The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-06-14

I, tensive and lasting importance. Much diver.
slty Of opinion is known to prevail upOn the
preferable mode of facilitating travel and
transportation. Canals and Railroads hav Va
esch their respective advocates, which proba-
Oily, the election of either, in most cases. must
oe needed entirely by regard to the face Of
the earth over whick their construction il pro-
posed. What method better calculated to RAJ
solve all questions Of this nature, than by a
reference TO men, experimenfally taught in
mechanics, in hydraulics, in the science of
! geoiogy, the strata of the earth, the character
OF soils, and skilled by observation and en-.
perience, In those calculations and deductions.
oy which labor and expense may be correctlv
estimated, and advantages and results imme-
1ia.e and prospective, satisfactorily shown
IL Is not improbable that applications will
continue to be addressed to the Legislature
TO incorporate Canal and Railway Companies,
and for countenance and aid in the objects OF
ss.eoas aavocais ESTE iur a Iee Ye5
OF Canal from the harbor Of Boston, by a
northern route, to point high upon the Con-
necticut River, while the feasibility of more
southern course than either of those examined
ny the late Commissioners, has been earnestly
insisted on. water communication fromA
Norwich in the State Of Connecticut, by thee
Vuinnebaug River to Brookfeld, and thence
IN southerly direction, traversing the course
OF the Blackstone Canal, and by the waters Of
The Charles River TO Boston, has been more
recentlv proposed. A ship channel between.
Rarnstable Bay n2d Buzzard's Bay across shes
isthnins, and the connection Of boston harbor
with Naraganset Bay, by Canal through
the Counties of Norfolk and Bristol, by the
Weymouth and Taunton Rivers, as objects of
national moment no less than Of local concern,
have engaged the favora bic attention Of the
General Government, and in the distribution %
Inc public bounty, I'VE isht reasonably reiy m
on liberal contributionirom the National Treas
ury TO their accomplishment, whenever there
shan De manifested the rsaaisi;e spirit and
~ te engage in them. These, and
4" pt1sSects OF like kind. whether to be exc
0uted by public means or left to the labors of
private enterprise, require leisure and delih-
crate investigation. II is no less the Office Of
wise Government to endeavof to secure
rom Inc waste OF expenditure, upon visionary
ana iruItiess schemes, the wealth Of individu-
ais, than to preserve the treasures Of the
state 10 effect this, to guard adventures
from ruincus losses. and the community from
discouraging and humiliatipg Disappointment,
all plans, which are proposed for similar pur-
poses, should be subjected to the same test Of
examination, and their approvalor rejection
should be the result of the application Of an
uniform standard of utility and profit, by
winch they are compared. This will give
consistency to system of Improvement,
which Will exclude injurious conflicts of o.
pinion and of interests, and produce the ut
most advantage of well directed appropria-
ION OF the public resources.
cannot allow myselfto pass from this topic
without suggesting an additional consideration
deserving of attention, when estimating the
relative advantages of Canals and Railroads
as measures of internal Improvement, WHEREBY
ef the nature of the country will admit of the
e'ection. However either, as mere mode Of
conveyance, may well subserve Mis purpose
OF their construction; yet the more extended
and beneficial influence ofCanSls, in the gem
eral improvement of country, seem tome too
important and decisive to be lightly regarded.
Railroad is mere passage ,edy for travel
and transportation. 1t has no other connex-
ion or dependence than upon inter-communi-
cation. Even if it may facilitate this, at less
expense, and in greater degree than Ca
nal, by being less liable to interruptions ia its
use, from accident and weather, and the frosts
OF winter, still to some extent it is exposed
TO Instructions from the same causes, while
all the favorable differences may be counter
balanced, by the greater convenience Of pass
ing on Canals, and the superior adaptation of
Boats to Cars for the accommodation Of the
infinite variety, in weight and bulk, OF pro-
duce and products, which the pursuits, habits,
and occasions of this country, through any
considerable reach of population, viii, at diff
ferent times, and often at the same time, pre-
sent for carriage. Besides, Canals create new
capacities and powers for artificial improve
ment. From their reservoirs and feeders they
may be caused to furnish increased and bet
ter regulated supplies of water for the use of
manufactures, and he convenient and profit
able exercise of the mechanic arts. Their
waters too, percolating their banks, irrigate
and enrich the adjacent lands. Husbandry
is thus invited to their cultivation. Along
their courses, population, business, prosperity
aud wealth, soon mark the progress of general
improvement. Such has been the observation
OF the past, and is in the yet greater promises
of future enterprise. Let not these remarks
are snggesed bv the oninions 81 .sfEiifu msS
who have witnessed their practical ilustra-
ton. Nor let me be understood as intending
any encouragement to the construction OF
Railways. wherever situation and the charac~
ter of business giving occasion to tFsnspotta-
ton. may warrant their adoption. It Is lnl~
portant that there should be correct and def-
mite opinions on these subjects. While UNI
| certainty exists, and different modes Of inn
proyement, without distinction or discrimina-
| ton in the circumstances Of their applications
| find preferences with different minds, little
Twin be attempted, and nothing successfully
accomplished. To institute inquiries, which
will give to the public conclusive and useful
4 results, is.worthy the attention Of the Govern
1 ment, The fitness and expediency OF the
measure, in relation to work, of internal inn
proyement in this Commonwealth, Is renewed-
n " and respectfully recommended TO the con-
sideration of the Legislature.
In compliance with resolve Of the Legis~
lature of the Gath of February last, early
made the communication therein requested 10
- n 4 L. ~. 4 49, H..