Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-11-11

10 the CentYa3 Corresponding CU!uihttSos
hereinafter named, such objections, If any,
as are opposed 10 the prayers OF their res
pective memorials, aud to devise, il pos.
sible, in conjunction with the common
friends of the Union and the prosperity OF
the United States, The means OF obgiatlng
all the amendments 10 their success.
Resolvsd, That, for the last mentioned
purpose, the Delegates of the respective
Counties and Corporations repre- sented in
this Assembly, be regarded as Correspond
ing Committees, and that-persons be
appointed Central Committee of Cores.
pondence, to confer with the Committees
before named, TO hold stated meetings in
the Cry OF Washington, tor the purpose
OF consulting upon, and adopting ia behalf
of. The Union Canal, such measures as may
seem best calculated 10 assure It's certain
and speedy accomplishment.
Mr. Mercer followed The reading Of
his resolutions with a very luminous
speech, exhibiting variety OF information
conce rnng the history and character ct The
canals of Europe anc of The United States,
and embracing numerous details in relation
20 the practicablIty, cost, proper dimen-
sions, utility &c. OF the proposed Union
Canal from the Potomac TO the Ohio, an
examination of the Reports Of the Commis-
sioners on the subject, &c. and display ing
an extensive research, and an intimate &C
quaintance with all the topics connected
with the subject under consideration, as
we'll as much reflection on The most eXpe.
dient mode of proceeding to effect the OBJ
ject now in hand.
Mr.. Colston, of Virginia, expressed a ge-
neral concurrence in The views offered by
Nr Mercer, as well as bis pleasure at the
eloquent expose OF that gentleman Mr..
G. however, not being prepared at once
TO assent to some OF The positions advan-
ced, particularly in relation 10 he propos-
ed width of the Canal, moved to accompa'
ny the reference of the resolutions with the
following Instructions:
Resolved, That the committee to whom
the resolutions have been referred, be in.
strucled to inquire
,st Into he probable difference OF ex-
pense between canal 80 feet wide and
one oil 40 teet.
%. Into the advantages and disadvanta-
ges likely TO result from Increasing the
width of the proposed canal from 80 to AZ
feet, and report the result OF such inquiries
to this meeting.
Mr.. Herbert, o. Maryland. desired tina,
the committee should also be instructed to
accompany their report with preamble
setting forth all the information they could
obtain (and be knew there was much IN
the possession of some OF the Delegates
presently on the subject Of the practicable
~ OF the contemplated Canal. Mr. n
made number OF very pertinent remarks
t. show the propriety OF the course he sus
gested Such statement, founded on an
henic data, would satisfy The public mint
that this great national object could be no
only easily effected, but effected at COS
that would surprise thnse who had exa
mined The subject slightly. |, would de
feas the objections urged against III,
scheme by prejudice and local jealousy
and by showing to capitalists, al home
and abroad, tha, il would be an advanta
geous work in which to invest their mo-
ney-it would enlist friends, and draw t.
il valuable support. ibis was an I'M
portant consideration, when any thing like
an effective support from the General o
State Governments was 30 precarious, &c
Gen. Mason, OF Geo'n, coDcurred in TIT
propriety OF such an expose, and spoke il
its support. He made some statements il
relation to the pr ceedings OF TIE old foto
mac Company which had been advert,
TO in debate; and remarked considerable
a. large as to the extent OF country which
| the Canal would benefit; the ramihca,ion
~ hich might be opened 10 it towards the
Lakes; the facilities which certain waite
courses Afforded, SC.
Mr.. NJ cel thought instead of prefiyne
| such S atement as Mr. Herbert rop"sed
TO The Report, it ould be better that the
committee who would be appointed ic
/ draft memorials TO the sla,es; should en-
body that information IN their memorials
for which they would have more time and
could perform the duty more satisfactorily
than could be done by a committee now
A good deal OF discussion followed on
this point and others touched on in debate
in " hlch Mr.. Powell, Of Virginia, Mr. A.
Lee, Of Maryland, Mr.. Caldwell OF the
District, Mr.. Colston, Mr.. Opie, OF Vir-
ginia, MIR. Briggs, of Maryland, and Mr..
Shannon, of Virginia, joined,
The resolutions having been referred.
Mr. F, nwck OF Md submitted the fol-
lowing, which he moved should 90 to the
same committee, and agreed too.
RESOLVED, That this Meeting and the
friends OF the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal
generally, disclsm and disavow all oppo,
sition to any lateral Canal which it is
practicable 20 make, leading 10 or from
The said Canal, or to any future extension
through any of the States adjacent thereto
that, on the contrary, they heartily ap.
prove and are disposed to cooperate in
every improvement in The navigation of
thew atercouTses leading to or from the said
Canal, as tending to increase its general
utility, and to enhance the profits OF the
uDdertakers thereof