Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-08-16
From the Baaimre AmericCn.l
Observation-Disclosures

General Washington, In whose mind there
seems TO have been an irresistible tendency to
wards the useful, hal scarcely retired from the
multiplied cares OF the commando, ship in chief
when his Thoughts were vigorously turned 10
establishing commercial connexions between
the Atlantic and the Western states. The
importance OF this struck him not less in POI
li,ical than a commercial point Of view. He
saw, at glance, the vast resources of the W. ST.
ern country, and predicted that its people
"would get strength sooner than mos, persons
conceived" AS early as 1884, he speaks thus
Of the west "To tell any man of informs ton
how fast it is settling, how much more rapidly
it will settle, Of the vast fertility OF the SOIL or
Of the population to which it is competent,
would be quite unnecessary" His compre-
hensive views, worthy Of the founder Of a free
empire, we're earnestly directed towards es,a-
bhshing such conneX ions with this rising peo-
pie, as would cement them indissolubly TO US by
the bonds Of interest.
His views and examination Of the geography
OF the country in reference to these objects,
were propor:ionably comprehensive and saga
cious. 81 have lately" says he in letter to
the Marquis Of Chastelleux, "made tour thro'
the lakes George and Champlain, as far as
Grown Point; ,l.en returning 10 Schenectady, |
proceeded up the Mohawk 10 Fort Schuyler,
and crossed over 10 Wood creek, which rmp>
Ties INTO the Oneida lake, and affords The water
communication with Ontario. then travers-
ed the country 10 the head OF the eastern branch
Of the Susquehanna, and viewed the lake Os-
wego, and the portage between it and the
Mohawk at Canojoharie. Prompted by these
actual observations, could not help taking a
more contrmpla,ive and extensive view OF the
vast inland navigation Of the L. States, and
could not but be struck with the immense diff
fusion aud importance OF it, In the autumn
Of 1884, he made tour as far as Pittsburgh, and
detailed, in letter 10 the governor Of hi, native
state, the advantages dtrivable from opening The
Potomac and James Rivers He was Of ops
Mon tina, the rivers Of Virginia afforded the
mosi direct course for the rich CONNER rec of
the west In pursuance of these views, he
suggested the examination Of the best portages
between these and the waters running INFO the
Ohio; and The tracing Of the waters west OF that
river, towards the great lakes.
Comparing these suggestions Of that Judi,
cious and prospective mind, with The actual
water and other communications now complel-
ed or project ed in the u States, one cannot but
be struck with the highest admiration Of its
sagacity and foresight. The Champlain, the
Erie, the Albany and Schenectady, the Oswe
10, the Seneca, the Delaware and Hudson, and
the Ohio and Erie canals; the Chesape AXE and
Ohio Canal, with the Canals, partially executed,
or projected, Of Virginia, and The Baltimore
and Ohio Rail road; seem to be so many actual,
or intended executions ofthe system Of internal
navigation apparently devised by the mind Of
on general view, or personal
inspection of The ground. The West has grown
with all the rapidity and yisour which he fore>