Evening journal., 1904-02-03
SOME HISTORY OF
INLAND WATERWAY
Important Facts Relating to
the Present Delaware and
Chesapeake Canal
MAY Be FATHER Of CONSTITUTION
Josiah Marvel Discovers Some Facts
in Connection With the Canal, Which
Are of Great Historical Interest at
This lime.

1. is not generally known that the Del
aware and Chesapeake Canal which
waterway may in a few years be mado a
ship canal large enough for the largest
bat.isships to pass through. Played a.
rather important part In the making OF
our Federal Constitution This canal has
a history dating back as far as 1885. Josiah
Marvel, who Is a strong believer in. the
benefits that would be derived from The
proposed project, recently came across
some very interesting facts relating to tho
history OF the Delaware and
Chesapeako Canal From these facts he
does not think 4 IL stretching matters
very much to claim that the canal Is the
father OF our Federal Constitution.
These facts IN part arc as follows:
In 1855 commissioners were appointed
by the States OF Maryland and Virginia 10
meet in Alexandria TO discuss tho mutual
Interests OF tho two States In the Chesa-
lpcakc and Ohio Canal. These commits
sioners met in March. l7S and were In
vited by Washington TO come TO AIT. Yer
non as his guests and complete their de-
lllber8tons there. This they I'D although
Washington was not one Of tho JOINT COM
mission.
The commissioners agreed upon n COM
pact OF mutual cooperation between the
two statos Of Maryland and Virginia.
Maryland adopted the compact as report
ed but went further and asked why Dela-
ware should not be asked to Join as the
canal scheme should properly include the
joining OF the Chesapeake ami Delaware
Bays. lie went further stiil and asked-wlhy
80
Towering a uniform system Of duties. Nlr-
lginia then took Up the compact and act
ling on the suggestion from Maryland the
House OF Bnrgesses IN January lie6 In
structed the Governor to invite all the
States TO seud delegates to a convention
10 be held at Annapolis on the FIRST Mon
day in September Of the same year. Al
lare familiar with the rest. the convention
twas held and was followed by the Consu
iutlonaI Convention In 1857. So that a iittl
! meeting az Mt. Vernon 10 discuss a cana
b between Maryland and Virginia resultc
iIn reaching out after Delaware becaus
, of Its canal. and that resulted IN reach
ling out after an the State 70 form IN
3 Federal Union.
You may call the Chesapeake and Ohi'
: Canal the father Of our constitution bu
+ You must call the Chesapeake and Della
ware Canal the uncle OF aun- or mother
ln-law. or some other relation shat Is yer.
lclose and important.
Mr.. Marvel. when asked how the Della
ware and Chesapeake Canal project wa
progressing stated that very encouraging
reports were received showing a unifca
. ton Of efiort In behalf Of the canal as Z
lportion Of an inland canal system ex
tending from Massachusetts 10 Florida
lIt seems 10 be conceded by an parties tina
the greatest amount Of good for III
money expended could be secured by max
ing our canal as the first great link in tn
great chain TO follow. This" said Mr.
n Marvel. is a natural view 10 take Of 1
]. from commercial, as well as patriots
Standpoint