New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-25
CANALS FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE.

To hs Editor ef The n. Y. TTibans
SIR: In behalf of the Lake Defense Committee OF
the New-York Chamber Of Commerce, beg to re-
quest that you will correct the singular and unsc'
countsbie error Of several of city newspapers, IN
stating that the enlargement Of be locks OF our state
Canals, p'oposed by tho Chamber for the purpose oil
passing vesses capable Of defending the northern
and northwestern lakes with their vsst end rapidly
increasing comu erce had failed 10 secure the favor
able action of The State Legislature. One Of those
ournals not u'ual5 deficient in intelligence, declares
ths. the proposition was "kiIled stone dead"
II was necereary before applying TO Congress TO
remove by State Legislation every preliminary or
local ob.tscle which could embarraas or delay the
work. The bill which was prepared for that Pur-
pogo, directing the immediate enlargement OF the
ocss by the State Canal Board whenever the Gen.
eral Government should furnish The means either 10
money or United states sa per cent stocks aud con-
cedng ss an equi galeni perpetual ransi; free from
toll OF ali national vessels, troOps or munitions OF
war, was received with almost unanimous approb'-
ton by the Legsls!ure IL psssed both Houses by
large nsurire; the vote in the Senate being u 10
D, aid IN the Assembly y TO -.
Tie opinion Of the ..egisst1re was expressed with
mous pa sage of the ult resolution Of both Houses
requesting the Governor 10 transmit the act n the
President and also 10 siop, any necessary and proper
measures 10 invite the attention Of the General
Government 10 the great importance Of the works
in que s,,on % the National interests"
liz gratifying to add that q moe careful exam-
nation Of Tire approximate st mates of cost, officially
submiited 10 tbe Canal Comaiitees Of the two
Houses sufficiently show that ths total expenditure
for eularging tie locks Of the Enc and Oswego
Causls 800 in number, ss sscersined BY comparison
with prices actually and recently paid by The STATE
lor simsr wori, will not exceed aiOOOOOO, and
moro probably can he KEEP b. proper economy within
a. 600 600 No impori8D. alteration Of the chaunel
or Of The brdyes or Of any other structure Of these
two canals except tho locksl wall be needed for
passing yeseels 25 feet by 300, stated BY Capt.
Er.csson to be fully ADEQUATE TO the defense Of The
Lakes
By separate section Of ths act, n similar pfoys-
ION is made for the enlargement, by similar means,
of the Champain Canal aud oil its structures, i the
Government, should 20 desire, Which would afford d
direct and speedy passage from the Hudson River
TO tbe ST. Lawrence below Montres The cost Of
that work was estima'eu py Tue os-ts Ch2lHeeE a.
three and bali milbons. A shor. canal Of twe'y
mile. ON Clyde to he capscous and valuable har'
Dor Of Sod Bay on Lake Ontario, is slso included
in the act, for the consideration Of the Government
Every preliminary or local difficulty beics thus
removed, by the prompt and integen! action Of Tho
State, il now only remsips for Congress 20 decide
whether these works any or either OF them, poo
se,s suiG cen. natural meris either 10 military or
commercial aspect, TO justify the ifsue OF the nod
crate amount Of stock required FOR their cous.ruc
ton; and whether any either OF them fairly co'nas
within the class 0f "DayigAble channels needed ioT
public defense" embraced in the comprehensive and
truly natural report just made to Congress- by the
Military Commitee Of Tie House Of Representatives
Rs.pec.,aly yours SAMUEL ROGHLLs,
Jh'n Lass Dsfsn,e Gem ~ Y. Ch.Inbsr o. Csmuierce.