The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-09-04

dertaking--they must be manifest to the most
superficial observer. In many respects they
have all the certainty Of mathematical calcu-
lation. 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
mercial and manufacturing business was much
less than half what it now is-then very few
manufacturing establishments existed on the
Blackstone River, (and these few of inconsid-
cradle importance ;)-now its banks are lined
with villages and manufactures, many of them
of the first Importance. sit 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
vantages. BY opening Canal navigation on
its banks, we shall develop the immense re-
sources of this territory, give 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
(hy this means, and by furnishing MARKET
bringing into active operation many branches
OF business which now are either not pursued
at all, or languish for want of encouragement.
In no part Of our country can these advantages
be realized to greater extent, than in hat
section of it which would be intersected by
the proposed Canal. We might here enter ~
TO- minute detail of the amount which wouh
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 of internal growth and man
utacture, which cannot now be exported to adj
vantage: but we believe such "a 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
for 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 preterring 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
ofthe 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 Gnmunities necessary for carry
ing into effect the object Of this Petition.
JOHN DAVIS, and 80 Others.
Worcester, May 81, 1922.