The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-09-18

Il IS for the purpose Of opening Canal up
on the route we have above I, bed, that we
ask for those corporate powers which are nee
essary to carry into operation an enterprise so
Immediately beneficial to ourselves, and, as
we believe, so important TO the Commonwealth
at large. That our scheme is practicable, we
have not the smallest doubt; anil we are for
tiled in our belief, not only by the opinion of
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 1896 the advantages which
would attend the establishment of Canal
from Worcester to Providence seem to have
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 afiuent and pub
Hck-spirited 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 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 a sklful engineer,
from whose report il appeared that the pro-
posed Canal was perfectly practicable. An
Act OF Incorporation was subse quently granted
by the Legislature of the State OF Rhode-lsl-
and to company of gentlemen in that State,
giving to them all the necessary powers and
privileges for constructing Canal TO the
boundary line of the State. This Act, we UNI
derstand, isstill in force, and may be carried
into effect, whenever the Legislature of Mas
sachusetts shall see fit 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.
1t is unnecessary for us to enter into detail of
the inestimable advantages which must result
TO an important portion Of the Commonwealth,
from the Accomplishment of the proposed UNI
dertaking-they must be manifest to the most
superficial observer. In many respects they
have all the certainty of mathematical cacu-
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,
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 populatlon-then our COM
mercial and manufacturing business was much
less than half what it now s--then very few
manufacturing establishments existed on the
Blackstone River, land these few OF inconsid-
Alala y k..,l
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
1t passes, and 50 numerous and natural its adj
vantages. By opening Canal Navigation on
It's banks, We shall develop the immense re-
sources OF this territory, give home to its ma
tive population, scope to the ingenuity OF our
mechancks, and permanent prosperity to the
State.''
The principal advantages to be derived from
Canal Navigation, it is well known are dim
mutton OF. the expenses of transportation, and
(hy this means, and by furnishing marke)
bringing into active operation many branches
IL
at all, or languish for want of encouragement.
la no part of our country can these advantages
be realized to a greater extent, than in that
section of it which would be intersectcd by
the proposed Canal. We might here enter in
to a 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 OF internal growth and man
uiacture, which cannot now be exported to ad
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 pad
for transportation, to the people OF this part of
the Commonwealth, would warrant them in
mourning a far greater expense than will be
required for the completion OF the Canal.
We hum5!y 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-lsland, following.
as near as conveniently may be, the course of
the Blackstone River, with all the powers,
privileges, and imnunities necessary for carry
ing into effect the object of this Petition.
JOHN DAVIS, and 80 others.
Worcester, .uay 81, 1922.
COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS,.