Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-20

should such work ever be, commenc-
ed; and that for the purpose of estab-
fishing such a communication, this
state should not only make every re-
servation of right, but should also APP
ply her own resources to its prompt
execution.
This Convention believe, that it is a
matter Of deep and important concern
to the people of Maryland, that suffi-
cient measures should be adopted at
the public expense to open permanent
and certain navigable route between tho
head oftide water on the river Susque-
hannah and some point above the falls
of the same, by such method Of inn
provement as may appear to her most
eligible, in order 10 secure, to this
state; the trade of the fertile regions
bordering on this majestic river, and
to afford to their population cheap
and expeditions channel for their COM
merce with the city of Baltimore
And, lastly, it is the opinion of this
Convention, that Board Of Public
Works should be forthwith instituted
by the Legislature, under such mode
Of organization as shall enable them to
present to the people Of Maryland the
most comprehensive and accurate in
formation in regard to all subjects OF
internal improvement within their Dor
ders. Therefore,
|. RESOLVED, That it is the sense of
this Convention that the proper time
has arrived when liberal and general
system for the Internal Improvement
of the. United Stats BY roads and ca
mails to be constructed at the public ex-
pense ought to be adopted and vigor-
ously pursued by the General Govern
ment: and that the first and most i'm
portant scheme for their consideration
isto open canal communication, il
practicable, between the waters Of the
Chesapeake Bay and the Ohio River
at some point where steam boat navl-
cation is attainable.
9. Resolved, That if the government
Of the United States should not early
evince disposition to undertake this
work, at its own expense, the State OF
Maryland ought to propose to cooper
ate with that government and with
such of the States as are interested IN
the subject, in the accomplishment OF
the same, under such terms and condi'
tons as shall forever secure to the au-
rhories interested, the entire and p1b-
lie controul and government OF the
same without the intervention of incor.
porated companies: and should it be
necessary for this end, that the State OF
Maryland shall agree to furnish the
sum of 100000 dollars provided that
before the State be bound to contribute
this sum, the other authorities interes-
ted shall engage to fuinith their quota
Of the expense necessary to the COM
pletion Of the said canal as far as the
base of the Allegheny Mountain; and
that the State also appropriate at the
same time an additional sum Of 100000
dollars for the comnIetion Of a canal
from the Patapsco River, TO intersect
the former: and provided further that
before any appropriation shall be made
by the State, the rights of the Potomac
Company, incorporated by the late acts
Of the Legislatures of Virginia and
this State, in the Potomac River, and
the streams which empty therein shall
be exInguisheG by compromise or by
legal and proper MEASURES, and pro-
vision be also made by law that the
money SO to be appropriated be ex'
pended by public agents, to be APP
pointed and rendered accountable in
such manner as may be agreed upon
by the governments interested. =.
8. Resolved, That it be recommended
to the General Assembly of Maryland
to appoint commissioners to negotiate
with such commissioners as NAV be Sc
lecled by the United States and such
of the States as may be wiling 10 con-
cur in the design Of making canal to
connect the waters Of the Chesapeake
and the Ohio, and to devise and mature
a scheme for that purpose, to be exc
cuted either at the sole expense Of the
government of the United States if the
consent of that government can be OBJ
tanned, or at the joint expense Of the
authorities interested: provided that
such negotiation shall be subject to
the ratification Of Maryland SO far as
the interest of this state may be con-
cerned, and provided also that the
right Of the state of Maryland to inter-
sect the said canal by any lateral branch
or to continue the same to the city Of
Baltimore be fully and clearly secured
as preliminary to any engagement in
regard to this undertaking.
| 4 Resolced, That it is the sense Of
this Convention that the proper time
has arrived when liberal and general
system for the Internal Improvement
of Maryland, at her own expense,
ought to be adopted blythe Legislature
Il ~