Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-08-23
coMMuNIcATED.l

Intellieencer, in relation 10 the Che sapeake and
Ohio Canal What is il they mean? What is
the subject matter OF dispute? Is il, that un-
less the Canal shall be made to the Eastern
Branch, that Washington will endeavor 10
withdraw from her subscription? IT this Is the
fact, the Directors OF the Company would have
done better to have referred to their Charter,
and settled the question at once. As it is, the
public mind will be kept ag,ated-confdenc
in the undertaking will be lessened--and
Washington INDUCED in her hayward humor,
without having given any pledge TO abide by
. the decision Of majority OF the Stockholders
And has il come TO this? shall this great Ma
,ional undertakings work originally recon-
mendcd by the Father Of his Country, and sup
ported through all the phases OF party, by the
ablest Of our statesmen-be now paralyzed, II
not eventually destroyed, by the Earring inter-
es,s of some fe,c Of the citizens OF this District
| hope not! trust, that "those whom God has
Joined together, will NOT be put ssunder by de
SIGNING rnen;" and, in using these words,
would recall to the recollection of those who
heard the sentiment given, with what heart ielt
applause it was received upon late occasion,
when we met together in honor Of that distln-
pushed individual who with such perseverlng
zeal devotes his talents to the accomplishment
Of this mighty undertaking. The great, the
only object, which the Company should have
in view, is to open safe communication to The
upper country, instead oil the present uncertain
and hazardous navigation. This is all the in
habi,ants Of those fertile regions ask. They
tell YOU, give MS safe canal navigation to tice-
water a. the Little Falls, and we wan, no insu-
rance on our boats and cargoes beyond that
point. The canal boats which pass the locks
into the North River, pursue the remainder OF
their VOYAGE with sail and oar, or are ;owed
with safety and expedition by steam boats; and
all who Witnessed the procession on the 4lh OF
July, will remember with what ease and safety
:he steam boats, and other vessels, assembled
the Potomac 10 point even above the present
locks. The fact is, that sea-vesseis OF 100 tons
end upwards, emplo, ed IN carrying stone, sail
even up 10 the chain bridge.
Nature seems TO recommend the present
locks as the termination of the Canal and
cannot conceive how any person, possessed of
common sense, can deem o Canal necessary,
,rhen zoe haze bold nariga6te Pirer, pene-
trat:ng more directly, than any Canal
could possibly be made, into every section Of
tins Territory From this point, the Three CT
ties would stand upon equal too,ing-Georg-
town, from her proximity; Washington, BY rea-
son Of her more rapidly increasing population;
& Alexandria, from the superior advantages OF
trade. There might be a commercial rivalry:
blu, i, would be fair one, attended with advan-
tages TO all parties; an honest struggle who
should derive, by superior enterprise, manage,
ment and liberality, the greatest bench from
the trade This would do away monopoly-lhe
bahe Of commencement bring into action the
dormant energies Of our citizens. Men OF ca
pital would speedily settle among US; mauufac-
tories would spring up around us; the home
market would increase; the staple commodities
of the interior would be brought into demand;
and our ports would soon be hlled with the
shipping Of every nation and Of eve:y cline
But should the Canal be extended to the
Eastern Branch, the expense would greatly ex-
coed the million subscribed by the city Of
Washington, without being Of one dollars be-
ne6. 10 the other Stock, holders, but, on the
contrary, greatly detrimental to many OF them;
and. surely, if Washington would be content
with Just proportion Of the trade, 1t must be
allowed her million would greatly aid the Com
psny in prosecuting the work over the aliega-
nv; and even after the whole line to the Lakes Is
completed, would be productive OF increasing
benefit to her, arc be much more advantage,
ously expended in improving the navigation OF
the tributary streams of the Potomac-thoSe
yeins and arteries ,Uhich lead TO the heart
oftke interior country.
The charter itself purpor,s to be Tor this OBJ
iecr. and as shall endea,or to show, kgohSes
none other than ga nariga6ie Canal from The tide
,rater Of the rirer Potomac; and in the LIST Sec
ton thereof, it is expressly provided, shat be-
fore the act shall take effect, the Congress OF
the United States shall authorize the States Of
Virginia and Maryland, or either of them, to
take and continue Canal from any point OF
the above named canal, or the termination thereof
through the territory Of the District Of Columbia"
and again, 'the Cd section Of the act Of Congress,
which confirms the several acts Of Virginia and
MARYLAND incorporating The Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company, in positive and definite
terms set forth, that, should the Stale,'of Vr.
GINA or Maryland desire, a, any time, to avail
itself of the right secured 10 it, 10 take and con.
t,nue Canal from any point OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal, to any point within the ferris
tory of the District of Co'umhia, or through the
sas.s. the President is authorised to have the
hv q eorns Of u & EDpineer