The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-12-04

snort OF oUC,OOU dollars. The distance from
Northampton to southwick is thirty-four miles
We find in the Northampton Gazette a Pc
tition, intended to be presented to the Legisla-
turc of this State, at its approaching session,
praying for the Incorporation off company, for
the purpose Of making the canal from North
amPton to Southwick. 1t is published, now.
in order to prevent the necessity of an order of
notice, so that the subject may at once be de-
fnitively acted upon.
This application ought to be an additional
incentive TO the making of the canal from Wor-
cester 10 Providence. Here, the expense will
be proportionably less than at NORTHAMPTON.
and the benefits to be derived much greater
1t Is said in the Northampton petition, that
: the project is practicable, and that IFS ac-
complement will be attended with incalcu-
liable good to the publick." We do not doubt
it, Such has uniformly been the result where
canals have been judiciously made We have
no means of comparing the business which
would probably be done, upon the NorthamD-
course of the canal to Providence Our read
ers can, however, form some opinion on the
subject, and judge whether, if the former will
be great, the latter viii not be far greater.
1t is understood that the Canal Committee
are collecting much information of very in
teresting character, which will ere long be
1.uhI;sIad fooatl. ar ,,,;tl, ~ ,o,,o.4
mates Of the engineers. Ii has been ascertain
ed that the canal can be made at a reasonable
expense; and the inquiry now is as to the
character and amount of business which it
would command. If this be such as to induce
reasonable expectation Of adequate profits
from the stock, the work will 90 on. Should
the canal be made, We are persuaded that it
would prove more profitable than any estimates
win exhibit; and we have no doubt that the
estimates, founded on ascertaned facts. will
far exceed the calculations Of those who have
lad no opportunity to examine the subject in
detail
Previous to the opening of the New York
yestigated the subject, and foretold the adj
yantagos OF the Canal, were treated as the
dreams Of visionary men. Yet not only have
those calculations, thus far, been realized.
but have been exceeded TO degree which
has astonished even those most sanguine Of
success. Already are there four hundred
boats upon the Western Canal and yet we
hear it stated that the passage boats which
ply between Utica and Montezuma, have
paid to the Stockholders profit, upon the
capital employed, of 156 per cent. for the last
six months !
Upon this subject the Providence Gazette
well remarks, that 6 although the utility of
Canals cannot be doubted, yet the apprehen-
sion that their proceeds would not repay the
investment Of funds in such stock, has divert
cd much capital into other channels, and pre-
vented the experiment from being fairly tried
IN many places where they would probably
become very productive. The unproductive-
ness Of turnpike roads las doubtless been one
Cause OF lettering many, who are able to in
vest monies in stock, from embarlzing in canal
navigation. The preceding statement, how
ever, from the Commercial Advertiser. gives
aflattering account of the productiveness of
canals in New orr, and it is stated in anoth-
er paper, that the number of boats plying on
that canal is now four hundred, and that Others
are building. These facts may encourage ops,
own citizens, and our neighbours in Worccs-
Ter, 10 perseyere in their exertions for a canal
; 10 connect these two places. Profits so large
as those in New York, cannot lie calculated
upon, bat with dividend lar less, it NAV still
I be considered as stock more productive than
that of Banks or Insurance companies
@<e-
; The item which follows is well deserving
the attention OF those interested in inland
navigation. Such a fact is worth volumes of
/ speculation.
Grand Canal.-With great pleasure we are
able to announce that the revenue from the
no