Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-29
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
Commencement of the Ohio Canal at the Lick


LANG CASTER, (Ohio,) July This great
work was commenced on Monday the 18th inst
snder circumstances the most favorable and auspi-
c0l,s. On the day previous, all the roads leading
20 the point selected for the celebration, were
crowded with people Oh foot, horseback, and
IN every description OF vehicle, Fastening to wit
ness the scene. Almost every house within
distance of five miles occupied; but Oh the
evening OF that day, by far the greatest multitude
had assembled at Newark, where Gov: Clinton and
his suite Inomsntarlly expected. Towards
evening the greatest anxiety prevailed. Expire
had been despatched along The different roads,
by which it was supposed the Governor might
rive, but they uniformly returned without any intel
l:,ence; and ii began to be seriously apprehended,
shat, owing TO some mistake or accident, he ould
not arrive in due Early on Monday morning
these fears dissipated by the pleasing intel-
gence, that his E.xcellency was approaching by
Mount Vernon road, and ould arrive in the course
Of few hours. His excellency Gov. Morrow
and aids, the Canal Commissioners, and Commits
sioners of the Canal Fund, accompanied by II
number OF Gentlemen on horseback and in carri-
ages and detachment of cavalry, Immediately
out 10 meet the coming party.
About Aine o'clock in the morning the whole
party arrived in Newark, receiving salute il
entered; passed round the puoiic square and halted
opposite the house OF Mr. Bradley Buckingham,
Into which Gov ernor Clinton conducted amids;
,he congratulations of the assembled multitude
Immediately after breakfast, procession was form
Ell under the direction of the Marshals OF the Day.
(Ger. Johnson. Coils NI'Cracken and M'Dowell,)
and al half past ten, left Newark for the place fix
ef upon for the celebration. AT half past eleven it
arrived upon the ground, and welcomed by
the discharge of several pieces Of artillery, the firing
OF the light companies and the cheers OF the thou
sands that expecting its arrival. Gov. Clinton,
Governor Morrow, and the gentlemen In compa-
ny, alishted from their carriages and passed down
the line of troops, receiving their salute, 10 the
stage erected for their reception, from which the
addresses were to be delivered. Upon this stage,
in addition to the Governors, we were gratiEed 10
observe the veteran Gen Van Rensselaer, whose SER
under Gen. Wayne assisted greatly in the ear
" settlement OF this country, and whose presence on
this occasion, added no little interest to the scene
We also observed Mr. Lord and MIR. Rathbone of
New York, the gentlemen who, 1T will be recol-
lected, took first loan As soon as the Heces-
sary arrangements were made and silence obtained
the ceremonies OF the day were opened by solemn
and appropriate prayer from the Rev. Ahab jerks
of Granville, who OBLIGATED as Chaplain. He was
followed by Thomas Ewing, Esq of this place,
the Orator of the day, who occupied the attention
of the audience with address, of which it is
cessary speak, as it is given IN this days paper
Although il was pronounced in the most fore ible
and energetic manner, the immense concourse and
consequent distance of great numbers from tie stage,
prevented them from heating distinctly. a. that
part of his discourse in which The Orator addressed
Governor Clinton on behalf of the people of this
State, the universal satisfaction manifested by the
audieAce, discovered how truly and happily their
sentiments and feelings had been expressed. After
the close of the oration short pause of dee pest
expectation ensued. Every eye was directed 10
our distinguished guest who rose apparently under
the influence of much feeling. His first sentences
were spoken in a tone so low, that although the
most desth-like silence prevailed, they only
heard by those who were fortunate as to be i'm
medistely around the stage. But as he advanced,
his voice became loud and distinct, and his manner
in the highest degree impressive. 1t was with diff
fcuty, at different times during his address, and
particularly at that part Of it in which he traced
the future prosperity ofthls state, that his delight
ed audience could restrain the expression OF their
feelings; and when he closed, it amid the dea--
fleming cheers ofthe thousands around him.
a grand procession was then formed to move
TO The spot selected the place of beginning the
Canal A large body of cavalry occupied the
'front.' next came several companies of artillery and
light infantry. To these succeeded the civic
procession, at the head OF which were to be seen
Governors Clinton and Morrow, Gen. Van Rens-
selaer, the Canal Commissioners and Commissioners
OF the Canal Fund, followed by great number of
distinguished gentlemen, from every part OF the
state, aud an immense renue Of our citizens; the
rear was brought up by other light companies and
a detachment of cavalry. Passing out OF the grove
in which the previous exercises had been perform
ed, tho procession crossedthe Newark road, and en-
tered extensive field on the farm Of Mr.. Taylor
II was, while passing through this field, that, from
an elevated piece Of ground, the eye might com
mand, at one view, the whole Of this vast con
course. The effect was grand and imposing bey ond
all description II was a scene seldom witnessed,
and never to be forgotten. The spectacle of
great people moving slowly and firmly to the COM
nencement Of a work, upon the success of which,
their future prosperity was slsked. Arrived at the
appointed SPOT, the military in ADVANCE opened 10