Page:Historic highways of America (Volume 13).djvu/165

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, from the mouth of the Tyber in the city of Washington, to the town of Cumberland, a distance of one hundred and eighty-five and seven tenths miles, for construction, engineer expenses, lands, and other contingencies properly applicable to construction, amounts, in the aggregate, to the sum of $11,071,176.21, or $59,618.61 per mile." It is interesting to note that the original estimate for a canal of less dimensions, made by the experienced General Bernard in 1826, was $8,177,081.05, or $43,963 per mile. This estimate did not embrace land purchases or condemnations nor make any provision for contingencies with the exception of an allowance of $157,161 for fencing, which, in the statement of cost, is included under the head of lands. Therefore, in order to make a just comparison between the original estimate and the actual cost of the canal there should be added to General Bernard's estimate the cost of those items which are excluded from it, and included in the clerk's statement, after deducting the amount for fencing already embraced in the estimate.