Canton herald. (Canton, Miss.) 1837-1839, 1837-12-08
FOR THE CANTON HERALD.
NO II.
McssrS. EdHoys:

FOX THE CANTON HERALD.
NO II.
NcsSrS. Editors:
In urging the advantages which
would attend the improvement of the
navigation Of the Big Black River, the
writer has no wish to recommend any
measure which would retard or de-
feat the plans now in operation to
build Rail Roads through the differ
rent sections of our State. The adj
vantages OF making the improvement
which have recommended in my last
number can be much sooner realized
than those arising from the completion
oi our Rail Roads in as much as ma
ture has formed a channel and it is
only necessary to clear out and i'm
prove 1t III order to enjoy the
benefits arising from a safe and con-
venlent mode Of conveyance. Be.
sides, there are many articles which
can be better transported on water
than IN any other way, By actual
experiment the peculiar adaptation of
Steam Boat navigation on our wes-
tesn rivers Is rendered most evident.
a lew years ago the only means Of
conveying the vast produce of our
western country was by means of flat
and keelbcats. The number of Seam
boats on the western rivers January
the lst, 1884 was by actual estimate
two hundred and thirty, measuring
thirty nine thousand tons. There has
since that time of course been consi-
derable increase in the number of
boats employed, as well as the amount
OF tonnage transported by means of
such conveyance. Nor does the
grand Improvement stike the obser.
yer with more surprise and admira.
non than the number of villages and
cities which have sprung up ike ma
llc IN the great valley Of the NIississip.
pr where but a few years ago the wan
derng savage made his tent and per-
sued his game undisturbed by the ap.
preach of civilization.
/ II we consider the Improvement
wslch has been made in the last few
years IN many of the States, it must
appear strange that the people of Mis-
slSslpPlhave soIong neglected this sub
Ject, 1t is a fact equally worthy of re-
mark that in almost every instance
when tho subject was first brought
before the people, it has met the disap.
probation Of all those who have not
considered the practicabIlty and adj
yantages of such improvements. OF
the States which have been most FRO
m'nentm advancing their internal i'm.
Provements, New York and pennsvl.
vahIa stands first. When Governor
MOTIFS ilrSt suggested the grand de.
sign OF connecting the waters of the
Efle with the Hudson, it was recar.
aed by many as wild and visionary in.
the extreme. That great statesman
I
convinced Of the Importance of omen.
ing TINS canal along which the EXHAUST
Tess stores OF the west might be con.
'eeyed continued to persevere until his
e ell We're crowned with success.-I
ms grand Improvement is now com.
Pleted triumphant proof of what the
enterprise and labor Of man can Of.
lect' This CANALS about 564 miles
iohgand was completed in 1926 about
eight years after it was commences
IL cost S9,027,456. In 1888 the toll
received on this canal was Sl. $50. SCI
winch IS sufficient to pay the interest
oi 'ne money vested and about five
hundred thousanddollars Of the princi.
PIE. IN the last fifteen years the
state OF New York has constructed
10 !. mules OF canal at an expense off
Si9,l25,5ll. In the State Of peen.
SylVonla the extent of canal already
constructed is SCI miles att EXPENSE
OF S25,0oo,ooo.
lhese grand Improvements could
nov nave been Effected had not indl-