The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-11-18

evident even to the least sanguru.
that the long-talked-of work was real
ly to be carried through.
Plan Ridicuied by Baltimore.
A visitor at Mount Vernon in the
summer of 1885 found Washington
quite pleased at the idea of the
Baltimore merchants laughing at him,
and saying it was ridiculous plan.
and would never succeed. They be-
gin now, says the general, to look a
little serious about the matter, as
they know it must hurt their COM
merce amazingly"
The scheme had shown its real con-
sequence in the spring Of that very
year, when it brought commissioners
from the two states that lay upon the
river together in conference to devise
plans of cooperation.
Commission at Mount Vernon.
Both Virginia and Maryland had APP
pointed commissioners. and NEE ing
had been set for March, 1785. at Alex
andria- For some reason the Virgin
ian commissioners were not properly
notified of the place and time of con-
ference. The meeting was held,
nevertheless, minority Of the Vir-
ginian commissioners being present,
and as if to give it more the air Of
cordial conference of neighbors.
Washington invited the representa-
Alexandria to Mount Vernon
There they sat, his guests. from Fri
day to Monday. He was not formally
of the commission; but conference
was not confined to their formal ses-
sions, and his counsel entered into
their determinations.
Wants General Conference.
It was evident that two states were
not enough to decide the questions
submitted to them. Pennsylvania, at
least, must be consulted before the
full line of trade they sought could
be drawn from the head-waters of the
Ohio to the head-waters of the Poto-
mac; and II three states were to con-
suit upon questions of trade which
concerned the whole continent. why
should not more be invited, and the
conference be made general.
Such was the train of suggestion,
certainly, that ran in Washington's
mind, and which the commissioners
carried home with them.
A Tour Of Inspection.
Every sign of the time served to
deepen its significance for Washing
ton
Just before quitting the army he
had ridden upon tour of inspection
into the valley of the Mohawk, where
a natural way, like this of the Poto-
mac, rant from the northern settle
/ ments into the west. He knew that
the question of joining the Potomac
with the Ohio was but one item Of
policy which all the states must con-
slider and settle-nothing less than the
policy which must make them an en-
piFe or doom them to remain a weak
and petty confederacy.
The commissioners did not put all
into their reports to their respective
assemblies.
Trade Movement Spreads.
They recommended only that, be-
sides cooperating with each other
and with Pennsylvania In opening q
way to the western waters. Virginia
and Maryland should adopt q uniform
system of duties and of commercial
regulations, and should establish uni
finn rules regarding their currency.
But the Maryland assembly Itself
went further. 1t presently informed
the Virginia legislature that 1t had
not only adopted the measures
recommended by the commissioners.
but thought 1t wise to do something
more. Delaware ought to be consult
ed, with view to carrying straight
water course, by canal. from Chesa-
peake bay to the Delaware river; and.
since conference could do no harm
and bind nobody, it would be as well
to invite all the states to confer with
them. for the questions involved
seemed far-reaching enough to justify
1t, II not to make it necessary. Gov.
ernor Bowdoin Of Massachusetts had
that very year urged his Legislature
to invite a general convention OF the
states in the interest Of trade.
The whole country was in . tam
! gle OF disagreement about granting
to congress the power to lay i'm
posts; Gardoqui, it was rumored.
was insisting. for Spain, upon closing
the Mississippi; twas evident enough