The Portland daily press., 1864-02-18

NIAGARA SHIP CANAL.-The members of
the Board of Trade and subscribers to the
Merchants Exchange, convened yesterday at
the Exchange for the purpose ofhearing state
ments from Messrs. Getty and Bundy of Os-
wego, =. y, in relation TO the Ship Canal
around Niagara Falls. The meeting was
largely attended, and was called to order by
Jonas II. Perley, Esq, who presided, and who
introduced Mr Getty to the meeting.
Mr.. Getty made some interesting statements
relative 10 the great trade of the West and
the necessity for increased facilities for get
ting the produce Of that region to the Allan
tic. He alluded in the first place to the ne
cessity Of the proposed canal as a commercial
necessity. The cost of this canal, which is
about eight miles long, would be about six
million dollars, and il would connect the Lakes
aud the great West with the st. Lawrence
river. The matter was opposed at Buffalo.
because 1t was said that the trade of the upper
Lakes would thus pass into Montreal and be
drawn from our own Atlantic cities, and also
that it would deprive the State of New York
OF large amount of tolls which would ac-
crue TO that State if the trade was forced
through the Erie Canal. he explained away
both of these objections.
The proposed canal would be eight miles
long, with locks 275 feet long and As feet wide,
of sufficient depth to pass vessels drawing IA
feet Of water.
The proposed canal Mr.. Getty thought,
uld be likely TO injure the traffic on the
western part Of the Grand Trunk Railway,
but the increased traffic on the road, from
Montreal to Portland and Quebec, would
more than balance the loss on the other end.
He presented some statistics to show tile
great and increasing trade of the West, and
to show that produce could be brought here
by means of the proposed canal at much less
cost than at present.
He then alluded to the work as military
necessity, TO protect our commerce on tie
Lakes and northern frontier in case of rup-
ture with England. At the close of his re-
marks he was greeted with applause
The Chairman then introduced Mr.. Bundv.
the other delegate, who made few remarks
substantiating those of Mr.. Getty.
Ex-Goy. Washburn being called upon by
the Chairman, remarked that he had been
here so short time he did not feel compe-
tent to express the opinion OF the merchants
of Portland, or to speak upon what might be
thought for their interests. He had no doubt
Of the feasibility Of the scheme proposed, and
thought it an important project. Where
would the productions of the Great West go
to when the canals of New York were blocked
up with them? There must be some other
outlet. II the vast bulk OF produce from the
West can be brought to Lake Ontario, some
OF it must slOp over and come down by the
Grand Trunk Railway.
In relation TO the necessity of the project
as military measure, Gov Washburn alluded
10 the settlement of the northeastern boun-
Diary, and the injustice that was then done to
Maine, and said that in case of war with
England, the north western frontier was TO be
defended more by Notifications on our north
east boundary than Ly efforts on the Lakes.
Oswego would be defended not SO much on
her own soil as from the mouth of the NADIA
waska river.
II being suggested by the delegates, that an
expression Of opinion would be desirable,
Gov. Nashbnrn offered aresolution which was
unanimously adopted, approving the project,
and recommending its support TO our delega-
lions in Congress, The meeting then adj
journed