operation of the Governments, not only open the obstructions at this point, but open a communication at the portage point to the Maumee; with such an object in view, we ordered a survey of a canal route on both sides the Wabash.

The following is a descriptive view of our routes as surveyed:

1. The first canal site was surveyed on the Illinois side, as exhibited on the map, to be taken out at the "Little Rock ripple," and passing over good ground, a clay foundation, to form a junction with the Wabash at the foot of the "White River ripple," a distance of eight and three quarter miles and thirty poles, (15,565 yards) giving a fall in the whole length, after allowing for the descent of the river, of fifteen feet six inches, clear of back water: deducting for the bed of Prairie creek and a ravine through which it passes, one mile, (say 1,760 yards) there will remain to be cut 13,805 yards, which it is calculated to average twenty-one feet wide by thirteen and a half feet deep, producing 427,955 cubic yards, estimated to cost, for cutting, at ten cents, will be $42,955 50. But, including locks, gates, abutments, and cutting, probably, some rocks, may require, in the end, double that sum, say $85,591.

The cost of this route has been estimated, however, at something less, say $37,000, but we are disposed to give it every impartial view.

2. The second site was surveyed on the Indiana side, to be taken out above the "Little Rock ripple," and to form a junction with the White river, about half a mile above the mouth, and at the foot of the first ripple in White river. The route for this canal, by measurement, is six and a half miles and eight poles, crosses a pretty considerable cypress pond and a considerable quantity of overflowed ground, the greater part a solid clay foundation, and about one mile of a deep gravel and sandy soil not well calculated for a canal; the whole distance in yards, say 11,484, at the same rate, of the same width and depth, to complete the canal, would cost $66,364 80, deducting half a mile for a ravine.

Should a canal be taken out at the first point, there will exist a serious difficulty in opening a channel at the "Little Rock." The route afterwards is good. But should a canal be taken the second route, to secure it from floods, from the sandy and gravelly soil and ponds, it would probably require as much to effect the object as on the Illinois side. The Little Rock ripple being objectionable as to the Illinois route, we found that the "White River ripple" would also be objectionable to the Indiana route.

3. We, in the next place, turned our attention to a third route for a canalone on the Indiana side, and the other in Illinois.

1. On the Indiana side, the canal to be taken out above the Little Rock rapid, where there is deep water, a good and sufficient bank, and to run nearly parallel with the river, making one offset, to form a junction with the Wabash river at the foot of "Ramsey's ripple," a distance of about three miles. On this route, the ground is excellent, and the banks are well calculated for abutments both for receiving and discharging the water, and forms a valuable site for water works.

2. The site on the Illinois to be taken out at the mouth of Prairie creek, above the "Hanging Rock ripple," ascending Prairie areek about sixty poles, then pursuing the course surveyed for the first route to the foot of the White River ripple: this is an unexceptionable route for a canal, and gives an excellent site for water works. The distance of this route is three miles, a deduction to be made for the bed of Prairie creek and a ravine at the foot

of White River ripple. The length of the canal on this plan will be about six miles: about three miles on the Indiana side, and about an equal distance on each side, and will avoid all the difficult passes through the shoals and ripples. The advantages to be derived from water works at each point may give a spring to individual enterprise, and, we humbly conceive, have a tendency to unite the interests of the two States. The same estimate may be made per mile for this last route as was made for the two former. We found but little variation in the width of the Wabash river above and below the mouth of White river: generally between three and four hundred yards between the banks.

The map that accompanies this report will exhibit, with its references, a general view of the survey and examinations made by us. WM. PÕLKE,

On the part of Indiana. TH. L. HINDE,

On the part of Illinois,

i

The position of Key West has been considered as affording peculiar facilities for commerce with the neighboring islands, and the ports of Mexico, and other independent states on the continent Foreign merchandise entitled to drawback, constitutes an important part of that commerce; and it will doubtless be more convenient for the merchants of Key West, especially in the early stage of their commerce, to obtain their supplies of European articles from the ports of the United States than directly from Europe.

As far as regards the security of the revenue, it is not perceived that any additional risk is created by the proposed extension. The laws require that foreign merchandise, transported from one port of the United States to another, to be exported for the benefit of drawback, shall be accompanied with certificates from the proper officers, of their regular importation; and, if ad valorem goods, that they shall be inspected in the same manner as when imported. The duties must have been previously paid or secured at the port of original importation. When the exportation takes place, security must be given, to the satisfaction of the collector, that the goods shall not be landed in the United States; and the bond cannot be cancelled until the proof required by law shall be furnished to such collector, that they have been landed in a foreign country. This evidence will be the same whether produced at one port or another, and whether it apply to goods which had been imported directly into the district of exportation, or received from some other district in the United States. The collector is bound by the same sense of official obligation to see that proper securities are taken, on bonds given on exporations for the benefit of drawback, as on bonds. taken for the payment of duties on imports. And with equal vigilance and integrity on the part of the collector, it is not perceived that there is more danger of imposition or fraud, in this particular, being successfully practised at Key West, than at any other port.

It is with these views that I concur in the opinions heretofore expressed by this department, in the years 1828 and 1829, in favor of the proposed

extension.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

LOUIS MCLANE, Secretary of the Treasury.

To the Hon. the SPEAKER

of the House of Representatives.