Observations on the Lehigh River, The advantages which would result to the City of Philadelphia The Counties of Northumberland Luzerne Northampton &c from the Navigation thereof and Road’s to the Susquehanah.

The River Lehigh discharges itself into the Delaware at Easton, and is by Nature Navigable for Boats of upwards of Twelfe Tun’s Burden in Halfe Freshes some distance above Northampton Town about Twenty odd Miles from Easton, and Rafts of about Nine Hundred Feet of Lumber come down from the Saw Mills Near the Broad Mountain, between Forty and Fifty Miles from the Delaware along the course of the River. I suppose the distance from the Delaware to the Mouth of the Quakake along the Course of Lehigh to be about Sixty Miles. This is at the edge of the Great pine Swamp where the State High Way lait out from the Gap of the Mountain to Wyoming Crosses this River, about Eighty four Miles from the City, Twenty five from Wyoming and about Twenty from the Neseopeck Falls of the Susquehanah, Where a good Road may be made with very small expence Considering the Great advantage of Bringing the Produce from the Heads of the East and West Branches of the Susquehanah to this City with Twenty Miles Land Carriage only. A sum of about Two Thousand Eight Hundred Pounds would be sufficient to Clear the Lehigh of every obstruction so, as to make the Navigation safe for Boats and Rafts near Two Third’s of the Season. The sum of Money Now appropriated Towards making the Road to Wyoming, would make a good Waggon Road to the Top of Quakake Hill and a Slay Road from thence to Wyoming. I suppose That Two Hundred or Two Hundred and Fifty pounds would make a very Good Road from the Quakake Hill to Nescopeck falls, which would be the Carrying Plan for Both Branches of the Susquehanah. If the Navigation of Lehigh and the Roads to the Susquehanah were thus Improved I should be Warrented to say That the Produce even from the west Branch of the Susquehanah might be Brought to Philada. 25 Per Cent Cheaper than by any other route. Consequently the Farmers would find it Their advantage to bring Their Produce to this City in preference to Baltimore or any other Market whatsoever, and keep up that intercourse between the Farmers of Pennsylvania and the Merchants of Philada. which is so esential To a Trading Country like our’s. Much might be sait on the advantages of Farming with Oxen in Steat of Horses. Which Change only can be Effected by Improved Inland Navigation. If the State would lay out a Sum of Three or Four Thousand Pounds per annum (which would be a Tax of about a Shilling on each Taxable Inhabitant,) in a fe years the Delaware, Lehigh and Schuylkill Rivers and the Road to the westward might be Improved in such a manner That the ptoduce from the most    parts of the State (Perticularly that Improving part Between the East and West Branches of the Susquehanah) might be brought to this Market with the Greatest ease and much less expence than the present mode.

I have made the above observations from my own Knowledge and Experience of the Facts Stated and Should not Hesitate one moment to enter into Contract to Clear the River.Lehigh and make the Road before Mentioned for the Estimated sum’s. I have the Honor to be Your Excelencys Most obedient Humble servant