Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-18

we'll as Of every other friend Of that enterprise,
not merely to do justice to a fame very dear to
every American citizen, but to aid. by its power
full influence, the progress of the Canal both IN
and out Of the public councils. Thus did Mr.
Mercer, not only while he held the Office from
which he has been recently elected, but while act.
ing, for FIVE years preceding, a. the Chairman Of
the Central Committee Of that Convention to
which the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal undoubt.
edly owes its name and origin.
10 the printed copy Of the Charter and Regu-
ations Of the Canal Company pamphlet com.
piled under the eye Of Mr.. Mercer. and presum-
ed to be in the hands Of all the stockholders-a
pamphlet Of constant and almost daily reference,
not only are the Minutes published Of the
Conference, at Annapolis, in 1884. between &c.
neral Washington and the Delegates Of Mary
land, but also that very Act Of the General As.
sembly Of Virginia which contains his letter to
that body, and their reply. to both OF which dOcu.
ments the Globe refers to prove what had never
been denied, that the FIRST Improvement Of the
navigation of the Potomac is ascribable to his un-
firing patriotism and sagacious forecast.
The mere conception Of that improvement is.
however, Of much earlier date, as is equally we'll
ascertained.
Above the Great Falls, the river Potomac vas
navigated by the boats Of the Ohio Company prl.
or to the year 1850 In the war OF 1856. Brad
dock descended the river with his army as far as
Fort Cumberland.
In 1878, John Ballendine published, in Lon
don, printed proposals for the improvement OF its
navigation; and during the American Revolu-
ton. Richard Henry Lee introduced into the Lee
gislature of Virginia bill which received the
sanction Of that body, for the Improvement OF the
navigation Of the Potomac.
These are historical facts, to be found among
the documents presented by the Central Com.
mittee Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Con.
vention to the House of Representatives, and to
the Legislatures of the several States interested
in their great object. with view TO secure char
ter and the necessary funds for its accomplish.
ment. When that charter and those funds had
been obtained, and the Canal was about to be
begun, the disposition to give full credit to all
who had any way contributed to its success. was
manifested b. Mr.. Mercer, in the toast which he
proposed at the public dinner given to him, ia
Georgetown in 1928, during state ct public
feeling somewhat different from that now mani.
tested by the Globe. Its words, as nearly as
can reCollect them. we're
1.-THE memory of Thomas Moore, the Engi'
nesr vho first proclaimed from the summit Of the
.4Aeghany the practicability Of uniting the East.
srn and Wssi"n Wafers by continued Canal"
The possibility Of efftchng this union was sub
sequently demonstrated, in two different sur
veys Of the mountain, by the United States
Board of Internal Improvement, conducted un
der the direction Of the Secretary Of War. aud
communicated to Congress by President Monroe
in 1896
When needed to sustain, against Mr.. Mercer,
the silly charge Of being visionary, which his enc
mics have industriousy propagated, and the
Globe reiterates On the present occasion. the ori.
ginal suggestion of this union has been exclusive
" imputed to him. When It is deemed more
expedient to deny his agency in laying the foun
daiion of the Chesapeake ANU Ohio Canal. this
Customary conception is traced to an earlier Pc
riod of the history of this great work.
The object, Mr. Editor, proposed by these re
marks, dues not, however, extend beyond the
reply that has been made to those which appear
ed in the Globe Of the 25th Of June. An answer
to the editorial remarks Of the same paper on the
Cd instant, is reserved for a future occasion.
] TRUTH