The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-09-11

those who are good judges of the feasibleness
of the undertaking, but by the result Of AN
actual survey, which was taken many years
since with much care and accuracy. As long
ago as the year 1886 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 untimely death of the atfluent aud pub
lick-sprited citizen upon whom the manage
ment of the business principally devolved. 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 in very great degree. A
survey was then made by slilful engineer,
from whose report it appeared that the pro-
posed Canal was perfectly practicable. An
Act OF Incorporation was subsequently granted
ny the Legislature of the State of Rhode-Isl-
and to 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 ft to grant similar powers
to those Of its own citizens who are DESTROYS of
extending the Canal from the State line to the
centre of the County of Worcester.
It's unnecessary for us to enter into detail OF
the inestimahle 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 most
superficial observer. In many respects they
have all the certainty of mathematical calcu-
latioR. Had no similar experiment ever been
made, we might be suspected of entertaining
visionary and exaggerated views; but happily
we can reason from precedent, from what has
been, to what, under the same circumstances,
must again be; 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. If 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 population-then our COM
mercisl and manufacturing business was much
less than half what it now is---then very few
manufacturing establishments existed ON the
Blackstone River, land these few of inconsid-
cradle importance ;)-now its banks are lined
with villages and manufactures, many OF them
of the first Importance: 1t is said, and we
think truly, that the business now done on the
Blackstone and its tributaries is not surpassed
by that done in any other territory of equal
extent in the United States-so fertile and
populous is the tract of country through which
If passes, and so numerous and natural its adj
vantages. BY opening Canal navigation on
its banks, we shall develop the immense re-
sources Of this territory, give a home to its ma
tive population, scope to the ingenuity of our
mechanicks, and permanent prosperity to the
State''
The principal advantages to he derived from
Canal Navigation, it is well known are DIM
mutton OF the expenses of transportation, and
; (by this means, and by furnishing markeD
bringing into active operation many branches
| of business which now are either not pursued
at all, or langaish for want Of encouragement.
! In ne part of our country Can these advantages
be realized to greater extent, than in that
| the proposed Canal We might here enter in
| 10 minute detail of the amount which would
| be saved in transporting the various articles of
! import and export, and the facilities which
would he afforded for bringing into the market
many commodities ofinternal growth and man
uacture, which cannot now be exported to adj
vantage but we believe such detail to be
| unnecessary. The limited inquiry which time
| has enabled us to make, furnishes convincing
| proof that the mere saving in the amount paid
Tor transportation, to the people of this part Of
| the Commonwealth, would warrant them in
mourning far greater expense than will be
| required for the completion Of the Canal.
We humbly conceive that we have offered
sufficient reasons for preferring this Petition to
your Honorable body and we therefore pray,
| that we, and such other persons as may here
after associate with us for the purposes above
mentioned, may be Incorporated by the name
Of the Blackstone Canal Company, for the pur-
pose of opening Canal from the town of Wor-
cester to the boundary line between the State
of Massachusetts and Rhode-Island, following,
as near as conveniently may be, the course of
the Blackstone River, with all the powers,
privileges, and immunites necessary for carry
ing into effect the object of this Petition.
JOHN DAVIS, and 30 Others
Worcester, May 81, 1922,