all of which, except the rapids between the Bloomery and Keys's ferry, now is, or very easily may be made navigable for inland Craft, and extended 30 Miles higher.—The South Branch of Potomack is already navigated from its Mouth to Fort Pleasant; which, as the Road goes, is 40 computed Miles; & the only difficulty in the way (and that a very trifling one) is just below the latter, where the River is hemmed in by the hills or mountains on each side—From hence, in the opinion of Colo Joseph Neville and others, it may, at the most trifling expense imaginable, be made navigable 50 Miles higher.—
"To say nothing then of the smaller Waters, such as Pattersons Creek, Cacapehen, Opeckon &ca; which are more or less Navigable;—and of the branches on the Maryland side, these two alone (that is the South Branch & Shannondoah) would afford water transportation for all that fertile Country between the bleu ridge and the Alligany Mountains; which is immense—but how trifling when viewed upon that immeasurable scale, which is inviting our attention!
