Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-29

nounces the Northern Railroad as being "per
Sc, an unmi,aated evil" And as an anldole to
it, it is proposed to construct a ship canal large
enough to pass vessels Of 400 tons, from the
River st. Lawrence at Caughnawaga, to the wa
tiers of the outlet Of Lake Champlaln, distance
of less than twenty five miles, and thence up the
outlet TO Lake Chomplan distance Of about
twenty miles.
In urging this ship canal upon the attention of
the Canadian public, the following language IS
held "However strongly this enerprize may
appeal to the feelings and interests Of the Cana
dian public, it is a matter Of even greater con-
Germ to the inhabitants of the States ofVermont
and Massachusetts. The completion of this ca
nal, converts Lake Champlain into one vast in
land harbor, where the produce of the far west,
embarked ut the remote point OF Chicago, mag
by means Of Canadian canals, without nterme-
date transhlpment of cargo, or breaking bulk,
be transferred at to the rail cars which will
convey it to Boston,"
Such an arrangement, however strongly ii
may appeal to the feelings and interests OF tho
Canadian public, your committee think should
have little influence with New. York Legisla-
ture, TO induce it to withhold from the Northern
railroad any reasonable facilities to enable 1t to
meet the wants OF our own citizens, and fully to
accomplish the objects Of lis projection and con-
sructlon.
That this road will intercept at Ogdcnsburgh,
and transfer to the navgabe waters Of Lake
Champlain, at Rcuse's Point, and to the cities Di
New York and Boston, much OF the trade which
II ID now claimed by the Canadians will pass
down the ST. Lawrence, and through the propos.
ed Caughnawaga canal, cannot ad,ui, Of a doubt,
and this fact alone should strongly commend it
10 the favorable consideration and fostering care
OF the Legislature.
From utiidavts and opinions Of eminent en-
mir nj ctn u.l 4,
made before your committee, and from their own
knowledge and experience in such matters, thev
are convinced that The construction of the pro-
posed bridge could not in the least obstruct the
flow OF water from the lake
1t will be observed that the water way under
the bridge Is not TO be less than 1000 feet two
thousand.) 1t appears by the affidavit of The en-.
glneer who made the examinations, that at Ash
Island, three or four miles below Rouse's Point,
The whole width Of the waterway is only one
thousand and seventy five feet with depth Civ
ing all area OF water way equal 10 about ten
thousand square feet, while at the bridge there
will be width OF waterway in the clear, be-
tween the piers, of not less than two thousand
leet, or near double The width Of ASA Island
and that the depth of water ut the bridge is such,
that after II shall be BUT I, there will be over
twenty eight thousand square feet Of waterway,
being near three times greater capacity of wa
ter-way at the bridge, after It's construction, than
there Is at Ash Island.
1t was stated before your committee, that in
Il II. s f nigh water, the river Su W Rouses
Point at Ash Island ovenows its banks so US
greatly to Increase the area Of water way at that
place.
ln answer to this, it was shown by steam
boat master Of great experience Oh Lake Cham
PLAIN aud The Rchelieu n, or, that at 81. Johns,
The river was but about lhuusanu feet IN width,
with high banks, which never overtlowed; and
that the whole volume of water cscap ping from
the lake, had 10 pass this place, and .hul 10 times
OF ffcshetS the water was about as hi iii at ST.
johns AS at Ash Island, Rpuse's Point, or
other places on the lake. These facts satisfy
your committee, that If there Is any Obstruction
10 the flow ui water from the lake, that such OBJ
struclon is below Houses Point. Ann that as
the area OF waterway under the proposed bridge
would DC between two and three times create,
than at Ash Island Or st. Johns, the couslIuclio,
OF such bridge would IN no wise obsruct the
flow Of water from the lake, or cause the over
flow OF lands on It's shores.
Your conmhtte are therefore of the opinion
that the prayer of the petitioners should be grant
ed, and ask leave 10 intESduce bill according
ly.
All which in rpsnf ri FIJI 10 suhn,,ttcd