Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-04-08
WATER TRANSPORTATION.
The Atlantic and Great Western
CauaI-COuventiOn af Governors and
Leading Citizens of Sou uthern and
western States Called.

The Atlantic and Great Western
CanaI-CouventiOn Of Governors and
Leading Citizens of sou uthern and
western States Called.
Gov. Smith, Of Georgia, has addressed
the following letter to the Governors and
leading citizens of the Southern and West
ern States:
ATLANTA, GA, March 81, 1873.-ST: l
had the honor in November last of calling
the attention of the Governors of many Of
the States to the importance Of the Atlantic
and Great Western Canal. By this work
it's proposed to connect the Tennessee
river, and through that river the entire sys-
tenn of inland navigation of the West with
the Atlantic ocean at Savannah and Bruins
wick. Georgia. | then invited the Cover
nors of many Of the Western States to meet
at Atlanta for the purpose of considering
and discussing the steps to be taken for the
accomplishment of this grand enterprise.
Owing to unforeseen circumstances, how
ever, that meeting was unavoidsbly post
poned. Since then, the interest felt IN
Congress and among the people generally
in increasing the means Of cheap and easy
communication by water, between the great
producing and consuming sections OF the
country has deepened and widened.
In nv Judgment the time has come for
meeting. such as the Cne mentioned, in or
der that the advantages Of the proposed en-
terprise nav be thoroughly diseased and
understood, and some definite plan Of ac-
ton for its accomplishment matured. My
object in addressing you this comm unlea-
ton is to earnestly and cordially invite you
to unite in a convention OF the Governors
of the Southern, Western and Northwest
ern States, to be held for the purpose men
toned at Atlanta, Georgia, on the zOth day
of May next.
AS the proposed canal will run in most
of its length through this State, it would
seem proper for me, as the Executive there
of. to take the initiative in this matter.
The advantages to result from the enter
prise under consideration are so obvious,
that a mere reference to them here is
deemed all that is necessary. 1t is, IN fact,
the only line of water communication be-
tween the A. Iantic seaboard and the West
which can be constructed at reasonable
cost, and which WOald be unnbstructed at
all seasons of the year. The best means
for securing cheap transportation TO meet
the rapidly developing resources of the
country, is the question which should en-
gage the thoughtful attention Of statesmen.
It is moreover my earnest desire that
citizens of other States, occupying official
positions, should visit our State, iexamine
for themselves the facilities that can be
afforded for this great avenue Of trade, and
st the same time enjoy the hospitalties of
our people. Such visit would, in my
opinion, eonduce in no small degree to q
complete restoration of harmony and good
feeling between ali sections Of our common
country.
If it should not suit your convenience TO
be present in person at thu convention
l ask that your Excel
Iency will do us the honor to send such
delegation thereto as will represent your
own wishes and the interests Of your
State.
l enclose herewith copy Of the report
submitted to Congress by the Committee
on Commerce, to which l respectfully ip-
vite your earnest attention,
Hoping to receive an early and favorable
to this communication, am yoI,"II
obsdient servant,
LANES NJ. SMITH,
Governor of Georgia.