The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-09-25

whiSn viii be OF great extent, and consequent
~ ATTENDED with immense expense. But it
does not appear probable that in single in
Stance, any difficulties, which nature has not
| rendered ihsuperable, will be suffered to defeat
projects soessentially affecting the vital inter-
ests OF the community. The vast undertaking
IN which neighbouring State has engaged,
land the advantages Of which are beyond the
limits of calculation) has given an impulse to
the dormant energies of the country, and has
opened to lis new views of our present powers
and our future destiny. Several similar under
takings have already been commenced; and
at a recent session of the Legislature of Con-
necticut, company was Incorporated for the
purposes a opening Canal on the banks of
one of Their principal streams. Indeed expe-
rience fully justifes the antcipations of those
who are friendly to this branch of publick inn
provementi and it must be wholly unnecessa-
ry for us toenter into history of Canal Nav
igation, either in Europe or America, to con-
vince the Enlightened Legislature of Massa-
chpsetts, that such enterprises, wherever there
is reasonable prospect of successfully accom-
plishing them, not only merit the united efforts
of individuals in their favour, but ought to re-
ceive the protection and patronage of those
who are Constituted the guardians of the pub
lick veal. While so laudable a spirit per-
vades the country, we confidently trust that
Massachusetts will not be blind to her own in
terests, or suffer other States, inferior to her in
population, wealth and resources, TO take the
lead in the march of Improvement. Your 20
titioners end the people of the County of
Worcester generally are anxious to avoid this
reproach, and cannot any longer shut their
eIes to the advantages with which nature
10 - L. L. %, H.,
1t is physically certain, that water commu-
hication may be opened between the sea-board
and the very heart and centre of our County
and it needs no argument to prove that through
this great artery new life may be diffused, as it
were, by thousand veins, to every part of
our extensive, fertile, and populous territory.
The Blackstone River, principal branch of
which rises in the town of Worcester, takes its
course to the tide-waters at Providence, by
route much less circuitous than is common
with streams Of no greater magnitude. In its
progress it receives numerous accessions, and
will furnish an abundant supply of water for
Canal to be opened -on its banks and where
any deficiency might be apprehended, there
happily exist reservoirs, the copiousness of
which must remove ali anxiety on this ac-
count. The stream itself in its natural chan
lance, nor can it be made so it cannot, there
fore, be useful for the purposes OF navigation,
unless by the aid Of an artificial water-course.
1t is for the purpose of opening Canal up
on the route we hare above described, that we
ask for those corporate powers which are nee
essary to cary into operation an enterprise so
Immediately beneficial to ourselves, and, as
we believe. 50 important to the Commonwealth
at large. That our scheme is practicable, we
have not the smallest doubt; and we are for
tiled in our belief, not only by the opinion of
those who ave good jndges Of the feasiblencss
of the undertaking, but by the result of an
actual survey. which was taken many wears
since with much care and accuracy. As long
ago as the year 1896, the advantages which
would attend the establishment OF Canal
from Worcester to Providence seem to lave
been properly estimated and the project was
not only commenced under favourable auspices,
but we doubt not would long since have been
conducted to prosperous termination, but for
the untinely death of the aliiuent and pub
lick-spirited citizen upon whom the manage
ment of TIE business principally deyoved. At
that time, the citizens in the western part OF
the Commonwealth appeared to feel a strong
interest in the subject; and it is certain that
many circumstances besides the natural growth
of the country must now contribute to in
crease that interest il very great degree.
survey was then made by sKittul engineer,
from whose report it appeared that the pro-
posed Canal was perfectly practicable An
Act Of Incorporation was subse quentiy granted
by the Legislature of the State of Rhode-lsl-
and to a company Of gentlemen in that State,
giving TO them all the necessary powers and
/ privileges for constructing a Canal TO the
boundary line OF the State. This Act, we I'M
derstand, is still in force, and may be carried
into effect, whenever the Legislature Of Mas
sachusetts shall see fit to grant similar powers
to those of its own citizens who are desrous of
extending the Canal from the State line to the
centre Of the County Of Worcester.
1t unne cessary for us to enter into detail of
the :nestimable advantages which must result
to an important portion of the Commonwealth,
from the Accomplishment Of the proposed un-
dertaking--they must be manifest to the NEST
superficial observer. In many respects they
! have all the certainty Of mathematical calcu-
/! latioG. Had no similar experiment ever been
| made. we might be suspected of entertaining
visionary and exaggerated views but happily
we can IT ason from precedent, from what has
| been, to what, under the same circumstances,
must again he and we are warranted by facts
| in stating, that the establishment OF the pro-
| posed Canal cannot, in the nature Of things,
! fail OF the most beneficial results. il great
advantages were anticipated nearly thirty
! years ago, what may not fairly be expected
now? Then the country through which the
Canal was to pass did not probably contain
| half its present pppulation-then our com
| mercial and manufacturing business was much
less than half what il now is--then very few
manufacturing establishments existed on the