Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-02-01


more care than they have yet been able
to, the country in the vicinity oil the Sa-
ganashkee; for the only apparent objec-
ton to either OF them emanates from the
probable necessity of passing through
the lower end of it, II this swamp cam
not be avoided by some circuitous route,
the difficulty and expense of constructing
canal through it, will, in all probability,
he very great; and even then, since thi.
point is, say 10 ieet higher than Lake
Michigan, success in preserving The
canal from inundation and Imminent dam
ger of destruction from the high water
of the swamp and its lake, will be exc
tremely doubtful.
9th. Observations and remarks.
BY the preceding estimates, emitting,
as will be noticed in the estimates oil the
| two lasi routes, the additional expense
that would be necessarily incurred in
CROSSING the Saganashkee the average
cost, per mile, 81 tuu os.-.y, -.
routes viii be nearly $1,000. Compar-
ing this with the cost of other canals,
particularly the Middlesex Canal, which
absolutely cost, exclusive of the land
| through which i, passes, Sl3,374 per
mile, and the New York Canal, by ESTE
manon, $40, 500 the mile, as also many
Others in Europe, The expenses OF which
have been enormous; and at the same
time considering the relation of the OBJ.
Jects effected by many oil those already
constructed, and to be Effected by that
now in contemplation, the mind is forci-
bly, impressed with its great importance,
and with peculiar pleasure rests on the
period when canal navigation between
Lake Michigan and the Illinois shall
have been achieved.
! Many, and indeed we may say nearly
all, Of the canals that have been con-
struggled. except those in the state of
] New York (the ultimate effects OF which
are destined to embrace objects of great
or importance) are for the purpose of
facilitating the communication along an
accustomed highway; opening to COM
merce no new fieId--giving to agricul-
tufe TO new excitement: but in relation
ITO the intercourse between the Illinois
and Lake Michigan the case is widely
different. Here The canal will moi only
furnish safe and expeditions mode of
conveyance between two important
points, but open to the western states q
new and additional market, and by the
reciprocal advantages afforded, excite
their citizens to industry and enterprise.
1t will, in truth, be adding one of the
most important links to the American
Commercial Chain, which must. by lis
effects, bind together the respective in
terests OF the Atlantic and Western
States consolidate the commercial and
political policy Of the most distant parts
OF the Union, and give to the patriot a
grateiu theme.
| the Western States, sepai ated from
The Eas ern by the Alleghay mountains,
are confined 10 New-Orleans alone for
market for the immense surplus OF pro-
duce they 90 and may supply, much of
which is liable 10 almost immediate in
Jury from the humidity and heat Of the
atmosphere Of tina, climate. Long has
this cherries prospect been presented to
the farmers of the west, aud long have
they anxiousIy looked for an era more
propiuons. That This desideratum may
be realized that new and advantageous
market may be opened for the various
productions of this fertile region, and
that We may, by the artificial direction
given TO the waters of our lakes and RI
vors, reciprocate with others the a1yan-
tages derivable from commercial inter-
course, the preceding detail of results
authorize the presumption.
All which is respectfully submitted.
JUSTUS POST.
r PAUL.
] Kau1nE1, Eace., Acx (