Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-30

ga ship canal meeting were given. w
continue the report of the meeting. Attn
conclusion of the speech of Hon. job
Young, the President introduced the er
gineer who had surveyed the route of tn
proposed canal.
REMARKS OF j. b. MILLS.
Mr.. Mills said that tho st. Lawrence
the natural outlet of the great lax es
This is fact. Now it is possible tor tn
people of Burlington, by the construction
of this canal, to bring the st. Lawrence
through their doors. And what would
that accomplish 1t would bring all thu
reat lakes with their fertile shores, ant
the Pacific, by the Pacific railroads, int
connection with Burlington. And thi
connection would not be transitory. /
would be for all time. 1t would max,
Burlington the entrepOt for New England
The products of the West would b.
poured into it, for distribution by the rail
roads which diverge from it. He re
marked on the rapid growth of transpor-
tation in this country. No man could
compute it. Men might figure; but the
figures are fools. They will fall far shor,
of the grand contamination. He told al
incident in his experience to illustrate hi,
point More than twenty years ago s. b
Ruggles, an expert statistician, made an
estimate of the future traffic of the Erie
canal for only five years. He was ridi-
culed for his wild estimates. But the
facts exceeded his figures. So to-day no
man can estimate the future growth OF
the trade of this country. 1t will surpass
every calculation. 1t will carry wealth
and growth and prosperity all along its
thoroughfares and into all its depots.
Mr.. Mills discussed the effect of this
work on Burlington. And in reply to
objections, considered its relations to the
Champlain canal. He avowed his advo-
cacy of the Champlain enlargement, not
merely to the size of the Erie canal, but
to be a ship canal, so that the ship loaded
at Chicago may put down its cargo in
Troy or New York without transhipment
Mr.. Mills was enthusiastic concerning the
future. But his enthusiasm seemed to be
based upon intimate acquaintance with
the resources of the couhtry.
After music by the band, the President
read letters from several gentleman who
were unable to be present, Hon A. T.
Calf and Hon Mr.. Holton of Canada,
Gov. Onslow Stearns and Ex-Governor
John Gregory Smith of Vermont, also the
following:
LETTER FROM HON. VIM SWIFT, PREsI-
DENT OF THE FITCHBURG ROAD.
Boston, June 10, 1870.
An engagement will prevent me from
H.
sent at the convention at Burlington on
the 23d instant, in aid of the Caughna-
waga Ship Canal. You know / have
always favored that enterprise; indeed |
it may be sal d to be tie enterprise which |
is now most essential to the welfare OF
New England, or at least to that portion
OF it traversed by the railroads and their
which terminate at Lake
Champlain.
But enough has already been promul-
gated to the public through the published
of the Boston Board of Trade
Of the goth ult, on the subject. What
Intend ut present ta say that prajaet ia {
not for outsiders, but to the members OF
your Board of Trade; and it is this
gentlemen, the prosecution of the under
taking which you are to consider next
huloduy JOul - JOu
should be so unwise as to let it slip, de-
pend on it you cannot regain it, at least
during the life of this generation, there.
fore have forethought In regard thereto,
and come manfully up and literally assist
the important undertaking with gene
rous subscriptions, for when accomplished
it will make Burlington one of the largest
OF inland cities, as well as grand entry
g.. . H. IS = h., I'll
trade and merchandise in general, thereby
inviting population, capital, and monied |
and other business institutions, which are
always in quest of large and thrifty COM
mercial communities, and which yours
will certainly be, as nothing but your
own supineness in regard to this matter
can prevent it. just look for moment
at the admirable situation of Burlington,
for expansion; its capabilities in that
direction are conceded to be almost indie
finite. Then again look at her with this
work accomplished. My word for it, ere
the close of another decade she will pos
sess near on TO one hundred thousand In
habitants, with her spacious piers, ware
and store houses and elevators, rivalinp
Buffalo and the child is born that will
see her all but the equal of Chicago,
making millionairies of some of your real
estate holders, and merchant princes OF
many members of the Board of Trade.
Then look once more and see the in
fuence it will exert on the prosperity OF
your whole State, putting into successful
operation her now dormant water power,
unearth her minerals, retain her popula
ton, and add intellectually to the aggre
gate OF her wealth and resources. Then,
Instaad pf r. ha1n.y "a unpH Stata tp ami
CRATE from, it will prove one of the best
to migrate to. Now, were l young man,
and in search of place to locate, with
this canal constructed, Burlington would
undoubtedly be my choice.
Finally, gentlemen, 1t is for you to put
this undertaking at once in motion, there
fore come forward with your assistance
and thereby show your faith in it by your
work. Don't let the subscription leave
Burlington, l beseech you until you have
headed it with 100000 and that have
no doubt will secure the accomplishment
of the project.
Your friend,
r. VIM. SWIFT.
Hon. LEVI UNDERWOOD, Burlington VT
LETTER FROM HARRISON STEPHENS OF
....5. MONTREAL.
MONTREAL, June IA.
Hon. Legi U1deaoo0d, Burlington.
DEAR SIR II rrceiv.d your esteemed
favors OF the 27th ut ana 9Th iuet. Alt
though a previous engagement prevents
my attending your meeting, | regard the
undertaking in question with feelings OF
deep interest and you have my best wishes
for its success. The prosperity Of COM
munity depends mainly upon its facilities
for the cheap and rapid transportation OF
its products to market. The proposed
canal will bring the New England States |
nearer in point of time to the great West |
With regard to the substantial value of
this great work, and the extended com
mercial benefits to follow its completion,
as specially affecting in beneficial man.
ner the interests of the New England
States and the country bordering on Lake
Champlain. no one who has any knowl-
edge of the magnitude and rapid increase
of the trade drawn from the fertile and
prosperous countries on the shores of our