Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-09-25

Again, W en- 1t is considered Win no"
much ease Iamiiies can remove to the
lands which they own in the west, and
with what facility and delight emigrants
thnber can occasionally revisit their
friends and the spot of their nativity, the
mind is at once impressed with the mag
nitude and Importance OF this great inland
communication.
l, is ia truth subject of graduation
and joy to every friend of the country 10
learn, that the full accomplishment OF
this noble enterprise is no longer doubt
ful. We therefore, hail the state OF
New-York, proud, as she ought to be,)
for her perseverance, towards the COM
pletion OF the grand canal, work which
was declared by late president OF the
United States, to be beyond the ability OF
the union to accomplish.
If it be so, that the general govern
ment, which is considered the common
gparen; of the s,ates, has neither tie togo-
er nor ability to make improvements
such as this canal, VIC ought most as
suredly to rejoice tina, the state of New
York, in herself alone, possesses both.
BY means of this communication, land
owners whose lands arc situated on the
Atlantic coast, can be furnished with a
full supply Of excellent plaster Of paris,
Of which there is an incxhaustib!e qua.-
ti,y near the canal, and that, without be-
ing dependent Oh Nova Scotia fer hand
full. 1t is asserted Of this plaster, THAI 1t
will answer valuable purpose on ouf
lands, where Nova Scotia plaster has NO
effect.
An innens quantity Of excellent sali
is now NJ adc at the salt works near this
canal, and is SO low as to be offered at
62a cents per barrel, with The barrel in
Guided, each containing Ave bushels.
There is, however, a; this Time, state
duty Oh the article, appropriated towards
building the canal; so that the cost is
now los Sd New York currency per bar
rel; but even With this heavy duty: the
salt, by means Of canal conveyance, can
be sold in Boston much lover than an.
other of equally good quality. We shall
never, therefore, be dependent on any
foreign market for that article.
Add TO this, that great abundance OF
water-lime for constructing cistcrns,
locks, and other works connected with
water, can be furnished through this ca
nal Tor all the Atlantic coast; which will
wholly exclude from the United States,
the duke of Bridgewater's lime, and all
similar lime from the continent OF Eu
rope.
The surplus sugar and molasses OF.
the western country, provided the esta-
bhshments for the manufacture OF these
articles continue to increase as they have
for the last two years, viii By means OF
this canal. supply any deficiency which
can happen in he New-England states,
by reason OF any restrictive measures
that may be imposed Oh our commerce
by foreign powers. Good sugar is now
sold in the state Of Ohio, at Sc per cWt.
In short, this canal will be the great
ligatnre which is forever to bind the peo-
pie Of the east 10 those Of the west. Ii
will keep up between them ceaseless
intercourse ofpleasure and business.
Thus we see the state Of New York
spreading her commercial enterprise to
cover the produce of the north and west
opening her great marts to receive the
wealth of newly acquired enpire--an
empire capable alone sustaining TWEEN
~ millions of Industrious people.
1t only remains for Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois, to connect, by canals, the waters
of the lakes with the navigsble waters oil
those states, which now force all their
produce to the miserable market Of New
Orleans. Then the people Of those
states would be sure Of a good northern
market, and New-York would acquire
additional business, reputation, and
wealth.
Virginia can no longer vie with New
York in any commendable particular;
for no state in the union can compare
with the latter in population, in wealth,
or in individual or state enterprise. By
her canals, she has literally united
greater extent Of navigable water on her
north and western borders with her At
lantic coast, than is embraced in the
whole stretch of that coast, both sides OF
Long Island included.
In Justice to the state of New-York, it
ought also forever to be remembered,
that in surveying and making this canal,
and in constructing its locks and aque-
ducts, no foreigners, except mere day
labourers, have been, orwil be employ
ed. II is all American and when COM
Melted. will be the wonder of the new