The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-09-18
To tie Honorable the Senate and House Of
Representatives. in General Court assembled.
FEYHE Petition of the Subscrib-


Representatives. IN General Court assembled.
FEyHE Petition of the Subscrib-
Il ers, Inhabitants of the County of Wor-
cester, respectfully Shetceth-That among the
many improvements which the enterprise of
our countrymen is constantly projecting and
multiplying, none at the present time receive
so great share of publick attention, and prom
Use such important results, as the establishment
of Canals, with view to enlarge and extend
the natural channels of Internal Navigation.
Our fellow-citizens are every where alive to
this interesting subject. Canals are proposed
in various sections of the country, some of
which will BE Of great extent, and consequent
ly attended with immense expense. But it
does not appear probable that in single in
stance, any difficulties, which nature has not
rendered insuperabie, will be suffered to defeat
projects so essentially affecting the vital inter-
ests Of the community. The vast undertaking
in which neighbouring State has engaged,
(and 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 Us new views Of our present powers
and our future destiny. Several -imilar under
talzings have already been commenced; and
necticut, company was Incorporated for the
purposes of opening a Canal on the banks Of
one OF their principal streams. Indeed expe-
rience fully justices the anticipations OF those
who are friendly to this branch OF pubiicl1 inn
provenent; and it must be wholly unnecessa-
ry for us 20 enter into a history of Canal Nav
igation, either in Europe or America, to con-
vince the enlightened Legislature of Massa-
chnsetts, that such enterprises, wherever there
is a reasonable prospect of successfully accom-
plishing them, not only merit the united forts
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 spirit per-
vades the country, we confidently trust that
Massachusetts, will not be blind to her own in
terests, suffer other States inferior to her in
population, wealth and resources, to take the
lead in the march OF improvement. Your Pc
ttioners and the people of the County of
Worcester generally are anxious to avoid this
reproach, and cannot any longer shut their
eyes to the advantages with which nature
seems to have peculiarly favoured them.
II is physically certain, that a water commu-
nication may be opened between the sea-board
and the very heart and centre of our County :;
ana needs no argument to prove that through
this great artery new life may be diGused, as it
were, by a thousand veins, TO every part of
our extensive, fertile, and populous territory
The Blackstone River, principal branch Of
which rises III the town Of Worcester, takes its
course to the tide-waters at Providence, by a
route much less circuitous than is common
with streams Of no greater magnitude. In its
progress it receives numerous accessions, and
win 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 all anxiety on this ac-
count. The stream itself in its natural chan
mel is not nayigsble for any considerable dis
lance, nor can ii be made SO it cannot, there
fore, be useful for the purposes of navigation,
unless by the aid Of an artificial watcr-course.