Page:Historic highways of America (Volume 13).djvu/209

remainder on that division were about a mile in length, each rising about twenty feet. The shortest level on the eastern slope was .15 of a mile and the longest 3.72 miles, descending 146.71 feet. The steepest incline rose only 10¼ feet in a hundred—a grade not much steeper than that on many pioneer roads. Mr. Welch affirmed that cars could be drawn up these by horses or by stationary steam or horsepower engines. On the eastern planes he suggested that advantage be taken of the force of gravity; on three of the levels, those at each terminus, and the thirteen mile level between Planes 1 and 2, he urged the use of locomotives; elsewhere he advised the use of horse power. The road (single track) was completed by the beginning of 1834 and traffic began March 18, 1834. The ten planes were supplied with ten stationary engines. Half a century ago, Washington, in that classic appeal to Harrison, of 1784, maintained that a great plan of communication between the East and West was practicable, in that "The western inhabitants would do their part towards its execution. Weak as they are,"