Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-06-08

in distributing the products Of their workshops
to various and distant places for market
Commerce is promoted by more abundant sup
plies for ship-building and for shipping, and by
multiplying in the sea-ports articles of county
produce, so reduced in price by the saving of
land carriage, as 10 admit OF profitable expor-
tation. The appreciation Of the value of Re-
al Estate in the vicinity Of Canals, the APP,
Proclamation 10 the market for whateveris to
| be bought or sold, the diminished cost Of all
articles Of foreign growth which are of COM
mon use and consumption, are among the
first and most obvious advantages, 10 De de-
rived from water communication, to the inte-
rior of u country, while the increase Of popu-
lation and OF business will return r. the sea-
board a corresponding demand for the sup
plies, which trade and commerce alone can
furnish. Its now TOO late in the experience
of our own Country to question the impor-
lance to the public prosperity of improving
the means which nature presents for iacilitat-
ing inland transportation, and thus tighten
ing the hand of industry of its most severe and
pIofless labor.
The splendid success which has attended the
operations of the Canals of the State of N. York
is not more honorable to the PRESIDENT intel-
gence wllach conceive those vast undertake
ings, than it is illustrative Of the advantages
which may result from the accomplishment Of
similar enterprises elsewhere. 1t yet remains
for the people of Massachusetts,, by a judcious
improvement OF the many favorable oppcrtuni-
ties which their situation presents, to secure to
Themselves the enjoyment o. greatly extended
accommodations, by water carriage. There is
enough of unemployed capital in the country
to justify a liberal appropriation to such OBJ
jects, and of population and important busi-
ness in many places, 10 invite 10 it. To the
people OF this State belongsthe credit Of being
foremost among their brethrtn in this species OF
improvement, ard although in the first effort,
by the construction of the Middlesex Canal,
the pecuni;ry Investment has been unproduc-
tive of personal advantage, yet that work e.
ven, is contessedly Of great public benefit, and
the community are daily receiving rich returns
! for the sacrifices occasioueh by its execution
to its spirited and persevering proprietors.
, Resolve Of the last Legislature, author
izing the appointment OF Commissioners to as
, certain the practicability of making a Canal
from Boston harbor to Connecticut River, and
to cause such surveys as they may deem ne
cessary, to determine the moI convenient and
} advantageous route for the same, has recalled
r than :hirty years since, by distinguished and
5 enlightened citizen, the late Gen. Henry
) Knox, for opening a water communication
between the capital and the western parts
Of the Commonwealth. This eminent man,
who was himself both scientific and exper-
: fenced practical engineer, after having person
: ally superintendent survey, and examined
5 the face Of the intervening country, was in
I,,oo h,,h il,n n-f nj
public and private advantage from the under
: taking, to obtain from the Legislature, in the
year 1892, an act Of incorporation for himself
and his associates, for the purpose of making
a navigable canal from some part of Connect
r icut River, to communicate with the town OF
Boston. 1t is not understood that any other
: obstacle presented itself to the accomplish
ment of the object at that time, than the abb
, sorption OF the money of the country, by con-
Germs of more pressing occasion, which pre-
vented the obtainment Of adequate funds.
The period limited by the charter for the
5 commencement Of the work, was suffered to
: expire without an organization of the corpora
. ton, and the subject mas recently been renewed
before the public with the sanction OF official
, recomme ndation, under circumstances pecu-
liarly favorable TO its thorough examination,
and a discreet exercise of the power OF the
government, in giving to it wise and salts
, factory direction. Should the authorized sur
, veys and examinations result in demonstrate
ing the practicability of the proposed canal
, from the Connecticut TO the waters OF the
ocean, the certainty of the immense benefits
of which it must be productive to the essen
tial interests of the Commonwealth, more es-
pecially in securing the trade OF the interior
10 IFS commercial metropolis, should insure
, the application of the most vigorous and etfic-
lent means to its speedy accomplishment.
The anticipations which are aow INDUCED
Of still further extending the communication
westward, by cooperation with our enter
prising neighbours, in opening passage to the
waters of the Hudson, might then be fulfilled
!, and thus the stupendcus plan Of an entire in
, land navigation from the sea almost at the
eastern extremity of this continent, to the
lakes on the northern boundary of the United
States, would be presented in Astonishing re-
f atty.
Other projects for canals in different parts
of this Commonwealth have seriously engaged
much of the public attention, some of which
will probably be executed by associations oil
individuals on their own account, and others
by the aid of the general government, in
just distribution of the appropriations for inter-
nal Improvements. Ia period Of unexam-
pied national prosperity, whe. there is sur
plus of capital seeking investment, and a
generous spirit of competition in the cultva-
ton of the arts, and the development of the
resources of society, provident and wise
people will avail themselves of the opportu-
nifty to lay deep the foundations of permanent
power, and to make secure the means of fl-
ture independence. This can only be done
by just estimate of phy steal advantages, and
the application of great moral force TO their
highest improvement.
In connexion with the subject of Canals,
another mean of easy communication has
been suggested by the construction of Rail-
ways. In England, we are assured, Railroads
are proved in practice, as affording rapid
and cheap mode of onveyancc.-How far
the severe frosts Of our climate, by increasing
their expence or endangering their security,
may discourage their introduction here, 10
any considerable extent, remains yet TO be