American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-06-23
Ertract from the Mtssase Of Coo. Lincoln to ne
LEGISLATURE of Massachusetts,, June 7.

| There is yet another subject OF high public con-
cernment, which has heretofore been addressed to
the attention Of The Legislature, and which, on THIS
occasion, | approach with much soicitude. y IS
that which relates to the construction OF works Tor
promoting and facilitating intcr-communcation
between different and distant places, from the re.
mote extremes to the capital oil the state. Inc
opinions OF enlightened, discerning, and instructed
men have been sufficiently strong, in other parts OF
our country to subject to the test OF unerrng ex
perience all speculaons, upon the operation and
results of the accomplishment OF similar objects
Through the whole extent OF the United States, 10
various assemblages OF citizens, IN Congress, and
in the Halls oil State Legislation, general SEN
tment has been declared favorable TO measures ior
improving the communication between the interior
and the sea board and for expecting the ranspor,
tation Of merchandise and produce to their respec,
tive markets In ,rhat manner and at 1hat time,
Massachusetts is to profit Of the advantages, which
such facilities afford, is with the wisdom OF the
Legislature 10 decide. 1t becomes not the respect
which / bear to this Department OF the Govern
ment, unfortunately to urge personal opinions upon
their adoption, On former occasions these have been
distinctly expressed. 1t unfortunately, however,
seems to be misunderstood by some, that precise
and e.rctnsirp character oil improvement has been
r.plated and definite object and that not the
most encouraging selected for the first experiment.
Executive. The great subject of internal improve
ment, as applicable to the inferess Of The Com
monwealth, was presented for consideration What
ever was the mnde suggested. in which this might
be promote d, it was proposed only, that means
should be adopted Tor previous inquiry and invest.
CATION A Board of Commissioners charged with
the general subject, the precursor 10 the com
mencement OF the grand Canals oil New York, and
the fest measure OF the Governments Of New Ter
n e ~ mi and ~
eral other Of the States in the mighty plans oil their
execution or present undertaking, was recommend.
ed, alike from precedent and the approval OF ex
peiiente in these ms anNeyery where, and al
all times, mus. be precedent, II not necessary
step, towards development oil the capacities and
resources OF country lor system OF public work
o! extensive and lasting importance. Much diver.
sty Of opinion is known TO prevail upon The prefer
able mode OF facilitating travel and transportation.
Canals and Raiirodds have each their respective
adyo6 ates, while probably, the election Of either, 10
most cases, must be decided entirely by regard
to the face Of the earth over which their consiruc
ton is proposed What method better calculated
to resolve all questions oil this nature, than by
reference 10 men eSferimenally taught in mechan
ics, IN hydraulics, IN The science OF geology. the
strata Of the cath, the character Of soils,-
ard skilled by observation and experience, in those
calculations and deductions. by which labor and
and lesuts immediate and prospective, satisfactorily
shown? II is not improbable that applications will
continue TO be add essed 10 the Legislature to ncor
porste Canal and Railway Companies and for
countenance and aid in the objects Of such assoca
tons. There are yet sanguine and strenuous ad
socates Tor the construction oil a Canal from he
ha'bor OF Boston, by northern route, TO pcin,
high upon the Connecticut River, while the feast |
binty OF more southern course than either Of those
va fFaA hV I,t..
earnestly insisted on. A water communication |
from Norwich in the state OF Connecticut, by The
Quinnabaugh River, 10 Brook6ed aud thence in
souherly direction, trayersing the course of the
Blackstone Canal, and by the waters of the Charles
RiVer TO Boston, has been more recently proposed. I
ship channel between Barnslable Bay and Bug |
yards Bay across the isthmus and the come xon Of
Boston har5or with Naraganset Bay, by canal
through the Counties Of Norfolk and Bristol by the
Weymouth and Taunton Rivers. as objects OF nation |
al moment no less than Of local concern, have en-
gagged the favorable attention of the General Gov.
eminent and 10 the distribution of the public boun-
~ we might reasonably rely upon liberal contribu-
tons from the National Treasury to their accom- |
plishment' whenever there shall be manifested The |
requisite spirit and confidence to engage in them. |
These, and all projects Of like kind whether to be
executed by public means or left to the lahors Of
private enterprise, require leisure and deliberate
investigation. II is no less the Office of Wise
Government 70 endeavor TO secure from the waste
OF expenditure, upon visionary and fruitess schemes
ne wealth OF individuals. than TO preserve the
treasures OF the State. To effect This, to guard
adventorers from ruinous losses, and the community
from dlscourasing aud humlaiing dsappoin,ments,
an plans, which are proposed for similar purposes,
should be subjected to the same test OF examination,
AND their approval or rejection should be the result
OF the application OF an uniform standard of utility
which thpu -. N
give consistency to system Of Improvement, which
VIII exclude injurious conflicts OF opinion and Of in.
'e'esi' and produce the utmost advantage OF a well
directed appropriation ct the public resources.