Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-06-15
REPORT:

Tie Committee on hodds aud CdndS, 10 Thon
rsas referred the joint .HemoriGtof the Central
Committee and the Commissioners appointed by
Virginia, Maryland, and The United States, 20
Open Books far the subscription IF Sock in the
Chesabeake and Ohio Cana, ssih siard"g Pet.
iiOns from The eit.Eeas Of Peansylrania aud
.paryland on the same suojscf,
REsFRC Report:
That they have given the important subject
referred To them all the consideration which
the short time allowed at 50 late period OF
the session would permit.
In presenting the subject to the considera-
ton ct the House, the committee propose, IN
ihe first place, to take bret view of the ear
ly history OF this measure---ts origin and pro
gress up to the present tlme-and then to state
some of the most important facts and results
disclosed by the recen; surveys, together with
an estimate OF the probable expense of the
work. and the ways aud means for its accom-
plishnent, and finally present some of the be-
neiits and advantages which it is believed vail
compensate the nation for the cost OF us con-
straction.
The committee have obtained possession of
variety of letters, reports, maps, ard papers,
connected with this sub ect, IN The hand wri
ting of General Washington, extracts OF which
ere annexed to this report. From these pa,
pers It appears, that the Importance OF improv-
ing the navigation OF the Potomac river, which
affords the nearest and most practicable CON-
nexon with the Western waters, attracted the
attention of the colonial government OF Virgil
MA whilst yet province OF Great Britain. -
Among the manuscripts referred 10, the COM
mttee find a report in the hand writing OF
General Washington, dated in l754, stating all
the difficulties and Instructions to be overcome
in rendering the Potomac navgabie, and he
ocfuaIl, SncceadeH sava hipurunhpr NJ
shall in getting an act passed by the colonial
government, to open The POtomac so ar to make
al nauiga5te from tide 1cafer to UIHs' creek d
the business was IN tram winch promised sue
cess, whea the revolutionary war diverted the
attention of its patrons, and OF all America
from int, nal improvements to the great OBJECTS
of liberty and independence. As that war APP
preached its termination, subjects which, tor
time, had yielded their pretens'ons to conslde-
ration, ecalmed that pla e, to which their real
magnitude entitled them; and the internal ma
yigation again attracted the attention oil tue
~ise and Shrinking part of society. accustom.
ed to contemplate ARertca as his country, and
60 consider with soicdude the interests OF the
whole, Washington now took more enlarged
slew Of the advantages to be derived from
opening both the Eastern and the Western
waters, and for this, as well as for other pur-
poses, after peace had been proclaimed, he
Rraversed the Western parts of New.England
and New-York' And in aIetter to the Mar
gus OF Chas'eeux, he says, 4 have lately
made tour through the lakes OF George and
Champlain, as far as Grown Pont-then return.
ing to Schenectady. proceeded up the Mo-
hawk river to Fort Schuyler crossed over the
Wood creek which empties into he Oneida
fake, and affords the water communication win
Ontsriot / then trsversed the country to the
n,aaH rs he hranrh nft the SuQuyPhau-
nah, and viewed the lake Otswego, aud the
portage between that lake and the Mohawk
river. at Consjoharie. Prompted by these &C.
sual observations, | could not help taking
more contemplstve and extensive view OF the
vast inland navigation OF these United States,
and could not but be struck with the immense
diffusion and importance OF it; and with the
goodness of tina; Providence which has dealt
his favours to us with so proiuse hand-Wouid
TO God we may have wisdom enough to i'm
prove them I shall not rest contented until
have explored the Western country, and ira
versed those lines (or great part of them) which
have given bounds to new empire
In the fall OF the same year it appears that
Gen. Washington, being so deeply impressed
with the importance of uniting the Eastern
and Western waters, and devotlng all his time
and attention 60 It, actually explored the route
of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal as tar as
-Pttsburg. When he returned he made out
detailed and accurate report OF the distances,
abe advantages and disadvantages of the seye-
ral routes examined by him, and on comparing
them, he expressed unequlvocaily his opinion,
chat the Potomac and Ohio afforded the nearest
and most practicable route for the accomplish
Inent of his favorite plan of appr0ximating the
Eastern and Western waters and what is a
Eyfr1ct c.,n fbs Jfo1uSryyhf c1lctljatiou oF