Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-08-25

II we are to have ship canal across
tins Peninsula, the proposition to en-
large the existing Chesapeake s. Della
ware canal is by all odds the most prac-
tical idea yet evolved. Here is water
way ready to hand which, according to
printed estimates, can be put into shape
for the passage of the largest seagoing
vessels at an expenditure not exceeding
S2,5OO,OO0; sum which the Baltimore
trade alone should be able to raise on
sight. 1t is not geographically SO short a
cut to the ocean as some of the projected
routes which have figured on paper for
the past twenty years, but their cost
seems likely to keep them on paper in
definitely, while the cost of this proposed
improvement is Il mere bagatelle in com.
parison.
In connection with this subject,
the following notice of the opening
of this canal, reprinted from the De6a-
a0dre Gazette of October goth, 1920, will
interest our readers:
CANAL CELEBRATION
The celebration of the opening of the
| Chesapeake and Delaware canal took place
| on Saturday last, From the following cor.
respondence it will be seen that the Presi-
| dent Of the United States was invited Ia
attend upon the occasion, but found it out
OF ms power to comply with the request.
| United SdieS-SIR: The Chesapeake and
Delaware canal being now navigable, the
president and directors purpose celebrating
the termination of their labors iii the
course OF the ensuing month.
Gratefully aware Of the interest with
which you have regarded their progress in
| this important work, they have permitted
themselves to indulge a hope that you
| Would not refuse further to honor them by
! witnessing its completion. They have
accordingly directed us to invite your
| presence, and to solicit, in their name,
| that you would be pleased to indicate d
| day ON which it will cnmport with YOUR
convenience to assist III the celebration.
We are, sir. with the highest respect,
\ your most obedicnt servants,
]. Il. KANE,
RoBERT NJ. LEwis,
| WILLIAM Plat
CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL
| OFFICE, PHILADA., Sept. -, lS29
| WASHINGTON, October ID 1920. -Gcntle-
men have received your very polite note
OF the 29th nltlmo, inviting me TO be pres.
| ent ut the opening of the Chesapeake and
| Delaware canal, and to participate with
with You in the celebration of the labors
that have accomplished the happy event.
on any day Of this month which / might
| designate.
The importance of the occasion and the
| tiattering reference TO my convenience al
to the period for its celebration furnish
| the greatest inducement for my compli.
ance with your wishes; but great as they
are, the urgency of my public duties forces
me to forego them The few DAYS which
spent at the Rip Raps, and the accumula.
| ton of business during my ateindisposition
admonish me that shall have no time Il
| spare between this and the approaching
session of Congress, and that must decline
both the honor of appointing the day fol
| the celebration and the pleasure Of re-
Joicing with you at the completion of 4
work which promises 50 much good to the
| Union. You will have, however, my
feryent wishes for its success and for thu,
of all other similar internal improvement
Accept, pray you, tender of my
sincere respect for the body which Vol
represent on this OCCASION and for your.
selves individually, gentlemen, the assur.
anee Of my great regard.
have the honor to he your most obedi.
ent servant, ANDREW JACKSON.