The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-11-12
discussion. the INSTRUCTIONS we're agreed

Il .
| The following letter received from the
Delegates appointed in Belmont county,
Ohio, was presented to the convention,
by tie chairman and read,
10 the chairman of the meeting of the
! Friends OF the Potomac canalt TO be held
| in the city Of Washington on the 9th
| OF November next
SIR 4: The undersigned having been, at
a meeting of the citizens Of Belmont co.
uhlo, appointed delegates to the meeting
CT the friends of the Potomac canal to be
held 10 the city of Washington on the 9th
NOV. next, are under the disagreeable ne.
cesslty OF saying that circumstances be-
yond their control place it out OF their
power to give their personal attendance
| upon that occasion. As further applo.
gy Tor non attendance, we subioin few
remarks intended to express the sen,i.
ments our constituents upon the sub.
Ject OF your meeting.
In that section of Ohio which we have
been chosen to represents The thinking
part of the population have for some
'ime observed, with interested anxiety,
the movements of our eastern brethren
upon the subject of the Potomac and
Ohio canal. They hailed with joy the
ilrst dawn of that liberal and enlightened
policy which promised a speedy accom-
plishment of this great national work -
| Aware that their interests were closely
| blended with the completion OF this de-
sign, they saw with real satisfaction the
increasing excitement of that spirit which
gave assurance that energy and efficiency
would accompany the undertaking. With
'he utmost cheerfulness, then, they ex-
pressed an unqualified appreciation of the
measures which have been adopted to
forward this great object, and heir will
Iingness TO render constant cooperation
IN future. At the county meeting, in
which the undersigned were appointed
delegates, the resolutions here~i it'll for
warded were passed withou, dissenting
voice. 1t does not, indeed, equire much
penetration to perceive that, if the pro-
Jected canal is completed TO Piusburg,
all that territory which is.~atered by the
Ohio and its tributaries above the falls
VIII experience advantages which it is
now impossible TO estimate or conceive.
II Is confidently believed, by men who
nave examined the subject with attention
and who are well qualified to Judge, that,
Ii this canal be extended to lake Erie, it
WAN ENJOY much more than equal par
ucipation OF the trade OF that isise -w.,4
as of lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan
and their several extensive dependencies.
In the limits which we have prescribed
to this communication, we cannot, nor do
we think il necessary to assign our reasons
for believing. with our fellow citizens.
that the Potomac and Ohio canal will be
the outlet OF al the trade OF the Ohio
above the falls, and of the lakes west Of
It's termination. As far as il regards our.
selves, we are assured that, as we can af.
ford to transport flour, bacon, tobacco, sc.
to the Baltimore market at an expense of
from two to three dollars per hundred
weight, we shall derive propor,ionably
greater profit from the same trade when
the cost oftransportation will not exceed
fifty cents. We anticipate, with great
confidence, a considerable advance iD the
value of our lands, and in general, of all
our property, and particularly of such
bulky commodities as will not now bear
transportation to any safe market.
The same argument which proves the
proposed canal to be fraugh, with benefit
to us, may be applied, with little altera.
ton, tc all that country whose trade we
have supposed will flow through its chan.
mel. The articles OF our trade in general
command as high price in Baltimore
as in New York Why, then, go sever
al hundred miles further TO find marker
at the latter place Why incur the dam
ger Of meeting earlier distractions from
ice Why brave the dangers of an ex-.
tended lake navigation These are con.
sideraiions which cannot fail 10 have their
weight with the western people in ma
king choice of market. A regard 10
our interest, on subjects of this kind, will
be the sole guide to our decision.
With our best wishes, & those of our fell
low citizens, for the promotion of the OBJ
ject ofyour meeting, we have the honor
to be, very respectfully, yours,
BENZ. RUGGLES,
S. C0LWELI.
50. CIotrsVtie, Belmont co Ohio. Oct. q.
The proceedings IN Belmont CO aud in
Preston co. Va. were also presented 10
the meeting and read.
Il he chairman announced the appoint.
ment Of the following delegates, ON the
committee to whom the resolutions were
referred, viz.
MIR. Mercer Of Va, MIR. Jones of Wash
ington City,Mr. ShrIVer Of Pa. Mr.. Coils
II T.