Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-04-20
For the Massachusetts, Spy.7
Canal from Connecticut River.


age of enterprise-of invention-of internal
improvements. OF the public enterprises
which agitate the public at present, the most
successful and profitable is the making of Ca
malls. And when we consider the vast and
various benefits to the public and TO indivdu-
AIS, which may be derived from inland ravi-
cation, and the great obstacles and opposition
which have been encountered and overcome,
in the case of the great Erie Canal, it is not
surprising that the attention of people, in this
part of the country, should begin to be turned
10 this subject. The people of New-England
are distinguished for their activity and enter
prise, as well as for their love of gain. The
subject Of Canals, it is well known, was re-
commended to the consideration Of our Legis-
lature by our late Governor, and so far Sec
ended at the last session, as to appropriate
sum OF money for surveying and ascertaining
the best route for Canal from Connecticut
River to Boston. Thus far all is well. But
as the people can do but little in undertakings
this kind, without legislative aid, so legis-
lative bodies, in this country, can effect moth
ing without the concurrent voice Of the peo-
pie. Let the people, then, make known their
will on this occasion, let them awake and
ahew themselves alive to their own interests.
The whole Commonwealth, and even all New
England, would be greatly benefited by such
Canal, but, more especially, the people Of
Boston, and of the region through which the
Canal would pass. These, therefore, ought
to awake and exert themselves to effect so
desirable an OBJECT. Indeed, to secure the
trade from Vermont, New Hampshire, and the
western part of this Commonwealth, to Bos-
Ton, it is indispensaby necessary that water
communication from this river TO Boston
should be established. Otherwise, when this
river is rendered navigable to the extent
which it is intended and expected it will be,
soon the trade from these places will assured
ly go directly to New-York.
But large part of our farmers and people
in the country are slow to believe, that any
great good can be effected in this way, or that
their produce can be conveyed TO market any
cheaper, easier, or safer way, than by drawing
it over hills and dales, and rocks, on wheels,
by animal strength. Their fathers did so, and
they are attached to the good old gay. Fortu-
nately, on the subject of Canals, we are not
left in darkness, doubt, and conjecture. 1t is
no netC thing under the sun. The experiment
has been often tried, and its advantages fully
proved. In England, where the country is
literally cut to pieces by canals, the stock in
them has been found to be very produc-
tive, and in great demand. In some ir-
stances, it is said, that the value Of shares in
them has increased more than twenty fold the
original cost The great New-York Canal,
which has excited the admiration and aston
ishment Of foreign nations, as well as our own,
and in which no expense has been spared, has
far exceeded the most sangune expectations
of its friends, and will be of immense benefit
to that Stale. In Connecticut, at late meet
ing for opening a Canal from New-Bavcn to
Pennington, the books were opened for cub
scription, Il much more than was supposed ne
cessary was Immediately subscribed. This, of
itself, consider almost proof that the shares
will be good property; for capitalists and
mon!ed men, generally, understand how 20
acquire and how to increase their wealth, and
where they are foun1 to embark with their
money, others may safely follow.
Should it be asked, in what way a Canal
from Connecticut river to Boston would bene-
fit the people in the country? answer, first,
itwould furnish an easy, cheap, and expedi-
tious mode of conveying their produce to
market, making an immense saving to them,
especially in the heavy articles OF grain, pork,
potash, lumber, bark, SC. and in return, salt,
Plaster Of Paris, lime, iron, West India arti-
Giles, &c.
Cd. 1t would greatly enhance the ualue of
all Real Estate for many miles each side of the
Canal. i have heard the opinion of intelli-
gent gentlemen concerning the Blackstone
Canal from Worcester TO Providence, that the
Canal there would more than double the val
ue of all Real Estate within six miles of the
Canal. Ifthis opinion is correct, what would
be the effect on the value of Real Estate near
a Canal where the business would be five
I ;,Iv
that the value of all Real Estate for ten miles
on each side would be greatly increased and
particular Estates, which happen to be favor
ably situated, may be increased in value ten
fold.
Sd. All Traders, Innholders, Mechanics
and Manufacturers would be greatly benefit
ted, by an increase Of company, of business,
and Of intercourse with distant places.
9TH. II would furnish employment for
great number of hands, during the making of
the Canal, and thus also furnish home mar.
ket for provisions in the whole region through
which the Canal would pass.
.5th. 1t would greatly benefit the whole
Commonwealth, by employing vast number
ofmen, and making a market for articles of
home consumption, and thus preventing emf
grafton, our own country, adding to
the means of subsistence, and increasing its
wealth.
Should it be inquired, where or what course
would the Canal take? | should say, from
Green6eld,o or near the mouth of Miler's river,
and following the course of said river up
Through Athol and Winchendon to its source,
near the middle of Ashhurnham, thence to
Fitchburgh, and perhaps through Concord TO
Boston. This route is very direct, and the
land most of the way very favorable. 1t
might begin at the mouth of Miller's. River,
opposite Deerfeld, and branch might, i: is
believed, be made to advantage from North
field to intersect the Canal five or six miles
east ofthe Connecticut river. Thus far, and
even to Athol Factory, one mile from the viii
lage, should think the land every way ia
vorable for the making Of a Canal. From this
place two miles or more up the river it would
be difficult and expensiYe cutting a Canal on