In the course of my remarks on this subject, I shall suggest sundry improvements of the present beds and channels of rivers. These will have in view, in general terms, the clearing them of rocks and bars, damming up false channels and sinking shoal places to produce channels of an even bottom and uniform depth of water-sinking small rifts, and locking the large ones and falls-and straightening the course of rivers by cutting points across their bends.

As the propositions have in view the following of the established course of waters, their feasibility, I presume, will readily obtain the assent of the reader.

I also contemplate to suggest some projects for tapping rivers, and taking part of their waters from their natural beds, and giving a new direction to their channels. In doing this, I am sensible I shall assume a critical position; but, " in America, nature seems to have carried on her operations upon a large scale, and with a bolder hand, and to have distinguished the features of this country by a peculiar magnificence;" and nature invites Americans to project their plans of internal improvements on her magnificent scale.

The experience of this country on canals, as yet, is but trifling; and that which it possesses, is obtained from essays made on a small scale. By striking out a '° bolder" line, I shall pursue nature's guide in an untrodden route. Being but a limited traveller, and our geographies and gazetteers affording me but little information on the subject, of course I am left to draw my inferences of probabilities chiefly from maps; consequently, these suggestions must be subjected to many exceptions; particularly those of natural impediments which remain unascertained, even by observation, much less by actual survey. It is by surveys, only, that they can be tested; and it is the interest of men, only, which will invite them to it. Until then, they will remain but as the crude suggestions of projects.

I am not without apprehensions that, from the novelty of the projects, they may be treated as chimeras ; or, at least, as " works that will never be undertaken in your day or mine."

Having thus premised the subject, with diffidence I shall pursue it, connected with the idea which I suggested of a dividend of the surplus money of the United States' treasury among the individual states, and purpose to notice the probable improvements which they severally offer.

Owing to the unevenness of ground in the New-England states, they offer but uncertain prospects of success in tapping their principal rivers and traversing the country with canals. The District of Maine has the Penobscot, Kennebec, and Amoriscogin, of considerable size, which will admit of improvements in their channels and locking their falls, and rendered serviceable in rafting lumber from the interior.

New-Hampshire has no considerable streams but the Merrimack and her half share of Connecticut River. The unevenness of the country will probably forbid the idea of tapping Connecticut River and throwing it across to the Merrimack ; and that, again, across its bend and into or near its estuary. Its chief use of inland navigation is for the conveyance of its lumber. Its surplus productions are mostly provisions which can be transported alive on their feet.

Massachusetts invites to a more capacious and finished improvement of navigation of Connecticut River above and through her territory. If the ground would admit of taking a draft of water from Connecticut River, above Greenfield falls, and running it in a circular route across the country (perhaps through Montague, between Sunderland and Petersham, near Rutland and Worcester, to the head waters of the Concord and to Charles River) into Boston, it would be a valuable acquisition to the trade of that town. It would require a distance of 120 or 130 miles. The Middlesex canal could be materially improved by sinking its bed to the level of the Merrimack, and by giving it a greater width also-or by sinking it in part and accommodating the remainder of its present elevation, by tapping the Merrimack up stream a sufficient distance to command the draft of its current. From Dr. Morse's information of the canal, I presume an improvement of the kind is very plausible. The Dr. speaks of cutting a canal across the isthmus between the heads of Barnstable and Buzzards Bay, a distance of six or eight miles, which, if it could be accomplished, (he says that Dr. Dwight gave it as his opinion,) it" would be more advantageous to Massachusetts and the continent than any other."

If the learned gentlemen had merely boat-navigation in view, I shall beg the liberty to entertain the reverse opinion. Their fancies must have taken the lead of their judgments; for I know of no place where the connexion of two equal bodies of tide-waters would be of less utility. However, could a ship-channel of 15 or 20 feet depth be cut through and admit of the ebb and flood of the tides, it would be valuable for abridging the length and risk of the passage of the sound coasters to and from Boston. This consideration, alone, can possibly render its capital of more value than two or three per cent.

Rhode-Island has a greater proportion of navigable waters than territory. Its only prospect for capital improvements in inland navigation is the tapping Connecticut River about Greenfield falls-or rather, tapping the one from that to Boston, near and throwing it into the head-waters of the Pawtucket-thence follow its channel, with improvements, to Providence. The advantageous navigation, the interior and safe situation, and the capital in trade at Providence, gives it a valuable consideration.

Connecticut has but two considerable rivers-that of its name and Stratford. The improvement of the first would be valuable-that of the second, with the branches of the Thames, would doubtless be worth the expense.

Vermont is wholly an inland state, and for ever destined to remain so, with its productions tributary to the commerce of her neighbour states, unless Chamblee River can be sufficiently improved to admit vessels from the St. Lawrence into Lake Champlain. While she would have no dividend from custom-house revenue, she offers the interest of her trade to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, for the improvement of Connecticut River, on the east-and to New-York, the improvement of Lake Champlain (by a connexion with the Hudson) and several considerable rivers which fall into it, on the west.

HERCULES.