical
seems now generally to prevail. Several capital artists in
different branches have lately arrived in this country. A
factory of glass is established upon a large scale on Monocacy
River near Frederick Town in Maryland. I am informed it
will this year produce glass of various kinds nearly to the
amount of ten thousand pounds' value. This factory will be
essentially benefited by having the navigation of the Potomac
completely opened. But the total benefits of that navigation
will not be confined to narrower limits than the extent of the
whole western territory of the United States. . . . But I have
lately received a correct draft, executed principally from
actual surveys, of the country between the sources of the
Potomac and those navigable waters that fall into the Ohio.
Of this I enclose you such a rough sketch as my avocations
would permit me to make; my principal object therein being
to show, that the distance between the two waters is shorter,
and that the means of communication are easier, than I had
hitherto represented or imagined. I need not describe what
and how extensive the rivers are, which will be thus in a
wonderful manner connected, as soon as the Potomac shall

1 68 Appendix A.
be rendered entirely passable. The passage would have been
opened from Port Cumberland to the Great Falls . . . before
this time, . . . had it not been for the unfavorableness of the
season. In spite of that untoward circumstance, I have the
pleasure to inform you that two or three boats have actually
arrived at the last named place. ' '
From the will of George Washington, dated in 1799.
' ' Item ;• — I give and bequeath in perpetuity the fifty shares
which J hold in the Potowmack Company (under the aforesaid
acts of the legislature of Virginia) toward the endowment of a
University to be established within the limits of the District
of Columbia under the auspices of the general government,
if that government should incline to extend a fostering hand
towards it, — and until such seminary is established, and the
funds arising on these shares shall be required for its support,
my farther will and desire is that the profit accruing there
from shall whenever the dividends are made be laid out in
purchasing stock in the Bank of Columbia, or some other
Bank, at the discretion of my executors, or by the Treasurer
of the United States for the time being under the direction of
Congress, provided that Honorable body should patronize the
measure. And the dividends proceeding from the purchase
of said stock is to be vested in more stock and so on until a
sum adequate to the accomplishment of the object is obtained
of which I have not the smallest doubt before many years
pass away, even if no aid or encouragement is given by legis
lative authority, or from any other source. ' '

Appendix B.
Call from the President and Directors of the Patow
mack Company, dated Great Falls, July 2, 1799. —
"Entrusted as we are with the interests of the Potowmack
Company we deem it a duty incumbent on us, at this time, to
give you, as a Stockholder, as general a view of those interests
as the short compass of a letter will admit of.
"It is known to you, that the Capital of the Company at
first consisted of five hundred shares of the value of £100
sterling each, since which an additional one hundred shares
has been created by the Stock holders, rated at £130 sterling,
the whole of which, except some inconsiderable balances owing
by insolvent characters, has been collected.
"These sums have been expended in improving the naviga
tion of the River from Georges Creek, twenty-eight miles
above Fort Cumberland, and two hundred and eighteen above
tide water, into tide water; which at this time, is in such a
state, that at certain seasons, boats loaded with an hundred
barrels of fiour and upwards, can safely navigate that whole
extent, except five hundred feet at the Great Falls.
"The difficulty and expence have proved much greater
than at first contemplated; at Shenandoah and Seneca Palls,
extensive Canals have been formed by which boats are enabled
to avoid the rocks and sudden descents in the bed of the river ;
At the Great and Little Falls similar canals have been con
structed — ^but at those places, it has been found that Locks
were indispensable ; At the Little Falls three have been made,
through which boats from the foot of the Great Palls pass
with the greatest ease and safety into tide water; At the
Great Falls one lock has been formed — four more are requi
site; the seat of one of those is nearly excavated; To aid the
intercourse till the work is completed at this place, a machine
is constructed to pass articles from the waters above, to the
waters below, which is found to answer extremely well; but
the experience of two years has convinced us, that so long as
169

I'jo Appendix B.
any obstacle remains to a free passage into tide water, the
navigation will not prove so serviceable to the public, or
beneficial to the proporietors, as has been generally expected
and now certainly known it will prove to be, when those are
wholly removed.
' ' Independent of those four principal falls, comprizing alto
gether 224 feet, 9 inches, there is, from the head of the
Shenandoah Falls, fifty five miles above tide water, to Georges
Creek, a continued succession of smaller Falls and Ripples,
forming in the aggregate, a fall of 874 feet 4 inches, these
have been so far removed and improved upon, that boats safely
pass them.
"In the execution of these works, the whole stock of the
Company has been expended, except twenty-nine shares.
' ' From the best and most accurate estimates that have been
formed, it is supposed that the cost of the remaining work at
the Great Falls will not exceed $60,000, and that it may be
effected in the course of twelve months from the time funds
are provided. . . .
"Having had recourse to every measure suggested to raise
money by, without effect, fully informed of the heavy ad
vances made by the stock-holders, seeing those advances whoUy
unproductive, and knowing they vdll remain so until the work
is wholly executed, (the absolute necessity of doing this must
be apparent to every person interested), the Board of Di
rectors, to raise the necessary funds for that purpose, take the
liberty of suggesting the only measure, which to them, seems
to hold out a prospect of success, — that is for the stock-holders
to make a further advance upon each share of the stock, sub
ject to the same regulations the original subscriptions were;
$100 upon each share will raise the sum supposed sufficient
for the purpose. As this advance must be a voluntary act,
the assent of each stock-holder must be procured to carry the
same into effect. Should a considerable majority of the Stock
holders approve of the measure, and others refuse to accede
to it, provision will be applied for, and no doubt granted by
the legislatures to make those stock-holders making additional
advances to draw from the tolls in proportion to those ad
vances.

^?<5^i^i. >^^i^*<-^^^

^^^

2

qc^/yL/

.Jd-^

.\utographs of Stockholders in the Patowmack Company.

Appendix B. 171
" It is requested you will communicate your sentiments upon
this proposition so as to be laid before the stock-holders at
their annual meeting to be held at the Union Tavern in George
town on the first Monday in August next. — Also that you give
your personal attendance at that time if convenient, if not,
that you, without fail, appoint a proxy to represent you with
full power to act upon this proposition.
"(Signed). John Keith, Pres., John Mason, Josias
Clapham, Isaac McPherson, Daniel Carroll of Dudding
ton, Birectors."

Appendix C.
Fkom the Beply of the Potomac Company to Ques
tions Propounded by the Secketaby of the
Treasuky,
George Town, January 20, 1808.
"1st. Points united by canal, and their distance;
On the main Potomac in descending, — the flrst canal is con
ducted on the right bank of the river and unites the points
immediately above and below Houses Falls (immediately
above Harper's Ferry), 50 yards.
"Second canal is conducted on the left bank round the
Shenandoah Falls (immediately above Harper's), distance,
1750 yards. —
"Third canal on the right bank around Seneca Falls (eight
miles above Great Falls), 1320 yards.
"Fourth canal on the right bank unites the points imme
diately above and below the Great Falls, including a basin
and flve locks, 1200 yards.
"Fifth canal on the left bank unites the point imme
diately above the Little Falls and tide water including three
locks, 3814 yards.
On the Shenandoah in descending; —
"First canal on the left bank round Little's Falls (eight
miles above junction with the Potomac), including a basin
and one lock, 180 yards.
"Second on the left bank around Wilson's upper falls in
cluding one lock, 730 yards.
"Third canal on left bank around Bull's Falls, including
a chute, 300 yards.
"Fourth canal on left bank around Wilson's lower Palls
including one lock, 600 yards.
"Fifth canal on left bank around Saw Mill Falls, including
two locks, 580 yards. 172

Appendix C. i73
"There are a number of small canals and cuts which draw
off the water of the river partially in different places not
enumerated. "2nd. Difference of levels in canals; —
"At Houses, 3 feet, at Shenandoah, 15 feet, — at Seneca,
7 feet,— at Great Palls, 76j% feet,— at Little Falls, 37^ feet,—
on the Shenandoah, first 10^ feet, second, 12J feet, — third, 4
feet, — fourth, 6J feet, — sixth, 7 feet.
"3rd. Number and description of locks; —
"On the Potomac and Shenandoah there are thirteen locks
and one basin in use and in good repair.
"The principal canals on the Potomac at Great and Little
Falls are 6 feet deep, 25 feet broad at top and 20 feet at
bottom, the others are from 16 to 20 feet broad and 4 to 5 feet
deep. Burthen of the boats which navigate the rivers averages
ten tons. Breadth of towing paths, where they are carried
on walls, from 4 to 6 feet, when on the land from 8 to 10 feet.
"... On all this vast extent of interior navigation, stretch
ing in different directions thro' a fertile and well cultivated
country the greatest obstructions and difficulties have been
surmounted — to wit — the conducting by canals and locking
the water round the principal falls and reducing to a regularly
inclined plane by canals the water round the lesser falls.
"Much has been done from Savage River to tide water on
the Potomac and for 60 miles on the Shenandoah, 40 miles
on the Monocacy, and near the mouth of the Conogocheague
the stream has been cleared of obstacles. On all these the
beds of the rivers remain to be improved, and it is proper to
say, that in many places where much labor has already been
expended to improve the bed of the river considerable work
yet remains to be done to make it well capable of navigation
in times of low water. The locking and canals are every
where executed, unless it may be found at a future day that
at the Shenandoah Falls on the Potomac one or two locks
would be useful, as the fall in the canal at that place is con
siderable, and to ascending boats, presents some difficulty.
"On the Shenandoah, a river remarkably well suited to

1 74 . Appendix C.
navigation, as from its mouth to Port Republic (200 miles)
it preserves nearly an equal width, and the fall for this whole
extent is estimated to be not more than 455 feet. . . .
' ' On the Potomac as the fall is more considerable, a perfect
improvement of the bed of the river will be more difficult.
By actual survey and admeasurement made in the year 1789
by Col. Geo. Gilpin and Mr. Jas. Smith for the Potowmack
Company from the mouth of Savage River to Cumberland (30
miles) the fall was found to be 445 feet, and from Cumberland
to tide water (187 miles) 715 feet.
"Many errors of minor importance were no doubt made in
the commencement and prosecution of this great work and
not a little money was lost for the want of the necessary
knowledge (practical) in its early stages as it was the first
work of the kind undertaken in this part of the country —
most of these however were gradually remedied by experience,
and it is believed that no material defect remains to be cured,
but in two instances — the first, in the construction of four of
the locks — three of these were constructed of an improper
material — wood, and all the four made larger than requisite,
thereby, not only having gone to a greater expense in the
construction than necessary, but being constantly taxed with
a loss of time and water in filling them. The three locks at
the Little Falls of the Potomac were the first constructed,
they were made 18 feet wide and of wood, the next which was
finished was the upper lock at the Great Falls— this was made
14 feet wide. A little farther experience satisfied the Di
rectors of the Company that the width of 12 feet was sufficient
for any vessels that would navigate the river, and so were
formed all that followed. The remedy in this case as to the
upper lock at Great Palls, was soon applied, its greater capac
ity aided by an adjoining basin, was made to serve to fill more
readily the lower locks. At Little Falls ... it is proposed
when the wood decays to rebuild of granite (of which there
is a quarry of excellent quality on the canal just above, be
longing to the Company, reserved for the purpose.) and then
to contract them to 12 feet in width.

Appendix C. I7S
"In the next instance it is now thought that in the labor
applied to the bed of the river too much has been done in
removing rocks and that obstructions to the passing off of the
water have sometimes been mistaken for obstructions to
navigation. " It is proposed in such places as will admit of that mode of
improvement to erect a series of small cheap dams across the
river thereby to back the water from station to station and to
leave such falls generally as a boat's crew will readily push,
or haul up against, in ascending, and as will not be dangerous
in descending. It is also believed that in the progress of the
improvement of the bed of the river, it will be found best in
many places to cut additional small canals on either side thro '
the land round the more considerable obstacles.
"There are at this time navigating the Potomac and Shen
andoah boats equal in burthen to about 800 tons, but it is to
be remarked that the last season having been the first that
the Shenandoah was open there were then no boats on that
river, a few only were built during that year, many are now
preparing, and it is estimated that for the next season the
tonnage will amount to at least 1200 tons. . . .
"The expense of carriage by the river above tide water
compared with land carriage rated on a barrel of flour and
taken from three principal points; Cumberland, Williams
port and Harper's Ferry stand as nearly as may be, thus; —
From Cumberland by land, $2.25, by water, including tolls,
$1.30 — from Williamsport by land, $1.50, by water, including
tolls, $1.00. from Harper's Ferry the same. It is to be ob
served however that the rates by water are too high at this
time and that there are fewer boats now on the river than
are requisite for the business, that when their number shall
be increased and the bed of the river be farther improved,
the carriage by water will be reduced from 33 to 50%.
"In navigating from Savage River to tide water there are
employed three to four days, from tide water to Savage River
six to seven days — from Harper's Ferry one and a half days
from tide water to Harper's Ferry three to three and a half
days.

176 Appendix C.
"On the Potomac at the lower extremity of the canals at
the Great Falls are flve locks ; Dimensions — one, length 100 feet,
width 14 feet, lift 10 feet, contents 18,200 cubic feet — con
struction, rectangular, walled with hewn free stone, sluice
gates discharge thro' the larger gates, — one, length 100 feet,
width 12 feet, lift 16 feet, contents 22,800 cubic feet, con
struction rectangular of hewn stone, sluice gates as before
described, — one, length 100 feet, width 12 feet, lift 14 feet,
contents 20,400 cubic feet, construction as the last, — two,
length 100 feet, width 12 feet, lift 18 feet, contents 25,200
cubic feet each, construction rectangular, blown out of the
solid rock, the natural rock worked tolerably smooth forming
the sides, some mason work being used where the flxtures are
inserted for supporting the gates, the sluice gates in these
locks as in several of the others that are deep, do not lift but
are made of cast iron and turn on a pivot flxed in the center,
so that when the sluice is open this little gate or stopper is
turned edgewise to the stream, they work very easy and are
managed in deep locks much more readily than those of the
ordinary construction.
"At tide water, at the canal at the Little Palls, three —
dimensions — length 100 feet, width 18 feet, lift 11 feet, con
tents 23,400 cubic feet each, construction of wood, rectangular
— sluice gates discharge as described for those at Great Palls.
"On the Shenandoah at Little Falls, one lock length 100
feet, width 12 feet, lift 8 feet, contents 13,200 cubic feet,
construction — walled with granite and free stone near the
gates, rectangular, sluices discharged thro ' the principal gates,
and one basin immediately above and adjoining the lock,
eliptic, 130 feet from gate to gate, and 150 feet across, lift
two feet, the upper gate serving as a guard gate, walled as
the lock.
"At Wilson's Upper Falls one lock length 100 feet, width
12 feet, lift 12 feet, contents, 18,000 cubic feet — construction
as the last.
"At Wilson's Lower Falls, one, length 100 feet, width 12
feet, lift 6 feet, contents 10,800 cubic feet, construction as
the last. At Saw Mill Palls, two, one length 100 feet, width

Appendix C. i77
12 feet, lift 9 feet, contents 14,400 cubic feet, the other same
length and width, lift 8 feet, contents 13,200 cubic feet, con
struction of these same as the last described.
"The natural or improved bed of the main Potomac River
and of its branches, the Shenandoah, the Conogocheague, and
the Monocacy are now used, except such parts of the Potomac
and Shenandoah as are intersected by the canals already de
scribed, that is to say; —
"Of the Potomac from Savage River to tide water, from
actual measurement, 218 miles 350 yards, Shenandoah 200
miles, Monocacy 40 miles, Conogocheague, 14 miles.
"The sum already expended in this work (commenced in
1784) including interest on loans amounts at this time to
$444,648.89 ' ' The capital stock is composed of 500 shares created by the
original incorporating acts of Virginia and Maryland in
1784 — 100 shares created in 1796 — 130 shares created in 1798
— total 730, 29 of which have been bought in from delinquent
subscribers, equal to $311,555 f. The state of Maryland
holds 220 shares, Virginia 70, also 50 shares presented by the
State to Gen. Washington and by him bequeathed towards the
endowment of an university to be established within the limits
of the District of Columbia. Individuals hold 361 shares
of stock.
"As to capital wanted for completing the work, it is esti
mated by the Board of Directors that the sum of $100,000
may be required, in addition to what has been expended,
effectually to render navigation possible in times of the lowest
water from all the points enumerated to tide water.
' ' The gross amount of tolls received has been, $49,274 since
August 1800."
(For the balance of the report see accounts of incor
poration of the Company.)

13

Appendix D.
"Treasury Office, December 7th, 1818.
"The Honorable the General Assembly of Maryland,
"Gentlemen, ' ' I Have The honor to transmit herewith, a communication,
with the statements accompanying it, received from John
Mason, Esquire, relative to the proceedings of the Potomac
company, and the debt due to the state.
' ' I also transmit a statement of the state 's claim against said
company, in consequence of a loan made to them, on the face
of which it will be seen that the whole principal sum, with
two years interest thereon, will be due on the first of Janu
ary next. It therefore remains with the legislature to de
termine, whether a further time for payment shall be given,
or to direct such procedure as they in their wisdom shall
devise, to enforce the collection of said claim.
' ' Gentlemen, "I have the honor to be,
"With great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"B. Harwood, Tr. W. S. M'd."
"George-Town, July 30th, 1818.
"Sir, ' ' The Letter which was addressed by you on the 19th March
last, to Mr. Brewer, Treasurer of the Potomac company, in
relation to the debt due by the company to the state of Slary-
land, was submitted to the first board of directors held after
its reception, and would have been sooner replied to, but that
I was desirous in compliance with the views of the board, of
being able at the same time, to communicate the amount of
the receipts of the present year ending on the first Monday
of next month ; the accounts for which are but just made up.
"I have now the honor to transmit to you an order of the
178

Appendix B. 179
board on the subject of your letter, together with the extracts
from the communication made in December last to the board
of public works in Virginia, directed by the order, and
marked A, and B, and a paper marked C, being an appendix
to the table B, in which last paper is shown, from the com
mencement of the operations of the company in 1799, to the
1st of August 1817, the annual amount of tolls received, the
tonnage employed, and the produce and merchandise trans
ported, and the estimated value of the same. The paper C,
gives the same results for the year ending on the flrst of
August, 1818.
"You will perceive. Sir, by the last mentioned paper, that
the tolls received that year have amounted to little more than
ten thousand dollars; more than half of which amount has
been expended in addition to the last loan from the banks,
in flnishing the new set of stone locks at the little falls, (which
by great exertion were put in operation at the commence
ment of the present season), and the necessary current ex
penses and repairs. The sum above mentioned taken up from
the banks on a particular pledge, was flfteen thousand dollars ;
and there had been previously borrowed of them for the same
purpose, twenty six thousand dollars. For the sum flrst bor
rowed, however, it is hoped they would consent to wait longer
for the reimbursement.
"Under these peculiar circumstances, in consideration that
the works of the company are now rendering essential beneflts
to all the country in the vicinity of the waters of the Potomac,
and in the expectation that (this unlooked for and great ex
penditure in renewing the whole set of locks at the Little
Falls being now made) the revenue of the company may
enable it to discharge its debts within a reasonable time. The
president and directors earnestly hope that the state of Mary
land will not insist upon the immediate payment of the in
stalments of the debt due it.
"Very respectfully,
"I have the honor to be. Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
"Benjamin Harwood, Esq. "J. Mason.
' ' Treasurer of the state of Maryland. ' '

i8o Appendix D.
"(A.)
Extract from a communication made on the 6th Becember,
1817, from the President and Birectors of the Potomac
Company, to the board of public tuorks of the State of
Virginia.
"The Extent of the navigation of the Potomac river and
its branches under the control of the company, already im
proved, completely or partially, is of about two hundred and
seventy-five miles, that is to say, on the main river, two
hundred and twenty, on the Conogocheague, fifteen, and on
the Monocosy, forty miles. The navigation of the Shanan
doah Branch, is not noticed here, because the improvement
of that river is now in the hands of another company. After
expending a large sum of money, and having opened the navi
gation on it for a considerable extent, by means of canals,
locks and other works, the Potomac company finding it not
in their power to go on with its improvement for want of
funds within any reasonable time, deemed it conducive to the
interest of the community, and in all probability most to the
ultimate advantage of the Potomac company, to dispose of
these works at a considerable present sacrifice, that is, for
greatly less than they cost, to a company associated for the
purpose of improving that river, and which has been duly
incorporated, and an agreement has been accordingly entered
into to that effect, not yet finally ratified, but there is little
doubt that it will be confirmed.
"The improvement for the extent before stated, has been
effected by means of large canals, taken out of the river and
locked round the principal falls, and reduced to regular
inclined planes round the lesser falls, as at the great falls,
where the difference of level is seventy -six feet nine inches,
by a canal six feet deep, twenty-five feet wide at the top, and
twenty at bottom, twelve hundred yards long, with five locks
and a bason.
"At the lower or 'Little Falls' so called, by a canal of the
same depth and width, three thousand eight hundred and
fourteen yards long, with four locks, and a difference of level
of thirty seven feet, and at the falls opposite the mouth of the

Appendix D. i8i
Shenandoah, by one seventeen hundred and sixty yards long,
difference of level fifteen feet. At the Seneca Falls, by one
thirteen hundred and twenty yards long, difference of level
seven feet, and at House's Falls, by one of fifty yards long,
difference of level three feet; the three last mentioned canals
being without locks, from sixteen to twenty feet wide, and
from four to five feet deep. And moreover, by much work
executed on the bed of the river, by blowing and removing
masses of rocks, by running wing walls to collect the water,
by making cuts on its sides to draw the water partially from the
river into a more secure and better channel, and by erecting
cradels and chutes to pass boats. A considerable expenditure
has also been made on the Antietam, but without as yet, any
beneficial result from that branch of the river. Nothing has
yet been done on the upper part of the Conogocheague, on Pat
terson's Creek, on the South Branch, on Cape Capeon, or on
the Opecan; from all which branches there is no doubt con
siderable addition may be made to the general navigation of
the river at a future day.
"The principal obstructions having been removed through
out the whole distance before stated as improved, the com
pany had hoped that the calls on it for heavy expenditure
were over, and that it might go on leisurely to ameliorate that
part of the navigation, to open the remaining branches of the
river, and to prepare for paying off existing debts without
incurring new ones, when unfortunately about two years ago,
the set of locks at the foot of the canal round the lower falls,
which having been constructed of wood, gave way, and in such
a manner that it became necessary to renew them entirely.
It was determined as most conducive to the interest of the
company, and most consistent with the object of the institu
tion, to occupy a different scite for the locking of this place,
and to construct the locks and their appendages, wholly of
stone and solid mason work. These locks, four in number,
and locking a fall of thirty seven feet with their guard walls,
&c. have cost a heavy sum of money, and their erection has
forced the company into a large and unexpected expenditure,
and obliged it to contract new debts to provide for it; they

1 82 Appendix D.
are however nearly compleated, and will be ready to pass boats
at the commencement of the spring navigation.
' ' The total expenditure in improvements on this river made
by the Potomac company, from the commencement of its
operations in 1784 to this time, as nearly as can be ascer
tained, may be stated at six hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars. The aggregate amount of the debts due at this time by
the company and admitted by it, including interest, is about
140,000 dollars, of which 89,700 dollars to banks, and 30,000
dollars to the State of Maryland, and about 20,500 dollars to
individuals. There are moreover some claims disputed by the
company, which if established may increase the sum to about
150,000 dollars. It will further require a sum of 10 or
12,000 dollars to be raised at the close of this season, to pay
off the workmen and balances due for materials employed in
constructing the locks at the Little Falls before described.
' ' The debts due to and from the company on account of the
lottery authorised by the State of Maryland, yet unsettled,
are not taken into view, as they are intended to settle each
other; the result is however doubtful. This lottery concern
has been unfortunate, and has not afforded the expected aid
to the company, and may produce an ultimate loss.
' ' The only debt due to the company of any importance will
be one from the Shenandoah company, for the purchase of
the works on that river before mentioned, amounting to
15,000 dollars, when the agreement shall be ratified.
"The aggregate receipts from tolls commencing on the
first of August 1799, to the first of August 1817, amounts to
162,379 dollars, the portion of which received in each year,
as well as the quantity and kinds of produce on which it is
levied, and the number of boats and the quantum of tonnage
used in the transportation, and the estimated value of the
produce and merchandise so transported, is particularly
shewn in the table which is herewith transmitted.
"At the same time that the president and directors regret
that the view A^•hich is here given of the monied concerns of
the company is far from being agreeable, yet when the mag
nitude of the work in which it has been engaged is considered,

Appendix B. 183
and it is recollected that in spite of all that can be done in
such cases, many errors of construction, for want of the requi
site practical knowledge, must have been committed, and
many expenditures beyond ordinary calculations must have
been made, in effecting a navigation on so extensive and
rapid a stream presenting innumerable obstructions, in a dif
ference of level, (as is the fact from the upper point of im
provement to tide water,) of eleven hundred and sixty feet;
in a country so new in undertakings of this nature, and par
ticularly on inspection of the table annexed, when it is seen
to what a mass of produce and merchandize this navigation
is affording a cheap and easy transportation, and the great
resources in tolls which must ultimately grow out of the in
creased population and cultivation of the extensive and fertile
country pervaded by these waters are estimated, they can
but hope, that the day is not very distant, when the company
will be enabled to discharge the demands against it, and to
remunerate its stockholders for the inactivity of a capital, to
them so long unproductive, by handsome dividends of annual
profit. At any rate, it will be readily perceived by the exhibit
here presented, that the community have, for many years,
proflted to a great extent by the facility and saving in the
expense of transportation offered by this navigation, which
cannot now be estimated at less than fifty thousand dollars
per annum, for the difference between land and water car
riage on the articles conveyed to and from the upper country
by way of the river, and that the company has constantly
laboured to produce, in the first instance, these advantages
to the community, since it has uniformly instructed the board
of directors to apply the tolls received toward further im
provements, except in a single instance, when, in the year
1802, a dividend at the rate of 5.55 dollars per share, amount
ing to the small sum of 3,890.55 dollars was made, and that
it is the fact, that all the rest of the toll money received from
time to time, amounting in the whole to 158,489.40 dollars
has been so applied."

184 Appendix D.
AT A meeting of the President and Birectors of the Potomac
Company, held in George-Town, Gth April, 1818, a
letter of 19th March last, from B. Harwood, Esq. treas
urer of the state of Maryland, in relation to the debts
due by the company to that state, was submitted.
Ordered, That the president write to the treasurer, and
inform him the present state of the companies' funds and
works, by transmitting him the substance of the communi
cation made last fall to the board of works of Virginia, and
what may have since occurred; — that he inform him of the
necessity under which the board found itself, from the decay,
and finally the falling in of the locks at the Little Falls, for
the good of the whole, as well of the stockholders as the
creditors, to take up from the banks a considerable sum of
money to rebuild the locks at that place, in order to secure a
continuance of the revenue by tolls, and to pledge an imme
diate return of the same out of the first monies received after
the completion of the locks, — and that he express a hope, on
the part of the board, that under these particular circum
stances, the officers of the state will not insist that the di
rectors provide for the instalment of the principal and the
interest on the debt now due, until they can refund the
money so taken Up for the special purpose just mentioned.
[True copy,] Jos. Brewer, Tr. P. Co.

(B.)
A TABLE Shewing the amount of Tolls received by the Po tomap Company in each year, from the 1st August, 1799, to
the 1st August, 1817, together with the number of boats and tonnage employed, and the produce and merchandize
transported, with the estimated value of the same during that period.

Years.

Boats.

Tonnage.

Flour.

Whiskey.

To
bacco.

Iron.

Articles of Pro
duce Estimated.

Return Goods
Estimated.

Amount of
Tolls EeceiTed.

Total Estimated
Value.

Dolls, cts.
Dols. cts.
Dolls, cts.
Dolls, cts.
1800
296
1,643
16,584
84
25
2,950
7,851 00
2,133 58
129,414 00
1801
413
2,993
28,209
619 1-2
100
187 1-2
14,060
6,180 00
4,210 19
328,445 32
2
305
1,952
17,250
379
5
238 1-2
27,233 50
000 00
3,479 63
163,916 00
3
493
5,549
45,055
257
32
480 1-2
3,936 00
10,386 00
9,353 93
345,472 82
4
426
3,823
39,350
578
8
88
3,250 00
7,514 00
7,665 58
284,040 60
5
405
3,208
28,507
436
11
137
32,975 18
7,486 00
5,213 24
340,334 18
6
203
1,226
19,079
459
5
20 1-2
3,553 40
4,998 00
2,123 69
86,790 40
7
573
8,155
85,248
971
20
35
11,796 00
7,314 00
15,080 42
551,896 47
8
508
5,994
48,463
1,535
3
13
10,532 47
7,613 00
9,924 27
337,007 47
9
603
6,767
40,039
1,527
37
494
8,537 00
11,510 00
9,094 89
305,628 00
10
568
5,374
40,757
1,080
13
191 1-2
5,703 00
000 00
7,915 85
318,237 62
11
1300
16,350
118,222
3,768
27
200
6,810 00
6,000 00
22,542 89
925,074 80
12
613
9,214
55,829
3,143
6
360
1,694 00
7,319 75
11,471 37
515,525 75
13
623
7,916
55,902
3,464
11
252
1,899 00
6,119 32
11,816 22
423,340 32
14
596
5,987*
38,769
2,684
¦ 18
361
675 60
5,314 12
9,109 82
312,093 72
15
613
6,354
47,183
4,616
9
314
2,075 00
5,211 15
9,789 57
489,498 15
16
550
6,132
35,918
1,774
29
419
9,291 65
6,371 35
7,501 52
357,661 00
17
856
8,197
57,662
1,385
10
335
4,094 00
14,000 00
13,948 23
787,994 00
106,834 1-2
818,026
28,759 1-2
369
4,126 1-2
151,065 80
121,187 69
162,379 95
7,002,370 62
True Statement from the Books.
5i
Jos. Bkewee, Tr. P. Co.
00
000\

(C.)
A TABLE Shewing the amount of Tolls received by the Potomac Company from the 1st of August, 1817, to the 1st
of August, 1818, together with the number of boats and tonnage employed, and the produce and merchandize
transported, with the estimated value of same.

Year.

Goats.

Tonnage.

Flour.

Whiskey.

To
bacco..

Iron.

Other Articles
of Produce
Estimated.

Sundry
Return Goods
Estimated.

Amount of
Tolls Received.

Total Esti.
mated Value.

1818

746

7,819

58,226

3,126 1-2

2

428 3^

Dolls, cts.
6,750

Dolls, cts.
8,200

Dolls, cts.
10,309 74

Dolls, cts.
653,274 50

The above is a correct extract from the books.

5i

Jos. Bkewer, Tr. P. Co.

Dr.

The President and directors of the Potomac Company in account with the state of Maryland

Cr.

1814, March 9

1815, January 13
1810, February 10
1817, July 3

To exchange six per cent, stock of the United
States of 1812, for thirty thousand dollars of
said stock, transferred to them on the 22d
February, 1814, pursuant to the resolutions
of November session 1812, and December
session 1813, for which they have pledged the
funds of the said company, and given bond
in their corporate capacity, for the reim
bursement of the principal in stock of the
like nature with that loaned, by instalments
of three, four and five years, with interest
from the first day of January, 1814, upon the
whole amount of principal remaining unpaid,
such interest to be paid annually, and in
money of the United States.
To interest account for 1 year, to 1st instant,
To ditto ditto to 1st Jan. 1816,
To ditto ditto to 1st Jan. 1817,

Inter est.

Dolls.

1,800 1,800
1,800

To old account due for principal.
To interest on 30,000 dollars from 1st January, 1817,
to 1st January, 1819, two years, at 6 per cent.

Priu- cipnl.

Dolls.

30,000

5,400

35,400

30,000
1 3,600
33,000

1815, January
13
1816, Febru
ary 10
1817, July 3

By cash for one
year's interest

By ditto
By ditto

dittoditto

By new account
due for princi-

Inter- est.

Dolls. 1,8001,800
1,800

Principal.

Dolls.

5,400

30,000

35,400

Treasury Office, December 7th, 1818.

B. n.\BWOOD, Tr. W. S. M'd.

?is S

Appendix E.
"Travels through the United States of North Amer
ica, the Country of the Iroquois and Upper Canada,
1795-6-7, by the Duke de la Eochef oucault-Liancourt, "
London, 1799, page 334 :
"An excursion that I made to the (Great) Falls gave me
an opportunity of seeing the canals which are forming for the
purpose of avoiding them (the falls) and are the undertaking
of the Potowmack Company. The canal of the smaller falls
is entirely finished ; it is one and a half mile in length, four
locks ten feet high placed at its upper extremity convey ves
sels down the river. The smaller falls are not strictly such,
but the water is sufficiently checked and disturbed in its
course to render the navigation impracticable and the noise
it makes is considerable. Above the smaller falls at a place
where the Potomac is confined to a narrow passage between
mountains a bridge has been lately erected of the same kind
(suspension) as the bridge of Merrymack near Newburyport
in Massachusetts, the same architect was employed in both.
The canal of the Great Palls is also finished excepting the
locks which are to be ten in number. The height of the falls
themselves is seventy-eight feet and the descent from the
upper end of the canal to the lower end is about ninety feet.
To make some use of the canal in its present state till the
locks can be completed large masses of earth are left to check
the rapidity of the water, vessels proceed to the places where
these are and the barrels of flour and hogsheads of tobacco
which are the principal articles brought down the river are
rolled down an inclined plane made of wood (for this tem
porary use) to vessels that wait for them below. The Great
Fall of the Potowmack is beautiful and deserves to be visited
by all who arrive in this neighborhood."
Page 315 :

Appendix E. 189
"A company has been incorporated by the states of Va.
and Md. in 1784 by the name of the Potowmack Company
with a grant of tolls on different canals they had undertaken.
The adoption of establishing the General Government on the
banks of the Potowmack gave new activity to those under
takings which had begun to languish. In 1795 the shares
of this company which at its establishment amounted to five
hundred at $444 each were increased to six hundred and
thus the company had the disposal of $270,400 to improve the
navigation of the Potowmack. The states of Va. and Md.
were moreover particularly interested in the success of the
company by being proprietors of a great niimber of shares.
When the undertakings of this company shall be finished the
produce of an immense extent of country which at present
is conveyed by land to Philadelphia and Baltimore will find
a more ample, ready and less expensive market through the
means of this great river and Federal City will acquire new
resources both for its consumption and commerce, adding
greatly to the natural advantages of its situation. ' '
"Travels through the States of North America and
the Provinces, of Upper and Lower Canada, 1795-6-7,"
by Isaac "Weld, Jr. 'London, 1799. Page 37 :
"Thus it appears that the Federal City is possessed of
essential qualifications for making it a place of importance —
that is a good harbour (Eastern Branch) from which there is
a ready passage to the ocean; it will also appear that it is
well situated for trading with the interior parts of the coun
try. . . . The navigation of the Potowmack is safe to the
Little Falls, six miles up, for river craft, here a canal which
extends two and a half miles . . . has been cut and perfected
which opens a fine passage of boats as far as Great Falls. . . .
The descent of the river there is 76 feet in one and a quarter
mile, but it is intended to make another canal here also; a
part of it is already cut and every exertion is making to have
the whole completed with expedition. From hence to Fort
Cumberland, 191 miles above the Federal City there is a free
navigation and boats are continually passing up and down.

190 Appendix E.
Beyond this the passage in the river is obstructed, but there
is a possibility of opening it and as soon as the Company
formed for the purpose have sufficient funds it will certainly
be done. . . . Thence to Cheat Eiver is only 37 miles. . . .
Things are only great or small by comparison and a portage
of only 37 miles will be thought a very short one when found
to be the only interruption to an inland navigation of up
wards of 2700 miles of which 2187 are down stream (Mr.
Weld traces the routes to Detroit and even far Winnepeg via
this route)."
"General History of Inland Navigation, Foreign and
Domestic." John Phillips. New edition. London, 1795.
(Printed in 1793.) Page 352 :
"Several improvements are carrying on in the States of
Virginia. . . . The distance from the Capes of Virginia to the
terminations of the tide-way in the river Potomak is about
300 miles and the river is navigable for ships of the greatest
burthen to that .place ; from thence it is obstructed by four
considerable falls and runs through a vast tract of inhabi-
tated country towards its source. These falls are 1st, The
little falls three miles above tide-water, — 2dny, The great
falls, six miles higher, where is a fall of 76 feet in one and
a quarter mile, — 3dly, The Seneca falls 6 miles above the
former which form short irregular rapids with a fall of about
ten feet, and 4thly, The Shenandoah falls 60 miles from the
Seneca which is a fall of about 30 feet in three miles, from
which last Fort Cumberland is about 120 miles distant. The
obstructions which are opposed to the navigation above and
between these falls are of little consequence. Early in the
year 1785 the legislatures of Virginia and Maryland passed
acts to encourage opening the navigation of this river. It
was estimated that the expense of the canals and other works
would amount to £50,000 sterling and ten years was allowed
for their completion. At present the president and directors
of the incorporated company suppose that £45.000 will be
sufficient for the undertaking, and that it will be accomplished
in a shorter time than was estimated. Their calculations are

/^^^^^li/ c^a^>n/i.

^j^ /^^'//^/^

'^^t/tyrzy csk^^^^^^i- <3iiru^<^^C^

T^^tfcy '^'foA-oi^

Atjtogkaphs of Stockholders in the Patowmack Company.

Appendix E. 191
founded on the progress already made and the summary mode
lately adopted for enforcing the collection of the dividends
as the money may become necessary. On each share of £100
the payment of only £4 has yet been demanded. According
to the opinion of the president and directors locks will be
necessary at only two places, the great and the little falls;
six at the former and three at the latter. At the latter place
nothing has yet been attempted. At the great falls where the
difficulties were judged by many to be insurmountable the
work is nearly completed, except sinking the lock seats and
inserting the frames. At the Seneca falls the laborious part
of the business is entirely accomplished by removing the
obstacles and graduating the descent so that nothing remains
but to finish the channel for the general current in a work
manlike manner.
"At the Shenandoah where the river breaks through the
Blue Ridge mountains though a prodigious quantity of labour
has been bestowed yet much is still to be done before the pas
sage will be completed. Such a progress has been made how
ever that it was expected, if the summer had not proved un
commonly rainy and the river uncommonly high an avenue
for a partial navigation would have been opened by the 1st.
of January, 1789, from Fort Cumberland to the great falls
which are within nine miles of a shipping port. As soon as
the proprietors begin to receive toll they wiU doubtless find
an ample compensation for their pecuniary advances. By an
estimate made years ago, it was calculated that the amount in
the commencement would be at the rate of £9,875 Virginia
currency per annum. The toll must every year become more
productive as the quantity of articles for exportation will be
augmented in a rapid proportion with the increase of popu
lation and the extension of settlements. In the meantime the
effect will be immediately seen in the agriculture of the inte
rior country, for the multitude of horses now employed in
carrying its produce to market will then be used for the pur
pose of tillage. But in order to form just conceptions of the
utility of this inland navigation it will be requisite to notice
the long rivers which fall into the Patowmak and even the

192 Appendix E.
geographical position of the western waters. The Shenan
doah which disembogues just above the Blue Mountains may
according to report, be made navigable at a trifling expense
more than 150 miles from its confluence with the Patowmak
and will receive and convey the produce of the richest part
of the State. The South branch still higher is navigable in
its present condition nearly, or quite, 100 miles through ex
tremely fertile lands. But there on the Virginia side are
several small rivers that may with facility be improved so
as to afford a passage for boats. On the Maryland side are
the Monocacy, Antietam and Conogocheague, some of which
pass through the State of Maryland and have their sources in
Pennsylvania. "From Fort Cumberland (or Wills Creek) one or two good
waggon roads may be made, by which the distance will be
about 35 miles to the Yohogany, a large and navigable branch
of the Monongahela, which last forms a junction with the
Allegany at Fort Pitt, from whence the river takes the name
of the Ohio until that also loses its current and name in the
Mississippi. . . . When we have arrived at either of these
western waters the navigation through that immense country
is opened in a thousand directions and to the lakes in several
places by portage of less than ten miles and by one portage of
one mile only. ' '
"Pictures of the City of Washington in the Past."
Samuel C. Busey, M.D., LL.D. Wash, 1898. Page 297 :
"In marked contrast with the unfavorable criticisms and
maladie du pays of some of the honorable and official croakers
are Warden 's delightful pictures of the salubrity of the climate,
fertility of the soil, abundance and variety of the food supplies,
vegetable and animal, game and flsh, together with the products
transported from a distance by water, especially from the inte
rior of Maryland and Virginia by the Potomac Canal Com
pany, chartered in 1784 by the Legislature of Maryland, and
Shenandoah Navigation Company, chartered by the Legisla
ture of Va., through which was brought to the portage town of

Appendix E. 193
Georgetown in a single year (1811) '27 hogsheads of sugar,
118,076 barrels of flour, 5718 barrels of whiskey, 465 bushels of
wheat, 3600 bushels of maize, and, in addition, large quantities
of pig-iron, castings, ship-timber, rye, flax-seed, hemp, butter,
oats, cloverseed, arms, and staves. ' The method of transporta
tion is described by Mr. Thomas W. Riley as follows : ' In my
boyhood days there was a great deal of business done in what
were known as arks by those who lived on the upper Potomac.
They had no other way to bring their wheat, corn, oats, hay,
and other produce to market. These arks were large wooden
floats, put together in a substantial, though inexpensive man
ner with wooden bolts and pins. They carried a great deal.
These arks were floated down the river, and helped with poles
where they were not carried by the current. On their arrival
in Georgetown, after their contents were sold, the arks were
taken to pieces and the lumber sold. I have seen hundreds
of them. This was before the opening of the Ches. and 0.
Canal. People nowadays talk about push and enterprise, as
if it were a new invention and they the only discoverers of it.
Though I have always tried to keep up with the procession in
a business way, I assure you I have seen evidences of a "get
there ' ' spirit among the grandfathers of some of the business
men of today that surpassed much of their so-called push.
These ark-owners had goods to sell, and, though they did not
come with lightning speed, they got down to market just the
same.' "
From the National Intelligencer, Washington, Aug.
23, 1802.
"Potomack Navigation. — At a meeting of the Potomack
Company held on Wednesday the second instant a dividend
of the capital stock at the rate of three per cent per annum
was declared for the time since the locks at the Great Falls
have been opened and $5.55 per share, the amount thereof
will be paid to the respective stock holders or to their legal
representatives on demand, by the treasurer of the Company
By order of the Board. James Cableton, Treasurer.
"Georgetown, Aug. 11, 1802."
14

194 Appendix E.
Baltimore (American^), Jan. 10, 1804:
' ' So fully were we of the opinion that our legislature would
have granted the respectful! and patriotic petition of so large
and respectable a portion of their constituency for passing the
necessary laws for erecting turnpike companies on the three
principal roads leading from this city (Baltimore) that with
out adverting to the possibility that such might not be the
case we took the liberty of pointing the public zeal to a quar
ter which appeared to be of primary importance to this city,
to Frederick, Washington and Allegany counties. If any
man who is capable of following its delineations will take the
map of Maryland and view the circuitous route by which the
productions of these counties and the neighboring districts of
Pennsylvania have to reach this city; if he will take a chaise
and travel the miry sloughs, the dreadful precipices, the
often-times impassable streams which would every where
freeze him with horror chills, he could not fail to be aston
ished at that perseverance in the farmer and waggoner which
overcome all these difficulties and fill our warehouses with
their various and burthensome productions. The other roads,
though not so immediately important, are in a situation no
better. The Baltimorean may solace himself in the idle
dream that this city notwithstanding all these obstacles will
continue to flourish and to be the emporium of this enriching
commerce. Vain delusion! In less than ten years (since the
talents and wisdom of our legislators have suffered the present
opportunity to slip) without having it in our power here
after to counteract its effects, a capitol will be established at
Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria, or at all three of
them which will completely turn the current of that trade
from our metropolis. A few years ago we inspected as much
flour in one quarter as the above places did in four, but the
last year but one, if our information is correct, or the year
before that, two of them only inspected several thousand bar
rels more than we did. Other produce of the west, no doubt,
kept equal pace and in a few years more, foreign orders for
the shipment of tobacco, flour, etc., will be transferred from
this to the Potomak." Etc., etc.

Appendix E. 195
From The Museum, George Town, Jan. 1, 1809.
Editorial. ' ' The inland navigation of the Potomak for 300 miles above
through a country excelled by none in fertility, is a source
from which George Town must derive immense commercial
advantages. The valuable productions of that extensive re
gion rapidly increasing with the advancement of agriculture
and the extension of population must be poured into her lap
and deposited with her merchants. Already among other
articles upwards of 100,000 barrels of flour in one season have
been floated down the stream, . . . Cannon Foundry and
paper mill, Mason's Island, Causeway to Virginia, Bridge at
Little Falls (chain) Georgetown College, Columbian College
Three Ladies' Academies. Thos. Corcoran Mayor." Etc.
"July 19th, 1796, Georgetown. On Friday arrived here
Robert Liston Esquire, the British Minister with his lady
accompanied by Edward Thornton, his secretary, Gabriel
Wood, British Consul for this State and Henry Murray Stew
art, second son of the Earl of Bute. Yesterday they made an
excursion to the great falls of Potomac, to day they are to
proceed to Mt. Vernon. ' '
From Baltimore Advertiser:
' ' For Rent, Merchant Mill, Distillery and Brewery, also sun
dry stone quarries at Little Falls of Potomac, for any time
not less than seven or more than eleven years. Mill House
42x40 ft., three stories built of stone, 3 pair of French burr
stones, 2 over-shot, 18 feet water wheels, Evans machinery
complete with every other thing proper and necessary for
carrying on the business with despatch and as little expense
as possible; all in good order. From mill to my landing on
the river about 4 yards and then to George Town and Wash
ington about three miles, to Alexandria eleven miles. Also
on place a large stone cooper's shop, a stone granary and a
commodious miller's house, — a brick building on river. Also
a brewery and distillery of stone ; in them are three stills, six
copper boilers, etc., all in good order. Quarries on this land

196 Appendix E.
on river — ^flnest quality ; on top of the hill, within 200 yards
of the dwelling house with out-buildings and gardens.
"Richard Fendall, 1796."
"At Little Falls in 1801 flour miU with three stones — ^brew
ery, distillery — granary, etc." — July 14, 1801, Alexandria
Advertiser. Taggart in "Old (xeorgetown " :
"During its existence the trade of Georgetown extended
as far as Fort Osage on the Missouri to Lake Erie and to
Mobile. The route to Fort Osage was flrst up the Potomac
220 miles, then overland to Brownsville on the Monongahela,
a branch of the Ohio, 25 miles, thence down the Ohio to its
junction with the Mississippi, up the IMississippi to St. Louis
and afterwards by the Missouri to the Fort. For Lake Erie
the goods were sent over the same route to Cincinnati on the
Ohio, thence up the Miami of the Ohio to its farthest point at
Lorimer 's Store, thence overland 35 miles to Fort Wayne on
the Miami of the Lakes, and down this river to Lake Erie.
For Mobile the goods were sent from Georgetown to Browns
ville by the above route, then down the Monongahela and Ohio
to the mouth of the Tennessee river, then up this river to the
Mussel Shoals, or to Colbert's Ferry, thence overland to the
Tombigbee at the junction of that river with a branch called
the Yibby, 120 miles, thence down the Tombigbee to Mobile. ' '

Appendix F.
Report of Thos. Moore, Engineer, of Virginia.
"Beookville, Aug. 1, 1820.
"Bear Friend; Agreeably to thy request I will endeavor
to state some of the results derived from my late examination
of the country between the Ohio and Potomac rivers, with the
view to ascertain the practicability of uniting those rivers
either by a water communication the whole distance or by
means of a short portage between the nearest practicable
points of canal navigation, and also from the examination of
the Potomac river in order to ascertain the present state of
the navigation and the best means of improving the same.
"With regard to the first — a little topographical knowledge
of the country alluded to will clearly indicate that if such a
connection is made with the western waters, it must be either
with the waters of the Cheat or Youghiogheny river. On
examining the former I found that part of it which passes
what is called Dunkard 's Bottom approaches about as near
to the Potomac as any other point that could be selected for
the purpose, and for about 5 miles downward the fall is not
too great for a sluice navigation, but a fall then occurs of
nearly 30 feet (by estimation) in one mile, the lower part of
which is too abrupt to be improved by any other means than
by a lock. From thence to the mouth of Sandy Creek, about
8 or 9 miles, the fall is very considerable, particularly at one
place where it is much greater than the one just described. —
Thence to Henthorn's Quarry by estimation 10 miles from the
part that I saw and a- description of the remainder I should
suppose the fall might average about 10 feet per mile and not
too abrupt in any one place to be overcome by sluices. —
Thence to the junction with the Monongahela, about 12 miles,
it has been declared navigable by the laws of Virginia.
' ' It appears therefore quite certain that if this river is used
a considerable expense of lockage will be incurred on one see-
197

198 Appendix F.
tion of it, the remainder may be made a tolerable sluice navi
gation for about 8 months in the year except when interrupted
by ice. From the Dunkard 's Bottom to the mouth of Savage
river on the north branch of the Potomac is 57 miles, but to
Crab Tree run, a branch of Savage river at Swan's old mill,
the highest point of practicable canal navigation, the distance
is only 27 miles. The present road between these points is
injudiciously located and is in many places very steep, I think
however that a road may be had within 5% of aelivity and
declivity without increasing the distance.
"If the waters of the Youghiogheny should be preferred,
then a branch called Deep creek will be the most eligible.
There are several branches of this stream which form a junc
tion and compose a stream which may answer tolerably well
to supply the summit level of a canal. This junction is about
2 miles west of a low gap in the Alleghany ridge which has
been long spoken of as a suitable point of connection between
the eastern and western waters. From this gap the levels
were taken both ways. It was found that the fall westward
to the point mentioned on Deep creek was 204.03 feet. The
fall eastward to the junction of the two branches of Crab Tree
run just above Gen. Swan's old mill is 340.99 feet, the dis
tance rather less than two miles. The fall from the last men
tioned point to the mouth of Savage river is 1366.70 feet, the
distance not measured, but believed to be about 13 miles. It
appears then that the waters of Deep Creek is 136.87 feet
higher than the waters of Crab Tree run at Swan's mill, and
of course might be brought through by a tunnell and dis
charged into the Potomac, but in case of a canal navigation
the tunnell would be on the summit level and the waters of
Deep creek would supply locks both ways. This creek lies in
the Glades and the ascent from it towards the ridge but small
for a considerable distance. I think therefore that by driving
up an open canal as far as the ground would permit, and then
taking the shortest possible distance to the level on the other
side that the canal would not exceed 2 miles in length. I be
lieve a road might be made across the ridge from one point to
the other at 3 degrees that would not exceed 5 miles in dis
tance.

Appendix F. 199
"Deep creek continues to flow through the glades 10 to 12
miles below the before mentioned point, and then with a rapid
descent (as I am told) falls into the Youghiogheny. From
this junction to the National road I have seen this river but
partially, I know however from former surveys that at the
crossing of the road the water is many hundred feet nearer
to the level of tide water than the water of Deep creek. From
the National road to the falls I am acquainted with the bed of
the stream, in this section the fall is very great. The stream
above Turkey Foot where three great branches unite and
which is about 6 miles below the road, is too inconsiderable
to be used as a river navigation, and below Turkey Foot it is
too rapid and dangerous quite to the foot of falls on the west
ern side of Laurel hill, so that a canal and lock navigation
must be adopted from the flrst mentioned point on Deep creek
to the last mentioned on Youghiogheny.
"On account of some blanks yet remaining between the
several surveys from the tide water across to the western
waters, I am not in possession of data to determine exactly
the whole fall in this distance, but in round numbers it vsdll
not be probably much over or under 1700 feet to be overcome
by lockage. On the eastern side, from the eastern end of the
tunnell to Swan's mill, the fall will be 136.87 feet and from
thence, as has been stated, to the mouth of Savage, 1366.71,
making the whole to be overcome by lockage, 1503.58 feet.
"From the mouth of Savage to the mouth of New creek, a
distance of 8 miles, 33 perches the fall by the leveling of Col.
G. Gilpin and J. Smith, is 190.8 feet which is rather more
than 23 feet per mile. This may probably be made tolerably
safe for descending boats 4 or 5 months in the year, but it will
always be excessively laborious to ascend with any loading ; —
so, that to make the navigation materially useful, the addition
of 190 feet must be added to the lockage ; from the mouth of
New creek to Cumberland 22 1/4 miles, the fall is 254 feet, the
average per mile 11 1/2 feet. On this section some money
has been very usefully expended and with a little more im
provement might be rendered navigable for keel boats carry
ing 100 barrels of fiour 6 months in the year.

200 Appendix F.
"The examination of the river from Cumberland down
wards was commenced on the 10th of the 7th month, the water
having fallen very rapidly for the last thre or four days pre
ceding, it was then believed to be lower than usual at the same
time of the year. I think if the water had been all collected
in a 20 foot sluice and falling with a velocity that would be
acquired by a descent of 6 inches per 100 feet it would have
given about 10 inches of water. The work that has been done
for the first 9 or 10 miles is not in every part as well designed
as I think it might have been, but much better than is usually
seen. There has been however more money expended on some
parts than necessary, and other parts left unfinished, which
require the expenditure of a small sum to render the whole in
the greatest degree useful. Thence down to the mouth of the
south branch the river has been partially improved but for
want of a little annual attention many of these improvements
are gone out of repair, a moderate sum would place the river
from Cumberland to south branch in a tolerable state for
sluice navigation, when there is water, which perhaps cannot
be counted on for more than about half the year.
"Below the south branch there was a sufficient quantity of
water to give at least 15 inches depth in a well graduated
sluice, the bed of the river below the junction of the two
branches becomes wider, and of course improvements will
generally be rather more expensive. Many of the worst places
above Hancock Town have been a little improved, at the Tum
bling dam falls there is a good sluice, except that it requires a
farther extension at the lower end to diminish the fall in that
part which is very hard to ascend, but at the bare falls just
below there has been a long sluice made some years ago, the
location of which on a converse shore is so very injudicious
that it is nearly filled with gravel and will probably soon be
rendered entirely useless. There are several others that are
of little service, some of them have been spoiled by the inter
ference of fish dams, several of these are a serious injury to
the navigation. There are many shallow places which require
improvement in this section, but none that need be expensive.
I think the proper expenditure of $500 to 600 would now give

Appendix F. 201
water for keel boats with 100 barrels of flour at all times
except in unusually dry seasons, from the south branch to
Hancock Town. From Hancock to Williamsport very little
has been done to improve the navigation, or at least there are
at present but few visible remains of such efforts. The greater
part of this distance requires but little. I think from $2000
to 3000 would be quite sufficient to effect all that is necessary
to be done on this section.
"From Williamsport to Sheppards Town it does not appear
that any labor has been performed in the bed of the river, but
little is necessary, yet there are a few places that might be
improved. *
"Just below Sheppards Town a long shallow ripple (Pack
Horse Ford) occurs in the river which is here wide, no con
nected channel either natural or artiflcial is to be found
through the ripple, the water ought to be collected and a little
swelled by wings in proper directions. $500 or 600 judi
ciously expended would probably render it permanently good.
The navigation is then good to the head of the long canal at
the beginning of the Shenandoah Falls; the entrance to this
canal is somewhat difficult in high water, it may be rendered
safer by extending an abutment into the river on the lower
side to prevent the strong draft of water just without the
present entrance. The current is very strong through the
canal, but with care safe to descend. The ascent is very
laborious, but is much facilitated by a substantial wall and
tracking way where ropes can be used to great advantage.
About half a mile below the Ferry are two short canals
(called by the boatmen — the Bullring falls) taken together
with a short sheet of smooth water between them, the distance
may be one quarter of a mile, the fall is 6.6 feet. Opposite
this point McPherson and Brien have proposed to erect iron
works if a compromise can be made with the Potomac Com
pany. If such an arrangement was made, the canal above
the works ought to be sufficiently capacious to admit water for
the works and also for navigation and any other proposition
which the Company may have occasion for at a point rather
more than half mile lower down, where there should be a lock

202 Appendix F.
to descend into the river and where the fall will be 8.80 feet.
The fall from the head of Shenandoah falls to the landing at
Harpers Perry is 26.75 feet. This was ascertained by flnding
the difference in the levels between the surface of the water
in the U. S. canal when the gates were all shut and the water
at the landing.
"From the lower end of Bullring to Paynes falls the navi
gation is troublesome in low water, it requires swelling so as
to give 6 or 8 inches more water and the course straightened.
At these falls Bazil Deaver is now erecting a mill dam, I
suppose without the permission of the Company, but if the
sluice and some other works are completed agreeably to what
he proposes the navigation will be rather improved than in
jured. The river below for some miles is wide and shallow,
swelling the water will be the best remedy. From the Bull
ring for 6 miles downwards, I think the cost of improving
may be estimated at $500 per mile, though I am well satisfied
a less sum would answer the purpose if the best economy could
be adopted in the expenditure. A little improvement is nec
essary in the low water course between the lower end of the
long canal and Harpers Ferry.
"From the head of the island at Noland's ferry to about one
and a half mile below there are several very shallow places
with but little fall. They ought to be improved by a few low
dams of brush and stone. The expense would be little if man
aged to the best advantage; there is perhaps less depth of
water on these shoals than is to be found at any other place
below Harpers Ferry.
"From these shoals to Seneca falls very little improvement
is necessary, in a few places the removal of loose stones would
be useful. The dam at Seneca requires repairing so as to
turn more water into the canal, at present there is not enough
to fioat our little skiff, we were under the necessity of going
down through the falls. Boatmen who are acquainted with
the outer course may pass down with safety, but it is very
hard to ascend. There certainly ought to be at least as much
water in the canal at all times as would float an ascending
boat with a small load. Between Seneca and Great Falls

Appendix F. 203
there has been some work done to improve the bed of the river,
generally to pretty good effect, but for want of timely atten
tion some of these works are gone out of repair, and do not
answer the purpose intended.
"The greatest obstruction to the navigation any where
below Williamsport in the present state of the water is at
Great Falls. The dam requires repairing and extending so
as to give at least six or eight inches more water in the canal.
At present boats with only 50 barrels are obliged to make
double trips, and where there are several in company there is
great detention for want of water to supply the locks.
"The bed of the river from Great Palls to the head of the
Little Falls canal is generally very rough, much labor has been
bestowed on it for the improvement of the navigation which
has in a considerable degree produced the intended effect, but
something still remains to be done in order to give sufficient
depth of water in all places, and also to render the falls more
easy for ascending boats at all stages of the water. The most
important part of the work appears to be to make the track
ing way over the rocks near Great Falls more perfect; the
current in this part of the river is so rapid in high water that
it renders useless the common means of ascending by setting
poles, and the unevenness of the crags on the shore makes it
extremely difficult and dangerous to carry a towing line over
them, yet this expedient has been resorted to, it is very prob
able that where the rocks are smooth or at the turning of par
ticular points, a chain might be attached to the rock by ring
bolts or pins, so as to be very useful, it might be light and
would be a cheap improvement.
At Stubblefleld Falls the pass is safe for descending boats
except that the rapidity of the current over the uneven bottom
produces a roughness that causes them when fully laden to
ship water, but the angle of ascent is so great and situated in
the middle of the river where no advantage can be derived
from towing that it is vain to think of ascending with any
thing like a full load with the usual number of hands until a
new passage is procured or the present one better graduated.
At the Crookes gap (as it is called) the location of the works

204 Appendix F.
is very unnatural and of course very injudicious, the passage
is made tolerably safe and easy to ascend and descend at some
stages of the water at others dangerous and difficult; but of
such a form and occupying ground as will cause it to require
an annual attention and perhaps oftener, to preserve at all
times sufficient depth of water.
"I think it may be relied on that from $18,000 to 20,000
would now place the navigation in such a situation that boats
carrying 100 barrels of flour might descend the river at all
times from the mouth of the south branch to tide water, except
in an unusually dry season, above Williamsport a short time,
or when prevented by ice. But in this calculation I should
certainly contemplate a more economical expenditure than
has commonly been made in this description of improvement. ' '
"There are some sluices in the Potomac and also in other
rivers which I have examined, that have been made in a proper
direction, not one of which has ever filled with gravel or
stone. ' '
"But when the powers of art have been exerted to the ut
most extent to procure an easy navigation in the bed of a
stream, still it must hold a very inferior grade to that of an
independent canal, because the natural fall of the river must
be overcome by the labor of men, and if the whole fall of the
river is great in proportion to its length it will require a great
number and therefore in proportion to the length must be
very expensive compared with a canal furnished with locks,
where the loaded boats are drawn on level water, by the labor
of horses, but this kind of improvement requires large funds
for carrying it into effect, and should not be undertaken until
the period arrives that gives a reasonable prospect of remun
eration from the trade that may be carried on through its
channels. The transportation however on such a canal is so
much cheaper than by any other means of internal communi
cation that it may happen and I believe sometimes does hap
pen that such a period arrives before those interested think

Appendix F. 205
of making a single calculation on the subject. Knowing the
great superiority of this mode of improvement and believing
that it may possibly be at some time adopted on the Potomac,
I have so far made myself acquainted with the ground adja
cent to the river as to enable me to form an estimate of the
expense of an independent canal from Cumberland to the
Great Falls, I have on my notes such a description of these
grounds as could be obtained from the river without a minute
re-examination on shore. From these it does not appear that
the excavation would be more expensive than the contem
plated canal on the James river, nor the walling greater in
proportion to the distance. It was found from the prices
given for removing earth and other work incident to the con
struction of a canal that the one just mentioned ought not to
cost more than $4,300 per mile exclusive of the locks. From
Cumberland to the Great Falls is 176 miles, which multiplied
by 4,300 gives 756,800, the fall in that distance is 572 feet
which multiplied by $65, the price per foot at which such
lockage is estimated gives 357,500, amounting to the total of
$1,114,300. This whole compared with the cost of some other
canals appears to be a low estimate, but it is to be remem
bered that canals conducted on low levels along the ravine of
a river have no deep valleys or ravines to cross as those must
necessarily have on high levels in an uneven country, and
therefore the great embankments and elevated aqueducts
which constituted the largest items of expense in many canals
are avoided, — the calculation is also made for a canal and
locks of a moderate size.
"On such a canal as this the actual cost of transportation
for a barrel of flour from Cumberland to the Great Palls
would not exceed 15 cents, nor a bushel of coal 6 cents, and
other articles in proportion, provided the boats were supplied
with a quarter back load of plaster of paris or anything else
at the low price of $3 per ton. It is for those who are con
cerned and who are better acquainted with the present trade
of the river and the future prospects to calculate whether such
a toll can be added to these prices as will pay the interest on
the capital above stated, and also the necessary capital for

2o6 Appendix F.
continuing the canal to tide water. Several considerations
were presented relative to this lower section which I thought
required more time to digest than I felt myself authorized to
take, particularly as some of them were of such a nature as to
place them without the line of my duty for decision. I did
not therefore take any notes relative to the grounds for, or
expense of, an independent canal below the Great Falls.
"The section below Harpers Ferry would be the least ex
pensive for the distance. As the season is now too far ad
vanced to undertake any considerable works on the bed of the
river this year, time will be given for consideration relative to
the most proper mode of expending money in future on this
most important river, and of obtaining more minute informa
tion with respect to the expense of improving the different
sections on the best of all possible plans, for notwithstanding
the cost may in the first instance appear discouraging, yet the
object is a great one, even as it regards the legitimate trade
of the country watered by the river and its branches, but it
derives great additional importance from the circumstance
of the National road being already made and offering the
means of connecting the trade of this river with the western
country. "I am with great regard, thy friend
"Thos. Mooee.
"To Gen. John Mason."
Eeport of the Board of Public Works to the Legis
lature op Virginia, 1823. Report on the Potomac,
By Isaac Briggs.
"Pursuant to resolutions of the ex-officio members of your
Board, dated Oct. 1822 empowering me to ask for and receive
from the executors or heirs of Thos. Moore, the civil engineer
lately deceased, all the rough notes of this year's work, as far
as actually done, or begun by the said Moore, and directing
me to make therefrom the necessary arrangements, calcula
tions and statements for the annual report to the Board of
Public Works and to prepare and present to the said Board

Appendix F. 207
at the usual period the said report and recognizing me as the
"Civil Engineer of Virginia," I proceeded forthwith to the
residence of the deceased engineer to obtain his notes. I
received them from his son Asa. They were in pencil writing
and in that rough state in which they were first made at the
places to which they relate.
"The last sickness of this excellent man so suddenly ar
rested his career of usefulness, and from its first occurrence
so entirely incapacitated him for any kind of business that
it was not possible for him (as had been his custom) to review
his notes, improve their arrangement, supply abbreviations
and casual omissions, and write them with ink.
"I had received letters from most of the joint commissioners
for the Potomac, earnestly requesting that I would undertake
to finish the survey of the river from the point where it had
been suspended, to arrange the notes left by the late engineer,
to make the necessary calculations and form an estimate of the
probable cost of an independent canal from Cumberland to
tide water, and that I would proceed to the work without
delay. "Havmg found that the survey of the Potomac could not
be resumed until early in the 12th month I employed the
interval preeeeding that time in making the calculations and
arrangements necessary for the estimate of expense as far as
the work had proceeded. The late engineer had from the
30th of the 7th to the middle of the 9th month brought the
surveying and leveling about 157 miles. His own notes were
continued no farther than to a point about 7 miles short of
the terminating of the levelling, or 150 miles from Cumber
land. "In company with Wm. Naylor, Moses T. Hunter and
Athan. Penwick, three of the commissioners (Asa Moore jr.
being surveyor and leveler), I commenced on the 11th and
terminated on the 18th of the 12th month just past, the survey
and examination of the remaining part of the route of the
contemplated canal. I closed the survey and examination at
the head of Little Falls canal. This canal is about two and
one-half miles long. At its outlet the descent is 37 feet by
three locks to tide water in the District of Columbia.

2o8 Appendix F.
"From every document I have seen, and everything I have
heard, relating to the subject, it appears both the late engi
neer and the commissioners have completely abandoned the
opinion that stream navigation, whether by sluices or dams
and locks is in any degree eligible on the Potowmac above tide
water. That opinion ought to be abandoned everywhere, and
it will be abandoned ; for, the increasing light of science, shin
ing through the clear medium of experience will convincingly
show that, above tide water stream navigation is eligible
nowhere. "These gentlemen, in designating the kind of improvement
most proper for the Potowmac have very wisely confined their
views to an independent canal. The dimensions adopted and
those on which the calculations are made, are the following;
the water to be 30 feet wide on the surface, 20 feet at the bot
tom and 3 feet deep.
"It has been deemed expedient to divide into sections, the
proposed canal, for the purpose of facilitating its execution.
The first section extends from Cumberland in Maryland to the
mouth of Capon in Virginia, 54J miles; the second from
the mouth of Capon to the mouth of Great Conogocheague, or
Williamsport in Maryland, 33^ miles; the third section,
wholly in Maryland side from mouth of Conogocheague to
Harpers Ferry, opposite the mouth of the Shenandoah, 38|
miles; the fourth section, still on the Maryland side, from
Harpers Ferry to the head of Great Falls, 40| miles; and
the fifth section, still on the Maryland side, from the head of
Great Falls to tide water in the District of Columbia, 12 miles ;
The whole amount is 185 miles of canal navigation from Cum
berland to tide water.
"Between Cumberland and Williamsport it is proposed in
order to avoid great difficulties and to take advantage of the
best and cheapest ground that the navigation should cross
the Potowmac four times, the two first crossings by means of
dams, and the third and fourth by means of aqueducts. In
every case where a dam is the means of crossing, a guard lock

Appendix F. 209
is indispensable at the entrance of the canal, where it proceeds
again from the river on the opposite side. Aqueducts how
ever as the mode of crossing rivers with a canal are on account
of the superior safety and convenience which they afford to
navigation decidedly preferable to dams, although more ex
pensive in construction. Yet where we cannot avail ourselves
of sufficient feeders from side streams to keep always a full
and certain supply of water in our upper levels, dams across
the main stream are adopted because by them we obtain an
abundant supply without an additional cut for a feeder.
This is precisely the case in the first crossing and in the second
we have not a sufficient elevation for an aqueduct, to be safe
from the effects of freshets.
' ' The estimates of the probable cost necessary for construct
ing an independent canal along the valley of the Potowmac
river from Cumberland to tide water — 185 miles. ' '
"Total with contingencies $2,000,000
"A sum which will be quite as small as is generally ex
pended and affording $400,000 for a compromise with the
Potowmac Company, sufficient it is believed to induce it to
surrender its charter without a judiciary struggle which (to
say the least of it) would probably for several years prevent
every step toward the accomplishment of a plan to which
thousands, beside Virginia and Maryland, are looking with
ardent hope, and sufficient to remove every obstacle to a sub
scription of the whole stock of that Company to such new
fund as may be authorized by law. . . .
' ' Richmond, 1st Month 23d. 1823. ' '

15

Appendix Gr.
Acts of the Legislatures op Virginia, Maryland and
Pennsylvania and of the Congress of the United
States, in Relation to the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company ; also the Acts and
Resolutions op the States op Vir
ginia AND Maryland Concerning
the Potomac Company.
Washington, Printed by Gales and Seaton, 1828.
"An Act foe Opening and Extending the Navigation op
THE Potowmack River.
"I. Whereas the extension of the navigation of Potowmack
River, from tide water to the highest place practicable on the
North branch, will be of great public utility, and many per
sons are willing to subscribe large sums of money to effect so
laudable and beneficial a work ; and it is just and proper that
they, their heirs, and assigns, should be empowered to receive
reasonable tolls forever, in satisfaction for the money advanced
by them in carrying the work into execution, and the risk they
run ; And whereas it may be necessary to cut canals and erect
locks and other works on both sides of the river, and the legis
latures of Maryland and Virginia, impressed with the impor
tance of the object, are desirous of encouraging so useful an
undertaking ; Therefore,
"II. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia,
That it shall and may be laAvful to open books in the city of
Richmond, towns of Alexandria and Winchester in this state,
for receiving aji^d entering subscriptions for the said under
taking, under the managementof Jaquelin Ambler and John
Beckley at the city of Richmond, of John Fitzgerald and
William Hartshorne at the town of Alexandria, and of Joseph
Holmes and Edward Smith at the town of Winchester, and
under the management of such persons and at such places in
Maryland as have been appointed by the state of Maryland,

Appendix G. 211
which subscriptions shall be made personally or by power of
attorney, and shall be paid in Spanish milled dollars, but may
be paid in foreign silver or gold coin of the value; that the
said books shall be opened for receiving subscriptions on the
eighth day of February next, and continue open for this pur
pose until the tenth day of May next, inclusive; and on the
seventeenth day of the said month of May, there shall be a
general meeting of the subscribers at the town of Alexandria,
of which meeting notice shall be given by the said managers,
or any four of them, in the Virginia and Maryland Gazettes,
at least one month next before the said meeting; and such
meeting shall and may be continued from day to day until the
business is finished ; and the acting managers at the time and
place hereinafter mentioned, shall lay before such of the sub
scribers as shall meet according to said notice, the books by
them respectively kept, containing the state of the said sub
scriptions ; and if one half of the capital sum hereinafter men
tioned, should, upon examination, appear not to have been
subscribed, then the said managers at the said meeting, are
empowered to take and receive subscriptions to make up the
deficiency ; and a just and true list of all the subscribers, with
the sums subscribed by each, shall be made out and returned
by the said managers, or any four or more of them, under
their hands, into the general court of each state, to be there
recorded ; and in case more than two hundred and twenty-two
thousand and two hundred and twenty-two hundred and
twenty-two dollars and two-ninths of a dollar, shall be sub
scribed, then the same shall be reduced to that sum by the
said managers, or a majority of them, by beginning at and
striking off a share from the largest subscription or subscrip
tions, and continuing to strike off a share from all subscrip
tions under the largest, and above one share until the sum is
reduced to the capital two hundred and twenty-two thousand
two hundred and twenty-two dollars and two ninths of a dol
lar, or until a share is taken from all subscriptions above one
share, and lots shall be drawn between the subscribers of
equal sums, to determine the numbers in which such sub
scribers shall stand, on a list to be made for striking off as

212 Appendix G.
aforesaid; and if the sum subscribed still exceeds the capital
aforesaid, or all the subscriptions are reduced to one share:
and if there still be an excess, then lots to be drawn to deter
mine the subscribers who are to be excluded, to reduce the
subscriptions to the capital aforesaid, which striking off shall
be certified in the list aforesaid, and the said capital sum shall
be reckoned and divided into five hundred shares of four hun
dred and forty-four dollars and four-ninths of a dollar each,
of which every person subscribing may take and subscribe for
one or more whole shares, and not otherwise. Provided, That
unless one half of the said capital shall be subscribed as afore
said, all subscriptions made in consequence of this act, shall
be void, and in case one half and less than the whole of the
said capital shall be subscribed as aforesaid, then the presi
dent and directors are hereby empowered and directed to
take and receive the subscriptions which shall first be offered
in whole shares as aforesaid, until the deficiency shall be made
up, a certiflcate of which additional subscriptions shall be
made under the hands of the president and directors, or a
majority of them for the time being, and returned to and
recorded in the general courts, aforesaid.
"III. And be it enacted, That in case one half of the said
capital, or a greater sum, shall be subscribed as aforesaid, the
said subscribers, and their heirs and assigns, from the time of
the said flrst meeting, shall be, and are hereby declared to be
incorporated into a company, by the name of the "Potow
mack Company, ' ' and may sue and be sued as such ; and such
of the said subscribers as shall be present at the said meeting,
or a majority of them, are hereby empowered and required to
elect a president and four directors, for conducting the said
undertaking, and managing aU the said company's business
and concerns, for and during such time, not exceeding three
years, as the said subscribers, or a majority of them, shall
think flt. And in counting the votes of all general meetings
of the said company, each member shall be allowed one vote
for every share, as far as ten shares, and one vote for every
five shares above ten, by him or her held at the time in the
said company; and any proprietor, by writing under his or

Appendix G. 213
her hand, executed before two witnesses, may depute any other
member or proprietor to vote and act as proxy for him or her,
at any general meeting.
"IV. And be it enacted, That the said president and
directors so elected, and their successors, or a majority of
them assembled, shall have full power and authority to
agree with any person or persons on behalf of said com
pany, to cut such canals and erect such locks, and per
form such other works as they shall judge necessary for
opening, improving, and extending the navigation of the
said river above tidewater, to the highest part of the North
Branch to which navigation can be extended, and carry
ing on the same, from place to place, and from time to time,
and upon such terms and in Such manner as they shall think
fit; and out of the money arising from the subscriptions and
the tolls, and such other aids hereinafter given, to pay for
the same, and to repair and keep in order the said locks and
other works necessary therein, and to defray all incidental
charges ; and also to appoint a treasurer, clerk, and such other
officers, toll-gatherers, managers, and servants as they shall
judge requisite, and to agree for and to settle their respective
wages or allowances, and settle, pass, and sign their accounts,
and also to make and establish rules of proceeding, and to
transact all the other business and concerns of the said com
pany, in and during the intervals between the general meet
ings of the same ; and they shall be allowed as a satisfaction
for their trouble therein, such sum of money as shall, by a
general meeting of the subscribers, be determined. Provided,
always, that the treasurer shall give bond in such penalty and
with such security as the said President and Directors, or a
majority of them, shall direct, for the true and faithful dis
charge of the trust reposed in him, and that the allowance
be made to him for his services shall not exceed three pounds
in the hundred, for the disbursements by him made ; and that
no officer in the said company shall have any vote in the settle
ment or passing of his own account.
"V. And be it enacted, That the said President and Direc
tors and their successors, or a majority of them, shall have

214 Appendix G.
full power and authority, from time to time, as money shall
be wanted, to make and sign orders for that purpose, and
direct at what time, and in what proportion, the proprietors
shall advance and pay off the sums subscribed, which orders
shal be advertised at least one month in the Virginia and
Maryland Gazettes; and they are hereby authorized and em
powered to demand and receive of the several proprietors,
from time to time, the sums of money so ordered to be ad
vanced for carrying on and executing, or repairing and keep
ing in order the said works, until the sums deposited into the
hands of the Treasurer, to be by him disbursed and paid out
as the said President and Directors, or a majority of them,
shall order and direct. And if any of the said proprietors
shall refuse or neglect to pay their said proportions within
one month after the same so ordered and advertised as afore
said, the said President and Directors, or a majority of them,
may sell at auction and convey to the purchaser, the share or
shares of such proprietor so refusing or neglecting payment,
giving at least one month's notice of sale in the Virginia and
Maryland Gazettes, and after retaining the sum due, and
charges of sale out of the money produced thereby, they shall
refund and pay the overplus, if any, to the former owner;
and if such sale shall not produce the full sum ordered and
directed to be advanced as aforesaid, with the incidental
charges, the said President and Directors, or a majority of
them, may in the name of the company, sue for and recover
the balance by action of debt, or on the case ; and the said pur
chaser or purchasers shall be subject to the same rules and
regulations, as if the said sale and conveyance had been made
by the original proprietor, and to continue the succession of
the said President and Directors, and to keep up the same
number. "VI. Be it enacted. That, from time to time, upon the
expiration of the said term for which the said president and
directors were appointed, the proprietors of the said com
pany, at the next general meeting, shall either continue
the said president and directors, or any of them, or shall
chose others in their stead; and in case of the death, re-

Appendix G. 215
moval, resignation, or incapacity of the president, or any
of the said directors, may and shall, in the manner afore
said, elect any other person or persons, to be president
and directors, in the room of him or them so dying, re
moving or resigning; and may at any of their general meet
ings, remove the president, or any of the directors, and
appoint others, for and during the remainder of the term for
which such persons or persons were at first to have acted.
"VII. And be it enacted. That every president and di
rector, before he acts as such, shall take an oath or affirma
tion, for the due execution of his office.
"VIII. And be it enacted, That the presence of pro
prietors, having one hundred shares at least, shall be neces
sary to constitute a general meeting; and that there shall
be a general meeting of proprietors on the first Monday
in August in every year, at such convenient town as shall,
from time to time, be appointed by the said general as
sembly; but if a sufficient number shall not attend on that
day, the proprietors who do attend, may adjourn such meet
ing from day to day, till a general meeting of proprietors
shall be had, which may be continued from day to day,
until the business of the company is finished; to which
meeting the president and directors shall make report, and
render distinct and just accounts of all their proceedings, and
on finding them fairly and justly stated, the proprietors then
present, or a majority of them, shall give a certificate thereof,
a duplicate of which shall be entered on the said company's
books; and at such yearly general meetings, after leaving in
the hands of the treasurer such sum as the proprietors, or a
majority of them, shall judge necessary for repairs and con
tingent charges, an equal dividend of all the net profits, aris
ing from the tolls hereby granted, shall be ordered, and made
to and among all the proprietors of the said company, in pro
portion to their several shares; and upon any emergency in
the interval between the said yearly meetings, the said presi
dent, or a majority of the said directors, may appoint a gen
eral meeting of the proprietors of the said company, at any
convenient town, giving at least one month's previous notice

2i6 Appendix G.
in the Maryland and Virginia Gazettes, which meeting may
be adjourned and continued as aforesaid.
"IX. And be it further enacted. That for and in con
sideration of the expenses the said proprietors will be at,
not only in cutting the said canals, erecting .locks and other
works, for opening the different falls of the said river, and
improving and extending the navigation thereof, but in
maintaining and keeping the same in repair, the said canal
and works, with all their profits, shall be, and the same
are hereby vested in the said proprietors, their heirs and
assigns, forever, as tenants in common, in proportion
to their respective shares; and the same shall be deemed
real estate, and be forever exempt from payment of any tax,
imposition, or assessment whatsoever ; and it shall and may be
lawful for the said president and directors at all times, for
ever hereafter, to demand and receive, at the nearest conve
nient place below the mouth of the South Branch, and at or
near Payne's Falls, and at or above the Great Falls of the
river Potomac, and every of these places separately, for all
commodities, transported through either of them respectively,
tolls, according to the following table and rates, to wit : —

Appendix G.

217

At the
Mouth of the
South
Branch.

Tolls.

At Payne's
FaUs.

At the Great
Falls.

sterling.

Every pipe or hogshead of wine, containing
more than 65 gallons 
Every hogshead of rum or other spirits
Every hogshead of tobacco 
Every cask between 65 and 35 gallons, one
half of a pipe or hogshead, barrels one-
fourth part, and smaller casks or kegs in
proportion, according to the quality and
' quantity of their contents of wine or
spirits.
For casks of linseed oil the same as spirits.
Every bushel of wheat, peas, beans,
flaxseed, 
Every bushel of Indian com, or other grain,
or salt 
Every barrel of pork 
Every barrel of beef 
Every barrel of flour 
Every ton of hemp, flax, potash, bar or
manufactured iron 
Every ton of pig-iron, or castings 
Every ton of copper, lead, or other ore,
other than iron ore 
Every ton of stone, or iron ore 
Every hundred bushels of lime 
Every chaldron of coals 
Every hundred pipe staves 
Every hundred hogshead staves or pipe or
hogshead heading 
Every hundred barrel staves, or barrel
heading 
Every hundred cubic feet of plank, or
scantling 
Every hundred cubic feet of other timber.
Every gross hundred weight of all other
commodities and packages, 
And every empty boat or vessel, which has
not commodities on board, to yield so
much, except an empty boat or vessel
returning, whose load has already paid
at the respective places, the sums fixed
at each, in which case she is to repass
toll free 

£. s. d.

0 0

Oi 0|6
4 3

2 6
0 10

053 52i

0 0 li

0 0 1

0 10
0 5|

0 0 1*

0 2 6 0 2 26

0 0 0*

0 2 6
0 0 10

0 2i

0 0 li
0 0 1
0 0 10
0 0 5i
0 0 li

£. s. d.
0 3 0
0 2 6
0 2 0

0 0 1

0 Oj
1 0
0 8
0 6

0 5 0
0 18

0 4 0
0 0 10
0 2 6
0 0 10
0 0 4i

0 0 8
0 0 2
0 18
0 0 11
0 0 3

0 5 0

Which tolls are rated in sterling money, and may be dis
charged in foreign gold or silver coin of the present fineness,
at the following rates, to wit :

£0 4

6

0 5

li

0 5

9

0 5

0

3 12

0

1 16

0

1 7

0

1 1

0

1 0

10

3 6

0

0 16

6

0 16

4

0 8

6

0 4

0

2x8 Appendix G.
Spanish milled piece of eight, or dollar,
Other coined silver, of equal fineness, per ounce,
English milled crowns,
French silver crowns,
Johannes weighing 18 pennyweight,
Half Johannes weighing 9 penny-weight,
Moidores weighing 6 pennyweight 18 grains,
English guineas weighing 5 pennyweights 5 grains,
French guineas weighing 5 pennyweights 5 grains,
Doubloons weighing 17 pennyweights,
Spanish pistoles weighing 4 pennyweighs 6 grains,
French milled pistoles weighing 4 pennyweights 4 grains,
Arabian chequins weighing 2 pennyweights 3 grains,
Other gold coin (German excepted) by the pennyweight,
But if any of the coins aforesaid, should hereafter be ren
dered less valuable than they are at present, either by lessen
ing their weight, or therewith adding a greater quantity of
alloy than is in them respectively at present, then so much of
any of said coins, the value of which is so reduced, to be re
ceived for the tolls aforesaid, as is equal in value to the said
coins in their present state of fineness and weight, shall be
payable for the said tolls at their reduced value only. And
in case of refusal or neglect to pay the tolls at the time of
offering to pass through any of the said places, and previous
to the vessel's passing through the same, the collectors of the
said tolls may lawfully refuse passage to such vessels ; and if
any vessel shall pass without paying the said toll, then the
said collectors may seize such vessel, whereever found, and
sell the same at auction for ready money, which, so far as is
necessary, shall be applied toward paying the said toll, and
all expenses of seizure and sale, and the balance, if any, shall
be paid to the owner, and the person having the direction of
such vessel shall be liable for such toll, if the same is not paid
by sale of such vessel, as aforesaid; Provided, That the said
proprietors, or a majority of them, holding, at least, three
hundred shares, shall have full power and authority, at any
general meeting, to lessen the said tolls or any of them ; or to
determine that any article may pass free of toll.
' ' 10. And be it enacted, That the said river, and the works

Appendix G. 219
to be erected thereon in virtue of this act, when completed,
shall forever thereafter be esteemed and taken to be navigable
as a public highway, free for the transportation of all goods,
commodities, or produce, whatsoever, on payment of the tolls
imposed by this act; and no other toll or tax whatever, for
the use of the water of said river, and the works thereon
erected, shall, at any time hereafter, be imposed, by both or
either of the said States, subject, nevertheless, to such regula
tions as the Legislatures of the States may concur in, to pre
vent the importation of prohibited goods, or to prevent fraud
in evading the payment of duties imposed in both or either
of the said States, on goods imported into either of them.
And whereas it is necessary for making the said canal, locks,
and other works, that a provision should be made for con
demning a quantity of land for the purpose —
"11. Be it enacted. That it shall and may be lawful for the
said president and directors, or a majority of them, to agree
with the owners of any land, through which the said canal is
intended to pass, for the purchase thereof, and in case of a
disagreement, or in case the owner thereof shall be a feme-
covert, under age, non compos, or out of the State, on appli
cation to any two justices of the county, in which such land
may lie, the said justices shall issue their warrant under their
hands, to the sheriff of their county, to summons a jury of
twenty-four inhabitants of his county, of property and repu
tation, not related to the parties, nor in any manner inter
ested, to meet on the land to be valued, at a day to be ex
pressed in the warrant, nor less than ten, nor more than
twenty days thereafter; and the sheriff upon receiving the
said warrant, shall forthwith summon the said jury, and when
met, provided that not less than twelve do appear, shall ad
minister an oath or affirmation to every juryman that shall
appear; 'that he will, faithfully, justly, and impartially value
the land, (not exceeding in any case the width of one hundred
and forty feet) and all damages the owner thereof shall sus
tain by the cutting the canal through such land, according
to the best of his skill and judgment ; and that in such valua
tion, he will not spare any person through favor or affection.

220 Appendix G.
nor any persons grieve through malice, hatred, or ill-will.'
And the inquisition thereupon taken, shall be signed by the
sheriff, and some twelve or more of the jury, and returned by
the sheriff to the clerk of his county, to be by him recorded;
"And upon every such valuation, the jury is hereby di
rected to describe and ascertain the bounds of the land by
them valued, and their valuation shall be conclusive on all
persons, and shall be paid by the said president and directors
to the owner of the land, or his legal representative; and on
payment thereof, the said company shall be seized in fee of
such land, as if conveyed by the owner to them, and their suc
cessors, by legal conveyance; Provided, nevertheless, That if
any further damage shall arise to any proprietor of land, in
consequence of opening said canal, or in erecting such works,
than had been before considered and valued, it shall and may
be lawful for such proprietor, as often as any new damage
shall happen, by application to, and a warrant from, any two
justices of the county where the lands lie, to have such further
damage valued by a jury in like manner, and to receive and
recover the same of the president and directors; but nothing
herein shall be taken or construed to entitle the proprietor of
any such land to recover compensation for any damages which
may happen to any mills, forges, or other water works or im
provements, which shall be begun or erected by such pro
prietor, after such first valuation, unless the said damage is
wilfully or maliciously done by the said president and direc
tors, or somre person by their authority.
"12. And be it enacted. That the said president and direc
tors, or a majority of them, are hereby authorized to agree
with the proprietors for the purchase of a quantity of land,
not exceeding one acre, at or near each of the said places of
receipt of tolls aforesaid, for the purpose of erecting neces
sary buildings; and in case of disagreement, or any of the
disabilities aforesaid, or the proprietor being out of the State,
then such land may be valued, condemned, and paid for, as
aforesaid, for the purpose aforesaid: And whereas some of
the places through which it may be necessary to conduct the
said canals may be convenient for erecting mills, forges, and

Appendix G. 221
other waterworks, and the persons, possessors of such situation
may design to improve the same, and it is the intention of this
act not to interfere with private property, but for the purpose
of improving and perfecting the said navigation —
"13. Be it enacted, That the water, or any part thereof,
conveyed through any canal or cut made by the said com
pany, shall not be used for any purpose but navigation unless
the consent of the proprietors of the land through which the
same shall be led, be first had; and the said president and
directors, or a majority of them, are hereby empowered and
directed, if it can be conveniently done, to answer both the
purposes of navigation and water works aforesaid, to enter
into reasonable agreement with the proprietors of such situa
tions, concerning the just proportion of the expenses of making
large canals or cuts capable of carrying such quantities of
water as may be sufficient for the purposes of navigation, and
also for any such water works as aforesaid.
"14. And be it enacted. That it shall and may be lawful
for every of the said proprietors to transfer his share or
shares, by deed, executed before two witnesses, and registered
after proof of the ¦ execution thereof, in the said company's
books, and not otherwise, except by devise, which devise shall
also be exhibited to the president and directors, and regis
tered in the company's books, before the devisee or devisees
shall be entitled to draw any part of the profits from the said
tolls : Provided, That no transfer whatsoever shall be made,
except for one or more whole shares, and not for part of such
shares, and that no share shall at any time be sold, conveyed,
transferred, or held in trust, for the use and benefit, or in the
name of another, whereby the said president and directors or
proprietors of the said company, or any of them, shall or may
be challenged or made to answer, concerning any such trust,
but that every such person appearing as aforesaid, to be pro
prietor, shall, as to the others of the said company be to every
intent taken absolutely as such ; but as between any trustee and
the person for whose benefit any trust shall be created, the
common remedy may be pursued. And whereas it hath been
represented to this General Assembly, that sundry persons are

2 22 Appendix G.
willing and desirous, on account of the great public advan
tages and improvement their estates may receive thereby to
promote and contribute towards so useful an undertaking,
and to subscribe sums of money to be paid on condition the
said works are really completed and carried into execution,
but do not care to run any risk, or desire to have any prop
erty therein —
"15. Be it therefore enacted. That the said president and
directors shall be, and are hereby empowered to receive and
take in subscriptions, upon the said conditions, and upon the
said works being completed and carried into execution, accord
ing to the true intent and meaning of this act, that it shall
and may be lawful for the said president and directors or a
majority of them, in case of refusal or neglect of payment,
in the name of the company as aforesaid, to sue for and
recover of the said subscribers, their heirs, executors or admin
istrators, the sums by them respectively subscribed, by action
of debt, or upon the case, in any court of record within this
State. "16. And be it enacted. That, if the said capital, and other
aids already granted by this act, shall prove insufficient, it
shall and may be lawful for the said company, from time to
time, to increase the said capital by the addition of so many
more whole shares, as shall be judged necessary by the said
proprietors, or a majority of them, holding at least three
hundred shares, present at any general meeting of the said
company. And the said president and directors, or a major
ity of them, are hereby empowered, and required, after giving
at least one month's notice thereof in the Maryland and Vir
ginia Gazettes, to open books in the aforementioned places,
for receiving and entering such additional subscriptions, in
which the proprietors of the said company for the time being,
shall, and are hereby declared to have the preference of all
others for the first thirty days after the said books shall be
opened as aforesaid, of taking and subscribing for so many
whole shares as any of them shall choose. And the said
president and directors are hereby required to observe in all
other respects the same rules therein, as are by this act pre-

Appendix G. 223
scribed, for receiving and adjusting the first subscriptions,
and in like manner to return, under the hands of any three
or more of them, an exact list of such additional subscribers,
with the sums by them respectively subscribed, into the gen
eral courts aforesaid, to be there recorded, and all proprietors
of such additional sums, shall, and hereby are declared to be,
from thenceforward, incorporated into the said company.
"17. And it is hereby declared and enacted. That the tolls
herein before allowed to be demanded and received at the
nearest convenient place below the mouth of the South
Branch, are granted, and shall be paid, on condition only.
That the said Potomac Company shall make the river well
capable of being navigated in dry seasons, by vessels drawing
one foot of water from the place on the North Branch, at
which a road shall set off to the Cheat river, agreeably to the
determination of the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland,
to and through the place which may be fixed on, below the
mouth of the South Branch, for receipt of the tolls afore
said; but if the said river is only made navigable as afore
said, from Fort Cumberland, to and through the said place
below the mouth of the South Branch, then only two thirds
of the said tolls shall be there received. That the tolls herein
before allowed, to be demanded and received at or near
Payne's Palls, are granted and shall be payable on condition
only, that the said Potomac Company shall make the river
well capable of being navigated in dry seasons, by vessels
drawing one foot water, from the said place of collection,
near the mouth of South Branch to and through Payne's
Palls as aforesaid. That the tolls herein before allowed to be
demanded and received at the Great Falls, are granted and
shall be payable on condition only, that the said Potomac Com
pany shall make the river well capable of being navigated in
dry seasons, from Payne's Falls to the Great Falls, by vessels
drawing one foot water, and from the Great Falls to tide
water, and shall, at or near the Great Palls, make a cut or
canal, twenty-five feet wide, and four feet deep, with suffi
cient locks, if necessary, each of eighty feet in length, sixteen
feet in breadth, and capable of conveying vessels or rafts

2 24 Appendix G.
drawing four feet water at the least, and shall make, at or
near the Little Falls, such canal and locks, if necessary, as
will be sufficient and proper to let vessels and rafts afore
said, into tide water, or render the said river navigable in
the natural course.
"18. And it is hereby provided and enacted. That in case
the said company shall not begin the said work within one
year after the company shall be formed, or if the navigation
shall not be made and improved between the Great Falls and
Fort Cumberland, in the manner hereinbefore mentioned,
within three years after the said company shall be formed,
that then the said company shall not be entitled to any bene
flt, privilege, or advantage, under this act : And in case the
said company shall not complete the navigation through and
from the Great Falls to tide water as aforesaid, within ten
years after the said company shall be formed, then shall all
interest of the said company and all preference in their favor,
as to the navigation and tolls, at, through, and from, the
Great Falls to tide water, be forfeited, and cease.
"19. And be it enacted. That all commodities of the pro
duce of either of the said States, or of the western country,
which may be carried or transported through the said locks,
canals, and rivers, may be landed, sold, or otherwise disposed
of, free from any other duties, impositions, regulations, or
restrictions, of any kind, than the like commodities of the
produce of the State in which the same may happen to be
so landed, sold, shipped, or disposed of.
' ' 20. And be it further enacted. That the Treasurer of this
Commonwealth shall be authorized and directed to subscribe
to the amount of fifty shares in behalf of the same, and the
money necessary in consequence of such subscription, shall
be paid as the same shall be required. And the Treasurer
for the time being shall have a right to vote according to
such shares, in person, or by proxy, appointed by him, and
shall receive the proportion of the tolls aforesaid, which shall
from time to time become due to this State for the shares
aforesaid. "21. And be it further enacted. That so much of every act

Appendix G. 225
and acts within the purview of this act, shall be, and the
same is hereby, repealed."
Passed by the Virginia Assembly October, 1784.
Passed by the Maryland Assembly in the November
session, 1784.
In October, 1784, the Virginia Assembly passed an
act to amend the above act, vesting in George Wash
ington, Esq., fifty shares in the Potomac Company and
one hundred shares in the James Eiver Company.
Upon the General's declining to accept the shares
personally, but accepting them in trust for educational
purposes, the Assembly passed another amendatory
act October, 1785, whereby,
"2. Be it enacted, That the (above) said recited act, so
far as it vests in Geo. Washington, Esq. and his heirs, the
shares therein directed to be subscribed in his name, shall be,
and the same is hereby, repealed.
"3. And be it further enacted. That the said shares, with
the tolls and profits hereafter accruing therefrom, shall stand
appropriated to such objects of a public nature, in such man
ner, and under such distributions, as the said George Wash
ington, Esq. by deed during his life, or by his last will and
testament, shall direct and appoint."
In December, 1787, the Virginia Assembly passed an
act "giving a more speedy remedy against delinquent
subscribers to the Potomac and James Eiver Com
panies. ' '
Concurrent act passed by the Maryland Assembly,
1787. An amended act vpas passed in Virginia, December,
1790, allowing three additional years on the work above
Great Falls, requiring new subscribers to pay the past
calls, and that it might be lawful for persons not citi
zens to purchase and hold non-subscribed shares, pro-
16

226 Appendix G.
vided that the persons so purchasing shall not thereby
become citizens. (This was probably passed for the
benefit of the Amsterdam investors.)
Concurrent act in Maryland, 1790.
An act passed in Virginia in 1791 required the com
pany to at once commence to open navigation on tribu
tary streams; also made it lawful for non-citizens to
purchase shares from stockholders. To concur in
an act of Maryland.
In November, 1793, the time on the work above Great
Falls was extended to January, 1795. Maryland ex
tended the time to 1798.
In 1793 an act was passed requiring boatmen to pro
cure licenses, for which they were to pay one dollar,
also, ' ' Every boat intended to be employed as aforesaid shall be
well ceiled with strong plank, and sufficiently high to prevent
the water in the bottom from damaging any part of the cargo,
and shall be furnished with a tarpaulin cover, stretched over
hoops in the manner of wagon covers, sufficient for defend
ing the weather, and also with a hand pump, and shall have
a plank footway upon each side of the boat, either on the
outer or inside thereof, as the owner shall find most convenient,
and shall be numbered ; and no license shall be granted in any
case unless it shall be proven to the Court that the boat is
ceiled, fitted, furnished and numbered," etc.
In 1800 Virginia decreed all fish dams and other ob
structions to the navigation of the river and its
branches to be nuisances and liable to destruction.
The Shenandoah Company having failed to organize
under the act of 1798 the Potomac Company was au
thorized to take the work in January, 1802.
In 1803 an amendatory act was passed, allowing five
years for completion of the work on the Shenandoah.
Another act of Jan\iary, 1803, permitted the con-

Appendix G. 227
struction of the locks to be twelve feet in width and
provided —
"That every lock which shall hereafter be repaired or
erected, shall be repaired or erected of stone, or such materials
as a general meeting of the proprietors shall deem most con
ducive to the public interest and convenience., . . . also That,
by the words ' dry seasons, ' as used in the section referred to,
were and are to be intended and understood, all seasons, so
far as relates to the navigation of the said river from Fort
Cumberland to tide water."
Tobias Lear, Stevens Thompson Mason, Lawrence
A. Washington, Hugh Holmes, Nicholas Fitzhugh, Os
borne Sprigg and Edward McCarty were appointed
commissioners to explore and review the river before
November and report to the Assembly the manner in
which the work is done, the depth of water in the shal
lowest places where the boats pass, etc. An extension
of three years given in the time for completion. The
company authorized to employ slaves from Maryland.
In 1811 an extension of three years was granted on
the Shenandoah navigation.
In 1817 a further extension of three years was
granted the Potomac Company for completion of the
Potomac navigation.
January 8, 1820, it was resolved by the Assembly :
"That the board of the public works be . . . requested to
inquire into the expediency of directing their principal engi
neer to examine the waters of the Potomac, above the upper
line of the District of Columbia, with a view to ascertain and
report upon the most effectual means of improving the navi
gation of the same; and to explore the country between the
Potomac and the Ohio, on the one side, and the Potomac and
the Rappahannock on the other, with a view to ascertain and
report upon the practicability of effecting a communication
by canals between the three rivers."

228 Appendix G.
In January, 1821 :
"Whereas it is represented to the General Assembly that
the Potomac Company have failed to comply with the terms
and conditions of the acts of the Legislatures of the States of
Virginia and Maryland, incorporating the said Company, for
the purpose of opening and extending the navigation of the
river Potomac and its branches ; and whereas it is the interest
of this commonwealth that such measures should be con
jointly adopted by the Legislatures of the said States as
shall insure to the people thereof the attainment of the im
portant objects for which the charter of the said Company
was granted:
"... The Governor of this State . . . shall appoint two
commissioners to meet such commissioners as may be appointed
by the Governor of Maryland, whose duty it shall be to
examine into and report the state of the navigation of the
said river and its branches, and whether the same has been
perfected and completed according to the terms and condi
tions of the acts of incorporation, etc. They are further
directed to inquire into and report the situation and condition
of the affairs of the said Company, Etc. Etc." Concurrent act
of Maryland, Dec. 1820.
In Maryland Assembly, November session, 1792, it
was enacted that slaves might be employed on either
side of the Potomac, either on the public buildings in
the new city of Washington or by the Potomac Com
pany. In 1794 amended :
"That every slave brought from Virginia to Maryland, by
virtue of this act, shall be carried back to Virginia within
twelve calendar months from the completion of the public
works, . . . and every slave not carried back, as aforesaid,
shall be entitled to freedom."
November session, 1795, the treasurer of the State
was authorized to subscribe for forty shares of the
augmented stock of the Potomac Company, provided
that the remaining sixty shares be subscribed.

Appendix G. 229
November, 1796, permitted to narrow the width of
the locks at Great Falls.
November, 1797, permitted to collect tolls at the canal
at Great Falls, etc.
November, 1809, a further extension of time for ten
years. Also, to raise a sum of money by means of a
lottery. November, 1811, an act relative to condemnation of
land, etc., on tributary streams.
State of Virginia ; An Act incorporating the Chesa
peake and Ohio Canal Company. Passed January 27,
1824. "Whereas a navigable canal from the tide water of the river
Potomac, in the District of Columbia, to the mouth of Savage
Creek, on the north branch of said river, and extending
thence, across the Allegany Mountains, to some convenient
point of the navigable waters of the river Ohio, or some one of
its tributary streams, to be fed through its course, on the
east side of the mountain, by the river Potomac and the
streams which empty therein, and on the western side of the
mountain, and in passing over the same, by all such streams
of water as may be beneficially drawn there to by feeders,
dams, or any other practicable mode, will be a work of great
profit and advantage to the people of this state, and of the
neighboring states, and may ultimately tend to establish a
connected navigation between the eastern and western waters,
so as to extend and multiply the means and facilities of
internal commerce and personal intercourse between the two
great sections of the United States, and to interweave more
closely all the mutual interests and affections that are calcu
lated to consolidate and perpetuate the vital principles of
Union: and whereas it is represented to this General As
sembly, that the Potomac Company are willing and desirous
that a charter shall be granted to a new company, upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter expressed: and that the
charter of the present company shall cease and determine :

230 Appendix G.
"Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of Vir
ginia, That, so soon as the Legislatures of Maryland and Penn
sylvania, and the Congress of the United States, shall assent
to the provisions of this act, and the Potomac Company shall
have signifled their assent to the same by their corporate act,
a copy whereof shall be delivered to the Executives of the
several States aforesaid, and to the Treasury of the United
States, there shall be appointed by the said Executives and
the President of the United States, three commissioners on
the part of each State, and the Government of the United
States, any one of whom shall be competent to act for his
respective Government. . . .
"... and the said capital stock of the company hereby
incorporated, shall consist of six millions of dollars, divided
into sixty thousand shares, of one hundred dollars each; of
which every person subscribing may take and subscribe for
one or more whole shares; and such subscriptions may be
paid and discharged either in the legal currency of the United
States, or in the certiflcates of stock of the present Potomac
Company, at the par or nominal value of the same, or in the
claims of the creditors of the said Company, certified by the
acting President and Directors to have been due, for prin
cipal and debt, on the day on which the assent of the Com
pany shall have been signified by their corporate act, as herein
before required; Provided, That the said certiflcates of stock
shall not exceed, in the whole amount the sum of three
hundred and eleven thousand one hundred and eleven dollars
and eleven cents ; nor the said claims the sum of one hundred
and seventy five thousand eight hundred dollars; Provided,
also; That the stock so paid for in certificates of the stock of
the present Company, shall be entitled to dividend, only as
hereinafter provided; and that no payment shall be received,
in such certificate of stock, until the Potomac Company shall
have executed the conveyance prescribed by the thirteenth
section of this act; . . .
"Section 11; And be it enacted, That the President and
directors shall, annually, or semi-annually, declare and make
such dividends of the nett profits ... as they may deem

Appendix G. 231
advisable, after deducting therefrom the necessary current,
and the probable contingent expenses, to be divided among
the proprietors of the stock of the said company, in propor
tion to their respective shares., in manner following, that is
to say; if such nett profits shall not exceed ten per cent, on
the amount of shares, which shall have been paid for in cur
rent money of the United States, and expended on the eastern
section of the said canal, then the whole thereof shall be
divided among the holders of such shares, in proportion to
their respective shares; but, if such nett profits shall exceed
the rate of ten per cent per annum, in any year, on such
amount of stock, then the surplus shall be divided among such
stockholders as shall have paid for their shares in certificates
of the debts of the Potomac Company, until they shall there
from have received a dividend of six per cent ; and, if a sur
plus yet remain, the same shall be divided among the stock
holders who shall have paid for their shares in certificates of
the stock of the Potomac Company, until they shall have
received therefrom a dividend of six per cent per annum on
such shares, etc. etc. . . .
Section 12 ; And be it farther enacted ; That it shall be the
duty of the President and Directors of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company, so long as there shall be and remain
any creditor of the Potomac Company, who shall not have
vested his demand against the same in the stock of the Chesa
peake and Ohio Canal Company, to pay to such creditor or
creditors, annually, such dividends, or proportion of the nett
amount of the revenues of the Potomac Company, on an aver
age of the last five years preeeeding the organization of the
said proposed company, as the demand of the said creditor,
or creditors at this time, may bear to the whole debt of one
hundred and seventy five thousand eight hundred dollars.
"Section 13; And be it farther enacted; That, whenever the
Potomac Company shall have declared its assent to the pro
visions of this act, in the manner hereinbefore provided, it
shall be lawful for the said company to surrender its charter,
and convey, in due form of law, to the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal Company, hereby incorporated, all the property, rights

232 Appendix G.
and priviliges, by them owned, possessed, and enjoyed, under
the same ; and thereupon it shall be lawful to and for the said
company, hereby proposed to be created, to accept such sur
render and transfer, and to hold, possess, use and occupy all
the property, rights and privileges, in the same manner, and
to the same effect, as the said Potomac Company now hold,
possess and occupy the same by law; and thereupon the
charter of the said Potomac Company shall be, and the same
is hereby vacated and annulled, and all the rights and powers
thereby granted to the Potomac Company, shall be vested in
the company hereby incorporated; and it shall be the duty
of the last mentioned company, until every section of the
contemplated canal shall be completed, so as to be used and
enjoyed for the purposes of navigation, to keep the corre
sponding part of the river, in a proper state for navigation,
and in good order as the same now is ; and in default thereof,
they shall be in all things responsible, in the same manner as
the Potomac Company is now responsible."
A similar act was passed by the Legislature of the
State of Maryland in December, 1824. A confirmatory
act was passed by the Congress of the United States
and approved in March, 1825.
A special meeting of the stockholders of the Potomac
Company was called for the 16th May, 1825, at George
town, and
"Unanimously declared the full and free assent of the
Potomac Company to the said act incorporating the said
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, and to all the pro
visions thereof."
Another special general meeting was called for the
10th July, 1828, at Semmes Tavern, Georgetown, to
take into consideration the acts amendatory of the acts
incorporating the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com
pany and it was unanimously resolved

Appendix G. 233
' ' That the assent and approbation of the Potomac Company
is hereby given expressly to each and all of said acts, so far
as the same may be deemed necessary to the validity or
future operation of each and all of said acts, in as full and
perfect manner as if each and all of said acts were herein
specifically enumerated and recited." James Keith, Chairman.
Still another, and the last, special general meeting
of the stockholders was called for the 4th August, 1828,
when it was resolved
"That the President and Directors of the Potomac Com
pany be, and they are hereby, instructed to convey, without
further delay, the rights and interests of the Potomac Com
pany to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, in con
formity with the charter of the latter company, and the past
resolutions of the Potomac Company."
Accordingly on the 15th August, 1828, the convey
ance was duly made and signed by John Mason, Presi
dent, Jonah Thompson, John Laird and Clement Smith.
C. Vowell did not for some reason sign.

PART IIL
LIFE AND LETTERS OF COLO. CHARLES
SIMMS, GENTLEMAN, OF VIRGINIA.

Coi.ii. C'h.\hles iSi.mms, Gentlem.^n
(Drawn by Mr,s. J. ( ). Estabrook from Miniature)

LIFE AND LETTERS OF COLO. CHAELES
SIMMS, GENTLEMAN, OF VIEGINIA.
In Virginia before the War of the Eevolution an
ambitious young man of gentle birth found his choice
of a career restricted to practically three pursuits ; he
might manage his own plantation and represent his
parish in the House of Burgesses, he might become a
surveyor and speculate in western lands, or he might
take up the newly popular practice of law; colonial
military service was neither attractive nor remunera
tive. Charles Simms, gentleman, of Prince William
County, who had acquired an unusually good educa
tion, probably at the College of William and Mary,
with some fortune at his disposal, chose the law, fore
seeing in the political ferment of the time an opening
for legal talent, and entered the law office of Mr. Mer
cer, of Fredericksburg, as a student. It was, however,
as an astute man of affairs that he later became
prominent. We read in the Virginia Gazette of May 29 of an
early unfortunate business experience :
"In May 1773, or near that time I gave my bond to John
Reid of Amherst Co. for 1251. currency payable in April
1774. I forewarn any person from taking said bond of Reid
as I will not pay any of the money till such time as the
said Reid fulfils his bargain with me. Chas. Simms. ' '
It is not known how it came that he was in Col. Chas.
Lewis 's regiment of militia, by order of Governor Dun-
237

238 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
more rendezvoused on the fields of Greenbrier for the
advance on the hostile Indians on the Ohio ; his study
of law ended he may have followed the tide of emigra
tion into the west in search of a business location, or
he may have joined Capt. James Woods' independent
company on the Governor's call for the militia, but he
appears to have been in the little force that made the
heroic nineteen days' march over the trackless, forest-
covered hills to the mouth of the Kanawha in Septem
ber, 1774, as it is recorded that Col. Charles Lewis died
in his arms in the momentous engagement that freed
Virginia from the terror of the savage foe on her
frontier. With the aid of the collection of Simms' papers in
the Library of Congress supplemented by outside data
we are enabled to follow his career from Point Pleas
ant in 1774 through the Eevolutionary War — ^with his
courtship of a lovely lady — sympathize with his
troubles with western land titles, learn of his political
and social friendships, his business successes and
failures, to his participation in the War of 1812-14.
With his command he joined Governor Dunmore north
of the Ohio and proceeded to Pittsburgh, or as it was at
the moment called "Fort Dunmore," and in possession
of Virginia authorities as the capital of the newly
formed district of West Augusta. With the keen busi
ness insight that was characteristic he at once per
ceived the importance of the situation of the rough
little settlement and determined to locate permanently.
A bright new sign was soon swinging above a door on
the one street — ' ' Chas. Simms Counselor and Atty-at-
Law. ' ' Judging from the court reports of the district
litigants were not long in appearing for advice. The
place was overcrowded with all the motley throng
ever to be found in the outposts of civilization in time

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Svnvms. 239
of excitement — adventurers, hunters, traders, fugitives
from settlements farther out, militia and camp fol
lowers. The life was rough, but Simms found con
genial companions among the officers and agents from
Virginia and formed friendships that endured through
out life. Notable among these friends were Gen. John
Neville whom Governor Dunmore had placed in mili
tary command of the territory he had seized from
Pennsylvania, for many years the most prominent man
west of the mountains and whose family still retains
the old ascendancy; John Harvie, Commissioner to
treat with the conquered Indian tribes, the organizer
of the Virginia land office, member of the Virginia
Revolutionary conventions and of the Continental
Congresses; and James Wood, Eevolutionary soldier
and patriot, the intrepid young envoy to the Indians
of the far west, a mission which rivaled that of Wash
ington twenty years earlier. One of the residents in
this faraway settlement was Alex. Eoss, who was an
Indian trader and land speculator, later in the pay of
the British and a friend of Dr. Connolly. He had
built for himself a pretty residence on the bank of the
Alleghany Eiver ; this Simms bought and vdth Neville
and Harvie occupied ' ' en garcon. ' ' The three invested
in military land warrants, which were cheap, and lo
cated many advantageously. Several they located on
a beautiful island a few miles below the Fort, buying
the interest of the half-breed Indian, Montour, who
was in possession. Simms also purchased through
Eoss large tracts of land on Eaccoon Creek from one
Dunbar who had title from George Croghan, the noted
Indian trader. Croghan had availed himself of the
opportunity offered at the meeting of the tribes at Fort
Stanwix to acquire immense bodies of land on the
Ohio. His titles were declared void by Virginia and

240 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Svm,ms.
Simms' efforts to perfect them occupied much of his
attention for several years.
In the spring of 1776 Simms and Harvie were dele
gates to the convention in Williamsburg that adopted
the constitution which was in force for fifty years. In
November of the same year commissions were given
to Wood, Neville and Simms in the Virginia line of the
Continental Army. In March, 1777, Wood and Simms
were commissioners for taking at Pittsburgh evidence
in land trespass. Three regiments were recruited west
of the mountains for the Eevolutionary War; in the
spring of 1777 that under the command of the three
friends joined the main army under General Wash
ington, then in headquarters near Morristown. It is
worthy of note that the rough settlers on the border
liberally provided for the families of the soldiers in the
army; this is of record in the minutes of the court of
West Augusta.
While the general outlook was so gloomy for the
revolted colonies in 1777 and 1778 the young officers in
camp found gay entertainment in the homes of neigh
borhood families. Our young Virginia major in his
handsome uniform of buff and blue must have been a
brave figure ; not over tall, lithe and active, of the fre
quent blond type- — it was not surprising that he should
win the heart of the most beautiful and popular young
lady in the county, Miss Nancy Douglass, whose father
had been a major under General Schuyler in the old
war. Some of the love letters written by Simms during
the strenuous campaign in the Jerseys have been pre
served and are models in their way.
"Brunswick, July 3d. 1778.
"My Bear est Nancy,
"The day after the action near Monmouth Court House, I
wrote you by a Militia man who lives in or near Trenton, in

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 241
which I informed you of our success in that action. Since
that time I have been able to collect a more particular account
of the losses on both sides.
"On our side the Killed wounded and Missing are Three
hundred and Forty, on the Enemies upwards of One thou
sand. Two hundred and seventy of them we buried on the
field, a considerable number were buried by themselves — The
Grenadiers Guards and Light Infantry the Flower of the
British Army were engaged and for the first time were de
feated by part of the American Army. The Enemy behaved
with their usual cruelty and inhumanly Bayoneted several
of our men who fell into their hands, among the rest a Capt.
Homes a fine young fellow from Va. The Treatment they
met with from us was very different. The Officers who fell
into our hands speak highly of the Clemency of the Ameri
cans. How very different were my feelings while in action,
as to what they were in viewing the Field the next morning,
in the heat of action I beheld with pleasure the Slautered foe
lay on the field weltering in their blood and even enjoyed the
deadly groans, but the next morning when I beheld the horrid
spectable, I could not suppress the feelings of nature; was
shocked at the ghastly appearance of the dead, and lamented
the Folly and Madness' of men.
"Gen'l Lee is arrested for misconduct in the action and
by most of the Officers who were with him is greatly censured,
thus you see how precarious the reputation of an Officer is,
hard to be obtained, and in a moment may be lost. The
Enemy are embarking at Sandy Hook. Colo Morgan had a
skirmish with a party of them the day before yesterday, he
killed eighteen and took Twelve without the loss of a man on
his side. The Loss of the Enemy since they evacuated Phila
delphia, in killed prisoners & deserters is computed to Two
thousand five hundred.
'.' Our Army is this far on their March to the North River.
We shall cross over to the State of New York, and when I
shall again have the happiness of seeing my Dearest Girl
heaven only knows, but this you may be assured of, that go
where I will, I shall always entertain the same ardent affection
17

242 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Svmms.
for you that I now do, and a flrm belief that you have the
same Tender passion for me, constitutes my greatest happi
ness and as nature has bestowed on you a great share of
good sense your constancy will not admit of a Doubt. You
have given the greatest proof of your affection in consenting
to part from the fondest of Parents, kind relations and the
most amiable Friends and Companions, to go with me into
a strange and distant Country. This Sacriflce you have made
to Love will forever call aloud on me to endeavour to make
you happy, — and believe me that if I am capable of making
you so I shall never want the inclination. —
"I have always wish'd for an End to this unnatural War,
but have now greater Reason to do so as it keeps me from
possessing the Girl I prize more than life.
"I am in daily expectation of receiving a Letter from you,
if I do not soon I shall lose all Patience. My compliments
to Sister Patty, tell her I keep a sharp lookout to flnd a man
worthy to possess so charming a Girl. Remember me to Miss
B. I am much prejudiced in her favor, she has a charming
countenance that indicates a Heart susceptible of every tender
passion, her Friendship for you endears her to me. I hope
Mrs. Douglass is made happy by the return of her Husband.
"My Compliments and best Wishes attend all Friends and
am sincerely Yours
"Ch. Simms"
"White Plains, Aug. 6th. 1778.
"My Bearest Life — I rec'd your Letter by Dr. Caypole a
few Days since. I am glad to flnd my Dear Girl is not
Punctilious, trifling Punctilios between us ought by no means
to be regarded, you must be convinced that the receipt of a
Letter from you affords me the highest Satisfaction and I
have not a doubt but you are always anxious to hear from me,
I shall therefore omit no opportunity of writing to you, and
must entreat you to continue your Favors by every oppor
tunity. Should I by any fortuitous event be prevented from
writing to you a greater length of time than usual, pray don't
construe it as a slight or neglect. Your Charms and my

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 243
ardent Affection is a sufficient security against anything of
that sort. I sincerely congratulate your Brother and Sister
on the birth of their daughter and heartily Join with you
in wishing that the dear little Pledge of their Love may live
to be an Ornament to her sex and a Comfort to them in
their old Age. . . . You desire I would return to you as soon
as I can consistant with my Duty, you may rely on it I will,
nothing but that shall keep me a moment from you, for
nowhere else can I be happy. I still flatter myself that the
Enemy will withdraw themselves from the Continent in a
short time, and then my dear Nancy my whole time shall be
devoted to you.
' ' There is very little News in Camp worth telling, but such
a it is you shall have. The French Fleet have block 'd up
Rhode Island, the Enemy had not time to get all their Vessels
off, they burnt the King Fisher and two Row Galleys, and a
good many small Craft. The British Troops on the Island
retired to Newport and we expect every day to hear of their
being captured by Gen'l Sullivan who has a very considerable
Army near them. Last Monday a flre broke out in the City
of New York and it is said forty Houses were consumed. I
was on the Enemy's lines with a detachment at the time and
saw the fire very plain but did not know at that time it was in
the City.
"I am much obliged to your Brother George for his en
deavors to procure the articles I wrote for ; I am glad he did
not get them, as a considerable quantity of Goods are sent
from the State of Virginia for their Officers, & I expect . . .
on better terms than he could procure them for me.
"Remember me to all Friends and believe me to be
"Sincerely and Forever Yours, &c.
"Ch. Simms."
"P. S. Aug. Sth.
"I exspected the happiness of receiving a Letter from you
by Major Hopkins but was disappointed, do let me have the
pleasure of hearing from you by every opportunity. I am
rejoiced to hear your Health is pretty well recovered. Adieu
my Dear Girl."

244 -^*f^ ^^ Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
"White Plains, Aug. 9th. 1778.
"My Dearest Nancy,
' ' I wrote you a few days since by Colo. Green which I hope
you have received. I am afraid you will think me trouble
some in writing so often, believe me my Dear Girl it gives
me the most sensible pleasure to write to you, and am sorry
that I shall not have so frequent Opportunities of enjoying
that pleasure, as I have heretofore had. A Light Infantry
Corps is to be composed immediately, his Excellency has
Honored me with a Command in that Corps, and of course
shall be detached from the main Army, so that I shall not
have such frequent opportunities of sending Letters to you,
but be assured I shall with pleasure embrace every oppor
tunity that offers. I hope there is no necessity of begging
you to write frequently to me, you will direct to me, in the
Light Infantry Corps.
"I am my Dearest Girl with unfeigned Affection,
"Your devoted H'ble Serv't, "Ch. Simms."
In a New Jersey newspaper of the 28th of December,
1778, we can read this interesting announcement :
"Married on Tuesday se'n-night in this place Charles
Simms Esq. Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd. Virginia Regi
ment, to the truly amiable Miss Nancy Douglass, daughter of
Mr. William Douglass, late of the City of New York."
In the same paper three weeks later Simms advertised
for sale land on the Ohio Eiver 15 miles below Pitts
burgh and warranted the titles. The young lady's
dower seems to have been her father's Virginia mili
tary warrant for 5,000 acres of land.
Eeports of the animosity of the Pennsylvania courts
to Virginia land titles continually harrassed Simms;
he had been obliged to relinquish the lovely island
through Eichard Butler's interpretation of the terms
of the Stanwix treaty with the Indians, as being west

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 245
of the Ohio. We can surmise his grim satisfaction
yeaips after on learning of the scalping of the officious
Indian agent. The added necessity for his personal
supervision of the selection and surveying of the 5,000-
acre warrant induced him to ask for a leave of absence.
"Philadelphia, Aug. 6, 1779.
' ' To the Honble. the Peesdt. of Congress ;
"Sir; I am so circumstanced as to be under the necessity
of retiring from the Army for some time and have therefore
taken the liberty of addressing you on the subject. My prin
cipal reason for requesting leave of absence is this; The As
sembly of Virginia have opened a Land Office for granting the
waste and unappropriated Lands within the State; The
greater part of the Property I Possess consists in Lands on
the Waters of the Ohio, which I claim by improvements &c
and which are unpatented ; there is a limited time allowed by
the Assembly for ascertaining such claims. I must therefore
request leave of absence to attend to that business, — what
time it will take to transact it I cannot say ; but I will join the
Army again as soon as I possibly can with any degree of
conveniency. "I am Sir, Your Obdt. Hble. Servt.
"Chas. Simms, Lt. Colo. 2nd. Va. Regt."
This request was referred to the Commander-in-
Chief of the Army. "Phila. Aug. 8th. 1779.
"To Gen'l Washington,
">S*Vy— -Herewith enclosed is a copy of a letter from Colo.
Simms respecting leave of absence. Congress refers this re
quest to your Excellency — The Colonel will be the bearer of
this letter & will more fully explain the reasons of his apply
ing to Congress in the first instance.
"I have the honour to be with Great Respect and Esteem,
etc. ' ' John Jay. ' '
Simms continued on to Headquarters at West Point
and presented his letters to the Commander-in-Chief.

246 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
This reminder of the unsatisfactory condition of his
own western lands and of his personal sacrifices tried
the General's temper; he administered a sharp repri
mand to the young colonel and refused to grant a leave
of absence or to accept a resignation of his commis
sion. He replied to Congress as follows :
"West Point, Aug. 19, 1779.
' ' To the President op Congress,
"Sir — I had the honour to day to receive your Letter of
the Sth. by Lieut. Colo. Simms of the 2d. Virginia Regiment
with a copy of a Letter from him to your Excellency and of
an order of Congress on the 7th. in consequence. The In
dulgence requested by Colo. Simms however interesting it may
be to himself, appears to me so incompatible with the Public
Service and to involve, and to lead to, so many disagreeable
consequences, that I have thought it my duty to refuse it.
"Were the point to rest with him, from the circumstances
of his Regiment in respect to Field Officers, his request might
be granted, without any material injury, but this cannot be
expected, as there are many other Officers in the same line
who have the same pretensions. And it is difficult if not im
possible, for me to determine with precision, where such ap
plications would stop, as they might be made upon the same
principles and with as much propriety by every Officer and
by every soldier in the Army. Those who have not already
surveyed lands or done some act to acquire a title of owner
ship, may urge if they incline so to do, that it is time they
should and insist that they will not neglect the opportunity
longer. "I have very fully and explicitly pointed out to Colo. Simms
the probable or at least the possible consequences which would
flow from a compliance with his request ; but he says he cannot
decline it and waits on Congress to resign his Commission
which I refused to accept.
"In justice to Lieut. Colo. Simms I must observe that he
is a brave, intelligent and good Officer, and 1 am sorry that
any circumstances should have arisen in his affairs to compel

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 247
him either to resign his Commission or to make a request so
inconsistent with the Public interest.
"I have the Honour to be
"With the Greatest Esteem and Respect
"Your Excellencys Most Obt. Servt.
"Geo. Washington."
Simms was persistent and again addressed Congress :
"Phila. Sept. 2d. 1779.
"Sir; — On my application to Congress some time past for
leave of absence they were pleased to refer me to his Excel
lency, Gen'l. Washington. —
"The General for some particular reason did not think
proper to grant the Indulgence I requested nor would he
accept of my resignation, but referred me to Congress. — As
the matter now stands wholy with them, I must beg leave to
point out more particularly the necessity I am under of being
absent from the Army than I did in my first Letter.
' ' In the Year 1775 I ' became the purchaser under Colo.
Croghan of between three and four thousand acres of Land
in the neighborhood of Port Pitt, being part of a Tract he
purchased from the Indians upwards of thirty years ago. — It
was my intention when I made the purchase to settle on and
improve the Lands, which under the Laws of Virginia would
have sav 'd them, but was prevented from doing so by entering
into the Continental Service in 1776 — The Assembly of Vir
ginia at their last Session determined all titles to Lands
derived from Indians to be void. — ^Yet Sir I have reason to
think if I attend at their next Sitting, which is the first Mon
day in October next, I can obtain from them a confirmation of
my title to the above mentioned Lands, for I can't suppose
they will suffer me to lose so considerable a part of my prop
erty, by devoting my time and services to the Publick, when
they have it in their poAver to redress me.
"I would beg leave to suggest to you that there are a large
porportion of Officers to the number of men in the Virginia
line, and that they are now present with the Regt. I belong to
as it stands — incorporated with others, one Colo, and two

248 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
Majors, so that it is hardly probable the Reg't will suffer by
my absence and I think it must appear pretty evident to
every person that unless I attend to my own Business this
FaU I must lose considerably, which consideration will I make
no doubt, justify me in the opinion of all reasonable men for
requesting Leave of Absence at this Juncture.
"His Excellency conceiving a number of Officers to be in
the same predicament with myself was the Reason of his not
granting me leave of absence — I can't help observing, that
there are very few if any whose circumstances so urgently re
quire their immediate attention to their private Business as
mine do; and if there are any (if I may be allowed to judge
from my own feelings) they will be reduced to the necessity
of resigning their Commissions, unless they obtain Leave of
Absence, and I leave you to determine, whether it is not better
to part with Officers for a short time than altogether, —
"Permit me to assure you Sir, that it is with the greatest
reluctance I trouble the Honble. Congress with a matter that
concerns me only as an individual, and that I shall cheerfully
acquiesce in their determination respecting me. If I am re
duced to the disagreeable necessity of leaving the Army, I
shall do it with the consciousness of having serv'd my Country
to the utmost of my abilities as long as I could possibly with
out involving myself and family in ruin and distress.
" I am Sir, with the utmost sincere Esteen and Respect,
"Your Obt Humle Servt, Chas. Simms."-
The letters from Gen. Washington and Simms were
referred to a committee of three, who reported favor
ably, and Simms obtained leave until November. The
following letter however was addressed to the Virginia
Assembly, which probably had its influence in deter
mining Simms to leave the army.
"In Congress, Sept. 4th. 1779.
"The Committee to whom were referred the letter from
Genl. Washington & Colo. Simms brought in a report. Where
upon, —

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 249
Resolved; — That leave of absence from his Regiment be
given Colo. Simms till the twentieth day of November next.
"That copies of this application to Congress and Genl.
Washington's letter be transmitted to the Governor of the
State of Virginia and that it be Signifled to him that as Lieut.
Colo. Simms' application has been complied with at a time
when his absence is with the greatest reluctance dispensed, it
is the wish of Congress he may be enabled to rejoin his
Regiment as speedily as possible ; and that such measures may
be taken respecting claims similar to that of Colo. Simms' as
may prevent other officers of the Virginia Line making ap
plications for the like indulgence of absence, which must in
the midst of a Campaign, be utterly inadmissable and that a
copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of
Virginia. "Extract from the Minutes of Congress.
"(Signed) Chas. Thompson, Sec'y."
"Prince William Co. Virginia Novr. 8, 1779
"To the President of Congress;
"Sir, 1 am extremely sorry that my Circumstances will not
admit of my joining the Army again. I flnd by woeful ex
perience, if I pay that attention to my duty as an Officer which
is necessary, that my family must inevitably be reduced to
want, and although I have the warmest attachment to the
Glorious Cause in which I have been long engaged, yet I
cannot think of reducing those to distress who have a right to
look up to me for comfort and support.
"I must therefore begg leave to resign my Commission
which you will find inclosed.
"I hope I shaU be believed when I assure you that nothing
but the most pressing necessity should induce me to part with
a Commission which I have held so long.
"Perhaps it may be necessary to inform you that I settled
my Accounts with the Auditors {for the money, erased) last
Sept. "I am Sir with due Respect. &c. Ch. Simms."

250 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
We find the following in the Journal of the House of
Delegates of the Virginia Assembly for Oct. 16, 1779 :
"A memorial of Chas. Simms was presented to the House
and read setting forth that he hath a claim to 2,961 acres of
land on the Ohio River and Raccoon Creek which proceeds
by purchase from George Croghan whose title was founded
on a purchase from the Six Nations ; — that the said lands have
been improved, but he apprehended . . . (illegible) and
settlements, and have it not in their power to ascertain their
claims within the time limited by law; and praying that his
claim aforesaid may be established, and that a law may pass
to secure the rights to officers and soldiers of lands on the
western waters, allowing them a reasonable time to prove and
ascertain their claims after they are discharged from the
service. ' '
Again, Oct. 19, 1779 :
"The opinion of the committee is, That the memorial of
Lieut. Colo. Chas. Simms praying that his title to 2,961 acres
of land lying on the Ohio River which he Purchased from
Alex, Ross and Wm. Dunbar may be confirmed, having been
prevented from improving said lands as by law is required
by being in the Continental Army ever since the year 1776
and that he might obtain grants for the said lands upon
paying the usual composition money under the former govern
ment, is reasonable."
Leaving his amiable wife in the family home in
Prince William County Simms again went to the west,
where he probably remained for a year or more, sur
veying and locating lands. Another disagreeable
surprise awaited him in the Pittsburgh courts — now in
the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania — in a suit to enforce
the payment of notes he had given Eoss for the lands
he had yet to prove up in the Virginia land office, the
state having seized all of the Eoss effects. A journey
to Philadelphia was then necessary to seek justice

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 251
from the Supreme Council ; his petition can be read in
the Colonial Eecords of the state. It must be remem
bered that these over-the-mountain journeys in the
eighteenth century were no pleasure excursions of a
few hours but long and tedious as well as perilous
weeks in the saddle. After a long delay the Pennsyl
vania higher courts cancelled his "bonds." During
the sojourn in the west at that time he located many
thousand acres of fine land on the Ohio, in Kentucky
and western Virginia ; nine hundred acres of the Doug
lass warrant he located on the island, covering what he
had previously located and purchased in 1775. Again
Harvie and Neville were his partners, through his
generosity, for they had no claim in equity to the new
title. Business interests indicated a permanent residence
at Pittsburgh, but life in the frontier settlement would
be rough and altogether unsuited to his refined and
cultivated wife, so for their home he selected Alex
andria, a lively Virginia port on the Potomac. There
by his ability and fortune he at once took a prominent
position as a citizen, while the fair Nancy with her
beauty, which is still a memory in Alexandria, and her
tact won all hearts and led the fashion.
But the titles to western lands never ceased to annoy.
In 1783 the Pennsylvania Assembly granted to General
Irvine as a testimonial to his great military services
a pre-emption right to the Island, later giving him a
patent. General Irvine disregarded Simms 's protests
and evicted the tenant in possession; and thus began
one of the famous American land cases, which with one
other quieted all the titles in dispute on account of the
conflicting claims of Virginia and Pennsylvania pre
vious to the final location of boundaries. The story of
this suit is one of the most romantic in all land litiga-

252 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
tion and would itself furnish material for an interest
ing volume and would include the names of all the
famous Virginia lawyers of the time. It was finally
decided in Simms ' favor by the Supreme Court of the
United States in 1800.
Naturally John Harvie in the land office at Rich
mond was greatly interested. "Richmond, Feb'y 4th. 1784.
"Bear Sir, The weather has been so severe as to prevent
the Regular passing of the Post Rider which delay 'd your
Letter of the 11th ultimo from reaching my hands till the last
post day. As I understand Colo. Neville is of the Executive
Council in Pennsylvania I hope he will pay proper attention
to our Interest in Montour's Island. I am glad you sent to
him the Entrys under which we claim it. I also wrote to him
on the same Subject.
"The Receipt I sent you was a sufficient voucher that the
Land Office Warrants had been issued for the use of Mr.
Watson and the Register's fee not paid, but whether he or
another satisfys them is Immaterial to me, Mr. Watson from
his general character will take Early methods for their speedy
adjustment. "Writs of Escheat do not issue from the Land Office and
in no case within the District of the Northern Neck has this
Office power or authority over their vacant or escheated
Lands. Warrant from me cannot be located on them as
. . . issue neither is there any mode existing in Law for ac
quiring (as I can perceive) vacant or Escheated Property
within the Northern Neck. The Power and Authority of the
late Lord Fairfax Land Office expired with him & it has not
since been revived in any other person, therefore till some
thing is determined respecting his Charter by the Legislature
all Lands I think must remain with yours in statu quo.
" I am Dr. Sir Yr. Most Obt Servt. "J. Haevie."
It does not appear that Neville ever exerted himself
to save the island for himself and friends, yet it has

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 253
ever since been known by his name — perhaps the deli
cacy of his official position deterred him from publicly
assisting the Virginia claimants. "Richmond May 10, 17S5.
"Bear Sir — I am extremely glad to hear that you are a
member of the Assembly and that you will attend at the next
session, as this circumstance only I believe will ever allow
us to enjoy a few weeks of that friendly Intercourse that once
strongly subsisted between us and which I shall ever feel
myself fond of cultivating, for the longer we live in the
World the more certain we find it to be a fact that our early
friendships are the most lasting and agreeable.
' ' I really know not what to observe to you upon the extra
ordinary and unprecedented Law that has lately passed the
Assembly of Pennsylvania respecting Montour's Island. I
suppose they are at all events determined to wrest it from us
in favour of Genl. Irvine and this being the case our only
resort must be to the Interposition of our Legislatures and in
order to lay the matter fully and properly before them I
think you ought by all means to procure a survey upon the
Warrants you located in the year 1780 and also a copy of the
survey that was made for us by Colo. Crawford provided it
can now be found upon his Books and if not there to be
found a certiflcate of the Survey from those that attended
him as chain carriers, perhaps it might not also be amiss to
obtain from Philadelphia a Copy of Butler's Letter and an
answer with the Depositions that were sent to the Com
mittee of Congress from Indian affairs on that subject. If
these cannot readily be obtained the survey was of such
notoriety in Pittsburg we surely cannot be at a loss to prove
it having actually been jnade, I think a copy of the survey
was delivered to me by Colo. Crawford but whether I returned
it, gave it to you, or I mislaid it is a matter of doubt. Yet it
may be well for both you and me to search over our old
papers which on my part I will immediately do, But I am
afraid if its found it will rather make against than in favor
of our claim, as I think it will appear to be ... or Military

254 -^'f^ ^^<^ Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
Warrant for only 50 acres, and if it should appear on the face
of the survey we must not attempt to use it on the Tryal and
general evidence that a survey was made for us will be much
more to our advantage.
"I am Sir, Yr most Obt Servt "J. Harvie.
' ' Note. Is there no bringing about a composition with Genl.
Irvine so as to Induce him to Relinquish his claim to this
Island and ask for the Bounty of his State somewhere else.
I think if I had a pleasant acquaintance with him I could
bring it about."
Among the Simms papers are many letters from
John Marshall, with whom Simms evidently had much
legal business ; some of these are of general interest.
"Richmond, June 16, 1784.
"Bear Sir; I received your two favors — the one on the
subject of the petition and the other inclosing a bond. ]\Ir.
Henderson promised to write you immediately to let you
know that by a standing order of the House no petition con
cerning private property could be received till it had been
published in the County and in the Gazette. If this is done
by the next session I flatter myself we may be able to carry
it through the House.
"I see no prospect of amending the mode of distributing
justice in this Commonwealth. The Circuit Court system
meets with too much opposition from selfish individuals to be
adopted. Those Magistrates who are tenacious of authority
will not assent to anything which may diminish their ideal
dignity and put into the hands of others a power which they
will not exercise themselves. Such of the County Courts'
lawyers too as are suspicious that they do not possess abilities
.sufficient to enable them to stand before Judges of Law are
opposed from motives of interest to any plan which may put
the distribution of Justice into the hands of Judges. Every
attempt to amend or alter the County Court Establishment
has been alike ineffectual. Indeed there are many members
who really appear to be determined against every measure

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 255
which may expedite and facilitate the business of recovering
debts and compelling a strict compliance with Contracts.
These are sufficient to throw impediments in the way of any
improvements in our Judisiary system though they are not so
powerful as to shut up our Courts altogether.
"A Bill is now pending under the consideration of the
House which has employed its ablest Members and will I believe
end in being printed for the consideration of the People ; 'tis
to restrict vessels from foreign Nations to certain Ports. Nor
folk and Alexandria are the two which are now in considera
tion. 'Tis calculated to agrandize very much those two com
mercial Towns, and should it be adopted will I trust produce
many happy effects.
"We seem at length determined to hold but one Session in
the year, a Bill for that purpose has gone through a Com
mittee of the Whole House, it has not yet passed into a Law,
but the greatest obstacles are I hope surmounted.
"As soon as the Assembly rises I shall go up to Fauquier —
my present plan is to pass my summers there and my winters
here, I am uncertain whether or not 'twill hold in practice.
Present my compliments to your Lady.
' ' I am Dear Sir, with the greatest Esteem, Your &c. &c.
"J. Marshall."
Simms was a member of the Virginia Assembly in
1786, 1793 and 1797. Mrs. Simms spent the winter of
1786 in New York with her mother and sister; her
letters then written are filled with innocent and inter
esting gossip. "New York, Peb.y 5th. 17S6.
"My Dearest Charleses Letter by Colo Lee was delivered to
me by him yesterday he tells me Mrs Lee was prevented from
coming with him by sickness — But that he expects her as soon
as the weather and roads will permit — ^by that time I hope I
shall be in Alexandria with my Dear Kitty, I have been quite
uneasy since the receipt of a letter from Mrs Swan Dated
Jany 23rd which contains an account of my lov'd girls
having the fever and ague, Colo Lee tells me you have got

256 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Svmms.
home — this has made me more easy on my Kittys account
since I cannot be with her myself, I think you the most proper
person as your affection I am sure will induce you to take
every possible Care of her dear precious health, your son is
perfectly well and is such a Chatter box that I can scarcely
write. . . .
"You write that you had seen Mrs Mayo and that she was
gayest where all were gay — I am not surprised to hear it —
for if I am not mistaken. External accomplishments were more
attended to by Mrs Mayo than internal ones, this was the
opinion I form'd of her on my first acquaintance and I never
from her conduct had reason to alter that opinion — ^You will
smile no Doubt when I tell you that she has wrote to her
Mother to send her by the flrst vessel that sails from here to
Virginia some Indian and Buckwheat meal — if she had only
wrote for the Indian meal, I should have thought. Knowing
her satirical turn, that she meant a reflexion on the Ancient
Dominion, But as she has also wrote for Buckwheat I must
confess I can no more understand what she could mean than
when she talk'd french to me at Trenton. .' . ."
Simms was undoubtedly a leader in every public
enterprise of the bustling little city in which he had his
home. In 1786 the academy was founded with Wash
ington, Stuart, Chas. Lee, Simms and nine other trus
tees — ^the shares were 5 1. each annually; in 1789
Simms and sixteen other citizens were empowered by
the Assembly to raise 1500 I. by lottery for paving the
principal streets — perhaps the ancient boulders on
Washington St. date from that lottery; in 1792 he
secured an act incorporating the Bank of Alexandria
with a capital of $150,000; he was an original stock
holder in the Potomac Company, in the Marine Insur
ance Co., in several turnpike companies, etc. He seems
to have been interested in all important state suits at
law as counsel and on terms of pleasant intimacy with
all prominent families in Virginia and Maryland. He

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 257
was a Mason in good standing and a Vestryman of old
Christ Church. In 1788 he was a delegate to the con
vention which adopted the national constitution and
on the committee of amendments. His wife's letters
give his position on the question of adoption.
"Alexandria, June 16th 1788.
"My Bear Charles, Your letter of the 12th. instant I rec'd
friday — I fear you will not be at home by the end of this
month, as you write that there is but little progress made
in the business you are upon — our dear children are very
weU — I think John thrives as perceptibly as the "Scarcity
Root" and that is saying much for him — for that grows
astonishingly. . . .
"I am much obliged to you for your goodness in offering
to get me Elegant Bracelets — and I should certainly prefer
those done with hair — if done with yours, and the Children's
hair — but I think I will decline getting any of either kind,
when I requested you to get them, I expected they would not
be more than three dollars — if I had imagined they would
cost more I should not have thought of them, — if you will
Bring yourself by the last of the month I will readily excuse
your not getting me any kind of Bracelets. . . .
"With my best wishes for your very precious health and
speedy return — I remain Your grateful and affectionate wife
"N. Simms."
Probably she received the bracelets made from the
hair of her loved ones. "Alexandria, Sunday June Sth. 1788.
"I rec'd a letter from my dear Charles yesterday dated th
4th of June — am happy to hear you are well, and must beg
you will use every precaution to keep yourself so — I have
always heard Richmond was an unhealthy situation and as
you are subject to Bilious complaints I have my fears for
you. . . .
"I am no politician — But am pleased to hear the new Con
stitution is likely to be adopted, as I pay great deference to

258 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
your opinion and judgment in weighty matters and as you
think it will Conduce to the happiness and Prosperity of
America — I have not a doubt but it will. . . .
"I am very glad to hear Mr Hughes has arrived safe in
Kentucky — from the alarming accounts of the Hostilities of
the indians about the time I thought he must have gone I was
afraid he would never have reached there. . . .
' ' The most agreeable intelligence which your letter contains
is that you expect to be at home before the end of this month
— that you may not be deceived in the (to me flattering ex
pectation) is the sincere wish of your affectionate Wife —
"Nancy Simms.
"N. B. Please to make my compliments to the Ladies in
Richmond with whom I am acquainted — Mrs Randolph Mrs
Mayo and Miss Fairfax — Kitty and Douglass send their loves
to you. ' '
These letters give us an insight into the admirable
disposition of the beautiful lady and account for the
always loverlike solicitude of her husband.
Thus wrote Edmund Eandolph after the convention :
"Bear Sir; Being now at liberty to resume a part of my
former profession and finding it necessary for my convenience
to go to the Court of Appeals under its new establishment I
beg leave to inform you of this circumstance. I shall also be
ready to give advice, to state cases for argument and occa
sionally but not constantly, to go to any of the District or
Superior Court. In short I would undertake any business
which might not require an absence from home. A letter
directed to ]Mr. John Brown of Richmond will be forwarded
to me in Williamsburg by the stage and an answer will be
returned through an agent whom I shall appoint." — Etc. >
Eandolph was not permitted to remain long in the
privacy of his Williamsburg home, being appointed
Attorney-General for the United States by President
Washington in 1789.

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 259
With Charles Lee Simms had many business transac
tions and legal affairs. They were jointly interested
in 200,000 acres of land in Eandolph County; as Attor
ney-General from 1795 Lee was of great service in the
suit for the possession of Montour's Island at Pitts
burgh. This letter from Philadelphia dated Sept 9,
1791, refers to the suit :
"Bear Sir; I attended the Board of Property in your con
test with i\Ir. Sheen. He, or rather one Wright has sent
down some papers which miscarried ; I thought it better there
fore to assent to what the Board would have ordered of them
selves that the trial should be postponed to the first Monday
in January when it is to be peremptorily had. . . . The
temper of the Board with respect to Virginia rights is much
changed by the discussion in Gist's case. I did not choose
to leave such a subject to their memories only but I committed
it at large to paper. They declared they had never before
understood the Virginia rights and unanimously gave Gist all
that he asked for. This is a conversion which bears a kind
aspect on all the Virginia claimants, because every title which
would be supported then will now be countenanced here,
unless a prior title from Pennsylvania shall thwart it. . . .
"P. S. Irvine is fumbling out an answer, and the co-ertion
of law is too feeble to permit me to press him too close, lest he
should fiy the way and create greater delays. ' '
Which he did and the case was not finally disposed of
until 1800. Descendants of the Simms and Neville
families still retain holdings on the beautiful and valu
able island.
With Charles Lee, Simms was chosen to authenticate
and interpret the will of General Washington ; he had
been one of the honorary pall bearers at the funeral
and his name is first on the memorial in Christ Church
in Alexandria.
Thos. Swann wrote him from Eichmond, Dec. 24,
1799:

26o Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
"Bear Sir; Your 'favor I received yesterday. We had
heard of Gen'l Washington's death by Maj. West and I am
happy to inform you that we have paid every respect to his
memory that his great character demanded. The resolution
of the House on the subject you have no doubt seen, it was
drawn and presented by Mr. Madison; we also by another
resolution walked in procession on Sunday last to attend
divine service and a sermon prepared for the occasion."
The following is a leaf from an almost forgotten
period of our history :
"I, George Doneal, clerk of Fairfax County, do hereby
certify that the bearer here-of, Sarah, a yellow woman aged
24 years, 5 feet, 5 inches high, slender made and her children
was lately a slave belonging to Geo. Washington, Esq. who by
his last will and testament devised her to Martha Washington
during life, who by an instrument of writing duly proved and
recorded in said court hath released the said Sarah from the
service due her. Sarah's children, Lucy, 2 years old — Lewis,
1 year old."
Perhaps the most arduous public work done by Chas.
Simms was with the "Patowmack Company" for im
proving the navigation of the river and opening an
easy communication with the western country. This
was the pioneer enterprise for securing the Ohio coun
try trade, its accomplishment Washington's life-long
effort. The work of the Company at the Great Falls
of the Potomac was the most important engineering
feat of the eighteenth century. Simms had promptly
responded to the request of General Washington in
1785 and subscribed for stock; he punctually met the
frequent assessments and always voted his own stock
at the annual meetings, but he does not appear to have
taken any active part in the management until he
became a director in 1802; he remained on the board
until 1807, when he was elected president, serving in

Harper's Ferry, Showing; First Arsen,\t. Buildings
(Rare Englisli Pjiisravius of ISOO)

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 261
that capacity until 1814 when in order to assist in the
litigation of an important case, he sold his stock and
left the Company. For twelve years he had guided its
affairs through such financial stress as the country
has not since experienced.
His elder sons were educated at Princeton; a son
and a daughter married into the family of his old
friend, General Neville, a daughter married the son of
Levin Powell, a Federalist congressman from Vir
ginia, who wrote Simms many political letters worthy
of reproduction. Simms himself was a notable Feder
alist and had much distrust of Jefferson ; as a national
elector in 1796 he favored the election of Patrick Henry
"as the one safe man."
Western lands were a continual annoyance; the
brilliant Presley Neville writing from Pittsburgh in
October, 1801 :
"Regrets inability to remit a collection. . . . We have no
news, money scarce as usual. I was at the Island two days
ago and your part stands exactly where it did, without the
least change. I will venture to say your tenant will do it no
injury as he is too lazy to cut a stick unless from absolute
necessity. My respects to Mrs. Simms."
Philanthropic appeals did not pass him by:
"Alexandria, Octo. the 18th. 1788.
"Sir; — There is an orphan lad in town, an apprentice to
one Ramsay, a Joyner, who I have reason to believe is not well
used and whom his friends wish to have on that account taken
away. His name is John Donaldson. I shall therefore be
glad if you will apply to the Court next week in his behalf
and on his making his ill treatment appear it is hoped that
he will be removed and that it will not be again put off for
further trial. I have enclosed 24s. and am Sir, etc.
"Bryan Fairfax."

262 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
This interesting letter is from the John Hughes,
who with mother and sisters went from Alexandria
to try his fortunes in Kentucky and who represented
Simms in his land transactions there.
"Danville, March 30th 1792.
"Bear Sir, Enclosed is the copy of the bill 'Ash against
you. ' Isaac Hite has been sick ever since I came home which
has prevented me from seeing him. I think as you are un
acquainted with the nature of your claim it will be necessary
to make J. H. a Defendant — therefore it will be best for you to
send me a formal answer stating in what manner he is in
terested and that he has transacted the whole business.
"Perhaps from the information I gave you when at your
house you will expect me to say something about Mrs. Hughes
— but alass, I have met with the fate not uncommon to absent
Lovers — I mean, the being jilted. But however I endeavor to
bear my fate with Christian Fortitude.
"Our convention which is to meet on Monday next will I
am afraid committ many blunders. County Committees com
posed of very many ignorant & some bad men have borne the
sway in our Elections. The exclusion of Lawyers not from
the Legislature only but from the barr, the abolition of
Slavery, and low salaries to the officers of Government, and
that to be paid in produce, the committees it is expected will
insist much upon. It will be a new scene to see a Chief
Judge at the end of a term, riding upon a bag of corn & driv
ing home the cows & calves he has received for this quarters
Salary. And the Governor trudging home with a basket of
Eggs upon his arm. One man has offered to serve for £25
per annum, and to receive that in corn, and from the best
authority, I mean his own, information, I am taught to believe
he was a great man in a northern State. —
"My mother & sister are well & much pleased with the
Country. Etc.
"P. S. I think it is probable as I am not now to be bound
in the Silken bonds of love I shall cross the mountain again in
the Fall."

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 263
Simms was the confidant of many of the dissatisfied
Federalist politicians during the Democratic adminis
trations of Jefferson and Madison; J. Stratton evi
dently took the situation very seriously.
"Washington, Feb'y 5—1803.
"Bear Sir, Conformable to my promise I have procured for
yourself and Mr Swann each a bed; one in my room &
the other contiguous to it — On Wednesday next I bid adieu
to Washington and with it I take a final leave of politics; on
that subject I shall endeavor never again to discourse or even
think, when I look back at what is past the scene is humiliat
ing and disgusting, and when I look forward the prospect is
hideous and disgraceful, that I think it the wisest plan to shut
my eyes and close away if possible the dark night which is
coming on. There was once a Constitution, there were
formerly checks and balances to confine the different depart
ments of Government within their proper spheres, but these
are past away as a tale that is told, — all power is now vested
in the House of Representatives and if I may hazard a last
political sentiment I will say the most pernicious and de
structive to the Happiness of Mankind is the Tyranny of a
public body where responsibility being divided among many is
felt by none.
' ' I find I have wandered farther in politics than I intended,
it is the effect of the meloncholy review I have just taken of
our measures previous to writing my circular.
"I will thank you to write by first mail when the Norfolk
packet sails, I feel disposed to purchase a Horse but the
state of my finances will not allow it without your aid, could
you get the enclosed note discounted in your bank so that I
could get the money by you on Monday without inconvenience
to y'r self.
"My best respects attend Mrs Simms and y'r family —
Y'r friend "J. Stratton
"P. S.
"The note will with great certainty be taken up before
due."

264 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
>
There was a warm friendship existing between
Henry Lee (Light Horse Harry) and Simms; the
latter frequently assisted the old warrior financially,
he also took subscriptions for his "Memoirs." The
following is from a letter dated Dec. 6, 1807 :
" ... I received your letter enclosing one from Col.
Mercer and I thank you and him for the trouble you take to
enlighten me with facts, though I am surprised you should
have named me for my work being written with much free
dom will occasionally displease and I have no desire to engage
in such in my last period of life.
"Will you tell me to what regiment you belonged or com
manded when you went to reinforce Col. Smith at Mud Island ?
In reviewing my work I find a blank left for this designation
— and also tell me to what state and regiment Col. Greene,
the hero of Ft. Mercer belonged.
"Also I wish you to see Gilpin and to negociate with him for
my debts. I will give him good lands. At all events get the
execution in your hands and the power to bargain with me,
then I go and exert myself where I may be useful. Let me
see you here after breakfast."
From a later letter :
' ' I fear you do not regard my injunction as to my name, the
Memoirs of the Southern War are nearly finished and are
written with too much freedom for the times. It will appear
without my name.
' ' I wish I was near two or three of my friends that I might
get the good of their perusal and amendments. This is not
practicable and I shall put the last touch to the performance
in a few weeks. It will be published by subscription and I
reckon upon your aid in your town as holder of the subscrip
tion paper, etc. Tell me whether you will take the trouble?
Carrington in Richmond and some other such men elsewhere. ' '
Simms was early appointed collector of customs at
Alexandria, which was a somewhat lucrative post until

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 265
European warfare drove all commerce off the seas.
He was mayor of the city during the British occupa
tion in 1814. He prudently sent his family into the
country and wrote his wife daily accounts of the
situation. "Alexandria, Aug. 28 — 1814.
"My Bear Nancy — I have the pleasure to inform you that
the enemy retreated last night from the City without paying
Alexandria the Compliment of a visit — We have nothing now
to apprehend but the approach of their vessels. I rec'd an
express this morning informing me that Two Frigates, a
Sloop of War and Two Tenders were off Maryland point at
7 o'clock yesterday morning. I am not without hopp that
they may not come up as high as the Port as their object
has been effected by the destruction of the public buildings in
the City." "Sept. 3d. 1814.
' ' The British Squadron began to fall down the river yester
day morning and was not as low as the Fort this morning
except one vessel which the day before yesterday went down
in the neighborhood of the White House, and a pretty heavy
firing has been kept up this morning in that neighborhood.
Mr. Cook has gone into the vicinity of the White House and
on his return will be able to give you a full account of the
state of things there. Alexandria has so far had a most provi
dential escape. It is impossible that men could behave better
than the British behaved while the town was in their power,
not a single inhabitant was insulted or injured by them in
their persons or homes. Your fear that something might
occur to provoke them to fire the Town was not ill founded.
The day before yesterday Capt. Porter, Lieut. Creighton and
Lieut. Piatt naval officers rode into Town like furies and
seized on a poor unarmed midshipman, a mere stripling and
would have carried him off or killed him had not his neck-
handkerchief broke and he escaped from them. This rash act
excited the greatest alarm among the Inhabitants of the Town,
women and children running and screaming through the

266 Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms.
streets and hundreds of them lay out all night without shelter.
"I immediately prepared a message to the Commodore ex
plaining the manner and circumstances of the insult and sent
it on board by Mr Swann and Edmund I. Lee, While I was
paring the message one of the Captains entered into the
parlour with the strongest expressions of rage in his counten
ance, bringing with him the midshipman who had been so
valiantly assaulted by those gallant Naval Officers. I ex
plained to him by whom the outrage was committed, that the
Town had no control over them and ought not to be held re
sponsible for their conduct and that I was at that time pre
paring a message of explanation to the Commodore. He said
it was necessary it should be explained, after which his fury
seemed to abate and he went off. Before Mr Swann and Mr
Lee got on board the Signal of Battle was hoisted and as the
vessels were prepared for action when Mr Swann and Mr Lee
made their explanation the Commodore said he was satisfied
and ordered the Signal of Battle to be lowered. Thus the
Town was providentially preserved from destruction by the
accidental circumstance of the midshipman's neck-handker
chief giving way, for had be been killed or carried off I do
not believe the Town would have been saved from destruction.
"I do not consider the Town perfectly safe yet. If the
British vessels should be prevented from passing the White
House they, or some of them may probably return here, and
wait untill troops sufficient to drive of the militia; &c at the
White House shall come to their relief from Patuxent and in
that case this part of the country will become the seat of
war. I cannot therefore wish your return untill we are in a
more quiet state."
Possibly the mayor's suave diplomacy saved Alex
andria from Washington's fate.
An affectionate father, his children occasionally took
advantage of his generosity; one of the younger sons
frequently caused annoyance by his boyish pranks,
and a son-in-law was chronically in need of financial
assistance ; here is one of his eloquent appeals :

Life and Letters of Colo. Charles Simms. 267
"Bear Sir; — Upon my honour I have not language adequate
to describe to you the pressing necessity I have for ten dollars :
nor the remorse I feel at being under the painful obligation
of again soliciting your parental aid."
Chas. Simms, Gent., passed on to a future life in
1819, leaving a large family and a world the happier
for his sojourn.

INDEX.
Appendix; "A." Letters — George Washington to Gov. Benjamin
Harrison, and Eeply  154
George Washington to Maj. Gen. Knox  162
M. I. Stone to George Washington  163
Jas. Madison, Jr., to Thos. Jefferson  ,  163
George Washington to G. W. Fairfax  164
George Washington to Wm. Grayson  164
George Washington to Henry Lee  165
Thos. Jefferson to George Washington  166
George Washington to Thos. Jefferson  166
Extract from Will of George Washington  168
Appendix; "B. " Appeal to the Stockholders of the Patowmack
Company  169
Appendix; "C. " Eeport to the Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States  172
Appendix; "D." Statement of the Patowmack Company in re
sponse to call from Legislature of Maryland  178
Appendix; "E." Extracts Eef erring to the Work of the Patow
mack Company  188
From Due de la Eoohefoucault-Liancourt, ' ' Travels. ' '
From Isaac Weld, Jr., ' ' Travels. ' '
From John Phillips, ' ' General History of Inland Navigation. ' '
From Eev. Sam '1 C. Busey, ' ' Pictures of old Washington. ' '
From National Intelligencer, Baltimore Sun, George Town Mu
seum, Baltimore Advertiser.
From Hugh Taggart, "Old Georgetown."
Appendix; "F. " Eeport of Thos. Moore, Engineer of Virginia .. 197
Eeport of Board of Public Works of Virginia.
Appendix ; " G. " Acts of the Legislatures of Maryland and Vir
ginia Concerning the Patowmack Company  210
Assent of the Patowmack Company  232
Assent to Amendments  233
Conveyance to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company  233
Ballendine, John, of Fairfax County, Va  24
Scheme for opening navigation of the Potomac Eiver — Goes to
London— Circulates his "Proposals"— Eeturns in 1774— Ad
vertises meetings, etc. — Subscription list — Eights protected in
Virginia Act.
Beall, Thos. of George, Director in Patowmack Company  87
269

270 Index.
Beall, Thos. of Sam'l., Secures contract for work on river  92
Extension of contract, settlement  93
Braddock Eoad, Appropriation by Virginia for improvement  12
Brindley, Jas., Visits Mount Vernon  76
Brewer, Jos., Appointed Treasurer of Patowmack Company  112
Carleton, Jos., Appointed Treasurer of Patowmack Company  100
Death  112
Carroll, Dan '1 of Duddington, Makes loan to Patowmack Company . 97
Director in Company  171
Casanove, Louis, Agent for Amsterdam Stockholders  62
Casts votes against re-imbursement  100
Clapham, Josias, Given order for two boats  62
Delayed by illness  71
Director in Patowmack Company  153
Cresap, Thomas  3
Biography (note) — Settles on Upper Potomac — Hunts over the
mountains, with Geo. Croghan — Land grant in Pennsylvania
(note) — Hatred of Pennsylvanians — Visits Williamsburg —
Manager of Ohio Company in the field — Authorized to open
road over the mountains— Blazes Nemacolin Path.
Makes Survey of western boundary of Maryland  13
In London, 1770  22
Visited by Washington  23
Croghan, Geo., Agent of Philadelphia merchants  7
Land investments  239
Cutler, Eev. Manasseh, Visits Great Falls  103
Davis, John, Description of Great Falls of the Potomac (note) . . . 101
Deakins, Francis, Director in Patowmack Company  153
Deakins, Wm., Jr., Director in Patowmack Company  87
Dinwiddie, Gov., Member of the Ohio Company  9
Sends Washington to French camp  15
Dorsey, H., Director in Patowmack Company  153
Dunmore, Fort, In possession of Virginia authorities  238
Erratum, For ' ' Old City Hotel, ' ' read ' 'Wise 's Tavern "  61
Fairfax, Bryan, Befriends an apprentice lad  261
Fairfax, George William, At Belvoir — Goes to western lands  13
Fairfax, Lord, Meets Washington at Belvoir, Appoints him surveyor 14
In Prince William County  20
Fitzgerald, John, Director of Patowmack Company  58
President of Patowmack Company  87
Fendall, Philip, Director of Patowmack Company  93
Forbes, Gen., Selects Pennsylvania Eoute  16

Index. 271
Fort Stanwix Treaty  22
Frederick Town Adventurers  17
Frederick Town Adventurers, Managers  21
French Invasion  15
Foxhall, Henry, Director of Patowmack Company  124
Gant and Fitzhugh, Attorneys for Patowmack Company  85
Gilpin, George, Elected director of Patowmack Company  58
Directed to employ laborers  62
Value of services  76
Gist, Christopher  10
Engaged to select lands for Ohio Company grant — reports —
locates at Fort Eed Stone — with Virginia Commissioners
makes treaty with Indians— lays off a town at Chartier's
Creek  11
Greenleaf, Jas., Holds 24 shares in Patowmack Company  104
Hanbury & Co. of London, Held shares of Ohio Company stocks
goods for Indian trade ordered from  10
Hartshorne, Wm., Treasurer of Patowmack Company  61
Eesigns  100
Harvie, John, Indian Commissioner in West Augusta District  239
Letters to Chas. Simms  252, 253
Hughes, John, Letter to Chas. Simms  262
Hunter, Mr., Writes of visit to Mount Vernon— Potomac naviga
tion, etc  67
Jefferson, Thos., Letter to George Washington, Potomac navigation 37
Johnson Bros., At Frederick  17
Johnson, Thos., At Belvoir  13
Fails to secure navigation act in Maryland  24
Promoter of Potomac navigation  39
Elected director of Patowmack Company  58
Qualifies as President of Patowmack Company  84
Jones, Walter, Attorney for Patowmack Company with Mr. Pinckney 121
Keith, Jas., and Chas. Simms, Serve as Credential Committee  58
Keith, Jas., Director of Patowmack Company  87
Keith, Jas., President of Patowmack Company  102
Laird, John, Director of Patowmack Company  124
Lancaster, Treaty of  8
Lear, Tobias, Director of Patowmack Company  88
President of Patowmack Company  93
Store house at Matildaville used for depot  94
Lee, Chas., Clerk of Patowmack Company organization  60

272 Index.
Letter to Chas. Simms  259
Lee, Henry, Letters to Chas. Simms relative to his history  264
Lee, Thos., President of the Ohio Company  9
Lee, Thos. Sim, Director of the Patowmack Company  58
Lewis, Capt. Chas., (note) Describes Cresap 's location on the Potomac 6
McCarty, Ed., Makes a loan to Patowmack Company  114
McPherson, Isaac, Director of Patowmack Company '.  153
Madison, Jas., Jr., Member of Viriginia Legislature  41
Letter to Thos. Jefferson  53
Marbury, Wm., Director of Patowmack Company  118
Marshall, John, Letter to Chas. Simms  254
Maryland, Seeking easier communication with the west  33
Maryland and Virginia, diversity of commercial laws  41
Mason, Thompson, Attorney for Patowmack Company  113
Mason, George, Treasurer of the Ohio Company  9
Calls for meetings of stockholders  16
Faith in Ohio Company rights  93
Mason, Gen. John, Director of the Patowmack Company  93
Eeport to U. S. Treasurer  107
Elected President of the Patowmack Company  123
Matildaville, Laid out  87
Mercer, George, In London  22
Mercer, John, Secretary of the Ohio Company  9
Morris, Eobert, Promoter of Canal schemes  21
On inland waterways  76
Montour, Half-Breed, Sells island to Simms & Co  239
Mount Vernon Compact, Accepted by Legislatures  53
Myers, Christ., Eecommended for superintendent of works  90, 91
Myers, Mrs. Jane, Keeper of public house at Matildaville .... 101, 104
Nemacolin Eoad, Development of  15
Popularity of  33
Neville, Gen. John, In military command of West Augusta District 239
With Wood and Simms commissioned to raise a regiment .... 240
New Market, Conference at  119
Ohio Company, Organized  '  8
Secures grant of land — Engages Gist to select land — Storehouse
built at Will's Creek— Goods ordered from Hanbury & Co. . . 10
Three store-houses built — Use river in transportation  11
Opposition of New York and Pennsylvania traders — French
plans  12
(Note) List of members — Popularity— Stores at Chartiers Creek
destroyed — Colonists ' distrust of the Company  15
Last calls for meetings — Political influence  16

Index. 273
Eef use to confirm Geo. Mercer 's agreement  22
O 'Neill, C, Director of Patowmack Company  I44
Patowmack Company, Bill sent Gov. Harrison and Thos. Johnson,
passed legislatures  44
Mass meeting at Alexandria, Conference at Annapolis  45
Eeport of conference  46
Subscription books opened  53
Account of incorporation  54
Organization  56
Popularity of the Company  60
Plan of work— List of stockholders  59
President and Board of Directors  61
Advertise for superintendent— Difficulties  62
Employ Eumsey and Stewart— Directors examine river  63
Meeting at Shenandoah, Instructions to Eumsey  64
Johnson and Lee at Seneca and Shenandoah  70
Quality of free labor  71
First annual report of President and Directors  74
Work delayed by excessive rains, petition for extension of time 79
Eumsey resigns, financial troubles  80
Second annual report  81
Acts secured for speedy collection of assessments, Eichardson
Stewart discharged, Jas. Smith appointed superintendent . . 82
Third annual report  83
Thos. Johnson qualifies as president  84
Measures to be taken for speedy collections, work ordered on
river between Cumberland and Williamsport  84
Condemnation of land at Great and 'Little Falls  85
Work to commence on the Shenandoah, contract for locks  85
Annual report for 1792, Fitzgerald elected president  86
Financial troubles  87
Secure extension of time, 100 shares added to stock  88
Weston requested to examine works  89
Delinquent shares sold, tolls to be collected, 100 new shares ... 90
Looks at Little Falls completed  90
Christ. Myers employed as superintendent  91
Buildings at Great Falls, Thos. Beall 's contract  92
Lear elected president with Keith, Templeton, Fendall and
Mason, directors — Extension of time  93
Myers dismissed — Inclined plane at Great Falls — Harbaugh
engaged to build locks  94
Exclusive rights on Shenandoah to be released— Thirty addi
tional shares  95
General meeting authorizes borrowing stock— Eeport of President 95
Machine for hauling merchandise at Great Falls  98 ¦''

274 Index.
Appeal of directors (Appendix B) — Eelief from Maryland legis
lature  99
Hartshorne resigns, Carleton appointed, work pushed  100
Dimensions of locks changed  101
Eeport for 1801 — Keith and board re-elected  102
Locks opened at Great Falls — Visited by British Minister and
Manasseh Cutler  103
New undertakings — Chas. Simms becomes director  104
Virginia Commissioners view works on river — Premiums offered
for good boats  105
Work on Shenandoah — Out of funds  106
Eeport to U. S. Treasurer (Appendix C) — Simms elected
president  107
Eesort to a lottery scheme  108
Secure extension of five years' time  110
Fund raised for improvement of Antietam  Ill
Death of Carleton — Appointment of Jos. Brewer — Stone locks
ordered for Little Falls— Shenandoah people impatient  112
Dispute over lottery ticket sale, secure loan from Maryland . . 113
Conference with Shenandoah people  115
Appeal to Virginia legislature  116
President Simms resigns  117
Elie Williams becomes president, serious trouble with Shenan
doah people  118
Agreement reached with Shenandoah people  119
Lottery suit dreaded  121
Loans secured from District banks — Land trouble at Little Falls 122
John Mason elected president, Brewer resigns, Jas. Moore, Jr.,
appointed treasurer  123
Eeport of 1819  124
Appeal to Maryland legislature (Appendix D) — Engineer of
Virginia to make examination of river and works  125
Communication from Maryland legislature, reply  126
Eeport for 1821  130
Eeport for 1822  132
End of records— Eeport for 1823  135
Eeport of 1824  137
Agitation for a new company  139
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Co. incorporated by Virginia  140
Assent of Patowmack Company — Eeport of 1825  141
Trouble with Union bank  143, 145, 150
Eeport of 1826  144
Eeport of 1827  147
Eeport of 1828  149
Conveyance made  151
Works at Great Falls abandoned  152

Index. 275
Washington's association with the place  1.52
Officers of  I53
Peter, George, Director of Patowmack Company  153
Peter, Eobert, Director of Patowmack Company  118
Potomac Eiver, Inspection of, by Gov. Sharpe of Maryland  15
Use of, by the Ohio Company  12
Improvement of, by Frederick Town Company  17
Improvement of, by John Ballendine  24
Potts, John, Jr., Clerk of Board of Directors  61
Goes to Philadelphia  82
Builds forge at Matildaville  87
Eandolph, Edmund, Letter to Simms, appointed Attorney General . . 258
Eoss, Alex, Makes sales of land to Simms  239
Eumsey, James, Exhibits boat to Gen. Washington  43
Employed by Patowmack Company  63
Advertises run-a-way servants  72
Letter to Hartshorne  73
Eesigns, files charges against Stewart  79
Sayre, Stephen, Proposes tontine  .'  41
Scott, Gustavus, Buys stock, of Patowmack Company  90
Scots-Irish Presbyterians  13
Shepherd, Abraham, Given order for two boats  62
Simms, Charles, Becomes director of Patowmack Company  104
Becomes president of Patowmack Company  107
Leaves Patowmack Company  117
A law student  237
At Point Pleasant battle— At Pittsburgh  238
Friends on the frontier — Land speculations  239
Delegate from West Augusta — ^Eeceives major's commission. . . 239
Commissioner of Virginia, in Morristown society  240
Letters to Miss Douglass  341
Advertises land in the west  244
Antipathy of Pennsylvania courts to Virginia land titles  244
Asks leave of absence  245
Gen. Washington 's reply  246
Second request for leave  247
Letter from Congress to Virginia Assembly  248
Eesigns Commission  249
Memorial to Virginia legislature and reply  250
In the west, suit on Eoss ' notes  250
Journey to Philadelphia — Douglass warrant located on Montour
Island— Title again assailed  251
Locates in Alexandria  251
Delegate to Virginia Assembly  255

276 Index.
Activities in Alexandria  256
At funeral of Washington  259
Connection with Patowmack Company  260
Family— Politics  261
Friendship of Henry Lee  264
Collector of customs — Mayor — Account of British invasion . . . 265
Death  267
Simms, Mrs. Chas., Letters  255, 257
•Simms and Keith, Appointed credential committee  58
Smith, Clement, Director of Patowmack Company  151
Stewart, Eichardson, Employed by Patowmack Company  63
Dismissed  82
Stratton, J., Letter to Simms  263
Stuart, David, Director of Patowmack Company  85
Swann, Thos., Letter to Simms  260
Templeman, John, Director of Patowmack Company  88
Thompson, Jonah, Director of Patowmack Company  118
To negotiate with Shenandoah Company  120
Thompson, Josiah, Special Lottery agent  110
Superintendent of work on river  117
Thompson, Tobias, In charge of works  110
Vandalia Company, Failure of  22
Virginia, Military warrants  22
Vowell, John C, Director of Patowmack Company  118
Washington, Augustine and Lawrence, Members of Ohio Company . . 9
Washington, George, At Belvoir  13
Guest of Cresap— Appointed Surveyor — Military appointment . 14
Envoy to treat with French commandant  15
Agent of Virginia soldiers — Inspects lands on the Ohio  23
Procures act for opening Potomac navigation  23
Opinion of value of western trade  33
Conferences at Annapolis  35
Conference at Mount Vernon  37
Policy of Maryland and Viriginia  39
Sets out on western journey of inspection  42
Meets Eumsey at Bath — Sees model of boat  43
At Eichmond with Lafayette  45
Virginia votes him shares of Potomac and James Eiver stock . . 56
Elected president of the Patowmack Company  58
At Frederick  63
Enthusiasm — Opinion on advisability of opening Mississippi
Eiver  66
Attends Convention at Philadelphia  80

Index. 277
Makes loan to Patowmack Company  97
At general meeting of Patowmack Company  98
Signs subscription for relief — Votes by proxy  99
Arsenal for Harpers Ferry secured by  104
Letters from,
to Bouquet, 16; to Thos. Johnson, 18, 44; to Dr. Boucher,
23; to Lafayette, 34, 36, 66; to Chastellux, 34; to Maj.
Gen. Knox, 36; to Thos. Jefferson, 38; to Jas. Madison,
49 ; to E. H. Lee, 52, 67 ; to Thos. Johnson and Thos. Sim.
Lee, 60; to Humphreys, 66; to Edmund Eandolph, 67, 68;
to Gilpin and Fitzgerald, 77 ; to Tobias Lear, 88, 89, 90.
See also Appendix " A "  154
Western Settlements, Encouraged by Virginia  11, 12
Williams, Elie, President of the Patowmack Company  117
Wood, James, In West Augusta District  '  239
Commissioner of Virginia  240
Toung, Notley, Director of the Patowmack Co  84

A New and Valuable Contribution to
American History

Early Chapters in the Development of the
Potomac Route to the West.
In Three Parts.
I. The Ohio Company and Other Adventures; 1748 to 1774. Gleaned
from Eare Contemporary Letters and Literature.
II. The Patowmack Company; 1784 to 1828. From its own unpub
lished Eecords and Documents.
This the first incorporated enterprise to improve an inland waterway
was organized by General George Washington and Governor Thomas Johnson
of Maryland. The story of the heroic struggle of half a century to secure
the western trade by a safe and easy navigation of the Potomac river has not
before been fully told.
III. A sketch of the life of Col. Charles Simms, Gentleman; a soldier
in Lord Dunmore's War, an oflScer of the line in the Eevolutionary Army, the
Mayor of Alexandria during the British Occupation in 1814, a sncoessfnl man
of affairs of the 18th century.
With portrait and many selections from a varied and extensive corre
spondence with eminent men of the period, including hitherto unpublished
papers and letters of Washington, Johnson, Paca, Marshall, Henry Lee
Eandolph, Harvie, John Mason, Eumsey, Eevolutionary love letters, Simms'i
account of the British invasion, etc.

By MRS. CORRA. BACON-FOSTER
Historian, Office of Indian Affairs.
Member of the Columbia Historical Society of Washington, D. C,
National Historian of the Society of Daughters of Founders and
Patriots of America, Member of the National Committee, D.A.E.
for Preservation of Historic Spots, etc.

250 pages. 8vo. Cloth. Illustrated with many reproductions of rare por
traits, prints, autographs, views ot the river, first American canals, looks, etc.
Very limited edition. Sold only by subscription. Price, |2.00.

Subscriptions, payable on delivery, may be sent to
Mrs. Corra Bacon-Foster,
917 18th Street Washington, D.C.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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