Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-27
Ohio and Erie Canal.

We pleased to the editor of the Terre Haute
Wabash Express leading off in article calling at
tenton 10 the splendid donation granted to the State
of Indiana by the late Congress- in aid of this great
State, and indeed, when completed, National work.
We also pleased to notice, that the attention of
the people Of the whole State as well those locally
interested in this work. is called the subject The
Wabash and Erie canal and portion of the Madison
and indianapolis Railroad, and that only In pro-
spectve, after the lapse of eight years from this time,
all have left Of the wreck Of our great and
glorious system of internal improvement, from which
we can expect to derive any thing to hquidate the
heavy responsibilities that hanging over US,
and experience should teach to be cautious how we
expend the valuable donation granted by Congress.
The manner in which the valuable donation, grant
ed by the Potawatamie Indians to Indiana some years
since, for the Michigan road expended, should be
a warning sufficient to make careful In the selec-
ton Of competent representatives, at the August cleo
tion-men who will have the good of the State at
heart. One hundred and sixty thousand of the
choicest land in Northern Indiana donated for a
road from Lake Michigan to the Ohio river the land
has been sold and the proceeds expended the road
and where is the result Echo answers where The
country literally nothing in return for this spen-
did donation We trust, under the present Democrat
ic Executive, like prodigal waste of public property
will not take place.
Too much praise cannot be accorded to the Hon.
Robert Dale Owen whose District, than any
other is Immediately interested in this valuable grant
from Congress- for his exertions. His tranScendent
abilities and gentlemanly department a man, won
golden opinions from all his fellow-members and
when the crisis came, this great measure, fraught
with much benefit to Indiana adopted. His
constituents will not forget his praiseworthy exerions
IN their behalf. Indeed whole delegation de-
serving of praise for their exertonS particularly the
Hon Joseph A. Wright representing the Terre Haute
District, which nearly equally with Mr.. OVENS is In
terested in the grant from Congress; end despite OF
party feeling, the wings of that district viii reluctantly
part with the services Of that gentleman whose pri-
vate business prevents him from entering on a can
Vass, which with the proper efforts from him. hi:
friends believe would not fail to be successful
The following is the article from the Terre Hautc
Express of the 10Th inst
1.-THE ERIE AND OHIO CANAL
1.-THE recent passage, by Congress- of the bill grant
ing to the State of Indiana about hundred anC
fifty thousand of land, for tile extension of the
Wabash and Erie canal from this place to the Ohit
river should be the subject of general congratulaor
to the people of the State 1t has placed within on
vast importance to ourselves and the country-whcl
will contribute more than any other within on
reach to the payment of State debt. Second only
In importance, amongst the public works of the Uni
ted States, to the great canal of New York. which
connects the waters of the Atlantic ocean with thos
of the Western Lakes, the Erie and Ohio canal i
essentially national work, connecting the cities O
New York and New Orleans and passing through tn
finest valley in the world. If we shall only emplo,
energies In judicious use of the means nov
rivo few vvr-ill have Scod hafor
consummation will be hailed with pride and Joy
Much depends, OF course, upon the action of the LIE
ENTHUSIASTICALLY at its next session. Every coun
ty Immediately interested in this work should select
as representatives, men of enlarged views of expert
ence and capacity. And why shodld not those cOun
ties remote from the line of the work, also have
view to its progress in the selection Of their repre-
sentativesl There is part of the State which ha
not interest in the work. Comparing the Who'll
line when completed to Evansville, with that part @
the Wabash and Erie canal between Lafayette an
the State line, 1t may be safe that the toll
received annually Will not fall short of 500, 900
indeed they do not exceed it. This sum placed in th
Treasury of the State, every year, will relieve al
from the burthen of taxes, while it will give us tn
means of redeemlng credit by the speedy diminu
ton, and ultimate payment of our debt. The Stat
has already expended large amount of money upo
this canal, south Of this place. Upon this amour
we are now subject to the payment of interest, an
this interest Is accommodating upon every year. Til
S"Ohei' ueieiOte, ule WORK - begun the Oelter In
sooner 1t Is completed, the viii the State
enabled to receive equivalent for this interest.
is to be wished that plan may be speedily matureC
and that the attention Of the people may be called
the subject, that as few embarrassments as possib
may exist when the matter is submitted to the Lep
lature- How would it do to hold convention of de
egaes selected by the counties upon the llne to col
suit together upon the best plan Of operation and Il
surest mode of bringing the matter before the who
people of the State This idea has occurred to u
without consultation with any one-and it is mere
suggested with view to ascertain what course
best All we aim at is, that we shall do SOmethin.
and that speedily and effectively 1t to us tn
general interchange of opinion amongst those wi
feel the Importance of this great improvement cal
not fail to do good, and to facilitate the work At
events 1t can do no HARM What say the frien'
above and below
Late Foreign News.
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