1st Session.

No. 20.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

FEBRUARY 13, 1854.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. BADGER submitted the following

LETTERS.

[To accompany Bill S. 202.]

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT,

Washington, February 7, 1854.

SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, and in compliance with the request therein made, send herewith a copy of so much of Captain Woodbury's report of October 20, 1853, as relates to the improvement of the Cape Fear river.

In framing the estimates for harbor and river improvements, which were sent to Congress at the commencement of the last session, this office acted under instructions confining the objects to such as had been adopted by Congress at the previous session; and restricting the amounts as much as could be done consistently with any useful progress. Subsequently, the great importance of hastening the results anticipated from the Cape Fear works, led to an amendment of the item for that river, raising it from $20,000 to $50,000.

At the opening of the present Congress, I considered it proper to restrict myself by the same principles; and, therefore, the sum of $50,000 was given for Cape Fear river, in the estimate I laid before the Secretary of War.

This sum of $50,000 would be an important help; but it appears from Captain Woodbury's letter (received afterwards) that the sum of $140,000 is necessary for the year's expenditure, independent of the $60,000 supplied by the city of Wilmington. And I have no hesitation in saying, relying on his judgment and local knowledge, that such an appropriation would be expended within the year with advantage, much greater advantage as regards early benefit, and amount of effect produced, than by spreading this sum over the labors of several years. It is to be understood that Captain Woodbury is now applying to a project adopted by the government on the recommendation of a commission, (see appendix to my annual report,) the grant of $20,000 made by the act of August 31, 1852.

That grant being exhausted, he will direct the application to the same project, the sum of $60,000 subscribed by the city of Wilmington.

Any grant that the present Congress shall think proper to make will be similarly applied by him.

The total estimate of all the works comprised in the project of the commission is $458,200, if the small inlets be closed with timber; $500,000, if they be closed with stone.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, JOS. G. TOTTEN,

Hon. GEO. E. BADGER, Senate.

But. Brig. Gen. and Col. Eng.

Extract from the report of Captain Woodbury, corps of engineers, to General Jos. G. Totten, chief engineer, dated October 20, 1853.

One

3. Improving Cape Fear river at and below Wilmington, North Carolina. In accordance with the authorized plan, our first expenditures have been applied to the protection of Bald Head, the point of land on the east side of the main inlet. Preparations were made during the summer by the construction of a wharf and a short railroad, and in September stone began to arrive under a contract for 2,000 tons. jetty has been commenced a little southeast of the point, and about fifty yards therefrom, and runs out a little beyond low water, at right angles to the beach. Its effect is precisely what was expected and predicted in the report of the commission. It has caused an immediate and already considerable accumulation of sand in the southeast or windward angle. Another jetty has been commenced near the point on the inside, intended mainly as a protection of the leeward or northern angle of the first. It promises to have the desired effect; and, according to present appearances, the whole point will be effectually protected for less than the estimate of the commission, which was $40,000. It is not improbable that the first jetty, as it is extended, may begin to have a direct and favorable effect upon the main bar; if so, it may be proper to extend it further than was first intended, and further than the mere protection of the point will require.

The next operation will be to close the most southern opening through the beach near New Inlet. This I hope and expect to do before Jannary. The town of Wilmington has raised $60,000 for this improvement. This act is unconditional on their part, but they hope for reimbursement from the general government. That sum will be applied after the appropriation of $20,000 is exhausted, precisely as if it were another appropriation. To reimburse this amount, and to continue the general plan proposed by the commission, which will, it is believed, when completed, restore the Cape Fear main entrance to its capacity in 1738, twenty feet at high water, the further appropriation of $200,000 is requested.

Recapitulation.

Improving Cape Fear river at and below Wilmington, North Carolina.Two jetties, or stone breakwaters, have been started for the protection of Bald Head point, on the east side of the main entrance, and have had, so far, the best effect. According to present appearances, Bald Head will be protected from abrasion for less than the estimate, which was $40,000. The town of Wilmington has raised $60,000 for this improvement, unconditionally, but in the hope of reimbursement by the general government. This sum will be applied precisely as if it were a new appropriation. The engineer in charge, after much observation of the localities, is still fully of the opinion expressed by the commission: that when the plan proposed by them shall be fully carried out, with, perhaps, some modifications suggested by experience, the main bar of the Cape Fear river will be restored to its original capacity in 1738, which was about twenty feet at high water.

Balance in the treasury September 30, 1853, $12,000.

Probable amount to be expended by 30th June, 1854, $12,000. Estimate of the amount required to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, including $60,000 to reimburse the town of Wilmington, North Carolina, for that amount furnished by it and applied to the improvement of the Cape Fear river, $200,000.

PHILADELPHIA, February 6, 1854.

DEAR SIR: The facts in regard to Cape Fear entrance are briefly the following, which I state in reply to yours of February 4:

1. There was twenty feet at high water on the main bar of the Cape Fear, where now there is in the main channel but about twelve. There is plenty of water for large vessels inside of the bar.

2. The shoaling of the bar is progressive, threatening to cut off access to the harbor for all but the smallest craft.

3. With a twenty feet bar, Cape Fear entrance would be a most useful harbor of refuge at a point on the southern coast where such a harbor is much needed.

4. When the coal from the upper waters of the Cape Fear is regularly brought to market, which must soon be the case, from the completion of the slack water navigation of the river, the harbor will afford an important rendezvous for steamers requiring supplies of fuel.

5. The foreign and domestic commerce of the town of Wilmington, which is the port of a large region of North Carolina, and must, by the extension of the railroads now made, become, also, the port of a rich agricultural district of South Carolina, is threatened with almost entire destruction.

6. The work of improvement of Cape Fear entrance is, in the language of the Chief Engineer of the United States, General Totten, one of "national importance."