Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-14

moriaiize the Legislature Of Pennsylvania be in
sucted to incorporate the expression OF this ssn,i-
ment In their memorial.
Mr.. Foster hoped tina, the Convention would
not commit itself on local dispute between Penn
sylvauia and Ohio. Each State naturally wished
the Canal to terminate within its own border but
the People OF the United States were indifferent
TO such question. Mr.. 4. here stated .ome of
the advantages of Presq'Isle, as the point on
Lake Erie where the Canal ought to terminate
with view to the general good. He then went into
| comparison between the former and present state
OF the Lake and its borders, in the course of which
he INDUCED himself in several brilliant sallies of
imagination on the future prospects of our country.
He then adverted to the probability of aid from
Congress, and spoke Of the effect OF the Canal On
the prosperity OF this City, which he said was
Situated In the midst of desert, and IL tpas
doubtful tohethey the city ,uouid conquer the
desert, or the desert conquer the city; very
possibly those who visited il fifty years hence
might see foxes looking out OF the Windows
MIR. Clay agreed il the opinion which had been
| expressed on the importance of an extension OF
the Canal, either 10 Lake Erie, or to the Ohio
Canal, and he believed if the Canal ever went
into operation, it would owe its success to the
adoption OF the idea contained in the Resolutions
offered by the gentleman from Ohio. Nei-her of
the sections OF the Canal on this side of the Ohio
could be made at so cheap rate. He was decidedly
opposed TO both the amendment and the subs ituie
which had been proposed. He thought they did
the very thing to which their movers professed so
much ob;ection-they did decide on route viz:
the route to Lake Erie in preference TO tina, enter
ing the Ohio Canal. Ii he were compelled TO de-
eide, he should prefer the latter which would
save thirty miles OF excavation, and a descent
OF near four hundred feet OF lockage-but he
thought there ought at present TO be no decision
between the two The gentlemen on both sides
protested to seek conciliaon; but how did they
propose to obtain IL? Here were two grea, s ate
to be conci!ia'ed -one proposed to carry he canal
through both, the other to confne il to one only
Ii Congress IL asked to do any thing for the plan
the delegation OF both States nus be 10 ,ked to ior
add In obtaining it; then it wise TO say iha, the
canal should be taken wholly from Ohio? He
trusted the Legislature of Pennsy lvana, when the
case should be fully laid before her, would see the
fairness OF The proposition of Ohio and, consider
Ing the saving that would accrue, while the same
genera! objects were attained would be satisfied oil
lis expectancy. Mr.. &. concluded very animate,
speech by lew incidental remarks the power-
OF the General Government over the subject o.
Internal Improvement arguing that the Fedora
Constitution would have been most essentially de.
ieciive 1t II had not conferred, the a!l-imporl an
pow er OF thermal improyeme and closing will
the declaration. that, if Ibis power was, as some
con ended, not deposited in the Government oil he
U"ion, experience clearly demonstrated thai i;
ought 10 be.
Mr.. Reed followed in reply, by explaining and
defending the propos1n he wished TO introduce
as substitute. He. ike Mr.. Whiulesey, went
into an explanation, at some length, OF the local
situation OF the routes contemplated the one by
Biz Beaver, and the other by French Creek He
would express no prcerence-hs substitute ex-
pressed none. He Insisted that the great source oil
the prosperity Of Pittsburg the trade of the Ohio
not that OF the Lakes; and he apprehended the for
mer would be injured by the junction of the Ohio
Canal He insisted that the question musl be set
lied IN Pennsylvania, aid by that Legislature
All that Ohio contemplated was a cross GU, and
cot the main stem OF the canal, going into that
State. Such cross cut was not a National object,
and could not be paironi:el as such.
| Mr.. Powell objected 10 the substitute, as going
TO exclude entirely the Ohio route
Mr.. Mercer stated what had been done by the
las, Convention on this subject, who, though they
limited the extent OF the Canal, in the first instance
TO the head OF steam boat navigation Cat Pitsbucl
yet appointed committee to address the Legisia-
lures of Ohio and Pennsylvania, in favor of an
| extension of the canal 10 the Lake He though,
1t best that the Cow ention should so amend the
resolution before it, as to recommend the exam-
nation and survey of all the routes which had
been proposed between Pittsburg, the Ohio Canal
| and Lake Erie. This course was calculated 10
conciliae all parties. He wished to avoid existing
|
| He closed, by hearty concurrence in The power
OF Government TO utite the great esluares of the
East and the West, and pathetic adversion to the
presence and number of the Pennsylvania Delega-
| ton; though tina; State once deemed SO hos
tile 10 the design, he considered as pledge thai
the dark cloud in the AlIeghanes was dispensing
Ohio, too, the second child of the Ancient Domin-
ion, was seen putting her shoulder 10 the wheel,
of the great of internal Improvement, SC.
Mr.. Breckenridge of PtsbuIg, disavowing The
views held by in his State, proposed q
resolution which (when in order) he would pre-
sent as substitute 10 Mr. Whittesey's frs
resolution, and another for his Sd and 4h resou.
tons.
| Mr.. Key OF Georgetown, thought, there
seemed 10 be so little unanimity, il was best no
to act on the subject at all, and moved its iqdef.
mite poSfponemeut. He however Withdrew III,
motion; when
!. Mr.. Whttlesey accepted the proposition of Mr.
Breckenridge, a modification Of his first resoIu
ton, in the following words:
ReSOlUed, That extension of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal to Lake Erie, at such points anc
by such route, either in Pennsylvsnia or Ohio. as
shall be considered most advantageous TO the coun
try, 10 intersect the Ohio Canal. ifdeemed more
expedient, is within the views and contemplation
of the friends of Internal Improvement, and there.
fore, entitled to the favorable consideration OF hi,
Convention.
1t was adopted unanimously, and his second re.
solution having been Withdrawn, in consequence
OF opposition by Mr.. B.cden,
!, MIR. Breckenridge offered the following, in
stead of Mr.. Whttlesey's third and fourth Teso,u.
lions:
ReSOlUed, That the President Of the United
States be, and he is hereby, requested TO cause,
under the act Of 3O'h' April, 1924, surveys and es
liz. a.