Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-12-09

OF ITS session.
The failure ofthe States of Maryland
and Virginia, the proprietors of the op
positc shores of the Potomac above as
well as below the District oil Columbia,
to agree on any charter for the new
Company, baflled, in great measure,
all hope of effecting any valuable pur-
pose for the Chesapeake and Ohio Ca
nal during the depending session Of
Congress.
The Central Committee resolved
nevertheless, that, if Pennsylvania ra
tilted the Virginia act, they would ask
the assent of Congress to it, so as to
conline the labor Of the ensuing win
ter TO the Legislature of Maryland.
Accordingly, copy Of the Virginia
act was forwarded to Harrisburg, at
the instance of the Committee, and a
bill giving to it, in very few words,
the assent ofthat State, was introduced
into the House of Representatives of
OF Pennsylvania, by Mr. Knight. So
much delay, however, had been incur
red in awaiting the final decision Of
the same question at Annapolis, that
this bill was reported too late in the
session of the Pennsylvania Legisla
sure to be finally acted upon before the
usual term Of adjournment. Had it
proved more fortunate it was designed
TO found upon the co operation Of two
States the request ola similar act from
the Congress ofthe United States.
From this unexpected and mortify-
Jog result, the Committee turn to
more greatlul theme The object OF
the Convention, and its recent assem-
blage in Washington, were not only
favourably mentioned in the enlighl
ened and patriotic message of the Pre-.
sldent at the opening of Congress, but,
although no measure, for the reasons
which have been stated, could pass
that body, having exclusive reference
to the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal,
the large majority of The House of Re
representatives. whichapproved the Sur.
veyBill and The greater majority which
sanctioned the appropriation ola con
siderable sum to the removal of certain
distractions in the navigation of the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, sufficiently
attested the growth of a sentiment in
Congress favourable to Internal I'm.
provement.
In the execution of the former of
those acts, an examination aud survey
were ordered, by the President, of the
waters Of the Potomac and Ohio, with
the Interesting country which divides
them at present, but which. the Com.
mlttce confidently trust, is destined
hereafter to furnish the channel of their
permanent union.
The examination has been extended
along the Ohio and the Big Beaver
over 10 Lake Erie, so as to embrace
the entire scheme OF the Convention.
The result of the recent survey a.
cross the Alleghany cofirms the infor-
nation submitted to the Convention,
that, il the water of "Deep Greek"
should prove insufficient to fill the sum.
init level of the proposed Canal and
the descending locks, the Youghiogany
may with facility be brought to its aid,
and will be competent to supply its
defects.
1t still remains for the friends of the
contemplated Canal to proceed in the
mode devised by the Convention for
its execution, or to vary it, as was orr
ginally designed, according to circum-
stances.
By an early assent of the Legisla-
lures of Maryland and Pennsylvania
to the Virginia act, at their ensuing
session, a charter may be obtained, in
December next for IA new Company, it
is presumed, may be readily obtained
upon the terms hitherto proposed.
Upon this basis, an application may
be made to Congress for their consent
to the charter thus provided, and for
such further aid to this great enterprise
as IL may seem 10 require, and It's on.
vlous importance to the future prosperi-
ly Il union ofthese States may warrant
G. F. MERCER,
Chairman Central Committee.
Georgetown, Oct Is, 1924.
The Committee suhjoin to this re
port the ed section of the Virginia
act Incorporating the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company, and the 21st
section ofthe MARYLAND act of the same