Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-05-24


retarded. except by mscalcnlStons which, violating
well ascertained laws OF physical and moral action,
may occasion local disappontmen,s.
'sIt has been demonstrated to the reason OF this
Country, that whatever is known, or has been
performed any where, may be repeated here, with
facilities OF accomplishment equal to what can oe
commanded by any other people.
1.-The application of fire to produce an equabie
melton in heavy bodies, is modern invention,
equal in value to my which preceded 1t! we can
estimaeit its effects when applied TO navigation,
and admire the rapdiiy with which 1t has extended.
All navisable ports below tide water, and OF
Connecticut River, TO the city of Hartford, can
now communicate daily with the emporium of n.
York, notwithstanding the opposition of winds,
! tides, and currents.
Z" Even this invention is but stage from which
magnificent improvements may be extended through
the Jurisdictions of Connecticut, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, and Nermont; and 1t IS poAeved
II the consent of Canada can be obtained, the head
waters OF great river may be easily united with
those which descend into the ST. Lawrence. With
out leaving the territories of the United States the
abundant sources of the Connecticut may, by late
raj canals, be united to commercial ports III Maine,
and through n. Hampshire, with Boston, through
Vermont, with Lake Champlain, and through n
section of Massachusetts,, with the city of n. Ha-
ven. The projected canal on the Ousatonic, may
at moderate expense, and with great advantage, |
be extended into the hear: of the flourishing county
of Berkshire, not only to assist the expectation OF
its agricultural and fossil productions, but for the
introduction OF salt aud gypsum, and especially the
anthracite coal of Pennsyl vana, and thereby pro-
mote the manufacture of the invaluable iron ores, |
which abound in the Taucohnuc mountain. The
Eastern rivers in this State have not. 10 nv know
ledge, been surveyed for the purpose of ascertain
ing their decivies and natural connexions. 1t is
probable that of them may bedirectly connect
ed with the flourishing port of Providence, and
that all OF them are susceptible OF valuable improve
ments but as the present object is merely invite
inquiries oil general nature, precise and minute
Information Is the less important. The greatest
obstacle TO the formation of canals over our billy |
country, may be expected from the difficulty of |
finding sufficient water on the SUBMITS over which |
they must be conducted But as many of our ri |
nterock their sources, even this difficulty
may probably be obvated, by establishing rail- ways
and locomotive engines the lines of intersection
These recent inventions at present extending
with powerful energy in England and Scotland |
and many engineers believe that they will soon
wholly supply the use of animal power in the trans
portation OF ponderogs substances and even su- |
persede the use OF canals, in many instances. The
practical utility OF these Inventions or their inef-
ficacy, will be ascertained by severe and infabe
tests OF experience, before this country be pre-
pared to adopt them, and if, is to be desired
they prove successful, they will become powe ful
auXiliarles TO our National Industry.
" In my opinion, the period has arrived, when
comprehensive system of National Improvements |
ought to be formed, and think that the North |
Eastern States are invited TO cooperate with the
rest OF the Union by every consideration arising |
from sense OF duty, honour, and interest. This |
section embraces great agricultural commercial |
and manufacturing region. We well understand, |
the mutual relations OF these interests and know |
that they all flourish BEST when all are mpariialy |
protected Such improv ements as have been no |
direct Is of nur riv
elevated plains, multiply hydraulic powers, increase
the fertility OF the subjacent soil deveope and dis
tribute the treasures in our mountains animate the
industry and Enterprise of all the people, connect
tHer interest with those established the whole |
line OF sea-coast, and with like interests in the |
southern States, increase all their relations with
this State, and enable every portion 10 participate
win the immeasurabe advantages which the canals
oil New ioTk will confer on the Western States |
and through them, on the new Republics of the |
| Western Hemisphere.
II is an Interesting subject to determine the sys-
tenn oy winch these great objects be most adj |
| vantageousiy accomplished: That they embrace
vital Interests In several contiguous States that the
! completion oil them will occupy considerable |
portion OF time and extensive labours and require |
great expenditures is certan--Yet believe, that |
! 1hey are commenced on correct principles, and |
| are wisely and honestly conducted, they will oc-
casion no waste OF public resources but that on |
the contrary, the capitals which NAV be expended
VIII be replaced, and that the regular incomes |
winch they Will produce, will supply funds for |
new combinations and still greater improvements |
| ~ me present PERIOD no money is boarded by |
civilized and commercial nations, beyond what is
required tor immediate use. A well organized and
established public credit, is to them invaluable
The credit of no country is superior to that of
The United States and the Eastern States AT the !
present tIme great capitals unemployed arising
from accommodating dividends and the extinction OF |
national and other debts The interest of money is
consequently low, and loans for permanent invest
ments, wherevera convertible satisfactory security
can be presented, may be readily obtained.
! " canal from the sources of Connecticut river |
TO tide water, ought to be viewed as single OBJ |
Ject The expense of constructing it will depend
on the obstacles which may be discovered on diff |
erent points OF the entire line, and will in no de-
gree depend its length, or on the boundaries Of
State jurisdiction. 1t is hence important that the
Engineers who may establish the particular oca-
tions, and estimate the expense of forming! the en-
tire ca'al, and perhaps, superintend its constrc-
ton, should be designated by The national govern
ment, not only on account of their science and
skill, but from their presumed mpartiality and in
tegritv.
The cooperation of the four States, whose
Jurisdiction are connected with Connecticut river,
will at some time, be necessary and the assent of
Congress to any compacts, which they may form,
will be essential TO their validity.
" take the liberty to suggest, that transfcra-
Die stock might be created by the National Co
vernment, the accounts of which should be kept
distinct from those which relate to the funded debt
which ought to be preserve in the present regular
course OF extinction. This stock should be rem
dered solely applicable 10 the aid of such improve
ments, as were specifically sanctioned by the go
vernment, with the consent of the States in which
. oil t.