Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-02-04
From the BuffaIoe Gazette OF Jan. ~

What object Of secular nature Ca
fleet more Pleasi < sensations gu u't
ind than . contemplation OF the growth
I'd prosperity Of tn country tnat gave
-, birth : When we turn our mind 10
ne Great Western Canal, III what 'tio
,aaIl we compute the future growth and
prosperity OF the western 'e,'ioh OF ouf
, osntry y, should this grand OBJECT DC e'
f- ted, on plan calculated TO reduce 'oe
b. ice of expectations, so that heavy al
lies of produce would bear transportation,
( ON the western Lakes to New YORK :
;hen should we see the frontier countries
IN the Lakes, Erie, st. Clair, Hu,on'
richigan and Superior, floating their
richest produce into he great emPorlu"
If their country. What internal improve
nent can surpass the one new in cante"'
plation ? The country generally ha!e
nut faint view Of the magnitude OF thu
beet: They do not consider that 1t viii
ieet navigable waters equal to a canal
;el6 miles in length or upwards. Bot
to prove this it will he necessary to show
he. circumference Of the lakes and length
,rthe rivers that sunnect them. lhis is
.ot accurately known, but according to
he best calculation,
Mile.
The circumference of Lake Erie is 500
he length Of Detroit River 90
he cir cumfererce of Lake st. Clair 90
he length of St. Clair River %
he circumference Of Lake Hurcn 1000
The length of st Mary River 40
he circumf-renc, c. Lake Superior 1890
he circumference ofLakeMiehisan $40
S9I6I
This calculation being accurate, we
I'D y front er enur'r:, Dordc ~ on ma
yieable waters, Z distance ct 1910 miles.
intArcepted on.v br . portage OF nine
,nl'e. b,'wesn Lake Huron aud superior
L great po' tier Of 'hieh country is OF a
nrerior quality for cultivation Were
hi. cham of wafer communication sx
'.ndSG to Hudson river. thea would The
~, DIV son. 81 Columbia haze scope tor
heir unriraIled spirit uf rnterPrilr and
Industry. Nor would the wonder STOP
here, the southern nor mi.idle .tafe>
., Guld no more be a continent, but CON
v-r,ed int, islands. A ehaunel would be
rut from Gre.h Bay and Lake Michigan
!, Winnebago Lake, from thence thro'
F X and Omisconsin Rivers /" Mississip p.
p, Rive, al from Michigan through Chi.
Gag" aud lll,n"is River 20 the Mississippi
T-nm the west Genes the Missouri lh~er
I'd to be nav igable the thousand three
nuBdIed miles, What fields tor enter.
.. ize--.W hat veal h would be aoated
tvwa hese channels. From Chic and
the p ohuce Of the field: tom
Lakes Michigan and Superior. fsh. COP.
PEI ami petty, from Illinois and Mis-.
souri,, ccal, lead. salt. buffalo robes and
Deltry. To tie extent of this b,dy add
The natural limbs. numerous river, which
'mpty into the great lakes, some of which
ire navigahle many miles could MT
elumes be written OIL the propriety o!
his great work. Fellow ci;izens, "wou!d
rot this cou mvuieation between Hud on
nj Lake Erie, afford to the United Estates
more ample means of promoting everyl
ocial interest. than have heretofore IA
ny country been accomplished BY any
'uman enterprise :" Be excited then
n the great work. Let tn. general go
,ernment be in crested and appropriate
'ume Of the lands DO deriag on these wa.
ers. Let the state of New York press
Onward tie work-the stare If Ohio and
errtory Of Michigan assist the enter
irize and all with heart and hand &C.
,Omplsh the work in manner calculated
10 reduce the price Of transportation, so
mat heavy articles of produce will bear
troa tie Lakes to New
York aud New Orleans.