From the Richmond Dispatch, 10/1/1862, p. 2, c. 3

Canal Commerce. – There are not now, by a considerable number, enough freight boats on the canal to bring to Richmond the produce the people of the interior are ready and anxious to send, could they obtain the facilities. The scarcity of boats has resulted from the Government having used a large number in the obstructions in James river, and afterwards buying from the proprietors a considerable number of those left, which are now run on Government account, leaving but a very inadequate supply for the use of the public. The regular boat-builders have for some time hesitated about building a new supply, though much needed, fearing on their completion they would be impressed. To leave, no ground for this hesitancy the Secretary of War has been applied to, and he has given an assurance that all canal boats built within the next four months from the 1st of October (to-day) will not be impressed by the Government.

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