Early Governors' Papers

Cahawba, Nov: 23, 1820

Dear Sir

On the 23 of Sept last I availed myself of the privilege granted me by your Excellency at our last interview & addressed a letter to you on the subject of the navigation of the Coosa River -

At the time I wrote that letter I had it in con= templation to proceed immediately to the survey of the muscle shoals of the Tennessee, from which however I was prevented for a time by an attack of the bilious fever,:- Since my recovery that river has been surveyed by me, and as I have no doubt but yourself, as well as most of the inhabitants of the state over which you preside, will feel a [level?], interest in the navigation of that river, I have thought that a letter on that subject would not be altogether unacceptable to your Excellency. -

The survey was commenced at the muscle ^Hurricane shoals which are three miles above Meltons Bluff. - The obstructions to the navigation are caused by solid beds of limestone rock extending quite across the river, & from one quarter to three and four miles down the same - At two places the River spreads out very wide, and in consequence becomes very shallow, say from nine to twelve inches in depth at the lowest season. - I have submitted to the General Assembly of this State (now in session) an estimate of the probable expense of opening a sluice two and a half feet deep and forty feet wide - an abstract of which I will take the liberty of adding at the foot of this letter. -

The embarrassments that have involved the