5

the Left and Tuscaloosa on the right crossing the
Tombigby immediately below the Junction of
the Black Warrior with the same &c.
The two routes for this great national road heretofore
examin^d are I understand some over 1100 miles
each. from Washington to Neworleans. They unite
at Mobile from which place to Neworleans
much differently must be encounterd [sic] in making
the road

The route the Enginiers are now on, from
Washington City to where they cross^d the southern
boundary of our state is estimated at 592
miles passing about 200 miles through our
state Therefor [sic] to gain a preference in the
[page damaged] place for this route over either of the
[page damaged] can be no inconsiderable object
[page damaged] us. and when the actual survey for
the location of the road comes to be made
in the event this route is chosen then
any amendments and alterations for the
better can and will be made. But I must
inform you that the ground view^d from Knoxville
to where our southern boundary is cross^d is
in my opinion nearly as good for a road as I have
ever in the course of my life pass^d over
for the same distance when taken altogether
The enginiers are hastening to Neworleans where