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 the contractors commenced work on the canal between Dam No. 6 and Cumberland. All went well until the legislature again met and adjourned without restoring the credit of the state, when, their private means being exhausted, once more the contractors were compelled to suspend operations about June 1, 1846. The chief engineer's last report, made before the suspension, shows that the work done under the contract, according to the revised estimate of August 1845, amounted to $55,384. In addition to all other misfortunes, during the years 1846 and 1847 a series of freshets occurred in this region, one following the other in rapid succession. The lower division of the canal was repeatedly damaged until this increase of expense became very embarrassing. Nor were they able to make these repairs without the aid of temporary loans obtained from the banks.

After the execution of the contract for the completion of the canal, two of the original contractors of the co-partnership withdrew and Thomas G. Harris, of Washington County, Maryland, went in with the