Autograph Letter Signed from Epaphras Hoyt to 'the Commissioners of Canals, in Massachusetts', giving the results of his 'surveys and levels, in the valley of Deerfield River', and discussing the possibility of a tunnel through the Hoosac Mountain.

4pp., 4to. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. An important document, not least for the fact that its author discusses the building of a 'tunnel 4 or 5 miles through the [Hoosac] mountain', anticipating the commencement of the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel by 23 years. The letter is closely and neatly written, with the first page headed 'The following Results of my surveys and levels, in the valley of Deerfield River, are respectfully submitted to the Commissioners of Canals, in Massachusetts. | Viz. Beginning in King's meadow, at the surface of the water of Deerfield River, at the foot off Hoosack mountain'. The table gives figures over three columns for six stages, the first two being 'Thence to station staff No. 20 near the toll gate above the turnpike bridge' and 'Thence to No 39 opposite to E. Hawk's Tavern below the mouth of Cold River'. The 'Total dIstance' for the six stages is '30 miles, 11 Chains, 79 [Links]'. Beneath the table, at the foot of the first page, Hoyt writes: 'On arriving at Hoosack mountain, we found it necessary to ascend to Rice's Tavern for quarters, and as we proceeded up I took minutes for ascertaining the height, and in the morning continued them to the summit beyond Rice's.' The results of these 'minutes' are given on the second page, on which Hoyt also explains: 'My surveys and levels were taken by a Theodolite with a good spirit level, telescope and vertical circle, made by Jones of London, and imported by De Prince of Salem for our Academy.' The letter continues with Hoyt interpreting the results of his survey, including the significant observation: 'were it not for the lofty Hoosack, a canal might be constructed, to unite the Connecticut & Hudson, at the ordinary expence. A tunnel 4 or 5 miles through the mountain, composed of primitive rocks would be a Herculean task, probably too great for the contemplated object. [Work on the 4 3/4 mile Hoosack Tunnel began in 1848 and it was completed in 1875.] Whether water may be found on the summit of the mountain, sufficient for a canal, is a question I cannot decide.' In a postscript describes 'a curiosity' he encountered, 'a rocking stone' found 'on the bed of Deerfield River, a little above Town plain'.