i OXS1DEB ATIONS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 GBJE AT WESTERN" CANAL, 
 
 TUB 
 
 HUDSON TO LAKE ERIE 
 
 WITH A VIEW OF ITS 
 
 30JPENCE, ADVANTAGES, AND PROGRESS. 
 
 Second Edition. - 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDEK OF THE 
 
 \EW-YORK CORRESPONDING ASSOCIATION, 
 
 ron rprf, FtiotioTiox OF 
 
 aOONER &T WORTHIXGTOX, PKINTER*, BROOKLYN*. 
 
 1818. 
 
 

 
 
 
AV presenting to the public the following Considerations 
 on the Western and Northern Canals. 1 return my thanks 
 to those gentlemen in the western part of the State* who hare 
 aided me in my work, by the communication of some impor- 
 tant facts. It is hoped, that A VIEW OF THE RE- 
 SOURCES OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK* will be 
 presented to the Nation, in the course of a feiv months, un- 
 der the patronage of the New- Fork Corresponding Associa- 
 tion. Through this channel, an appeal is now made to a 
 liberal and enlightened community, for every detail and every 
 species of information, which may tend to the accomplishment 
 of this object. Communications addressed to the subscriber) 
 or to the Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence for 
 the Association, would be gratefully received. 
 
 CHARLES G. HALVES. 
 
 JCnc-Fork, October, 1818* 
 
 
THE 
 
 New- York Corresponding Association,, 
 
 FOR THE PROMOTION OF 
 
 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 
 
 :> ^Mv: *& ? 
 
 THIS Association has for its object, the aequisilion and 
 diffusion of all useful intelligence, connected with the Inland 
 trade and navigation of the country. Its founders have in- 
 dulged the hope, that by opening an extensive correspon- 
 dence. with gentlemen of the first distinction, throughout 
 the Union, and by imbodying and sending forth, in a com- 
 prehensive form, the information which might be thus ac- 
 quired, great and permanent benefit could be rendered to the 
 American people, and much incitement given to that noble 
 and munificent spirit of enterprize, in relation to Internal 
 Improvements, which now distinguishes every quarter of the 
 United States. 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 I3E WITT CLINTON, President. 
 SAMUEL L. MITCHILL, 
 
 SMUEL L. MITCHILL, } v . 
 
 CADWALLADER I), t OLDEN, J ^ l 
 
 Committee of Correspondence and Publication* 
 
 THOMAS EDDY, Chairman. 
 
 WILLIAM BAYARD, I PIERRE C. VAX WYCJ 
 
 THEODORES BAILBY, JOHN PINTARD, 
 
 SYLVANUS MILLER, I JAMES L. BELL, 
 
 JAMES TALLMADGE, Jun. JOHN Me KESSON, 
 
 IlOBKRT BOGAUDUS, | R. J], BoWNB. 
 
 CHAULES G. HAINES, Corresponding Secretary. 
 POST, Jun. Treasurer. 
 
CONSIDERATIONS 
 
 OX THE 
 
 GREAT WESTERN CANAL, &c. 
 
 THE interest which is excited throughout this country, 
 and in the minds oi' some ot" the first statesmen and puhlie 
 characters in Europe, in relation to the great \vorks of in- 
 land navigation, which are now vigorously prosecuted under 
 the patronage of the XEW-YORK STATE GOVERNMENT, ren- 
 ders it necessary to give an occasional exposition of the pro- 
 gress and success of our vast hut practicable undertakings. 
 
 Like all great projects, embracing in their scope (he pros- 
 perity and welfare of states and empires, the Grand Canal 
 from the Hudson to the Lakes, has come in for a share of 
 obloquy and reprehension. By the weak and timid, it has 
 been viewed as a visionary project of state grandeur; by the 
 base and designing, it has been denounced as an attempt at 
 popularity.^ Experience will detect the error and criminali- 
 ty of both imputations. When the great Colbert, in conjunc- 
 tion with the celebrated engineer, M. Riquet, undertook to 
 connect the Mediterranean sea with tfie Atlantic ocean, by 
 the Canal of Languedoc, to aid in building up the marine of 
 France, and to fortify an independent commercial system ; his 
 plan was viewed by many with astonishment and derision. 
 Yet docs this canal stand as the most honorable monument of 
 the illustrious reign of Louis 14th. But few great benefac- 
 tors of their age, have received the immediate tribute of 
 gratitude and applause due to their distinguished services. 
 It is time that consecrates their deeds, as immovable land- 
 marks in the historv of civilization. 
 
6 
 
 I : 
 rftfeNAi, NAVIGATION will hereafter constitute one of 
 
 5 primary objects of our state and national policy. Many 
 inevitable causes have heretofore detracted from that atten- 
 tion which is at all times due to its magnitude and importance. 
 We are yet an infant nation. When we emerged from the 
 conflicts of the revolution, we had a great national debt to 
 pay, and a new government to organize and sustain. For- 
 eign commerce afforded the natural and ready means to ac- 
 complish these ends, and it was pursued with success, to the 
 exclusion of any regular system of internal trade. The 
 tremendous commotions of the belligerent world, favored 
 this exclusive policy, until the flagrant depredations of the 
 European powers, and the war which they produced, sv.ept 
 our commerce from the ocean. Our commercial relations 
 are now assuming a more permanent character, and we shall 
 gradually extend them until they grasp the boundaries of the 
 maritime world, by the bold and vigorous application of our 
 internal resources./^ 
 
 It is unnecessary in this place, to dwell with much detail 
 
 on the vast importance of an extensive and vigorous system 
 
 importance of inland trade. It is amply elucidated by almost every em- 
 
 01 internal . .... 
 
 Trade and ment writer, who has taken up his pen to instruct nations in 
 m< their commercial pursuits. The home trade," says Vat- 
 tel,=* " is of vast use. It furnishes all the citizens with the 
 means of procuring what they want, as either necessary, 
 useful or agreeable. It causes a circulation of money, cre- 
 ates industry, animates labor, and by affording subsistence to 
 a great number of subjects, contributes to render the coun- 
 try more populous and flourishing. In fine, this commerce 
 being of advantage <o the nation, it is obliged, as a duty to 
 itself, to render it prosperous." Adam Smith observes in 
 his wealth of nations. f That good roads and canals and 
 navigable rivers, by diminishing the expense of carriage, 
 put the remote parts of the country more nearly upon a 
 
 * Vide p. 69, Laws Nations* 
 t Vol. 1, p. 229, 
 
'7 
 
 level with those in the neighbourhood of large towns ; and 
 on that aceount THEY AHE THE GREATEST OF ALL IM- 
 PROVEMENTS." But commercial prosperity is not the only 
 advantage to be derived from such means to promote inter- 
 nal trade ^^Vhile they lead to national happiness and na- 
 tional strength, they cement together a wide spread commu- 
 nity, not only by the strong tics of interest, but also by every 
 social tic that can unite an enlightened and powerful people. 
 Who that has glanced his eye over the map of our exten- 
 sive country Who that remembers the strong local features 
 that bear the everlasting impress of nature's own hand, but 
 perceives the palpable necessity of such affinities ? Wash- 
 ington, Franklin, Jefferson, Rittenhouse and Adams saw it* 
 The most distinguished statesmen of this and of every other 
 country now see it. Our mountains must be politically an- 
 nihilated. Our sectional barriers must be swept away by a 
 moral arm, whose power is resistless. Our manners, our Advanta- 
 
 . . ,. . . gresoflnter- 
 
 habits, our principles, our political maxims and our mostnai Trade 
 pervading sympathies, must wear an aspect that is settled, ion. " 
 uniform and consistent. Nothing but this, can perpetuate 
 that union which is to guarantee our future national greatness. 
 Nothing but this, can preserve those popular institutions 
 which are sealed with our fathers' blood. Nothing but this, 
 can carry us along to that height of glory which breaks upon 
 our gaze through the vista of futurity, and beckens us to its 
 cloudless summit. Nay, on this subject, vre can almost hear 
 the voice of distant generations, speaking in supplications 
 loud as the thunders of a higher w orld^ But let us quote 
 the opinions of men whose names impart a consequence to 
 their sentiments, that is worthy to be held in constant re- 
 membrance. The Duke of SulJy, the celebrated minister 
 of Henry IV. and one of the most profound men whom 
 France ever saw, early perceived the importance of a vigo- 
 rous policy to improve the internal trade of his country, 
 He observed that France could easily draw to herself the 
 commerce of the ocean and the Mediterranean, and sec them 
 
I 
 
 in the middle of her provinces, by a canal navigation. We 
 find in his memoirs the following judicious remarks : "The 
 joining rivers and making roads, which render the commu- 
 nicating either of different provinces, or different parts of 
 the same provinre, more easy and commodious, are per- 
 haps the two most important objects to which a wise gov- 
 ernment can apply its attention in a time of peace. It is 
 necessary that there should be some principal centre for 
 the riches of the nation ; but nevertheless, other 
 cities should not fall a sacrifice % to the capital ; which 
 being in the body politic what the heart is to the human 
 body, constantly receiving the Mood, and as constantly re- 
 pelling it, even to the most extreme parts, they cannot be 
 deprived of it without bringing languor on the whole ma- 
 chine. Much trouble might be saved in studying the na- 
 ture of those secret springs, which give motion to the 
 most minute branches of commerce, were due attention 
 givn to that simple and obvious principle, of only supply- 
 ing the country people with the means of living in ease and 
 plenty."* But let us come home to our own statesmen, 
 whose remarks may more immediately apply to ourselves. 
 We shall first quote the words of Albert Gallatin. The 
 inconvenience, complaints, and perhaps dangers," says this 
 able politician " which may result from a vast extent of 
 territory, can no otherwise be radically removed, or preven- 
 ted, than by opening speedy and easy communications 
 through all its parts. Good Roads and Canals, will shorten 
 distances, facilitate commercial and personal intercourse, 
 and unite, by a still more intimate community of interests, 
 the remote sections of the United States. No other single 
 operation within the power of government, can more effect- 
 ually tend to strengthen and perpetuate that Union which 
 secures external independence, domestic peace, and internal 
 liberty."| The next great man we shall quote is Joel Bar- 
 
 *Sully's Mem. Vol. 3, p. 333. 
 
 'I Report on public Roads and Canal?., 1807. 
 
9 
 
 He observes, (hat " Public improvements, such as 
 roads anil canals, are usually considered only in a commer- 
 cial and economical point of light ; but they ought also to 
 be reganled in a moral and political light. The means to be 
 relied on to hold this beneficent union together, must apply 
 directly to the interest and convenience of the people. They 
 must at the same time enable them to discern that interest* 
 and be sensible of that convenience. The people must be- 
 come habituated to enjoy a visible, palpable and incontestible 
 good ; greater good than they could promise themselves by 
 any change. They must have information enough to per- 
 ceive it, to reason upon it, to know why they enjoy it, from 
 whence it flows, how it was attained, how it is to be preser- 
 ved, and how it may be lost."* The immortal Fulton, the 
 second Franklin of his age, has remarked \vilh Ins usual 
 discrimination and intelligence, That when the United 
 States shall be bound together by Canals, by cheap and easy 
 access to rmir'vet in all directions, by a sense of mutual in- 
 terests, arising from mutual intercourse and mingled com- 
 merce, it will be no more possible to split them into inde- 
 pendent and separate governments, obliging each to line its 
 own frontiers with troops, to shackle its own exports and 
 imports to and from the neighboring states, than it is possi- 
 ble now for the government of England to divide and form 
 again into seven kingdoms. Here is a certain method of 
 securing the Union of the States, and of rendering it as per- 
 manent as tbe continent v.e inhabit,"! With these prelim- 
 inary remarks and illustrations, we shall proceed to notice 
 the state of our inland navigation. 
 
 No one need enquire what are the advantages of the state 
 of New- York for Intern J Commerce. The map of our 
 state will answer the question and put curiosity at rest. 
 Neither do we want ability to improve these advantages 
 
 * Address to the Citizens of Washington City, 
 
 Letter to Mr. Gnliatin, Dec. 13, 1807. 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 providence has planted around us. A state whicH 
 rests her borders, upon the ocean on one side, and on the 
 other reposes upon the greatest chain of infernal seas upon 
 the face of the globe, diversified by interior Lakes and trib- 
 utary streams, with a river whose tides and facilities for 
 navigation can scarcely find a comparison ; a state that con- 
 tains a more extensive soil than Portugal, the United Neth- 
 erlands, or England and Wales put together ; a state that 
 stands in the heart of the union, and could now sustain the 
 \vhole population of the American Empire, and can yearly 
 pay ten or twelve millions of dollars into the treasury of the 
 nation, without inconvenience ; whose splendid commercial 
 emporium, catches the gaze of the foreigner as though it 
 were gilded with the decorations of enchantment* and even 
 now has a tonnage that no city in the world can equal but 
 London itself; finally, a state, that presents a million and a 
 half of wealthy, intelligent, enterprizing and high minded 
 republicans, attached to the union, the government and (he 
 laws.- We say, that such a state, does present no common 
 spectacle. We are proud in its contemplation -we execrate 
 the wretch who is not so. We arc proud too* at the great 
 and salutary end to which these resources are bent. 
 
 The people of this state early perceived the benefits of In- 
 ternal Trade, and previous to the late war with England, 
 the GRAND CANAL from the Hudson to Lake Erie 
 Avas contemplated. Such an undertaking was alone suitable 
 to a state of peace. It was accordingly postponed to that 
 period, when more favorable auspices should await its pros- 
 ecution. That period arrived, when DE WITT CLINTON 
 was unanimously called to the chief magistracy of the state. 
 The eyes of the people were fixed upon him, with an expect- 
 ation that the Great Western Canal would be vigorously 
 prosecuted to its final completion. The work will be pros- 
 ccut(*I and triumphantly finished. 
 
 As we are presenting to the American people, some view 
 of our internal improvements, it may be well to show sonic- 
 
11 
 
 thing of the original calculations of the commissioners, eon* 
 cerning the Grand Canal ; to take a slight riew of its ad- 
 vantages ; and give a correct detail of its state and progress 
 the present season./ 
 
 The length of the Canal, from the Hudson to the Lakes, 
 is calculated at three hundred and fifty-three miles, accor- 
 ding to the report of the commissioners appointed by the 
 New- York Legislature, on the 17th April, 1816. They ob- si 
 served that in their opinion, " the dimensions of the Western canal 
 or Erie Canal and Locks, should be as follows, viz :-~-width 
 on the vater surface, forty feet ; at the bottom, twenty- 
 eight feet, and depth of water four feet; the length of a 
 lock, ninety feet, and its width, twelve feet in the clear. 
 Vessels carrying one hundred tons may navigate a canal of 
 this size and all the lumber produced in the country, and 
 required for the market, may be transported upon it." The 
 aggregate rise and fall is in feet 661 35, and the elevation 
 of Lake Eric above the Hudson, is calculated to be in feet 
 5Gi 85. The number of locks will be seventy-seven. The 
 canal has been divided into three great sections. The west- 
 ern section reaches from Lake Erie to Seneca River ; the 
 middle section leads from Seneca River to Rome, and the 
 eastern, from Rome to the Hudson. 
 
 The average expense of the canal per mile, is estimated 
 at 13,800 ; being twelve hundred dollars per mile less than 
 Mr. Fulton and Mr. Gallatin assigned, as an average ex- 
 pense for each mile of American canal.* The whole ex- 
 pense of the great western canal, is calculated at g4,884,738. 
 Should it, how r ever, proceed in a route south of what is cal- 
 led the mountain ridge, west of the Genesce River, then 
 there will be a deduction in the expenditures, which leaves 
 the whole estimated cost, as made by the commissioners, a$ 
 $4,571,813 00. 
 
 * Vide Report on Canals, 1 807. 
 
These statements arc taken from the report of the eamif 
 commissioners, made to the New- York Legislature, Februa- 
 ry dUS 1817. They hfive antecedently been laid before the 
 public in various shapes ; but we again submit them, after 
 they have been partially tested. The last report which has 
 been made by the commissioners* \vas submitted to the le- 
 gislature on the 31st of January, 1818, and to which we 
 shall more particularly refer in the course of our remarks. 
 Tliis report only confirms the correctness of all ihose which 
 preceded it, and only proves, that the estimates were ratliep 
 too high than too low. Sufficient it will be here to remark, 
 that from experience and subsequent observation, the Grand 
 Canal will even cost less than the commissioners and the 
 state government have calculated. This we shall prove and 
 illustrate. 
 
 "We will now advert to some of the great advantages which 
 must result to the slate of New-York, to the western coun- 
 try, ami to the nation at large from the Grand Western 
 Canal, 
 
 We have before taken a view of the principal advantages 
 that must result to our union, and to our republican institu- 
 tions, by attaching the various sections of the country more 
 immediately together, by means of internal communication. 
 Our Great Canal, in this respect, will produce a train of ex- 
 clusive and permanent benefits, which could not, from local 
 causes, pertain to any similar undertaking within the scope 
 of ourselves, or of the nation. "When you connect the Hud- 
 son with the Lakes, by such a communication, you virtually 
 place the Atlantic seaboard and the great western interior 
 b.v the side of each other. From the ocean, you can pass 
 through this whole chain of inland seas, navigable to ves- 
 sels of the largest burthen. Nor shoulf! we stop here New- 
 York and New Orleans could be brought, in point of inter- 
 course, near each other. At trifling expense, and with no 
 great effort of labour, you could open a communication by 
 water, through which a vast commerce could be carried on 
 
13 
 
 from Lake Michigan to the Illinois River, which 
 
 into the >ii^ ..hove St. Lt.t:;?. and traverses nearly 
 
 the whole extent of Unit rising and fertile territory, which 
 
 will -oon be uuinitfi-d as a state among the other sisters 
 
 of the union,* Even in high waters, there is now a 
 
 navigation for small crafl, hel\\cen the waters of the Conncx- 
 
 lllinoi* aiid the southern extremity of Lake Michigan [JJj 
 
 through thenango Creek. The Miami of Lake Erie, and 
 
 the tributary streams of Lake Michigan, near the head wa- the . 
 u is oi' the Illinois, could easily he united, and a direct ehan- * 
 nel from Lake Erie imo the Mississippi thus be opened. It 
 n>av iJso be observed, that the sources of the Miami of Lake 
 Erie, and the head waters of the \Vabash, have about the 
 same level, are near each other, and could easily be united 
 without encountering the least obstruction. By this means, 
 a communication could be opened with the Mississippi, 
 through one of the most charming and fertile countries that 
 the eve of man has ever visited, or his hands ever improved. 
 Another p::s?aj;e from the Lakes to the Mississippi could be 
 effected, by uniting the waters of the Miami of Lake Erie 
 and the Miami of the Ohio, whose waters, at the sources, 
 are nearly on the same level. That some of these channels 
 will &hortl\ be opened, no rational man can doubt, \\lio re* 
 collects the character of that population who inhabit the 
 country tliev will enrich. Three of her great canals could 
 easily unite the Hudson and the Ohio, by means of Lake 
 f>ie. First by means of the Sandusky and Sciota rivers, 
 The former which empties into the Lake, and the latter into. 
 the Ohio, have their waters from i!ie same svtamp. Theiv 
 junction would hardly cost an effort. The second would be 
 .'> uniting the Mr.skingum and the Cayuga Rivers. The 
 former empties into the Ohio, one hundred and seventy miles 
 below Pittsburg, and the latter turns its waters into Lake 
 Erie. Six miks of Canal would unite them, and we believe 
 
 * Illinois is already admitted by act of Congress, but having 
 only 40,000 people, she cannot immediately become a state. 
 
14 
 
 that a company now actually exists to execute this purpose* 
 The third communication would be between Lake Erie and 
 the AHeghany branch of the Ohio. There are two ways by 
 which this object could be effected ; the first by joining their 
 waters through French Creek, which would want about six- 
 teen miles of canal the other, through Lake Chetoughe to 
 the Alleghany. A considerable navigation is now carried on 
 through this Lake. The people on the borders of French 
 Creek arc very ardent in the project of a canal, that would 
 unite the waters of the Lakes with the Ohio at Pittsburg, 
 and are themselves capable of doing it, in a single season, if 
 they are endued with that noble enlerprize, which so gener- 
 ally distinguishes their western brethren. \That systems of 
 internal trade and navigation may yet spring from the com- 
 pletion of our great undertaking, even after we pass the 
 shores of Michigan, is left for future entcrprize and future 
 events to determine. The mighty waters beyond this Lake 
 are yet to be brought into requisition, for the great purposes 
 o. national grandeur and individual convenience.* 
 ,^'Pause for a moment, and consider the mighty population 
 which will yet cluster on the shores of this chain of Lakes 
 and the unnumbered streams which foil their tributary boun- 
 ties into their bosoms J/5The great western world which re- 
 poses upon their wide-stretched shores, needs no description 
 of ours, to enhance its value in the estimation of the Amer- 
 ican people, /p. will yet contain a population, unequalled by 
 any in the world for industry, enterprize and independence ; 
 a population bound together by ties of union and interest, 
 created and fortified bj a grand system of internal improve- 
 of vltieb the Great \\fstein Canal nill be the lul- 
 the animating spectacle here presented in perspect- 
 ive, we see a great republican itii.iiuniu, cemented by the 
 
 * On the ease and practicability of uniting the Lakes with the 
 \Vrstr-jp v.aters. see J'r. Galiatin's Report, and Beaujours Trav- 
 els in the United States. 
 
15 
 
 Wrongest considerations thaf ever influenced a political bodV 
 -assimilated in manners, laws, sentiments and maxims, with 
 their eves fixed on their connexion with the seaboard, as the 
 life and support of their prosperity and happiness. Yes, in 
 this noble race of citizens, we see the cradle of liberty, laws, 
 and the arts ; we see the hallowed light of our liberal insti- 
 tutions beaming in its native purity, blended witbjLtre mild 
 lustre of virtue, magnanimity and intelligence. s' 
 
 In a commercial point of view, the results and benefits of 
 the Canal cap^carcely be estimated, at this early stage of 
 our history^jThe first advantage to be derived from its 
 cornpletioiff is a national one the diversion of a growing and 
 importsmt trade from Great Britain to ourselves// Mr. We s- we 
 ton, the celebrated Engineer, well observed in s/letter to the ^ 
 Canal Commissioners some years ago, < that should the no- la * ge> 
 ble plan of uniting Lake Erie with the Hudson be carried 
 into effect, we could fear no rivalry, and the commerce of 
 the enormous extent of country, bordering on the upper 
 Lakes, would be ours forever ; and to such an incalculable 
 amount, as would baffle all conjecture to conceive." Even 
 the country which is immediately interested in the Canal, 
 %vill produce more from the richness of its soil, than all tho 
 Atlantic states put together. Its extent and fertility, war- 
 ranted the Canal Commissioners in making this assertion 
 some years ago. But two outlets remain for this produce :. 
 the one down the Lakes to the St. Lawrence the other, un- 
 der the present circumstances, by laborious land carriage io 
 Albimy, and from thence down the Hudson to Xew-York. 
 \Vhat is the effect ? Why, that a branch of the most profita- 
 ble trade, flows to a British market, and enriches our natu- 
 ral enemy, the arrogant usurper, that would domineer over 
 the whole world. What policy is England pursuing with 
 her \orth American colonies ? A policy whose end is to 
 reader th'Mii formidable to us in a commercial point of view. 
 Il<*ri"e we see her totally departing from the ordinary rigors 
 and oppressions of her general colonial policy, In her gov- 
 
-t-V-nmcnt of the Canadas. Their taxes are light, their laws 
 liberal, their privileges comparatively numerous, and the ex* 
 IMMICCS of the government have heretofore, at some periods, 
 been a tax to the British Treasury. We must remember 
 that the Canadas contain more square miles than our five 
 largest states, and can sustain a great, hardy and formidable 
 population, as much so as the population of the north of 
 Europe. Dr. Franklin, when examined at the bar ot the 
 British House of Commons, previous to the revolution, cal- 
 led them a " vast country." It will be the policy of the 1 
 British Cabinet, to increase their population to the utmost 
 extent of her power. It has been frequently avowed in the 
 British Ministerial Gazettes and Journals, since the late war, 
 that the North American Colonies should be fostered and 
 protected, as a check upon the alarming; commercial great- 
 ness of the United States, feven the colonial governments* 
 have gone so far as to express their alarm, through their 
 official papers, of the New-York state government : nay, 
 they have gone further, and are actually engaged in coun- 
 teracting our policy, by making a canal of no small impor- 
 tance, at the present moment, which may sensibly affect our 
 northern trade. What immense quantities of produce would 
 find their way to Montreal in the course of another genera- 
 tion, without any countervailing diversion on our part, no 
 "mind can estimate ; but enough is seen, to hold out the most 
 imperious obligations to the government and people of the 
 United States, to divert and command this trade. No one 
 can hesitate to say what course it will take, when the Great 
 Western Canal shall be finished.* The Canal Commission- 
 ers in 1812, in answer to the doubts expressed by the gov- 
 ernment of Michigan Territory, in relation to the policy of 
 
 * We understand that a \vorkof400 pages is. now in the press, 
 to prove that the Western Canal should be abandoned, for a Ca- 
 nal around Niagara Falls, and that this advocate for a trade with 
 Montreal is an American Citizen ! 
 
suiting our Canal in its present direct ion, made it fully ev> 
 dent by the iiwst irresistible and conclusive pi-oofs, that it 
 woukl be far cheaper to take produce to New- York than to 
 Montreal, ou the completion of the Canal, even were there 
 a Canal cut round the tremendous cataract of Niagara, 
 which we think willYiot shortly be done : but more than this, 
 U will be even cheaper to take produce from above the Falls 
 to New- York, than from Lewistown below the Falls, to Mon- 
 treal. As it now is, and probably ever will be, the portage 
 round the Falls, from one Lake to the other, must prove a 
 formidable tax, even leaving out the difference of risk in go- 
 ing to the British, instead of the New-Y'ork market. f lhe 
 Fur trade which we shall command by uutan* of the Canal, 
 will prove of no minor consequence r/^md in fact, such are 
 the incalculable and stupendous cornmercial advantages, 
 which our project promises fair to secure, that we need ot 
 endeavor to render them more palpable. The import and 
 export trade of New-York, through this great channel, will 
 hereafter astonish the nation and the world. M 
 
 /jfhe importance of opening a home market for produce, 
 when we take into view the interests of agriculture, is strik- 
 ingly important. Agriculture flourishes, in proportion to 
 the encouragement it receives from consumption, and ready 
 demand in the marked. Home markets are greatly prefera- 
 ble to those of a foreign description, being secure from the 
 fluctuations and inconstancy, which more or less, pertain to 
 those distant resorts for the sale of our surplus productions. // 
 There is but little inducement to make improvements in thiy 
 most essential of all branches of industry, if the distance 
 and uncertainty of the market, creates an expense that ab- 
 sorbs the profits of labor. We have before referred to the 
 doctrine of great political economists, where they lay down 
 the advantages which result from encouraging the cultivation 
 of the remote parts of a country, by facilitating and accom- 
 plishing the means of an easy and safe communication with 
 
18 
 
 , - v , . 
 
 Jarge cities. The correctness of their ideas are abundantly 
 proved by their application to the great westeru country, 
 that borders on the Lakes. There are (hose too who be- 
 lieve, with strong and prominent reasons for their faith, that 
 the western country is yet to contain rich and extensive man- 
 ufacturing establishments. Although it was a wilderness 
 when Volney travelled through our country, yet he called it 
 the Flanders of America, and foretold its future greatness 
 as a manufacturing country. Should these predictions ever 
 prove true, ourcunal will present a channel through which 
 a great proportion of the fruits of this species of industry, 
 and application of capital, can be wafted with ease and ce~ 
 lerity to that rich mart of commerce, that will afford them 
 a ready market. The abundance of coal which is supposed 
 to lie in the vicinity of the lakes and the successful experi- 
 mcjit which has been made in different kinds of manufactures 
 at Pittshurg, by the application of steam, favors the sound- 
 ness of these anticipations. 
 
 Our public lands have heretofore occupied no inconsidera- 
 ble space, in the estimation of the national government. 
 Two considerations arc intimately connected with them; 
 iirst, the pecuniary advantages to be derived to the nation 
 from their sale ; and secondly, the extent and character of 
 the population which is to inhabit them. Both of these 
 considerations will be materially affected by the western ca- 
 nal. It is a well authenticated fact, that tinder present cir- 
 cumstances, the national government labors under much dis- 
 appointment* in relation to the expected revenue to be deri- 
 ved from the sale of these national domains. During the 
 last session of Congress, a resolution was passed appointing 
 a committee to enquire into the expediency of raising the 
 price of public lands. The following is a part of the re- 
 port which they submitted : " Indeed the eommiftee feel 
 somewhat apprehensive, that the United States, so far from 
 being enabled to increase, will find themselves compelled to 
 lessen the price of public lands, or to forego the golden 
 
19 
 
 tit cams tliev indulge in, of enormous revenue to arise from 
 (heir sale, It will be recollected by the house, that hereto- 
 fore, (he puhlfc has been the monopolist of land that not- 
 withstanding this advantage, not more than eight or nine 
 millions of acres have been sold, for a sum less than 
 19,000,000 of dollars, and that too during a space of 18 or 
 20 years."* This is enough to sho\\ that the public lands 
 are not productive of that pecuniary advantage, which was 
 once expected. In relation to this subject, therefore, the 
 Canal must be viewed with much interest. It has even been 
 estimated by very discerning calculators, that should the na- 
 tional government, make the whole Canal from the Hudson 
 to the Lakes, at an expense of five millions of dolia : 9 
 the rise which it would produce in the sale of public lands, 
 must remunerate the disbursements of tin nation in ten or 
 fifteen years. This estimate, in all probability, is very 
 nearly correct. Certain it is, that their value must depend 
 upon a disposition to settle them ; and they must be settled 
 and reclaimed from a wilderness slate, by emigrants from 
 the eastern section of our union, and other thick settled parts 
 of the country. \Vhat are now the greatest objections to 
 taking up and inhabiting these public lands ? The.. difficul- 
 ties and expense of emigration and the want of a ready 
 aiarket for surplus produce. Remove these objections, and 
 the stream of emigration would be broad, deep awl constant, 
 as that great and majestic flood, sent forth from the Lakes, 
 w hose borders it would people. Towns, villages and cities 
 would spring up, and emerge from the bosom of the wilder- 
 ness, as though the soil was smitten by some potent and crea- 
 tive hand of enchantment. \Ve know of no operation, in the 
 scope of either state or national government, that ceuld 
 open so ready and so wide a door to national wealth and na- 
 tional strength. The character of the emigrants too will be 
 much improved by our canal. A great proportion of the. 
 
 * Vide Report of Committee, Jan. 5, 1818. 
 
20 
 
 populatiort which has poured into the western country for 
 the last few years, has been honest, enterprising, hut needy, 
 and forced upon adventure hy necessity. Their object has 
 been, subsistence and comfort for their numerous families. 
 But when ready markets, with easy and regular transporta- 
 tion are opened to these countries, men of capital and men 
 too of high standing, as agriculturists, will be induced to 
 leave an old for a new ami more genial soil. Foreign emi- 
 grants of large fortunes, will also be induced to cast a fa- 
 vorable eye on these tempting territories. It is now, that 
 great capitalists begin to think of abandoning the troubled 
 shores of the old world, to invest their property and reasr 
 their families in the new. The vicinity of the Lakes has al- 
 ready attracted many foreigners of this valuable descrip- 
 tion. 
 
 The late war with Great Britain, as well as the present 
 war with the Seminole Indians, sufficiently proves, without 
 going further back into our history, that we have nothing i& 
 expect from these savage tribes but eontinual depredation, 
 while hanging on our borders, with feelings of jealousy and 
 revenge, and ready to rush on murder and devastation, at 
 the beck of England or Spain. Physical force on the fron- 
 tiers, by means of settlements, which are better than stand- 
 ing armies, as well as trade and intercourse, must correct 
 these evils, and remove these dangers from us. Whatever, 
 therefore, tends to draw and sustain an enterprising popula- 
 tion on our Lake frontier ; whatever tends to increase oui* 
 trade with the Indian Tribes, tends to our peace and securi- 
 ty. And is the civilization of the Savages nothing, which 
 must follow this state of things ? Is it of no importance to 
 redeem these unfortunate beings from that unhappy state of 
 moral and intellectual degradation, which pertains to their 
 ordinary condition ? Constant intercourse can alone elevate 
 to a more tolerable standing, their present depressed char- 
 acter. It is this alone which can subdue the wild and un- 
 checked propensities of the savage soul, and mould it to the 
 
dictates of civil restraint, and the precepts of morality. Il- 
 lumine their cabins and irradiate their haunts with the mild 
 and gladdening beams of civilization, and we shall no longer 
 find the abodes of domestic tranquillity roused to terror by 
 the soul chilling war-whoop, or families falling victims to 
 sanguinary massacre. We ought not here to forbear men- 
 tion ing, by May of illustration, (hat a tribe of Indians in our 
 own state, have been so far reclaimed by intercourse and ex- 
 ample, as recently to have even instituted among them, a so- 
 ciciy for agricultural improvement. When the Western 
 Canal shall be opened, and a vast and vigorous commerce 
 carried on through the Lakes, fed by the territories in their 
 vicinity, we cannot but hope, that great and beneficent e- 
 fecis will be extended by these means to our imlir.n neigh- 
 bors. 
 
 Candor enjoins, that in recounting the advantages of ow 
 undertaking, we should not omit the facilities it will afford, 
 for (he transportation of every thing of a naval and military 
 nature* connected with the defence of our extensive frontiers. 
 We wish not for war with Great Britain ; we wish not fei- 
 war with any nation, unless wag' d lor future safety, and in 
 vindication of our national rights. Should the day ever 
 come, \\hen the interest and policy of the United States and 
 Great Britain should again clash ; or should that great 
 crisis ever arrive, when the empire of the maritime work! 
 shall be decided bv the two nations, and the Lakes again 
 become the splendid theatre of naval warfare ; we shall nt-1 
 take it upon ourselves to say \\hat would be the utility of 
 our Canal, as a medium of transportation. But dismissing 
 these benefits in perspective, as visionary and romantic, we 
 must certainly admit that a military force is to be maintain- 
 ed in conjunction with some naval force, to guard our lake 
 frontiers, while England holds the Canadas. On the late 
 debate in Congress, Gen. James Tallmadge, jun. a member 
 from the state of New-York, shewed, in his usual clear and 
 luminous manner, the enormous expense of transportation to 
 
22 
 
 fhe Lakes, under present circumstances. Ho stated, without 
 contradiction, that the munitions of war for the armament 
 on Luke Erie, were sent from the seat of government. The 
 cost of a cannon at thai place was $400, while the transporta- 
 tion was from one thousand five hundred to two thousand 
 dollars per gun ! The delay, too, in transportation, to he also 
 considered in addition to the expense. He also stated, and 
 from information derived from the war department, that 
 while the House was then debating on the expediency of 
 opening communications, that would lessen the price of 
 transportation, the Government was paying g!27 per barrel 
 for pork, to sustain the western garrisons. Gen. Tallmadge 
 observed, that he spoke within hounds, when he asserted, 
 that money enough had been wasted during the war, for 
 want of military roads and canals, to turnpike the whole 
 western country. If this remark be true, we do not hesitate 
 to say, that had the Western Canal been completed in 1812, 
 it would have saved enough to the nation, in the charges of 
 transportation, to make three such Canals as ours. One of 
 the late Aids of Gen. Harrison, and now a respectable mem- 
 ber of the bar of New Orleans, informed us a few week$ 
 since, that it cost the General Government $100, per bar- 
 rel for flour and $60, per bushel for oats, at Fort Meigs, 
 during the northwestern campaign, taking into view the 
 forage for the horses on the way, and the horses that were 
 lost. In these observations, we say nothing of the time 
 which was sacrificed to an army engaged in active hostilities* 
 Is it then of no consequence \yhen viewed in relation to fu- 
 ture exigencies ? 
 
 In young countries, most branches of knowledge keep 
 pace with necessity. Hie collective industry of the people 
 is exerted in pursuits, connected with the immediate wants of 
 community. This is the case with ourselves. \Vecannot 
 yet afford to strike off into those great ranges of experiment, 
 which are attended with the consumption of time, labor and 
 expense, for the acquisition of unproductive knowledge. 
 
Engineers, therefore, for other than military purposes, aie 
 difficult to be tbunti in our country. The demand \\iil now 
 he great tor civil Engineers, since a noble spirit tor internal 
 improvements, by canal navigation, exists in all parts of the 
 union. The importance of having able men of this descrip- 
 tion, is pointed out by every writer on the subject of inland 
 trade. The want of them has oflen caused the loss of im- 
 mense sums of money, and defeated many great and practica- 
 ble projects in the line of their profession. Their qualifications 
 are extensive, and much time and industry are requisite to 
 their acquisition. Their mathematical attainments should 
 be eminent, and their knowledge certain and circumstantial. 
 Calculations the most abstruse, intricate and laborious, will 
 be called into application. A good Engineer ought to be 
 even something beyond this. Various branches of natural 
 philosophy, especially that of mechanics, should come un- 
 der his investigation. He should understand the principles 
 and practice of drawing ; be conversant with the history of 
 Canals ; the writings of all former Engineers; the various 
 causes and operations of trade and commerce, and under- 
 stand mineralogy and the science of agriculture. A Canal 
 of more than three hundred miles in length, must necessa- 
 rily bring into requisition a mass of talent and experience, 
 that will prove a national advantage. Some of our Engi- 
 neers are already highly accomplished in their profession, 
 and bid fair to hold a proud comparison with the most cele- 
 brated men of the same profession in Europe. The nation 
 tit large will have a claim upon their services, and no doubt 
 receive them when demanded. 
 
 If it creates surprise, that any one should look to the 
 Western Canal for acquisitions and advancement in natural 
 history, that surprise, upon reflection, must cease in all can- 
 did minds. \Ve must recollect, that in relation to this sci- 
 ence, our country, is yet. comparatively speaking, unexplo- 
 red, and presents the noblest theatre to the mineralogist, 
 Oiat ever attracted the enterprise of genius or the pefseve- 
 
24 
 
 iane of industry. The country from the Hndson to the 
 Lakes is possessed of the richest mineral treasures. That 
 the range of the Canal will lay open the most important 
 discoveries, we feel warranted in asserting ; we can even 
 appeal to present facts, without trusting to anticipation. In 
 <he town of Manlius, in the county of Onomlago, two large 
 bods of gypsum have already been laid open, by the excava- 
 tions of the Canal. As soon as the middle section shall be 
 finished, this gypsum can be afforded at Albany for about 
 live dollars per ton, according to the estimation of intelli- 
 gent men. Immense quantities of this article are now 
 brought from Nova Scotia to the port of New-York, and 
 carried up the Hudson River. This importation will soon be 
 resigned for the gypsum found in our own soil. What other 
 discoveries may yet be made, time will soon reveal. The 
 one alluded to is of no minor importance. And lastly, in. 
 (he train of these considerations, permit us to ask with be- 
 coming deference, if the munificence and enterprize of New- 
 York, in undertaking a work to connect the Hudson with 
 (he Lakes, at an expense of five millions of dollars, has 
 done nothing to rouse the slumbering energies of other states 
 *o' their own internal improvements ? We claim neither 
 respect nor praise in making this appeal ; but we do say with 
 an assurance, that time and experience amply fortify, that 
 stupendous projects, and vast undertakings in the policy of 
 states and nations, lean upon and sustain each other by a kind 
 of political sympathy. Human enterprise exists deep in the 
 soul, and waits but for objects and occasion to call it forth. 
 When once directed to great ends, it seldom pauses until it 
 erects to itself imperishable monuments, to mark the theatre 
 and extent of its operations. When once a spirit of useful 
 improvement, in any great branch of industry takes fire 
 among a liberal and powerful people, it strikes out a bold, 
 energetic and enlightened policy, that leaves its features on 
 the history of the age. Look around among the states of the 
 union : Where is there a member of the confederacy that 
 
25 
 
 tltses not lurn \vilh anxiety to the developement of its internal 
 strength ? Where is there a liberal, high-minded state, that 
 Lus not referred in language of praise, to the enterprize and 
 liberality of the state of New-York ? Pennsylvania is as- 
 suming an attitude suitable to her great strength, and seems 
 deeply sensible of her interests. Virginia, Kentucky and 
 Massachusetts, are putting forth -their resources. Almost 
 every state in the union has some favorite plan of inland 
 navigation ; and even some of our new states and territories 
 l)egin to look at their rivers, and wish to see their waters 
 blended by Canals, their -distant boundaries approximated by 
 intercourse, and to dream of the golden fruits of internal 
 trade. These feelings spread through our uniou, as far as 
 our eagle bends her circuit or hovers over her empire. Well 
 may our sisters of the confederacy say, if New-York tinder- 
 takes a Canal of more than three hundred miles* at an esti- 
 mate of five millions, shall we remain inactive, and suffer aft 
 incubus to fasten upon our energies ? Shall we suffer our 
 years to waste away, our ambition to sleep in the sha<le, and 
 eur natural resources remain unimproved? No! other 
 states feel like New-York, and reciprocate the spirit of lib- 
 erality and enterprise, which she is proud to cherish and 
 i'ojwrfrate to admiring nations. 
 
 he advantages which must result, immediately to the state 
 f New-York, from the Great Western Canal, besides those 
 heretofore generally pointed out, will flow from tv/o sources ge/of "the 
 First, from the artificial mill seats which the surplus waters 
 of the Canal will create, and the numerous hydraulic Uses to 
 which they may be applied* It is proposed not to convey 
 these privileges in perpetuity, but merely lease them, that 
 their increase in profit and advantage may result to the state* 
 Secondly, from the tolls and transit duties upon vessels and 
 cargoes, in ascending and descending the CanaJ^V 
 
 The extent and magnitude of the advantages to be deri- 
 ved from the first of these sources, must depend upon 
 
 I) 
 
iitious circumstances, and will not permit any thing like a 
 definite calculation in dollars and cents. They have been 
 found of much importance in Europe, and will unquestiona- 
 bly subserve many important ends in this country. The 
 benefits to he derived from the second, deserves a more par- 
 ticular notice. 
 
 Shortly previous to the death of the ingenious and lamen- 
 ted Ful?on, to whom the nation and the world owe eternal 
 obligations of gratitude and respect, he made some enqui- 
 ries, and gave some interesting data on the subject now un- 
 der consideration. From examining the custom-house books, 
 he calculated that 400,000 tons of freight were annually 
 carried on the Hudson, although it is probable that the 
 amount is now considerably greater. From the comparison 
 which these data afford, between the country trading on the 
 Hudson, and the immense country which must send her pro- 
 ductions, and receive her supplies through the Canal he 
 came to the conclusion, that 1,000,000 of tons would be an- 
 nually transported on it between Buffalo and Albany. The 
 expense of transporting a ton over the distance between Al- 
 bany and Lake Erie, by land, is now glOO the expense of 
 transportinga ton the same distance, through the canal, will be 
 $S 53, allowing $3 53 for transportation, and $5 per ton for 
 toll. Taking Mr. Fulton's calculation to be correct, and allow 
 the annual transportation of this 1,000,000 ot tons by land at 
 BLOO per ton, it would shew us a yearly expense of 100,000,- 
 000 of dollars for bare transportation. The transportation of 
 the same quantity through the Canal, would be 88,430,000 
 making an aggregate difference of $91,430,000, or a differ- 
 ence of $91 47 on each ton ! In these calculations, we 
 must not forget the time that would be turned to unproduc- 
 tive labor in the land transportation. This difference in the 
 transportation would be added to the price of the commodi- 
 ties and merchandize transported, and operate with perni- 
 cious offsets, and levey a burthensome tax upon community. 
 we shall b told that this reasoning is idle and vision- 
 
27 
 
 ary ; that not one half ef this 1,000,000 of tons, would ever 
 be curried over this extensive distance by laud. This we 
 sincerely believe perhaps not a third of the quantity would 
 ever he thus transported. And \\ity ? Because of t,,c 
 monstrous expens'- of land transportation. No wilhou die 
 >\ stern Canal, a great proportion of this 1,000,000 tons 
 would pass through the St. Lawrence, and teed the treasury, 
 and nerve the energies oi* old England. There must be an 
 outlet lo the productions of that fertile and vast country, 
 reposing on our inland seas ; and there must he an inlei for 
 the articles of merchandize which it wants. "Without the 
 Western Canal, they will be monopolized in a great meas- 
 ure by England, and this is one of the most conclusive rea- 
 sons lor prosecuting our works. "When the Canal shall be 
 finished, Mr. Fuhoivs calculations will be fully verified. 
 
 What could more strongly illustrate this position of Mr, 
 Phillips, in his History of Inland Navigation, That all 
 Canals may lie considered as roads of a certain kind, on 
 which one horse will draw as much as thirty horses do, on 
 the ordinary turnpike roads, or on which one man alone will 
 transport as many goods as three men and eighteen horses 
 usualh do on common roads. The public would be great 
 gainers, were I hey to lay out upon the making of every mile 
 of Canal twenty timts as much as they expend upon making 
 a uiiie of turnpike road."*= Nor must we here forget Mr. 
 Fulton's assertion to 31 r. Gallalin, That on a road of the 
 IK-SI kind, four horses and sometimes Jive are necessary to 
 transport only three tons. On a Canal one horse will draw 
 twenty Jive tons, and thus perform the work of forty horses ; 
 tht- saving, therefore, is in the value of the horses, their 
 feeding, shoeing, geer, waggons and attendance."! 
 
 Pursuing still further the first data afforded us by Mr. 
 Fulton, we shall perceive that the annual toll on 1,000,000 
 of tons, passing through the Canal at 5 per ton, would give 
 
 * History of Internal Navigation, Pref. p. 9. 
 
 * Letter to Mr. Gtillatin, Dec. 8. 18iT. 
 
28' 
 
 911 annual revenue to (lie state of 5.000,000 ; Him 
 there be more received into the state treasury, in one year,- 
 than the whole cost of the Canal ? Well may \ve exclaitn r 
 that in no other way could the state invest her surplus rev- 
 enue to such an unprecedented profit and advantage. But 
 admitting for a moment, against our most settled convictions,, 
 that Mr. Fulton's calculation, and the calculations of the 
 commissioners and engineers at a subsequent period, are too 
 extravagant ; it is certainly rather indecorously detracting 
 from their credit and reputation, as men of abilities and cor- 
 rectness, to reject one half of (heir computations as errone- 
 ous, and say. for tlie sake of argument, that instead of 
 1,000,000 of tons, halt" the quantity, 500,000 tons should 
 pass through the Canal this would, still give the state 
 $2,500,000. But advance aslep further, and condescend to 
 apply the principle of subtraction so far, as to reduce the 
 number of tons passing the Canal yearly to 400,000, the 
 number of tons passing on the Hudson at the time of Mr. 
 Fulton ; then it still leaves an annual revenue of S2,000,000 
 So turn the calculations as you will, garble, deduct, ami 
 equivocate as you please, and still the estimated revenue 
 wears an astonishing magnitude. But 5,000,000 of annual 
 income to the state is rather too moderate than too high air 
 estimate. Leaving the name and authority of Fulton out of 
 the question, whose calculations are quoted, in relation to 
 Canals, by every great writer in Europe, and set down a& 
 scrupulously orthodox leaving him entirely out of consid- 
 eration, we ought not to forget that in all calculations con- 
 eerning the future grandeur and resources of our country, 
 we rather fall below than transcend the true degree ; for* 
 in the words of the illustrious Burke, " er growth outstrips 
 the ordinary grasp of huuvan anticipation." 
 
 The extreme moderation of the Commissioners, in setting 
 the (oil at g5 per ton, deserves remark, and goes far to for- 
 tify the correctness of their estimates. It will be recolleet- 
 ed, that one hundred miles of lock navigation was opened 
 
seme years pgo, between Albany and Utica. i*v flic "We *fen 
 Inland Navigation CoiK/.iiiiy. The rate of (oil charged for 
 tins one hundred n.iK^s, has been S5 20 per (on : even more 
 than is calculated lt I.o !kc;i for (he whole 3."3 mites oC the 
 Western Cannl ; nor do we know (hat (l)is fate of &5 20 has 
 ever beeii a matter of reprehension and complaint. This il~ 
 lustration is conclusive. 
 
 lut more completely to (ear the scales from (he eye ef 
 prejudice, let us take another view of the subject. The 
 present annual receipts of our state treasury, are nearly omr 
 million of dollars : our expenditures little rising of half flu- 
 sum ; leaving a surplus of between four ai,d five hundred 
 thousand dollars for extraordinary purposes. Now, let us- 
 suppose, a* we rationally can, that the receipts and the dis- 
 bursements of (he treasury, will continue to preserve the 
 :>auic proportion ; and (hen, also suppose, that barely om 
 single dollar per ton should be charged s Canal toll, from 
 Lakes to Albany ; this would pay for the Canal in U : 
 than five years, and leave an animal surplus of twelve OF 
 fifteen hundred thousand dollars t (lie use of UHJ state, for 
 the promotion of other internal impravcnients, after thac 
 period. Five dollars per ton, however, is the probable (oil 
 that will be taken. This gives a transportation unrivalled 
 for its cheapness, and will enable us to grasp at the whole 
 trade of the Lakes. 
 
 The calculations heretofore made in relation to the Canal? 
 are neither idle nor delusive. They r:re thus tr borne ou$ 
 by time and experience, and rest on the broad basis of truth,. 
 reason and common sense. They are calculations that will 
 stand, when those who have assailed them, cease to blush, 
 for blinding their eyes to the light of (ruth, and pass down? 
 the stream of time, with all other opposcrsof noble schemes 
 for the promotion of national glory and national happi- 
 
 the candid of our own state let the candid and en 
 lightened throughout the nation, ponder and reflect on thr 
 
consequences that must flow from the completion of our 
 grand undertaking. Let them observe the wonderful pro- 
 gress of the Canal, which we shall soon exhihit, and think 
 of the streams of wealth that ere long must enrich our pub- 
 lie eoifersX^XVith an annual revenue of five millions of dol- 
 lars, uncalled for by any ordinary expense in sustaining the 
 state government ; while marehiug in the high road of hon- 
 or and prosperity, under the views and guidance of such men 
 as now watch over the destinies of our state $ under the 
 superintending genius of statesmen, whose talents and mag- 
 nanimity east a lustre over every feature of our policy, and 
 would even raise a nation from ruins, or redeem her from 
 misfortune, what can me not expect I "We must confess, 
 that we do look forward to the glory of our state, as well as 
 our nation, with no vulgar emotions. \Ve see our future 
 surplus revenue expended in public improvements, worthy to 
 stand as the monuments of an enlightened age, and to com- 
 memorate the actions of a high-minded people. A splendid 
 era dawns upon us, and rolls on with rapid celerity, as the 
 morning sun passes over the mountains and the valleys. 
 That the Western Canal will be finished in less than ten 
 years, is as palpably certain as any human event that de- 
 pends on human efforts ; and that its completion will afford 
 a permanent revenue to the state, from four to six millious 
 of dollars, which can be devoted to other internal improve- 
 ments, and the encouragement of useful arts, is equally cer- 
 tain. It must bring payments into our treasury, that will 
 enable us to connect the navigable waters of our state, by a 
 system of internal communication, that will rival those of 
 England and Holland. The immutable htws of nature, the 
 fiat of the Creator himself, seems to enjoin it. AVe shall 
 not stop with the western or northern Canal. It is the 
 avails of these works that are to perfect the vast chain of 
 intercourse. Look at England, possessing a snailri terri- 
 tory than the state ofNew-Yoik; yet she has THK&E 
 THOUSAND MILES of Canal navigation, and within the last 
 
31 
 
 t\venty-ilve years, has expended on Canals aloue, mot'6 
 than 130,000,000 !# It is by such vigor and liberality at 
 home, that England holds her Forty Colonies, shakes her 
 rod over the old world, wields a commerce that encircles 
 (he two hemispheres, and sends forth her flag to trace the 
 boundaries of the glohe. Not only do we see the future ex- 
 pansion of internal trade, in the consequences of our West- 
 ern Caual, hnt we also see our manufactures springing up 
 on every side, and gliding along the channels opened for their 
 diffusion. In the abundance of our pecuniary means, by the 
 same operation of causes, we perceive the future interests 
 of agriculture, flourishing under the auspices of our state 
 administration, robing our fields in the richest garb of lux- 
 urience, and whitening our hills with the flocks of Andalusia. 
 And may we not expect, that schools and seminaries for ele- 
 mentary education will lie founded, and patronized with a 
 proud liberality, that intelligent e, the soul of liberty and in- 
 dependence, may spread through every grade and rank of 
 society, until it shall even reach the poor savage tribes who 
 live within oar borders, and acknowledge the empire of our 
 laws ? Benevolent and humane institutions, to ameliorate 
 the condition of the unfortunate, and smooth the rugged 
 paths of life, will be called into existence by the parental 
 voice of public authority. Nor will the arts aod sciences 
 he forgotten. The New-York State Government has long 
 been distinguished for noble instances of favor and encour- 
 agement to the useful sciences, and to the fine arts. Sur- 
 plus millions will not extinguish this honorable spirit of am- 
 bition. It was public encouragement, combined with the 
 irresistible movements of popular pride and enthusiasm, 
 that carried the Athenian Republic to the summit of her 
 fame in the days of her Pericles, and rendered Florence the 
 torch of a benighted world, under the government of her 
 Medici. It is patronage and public favor, that invigorates 
 
 * Vide SutclmVs Treatise on Canals, &c. p. 75, 
 
tjuipkens -the all-searching energies of hmnan inquiry 
 and investigation that sharpens the ken of philosopliy-^-- 
 that calls the Muses from heaven (o earth, ami gives them 
 their groves, their fountains, their votaries. It is in fine, 
 such enceurageitient as the New-York State Government 
 will soon be enabled to extend, that elicits the loftiest efforts 
 *>f genius, and renders a Republic immortal, by weaving the 
 memory of her achievements, with the transcendant produc- 
 tions of her great ml illustrious men. 
 
 \Vhite referring to the advantages resulting to the nation, 
 
 and to the state, from the Western Canal, we ought not to 
 
 forget its effects on tire prosperity of our own city Her 
 
 natural advantages for extensive commerce, are far greater 
 
 than we ourselves appear willing to believe. By na* 
 
 ture, she is the depot of four states, including our own ; and 
 
 A<Jvan(a .the great Canal is rendering her the emporium of a country 
 
 X p S of the a t the west, of itself sufficient to form an empire. Com- 
 
 Caoaltothe , . , . . 
 
 city of. New pared with other leading commercial cities, on our continent, 
 New- York, ia many important poiats, stands even destitute 
 of rivalship. New Orleans, although destined for a mighty 
 mart of trade, must struggle with a combination of difficul- 
 ties, that centuries cannot remove. Industry, enterprize and 
 liberality, will raise around her ten thousand monuments of 
 commercial grandeur ; yet will the formidable obstacles to 
 her prosperity, erected by the fiat of creation, stand by their 
 side, and sustain a forbidding contrast. Salubrity of climate, 
 and healthiness of situation, are important requisites to a 
 great commercial city. The dangers which all emigrants, 
 and even natives, must encounter at New Orleans, will mate- 
 rially diminish her other physical advantages. Besides this, 
 she stands one hundred and twenty miles from the mouth of 
 the Mississippi, whose channel is filled with many serious 
 obstructions, from the peculiar nature of the alluvial soil 
 through which it passes. -The rise of the tide affords few 
 or no facilities to an ascending navigation; and the singular 
 bead ia the river, called the English. Turn, sometimes ope- 
 
33 
 
 rates as a detention often, fifteen, and twenty days, to vessels 
 passing up to New Orleans. In fact, the entry from the 
 ocean, into any great place of trade, which is liable to con- 
 sume twenty, thirty, and even sixty days in its passage, must 
 hold a cheek over the prospects of any commercial city. 
 If we turn to Montreal, who pretends to hold a competition 
 with New-York for the trade of the Lakes, we shall here 
 find a city nearly five hundred miles from the ocean, situated 
 on the coM and inclement borders of a vast continent, and 
 locked up from the commercial world, for more than one 
 half of the year, by the freezing over of the St. Lawrence. 
 An ascending navigation from the mouth of the St. Law- 
 rence te Quebec or Montreal, must always be long, tedious, 
 and often attended with difficulty. Montreal has even drawn 
 her supplies of merchandize, to a considerable extent, 
 through the city of New-York, for some winters past ; and 
 the Northern Canal from the Hudson to Champlain, will in- 
 crease this reliance upon American importations, which can 
 always pass through New-York to Canada, under the priv- 
 ilege of a drawback on the duties paid to our Custom 
 House. Philadelphia too, must compete with some strong 
 natural objections incident to her situation. She stands 
 nearly one hundred miles up the Delaware, which, like the 
 St. Lawrence, is closed for several months in the year, and 
 insulates this commercial capital from the maritime world. 
 Viewed in relation to the natural advantages of the other 
 great trading capitals of the American continent, not to 
 make invidious comparisons between ourselves and our sister 
 cities, in whose prosperity we feel a deep interest, New-York 
 must hold a proud if not a pre-eminent rank. The ranges 
 of human discovery cannot shew the scite of a commercial 
 city, presenting a greater number of physical advantages, if 
 we consider human life in all the bearings, which local posi- 
 tion can affect and influence. We have a harbor, capacious, 
 secure, and open at all times of the year to vessels of the 
 
 E 
 
34 
 
 largest burden. Resting on the shore of the ocean, we have 
 only to lift our banner and spread our canvass, and we find 
 the broad bosom of the deep. The superiority of our situa- 
 tion is subject to no ordinary changes of nature ; it is perma- 
 nent as the constitution of the universe. These are our ad- 
 vantages on the side of the seaboard. When we turn to the 
 interior, our favorable attitude for extensive commerce, is 
 still more apparent. Our noble river opens a tide naviga- 
 tion of one hundred and sixty miles into the heart of the 
 state. At the termination of this natural facility to trade, 
 we have a country that admits of nearly four hundred miles 
 of canal navigation, which connects the city of New-York 
 with 17,00 miles of Lake coast, in our own territory, 
 opens to us our whole western world, besides affording a 
 communication by artificial means, with the waters of the 
 north. Owing to these circumstances, we must ever com- 
 mand nearly the whole trade of New Jersey, Connecticut 
 and Vermont ; by a communication with Montreal, through 
 the Northern Canal, attract a portion of the trade of Lower 
 Canada, above that place ; and by the Western Canal, lay 
 the foundation of a commercial greatness, whose future 
 magnitude must surpass calculation, when made under the 
 influence of appearances and objects that now surround us. 
 By this improvement, New-York must, according to the 
 most sober and rational calculation, draw to herself the trade 
 of a country, containing a sufficient number of square miles 
 to sustain fifty millions cf people, if we take the population 
 which France and England give to each square mile, as a 
 rule of computation. We shall have the commerce of a 
 country whose salubrity of climate, and richness of soil, 
 would even support the clustered population of Italy. When 
 this immense trade, like the fertilizing floods of the Nile, 
 shall roll down the channels which nature and art will have 
 formed for its passage, and when the returning equivalent 
 which it will demand, shall seek the same course, to reward 
 the toils of industry, it is not for us to say, what will be 
 the future extent of our city. In enterprizc, wealtli, popu- 
 
35 
 
 iatioii and splendor, she will stand the London of America 
 a monument of magnificence, worthy to attract and com* 
 in and the wondering admiration of the world. If at this 
 day, we cannot lift our minds, and expand our views to the 
 contemplation of this era, at no great distance from us ; let 
 us at least make those efforts to produce it, that may vindi- 
 cate our character from a disgraceful lethargy, in the eyes 
 of other generations, when it shall arrive. It is by aiding 
 the State Government, in every liberal undertaking, for the 
 promotion of internal commerce, and agriculture, that New- 
 York is to become a commercial emporium, second to none 
 on the globe. Nature has willed it; let not man trifle with 
 her mighty designs. 
 
 The great roads and water communications which can here- 
 after be connected with the Western Canal, in our own stale, 
 will we hope, at a future period, be circumstancially descri- 
 bed, by apian, already devised to accomplish the object. nai h !!!*< 
 For the present, it may be remarked, that the country own State. 
 through which the Canal will pass, is capable of affording a 
 system of communication, reaching the line, from the north 
 and south side, of incalculable importance. A union be- 
 tween Lake Ontario and the Western Canal, could be effect- 
 ed at various places. They might be connected by the Nia- 
 gara, Genesee, and Seneca Rivers. It is practicable to re- 
 move the impediments incident to the navigation of these 
 streams, and render them important channels of trade. On 
 the south side of the canal line, the Genesee river drains a 
 large tract of country, and would afford an easy transporta- 
 tion to the place of its intersection. Seneca and Cayuga 
 Lakes, owing to their singular and extended shape and di- 
 rection from north to south, together with the streams that 
 supply them, may be considered as affording important ad- 
 vantages to the country in their vicinity, and as so many 
 branches of the great communication, whose importance 
 they serve to enhance. Our other small Lakes and streams, 
 including the tributary waters of the Mohawk, will form 
 
36 
 
 striking features in our future inland trade. The contem- 
 plated Canal between Seneca Lake and Tioga river, whtefc 
 will eonstitue the junction between the Western Canal and 
 the Susquehannalu presents an improvement that import* 
 weighty consequences to the States of New -York and Penn- 
 sylvania. It will immediately give rise to a profitable trade 
 in the articles of salt, gypsum, coal and iron. An infinite 
 uuinber of great roads, leading to the Canal, could be easily 
 made. One leading from the Canal line at Seneca, to Ham- 
 ilton, on the Allegany branch of the Ohio, would alone 
 prove of immense importance, especially to the hundreds ofif 
 thousands who are now emigrating to the western country* 
 It would also open an important and direct trade between 
 New-York and Pittsburg, even if the Canal should be advan- 
 ced no farther then the present contracts stipulate. Anoth- 
 er great road from the same point on the Allegany river to 
 Buffalo, at the termination of the Canal, would afford re- 
 sults of essential magnitude. With the road from Genesee 
 to the Allegany river, you could easily open another roatl 
 that should oass round the heads of Crooked, Cayuga, and 
 Seneca Lakes, and reach the Ithica turnpike, that run:? 
 from the head of Seneca Lake to tbe north-east branch of 
 the Susquehannah thus striking out with a minor exertion 
 of our ability as a state, a chain of communication, that 
 would meet the wants of a growing portion of our country. 
 As we pass east of the Seneca Lake to the Hudson, we find 
 a great tract of territory spreading out, with important posts, 
 which could be easily connected, to extend, increase and in- 
 vigorate our inland commerce. Many important roads are 
 already made, and many more will soon be opened and com- 
 pleted. In fact we know not our own state, nor shall we 
 know its resources, until our present policy, springing from 
 enlarged and liberal views, and supported by the energies of an 
 enlightened community, consummates the astonishing work 
 which it has begun, with boldness and success. 
 
3? 
 
 These are our views. Gangrene is the heart that cannot 
 reciprocate mean the soul that cannot feel them ! 
 
 Having pointed out some of the prominent advantages 
 which must result from the Western Canal, we shall give a 
 view of its present state and progress. We shall speak 
 from facts, in relation to the advancement of the works 
 which are drawn from authentic sources. 
 
 When the Western Canal was first seriously contemplated* 
 as a practicable ohject, two considerations naturally arose 
 in the minds of its projectors the DISTANCE and the EX- 
 TENSE. On these two suhjects, much was said and written. 
 Those who were too weak, or too prejudiced to perceive the 
 grandeur and utility of the design, maintained the doctrine 
 with a zeal that might have honored even a good cause, that 
 the obstacles connected with these two formidable barriers 
 were insurmountable ; that the making of three or four 
 hundred miles of Canal, would even baffle (he whole col- 
 lective energies of the nation, at this early stage of our his- 
 tory. Twenty millions of dollars was the round sum fre- 
 quently set down as the probable cost. It was said, that 
 none but a powerful empire, with a surplus population and 
 overflowing wealth, should dream of such vast schemes. 
 Limited means and paucity of numbers were instanced, as 
 unanswerable arguments, to consign over the execution of 
 tliis grand and magnilicent plan of internal trade, to some 
 distant age of our republic. Yes this was the reasoning 
 of the day ; although this same Western Canal, once so indi- 
 cative of folly and romance, is now held up by the same hos- 
 tile few as a project to catch popular favor, to subserve in- 
 dividual elevation and aggrandizement. Such are the con- 
 flicting absurdities of prejudice ; such the prevarications of 
 litlle minds when struggling to defeat great ends ! 
 
 The board of commissioners, to whom the legislature en- 
 trusted the superintendance of the work, was composed ot 
 some of the first statesmen in our country, combined with 
 practical men in affairs oi internal navigation, who held the 
 
highest rank in their profession. With coolness and delibe- 
 ration, they explored the route with every circumstance of 
 requisite minuteness ; they laid off the three great sections, 
 made every necessary calculation, and placed their views 
 lie fore the legislature and the public. In relation to esti- 
 mates of the expense, a punctilious regard was paid to cor- 
 rectness. And what was the result of their observations 
 and estimates ? Why, that with regard to the expense and 
 practicability of making the Canal, for the whole distance 
 of the route, not a solitary doubt could rationally exist. 
 They found the soil and face of the country possessing pro- 
 perties and features peculiarly favorable ; and the details of 
 expense, when combined in one general calculation, fell be- 
 low their anticipations. 
 
 In reference to the disbursements necessary to complete 
 the Canal, no doubt now remains the question is settled. 
 And indeed, no candid and discerning man, who ever knew 
 and had studied the resources of the state of New-York, en- 
 tertained the least apprehension on this head, or doubted her 
 Finance? capacity to make two such Canals, in the same space of time 
 ltc allowed for the one in contemplation. We do not hesitate to 
 say, that New-York could now raise more ready money in a 
 given time, than the whole United Stales, at the organization 
 of our national government. The last war proved some- 
 thing like a test to her wealth and power, when at the dark- 
 est hour of our perils, she stepped forth, and nobly sustain- 
 ed the sinking credit of the nation. Let her come forward 
 now and pledge her faith, and twenty millions of dollars 
 would be at her command. It was never contemplated to 
 lay any direct taxes to advance and accomplish the Canal. 
 Certain taxes, which have, or might come into the treasury, 
 in the ordinary course of things, have been relied upon. It 
 has been rather the setting apart of certain taxes as a per- 
 manent sinking fund, upon the strength of which loans are 
 to be obtained, redeemable at a distant period, with a semi- 
 annual payment of interest, than any increase of publie 
 
39 
 
 burthens. The taxes are light and equitable, and hav-e 
 come regularly into the treasury of the state* No difficulty 
 is or can he experienced on this ground. As for loans, we 
 have hut to ask and receive. The state has only to open her 
 hooks, and eight times the sum demanded is offered. The 
 manner in which the late canal lean of 8250,000 was taken 
 np, will reflect all the light on this part of our subject, that 
 the most fastidious and sceptical could demand. Notice 
 having been given, that proposals would he received at the 
 comptroller's office, to take up the loan of S250,000, to 
 bear six per cent interest, the following v, ere the proposals 
 sent in : 
 
 New-York State Bank, 10* 52. 
 
 Utica do. 103 C2. 
 
 Ontario do. 103 50. 
 
 \Vm. Edgar, jun. esq. 103 18 pr. ct. 
 
 T. Fowler, esq. 103 18 pr. ct. Loans* 
 
 Mechanics' & Farmers' Bank, 103 pr. ct. 
 
 Messrs. Le Roy, Bayard & Co. and Messrs. Prime* 
 Ward & Sands, 102 | pr. ct. 
 
 S. Flewwelling, esq. 102 | pr. ct. 
 
 The State Bank being the highest bidder, of course took 
 the loan. 
 
 AVhat do these proposals shew ? Plainly and simply, that 
 the public securities of the state, for the payment of Canal 
 loans, are more than 41-2 per cent above par or to speak 
 in other words, for every one hundred dollars of public se- 
 curity, bearing an interest of six per cent, one hundred anil 
 four dollars and fifty cents are given. Thus, for the PRIVI- 
 LEGE of holding the security of the state, for the sum of 
 8250,000, the New-York State Bank comes forward and 
 gives the sum of gll,250. The state makes itself liable to 
 pay to the State Bank, at a future day, S250.000, with an 
 interest of six per cent, which is below the legal interest of 
 the state : For thus making herself liable, she receives, in 
 ready cash $5261, 250 an advance nearly sufficient to pay the 
 
 
interest on the whole loan, for the first year. The state 
 \vish to obtain by loan this sum of $250,000, and the whole 
 amount of the offers made to take this sum up, leaving out 
 the advance, is $2,090,000. Now, should the state offer 
 security for this whole amount, bearing six percent interest, 
 the offer would be immediately embraced, and two millions 
 of dollars be ready for the Canal works. Those who are 
 conversant in stocks and money concerns, will pardon us for 
 this minuteness in explanation ; we do it to suit the most 
 simple comprehension, not to instruct those, to whose supe- 
 rior knowledge we should bow with deference. 
 
 In the teeth of these facts, will any man, or any body of 
 men, still absurdly contend that New- York is not capable, 
 in point of financial resources, to connect the Hudson with 
 the Lakes ? Shall a state, which in wealth and power is an 
 empire of herself, shrink from five millions of dollars, when 
 she can raise it by lifting her hand ? The amount of capi- 
 tal invested in buildings, going up this very summer in the 
 City of New- York, is more than enough to make the Grand 
 Canal. The yearly interest which the Canal Commission- 
 ers required the state to pay, on the whole Canal loan, was 
 $27<X,000. The single City of New- York this year, pays 
 an extra tax, assessed by the Corporation of $250,000 
 for her own improvements, coming near to the full amount 
 which the whole state is to furnish. Let us hear no more 
 on this head. It is but insulting a state like ours, to doubt 
 her means to connect her own waters at an expense that 
 bears so little proportion to her ability. New-York neither 
 asks nor will receive any aid beyond her own boundaries. 
 There was a day when she thought that the national govern- 
 ment would see the policy of taking up this great Canal, as a 
 national work. That matter is now at rest. New-York has 
 reason to be proud and rejoice, that she of herself has com- 
 menced the undertaking, and is able to finish it. She knows 
 her strength, and she knows also how to apply it. If on the 
 constitutional question, involving the appropriation of money 
 
41 
 
 fry the National government, to open Roads anil Canals, Shfc 
 has felt a zeal and warmth ; k has not been for herself 
 alone but for other states, less rieh in population and wealth, 
 If her statesmen have felt with the Clays and Baldwins of 
 the west, and the Lowndeses, the Tuckers and the Calhouns 
 oY the south , they have felt for the grandeur of the nation, 
 not for the treasury of their own state, which is amply 
 competent to every exigency of our policy, however bold and 
 munificent. Every doubt in relation to the EXPENSE of 
 making the Western Canal is now removed, and removed 
 ibrcver, if indeed any heretofore really existed. 
 
 The distance over which the Canal is to pass, and the im- 
 pediments supposed to be connected with it, next deserve 
 consideration. 
 
 In undertaking to open three or four hundred miles of 
 Canal, much previous preparation was necessary. The 
 New-York Legislature made the first, appropriation for this 
 object, on the 15th April, 1817. Tile first contract was da- 
 ted on the 27th June, 1817, although no labor was done un- 
 til the following 4th of July. Even after the contracts of 
 were mode, as the contractors found their own implements >iai last se*- 
 
 *son. 
 
 and tools, some time was requisite for proper arrangements. 
 Owing therefore to the lateness of the season, and the great 
 rains which inundated the country, embracing that part of 
 Hie Canal route for \vhicli the contracts were made, the 
 progress of the works was much retarded at the beginning. 
 Fifteen miles of the distance, were however finished the last 
 season, and many new contracts made 'for the present year. 
 Considerable sums of money were advanced to the contract- 
 ors, during the last winter, that they might he better ena- 
 bled to purchase provisions, and prepare for the commence- 
 ment of operations at the opening of the spring. Although 
 rtic progress of the works last season was not astonishingly 
 great, yet' it should not escape reflection, that much impor- 
 tant information was obtained, by the engineers and com- 
 
 P 
 
42 
 
 inissioners. Some considerable saving in expense \vas alstf 
 made. la the articles including tools and implements, in 
 the Canal estimates, there was a saving of S75,000. It was 
 found that Bridges could he erected for S350, instead of 
 S5UO each, which was the sum originally fixed upon in the 
 calculations ; and that grubbing and clearing uncleared land, 
 could he done for gl^OO, instead of $1500 per mile. These 
 deductions in the whole length of the Canal, would create 
 no inconsiderable diminution in the aggregate expenditures j 
 and should the estimates hereafter be exceeded in other res- 
 peels, here will he a counterbalance. 
 
 The Canal works were resumed early the present season, 
 and have been prosecuted with an energy and success, that 
 of Die Ca- have transcended the highest expectations. Even the most 
 senueason" ar( ^ ent anl ' sanguine have been disappointed. Every cir- 
 cumstance and result coincides with the former views and 
 conclusions of the Engineers and Commissioners, excepting 
 an unexpected ease and facility in advancing the stupendous 
 design. The Commissioners, very properly, have first un- 
 dertaken the completion of the MIDDI.E SECTION ; because 
 the completion of this line, which communicates with the 
 Mohawk, will afford immediate advantages on its being fin- 
 ished, and of itself, would stand the greatest work of the 
 kind in the new world, and rival the Canal of Languedoc. 
 Nearly four thousand men, with fifteen hundred horses and 
 cattle, are now vigorously employed on this part of the route. 
 "We feel warranted in asserting that the whole distance be- 
 tween Utica and Seneca river, making not far from ninety 
 miles, will be completed the present season. We believe, 
 that the toih of December next, the period at which the 
 present contracts are to be performed, will shew to the 
 world two hundred and ihirty miles of navigation into the 
 lioart of our state, by means of this middle section, and the 
 Mohawk liivcr ; a channel of commercial intercourse, that 
 traverses one of the noblest countries on the face of the 
 globe, cultivated by a people unsurpassed for cnterurizc* in- 
 
43 
 
 dusfry, and intelligence. This channel too, will soon be 
 crowded with merchandize, yield an annual revenue to the 
 state, that will aid us in completing the remaining portion ol* 
 the Canal, and impart life and vigor to commerce, agricul- 
 ture, and manufactures. Then will the people begin to feel 
 the effects of our policy. Then will they see the giant ef- 
 forts of a single season, animating every species of labor, 
 bringing the energies of the community into more autive 
 operation, and greatly enhancing the value of real estate. 
 Another season will give the people an earnest of that un- 
 paralleled prosperity that awaits them. 
 
 The season thus far, has been peculiarly favorable, and 
 every opportunity is embraced to improve it. Experience 
 now fully proves, that the magnitude of the distance, over 
 which the Canal must pass, no longer presents any discour- 
 agement. Such is the favorable nature and quality of the 
 soil, that on the middle section, for sixty miles, between Uti- Favora- 
 ca and S.ilma, not more than one half mile will want pud- 
 diingj and even that this half mile *.r ill want it, is proble- 
 matical. When we consider the expense of puddling in 
 England and elsewhere, there is much cause to congratulate 
 ourselves on this important fact. It has also been ascer- 
 tained, by one or more of the Engineers, that so. few rocks 
 arid stones, are found on the whole extent of the summit 
 level, that S^OO \>ill be sufficient to remove every obstacle of 
 the kind. 
 
 A fact worthy of much consideration has also been ascer- 
 tained, respecting the ice in the Canal, at the opening of the 
 spring. That part of the Western Canal, which was fin- 
 is ued last year, was found to be free of ice some two or three 
 weeks sooner than the waters of the Mohawk River, or 
 those of Lake Oneida anu Ontario. As this excited some 
 degree of surprise, enquiries were made touching the same 
 fact as pertaining to other Canals, and it was found to be 
 generally, or perhaps universally the case. The Middlesex 
 Canal, is found to be clear of ice ten days or two weeks 
 
44 
 
 sooner than rivers and large bodies of water in the vfc 
 From the most accurate observations, made by one of the 
 Engineers, upon tlie general breaking up of tTie waters ib 
 the neighborhood of the Canal, he came to the conclusion? 
 that we might uniformly expect that ft would open every 
 season, two or three weeks sooner than the contiguous bodies* 
 of water. This is owing to Che numerous small springy 
 which ooze through the sides of the Canal, as well as to the 
 warmth of the sott acting upon an extended and narrow sur- 
 face of ice, 
 
 Another circumstance Is worthy of observation. Those 
 people who have made contracts and performed them, arc 
 generally anxious to enter into new ones. The Commission- 
 ers state in their report to the last session of the Legislature, 
 that many applications had been rejected, on account of the 
 Contracts. great number received". One of the Engineers has staterf r 
 tfrat When a section is raid off and subject to contract, that 
 the Engineers are thronged with applications. In the vil- 
 lage of Eldridge, wher a distance of '15 miles was to be Ie4 
 out, there were no less than fifteen applicants for the job, 
 each anxious to undertake to complete it. "What could more 
 satisfactorily prove, that while the expenses of the Canal 
 Keep within the estimates of the Commissioners, the people 
 themselves grow rich by performing the labor ? Every dol- 
 lar, paid out by the Commissioners, goes into the pockets of 
 the people, and is retained among ourselves. It is not paid 
 to the European or te the East Indian manufacturer, to swell 
 the history of our luxuries ; but it is merely a circulation 
 of capital in our own community, that enriches individuals, 
 and through their enterprise, increases the wealth of the 
 state. 
 
 It may afford satisfaction to observe, tTiat the work thu& 
 far has been faithfully performed, under the immediate eye 
 of the Engineers. No contracts are paid until the works 
 are carefully inspected, and found unexceptionable, in poinfc 
 of execution. Some one of tlie Engineers travels the U 
 
45 
 
 under contract, from one extremity to the other, giving arf 
 vice and correcting errors. Great credit is due to them 
 for their fidelity, their talents, and unwearied applica- 
 tion. 
 
 Ten years were first allotted as the period necessary, fos 
 connecting the Hudson with the Lakes. Less then eighteen 
 months from the commencement of the works, will show us 
 more than one fourth of the whole Western. Canal in a fin- 
 ished state, if the present season continues favorable. Mr. 
 Briggs has already, made considerable progress in laying off" 
 the EASTERN SECTION, including, the line from Albany to the 
 middle section ; and no doubt remains, hut that long before 
 the time shall have expired, which by many was once deem- 
 ed necessary to complete the middle section alone ; our lvar~ 
 dy yeomanry will have finished both the eastern and middle 
 sections, and show us their excavations and the embank* 
 ments, beyond the watrvs of the Genesce ; and thus fin- 
 ishing the last link in this mighty chain of inland naviga* 
 tion.* 
 
 * The following extract of a letter from one of the first Civil 
 Engineers in Europe, will shew what sentiments are entertained 
 of our Great Canal abroad. It is taken from a letter directed to 
 Gov. CLINTON, President of the BOARD OP CANAL COMMISSION- 
 ERS, fiom A. KINGBORN, Esq. of North Britain. SIR JOSBPH 
 BANKS has also recently made inquiries and expressed much ad- 
 miration of our noble work. 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 
 " Sf. BOSWELL'S GREEN, \2th April, 1818, 
 Honored Sir Sometime ago the right honorable the EARL OF^ 
 BUCHAN, most obligingly put into my hands, the plan, profiles', 
 reports and estimates of the proposed Inland Navigation, *from 
 Lake Erie to the Hudson, and from thence to Lake Champlain, 
 requesting my observations on them. 
 
 I have attentively and with much pleasure examined the whole, 
 and from the particular and minute description of every part of 
 the line, I have every reason for believing that the, surveys have 
 
 
46 
 
 And are there any who still doubt the practicability 
 of the Great Western Canal ? Will any one have the pre- 
 sumption and arrogance to assert, that the people of (he 
 state of New- York are a weak, effeminate, degraded, race 
 of beings, incapable of exertion, and destitute of pride, of 
 energy, of honorable sentiments ? For any one must vir- 
 tually assert this, who charges them with being unable to ac- 
 complish their plans of internal improvement. Let it be 
 remembered, that such is our population, between eighteen 
 and forty years of age, that if the whole Western Canal 
 was laid off to-morrow in equal proportions, and a portion 
 assigned to each man, there would 6e but half a rod for each 
 individual to complete, in the course of TEN YEAUS ! If we 
 have arrived at that humiliating stage of degeneracy and in- 
 dolence, that each one of our citizens between the age of 18 
 and 40 cannot make or procure to be made, one rod of Canal 
 in five years* or half a rod in ten years, which shall be 40 
 feet wide and four feet in width ; then we may as well for- 
 get our high standing in the union, renounce the glory which 
 we won at Bridgewater, at Plattsburg and Erie, and take up 
 the wretched character of the Gentoos, or watch the wax- 
 ing arid waning of the moon, like the miserable inhabitants 
 of the Pacific Islands, and prepare for a long and cheerless 
 life of ignominy and bondage. 
 
 The Great W r estern Canal will be finished. It is the 
 voice of the people that declares it. If four thousand men 
 cannot advance the works with sufficient rapidity, eight 
 
 been made with due attention, and that the choice of the ground 
 ihas been well considered. 
 
 In regard to the estimate of the expense, and the calculation 
 of the probable amount of the products which may be conveyed 
 on thjp Canals, and from which must arise the remuneration to 
 the state, I am incompetent to judge but from the very lumin- 
 ous and distinct reports of the Canal Commissioners, of i5th 
 February, and of the joint committee of the Legislature of New- 
 York, dated 1 9th March, 18 17, I cannot think these gentlemen 
 at all too sanguine in their expectations 011 this part of the sub- 
 ject." 
 
47 
 
 Uiousand can. If 5,000,000 of dollars cannot deiray <h 
 expenditures, 16,000,000 will. The state of New-York 
 will never rest, till she sees the waters of the Lakes mingle 
 with the ocean that washes her coasts. Her interest, her 
 pride, her glory demand it. Her faith is pledged, her will 
 is spoken, her arm is put forth, and whoshall arrest it ! 
 
 AVe should not here forget the grateful tribute of respect, 
 due 10 those high minded men who first projected the Can-<*L 
 If there is honor attached to the character of national ben- 
 efactors, they will hereafter receive it, in the enthusiastic 
 recollection of a magnanimous people. Of those who par- 
 ticipated in the' conception of the design, and hastened the 
 commencement of its execution ; some have passed o-. the 
 stage of existence, hefore its success was tested hy experi- 
 ence, while others remain, to advance its accomplishment* 
 and receive in the expression of public sentiment, the just 
 appreciation of their services. We must record the names 
 of LIVINGSTON, MOKRIS, and FULTON, among its departed 
 patrons and projectors. Their sun has set ; but the star of 
 their mmortaiity has arisen, and expands its lustre amid 
 the luminaries of ages. 
 
 Having presented our views of this cardinal object of our 
 present physical exertions, so deeply interesting to our pride 
 and our interests, and so important to the welfare of poster- 
 it^ ; we shall conclude our remarks, by some reference to 
 the works of other nations of a similar nature, and the 
 lessons of wisdom which we should draw from their experi- 
 ence. 
 
 The Great Western Canal will hereafter be viewed as a 
 NATIONAL WORK, and as the greatest national work, of 
 the kind, that this or any other country will ever produce, 
 although undertaken and finished by the state of New-York 
 alone :So it is now considered in Europe. Our closing ob- 
 sotfVations will therefore be national. 
 
 ff We are yet a young nation and have scarcely begun to 
 act on the high theatre of empires. Before us is the volume 
 
thousand years. Before us are the rise and ruin of 
 states, their march in civilization, their various forms of 
 government, their laws, policy, ami manners. From these 
 venerable stores of antiquity, from these deep fountains of 
 knowledge and experience, in the conduct of nations, it be- 
 comes us to draw the richest lessons of instruction. 
 
 Not only have we a vast and fertile country to receive and 
 repay or efforts in industry and enterprise ; hut we also 
 Our ca- have another advantage peculiar to ourselves. Other na- 
 Slou. dS cl tions, distinguished on the roll of fame, have wasted the 
 earlier part of their history, in emerging from a savage 
 state. They have waded through t)ne revolution after anoth- 
 er, unlil the lire which threatened to consume, left them 
 cleansed ami purified. But it is the fortune of the Ameri- 
 can republic, to commence her career in a new world, with 
 all the ambition and foresight, incident to a high state of civ- 
 ilization. We have nt> mountains of ignorance to roll away, 
 m> pillare of superstition to break down, no monuments of 
 barbarism to demolish. We have a greater mass of intel- 
 ligence in the American community, than is possessed by 
 any other nation on the face of the universe. The gates of 
 knowledge are thrown open, and the paths to which they 
 lead, wider than the eye can extend. Our government is 
 every way calculated to call forth and protect the collective 
 and individual energies of the people and Je'ad them to new 
 species of industry and improvement/^! population and 
 in national wealth, ^we are increasing on a ratio, that will 
 hereafter be presented to the world, without a parallel.* 
 
 * Calculations have been made, that if our population should 
 increase for years to come, in the same ratio, that it has for the 
 last century, the following would be the result : 
 
 In 1820 we should have 10,098,177 
 
 1830 - 13,769,726 
 
 1340 - 18,769,567 
 
 1850 - - 25,582,919 
 
 5860 - - . - - - 34,869.529 
 
 ! 
 
49 
 
 ** Population," says an elegant aucl inleresmg writer,^ " 15 
 connected with national wealth, and liberty, and personal 
 security are the great foundations of both ; and if this foun- 
 dation is laid in the stale, nature has secured the increase 
 and industry of its members , the one by desires, the most 
 ardent in the human frame, the other by a consideration, 
 the most uniform and consistent of any that possesses the 
 mind." With these advantages, should we not look upon 
 ther nations, and embrace those objects of policy, which 
 they have found intimately interwoven with their happiness 
 and prosperity ? 
 
 What then has contributed most largely to national hap- 
 piness, within the scope and operation of human govern- 
 ments ? Has it been war, covering the earth with a sea of 
 blood, or has it been the promotion of peace and industry, 
 and the encouragement of all the useful arts in life, that 
 subserve the exigencies of nations, and the wants of individ- Sources 
 uals ? Certain it is, that the historians of every age, have happi 
 pointed out those eras of mankind, as the most happy and 
 enviable, which have exhibited the greatest degree of im- 
 provement in the useful arts of life-^lt is commerce, agri- 
 culture, and manufactures ; it is tlraarts aad sciences, com- 
 bined with humane and benevolent institutions, forming one 
 great system of national policy, and resting on the broad ba- 
 sis of national freedom, that forms those memorable and il- 
 lustrious epochs in the annals of the world, on which the 
 
 1870 - - - - 47,527,165 
 
 1880 - - 64,779,525 
 
 1890 - ^ 88,294,493 
 
 1900 - - * 120,345,394 
 
 This ratio certainly falls rather below the standard of rational 
 calculation, when we reflect on the immense tide of emigration 
 pouring into our country, in addition to the increase of our num- 
 bers. 
 
 * Ferguson on Civil Society. 
 
50 
 
 historian* (he philosopher, the poet, and (he philanthropist 
 delight to dwell. They stand like mountains, covered with 
 eternal verdure, in the dreary wastes of the desert^" If we 
 advert to fact/' says an intelligent writer, * and/^onsult the 
 records of history with regard to the state of different na- 
 tions, we shall (ind that civilization and commerce have very 
 much depended on the facility with which the inhabitants of 
 remote districts have maintained intercourse with one anoth 
 er* as well as with distant countries. As the ocean serves to 
 connect distant countries $ navigable rivers and canals unite 
 the different provinces and districts of the same country $ 
 and as navigation, by means of the ocean, produces an inter- 
 course and mutual exchange of productions between the dif- 
 ferent kingdoms and nations ; inland navigation, in like 
 manner, facilitates a communication between different parts 
 of the same kingdom or nation, and consequently promotes 
 civilization, trade and industry. On the other hand, those 
 nations who have been destitute of the means of inland nav- 
 igation, either by rivers or canals, have remained from one- 
 age to another in the same barbarous and uncivilized state. 
 The observation is exemplified in the state of all the inland 
 parts of Africa, and of that part of Asia, which lies at any- 
 considerable distance north of the Euxine and Caspian sea, 
 and ancient Scythia, and the modern Tartary Siberia.*" 
 
 If commerce, agriculture and manufactures, and the use- 
 ful and refined arts of life, are so important to the welfare 
 and happiness of mankind j and if these blessings are so 
 immediately dependent on a chain of internal intercourse^ 
 by rivers, roads and canals ; the conclusion is strong, that 
 such intercourse is vitally essential to the welfare of nations. 
 If the history too of the most civilized ages of the world 
 enforce this conclusion, the dictates which it carries with 
 it, are still more imperious. Let us turn to facts and evi- 
 dence. 
 
 i 
 * Ree's Enclo. Art. Canal, 
 
51 
 
 Chaldeans and the Babylonians, had sufficient diseei'ii- 
 meat to see ihe importance ot* canal communications. They 
 took the waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates and carried othecoun 
 them throughout the regions of their fertile country. Even trics ' 
 ancient writers go so far as to assert, that they actually di- 
 vided the river Euphrates in one place, and presented this 
 gi^eat column of water, in two channels. The ancient peo- 
 ple of India, also had the sagacity to see the advantages of 
 such improvements. They had one canal of one hundred 
 miles in length, and by some it is supposed to have been the 
 partial execution of a plan to unite the Indus with the Gan- 
 ges. Notwithstanding the mouths of these two vast rivers 
 are 1500 miles from each other, their sources approach the 
 same tract of country, and would meet if extended a little 
 further west, in the same converging direction. The re- Thos e o* 
 mains of geveral other works of the kind are found; but As 
 they remain as the almost obliterated ruins of former mag- 
 nificence. The early history of India is lost in fable, and 
 nothing but a fuinl and fading beam of her ancient opulence 
 and glory remains. Not so with Egypt. She stands iu ru- 
 ins, but the evidences of her former grandeur exist. No 
 country in ancient times excelled Egypt in civilization, and 
 all the branches of useful industry. Egypt, \ve are told, 
 had above six thousand miles of canal navigation, which 
 traversed eve 17 part of her renowned and delightful king- 
 dom. She connected the Nile with the Red Sea, by a canal 
 of 150 miles long, two hundred feet wide and navigable for Egypt, 
 ihe largest ships. This one canal gave her the commerce 
 of Persia, India and Arabia, and the kingdoms of the Afri- 
 a coast j and again enabled her to scatter the fruits of her 
 commerce to all the nations bordering on the Mediterrane- 
 an. Rollin tells us, in his ancient history, that " the villa- 
 ges which stood thick on the banks of the Nile eminences, 
 had each their canals." According to an ancient traveller, 
 the banks of the largest canals were crowded with cities, 
 towns and villas, or robed in perennial verdure, interspersed 
 with groves and vineyards, and embellished with all that art 
 
52 
 
 and taste could invent, to heighten the luxuriant and n~ 
 chanting scenery. The internal trade of Egypt, at the most 
 prosperous stage of her history, was indeed -astonishing for 
 its extent, and her foreign commerce was not less so, consid- 
 ering the age in which she flourished. There are many cu- 
 rious remains of former canals in Greece ; but none of any 
 Greece, extraordinary magnitude can be traced out in the face of 
 the country. A great canal was contemplated to pass 
 through the Isthmus that divides the lonion and JSgean 
 seas, and connect their waters. \Vars and caprice, so inci- 
 dent to the fortunes of this interesting portion of the globe-, 
 blasted the grand design. Here we will leave the ancient 
 and come to the modern nations saying nothing of the Ro- 
 mans, who chose rather to promote what trade they encour- 
 aged by roads, than by canals.* 
 
 * Gibbon observes, that " all the cities of the Roman empire., 
 were connected \vith each other and with the capital, by the pub- 
 lic highways, which, issuing from the Forum of Rome, traversed 
 Italy, pervaded the Provinces, and were terminated only by the 
 frontiers of the empire. If we carefully trace the distance from 
 the wall of Antonius to Rome, and from thence to Jerusalem, 
 it will be found that the great chain of communication from the 
 northwest to the southeast point of the empire, was drawn out to 
 the length of 4,880 Roman miles.* The public roads were ac- 
 curately divided by mile stones, and ran in a direct line from 
 one city to another, with little respect for the obstacles either of 
 nature or personal property. Mountains were perforated, and 
 bold arches thrown over the broadest and most rapid streams, 
 The middle part of the road was raised into a terrace which 
 commanded the adjacent country, consisted of several strata of 
 sand, gravel and cement, and was paved with large stones, or in 
 some places near the capital with granite. Such was the solid 
 foundations of the Roman highways, whose firmness has nfct en- 
 tirely yielded to the effect of 1 5 centuries-" Decline and Fall 
 Human Empire, vol. 1 . 
 
 When we consider that the Roman empire, at this period, ein> 
 
 * 3,740 English miles. 
 
53 
 
 "We shall begin with China, although if we consult fief 
 own chronology, with any faith in its accuracy, she would 
 not only he ranked as a modern, hut also, as the most ancient 
 of nations. No kingdom in the world excels China for ca- 
 nal navigation, excepting Holland, and perhaps even Hol- 
 land in proportion to her size, does not go hefore her. She 
 has a large or principal canal running through every prov- 
 ince, and scarcely, a village or town can he found, without 
 the advantages of a canal or an arm of the sea. She hag 
 a canal navigation from one end of the kingdom to the other, china 
 with only one slight interruption, making a distance of 1800 
 miles. The " Great Canal" ran from north to south, em- 
 bracing the cities of Canton and Pekin, and according to 
 some writers is 825 miles long, while others make it 1200 
 miles. It is 50 feet wide, passes through 4-1 large cities, 
 and is supposed to have ten thousand vessels constantly em- 
 ployed upon it. In the southern provinces of China, there 
 is a vast canal, passing through a large tract of country, 
 one hundred feet wide. On this canal, it is said, there are 
 at some periods, from three to four hundred boats at one 
 time, in a single fleet. Small canals branch out from the 
 large ones, and the whole present a wonderful system of 
 internal trade, unequalled on the face of the globe. The 
 home market of China," says Adam Smith, " is perhaps in 
 extent, not much inferior to the market of all the different 
 countries of Europe put together:" and Mr. Phillips oh- 
 serves, in his History of Inland Navigation," to which ad- 
 mirable work we are indebted for a great part of the facts 
 on this part of our subject, That China owes a great part 
 of her riches and fertility to these numerous canals, which 
 are of the greatest utility, for the transportation of the pro- 
 duce and merchandise of one province to another." Such 
 is her attention to canals, that they arc conducted through 
 
 braced an extent of sixteen hundred thousand square miles, and 
 a population of 120,000,000, who but must wonder and admire ! 
 
54 
 
 gardens, groves, and pleasure grounds, and even the Empe- 
 ror's domains rest under no exemption. 
 
 From China we pass to Europe, and begin with Spain* 
 who has made some improvements in canal navigation, and 
 projected many hold undertakings, which (he defects of her 
 government, the degraded state of her people, and the cor- 
 ruption and inertness of her ministers have defeated. Had 
 the millions of her own subjects, who have been sacrificed 
 in the mines and butcheries of Soulh America, been devo- 
 ted to objects of domestic improvement ; we might now pre- 
 sent her as a far more gratifying spectacle of internal hap- 
 piness and prosperity. The two canals which commence in 
 Navarre and terminate in the Ebro, have been productive of 
 great advantage. <* The province of Arragon (through 
 which Iliey pass) is already planted with thousands of olive 
 and other trees : the cities and towns which formerly were 
 condemned ( drought and scarcity, arc now supplied with 
 fish and water by these canals." A canal has also been com- 
 menced, which is to begin forty-eight miles north-west of 
 Madrid, and extend until it strikes a canal leading from the 
 Mediterranean to the Atlantic ocean. It is called the canal 
 of Castillo, and will be 420 miles long when finished. Sixty 
 miles have been completed ; but it is not probable that a 
 king whose boldest efforts consist in the restoration of the 
 Inquisition, will think of completing the splendid design, 
 worthy of the reign of Charles 5th. Some other canals of 
 minor consequence have been made in Spain, and others pro- 
 jected. Enough has been done to show their importance, as 
 well as the degraded state of the Spanish kingdom, that 
 permits them to remain unfinished and go to ruin.* 
 
 * " Spain/' says Mr. Vattel, u is the most fertile country in 
 Europe, but the worst cultivated." He might have added, that 
 in the times of the Moors and' Goths, she is said to have sustain- 
 ed 30,000,000 people, and now, in her civilization, she cannot 
 support one third that number. O ! the effects of bigotry and 
 priestcraft .' 
 
France has made many noble improvements in canal nav 
 igation, and nearly rivals England and Holland. She has 
 about thirty canals and 2000 miles of canal navigation. At 
 the commencement of the reign of Napoleon, twenty other 
 canals were projected, which, according to the calculation ot 
 the Engineers, must have passed over a distance of 500 
 miles more. How far these works were advanced during 
 the wars, conquests, and military adventures of the ex-em- 
 peror, we are not able to say. The canal of Languedoc, re- 
 ferred to in the first part of our considerations, is among the 
 most remarkable canals of the world. It was begun and 
 finished in sixteen years, under the patronage of Louis 14th. 
 It reaches from Narbonne to Thoulouse, has Unlocks, is 
 iii feet wide, including the towing paths, and connects the 
 Atlantic and Mediterranean. It passes 720 feet under a 
 liill, and cost 82,397,600. Its length is nearly 200 miles. 
 The completion of this great work, so honorable to the 
 prince, the country and the age, is productive of benefits that 
 baffle calculation. 
 
 To treat in detail of the Canals of Holland, would be a 
 task almost as great as the compilation of her history. One 
 third of this extraordinary country has been reclaimed from 
 the ocean, and there was a day when her internal and ex- 
 ternal trade, gave her the command of the maritime world. __ 
 
 Holland. 
 
 Her canals are as common as her roads, and instead of 
 coaches and chariots, her nobility themselves, pass by pleas- 
 ure boats, in making their tours of diversion through the 
 country. No nation on the globe can equal Holland for the 
 relative extent and utility of canal navigation. 
 
 We have before adverted to the inland trade of England. 
 She has 240 canals, making 3000 miles of artificial naviga- 
 tion. She has made 1000 miles of canal during the last 
 60 years. Such is the importance of these improvements, 
 in the estimation of the British government, that we find no 
 less than 161 statutes passed for their promotion and regula- 
 tion. The trade of England is too well known, to occupy 
 
56 
 
 any portion of our remarks. She is the greatest comniet" 
 eial power that ever existed, and has found her canal navi- 
 gation of the Jast consequenee to her commercial prosperity, 
 Mr. Phillips has written a history of her canals, containing 
 about 500 pages. 
 
 Sweden and Denmark have made some improvements in 
 this species of navigation. The Swedish government, some 
 J cars a g> projected a canal to unite the Baltic and German 
 ocean. The works have heen commenced hut not completed. 
 It was intended to guard the foreign commerce of Sweden 
 against the depredations of the Danes and other powers* 
 In Denmark, a canal has heen projected and commenced, 
 which is intended to unite the Baltic with the Northern Sea. 
 
 Denmark * l * s to ^ e 27 u "^ es long* 100 feet wide, 10 feet deep, and 
 navigable for vessels of 120 tons burthen. A part of it is 
 already finished, and wants but enterprize to be comple- 
 ted. 
 
 We shall conclude by noticing the canals of Russia. 
 When Peter the Great returned to his Court, from Holland, 
 his mind was fully impressed with the importance of inland 
 navigation, from viewing the example of the Dutch. He 
 therefore projected the most stupendous plans of internal 
 improvements. He intended to unite the Black Sea with 
 the Baltic } the Baltic with the White Sea j the Caspian 
 Sea also with the Baltic ; and lastly, the Caspian with the 
 
 Russia. jjlack Sea. Take the map of Hussia and you may view the 
 extent and grandeur of tfcese mighty plans. Many smaller 
 communications were also contemplated coeval with these. 
 Peter died like Hercules, in the midst of his giant works $ 
 but his plans have been followed, to a great extent, and no 
 doubt will be finally executed. The Caspian and the Baltic 
 have been joined by a canal communication, and Petersburg, 
 the centre of canal conveyance, is now a vast emporium of 
 commerce. Russia has many important canals, which we 
 cannot designate here. Through two of her largest chan- 
 nels, S,M2 vessels pass in a single year. From the frontiers 
 
57 
 
 of China to the Gulph of Finland, she has 4,592 miles oi 
 internal navigation, ttith the exception of sixty miles port- 
 age. From the city of Astrachan on the shores of the 
 Caspian, "flic has a direct navigation to Petersburg, passing 
 a space of 1,43k miles. Here is enough to show the char- 
 acter of the Russian policy. It is the internal and foreign 
 commerce of Russia, that has rescued her froui the state of 
 the neighboring Tartars and Scythians, and given her a 
 proud rank among the empires of the earth.* 
 
 Here is a slight index to the policy of other nations. 
 Shall we deem it worthy of an extensive and decided adop- 
 lion ? Here is no place to point out, in detail, the local ad- 
 Vantages of the United States for canal navigation. It was 
 done with ability in the report of Mr. Gallalin in 1807, and 
 will probably again be done by Mr. Crawford, in his report; 
 at the approaching session of Congress. //To every persoii 
 of the most partial observation, it is evjd^ht that no country 
 in the world, ever presented natural advantages for internal 
 trade arid ftwal navigation, so bold, so noble*/ so striking as 
 oui- o\vn. /At has been said with propriety, * that the United 
 States might be rendered a great cluster of Islands," by ar- 
 tificial channels of conveyance. Look at the streams which 
 swell our Lakes on the north, and to the Lakes themselves ; 
 !ook at the noble rivers that roll into the ocean along our 
 seaboard, and the tributary floods that mingle with thv Mis^ 
 sissippi on the west $ trace out the sources and directions of 
 these waters, and you behold the grandest theatre for inter- 
 nal improvements, that nature ever formed in the beneficent 
 majesty of her works. Shall we suffer these ba'.ural advan- 
 tages to remain unimproved ? Shall we, like Spain,' makef 
 such exertions as show the importance Of their continuance, 1 
 and then suffer our streams to roll on like the Ebroj the 
 Guadalquiver, the Tagus and the Duero, unimproved by ther 
 creative arm of industry ? When we look at the face of our 
 
 * Vide Cox's Travels and Tookc's view of Russia, &c.. 
 
 H 
 
eittii!tr,t j when we see her embracing all tlie climates ahfi 
 all the soils of the globe, with resources whose improve- 
 ment would enable us to sustain five hundred million of pee- 
 pie ; when we consider the nature of our civil institutions, 
 and the character and discernment of our citizens ; when 
 we recollect that in commercial enterprise, we have already- 
 supplanted Spain, Portugal and Holland in the ranges of 
 their trade* and that we can challenge England to a com- 
 petition $# and lastly, when we reflect to what an incalcula- 
 ble degree internal navigation throughout our country, would 
 aid this commerce ; cannot, and will not indulge a singhs 
 disheartening apprehension. 
 
 Another consideration gives us the most animating satis- 
 faction we mean the lively interest which the American 
 people are now taking throughout the union in the opening of 
 roads and canal*. For ten years past, the spirit for Internal 
 Improvements has been gathering strength. Let it continue? 
 and fifty years will show the world an inland trade in North 
 America, only exceeded in extent by that of China. We 
 cannot here forego the. pleasure of expressing our gratifica- 
 tion, at the very liberal sentiments which appear in every 
 quarter of the nation, concerning the GREAT WESTERN CA- 
 NAL. The public journals and gazettes have mentioned its 
 progress with every mark of admiration and patriotism.* 
 
 * The last number of the Edinburgh Review, has an interest- 
 ing article concerning the India Trade. Among other things, 
 It is stated that America is supplanting England in this com- 
 merce j.. that she supplies the markets of the continent 70 per 
 cent cheaper in some articles ; makes her voyages shorter, and 
 lias now 12^000 tons of shipping in this trade two thirds as 
 much as England, who has 1 8,000 tons. Now all this is the truth, 
 but hot the whole truth : for be it known to the gentlemen of the 
 Edinburgh Review that instead of 12,000 tons; we have at least 
 25,000 tons of shipping in the East India trade. The single port 
 of New-York alone, is supposed to have 10,000 tons of shipping 
 in this commerce. Well may the blind begin to see ! 
 
59 
 
 is attention, liberality and respect, we shall always feel 
 proud to return to other parts of the country. 
 
 One thing we would here recommend, as an important 
 auxiliary in the promotion of our designs in this respect 
 that coiiREspoNpiNQ ASSOCIATIONS be established in every 
 State of the Union, to ascertain, from time to time, the state, 
 progress and practicability of internal improvements 
 throughout the country. J^et these societies correspond 
 with each other, extend and interchange all useful intelli- 
 gence, and occasionally imbody {information and Jay it be- 
 fore the people. It is an important consideration, to know 
 ourselves, Such an association has been formed in the city 
 of Xew-York, under the patronage of our present Chief 
 Magistrate, combining men of the first respectability an<J 
 talents* 
 
 Our advancement in improvements must be two fold,-^ 
 First, the states will look to themselves, bring forth their 
 respective resources, and apply their surplus revenue to obr 
 jecls of utility. Secondly, the National Government must 
 soon feel the necessity of cultivating tfye resources of the 
 nation, on a great national scale. 
 
 Finally, we see no clouds hanging over our national pros- 
 pects. It depends upon ourselves, whether we shall eclipse 
 the grandeur of European nations, by seeking elevation in 
 the wise jmprovement of our own resources, unconnected 
 with any thing like the pride, the folly and the corruption of 
 kings and their courts. True national greatness must rest 
 on the happiness of the people, guarded by magnanimity 
 and honor. It is not by military exploits, that nations earn . 
 the proudest page on the records of immortality, It is not 
 by spreading desolation, and scattering the seeds of hqman 
 misery, that they are entitled to the smiles of Providence, or 
 the encomiums of posterity. AVe read of the victorious 
 march of Sesostris, \>hile he laid waste the plains of Asia 
 with six hundred thousand men, with no other sensation than 
 that of involuntary indignation at his cruelty j but our *<! 
 
60 
 
 'jniratton is excited, and we pall (he Egyptioiis a great peo- 
 ple, when \ve see them connect the Nile with the Red Sea* 
 and command, by one master stroke of policy, the commerce 
 of the oriental world. While the triumphal arches erected 
 to the victories of Louis, the 14th, have passed away as the 
 shadows of a dream, and his military adventures gotoswel? 
 the melancholy page of human folly ; the canal O f Lan- 
 guedoc will commemorate his dynasty, as a brilliant era in 
 the history of France, and hand down his name, covered 
 with a fadeless lustre, to the latest eppeh of civilization. 
 And while we view the actions., and study the genius of Pe- 
 ter the Great, we forget the frosty laurels gathered in his 
 winter campaigns, >yhen we strike upon, his design to unite 
 the Caspian with the European seas. We hope that our 
 country will look for a permanent glory, that shall be kin- 
 filed on the altar of public good, and spread the light of its 
 blaze amid the vicissitudes an$ revolutions of time. Her 
 military reno,wn should rest on the victorious defence of her 
 shores, and her freedom, and her national fame be insepara- 
 ble from objects of national utility. And when foreigners 
 shall cross the qcean to visit pur shores, if we cannot point 
 them to spots like Blenheim. Leipsjc, and Waterloo ; may 
 >ve show them the monuments of a nation's greatness, around 
 which the imprecations of posterity will not gather, as thej 
 ftnite {hem. with their chains anc} curse their founders 1 
 
THE 
 
 NORTHERN CANAL, 
 
 yROM TJ1E 
 
 HUDSON TO LAKE CHAMpLAIN, 
 
 8UCH is the attention which the Great Western Canal 
 continually engrosses, and such the curiosity and interest 
 which it excites, that ail minor objects of policy seem lost in 
 the glare of this magnificent design. But little has been 
 said of the Northern Canal, which is to connect the Hudson 
 with Lake Champlain, although five years ago it would have 
 commanded much attention, and been viewed with lively 
 considerations as a great undertaking. As this canal is t<? 
 have an immediate connexion with the Western Canai, and 
 thus in a short time open a communication from the waters 
 of the Champlain to the banks of the Mississippi and the 
 Missouri, it ought npt to l>e omitted in our views of the in- 
 ternal navigation of our state. 
 
 We will indulge in a comprehensive view of its lengtli, 
 expense and future adrantages. 
 
 When the Canal Commissioners in company with their 
 Engineers, explored the route pf the Northern Canal, they 
 
62 
 
 frund the soil to admit of two lines, over which it might 
 pass without any formidable obstacle. The first would be 
 twenty-two miles in length, commencing at the mouth of 
 Fort Edward Creek, following the ravine of Wood Creek, 
 Ten thof * Whitehall. The second would commense six miles fur- 
 the Canal, therdown the Hudson, at the mouth of Moses-Kill, and ex- 
 tend by the natural channels of this Kill, Dead Creek and 
 "Wood Creek to Whitehall. The former route would make 
 the Canal twenty miles long ; the latter will lengthen the 
 distance six miles, and make the Canal twenty-six miles in 
 length. The former route as it appears from the last report 
 of the Canal Commissioners to the New-York Legislature, 
 has been preferred.* 
 
 It has been, thought proper to increase the dimensions of 
 the Northern Canal and make it as large as the Canal from 
 . the Hudson to Erie 40 feet wide on the water-surface, 28 
 j- eet at the bottom, and the depth of water 4 feet ; the 
 length of a lock 90 feet, and its width 12 feet in the clear. 
 So reasonable and correct were the original estimates, that 
 even this increase of its dimensions will make no increase in 
 the expense. We shall, therefore, qupte the original calcu- 
 lations.! 
 
 The expense of the Northern Canal, from Fort Edward 
 to Whitehall, is estimated at 250,000. Whether it should 
 c ' commence at Fort Edward Creek or Moses-Kill, would cre- 
 ate no essential disparity jn the expense. 
 
 When the waters of Champlajn shall be thus united with 
 the Hudson, it is proposed stiU further to improve our north- 
 ern inland trade by facilitating the navigation from Fort 
 Edward to Waterford through the Hudson, by artificial 
 works. There arc several interruptions in the navigation of 
 this distance. It is therefore proposed to construct a dam 
 across the Hudson, at the head of Fort Miller Falls, and 
 
 * Vide Report of Commissioners, Jan. SI, 1818. 
 
 I Vide Report Canal Commissioners, 18th March, 1817 V . 
 
63 
 
 oiii a c-anal round '(he Falls, which could be supplied wk& 
 water from the river above. Another dam is to be con*- 
 structed across the Hudson at Saratoga Falls, and another 
 at Stillwater Falls, and canals cut round each of these de- 
 scents. Then a canal is to be cut from Stillwater Falls to 
 Waterford, at the confluence of the Hudson and the Mo- 
 hawk, which will unite the Northern and Western Canals. 
 The canal between Waterford and Stillwater Falls will be 
 12 miles in length. A company was incorporated many 
 years since, to opeh this canal navigation between the Hudson 
 and Lake Champlain ; but they did little more than survey 
 the route, and ascertain as far as possible, the magnitude of 
 the undertaking, Mr. Gallatin, in his Report of 1807, esti^ 
 mated the distance between Waterford and Skeensborough or 
 Whitehall, to be fifty miles, and the expense of opening the 
 whole Champlain navigation, at 800,000. The Canal Com- 
 missioners make the whole expense, including the Canal 
 from Moses-Kill to Whitehall before alluded to, at 8871,000. 
 The works now contemplated are much bolder than those 
 which formed the basis of Mr. Gallatin's estimates. 
 
 Some reference to the advantages which must result fVom 
 this connexion of the Hudson and the northern waters, may s es 
 here be expected. 
 
 The first advantage deserving notice will be the diversion 
 t)f a profitable trade from Quebec and Montreal to New- 
 York ; and the cities and Villages higher up the Hudson.-*- 
 Those parts of Vermont which are situated in the neigh- 
 borhood of Lower Canada, have heretofore been in the habit 
 of sustaining a commercial intercourse of no small impor- 
 tance with the British colonists, owing to the convenience 
 and facilities of trade arising from the contiguity of their 
 situation. Trade must and will be regulated by convenience 
 and profit, unless you interpose the arm of coercion or re- 
 striction. It is only by holding out those inducements that 
 constitute inclination and interest, that you can expect to fr m Cana- 
 eross its ordinary and older channels. Should an, easy, safe 
 
chea>) transportation be opened to those parts of Ver- 
 iiiont which border oa Lake Champlain, and a ready market 
 present itself within our own limits, but little question arises 
 what course their trade would take. At least one halt* of 
 the trade and profits which now flow into Canada, would be 
 brought home to our own state. Lake Champla'iri is about 
 ^00 miles long* from north to south. It receives half the 
 Streams that rise in Vermont, arid many which have their 
 origin in Lower Canada. The country on its borders is daily 
 improving in agriculture, and increasing in population ; and 
 if their trade is secured at this early period o'f our commer- 
 cial history, by permanent means, its unbroken continuance 
 may he relied upon. The effects of the Northern Canal, irf 
 this respect* will be immediate. No'r is this all ; the North- 
 ern Canal will even levy a contribution upon Lower Canada 
 herself. We must recollect that lor about seven months 
 in the year, the riter St. Lawrence, through which all the 
 trade of the Canadas passed, is frozen over, or so full of ob- 
 structions that navigation through its waters is suspended.. 
 Thus, for more than one half erf the year, there would be a 
 strong temptation for the people of Lower Canada to opeif 
 a trade with the city of New-York. Every article of mer- 
 chandize passing from this country into Lower Canada? 
 would yield a tax to the National Government, and extend a 
 profit to our own citizens, at the expense of the consumer in! 
 Canada. 
 
 The canal, too, will be of much importance from the 
 trade in lumber and timber which it will promote. These 
 articles are already becoming scarce in many parts of our 
 country. Mr. King, iu his late speech in the Senate of the 
 United States, observes, that " The timber of the country 
 is becoming scarce, and more and more an object of public 
 concern. The forests upon the frontier of the Octari,' and 
 on the great rivers leading to it, are nearly destroyed. Jri 
 other countries, and even in Ilussia, the improvident waste of 
 their timber, especially in the neighborhood of their 
 
65 
 
 iron works, has become a subject of national solicitude.^ 
 Masts, spars, pine and oak timber fit fop naval purposes, and 
 for otber numerous uses for which timber and wood are 
 wanted, were far more abundant, and of better quality for- 
 merly, and within the memory of men now living, than they 
 are at the present day; and a little care and economy in the 
 use of our timber, even now, would confer an important ben- 
 efit on posterity."* If the timber which covers the moun- 
 tains and country in the vicinity of Lake Champlain and 
 Lake George, is not of that valuable description for naval 
 purposes which is found in the southern extremity of the 
 Union, and more especially in Mississippi and Alabama, it is 
 of much value to a commercial people, and to the towns and 
 cities on the Hudson. The Canal Commissioners assert in 
 one of their reports, that within that tract of country em- 
 bracing the borders of Lake George, and the timber land 
 north and west of the great Falls in Luzerne, there are an- 
 nually made and transported to the south 2,000,000 of 
 boards and plank ; 1,000,000 feet of square timber consist- 
 ing of oakj white and yellow pine, besides dock logs, scant- 
 ling, and other timber to a great amount."")* The lands of 
 our own state, in theiviclnity of the contemplated Canal, are, 
 to a considerable extent, rough, unfit for a high state of cul- 
 tivation, and covered with an excellent growth of timber. 
 The increase in the ruluc of lands which this canal would 
 produce, where they are situated neat its line, should not be 
 lost to our view in the consideration of its advantages. 
 AVhen we recollect the rapid growth of the cities and villa- 
 ges on the Hudson, and the country beyond its tide waters, 
 and in the immediate vicinity of the new Canal ; and when 
 we also remember, that according to the most accurate cal- 
 culation, more than 2000 new buildings are erecting in New- 
 
 * Vide Speech of Hon. Rufus King on the Navigation Act. 
 It is a speech replete with intelligence and elevated national 
 feelings, and worthy of this distinguished statesman. 
 
 f Rep. Canal Com. 1 8th March, 1817. 
 
66 
 
 York the present season, and the timber, boards, other 
 materials of wood, necessary to supply a demand so great ; 
 and when we look at the demands for I lie different kinds ot" 
 timber to subserve mercantile purposes, even in the city of 
 New-York alone ; we cannot but think that the lands in the 
 vicinity of Lake Champlain and Lake George, and in some 
 of our northern counties heretofore deemed of little value, 
 will now be rendered of much pecuniary consequence to their 
 proprietors. 
 
 The establishment of the Naval Depot at Newburg, on the 
 River Hudson, reported to have been authorised by the Gov- 
 ernment of the United Stales, will increase to a great ex- 
 tent, the importance of this canal. Every thing necessary for 
 extensive ship building, which can be found on 'its borders, 
 or contiguous to the waters connected with it, will find a 
 ready and permanent demand, at this important post. It is 
 probable, from the fine harbor of New-York, and from its 
 being in the centre of the Union, that this depot will be one 
 of the largest in the United States, and afford an immense 
 consumption of timber necessary for naval purposes. 
 
 When this Canal shall be opened, we believe, as the Com- 
 missioners early perceived, that a trade of a new character 
 will arise, between ourselves and the people of the north- 
 westerly parts of Vermont. The sale of pot and pearl ashes 
 has heretofore, and will hereafter be a source of profit to 
 this quarter of the country. The transportation of these 
 heavy articles over a considerable distance by land, is a great 
 drawback upon the profits which they afford. The North- 
 Pot and crn Canal must open to them a ready market, and an easy, 
 e*. safe, and rapid conveyance. These articles can be exchang- 
 
 ed at either extremity of the Canal, at Whitehall or Water- 
 ford, for articles of merchandize, or for salt or gypsum, 
 which will hereafter be brought down the Great Western 
 Canal in quantities sufficient to supply any consumption. 
 The salt works in our western counties will hereafter be car- 
 ried on upon a large scale, and gypsum will be afforded at 
 S5 per ton at Waterford, and perhaps for a less sum. 
 
67 
 
 The greater part of Vermont is a fine' grazing country ; 
 but the expense of transportation, has, in a considerable de- 
 gree, heretofore prevented the cultivators of the soil from Po ^ cf aild 
 selling beef and pork, or from considering them important 
 ai-ticles of trade. When this canal is completed, the whole 
 country in the vicinity of Lake Champlain, will send the ar- 
 ticles of beef and pork, to the ready and constant markets, 
 which \ull be found at Troy, Albany, and more especially in 
 New- York, the great place of exportation. 
 
 The fine marble in the state of Vermont, which lies in 
 vast quarries in the vicinity of Lake Champlain, and is found 
 to possess the richest qualities, would find an immediate de- 
 mand by this improvement in our northern navigation. The 
 extensive marble works in the flourishing village of Middle- 
 bury, a few miles from Lake Champlain, and situated on the 
 banks of Otter Creek, afford a sufficient specimen of its in- 
 trinsic properties. It is of various hues, of a fine grain, 
 bears an exquisite polish, and is found to withstand the most 
 
 intense heat without anv unfavorable effects. This marble 
 
 Marble, 
 has been worked for several years past to great advantage 
 
 and profit, by the MIDDLEBURY MARBLE MANUFACTURING 
 COMPANY, and has been sent in considerable quantities to 
 New-York, Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, and even so fat- 
 south as Georgia. It is used for monuments, and for all the 
 ornamental purposes of building. It may hereafter become 
 an article of much importance. 
 
 The country through which the Northern Canal must 
 pass, is said to be stored with rich and valuable minerals, 
 and it is calculated that extensive iron works will hereafter 
 be erected in the neighborhood of the mountains near Lakes 
 George and Champhtia. Should this be the case, this coun- 
 try, by means of the canal, might become an important place 
 for the manufacture of iron. 
 
 The Northern Canal may also produce many important 
 benefits in point of national defence, in case of future exi- 
 gencies. Naval and military stores, and materials of every 
 
68 
 
 description essential to purposes of defence, could easily ba 
 Pefenct. distributed along this part of our northern frontier with 
 ease and safety, thus sustaining an uninterrupted water con- 
 veyance between our seaboard and the Canadian borders. 
 Had this Canal been made previous to the last war, the sav- 
 ing of expense to the nation would have been of no inconsid- 
 erable consequence. 
 
 These are some of the future advantages connected with 
 this branch of our Internal Improvements. Most of these 
 benefits have before been suggested to the public, by the 
 Canal Commissioners, and we pretend to no merit in bring- 
 ing them forward here with our brief illustrations. It will 
 promote the interests of agriculture, by opening ready mark- 
 ets, and easy, cheap, and ready conveyance $ it will promote 
 domestic trade, by drawing articles of merchandize from 
 our own seaboard, instead of the Canadian cities. It will 
 advance the value of real estate, promote manufactures, and 
 draw rich mineral treasures from the bowels of the earth. 
 It will create new sources of industry, and confine the pro- 
 fits of our labor to ourselves. 
 
 The whole of the Northern Canal is under contract, and 
 it is expected that one half of the distance will be completed 
 "before the approach of winter, if the season continues favor- 
 able. The remaining portion will be advanced to a state oi' 
 completion with the same energy that marks its present 
 progress. As there are no doubts nor cavils concerning this 
 work, argument is unnecessary. It is not to be presumed 
 that the state of New-York, while directed in the applica- 
 tion of her means by her present Chief Magistrate, and 
 while able to make a Canal of 353 miles long, and connect 
 by ihe noblest work of the age, the great Lakes and the 
 ocean, will permit a spot of disgrace to rest on her character, 
 by not connecting the Hudson with Lake Champlain, at a 
 trifling expense, wheu her faith and her resources are pledg- 
 ed in the undertaking. 
 
MR. DARBY'S LETTER. 
 
 [ THE following letter, which was, a few days since, written 
 by WILLIAM DARBY, Esq. in answer to certain inquiries 
 submitted to him by the Secretary of the New-York Cor- 
 responding Association, contains much important infor- 
 mation, and is subjoined here, as a valuable appendage to 
 the foregoing pages.] 
 
 NEW-FORK, October 11, 1818. 
 MR. C. G. HAINES, 
 
 Sir Yours of the 25th ult. was duly received, but the 
 pressure of my private business on my return from a tour of 
 nearly five months, prevented an earlier attention to join- 
 communication. You request my opinion in the first instance 
 upon 
 
 < What canals and water communications could be con- 
 nected with the line of the great western canal, in our state, 
 for the promotion of internal improvements." 
 
 The most obvious, and by far the most beneficial water 
 communication that can be made between the great west 
 era canal and circumjacent rivers, is the contemplated canal 
 between the head of Seneca Lake and the Susquehanna. If 
 the two canals were now completed as far as Seneca Lake 
 and Cayuga river, the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and New- 
 York states, would exchange their heavy but invaluable ar- 
 ticles of coal, gypsum, salt, iron, pot metal, &c. 
 
 Three obvious points of water connection, between the 
 great western canal and lake Ontario, present themselves 
 by the Niagara, Genesee and Osvvego rivers, all of which 
 
70 
 
 are obstructed by cataracts cf more or less depression from 
 the lowest part of the plane of the canal to the surface of 
 the Jake. 
 
 Before proceeding farther in this investigation, permit me 
 to make a few geographical remarks. The commercial fa- 
 cilities naturally existing between the Atlantic states and the 
 valleys of the Mississippi and St. Lawrence,* may be divi- 
 ded into three great divisions ; which we will designate as 
 the Northern, Middle and Southern. All that part of the 
 continent of North America, watered by the St. Lawrence 
 river and confluent branches, to the north of the Falls of 
 Niagara, must have a commercial outlet and inlet by that 
 
 great river, through Montreal and Quebec South and 
 
 Southwest of the Rapids of Ohio, at the town of Louisville, 
 the produce of human industry will pass to New-Orleans, 
 and the articles of necessity and luxury, not found in the 
 country, will be purchased in that city. Between the Chute 
 of Niagara and that of Louisville, from the Allegany moun- 
 tains to the sources of the rivers of lake Superior, will form 
 the middle commercial district, and New- York, Philadel- 
 phia and Baltimore, will divide the profits of exchange ; 
 Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Detroit and Buffalo, will be in the mid- 
 dle, what Kingston and York, in Upper Canada, will be in 
 the northern, and what Louisville, St. Louis, Natches and 
 Natchitoches will be in the southern division. Partial inter- 
 communications may, and no doubt will, daily occur in com- 
 mercial exchange between the points of contact of these 
 natural sections, but these interchanges must be viewed as 
 exceptions to a great permanent rule formed by nature her- 
 self. 
 
 In examining the subject of any improvement, MAN 
 ought to seek what is practically useful, and not exhaust upon 
 idle fanciful speculation, what is due to attainable objects of 
 
 * By the valleys of the Mississippi and St. Lawrence are here 
 meant, all the region watered by the tributary streams of these 
 mighty rivers. 
 
71 
 
 real utility. A water route from the Atlantic ocean io tlifc 
 immense wester* waters, has now arrested the attention of 
 the most enlightened citizens of New- York and Pennsylva- 
 nia ; and the subjec t is one, upon which the pens of the 
 ablest politicians or economists of these great states, may 
 be most beneficially employed. It is an object worthy the 
 deepest reflection of a public mind, at once rich in experience 
 and strong in moral youth. It is to be regretted that in the 
 developement of our natural advantages, local prejudices, 
 party and personal animosities should impede the progress of 
 rational research. It is wretched logic, to confound ques- 
 tions of national interest, with the trifling views of faction, 
 or the narrow conceptions of corporation politics. 
 
 Since receiving your communication, I have met with two 
 works on a similar subject ; one, A topographical descrip- 
 tion of the province of Lower Canada, and on the relative 
 connexion of both provinces, with the United States of 
 America." By JOSEPH BOTJCHETTE, Esq. 
 
 The other, " A Sketch of the Internal Improvements al- 
 ready made by Pennsylvania ; with observations upon her 
 physical and fiscal means for their extension ; particularly 
 as they have reference to the future growlh and prosperity 
 of Philadelphia." By SAMUEL BRECK, Esq. 
 
 Whoever reads attentively these two treatises, will I regret 
 to say, find very nearly as much liberality from Mr. Bou- 
 c'hette, respecting the United States in general, as from Mr. 
 Breck, when contrasting the city of Philadelphia with the 
 neighboring cities of New-York and Baltimore, and partic- 
 ularly New-Orleans. The latter writer indeed appears in 
 one point to extreme disadvantage, he seems to consider 
 Pennsylvania as an incidental or secondary object, when in- 
 cluded in the same prospeet with her commercial capital ; 
 Mr. Boucliette, to his credit, extends his views to the causes 
 which may lead to the aggregate prosperity of all the Cana- 
 das, and does not confine his anticipations to Quebec. 
 
 To a reader unacquainted uith the relative political posi- 
 
18 
 
 tiou of affairs on this continent, both of these writers would 
 appear to be inhabitants of countries environed with rival and 
 even hostile states. This spirit of rivalry is as injurious as 
 a generous emulation would be beneficial to the progress of 
 improvement. The inherent principles of human nature 
 will, however, operate, maugre all that sophistry can op^ 
 pose to their progress. Men will carry their superabun- 
 dance to the best markets, whether in New-York, Philadel- 
 phia, Baltimore, New-Orleans, or elsewhere. 
 
 Mr. Breck, page 43, anticipates the time when the com- 
 merce of the waters of the Missouri and Mississippi, be- 
 yond the mouth of Ohio, will come to Philadelphia ; in fine, 
 that an era will arrive when human beings will toil 1600 
 miles mostly up stream, to obtain a worse market than they 
 could find by floating down stream half the distance. If this 
 prophecy is ever realized, the old proverb, go farther and 
 fare worse," will receive a very remarkable application. 
 
 I notice Mr, Breck's work as it embodies much of the 
 common place philosophy on the subject upon which I am 
 now descanting. To consider that gained to Pennsylvania 
 which is lost by New-York, or rice versa, is just about as 
 correct, as it would be for an individual to desire a palace 
 for a residence with mud-walled, thatched-covered hovels, 
 to decorate the prospect from its portals. In fact* the ad- 
 vance of any city or state of our common country has a re- 
 flective effect $ the science, wealth, and liberal institutions 
 of any part* must shed their kindly beams upon the whole, 
 and the illumination must be stronger in direct ratio to ap- 
 proximation to the centre of light. 
 
 But to return to our subject* The relative territorial ex- 
 tent of the three great commercial sections of the central 
 parts of our continent, is as nearly as I estimate them, a 
 
 follows : 
 
 so,. MILES. 
 
 Yalley of the St. Lawrence below Niagara, 240,000 
 Middle or central section, 320,000 
 
 South and southwestern section, 1,200,000 
 
' C Y LIBI 
 
 .. ^* 
 
 73 
 
 of (hose grand divisions have (heir appropriate d 
 vantages, which it is, and wili continue to be the duty of the 
 inhabitants respectively to improve. Of the three, the 
 greatest number of practical and indispensable canals and 
 roads, can and will be formed in the middle or central sec- 
 tion. Until the completion of the great Western Canal be- 
 tween the waters of the River Hudson, and those of Lake 
 Erie, that between the Seneca Lake and the Susquehanna 
 river, and that between the Hudson river and Lake Cham*- 
 plain, no others ought to be ever seriously thought of by the 
 citizens of this State. 
 
 Your second inquiry is, " What Great Hoads could be 
 " united to the line of the Western Canal, in our state, for 
 96 the promotion of the same object ?'* 
 
 This latter inquisition would admit of a much wider range 
 than the former, if pursued in all its details; there is 
 scarcely five miles upon the whole line of the canal, from 
 which useful and necessary roads may not be drawn 5 but of 
 these, two obtrude themselves to immediate notice* One to 
 the village of Hamilton upon the Allegany river, in Calta- 
 raugus county, and the other between the towns of Buffalo 
 and Hamilton. The lately perceived importance of these 
 two latter places, has prevented their having excited the in- 
 terest they so eminently deserve. The proper point of con* 
 tact with the canal, or its confluent waters, by the Hamilton 
 road, is something difficult to fix with precision. Geneva, 
 and Canandaigua, present each some respective advantages 
 of position when contrasted with each other ; and have eith- 
 er a decided superiority, as points of departure, over any oth- 
 er places in this state. I have visited both these towns, and 
 from information there received, have no doubt but that ex- 
 cellent roads can be formed, from each to Hamilton, at no 
 extraordinary expense. If I was called upon to dictate a 
 plan upon this subject, I would direct the formation of a 
 turnpike road'froin both Geneva and Canandaigua, in the di- 
 rection towards Hamilton. These roads should converge 
 
somewhere in the northwest angle of Steuben county, at oi 1 
 near the village of Dansville, or Arkport, and run thence 
 to Hamilton by Angelica. No roads that could be possibly 
 funned in this state, in addition to those already made, would 
 produce so great and immediate benefits, as these I have 
 traced. If this route was laid open by good roads, it would, 
 even independent of the Grand Canal, become instanter the 
 thoroughfare between the New-England States and the Ohio 
 Valley. To those who are acquainted with the extent and' 
 mass of the tide of emigration now setting southwest, and 
 annually increasing, the advantages of such a route will be 
 apparent. Much embarrassment is now experienced by em- 
 igrants from Massachusetts, 'New-Hampshire and Vermont 
 states, for the want of a direct and easy means of transpor- 
 tation to Pittsburgh. No part of the western territory of 
 New-York is so thinly peopled, as the country included in 
 Steuben, Allegany and Cattaraugus counties 5 good roads 
 would tend greatly to encourage settlement. 
 
 Though not equal in importance or necessity with the roads 
 from Hamilton to Cauandaigua and Geneva, yet a good solid 
 road from Hamilton to Buffalo would be of great utility and 
 convenience to the people who inhabit the extreme western 
 section of this state. In a military point of view, the latter 
 road would be of incalculable advantage in a war with 
 Great Britain, in opening more extensively than at pre- 
 sent exists, lines of ready communication with our interior 
 and Canadian frontier. 
 
 It is much to be desired, that a good road was also carried 
 from Hamilton to Pittsburg. In execution of such a work, 
 the people of New-York and those of Pennsylvania ought to act 
 in concert ; both parties are deeply interested, though the for- 
 mer rather more than the latter, as the country upon the Al- 
 legany is yet but thinly inhabited. From the influence of 
 frost in the winter and heat in summer, many of our rivers 
 are rendered useless as channels of communications, often 
 Lalf the year. This is the case with all our interior streams 
 
, , 
 
 north of Marlyand. Durable roads arc therefore as indis- 
 pensable as canals, and in places where heat may exhaust or 
 cold congeal water, roads and canals ought to be formed co- 
 existent, and made in their turn subservient to the facility 
 of human intercourse, and the augmentation of human en- 
 joyment. 
 
 The road from Utica to Sackett's Harbor, though already 
 open, demands very extensive improvements. 1 travelled 
 this route ia the second week of last May, and found many 
 parts in a wretched state. The season was indeed extremely 
 inclement a time therefore that the roads could not be ex- 
 pected to afford pleasant travelling but if they are well 
 formed and preserved with care, they will at least always 
 secure safe conveyance. It would be waste of time to point 
 out the very high importance of a good road, solid at all 
 seasons of the year, from the interior of the state of New- 
 York, to the most exposed and by far the most valuable mil- 
 itary and naval station on our Canadian border. 
 
 The following are the stationary distances of each of the 
 proposed roads, as near as I have been able to estimate. 
 The distance and stations upon the road from Utica to Sack- 
 et's Harbor, were taken from the former to the latter town. 
 The others are taken from Eddy's Map of New- York, a ve 
 ry meritorious work lately published. 
 
 MLLES, 
 
 From Utica, over the alluvion of the Mohawk 
 river, 1-2 
 
 Height of land between the Mohawk and Lake 
 
 Ontario, 3 1-25 
 
 Tillage of Trenton, 813 
 
 Sugar Creek, one of the head branches of Black 
 
 River, 23 36 
 
 Thus far the road is now tolerable, but from Sugar Creek 
 it follows, generally, the valley of Black River, and is in ma- 
 ny places barely passable, in the spring season. 
 
Martinsburg, seat of justice for Lewis 
 
 county, - - 14 3-4 50 3-4r 
 
 Lowville, - 3 1-2 -5* 1-4 
 
 Beer River, a large and impetuous 
 
 branch of Black River a good 
 
 wooden bridge where the road passes, 10 64 3--* 
 
 Watertown on the left bank of Black 
 
 River, , 1680 3-4 
 
 Brownsville, right bank of Black Ri- 
 ver, - - SJSjjfe* 484 3-4 
 Sacket's Harbor, 892 3-4 
 
 A direct road runs from Watertown to Saeket's Harbor, 
 distance. 8 miles, but at the time I travelled the country, 
 this latter road was pronounced impassable. 1 was therefore 
 obliged to take the more circuitous route by Brownville, and 
 of course Black River twice. Good bridges have been 
 ibrmed over that precipitous stream, at AValerlown and at 
 Brownville, 
 
 Route from Geneva to Hamilton. 
 Height of land between Canandaigua and 
 
 Crooked Lakes, 30 
 
 Arkport, 2050 
 
 Angelica, - 2070 
 
 Hamilton, 30100 
 
 Intersecting route with the above, from Canandaigua. 
 Naples, - - 20 
 
 Arkport, - -. 2343 
 
 From the foregoing it will be seen, that the distance from 
 Geneva is 100, and from Canandaigua, 93 miles to Hamilton. 
 The land distances could be shortened by passing by water, 
 from Geneva, through the Seneca and Crooked Lakes, and 
 from Canandaigua, by the Canandaigua Lake. If the pro- 
 posed roads were made, it is probable they would intersect 
 near the Conhocton branch of Susquchanna, or between the 
 Conhocton and Arkport. Diverging roads could be easily 
 formed from the main lines to the heads of Canandaigua, 
 Seneca, and Crtoked Lakes, and thus open still more exteu- 
 
BERKELEY LIB 
 
 lively the channels of transportation in a very improvable*' 
 and improving country. 
 
 From the head of Crooked Lake to Bath or (lie Conhoc- 
 ton, is only about 5 miles. From Bath, rafts and boats can 
 be and have been conveyed down the Conhocton into the main 
 stream of Tioga, and finally into the Susquehanna river. 
 
 Route from Hamilton to Buffalo. 
 
 MILES. 
 
 Cattaraugus Creek, 30 
 
 Buffalo, 3060 
 
 Tin's distance is measured upon the map direct ; it is not, 
 however, probable, that a road could in reality be made in 
 less than 70 or 75 miles between Buffalo and Hamilton. The 
 face of the country from the Allegany river to Cattaraugus 
 creek, and for some considerable distance north of the lat- 
 ter stream, rises into high hills. The road would cross the 
 table land between the waters of the Ohio and those of Lake 
 Erie. It may not be irrelevant to remark, in this place, a 
 circumstance of considerable import in tSie investigation of 
 the subject of the connexion between Lake Erie and Ohio 
 river. By actual admeasurement, as reported by Mr. Gal- 
 latin, Brownsville, or rather the Monongahela river at that 
 town, is elevated 850 feet above tide water in Chesapeake 
 Bay ; and by careful measurement made in preparing for 
 the commencement of the great western canal, the surface 
 of Lake Erie is elevated 565 feet above the tide water in tie 
 Hudson river at the city of Albany. From this data, the 
 Monongahela at Brownsville, is 285 feet higher than the 
 surface of Lake Erie. 1 am well acquainted with the JVIo- 
 nongahela river between Brownsville and Pitisburg, and 
 cannot be induced to consider the waterfall from the former 
 to the latter place above 45 or 50 feet perpendicular ; which 
 estimate, if correct, Mould yield a fall of nearly 250 feet 
 from Pittsburg to Buffalo. This statement will be relieved 
 from all improbability by a very cursory glance upon a map 
 of our continent. The much greater distance from Pitts- 
 
p 
 
 burg to tide water in the gulf of Mexico, than from 
 Buffalo to tide water in St. Lawrence river will be apparent. 
 It has been found from actual survey, as marked upon Ed- 
 dy's map of Niagara river, that the difference of level be- 
 tween Lake Erie and Ontario is 334 feet. Supposing the 
 gulf of St. Lawrence and the Hudson river at Albany to be 
 on a level, and the difference cannot be considerable, there 
 are 565, less 33i, or 231 feet as the fall of water from tbc 
 bottom of Lake Ontario to tide water in St. Lawrence river ; 
 a prodigious depression for the distance, and amply accounts 
 for the rapidity of the rapids at Grand Gallop, Point Iro- 
 quois, Rapid Plat, Grand Saut, and St. Mary's Rapid below 
 Montreal. 
 
 Assuming the above heights and depressions as correct, 
 there will be about 250 feet from any intervening point more 
 depression to reach the waters of Lake Erie than those of 
 the Ohio at Pittsburg. The dividing ridge approaches in 
 Cattaragus county, near Portland, within less than live miles- 
 of Lake Erie. Sailing along that Lake, within about three 
 miles from the New-York shore, this ridge appeared to me 
 to be 1000 feet high ; some of its points I was then led to 
 believe at least 200 feet still more elevated than the general 
 range of the hills. About 20 miles S. W. of Buffalo this 
 ridge first appears distinctly visible from Lake Erie, and 
 and continues in view beyond the town Erie, and from thence 
 gradually retires into the state of Ohio ; in clear weather it, 
 however, remains in sight from the Lake, even opposite the 
 mouth of Sandusky Buy. Huron and Cayahoga rivers in- 
 dent it) and when opposite the mouths of these streams it 
 disappears, but in the intervening space rises prominent 
 above the adjacent country. 
 
 Your third and last subject of inquiry is, What advan- 
 tage does New-York possess over New-Orleans, for supplying 
 the country, north-west of the Ohio river, with goods and 
 merchandise ?" 
 
 To this interrogatory, I would answer briefly, that as 
 
RERKELEY LIB 
 
 tors now stand it would be nearly, if not altogether 
 cheap, to ship goods and merchandise from the former, to 
 to the latter city, and have them thence transported, by Ma- 
 ter to Cincinnati, or even to Pittshurg, as it would be to con- 
 vey (hem by the einbarrasing land and water routes now ex- 
 isting between the Hudson and Ohio rivers. The comple- 
 tion of the -canal from the Mohawk to the Seneca, and a good 
 road from thence to Hamilton, would, if nothing else was 
 done, change the face of affairs. New-York would then en- 
 joy the benefits of her nearer approximation to the water of 
 the Ohio ; she would be enabled to counterbalance, by her 
 existing capital, the superior local advantages of New-Or- 
 leans ; and she would forever preserve her now relative rank 
 amongst the cities of ihe United States. If a direct water 
 communication was open with Lake Erie, the resources of 
 the state and (his city would be still more enlarged. >Ve 
 have been in the habit of undervaluing the regions watered 
 by the confluent waters of the Canadian Lakes. The real 
 fact is, that in many respects the countries, contiguous to the 
 great chain of interior seas, are superior to most parts of 
 our continent of equal extent. The soil is generally good, 
 and every where produce, in abundance, the Cereal gramina. 
 To the west of Niagara, as far as Lake Superior, the cli- 
 mate is mild. All the shores of Lakes Erie and Michigan, 
 and great part of those of Huron, will affords fine settle- 
 ments. AVith but very few exceptions those regions are 
 healthy and supplied with excellent water. 
 
 Let the produce of their labour pass where it may, the 
 number of human beings that are now daily passing Buffalo 
 will soon dissipate the forests and supply their places with 
 towns, villages, farm-houses, fields, meadows, orchards, and 
 gardens. The beautiful and highly cultivated lands of the 
 strait of Erie, are now a specimen, of what in forty years 
 
 will be the landscape from Niagara to Chicaga. 
 
 It is a very gratifying anticipation to behold in our fancy, 
 
 the epoch to come, when this augmenting mass of population 
 
\: 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 "rnU enjoy, in the interior of this vast continent, a ch 
 collection of immense marts, where the produce of UK 
 banks of innumerable rivers and Lakes can be cxchauged^ 
 on or near the shores of the Atlantic Ocean for the con- 
 veniences of Europe, and the luxuries of the Indies. 
 
 In the Edinburgh Review, for June, 1818, when speakin< 
 of Mr. Morris Birkbeck's tour in America, and the streai 
 of population passing from the borders of the Atlantic Oceanj 
 into the region we now call relatively western : occurs this 
 remarkable passage : 
 
 " Where is this prodigious increase of numbers, this vast] 
 extension of dominion, to end ? What bounds has nature set 
 to the progress of this mighty najton ? Let our jealousy 
 burn as it may ; let our intolerance of America be as un- 
 reasonably violent as we please ; still it is plain that she is] 
 a power in spite of us, rapidly rising to supremacy ; or, at! 
 least, that each jear so mightily augments her strength, as 
 to overtake, by a most sensible distance, even the most for*' 
 midable of her competitors. In foreign commerce she comes] 
 nearer to England than any other maritime power, and al- 
 ready her mercantile navy is within a few thousand tons of] 
 our own ! if she goes on as rapidly for two or three years, 
 she must overtake and outstrip us." 
 
 Such are the impressions already made in Europe by out- 
 existing state, such the views of our future progress ! The 
 bounds that nature may have in preparation, to limit the pros* 
 perity, wealth, power or science, of the people of the United 
 States will never be seen by either you or me. With senti- 
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