American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-02-08


WILLIAM STRICKLAND.
GERARD RALsToN, Secretary.
The importance of connection between the A
leghany aud Susquehannah rivers, by means OF a c;
nal, and by improving the beds OF the rivers com
municatlDg with these great waters, as to max
upon them complete ascending and descendin
steam boat navigation has never been sufficient
considered and appreciated by the citizens OF Penn
sy!yania To them the accomplishment OF thes
Improvements is of the highest consequence; an
their influence on the prosperity and wealth OF GU
state, when perfected, would be unbounded. The
would enable the western portions OF the common
wealth to arrive at the Atlantic markets by easy
certain and cheap access. They would furnish /
their inhabitants means 10 obtain at all times. and q
diminished prices, all the articles of merchands
aud manufactures they require. They would ope
new and certain markets for the bulky and valuabl
minerals with which our state abounds. BY the IA
clties OF Intercourse created by them with dlstan
and fertile districts OF our country, almost alto
gether uninhabed, they would open them for set
Element, and encourage their occupation and i'm
provenent by industrious and enterprizing emi
grants. They would give employment in the in
tsrior OF the country TO the large surplus capita
which is now nearly dormant and unproductive il
our city thus spreading animation and comior
through whole regions now languishing for want o
profitable occupation, or sustaining the heavy pres
sure OF the absence of sound circulating medium
These, the certain and mmediate results OF cana
connection with the western waters, should satisfy
our citizens that efforts to obtain the execution
OF so 6 eat work have been too long withheld
that we have been long insensible to this source
OF the greatest prosperity; and that we should all
unite the most Jealous efforts to accomplish this
grand object, in comparison with which almost all
others that occupy the attention Of our ciizens al
present, sink into insigni6cance.
But when the profits which will attend the en-
ployment OF capital for the construction OF this ca.
nal and the completion Of those improvements, are
cansdei ed, their magnitude will be found almost
beyond estimate: and it will be shown by examina-
ton Of data ,aich must be admitted by ALL that no
investment OF pecunary wealth can be made, afford.
ing such assurances Of rich and abundant returns.
One oil the objects Of this paper is to establish the
correctness OF these positions, beyond contradiction
doubt.
1t is anticipated, upon the evidence of experience
that 10 the next year The tolls OF the New York ca
nails will not only pay the interest the large sums
80 wisely exnend, d in the construction Of those
magnificent works, but that they will furnish sur.
plus beyond the amount required for that purpose,
equal 10 8 100000 per annum.
Already, before the whole line of the Erie canal
mas been completed before any Of the returns so
largely and so correctly expected from the connec
ton with the lakes can have been made /; and while
the principal use of this canal has been the transpor
tatlon OF the productions of the OF New York
only, and the delivery il return OF merchandise to
her own citizens; the tolls on this canal alone have
IN he last year amounted to $4,000, and on the
two canals $4,000.
When the extent Of the country Immediately be.
nehted by the New York canals is surveyed, and ii
IS considered that some extensive portions of the
state can have had no connection with, o. use there
oil, It cannot but excite our establishment that the
emoluments of these works have been so great.
The counties of Allegheny, Steuben, Toga,
broome, Delaware and Suvan-and all the coun-
t'y on the Hudson below Albany cannot have con
tnbuted any thing to the tolls received on the canal
leading to Lake Erie. Those parts OF the state
winch are not situated on the ST. Lawrence and on
the river above Albany, could not have proftted d.
recty by the Champlain canal. Thus, OF the whole
population OF that prosperous and enterprising state
It may be said, not more than half of its citizens
have eit the effects OF the Erie and Northern Canals
ana nave therefore paid no part of The large sums
raised Tor lis treasury by tolls.
he anlcipatons OF those whose wisdom and
patriotism laid the foundations Of these noble works
and have SO nearly completed lhem-that The pro
auctions OF large portion OF Upper Canada, of The
VfOrthern territories Of the United States and az
the State OF Ohio will, when the connection with
Lake Erie shall be accomplished Obtain a massage
down the canal, will be found entirely correct. A
soon as the communication shall be opened what
ever oil their surplus produce destined for sale in
another than the home market, will be sent from all
those countries down the lake to Buffalo, aud will
there enter the canal
But rich and large the receipts from this inter-
course with those fertile and extensive region. will
be; when we look at the numbers OF their popula
non, and at their present state Of cultivation and
improvement, aud compare these with the popuIa-
non and situation of those states and extensive dis
'ricts oil country, which, when the Grand PennsqL-
pa"ta canal shall be completed will find mar.
Ae' ~ passing through il; our anllcipations OF
profit from such work will not be rehuled hv N.
magnitude OF The income from The n.naI. 4 -