The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-28

improved Morris canal, and make the chain perfect
from Wkesbarre, on the north branch Of the Sus-
quehanna, TO the city OF New York, one hundred
and nInety-four miles. At Towanda, Bradford
county, railway some twenty miles in length
penetrates rich bituminous coal6ed, with extern
sive beds Of iron ore nermlngled, like those al
Pittsburg. At the State line, near Athens crossing
the line Of navigation we have been pursuing, is the
New York and Erie railway, four hundred and
forty-six miles. This point is about equi distant
between the two cxtremities Of that great work
Dunkirk, on Lake Erie, and Tappan bay, on Hud-
son river Al Elmira there Is a connexisn, by canal
and railway, with the bilumnous coalfelds of rioga
county, Pennsylvania, fifty miles, From Elmira,
our route proceeds by the Chemung canal, (Which
should be enlarged to accommodate the immense
trade that will crowd through IL when the re-
mainder Of the line is completely to the Seneca
lake, twenty-three miles This deep, narrow lake,
stretches some forty miles through beautiful cou-
try precisely in the requisite direction; and boats
are easily transported upon to It's outlet at Geneva
thence partly through this outlet and partly through
an artificial route, (Which is also connected with
Cayuga lake,) to Montezuna, on the Erie canal.
From Montezuma to Albany is two hundred and
five miles--to Buffalo, one hundred apd ffty-nine
miles. These two distances make up the whole
line Of the Erie canal, connecting Lake Erie and
the Hudson; and may also be embraced in the
lateral and minute survey we are taking. Between
Albany and Buffalo mot overlooking the fact that
Albany is united to Boston by an excellent line Of
railways) we first meet, nine miles from Albany,
on our way northward, the Champlan canal, ex-
tending to Whitehall. on Lake Champaign, seventy
six miles, Then at Rome, the Black River canal
unites with the Ere-running eighty-six miles into
the northern interior of New York. At Syracuse,
the Oswego canal diverges to Lake Ontario, thirty
six mlles-passing Montezuma, the point where
the route to Chesapeake bay untes with the Erie
canal. We next, at Rochester find the Genesee
Valley canal, extending to olean point, on the
Allegheny river, one hundred and twenty-five
miles. When arrive at Lake Erie, the almost
endless navigation of the great northern lakes is be-
fore US. We can reach the ocean through the Gulf
of ST. Lawrence, or proceed inland to the Gulf of
Mexico
Where, in all the wide world beside can similar
exhibition be foundl Where, a country so inter-
laced with such an extent Of artificial internal nav
gaton' Then consider the commercial, agricultu-
raj, and political improvement in the social condi-
ton of the people, which must inevitably follow
such privileges And all these are but part of the
public improvements of two States of the Ameri-
can republic, whose national existence bears date
within the last century! Many of the envious
growing, foreign tourists describe US as vangorous
people, If success intoxcates, surely we may be
pardoned few airs in Witnessing the rapid adj
vance our country has made in all the elements Of
wealth and Inducements 10 prosperity,
have genemlized so much on this subject, that
hesitate somewhat in going back to details again, in
regard to the North Branch canal--the starting
point of this desultory letter, The State of Penn
syvania gives TO the company who have under
taken this work, some fifteen miles Of canal already
finished and in operation, from the mouth of Solo
mons creek to Pitston. To this is added the re-
naming portion Of the line (ninety miles) two
thirds fnished--over two and half millions Of dol
lars having been expended upon it An exclusive
right to the valley Of the Susquehanna for canal or
railway purposes is another part Of their extensive
privileges The Legislature reserved the right to re-
sumo the work, at the end Of forty years, paying
the company at the rate of seven per cent inter-
est per annum, together with the principal expend-
ed in completing it. Being link in the great chain
of internal navigation have attempted TO describe
and the only one which is misunderstanding also
through some of the finest anthracite and btumnous
coal regions in the world directly to populous and
thriving country where fuel is scarce, and yearly
becoming more so--it can hardly be otherwise than
profitable investment of capital, as well as a most
valuable public Improvement. As Pennsylvania
democrat, should have much preferred that the
work had been completed by the State if she had
the means, rather than il should have fallen into the
hands Of corporation; although | have long been
persuaded that corporate privileges for the purpose
Of creating public highway, the least obec.
tonable form the spirit Of monopoly could assume
if, indeed, such creation can be called monopoly
in any proper sense Of the term