Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-08-13
STEAM ON CANALS.

lion will be spread abroad by the press.
STEAM ON CANALS.
The friends OF the water line through Virginia will
be deeply interested in the following article as clearly
indicating the successful application Of steam to canal
navigation. Ii s OF the most important events OF
The age:
ERIE CANAL EHLARdEMESr-CASAL CoHaISsIoSER
RUGGLEs.
[From tho Buffalo Advertiser, July 29I
large number of our leading citizens of all par
ties called Mr. Rugges last evening, at the Ameri
Hotel to express their pleasure at appointment
10 the CommissOnership on this division Of the Ca
nal. Among those present were forwardere, grain
merchants boat builders and others deeply inter ested
in canal navigation. Owing TO the considerable mum
bsr present. and the general desire 10 hear from Mr..
Ruggles, he was induced to favor the assamblage
with some remarks upon the history and prospects
of ths canal 10 informal and conversational style.
We shall not attempt to give full report Of what
Mr.. Rugges did not intend Us set speech. His re
marks, however though occupying but little time were
important and interesting that We venture upon
sketch of their leading ideas. Mr.. Ruggles alluded
first to the fact that he had been selected for the office
# Commssiouer by Gov. King, from the city of New
York, instead of from the vacant division. In just-
lying bis acceptance Of the office under these cir
cumstsnce, he alluded to his fret connection with the
history of the cannl.
AS member of the Assembly from the city OF
New York, and chairman of committee Of Ways and
Means it bscame his duty TO investigate the resources
al the sanls ss that time, and their future prospects
sgmaiised "a the dreams Ot enthusiast, and madt
the target Of party ridicule. Time had vindcatee
those dreaus and it was no longer necessary TO look
10 the future-that future WIS with us Dow. Inl83J
he was compelled 10 assume the duties of Canal Com
missioner OH the Western Division, and to further ia
,nilarize hrnself with the details Of the system-
Sincs that time almost twenty years ago, no Canal
Commissioned had been chosen from the CITY of New
York, and before that only three gsntlsmen-two OF
them being De Wit Clinton and Robert Fulton-had
been appointed from New York.
Mr. Ruggles then proceeded TO remark upon the
gigantic stake held by New Iork city IN the canal
aud it's enlargement. New York before the construc
ton OF the canal, was city o lOo,ooo inhaoltants
with commercial advantages no better than those oi
many other seaports. Under the impulse of canal
communication II had grown up to metropolis OF
75U000 people, and ite taxable property Increased
nearly $50 900 0O0 and he had hesitation n assert
ing that At least one half of that due to the
Erie Canal. During the same period Buffalo had
grown from iners hamlet to great and splendid
oty The influences which had increased the one
had called the other into being. Their interest was
identical. Growing pace with them was range
of prosperous cities scattered along the line of the
canal, tho direct oufgrowth OF its prosperity.
During the last - years the canals have carried
upon iher waters the stupendOus amount o % OU UU
of TONS having value exceeding S2,50O 600 0O0 II
enormous, but some ides may be formed by rejecting
that it exceeds by nearly OOOO 200 the value oi
all our assessed property of every description, move
able and immoveable, between the ocean and the
! lakes. The passage OF such golden stream has
produced its legitimate results In etrewng its banks
with splendid cities. And Whist do we see when We
| look out upon the inland oceans West OF Buffalo =
Are they too encirced with great and prosperous
centres Of trade all dependent for their prosperity
upon this great continental artery OF trnh1c
! ,rlal uutH ha nHan
p6cent chain of waters without recurring 10 singu
ary compact and characteristic epithet, once applied
| 10 them by that greatest OF American Statesmen
Daniel Webster. Upon a certain occasion Mr.. Rug
giles had venturned TO urge upon Mr.. Webster fh'
Importance of the Mississippi as IN indssoluble bono
of National Union, asserting, perhaps with some ex
travagance, that it the great tact OF this o0un
try !" TO which the statesman, after slight pause
replied, - Sir, Il may he great act-but let me tel
yoli, the great chain of lakes is very broad amt!
Upon this "hint," gentlemen, said Mr.. Ruggles,
now speak aud havs come here 10 Act Ii 10 my pur
pose said he, TO afford to Buffalo, as far as in ms
power, every facility il may require Tor the perec
and unobstructrd navigation OF the Canals. Looking
back upon the 90 SUI UOO U00 which the canals have
already carried, we hardly need to survey The future
or seek to estimate by figures is immense and inev
| table development The mists which have hereto
fore surrounded this subject are now s6ectualy dis
pelled by the facts. We nssd only 10 20 vigorously
| forward and secure the blessings Whloh ffoSdenc'
| has placed in our reach.
Alter drawing an interesting comparison OF the bu
sness of the Erie Canal with that OF the greatest pub
| lie works and natural channels OF Europe, Showing
the great superiority Of the formsr mr. Rugges pro-
cs.dtd 10 say that he could not refrain from lifting the
veil of the future far 10 discern an irnnense aug
m.ntaion Of power in this splendid work now Close
at hand. My friends. steamboat he's gone GOWN I'M
| Erie Canal from the Lake 10 the Hudson! For one
said Mr. X ahsll hail the return OF that boat 10 th'
Western division of the canal with an interest no lea
| intense than that which was felt by myself and other
who had the good fortune 10 witness ths ascent OF I'M
first steamboat up the Hudson river fifty years ago
In the magnitude OF its possible consequences, thi
oreat svep stands next to the completion OF the Err
Canal itself II haa already been my gratifying othc
TO direct the engineers and superintendents to exam
inc carefully ths effects Of THE new mode OF naviga
ton upon The banks Of the canal, and also TO facilitate
the passage Of boats fully loaded, by raising al' IN
bridges, without delay 10 the neiRht otat !ea' LOG
| above the water line.
But gentlemen. said Mr.. Ruggles, waste time u
talking 10 you ABOUT the Erie Csna-it ID rather IN
province and duty 10 reach TO the unconVertsd for
lions of our community in different se;tons OF th
State influenced either by rival interests or want
due acquaintance with tho subject, have heretofor
doubted the necessity OF enlarging the capacity o
this great channel OF trade and commercial union 10
does il not bring US all into daily aud constant union
Does il not practically unite Buffalo and New orr
"a parts of oDs community ls not in fact New
York Canal Commissioner for all practical purposes
aud In every Just sense-snd in every generous &c"
sibility-a Buffalo Canal Commissioned.
Mr. Ruggss took bis seat under q strong man,'esI' ~
ton Of the pleasure and satisiscton OF DIS
In connection with this subject We are bsppy u
state that an entirely successul experimental trip va
made by steam Oh the New York Canals on Thursd'
If ,ss, weak. on the long level between Rocheste
and Lockport, and 10 the presence Of the Governor
,ba Canal Board and other official and distinguisbe
ne,sons. This event, and very important one It l.
has been called for by the arrival at tidewste
through from Boffalo, Of the drst Canal boat pre-
peled by stesm. Considering that this wss the FRI
attempt a, this great advance in Canal navigation
lite success surprising and hattering. Not sing
accident occurred attributable to the boat or its nav
CATION. No damage was ipHcted upon the banks
the waves, and although circumstances entirely e
rsueous, kept the boat nearly ten days between 10
tHo extreme points OF the Canal, the passage 10 tio
atsr was actually made in foe days.