Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-19


delusion has been dissipated and recent
experience has demonstrated that A.
merican skill and enterprise are equal
to any thing that man can effect. The
Erie canal is a lasting monument OF the
wisdom, patriotism, and public spirit
of the state Of ew-York, and has rem
dered certain what before was profile
NAUTICAL; it has removed the doubts of
scepticism itself, and stands splendid
example to the world, Of what may be
done in the way of internal improve
ments. This magnificent work, which
is a practical lesson to the union on
the subject Of Canals, combined with
the surveys made by the Commission
ers of Virginia and Maryland and those
lately made by the Engineers of the
national government, Of the colempla-
ted canal route, leaves no doubt on the
mind of this Convention Of the practi-
cability of the work in question.
Cd. RESOLVED, That the projected
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, in con-
nection with one from Baltimore, is an
object of the first magnitude to this
state, in an agricultural, commercial,
and political point Of view, and there
fore ought if possible to be effected.
The time has arrived, in the opinion
of this Convention, when the state is
imperatively called upon to make
prompt and vigorous effort to accom-
plish that object, which, more than any
other measure ofinternal improvement,
will secure to her the advantages Of her
geographical position in relation to the
western states, and under Providence,
perpetuate the foundation of her hap.
piness and prosperity. The Conven-
ton has seen, with admiration, the adj
vances made by New-York in her
works of internal improvement, and
acknowledges with pain and morti6ca-
ton, tina: Maryland must lose the trade
of the western country, unless she can
be connected with i. by the canal in
contemplation. Whilst the trade be-
tween the Atlantic and the west, was
carried on by Wagons, she participat-
ed largely in it; but the fact cannot be
concealed, that the facilities to trans
portalion afforded by the Erie canal
are calculated to deprive her Of it,
When it is considered that the ex-
pense Transportation, by land, is more
than twenty-five times greater than by
the canal, it must be obvious to all re-
hecting minds, that there can be no
competition between land and water
carriage. The wagon trade must be a
bandoned. Yet the state, in the opini-
on of this Convention, has natural ad.
vantages, which, if improved, would
render her successful rival with New
York for the western trade 1t is sl3
miles from New York to Buffalo, on
Lake Erie. and from thence TO the
point where the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal would enter the lake, about two
hundred miles more, making us
miles. From Baltimore TO Lake Erie,
on the route contemplated, it is about
$40 miles. Now, if it be conceded
that the Erie canal will command the
trade of the country on the north Of
the canal line, and also some distance
on the south oft, it must be admitted
that the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
will command the trade Of the conn
try to the south Of the canal line, which
includes four-fiths Of the Lake country,
the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois,
part of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and
Kentucky, and indeed all the country
whose trade is not exclusively confined
to New Orleans. Again: the distance
from New-York to Pittsburg is $50
miles, from Baltimore to Pittsburg, it
is only 400 miles, making a difference
oil 300 miles in favor of Baltimore
From these considerations, this Con-
vention INDUCES acon6dent hope, that
should the transcentlant natural advan-
tases of the commercial emporium of
the STATE be improved as they ought to
be, she may engage in a successful
competition with New-York on Lake
Erie and at Pittsburg, for the trade
Of the western world. Why should
she not? 1t is seen that Baltimore is
from 200 to 800 miles nearer TO the
western states than her great rival; and
ifthe productions of the west could be
transported to her with as much faciIi-
ty, and as good prices obtained there
as at New York, and if at the same
time Baltimore could supply foreign
and dometics goods upon as good
terms as New York, it is reasonable to
conclude that Baltimore would enjoy
full portion Of the western trade
And should the northern canal be clos.
ed by ice two months longer in the
year, than the southern, it will give to
the latter, independently of all other
considerations, decided preference
That the commerce of this great city
is Of vital importance to the prosperity
Of the state, and ought to be fos,ered
and extended as the means Of increas-
ing her wealth, power and population,
are Dropositions which would seem 10