Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-29
Form, the Harrisburg Intelligence, March Is.
81 CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.

Representatives, on wednesday laSt-
ON a second reading. This, bill had ORR
ginally but two sections, which merely
went to confirm the law Of Virginia,
which had been re-enacted by Mary
land. Five new sections had been adj
ded, by the friends of the bill, impo-
sing certain restrictions on the COM
pany, aud securing certain privileges
to the citizens of Pennsylvania-among
the restrictions, was one to restrain
them from banking operations, and
among the privileges was the right to
unite lateral canals to the main canal.
This bill has been reprinted, with these
new sections. Mr.. Roberts had an 9Th
manuscript section pending. When
the bill came before the house, he mo-
diGed i, in some degree. The section
offered by MIR. Roberts went to impose
further restrictions-the principal of
which were that the directors should
be citizens of the United States-that
the company should not exercise bank
ing privileges-that portion of the
directors should reside in Pennsylva-
nia-tbat the company should not ex-
ercise any control over the waters of
this state, north Of Pittsburg; that pro-
cess might be served on any officer or
stakeholder Of the company--and that
the state should have the right 10 tax
that part Of the canal in this state if
she chose. A great deal Of discus
sion took place on the subject, this
section was supported by Messrs. Ro-
berts, and w. r. Smith. Ii was op-
posed by Messrs. Kane, Brown, Oliver,
Meredith, Cummings, Rituer, Gille-
land and Reeson. After some amend
ments had taken place in the section,
Mr.. D. Snyder, moved to recommit the
bill. On this motion, after some others
had spoken,
MIR. Beeson said he was no little
amused at the evils anticipated by gen.
tlemen, in case this canal should be
made. 1t has been said this canal will
ruin US. He presumed this language
had been used in reference to a parti-
cular part Of the state, inasmuch as
large section would be benefited he
was therefore bound to presume that
no general ruin could follow, unless it
was first shown that canals were iniu-
rious in themselves. This threatened
ruin must therefore have reference to
Philadelphia, and that it was chimeri-
cal he would try to shew.
A canal having for its object the
rich trade of the west, must intersect
the most eastern point of steamboat
navigation on the Ohio, which is at
Pittsburg from that point two routes
for canals to the Atlantic present them
selves; one of them by way of the Al
legheny, Kiskeminitas and Juniatta:
the other by way of the Monongehela,
Youghgany and Potomac. Competent
Engineers have declared both routes
practicable, and of great importance
to the interest Of the East and West.
The last mentioned line Of Canal pro-
ceeds from Pittsburgh south eastwardly,
and crosses thePennsylva MIA line at the
distance Of about 100 miles from
that place, passing through number
of fertile countries, from thence it con-
tinues eastwardly, near the Pennsylva-
MIA line, to the mouth Of the Conoco-
cheague; from that point, a lateral ca.
nal can be made trough Cumberland
valley to the west end of the Union Ca
nal; and thus complete line of canal
navigation is formed between Pittsburg
and Philadelphia. There is no longer
any doubt of the practicability of this
route; as to the utility there can be 10
question. think il is clear, that the
line of this canal, from Pittsburgh to
the Conococheague, distance of about
24o miles is as much in the line of Phil
adelphia as any canal that ever can be
made from the Ohio. From the Co.
nococheague, the two lines of canal di-
verge in somewhat opposite directions;
but that passage through the Cumber-
land valley pursues the most direct
course to the Atlantic. From all these
circumstances, it would seem that PHI
ladelphia has as much to expect from
the Ohio and Chesapeake canal as any
other city.
But suppose that Philadelphia is not
to be benefited, is that a reason why
the people OF the west shall be denied
the means bestowed by kind Provi.
dence, of improving their condition.
he hoped not The same reasons which
have been urged against the canal, if
true, would go to prove that if natu.
raj navigation existed in place Of the
one proposed, that it ought to be OBJ
structed or prohibited, because the
trade might not go to Philadelphia
Such policy had been disclaimed by
separate and distinct nations, in regard
to each other; and at all events he hop
ed it would be disclaimed by the peo-
pie Of this state, at least SO far as re-
CARDS the members of the same COM
munity.
The inhabitants of the fertile borders
ofthe Allegheny, Monongahela, Yough-
VI IN