Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-16
OHIO. AND POTOMAC CANAL.


Farmer, is, by him, communicated as
embracing to certain, and consider
able extent, the views Of those who are
under the impression that the citizens
of Maryland and especially Of Balti-
more, have not yet manifested the con-
Germ which their interest would require
them to evince, in the earliest possible
contamination Of the Ohio and Ches-
apeake Canal. The writer has been
led by peculiar circumstances to inves-
tigate the subject assiduously; and
great as is the work proposed, few pos
sess talents more adequate than he to
Judge Of its practicability and its re-
suits. These however who may ques-
ton his premises or his Judgment, may
yet depend on his candor; and the be-
ter way to combat his arguments will
be to meet them fairly! This extract
is offered 10 the daily papers as 1t was
received too late for the last number
of the American Farmer-it will be
thence-transferred to that journal, a
page whereof will be, for any reasonable
time, allotted to those who may choose
to occupy it with discussion, than
which none Can be more vitality impor-
tant to the agricultural prospects OF a
very large portion Of the union. "Give
us but light"
"The Convention will, ! trust, plant
an embryo, out Of which good may yet
grow. | have thought much Of this
question, andfor the last two or three
years have been no careless observer
Of the progress Of the public sentiment
throughout all this country as to Inter
nal Improvements, emphatically Roads
and Canals. And after proper eek
oning with myself, for local and inter
ested prejudice, | am forced to the con-
clusion tina, Baltimore by her indeci
sion and inactivity is standing strange
ly in her own light She seems to be
in the situation Of a hesieged town be-
set BY powerful foreign enemy, into
whose hands she must sooner or later
fall, unless energy and foresight be
forthwith put into action, and yet ra-
Their than form coDneXion and make
common cause with her nearest neigh
bours, because there had existed some
jealousies and petty warfares between
them Of domestic character, she re-
mains with folded arms waiting events,
distracted in her councils, irresolute
and fearful to take such steps as sound
dispassionate reason would suggest,
protraction is the order Of the day-the
prelext: better information and the
trial Of new experiments. The ques-
ton is contest for the trade of the up
per country of the Atlantic states and
that Of the western country-it is to be
had by the Atlantic seaports, only by
Offering cheapness and facility Ct trans
port; this cannot be done by turnpike
roads where canals can be substituted;
canals on this scale, are TO be fed by
rivers--now Baltimore happens to be
situated on short river, very advanta-
geous for ingress and egress as to the
Ocean; but not penetrating into the in
terror oi thecuuntry;-fo the aid Of ca
nails she can look TO but two Rivers,
that stretch deeply and wash the Noun
tains-the Susquehanna and the Poto-
mac, shemusl chuse between them, there
is no alternative unless indeed her hopes
are IN the Rail Road system, and for this
in our country at least, she may 81, pa
tiently as did the wayfaring man of
old, by the stream until it had run down
that she may walk over dry shod-
as 10 the Susquehanna presume that
what with the small portion of Terri
tory belonging to Maryland binding on
that River, compared with the posses
sions of Pennsylvania on both its banks
and what with the already accomplish
ed works in that State and the avowed
purpose Of Pennsylvania to push its ef-
forts to the Mountains and across them
il possible, in connection with that
River and what with the capital and
enterprise OF Philadelphia, aiding and
steadily abet ting the progress OF the
works and standing ready TO compete
for rhe trade, they will put in action;
Baltimore by this time ought TO see
that it is in vain she can struggle a
gainst such fearful odds, and would
naturally turn her attention TO the only
River which Canallsd, can do her any
service-the Potomac-but then comes
the apprehension of Alexandria Of
Washington of, Georgetown-have
these all put together any thing like
what Philadelphia presents to be ap-
pretended Of? and particularly when it
is recolec,ed, that Baltimore has the
right to take from the Potomac Canal
branch, wherever it Can be advan-
tageously conducted, from any inter
mediate point or from the extremity
with the little Potomac sea port towns,
she may divide and getthe largest share
with the great Delaware city if she
does divide the portion coming to her,
will be small indeed"