The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-05-29


Ter, as there will undoubtedly be strong
I'n'nlsc given to agriculture, and it will be-
come the first object with the farmer, to make
lis land as productive as possible.
We would also cali the attention of this
riee'ing to the probable effect which will be
proiaced on the manufacturing interests, by
extending navigation from the tide waters
r,pre than 40 miles into a fertile and produce
tive country, Astounding in population, mll-
sites and water privileges, where the business
IS now pursued to considerable extent, and
has taken firm root. Our advantages, in this
respect are SO great and manifest, that, when
aided by canal navigation, we see no reason
why our entcrprizing citizens may not enter in
to successful competition with the mauufac-
turars in any part Of our country whatsoever.
1t is sand (and we think truly nat the bust
ness now done on the Blackstone and its trib-
utares is not surpassed by that done in any
other territory Of equal extent in the U. States.
so fertile and populous is the tract ee country
through which it passes, and so numerous its
natural advantages. Let US then open canal
navigation on IFS banks, to develope the inn
mense resources Of this territory, and it win
give home to its native population, scope to
the ingenuity of our mechanicks, and perma-
nent prosperity to the State.
Such are some of the bright prospects held
out to the people of this county and its vicini-
~, and such the allurements which invite our
attention to this enterprise and if we shut our
eyes against them, we shall deserve 10 con-
tend, without sympathy, against the obstacles
which lie in our way to wealth and greatness.
Your Committee have now laid before you
brief account OF their proceedings and of
their views; and they cannot close their re-
port, without submitting few remarks as the
result Of their lahours and investigation upon
this interesting subject.
Ii is but little more than hnlr a century
since this mode Of navigation was vesorted to
in England, when its progress met with many
obstacles from the unenlghtened views Of
those who did not comprehend its Importance,
and foresee the powerful impulse which it
would give to trade; but brief experiment
srbdued those prejudices, and England is
pierced in almost every direction, through
hills, vallies, plains and mountains with Ca
nails so that scarcely any portion. of the coun-
try, however remote, feels the want Of water
communication with the great commercial
towns. The experiments there have proved
SO useful and convenient, and SO necessary to
extensive business, that the senuity of man
has, at vast expense, in nrany instances,
IL
Where water cannot be had from natural
streams or ponds, it is pumped into Canals by
the aid of steam engines, and is not unfre-
quently procured by constructing artificial
reservoirs Of great extent, which are filed in
seasons Of plenty, aud used AS occasion re-
Quircs. Where hills or mountains are too ele-
waited or too precipious to admit of lock nav
igation, by natural or artificial supplies of wa
ter, they are perforated, and navigation passes
them in tunnels. In short, the advantages re-
sulting from this mode transportation are such
that neither natural obstacles nor boundless
expense deter that enteprizing people from
awaiting themselves of them. The same re-
marks, to great extent, are applicable to
many other parts of Europe.
Pubiick attention has not been much drawn
towards improvements of this kind in our coun-
try, till within few years. The AIiddlesex
canal was one of the earliest, and does great
credit to the enterpTize of our citizens; but it
was projected and executed before this kind
OF navigation was we'll understood here
and the vast, and what would now be deem
ed unnecessary expense, has operated as a
encouragement to similar undertakings.
The great and splendid internal improve
mantsnow executing in Newly ork, are eminent
by calculated 10 awasien the pride and emula-
tIon of her sister States. The canals which
have been opened there, we learn from the best
sources OF information, surpass all expectation
IN utility. They have generally been con-
structed at less expense than was estimated,
and have developed, to the inhabitants of the
interiour, sources of business and objects of en-
terprize which had never come within the
scope of their hopes. In word, they give to
those who live hundreds of miles from the
ocean, a ready and convenient market, bring
ing them, in point of expense, near the great
marts o. trade; and thus making great and
fertile country invaluable, much Of which
had before been left unimproved, on account
OF its remotcness from a market.
These facts demonstrate to us the vast inn
fourishes where itis opened, by reason of the
great scope given to industry, and the bound
tess facilities it furnishes in the prosecution of
all the common branches Of trade and manu-
factures. Indeed, we know of no place
which has tho enjoyment of this species of
navigation which is not indebted to it for many
new sources OF business and much OF its wealth.
Your committee, therefore, in view Of these
facts, would recommend, in the most unequiv-
ccal manntr, the expediency of opening ca
nal from this to Providence, under belief that
no MEASURE could be adopted from which
large portion of this county would realize such
essential and lasting advantages.
JOHN MILTON EARLE.
WILLIAM f. GREEN.
JOHN DAVIS.
JOHN w. LINCOLN.
JOHN LEES.