The Big Beaver and Cayahoga
offer the most direct line, and according to information I received from
General Hand, and which I had the honor of writing you in the year 1783,
the streams in that neighborhood head in lagoons, and the country is
flat. With respect to the doubts which you say are entertained by
some, whether the upper waters of Potomac can be rendered capable of
navigation, on account of the falls and rugged banks, they are answered,
by observing, that it is reduced to a maxim, that whenever there is
water enough to float a batteau, there may be navigation for a batteau.
Canals and locks may be necessary, and they are expensive; but I
hardly know what expense would be too great for the object in question.
Probably, negotiation with the Indians, perhaps even settlement, must
precede the execution of the Cayahoga canal. The States of Maryland
and Virginia should make a common object of it. The navigation, again,
between Elizabeth River and the Sound is of vast importance, and in
my opinion, it is much better that these should be done at public than
private expense.
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