Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-03
BALTIMORE CANAL MEETING

quehanna Canal, TO the encouragement OF
the Legislature
Edward Johnson, Esq, the Mayor, took the
chair, aud j. p. Kennedy, Esq. was appointed
Secretary
Gen. Harper submitted long string OF
Resolutions in favor OF encouragng the Chesa-
pe0ke aud Ohio Canal; accompanied by
long Speech. The meeting then adjourned till
the aite rnUon.
-Four O'Clock p NJ
The meeting being full at the hour, George
Winchester, Esq. offered as substitute for
Gen Harper's resolutions, TIE following.
Whereas the legislature of Maryland at
their last session, actuated by decided con-
yiction of the importance and necessity of
bringing into active and useful operation, the
many natural advantages for internal i'm
pro'ement and canal navigation, which this
state rom ITS peculiar situation, possesses did
authorize the appointment of a board of Com
m'ssioners, for the purpose ofasceranng the
prac'icabhty, exnediency, and probable Px--
pense, ola canal TO connect the waters of the
Susquehsfina with the city of Baltimore: :
And whereas, the said Commissioners have
made and returned their report to the leg isla-
lure oi Maryland, now in session, presenting
fall and detailed view of the subject commit
ted to their care, and their decided opinion in
favour Of the practicability and exped,ency,
together with estimates of the probable ex-
pense, OF canal from the Conewago falls on
the Susquehanna, TO Baitimore-w report
exhibits to the consideration Of the people o
baltimore matters of vast Importance to the
future welfare and prosperity Of this once lou
rishlng and powerful CITY. The great i'm
provemrnt which it coptemplates--the very
extensive trade which the proposed canal win
lay oren +" this city with the finest portion
OF tue United States, certainly presents pros
! peel which no good citizens can look uipun
with Indifference.
The Improvement Of this river has always
bern a ia'nrite object With the people uf Bali
more, ard they mist feel the greatest pleasure
that oil donhts are now removed az 10 the
prac'icahfy ofcana!li < il from point above
all the Instructions Ia It's navigation down to
the harb"ur OF the city-secnring, beyond the
reach decomposition the whole ascending and
descending trade OF this great river and the.
country belonging 10 il.
| Ana Tins meeting perceive with infinite ga.
| tlsiactiuD, that the contemplated Improvement
| IS not confined in its benefits to this city. bnt
holds out considerations of the highest politi-
cat and commercial importance to the nation
at large, by uniting not only the eastern with
the western waters, but also the waters Of the
81. Lawrence with the east, and the lakes
witl..he Chesapeake Bay-a blessing which,
II accomplished 10 the nation, can be prodnc-
Ell m no other way than by means of the Sus-
quthanna river. More than ever therefore
should the people of Baltimore devote their
undi' idrd and exclusive attention to the inn
provement of this great channel of communi-
| cation win the West, the North and ihe East
| The spirit ofinteraal Improvement, origin
ating 10 the powerful and patriotic state of n.
YORK, has rapidly spread itselfover The whole
Union; and The President of the United
States, following out in TIE close of his politi-
cal life the liberal and enlightened views
Which have always marked his course. has 10
| ms recent message TO Congress, called their
attention 10 the improvement of our internal
resources as matter of national concern. and
Congress will no doubt take up the subject
with corresponding spirit
| The union of the various parts ofthis coun.
try, by means of canal navigation, IN lis po-
iica and commercial results, is perhaps, The
most important question which ever occupied
me attention OF the government nfthe United
States, and II IS therefore with Infinite gratifi-
Gallon this meeting perceive that measures are
| likely to be adopted TO ascertain with certain
! ~ the practcabiiiy of this magnificent pro-
lect. The surveys recommended by the Pre-
sIdrnt, and those which it appears are abr ut
| TO be- made under The authority of the state
OF Pennsylvania, will afford the proper and
only information upon which an accurate
opinion can be formed as to the manner and
expense al which this connection can be effect
| 90, 'ano also whether il be most practicable
| and economical tn form This junction with
the waters of the Potomac, or from those of
the Susqnehanna
The grand operation of conducting canal
over the most rocky, elevated and noun
talnsus country IN the Union, must be a-wols
oil much time, even supposing the opinion of
me whole nation could be at once united in
| 'aVor oi an instant commencement OF the
labor. This rneefino thereafter. earpae,Iv hone
That The respective local canals contemplated
by the legislature of MARYLAND. will not for
one moment be lost sight Of by those most
interested IN their success. The, salvation OF
| baIunoie must IN great measure depend
| upon the Susquehanna Canal and the people
should with one voice and one heart, mite in
the spirited and determined prosecution of a
WORK upon which so much depends, without
! permitting themselves 90 be diverted by the
magnlhcenee OF other projects, which. how
ever splendid, may not be commenced or fin
| ished Tor ages To come. The present condi-
ton of Baltimore requires aid from that
quarter which will afford the most immedias
relief; and the vigorous prosecution Of our
own plans ofimProyemeof, will he the most
etectuai siimHlus to The General Government
to commence the great national canpI
| Therefore, Resolved-That we consider
the Susquehanba canal, rs reported by the
commissioners, capable of being accomplish
| ed, and that, IN the opinion Of this meeting,
1t IS entitled to and ought TO receive their una
n'mous and undivided support aud in thus
p'ocIalm'ng the determined support of our
owD ISterezt, we disclaim all hostility 30 the
projected improvements in other portions of
the state.
HesolVsd--That it would, at this time, be
premature and improper to express any
opinion as To the means Of uniting the waters