Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-19

and constant communication, and u
mite them by an indissoluble bond OF
union. To this subject the parting
words of the father Of his country APP
ply with peculiar emphasis: "The east,
in an unrestraind interc curse with the
west, already finds, and in the progress
siye improvement ofinterior communi-
cation by land and water, will, more
and more, find valuable vent for the
commodities which it brings from a
broad, or manufactures at home. The
west derives from the east supplies re-
quisite for its growth and comfort; and
what's, perhaps Of still greater conse-
quence, it must Of necessity owe the
secure enjoyment Of indispensable out
let's for its productions, to the weight,
influence, and future maratime strength
of the atlantic side Of the union, direct
ed by an indissoluble community OF in
terests as one nation" 1t is to be hop
ed that the national government will
not be indifferent to measures which
SO powerfully and intimately affect
the national interest; and that the re-
representatives. of ten millions of freemen,
will make an effort to consolidate and
perpetuate that union on which their
prosperity, happiness, and freedom
pre-eminently depend. The work is
worthy, and claims the patronage OF
the nation, and if effected, will remain
an imperishable monument OF It's no.
nor and patriotism, to all future times.
From these united considerations, this
convention is convinced that the canals,
if made, would be blessing to the
state and the nation.
Sd. Resolved, That in the opinion OF
this Convention the interest and pros
perity Of the state are essentially in-
volved in the proseo ulion Of this great
work, and that she ought TO use her
best exertions TO procure its accom-
2lishment, provided that it will not be
expedient TO apply the resources OF the
state to that object, unless an adequate
fund shall be raised 10 complete the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to the basis
Of the Allegheny mountain.
The Convention has no correct data
upon which to predicate estimates OF
the expense of making the canal from
Baltimore to Pittsburg, or from Balti-
more to the Allegheny, but taking the
expense at ten millions of dollars to
Pittsburg, and five millions to the Allie
ghany, no reason is seen why II should
not yield an interest equal to the Erie
canal, which, at this time, is understood
10 give five per cent. on the sum ia
vested, and the calculations are, that it
will shortly produce upwards OF mil
lion annual TO the state. The agricul-
tural productions Of the country and
those of the forest, through which the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal will run
until il reaches tile Allegheny, are at
least equal to those ofN. York, in addi-
ton to which we may count on coal;
which abounds in extent not surpassed
in any other country. 1t is calculated
that the tolls on that article alone would
Immediately pay the interest on sever
raj millions of dollars.
If the city of New.York consumes
annually two millions four hundred
thousand bushels of coal, what will not
the country between Cumberland and
Baltimore, including the District OF
Columbia, the city Of Baltimore, and
the manufacturing establishments in
her vicinity require, when it can be
furnished at l2a cents or less, a bushel.
The advantages OF coal to the commu-
nifty at large and to the cities, towns,
and manufactures in particular,are in
calculabIe. What would England have
been without her coal, and deprived OF
it what would she become.
A canal through the western COM
ties Of the state, would relieve the peo-
pie from the most distressing and oner-
Gus burdens. The freigh, ola barrel OF
-four from Hagerstown 10 Baltimore
is never less than one dollar and gen
orally one dollar and twenty-five cents,
"A canal navigation would reduce it
to Eve cents; exclusive of tolls, and on
all other articles in the same ratio:
The Convention feels deep convic-
ton that a Canal from Pittsburgh to
Baltimore, would render her in prefer
ence to any other eastern port, the en-
porium of Western commerce; but as
tina, object is beyond the ability of the
state to accomplish. without the aid OF
the National Government, it is never,
theless Of opiuion, that a canal may
and ought to be made, to the foot OF
Allegheny, which would bring into the
bosom of the state, the rich produc-
tons of the country bordering on the
Potomac and its branches, and render
our commercial capital at least -four
ishing and prosperous city.
RESOLVED, That in the opinion of the
Convention, the application Of the pub
lie funds to this project, will be found
a profitable and beneficial investment,
that its accomplishment will encour-
age agriculture, promote commerce