Kingston Chronicle (Kingston, ON), Aug. 2, 1828

p.3

THE RIDEAU CANAL.

We are informed by our friends in Bytown, says the Montreal Official Gazette, that in consequence of the very favorable report of the Commissioners who lately visited the Rideau Canal, Lieut. Col. By has been enabled to resume along its line, those works which had been suspended till their visit. The expenditure for this season will be greater than that of last year, and on a much more extended scale. As the outlay will be principally devoted to the northern end of the Canal, now mostly finished, it will materially contribute to facilitate the construction of the works in the more interior part of the line.

Messrs. Mackay & Redpath commenced last week, the laying of the flooring of the new locks at Bytown, which, it is now finally decided, are to be 134 feet in length and 33 feet in breadth, and will enable steam boats of considerable tonnage to pass through without inconvenience. The extensive works at Hog's Back are now going on with great activity, and latterly a system has been adopted of giving the work in jobs to small contractors and parties of labourers. By this plan, the latter are enabled to make good wages, and have them paid to them in a more regular manner than heretofore. The dams and other works at the Black Rapids and Long Island are also going on with renewed vigour under the steady and judicious management of Messrs. Phillips & White. The mound over Dow's Great Swamp contracted for by Mr. Wright is rapidly approaching to completion, and the works at Chaffey's Mills, by Mr. Shirreff, and at other parts of the line by Messrs. Ferguson & Wylie, are advancing with all necessary despatch. Under the persevering exertions of Mr. Drummond, the arch of 210 feet span, over the main branch of the Ottawa River, and immediately above the Grande Chaudiere, will be again thrown as soon as the waters will somewhat further subside, and from the extraordinary precautions now taken, we anticipate complete success to this daring and magnificent undertaking.

We are also informed, from a source on which dependance may be placed, that the Royal Engineers at Bytown, have received orders to prepare an estimate and report of the expenses of fortifying the heights and harbour of Bytown, and the erection of the requisite buildings for the accommodation of a garrison of 5000 men, and Major Duvernet, commanding the Royal Staff Corps at Grenville, has also received instructions to construct such locks as are yet remaining to be done along the Grenville Canal, of the same size as those on the Rideau, and when the line is completed that the small locks already made will be taken down and enlarged to the same size as the others. Thus when the Welland Canal is completed, large vessels and steam-boats will be enabled to sail without interruption from the heads of the Upper Lakes to the upper end of the Lachine Canal, which at present admits Durham boats of the largest class through. The locks on the latter Canal could be easily enlarged, and at no very distant period vessels from the ocean may yet carry the peaceful commerce and display the meteor flag of Great Britain, on the waves and shores of the Erie, of the Huron, and the Michigan.