Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-29
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL
HOUSE oFREpREsENTATIvEs, MAY %.

Mr.. STEWART, from the Committee on
Roads and Canals, to which the SUBJECT haa
been referred, made the following
REPORT:
Tie Committee on Roads and Canals, to whom
was referred the joint memorial oil the Cen
trail Committee and the Commissioners sp-
pointed by Virginia, Maryland, and the Unit
ed States, to open books Tor the subscription
Of stock in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
with sundry petitions from the citizens oil
Pennsylvania and Maryland on the Same SUD-
iect, respectfully report:
That they have given the important subject
referred 10 them all the consideration which
the short time allowed at so late perloc oil
the session would permit.
In presenlingrhe subject 10 the consideration
Of the House, the Committee propose, IN the
first place, TO take brief view Of the early his
tory of this measure, It's origin and progress up
10 the present time, then 10 state some OF the
most important facts and results disclosed by
the recent surveys, together with an estimate OF
the probable expense Of the work, and the
WAYS and means for It's accomplishment; and,
finally, present some of the benefits and adran-
tages which it is believed will compensate the
nation for the cost Of its construction.
The committee have obtained possession OF
variety of letters, reports, maps, and papers,
connected with this subject, in the handwriting
Of General Washington, extracts OF which are
annexed to this report. From these papers, il
appears that the importance of improving the
navigation Of the Potomac river, which affords
the nearest and most practicable connection
with the Western Waters, attracted the atten-
ton Of the Colonial Government Of Virginia,
whilst vet province Of Great Britain. Among
the manuscripts referred to, the Committee ind
a report in the hand writing Of General Wash
ington. dated in 1854, stating all the dlthculties
and bs'ructions to be overcome IN rendering
the Potomac navigable, and he actually sue
ceeded, says his biographer, Marshall, IN get
ting an act passed by the colonial government
ITO omen the Potomac so as 10 make ii ndctgable
from tide ,cater 10 Wihs' Greek, and the bust
ness was in a train which promised success,
when the Revolutionary war diverted the aiten-
ton of its patrons, and of all america, from an
ternal improvements to the great objects Of liber-
" and independence AS that war approache
its termination subjects which, for time, had
Welded their pretensions to consideration, re-
claimed that place to which their real magni-
tude entitled them; and the internal navigation
again attracted the attention Of the wise anc
thinking part Of society. Accustomed TO con-
template America as his country, and to con-
slider with solicitude the interests of the whole,
Washington now took a more enlarged view OF
the advantages to be derived from opening both
the Eastern and the Western Waters, and for
this, as well as for other purposes, after peace
had been pr oo laimed, he traversed the Wes-
tern parts of New England and New York"
And in letter to the Marquis OF ChastelleuX,
he saws, 81 have lately made a tour through the
lakes George and Champair, as far as Crown
Point; then returning 10 Schenectady, proceed
ed the Mohawk river TO Fort Schuyler:
crossed over the Wood creek which emptics
into the Oneida lake, and affords the water
commune alton with Ontario. then traversed
the country to the head of the Eastern branch
of lhe Snsquehaunah, and viewed the lake OTIS
wego, and the portage between that lake and
the Mohawk river, at Conaioharie Prompted
by these actual observations, / could not help
taking more contempative and extensive
view Of the vast inland navigation of these U.
States, aud could not but be struck with the
immense diffusion and importance of ii; and
with the goodness of that Providence which
has dealt his favors TO US with so profuse hand
Would 10 God we may have wisdom enough 10
improve them! | shall not rest oontented un-
til have explored the Western country, and
which have given bounds to new empire"
In the fall OF the same year, i, appears tina,
General Washington, being SO deeply impress.
sed wi,h'the importance of uniting the Eastern
and Western waters and devoting all his time
and attention TO it, actually explored the route
Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal as far as
Pittsburg When he returned he made out a
detailed and accurate report Of the distances
the advantages and disadvantages Of the sever
al routes examined by him, and on comparing
them, he expressed unequivocally his opinion
that the Potomac and Ohio afforded the near
est and most practicable route for the accom-
plishment of his favorite plan of approxima
ting the Eastern and Western waters; ane
what is a most remarkable fact, he at that ear
ly date predicted the accomplishment of thu
New-York Canal, and that the trade Of TIT
West would soon be sufficient to supply witt
business not only the Potomac and Ohio, ant
New York Canals, but also one through TIT
Susquehannah, TO Lake Erie, which he though
would also be found practicable But cir