The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-19
INTERNAL NzVIGATIOM

On this highly impor ant subject the New
YORK Columbian presents the fol-
lowing interesting
Hrtracr of ietter from a merchant in
yNev- YORK, TO his friend az Gennesee, do
ted 1871 mo. 22d, 1910.
1T IS with great satisfaction inform thee,
that the commissioners who explored the
country from the Hudson to Lake Erie, TO
ascertain the most proper route for con-
emplated canal, will make favorable re-
port to the Legislature at the commencement.
ot their next session and more important
subject will never be discussed by any deli
oerative body in the United States, asst re-
spects the in9ernal Improvement of our count
try. 1t IS to be hoped all will unite, & that
the voice OF patriotism will alone be heard
on thus interesting occasion. From the df.
ferent surveys that have been made, it an
pears that Lake Erie is about $40 feet a.
bove The level of the Hudson; and it is GER
@in there is water sufficient upon all the
summit levels, to feed the canal in its Course
through the country consequently, though
gigantic work, it would be easily atchie-
we'd Il earnestly under aiken by Congress, or
che government of this state and the cx-
pence 1t is supposed will not exceed or s
mill ms OF dollars. On the principle of DO
hey II is an object of first rate consequence
II will he the means of retaining the affec-
tons or our western brethren, who are now
trading principally with their Canadian
ne'Shbors; and from continued intercourse
aiey may sUon fancy their interest insepara-
Bile In regard to the general utility and
importance OF this canal. their magnitude les
indiscribabe, and cur conceptions totally in
adequate to the just appreciation of the
consequences 'ha- will proceed from it. A
few faint outlines are all that can delineate
relative TO this great object.
The commercial advantages that wouId
arise from so safe and easy an inland com
n,unicaiion. are intellectually great; and the
SevCnue which would accrue from the sale
OF goods in the extensive and fertile country
nSrdeTiH5 Oil the great lake would amply re-
pay the government in the course of e. "
years, the expence of making the canal
In addition to this, the United States will
reap millions of dollars, from the sale of
she'r lands, more than they otherwise would.
The northern part of Pennsylvania, the states
OF Kentucky and Ohio, the territories Of
Michigan and Indiana will all be benefited
~ this inland navigation; they will supply
themselves with salt and Their goods through
HIs channel, and in return will send ma
their surplus produce. Facility VIII be given
tor the transportation of ore from the rich
sSopper mines on the lake Superior, which
,wiii,fyuve essentially serviceable TO the ma
SSitime states. il will ,ivet the affections of
osr western inhabitants for their brethren of
she AtlantiC states, and destroy the seeds of
Jealousy which at a futare period might be a
source OF the greatest discord. The inimita-
bic Cowper observes, that
/" Mountains iDterposed, make enemies of NJ J..
tons,
r whobad else, like kindred drops, been min.
gied into one"
sihe canal will probably commence at
Tonnewanta Creek. and proceed through
the Genesee country, where / am told he
surveyor, last employed, says he can run
sixty miles without lock. Ii will either
oro>, Genesee river a little below the high
falls or some distance above, in fact. where
yer the ground is best calculated for the
suppose, and thence to the neighbour GOD of
Harrington, thence to Cayuga outlet, and
then passing by the salt works TO the south
side OF Oneida lake to the mouth of Wood
Greek. AID from thence up to The Mohawk
river and down TO the Hudson at or near
Albany; placing no dependence on lakes or
rivers. further than to receive an additional
supply of water from them wherever it is
wanted. 1t is found by experience in Eu-
rope where canals are made and making
IN every direction where water can he found
90 feed them, that three boats, Carrying eech
100 barrels, can be drawn by one horse
with much greater ease than one containing
800 barrels; from which we may presume
light boats will be used in preference to o.
thrrs by which means the expences atten-
ding the construction of the canal may be
cor iderabiy lessened.-Let no person be
alarmed AT the greatness of the expence thai
will attend this under, aking, which dwn.
dies intoinsigr'hcagce when contrasted with
fhe object in view; and if Congress will no.