American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-04-18
COMMUNICATIONS
The Chesapeake and UelaWdre Canal.

Mr. EDTon-It is gratifying to learn, by adyiccs
from Philadelphia that this great work will probably be
undertaken during the ensuing summer 1t is still more
pleasing to know, that the appropriation ct 2500o made
by the legislature Of this State, at its late session, the
first efficient step towards ect important and bene
fetal to the nation 1t has stimulated the bealiy of 9th
CT states and OF Individuals who coming forward
with ardor which indicates serious determination to
proceed to the completion Of this great enterprise
In another point of view, too we have reason to con
graduate ourselves i'll regard to this 1t is the first
instance since the formation of government, of an a
poon, by this state OF any considerable portion OF its
funds to any purposes OF general or national utility is
the dawn Of enlightened policy than that which has
characterised the State of Delaware for than thirty
years. and made it object of reproach to its ncghbor
Our whole system of finance, for many pas been
confined to the single object of buying bank stock, while
education has been neglected. and public improvements of
every Kind entirely forgotten, it such matters had no
connection with the duties of government For exposing
and putting down this banefu and impolc system, there
in the re, to whom the people deeply
indebted, Doctor Black. For many years past that
gentleman has raised his voice III the legislature against the
practice OF investing the public money in banking nsttu
TONS whose funds in their nature ucatng, to
render them at all times unsafe deposit for consider
able portion of the public money! lie pointed the fact
that nearly all the funds of the state invested in
institutions which had but very limited control
and the msmanagemen or failure of which, would render
the state bankrupt TO no other man aso are the peo-
pie of this state much indebted for resisting and setting
bounds to the encroachments OF these institutions. The
famous scheme Of consolidation, with which the legislature
were SO many years mportuned and which, do not hest
tate say fraught with perncous consequent
Ices the interests and welfare of the people, than any
which has been agated in the State also found its
most formidable opponent in Doctor Black. BY his ability
and address, that omnous project defeated, and its
supporters fooled in every attempt to accomplish it. He
advocated the principle and by his
has finally established it, of placing all the banks in the
state upon the same footing, by taxing them alike. He
believed there ought to be privileged order in the state
that particular institution should be released from bur-
dcns which others subjected. That Doctor Black
has created enemies by this of conduct there can be
no doubt The rancorous hostility Of which he has been
made the object, by few individuals in this county, may
readily be traced to the disappointed ambition of those
whose projects he resisted and exposed. The Jackas OF
faction have been let loose upon hm-he has been called
all inY1Suer but his enemies have been caanged
solitary instance upon Which such charge be foun-
ded and never yet have heard any say why Doctor
talents and great public services he has established char
which places him i'll the way of aspiring men, and
therefore he rguer. He could be made sub
servient the views of those men, he would not submit to
be tool in their hands, and therefore it necessary to
put him own.
have introduced the name of Doctor Black on this
cason principally because it almost exclusively by his
ability and address, that the legislature their last session.
were induced to contribute so literally to the Chesapeake
and Delaware canal have heard this fact denied, and
the credit of that given to those whose agency III
accomplishing it, limited to the exerton OF silent
vote This, however, among the manifold. mlSre
presentations which have been circulated relative to the
Of the last session misrepresentation gross
ever imposed upon the understanding ofan enghen
ed community There is nothing more certa' than that
this appropriation would have been ade, but for
the exertons of Doctor Black The meier we're devised
by him, the measure originated with = Ill the House Of
Representatives introduced by him against the decided
opposition of majority of the committee TO whom the
memorial of the President and Directors of the company
referred, and his eoquence and ability prevailed in
of large portion of the house, which met him at every
stage of the proceeding 1t is therefore, but justice to
Black to say that, if there be any merit in this
transaction he is principally entitled toit ViNpEX,