Evening star., 1928-06-01

make 1t navigable from tidewater to
Wills Greek"
Then the Revolution broke, terminal
ing for the time being all thought OF
further internal improvements. No
sooner. however. had hostilities ceased
and the affairs Of the new country
settled themselves into some sort OF
order than Washington. released from
the cares and exactions of military duty
again addressed himself to the subject
of binding the peoples OF the East and
the West closer together in bonds of
mutual amity and interest through
opening up avenues TO facilitate trade
between them.
Washington Explores Reute.
In 1884 Washington explored In per-
son route for waterway up the Poto-
mac and as far west as Pittsburgh.
making . detailed report. estimating
distances and dealing with the advan-
tages and DISADVANTAGES Of several alter
native routes which he had examined.
He considered the Potomac Ohio to be
unecuivocaIly the best route for approx
imation Of Eastern and Western waters
1t was Washingtons plan. as already
indicated. 70 use the bed Of the Potomac
as the actual waterway to the West, cir
cumnavigating the naturally impossible
points by the cutting Of short detouring
canals around them. Included In his
scheme was o short portage between
the head waters Of the Potomac on the
east and those Of the Youghioghany on
the west slope Of the Alleghenies He
advocated most strongly in correspond
ence with the Governors of Virginia and
NGAw n1A~ h <mN
and others the importance Of opening
up cheap and easy communication with
the Western country, between which
and the Eastern seabOard stood inter
posed the frowning impediment Of the
Alieghenies.
Through Wasnington's efforts q CON-
pany called the Potomac Co. was ineor-
porated in December. 1884. By concur
rent acts Of the Legislatures Of Virginia
and Maryland, 10 carry out the imme-
date project he had in mind. The
charter provided capital stock OF 500
shares. par value fiOo. with power Of
enlargement. and was soon subscribed.
Work vas commenced In August, l7e5.
the detouT canals around Great Falls
and Little Falls. remains Of which are
stiu ia evidence on the Virginia side Of
the river, having been made about that
time.
Al the solicitation Of jefferson, Madi-
son and other distinguished men who
we're collaborating with him, Wa&hing-
ton reluctantly consented 70 accept the
presidency Of the Potomac Co. and as
slKned this ONCE May II, i5e5, retain
ing II until he became President Of the
United States.
Stewart IL Elected.
II was not until 1920. years after
Washington had passed away, that IL
vas generally conceded that the scheme
10 make the Potomac River nasigable
wss inpracticable and that the object
sought could be Accomplished only by
construction Of an independent continu-
osas canal placed above the influence Of
tides and fresiaets. At this tsincture
Andrew Stewart. grandfather Of the
writer of this article, rising young
lawyer 81 UniOntoTn. Fayette County.
Pa. came 10 Congress 10 represent the
eighteenth Pennsylvania district. He
had already been o member Of the
Pennsyiyania legislature for several
terms. - well as United States attorney
for western Pennsylvania.
He became deeply interested in the
continuous canal project. and exerted
every effort 10 interest Congress and DIT
Il through. He fought ysliantIy for It's
mpi.ehnaent He encountered. how
ever. On the one hand indifference and
on tas other violent opposition 70 this
scHenae. even from many of his own
constituents
stewart. falling 10 enlist SUFFICIENT
sIppoF. and interest either IN commit
tes Or on tas hoor Of the House 70 OBJ
tain appropriation fr0sn Congress. from
his own State on the State Of Maryland.
undertook 70 have o survey made on
sss ogH responsibility, and assisted In
peTso8 Ia carrying IL out O1 the ground
Ia tnis undertaking ne enlisted the
services of his w1fe's first cousin. james
Gngsysr. an Accomplished engineer, vino
GO lIss aEtalzl Lkchn!caI work d the