Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-10-09
POTOMAC AND OHIO CANAL
From lh. Western Herald.

ltOnal lOteas~euCcF VI eA4g tiAc A~NN, W
the subject Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal, signed by Isaac Briggs This
able and intelligent gentleman, this ex-
perienced engineer, deserves ihe graft
tude Of his country for bis attempt to
carry into execution toss great national
work. Should bis views be realized, and
a canal be made from Washington CITY,
by Cumberland, 20 Pittsburg. besides
the important advantages tba, would re-
suit to the states through which itwould
pass, consider il would be highly ad-
vantageous and beneficial 10 The great
interests OF tie Union, by connecting fhe
extreme parts with the eentrs, end BY
building up the capital Of tie United
States, in which all ought 10 feel COM
mon interest The vast and lucrative
trade that would he carried on in this
channel Of commerce with the Western
country, provided it was completed,
would not be solely beneficial to WASH
iugton, but would hc'eqirrily so TO Balti-
more, BY the cutting OF lateral canal
from the valley of tie Potomac 10 that
city ycan1ct permit myself longer n
doubt, but that the rich and enterpiising
citizens of Maryland, 50 great a portion
of whom are directly interested IN the
execution of this work, and also of Bal
timore itself, viii see their future inie-
rest and prosperity in The accomplish.
nent of this important measure. Should
Maryland co operate with Virginia, and
lend her aid and resources to construct
a canal from the tide water OF the Che
sapeake to the Ohio river, she may con-
fdently expect to see the trade OF the
country lying upon the Ohio and its tri-
butary streams above the falls at Louis
vile, flow ia this channel 10 an Atlantic
market Nor would this be the Limit of
the country that would pour its wealth
and trade through the same channel
An extension of the canal from the Ohio
river, commencing at some point be-
tween pittsburg and Steubenyille, to the
southern shores of Lake Erie, striking
the latter at the most eligible point be-
tween Cieayeland and iiarpersfie.d,'
would give to this channel of commerce,
if not monopoly of the four great wes-
tern lakes, it would at least give to It an
equal and fair participation in that trade.
Hths be fact, and | shall attempt to
demonstrate it, is it not an object OF so
much value and Importance, as to claim
the serious consideration of the commu-
nifty? Is it not prize worthy the most
candid attention of the citizens of Wash
ington and Baltimore' 81 p
think Mr.. Briggs is mistaken, with
great Difference to his opinion, however,
when he says, Mature, and the enter
prising spirit of hsr own citizens, have
given TO New York, beyond competition,
in addition to her own internal trade,
which is very rich, the trade OF st. Law
renee river, that of an immense extent
of Lake shores, and of the northern
parts of the states of Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois, as far as the ridge separating
the waters that flow into the lakes, from
those that flow into the Ohio and Missis-
sippi rivers" am willing to admit, that
the enterprizing spirit Of the citizens OF
New York viii secure to that state the
trade and wealth of those vast regions
unless similar exertions are made in
another quarter. But instead OF natures
having given to New York the trade and
commerce of those lakes, mean Erie,
Huron, Michigan, and Superior, think
she has offered it to Virginia and Mary
land. The relative positions of those
lakes To the Atlantic cities, will go far to
strengthen this assertion. The cities of
Washington, Baltimore, aud Alexandra,
are at least one hundred miles nearer
Lake Erie than N. York. From Cleave-
land to Washington is about three hum
dred and sixty miles, by the way Of Al
bany, the course of the canal. This cal
culation relates simply to Lake Erie.
What would be the situation ofthose two
canals, if they were constructed. with
regard to the trade OF the three North :
western Lakes, Huron, Michigan, and
SUPERIOR Boats, or vessels, bearing
the produce of the countries bordering
upon those Lakes, must all pass through
the Detroit river, and by tho. city of that
name. Those boats or vessels, therefore,
would make Cleayeland, the supposed
termination of the Chesapeake canal,
u win designate more particularly the route
which suppose would be the most chg bic
From Washington. along the Valley OF the po-
tomac, to Cumberland from thence, across the
Mountains, by the aid ct The waters OF savage
Greek and Deep Geek, To the Youghiogaas'
thence, down The same 10 the Monongaheia,
following the latter stream TO Pittsburgh. Prom
this place, along the margin OF the Ohio river,
To the mouth OF the Dig Beaver; thence. up the
same, ill the wa'ers OF the Mahon'ng tall into