Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-10-19

The opsnne Of wonder gates to let through the first boat
carrying freight from Cumberland to tdewaler, gnalzes
happy epoch in the financial condition OF the State is the
turning point n the history of the CANAL and marks that pre-
cos moment time when this great work ceases forever to
burden upon the payers Of Maryland and begins TO
reimburse those have long and patiently borne the
charge Of its construction Such an event cause OF con-
graduation TO the people Of the whole State.
Without OBTAINING you longer gentlemen, sgsin bid you
a hearty welcome 10 our city.
General JAMES M CoALE, President of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company, then rose and made the follow
ing reply:
Mr. MAJOR, Gentlemen Of the Council,
and Citizens of Cumberland:
We thank you for this cordial expression Of welcome,
and for the congratulations which you have offered
this auspicous occasion
To the officers of the company who have long toed for the
completion Of the canal Cumberland, and the Maryland
State agents who have ably and generously coopeated
with and sustained them in their arduous Efforts the event
we indeed full Of deep interest and graca-
ton But is also subject Of scarcely less interest," and in
its consequences will prove Of far substantial and
during Importance, you and to your town. If therefore,
congratulations receive likewise have congratu
| lations 10 return TO you. #iat@
Gentlemen it would not be compatible with the brevity
due to an like this for to dwell upon the origin
and the grand design and object of this Company,
trace its interesting anteceden which carry back the history
of its work period anterior to the formation OF the Federal
Union and connects with the immortal name Of the Father
of country need recapulate the long succession
Of difficulties msorunes, and disappoinments which,
mencng after the organization Of the company, connu
cd track its progress step BY step until had reached the
condition of absolute poslraon and hepessness to which it
had arrived when the adopted which have this
day been crowned with But may be proper for
me to MENTION and will barely aude to the fact that when
assistance 10 other form could be obtained and as last al
tentative the act Of the 10th Of March, s45 passed by
the Legislature Of Maryland waving the liens OF the State to
limited extent and upon certain conditions for the purpose
Of enabling the company to finish the canal to Cumberland
upon pledge Of its unncumbered revenues few
sanguine believe that under the then existing circum
stances and in view Of the peculiar provisions OF the act
could be made to take effect made to take effect
that would prove available and sufficient for the purposes
tended We this day present the gratifying evidence that
these forebodngs have not been fulfilled The consummaon
long and devouy wished for has been attained the
hope, often deferred and yet still perseverDgy cung to-
has been realized The Chesapeake and Ohio Cana for all
the purposes of navigation, finished to Cumberland II
finished too upon pledge of its revenues-whout
the slightest additional the State of fMaandby
faithful compliance with the provisions Of the act ofhe 10th
March, l845, with all their conditions limitations, and restric
tons and in little than half the time allowed by the
amendment Of the charter adopted at the preceding session oil
the Legislature the Of the 10th Of March, before referred
to- being significantly silent on that subject.
In regard the losses which any period have been
tanned by individuals engaged in the prosecution of the work.
those who any capacity have been employed by them
we express sincere regrets but here take leave
say that whatever have been the in former years.
and former efforts to bring about the completion, have
execution and in completing the canal Cumberland
der and in conformity with its provisions the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company has entered into contract which,
its part has not been fully complied with made engage
ments which have not been punctualy and faithfully fulfilled
Gentlemen, at the present day the glory Of people
sss in their advance in civilization, and Of the highest
evidences of that advance their great enterprises for deve
Looping their resources and promoting the pursuits Of useful
and productive industry In this respect Maryland
pies proud position among her sister States of the Union
and in proportion to her population may avoby compare
with any nation people upon the face of the EARTH Among
the great works which have been the objects her muncen
patronage has attracted her favor strongly been
so uniformly sustained the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
In the first instance she embarked in this noble enterprise
cautiously and not until she had received what deemed
sufficient pledge assurance from the General Govern
men that sheud be regarded national tCork and that
the national treasury should supply fair proportional part
Of the expense that would be necessary carry it forward
and complete to its ultimate destination But when once
embarked far the completion of the canal con-
sered necessary for the development Of her resources
Maryland took step backwards In 1884, when the sub
scpons to the capital stock exhausted and the work
only finished for distance of hundred and seven
miles, and stood suspended for of MEANS the General
Government and all the other original parties to the under
taking, Maryland only, declined to afford further assist
ance and seemingly abandoned the company its fate AT
that time and such crisis this State firmly fixed her gaze
upon its completion this place. and in spite Of all difficult
ties and dsappontment, steadily pressed forward the
accomplishment of her object She freely contributed her
from time to time, SO long her credit would permit
and when failed, and the company in the darkest mid
night of its misounes, she did what alone left her to
do-waved her liens the Of the canal to the
tent and for the purpose already mentioned. And she now
has rejoice in the wisdom ofthe act for her object
attained. H
Gentlemen, in her liberal appropriations works Of in
tena improvement the State of Maryland has up what
in this country, and among people unused to direct
on for the support of Government, is regarded very
heavy debt. But what does it amount to From a state
ment have recently published and which believe
be correct the whole amount Of debt chargeabe the
Treasury Of Maryland is less than millions Of dollars
Why the national debt Of France than thousand
millions of dollars, and the national debt of England is up
wards Of four thousand millions Of dollars And what have
England and France got to show for these immense
debts Little than the bloody pages Of history which
record their booess victories and barren conquess Not
whsandng the vast incidental of these mighty
nations neither the Fenchman the Englishman can look
forward to the day when the debts of their respective Govern
will be paid off and bis person and property be relieved
from taxation. Each beaxs his burden with resgna
ton during his life and hands down the gloomy heritage
to his children. The debt Of Maryland contracted for
no such destructive purposes resulted from
the necessities of her condition enable her keep pace
with the progress Of civilization, and grew Of the ua
ran spirit Of the age Under the silent operation Of her pre-
sent financial and system the entire debt will be
discharged in twelve fifteen years And offset
to this debt what can Maryland exhibit Why several
great works OF internal improvement and among them this
magnificent canal which, with its continuous line Of s4
miles Of deep navgabe water its costly aqueducts and
pendous tunnel will stand proud and enduring
ment Of her glory be source of constantly increasing
prosperity and happiness to her people and in due season.
after allowing just provisions to be made for the mer
torious creditors Of the company which hope will be done,
pour her treasury Of revenue 10 be divided among