Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-13

marks. having reference chiefly to what he be-
lieyed to be the interests and feelings OF Yves
tern Pennsylvania, in relation to the continual.
ton OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, beyond
the Ohio to Lake Erie
MIR. WHrrrLEsEY said that he feared The a.
mendment would prevail, for the reason that
gentlemen generally were not acquainted with
the country through which the proposed Canal
is 10 pass from Pittsburgh to Lake Erie. MT
Whi1lesey went onto explain the different
routes which had, at different times, been sur
veyed, and commented on the relative eliglolll-
ty of each He alluded to the proceedings OF
the Convention assembled last year in Pehnsyl,
var,ia, composed Of Delegates from two coun-
ties in Ohio, and four in Pennsylvania, whose
object was to procure an act OF incorporation
for this very Canal He did not believe that
the people of Western Pennsylvania entertain
ed the views in relation 10 the object proposed
which the gentleman last up had expressed
If they did, the Convention TO which he alluded
could never have agreed upon single point
He denied, however, that his resolution deslgna
ted any particuIa route. He had left the whole
country open. His only object was 10 concil'
late, through this Convention, the favor oil Con
press for Canal between Pittsburgh and Lake
Erie.
Mr. REED, Of Pennsylvania, moved TO post
pone the resolution and amendment, tor the
purpose of introducing the following:
ResoiUed, That this Convention contemplates
an extension of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
from Pittsburgh TO Lake Erie, by such route as
may hereafter be determined, as measure OF
great national utility; and that the committee
to memorabilia the Legislature OF Pennsylvania
BE instructed to incorporate the expression OF
this sentiment in their memorial.
Mr.. A. w. FOSTER Of Westmorelapd county
Pa. remarked that there was an unfortunate
difference Of opinion existing among the Dele
gates from Pennsylvania, respecting the propo-
sition contained in the resolution under discus
sion. His own object was not, at present, to
decide upon either of the routes contemplated
by The gentlemen, but it must be papable to
every mind, that the resolutions offered had a
strong bearing on the subject. A large portion
of the delegates were ayerse TO having any par
ticular route prescribed, but have it left to the
investigation Of science to decide. Mr.. F. went
on TO remark upon the general state OF the
country, upon its future importance, upon its
wealth and trade, &c. He dwell upon the i'm
portance Of not prejudging the question by
doping the resolution, and hoped that the mo-
ton 10 postpone would prevail
Mr. CLAY agreed with the gentleman from
Ohio as to the importance of extending this
work through that State. He also hoped the
appealto Congress would not be in vain. He
believed the success of the present project
would depend in a great measure on the adop-
ton of the resolutions of the gentlemen from
Ohio He regretted the diversity OF opinion
which prevailed among gentlemen, and trusted
there could be no difference Of opinion as 10 the
r. H. tba He
posed to all the amendments TO the resolutions.
The resolutions in their original shape decided
nothing, but only suggested an inquiry. The
amendment did, in fact, point out a route. For
himself, he was bound TO express his candid
opinion in favor Of an intersection of this canal
with the Ohio canal. He was induced, ifcalled
on to give an opinion, 10 prefer this lntersec-
ton 10 that Of Lake Erie. Both the gentlemen
who had offered amendments professed friend
ship and Cancellation. They are from different
States; and how did they propose TO conclllate!
Would it conciliate Ohio 10 take away from
her all the immediate benefits of this canal,
and 10 give it 10 Pennsylvania. lie hoped the
Convention would agree 10 the resolution as 1t
was originally proposed.
He trusted be should not be deemed TAX
inc up the time of the Convention, if he said a
word or two as 10 the power vested in Congress
He did not mean to renew a discussion which
had been disposed Of in such an able manner;
but if the constitution had not given TO Con-
gress apower to carry on internal improvement
there was great deficiency in that instrument
The necessity Of regulating the different inter
ests and opinions Of sections of the country
showed at least the necessity which existed for
this power being vested in Congress; and that,
if it was not there, there was great deficiency
in the constitution.
Mr.. REED, of Pennsylvania, sustained his
motion TO postpone. He stated his objections
to The resolution as it originally stood. The
proposed Chesapeake and Ohio Canal by Its
charter only extends TO Pittsburgh; it IS now
proposed to continue it to Lake Erie. There
were two routes: one by the Allegheny and
French Greek, and the other by Beaver Greek,
by which the canal would be so continued He
was anxious to avoid any indication ofeither OF
those routes, because such decision would IN
evi,ably lead 10 collisions of opinion. 1t is not
accurately known, perhaps, what is the state Of
excitement which prevails on this point in
Pennsylvania He did not reside in a district
which was under the influence of this excite
ment, but he wished to avoid feeding it. He
went on TO xplain the difference in those two