, 1863-05-29
EE8IP CANAL AROUND MAG
ARA FALLS.


a special meeting Of the New York Cham
ber of Commerce was held on Monday, to
hear Committee from Oswego, on building
a ship canal around Niagara Falls from Lake
Eric to Lake Ontario.
Hon. Mr. LIttlcjohn, Of Oswcgo, was an
nounued. lie sain that, as few were present,
remu1Is. In 1e5G the question was brought
before The General Government. The survey
esfi,,lat. showed that 1t would cost from five
to seven millions Of dollars. Three or four
plrns we've proposed and surveyed We must
have n,tr avenues between the great pro-
ducing West aud Atlantic coast. Our canals
arc worked t. their entire capacity, although
they have been recently enlarged. New
York, in seeking the trade Of the producing
Neet, and the West in pouring her produce
into The East, must look for further avenues.
Canada is fixing her eye on the western trade,
St. Lawrence River, and the trade Of Mon
treal is rapidly Increasing. The first argu-
ment for q ehip canal around Niagara Falls, Is
commercial one. Such canal, able to
pass vessels carrying LOCO to 1900 tons,
will bring that cargo within 172 miles
from the present route, and cLeapcning trans
portation. The necessity fur this caual has
arrived. The Erie and Oswcgo canals need
indeed to be ENLARGED, but as soon as that is
| done they will have as much business rs their
capacity Will admit. The second argument is
| 4 military one. In case Of war with Great
| Britain We need larger avenue to the lakes,
| that gunboats may enter. The claims Of this
| project will be presented to the convention
about to assemble in Chicago. and he believed
it equal, If not superior, to any other plans
which arc to be offered there. He asked the
York to the Chicago Convention in present
irg this matter. He claimed that the enlarge.
| nlcItt Of our present eunals will not be sul1'
clcnl for being only seven feel deep; large
gunboats could not pass.
Alr. Bloodgood thought the proposition was
brought forward at the right time. By means
Of this canal some Of thUse stately ships that
plough Lake Erie could be brought into On
ta1io aud coated with iron III six weeks, anG
could sweep the British navy from the waters
Mr.. jonathan Sturgcs said that the great
West will finally get the best aud cheapest
route 10 the Atlantic, and VIC should dismis:
our local jcalousics In discussing it.
Mr.. Low, the President, said the matter j:
Of great interest and importance. The sub
ject hus been presented more in 4 natfona
point Of view than acommcrcial, but he thinks
the commercial necessity is the greater: Ough
the people of the ssatey He has no sympa
thy with the plan Of calling on the genera
government to enlarge or improve the canals
3ir. Littlcjohn said THAT the Niagara Shil
Canal should undoubtedly be 4 government
work; for, If within State influence, 1t nigh
he hindercd in usefulness. The question 0
incomc Of our canals is matter Of no mo
ment compared with the trade.
Mr. Jonathan Sturgcs said if the canal pro
posed was the best for getting western pro
ducc to the Atlantic, he is in tayor Of it
Whether the produce comes here or goe
| through The st. Lawrence, we should EAvo
the best outlet for the Great West.
Mr. Bloodgood said he was not afraid Q
Canada. There arc national impedimcnt
in the way Of extensive trade preferring tha
route.
Mr. Peter Cooper said lie had spoken with
gentleman recently from Canada, who il
formed him that they arc making strennou
efforts there to get tho western trade. Their
is Ill activity now that may finally dctcrlnin
The trade Of the West. and materially a1et
New York.
The thanks Of the Chamber were voted
Mr.. Littlejobn, and the meeting adjourned.