The National Republican And Ohio Political Register

LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND CANAL:

We are gratified that this important work is progressing with greater rapidity than could have been anticipated at this season of the year. At least one fifth of the earth excavation has been effected; and, previous to the recent rise in the river, some progress was made in blasting rock, on that part of the line which passes through the Kentucky chute. The contractors have also made arrangements to augment their force about the 1st of September, to 1000 or 1200 men.

The hands employed, have enjoyed a degree of health almost unparalleled. But one death has occurred amongst them, and that was occasioned by the accidental caving in of a bank of earth. There are not more than one or two, we believe, at this time on the sick list, and they are, by no means, dangerously ill.

The report which has obtained circulation, that the men employed upon the canal had been affected with the small pox, and were dying in considerable numbers of that loathsome disease, is entirely without foundation. Not more than three or four cases of the small pox have occurred in Louisville or its vicinity, in the present year, and those were confined to persons employed on the river, who were affected with the disease before they reached this place. The vigilance of the county officers, and the prudent precautions of our citizens generally, prevented, at that time, the further progress of the disease. Upon the whole, we have no doubt, but the canal will be completed within the time specified in the contract, 1st Nov. 1827. The contractors are giving liberal wages, and there is no scarcity of funds, on the part of the company.

Public Advertiser, July 5.