Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-28
From. the Tilted Stafes Gazette.
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.

vania, on the 10th inst Mr.. LEHMAN's Fesoiu
ton, postponed on the gath ut. came up IN or
der, in the following words:
"Resolrsd. That the order be discharged as re-
spects the bill No 10, entitled "An act moor
porating the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com
pany, and that il be committed to the commit
tee on, inland navigation and internal improve
ment. with instruc tons to inquire into the ex
pediency of reporting the bill, including pro-
vision for the actual commencement oil canal,
TO connectthe Union Canal with the Ohio and
Lake Erie, through Pennsylvania"
MIR. Irwin moved to postpone the question
together with the resolution indefinitely.
MIR. Lehman said, he trusted this motion would
not be agreed to He felt, however, inclined
20 modify the resolution, to meet The wishes OF
some gentlemen, so as 10 embrace the single
nroposition 10 commit the bill--leaying the
committee to report as they might think pro-
per. He would make few remarks, although
he considered il premature 10 discuss the gene
raj question Of improvement.
In the first place, he conceived that there was
an intrinsic propriety in committing the bill TO
the committee appointed on in internal inn
provement; and secondly, he thought the Penn
sylvania canal ought to come first before the
house, as a matter Of state policy He asked II
the bill did not look to conncxion OF Lake T.
RE With the waters of the Ohio? lfso, it ough,
TO 60 TO the standing committee; and he would
shew the house why /: required amendment
He had no disposition to obstruct the passage
of the bill-he was willing to authorize the con-
struction Of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal,
and by an incorporated company too. But let
us look, said Mr.. L. at the law. TWAS framed
by able men, who besides being animated by a
noble spirit of improvement, IL may be presum-
ed had the impulse Of private interest: they were
owners Of land on the Potomac: they were own
ers of the stock Of the old Potomac company,
now of little value, but to become valuable by
the terms Of the bill. Ii behoyes us, therefore,
to scrutinize the bill not in spirit OF hostility
because the canal to be made by the company
would accomplish national object-would be
Bond Of union and Advantage to all the states II
passed through; but he would scrutinize 1t that
1t might be acted on Understandings.
But, said Mr. L. LEI US first turn 10 the facts
communicated, by our canal commissioners,
few days ago In speaking OF that part OF the
country between Pittsburg and Lake Erie, they
say: "In relation to the part o. the proposed
SURVEYS and examinations, one fact is stated,
and generally believed to be correct, which 1t
NAV be material to know. It's, that commu-
nication between the Ohio and Lake Erie, with
in the limits of Pennsylvania, whether 1t by the
Beaver river, or the Allegheny, must be sup
piled on the summit level from the waters OF
French Greek, and those waters are not sufficient
for The supply Of more than one canal.
"It would seem, therefore, to be measure oil
prudence on the part Of tine commonwealth, so
10 reserve It's power over that stream. or over
any communication that may be formed by
means Of it, as to secure a connexion with the
great line on this side the Allegheny"
Now, if he understood the bill, in its present
shape, it would place French Greek in the hands
Of this corporation. He possibly might have
misunderstood the law; but if ne had not, and
this corporation should make use of French
creek, il would take away the powertrom Penn
sylyania to comet the eastern waters with Lake
Erie. there being not more than water enough
for one canal
He found, on the journal Of lse3-24, page
8l2, (the sections not being numbered) IN the
Virginia and Maryland act, after describing the
first or eastern section of the canal, which was
to be first made the following: "That the Sec
ond. or western section shall commence at the
said termination, and extend along the valley OF
Savage river, or creek, so far as the same, or
any branch the reof, may reach some convenient
point thereon, for connecting the eastern and
western waters, by tunnel through, or an open
cut across the dividing ridge, between the same;
and thence, after crossing the said dividing
ridge, shall proceed to the highest steamboat
navigation Of the Ohio river, or Of some one tn
bmary stream thereof in such direction as in the
opinion Of the said president and directors, shall
be best calculated for the attainment Of the end
set forth in the preamble Of this act" Let US
see, (said Mr.. L. what is set forth in the pre-
amble: sand extending them az ross the ALE
rheny mountain, to some convenient point on
the navigable waters of the river Ohio, or some
one Of. lis tributary streams" Is French creek
tributary stream OF the Ohio, or not? Ifso,
then this company may go to any point on
French creek and use the water French creek
empties into the Allegheny, and the Allegheny
into the Ohio,-it must, therefore, be tributary
40 the Ohio, and come within the meaning OF
The act. Will you, by enac,ing this law, sur
render this creek into the hands of this canal
COMPANY. to do as they please with III de ne
yer would consent to do it, while he believed
Pennsylvania was able to make a canal Tor her