Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-01-12

tahlished in the interior. The immense reser.
voirs of water obtained in the Lakes between
Worcester and the Capital, (any one of which
is far greater than that which, collected by a
wall OF Masonry, and at large expense, sup
plies the celebrated Canal of Languedoc in
the South of France) with their elevation a.
boye the tide waters, and their proximity to
the heads of rivers leading to the seaboard. in.
stead of sleeping out their existence within
, their present bounds, appear to have been
| designed to accommodate and enrich the in
habhants and the territories through which
they are destined, at no distant day, to pass.
The present state Of the treasury will
not, am sensible, admit Of the applica-
ton of funds to any considerable amount
to objects of this nature. The time
may, it is hoped, not be distant, when
the State may be able to assist enterpris-
ing and public spirited individuals who
may engage in them. My present OBJ
Ject is to present the subject to the view
fthe Legislature and when it is con-
sidered that works Of this kind require
examinations, surveys and calculations,
previous to their commencement, it is
hoped the communication will not be
thought premature. Should the Lesis-
lature be disposed to pay attention to
the subject at their present session,
would take the liberty of suggesting the
expediency of appointing, or of author
izlng the employment, temporarily, of a
civil engineer, to make surveys, exam
nations and reports relative to such
routes OF places as the Legislature may
designate. The information thus acquir-
ed, and deposited in the public archives,
would be alike useful to the State and
to those citizens whose enterprise and
wealth may prompt them TO engage in
works of public utility; while the ex-
pense attending such surveys would be
inconsiderabe. An idea has prevailed
with many of our citizens, that
works of such magnitude and general
usefulness should be performed by the
Federal Government. To such it is a
sufficient answer, that the power to cut
canals thro' the States is not among the
powers granted to Congress by the Con-
stitution.
The erection of monument on Bun
ker's Hill, is another work of public
nature, in which our citizens have
taken great interest. For this pur-
pose an act OF incorporation was grant
ed, and 1t is believed that adequate funds
will be raised by voluntary subscription.
| recommend a revision of the act. that
two conditions may be added; first, that
plan or model be submitted to the Lee
gislature for their appreciation, pre- vious
10 the construction of the monument
and secondly, that when it is completed
it shall revert to the Commonwealth.
Should the funds prove insufficient for
the completion of such work as is wor-
thy OF the occasion, and becoming the
character of the State, do not permit
myself to doubt that aid will be afforded
by an enlightened Legislature.
10 commemorate one of the principal
events o! the Revolution, to consecrate
the field in Massachusetts on which. in
the first stages of the war, our heroes
and statesmen sealed with their blood
the principles they had sworn to main
tain, when disciplined enemy received
from hardy untutored yeomanry a
lesson which produced the most benefi-
cial consequences through the whole of
the revolutionary war, is worthy the
care OF the patriot and statesman. The
splendid column on Bunker's Hill will
unite principles with history, patriotism
with glory. 1t will be read by all its
moral will strike deep into the heart,
and leave an indeIi6Ie impression on
the mind. The trust is too sacred. the
work too important, to rest exclusively
In the charge of individuals it should
be common property, in which every
citizen should have right; as it will be
the pride, it should also be the property
of the Commonw ealth.
The improvement and more perfect
concentration of the moral and physical
powers of the State is required, by her
ancient fame, by regard to her actual
independence, and by her correlative
duties to her sister States. For these
purposes revision of our Militia Sys-
TEN appears to be necessary. Aware of
the repeated recommendations of this
subject to the Legislature, an actual OBJ
serVatlon Of this institution for more
than half century, with much refec-
ton on lis vital Importance to the dear
est interests of the State, impels me a.
gain to present it for consideration.
There can be no doubt that additional
provisions for calling out and training the
militia may be advantageously made.
This however does not remedy the
great evil which is the source of univer-
sal complaint. Those whom the law
requires to bear arms would not repine
at the duties imposed on them, were it
not that other citizens. many of whom