Daily National Intelligencer

INTERNAL NAVIGATION.

FRANKLIN, TENN. MARCH 20.

It is seldom that we have announced any thing that has filled us with as much pleasure as the success of those gentleman that have embarked their produce on the Harpeth, which has at once tested the practicability of navigating this river, and realized the fondest anticipations of the friends of internal improvement.

Several boats, owned by gentlemen of this place have started from here with their cargoes for New-Orleans, and ere this, it is anticipated, have reached the Cumberland in safety; the cargo of one of them was somewhat injured in consequence of the boat's springing a leak; this accident, we are happy to state, is likely to operate but little injury to the owner, (Mr. Robert Murray.)

We have always considered the navigation of the Harpeth to be as practicable as it will be profitable—the greatest objection hitherto raised against the practicability of the undertaking, was the want of water, but experience has abundantly proven that this principal objection is groundless, as the present is acknowledged by the oldest of our citizens to have been the dryest season ever known here. Every thing lost in size is abundantly gained by other advantages in this river; it is so situated that there need be no danger apprehended from staving. The current, even when the water is at its highest, presents the smooth unruffled surface of a pond, so that with very little care, less damage will be sustained in the navigation of this than any other river in the country; and when to this is added the very short distance from here till it empties into the Cumberland, the undertaking is stript of every objectionable feature: the only thing hitherto wanting was a little enterprize on our part—nature has done her's, for it appears that on the very first trial almost unexampled success has crowned the efforts of the enterprising individuals. We are convinced that, with the sum of twenty thousand dollars, such improvements might be made in this river, either by constructing of locks or otherwise, as would enable us to navigate it at all seasons, and in a short time our little village would be converted into a respectable commercial city. We trust the period is not far distant when the citizens of this county will open their eyes to their best interests, and join in a work that will redound to the public as well as private benefit. Nothing can be done without perseverance and a union of the citizens; a few enterprising individuals may do much, but, while a respectable portion of our population stands irresolute, the spirit for improvement cherished by those few may pass away, and the work that might be done with so much ease now will be left to be completed hereafter. We do not only stake our own judgment on the practicability of the undertaking, but, backed by the opinions of our most respectable and intelligent fellow-citizens, we call with confidence on the citizens of the county to lend their assistance and patronage to a work that can only redound to our benefit and respectability in the eyes of our neighbors.