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FRANCIS HALL, *» JAMES CLOWES, and " NATHAN ROBERTS, EJ^GIJVJSERS, ySmplm'^ to Attvties a %int of », Jili ESSAY ON CANALS. to establish great market towns and thriving villages on the bank$ of the St. Lawrence? might he not inform Chem that thT« may be done by means of an uninterrupted mland navigation, extending from Montreal to \ake Superiour, affording our population a cheaf) and safe outlet to the Atlantic, and (if it ever be granted us) to a$ free a foreign market, for our surplus produce, as is now possessed \>y the citizens of the United States? Read ' the tlegant language in which Mc.^ Clinton embodies his opinion of the results to be expected from the completion uf the Erie oanal : Cannot we too participate in the benefits uf an extensive back country? are our energies to remain for ever dormant.^ do we not possess the finest grain-growing country in North America i' are wc not under the fostering wing of the richest, the best, the most enlight- ened of nations? and shall it be said that, though nature had done wonders for our commercial cities, genius and judgment triumphed over -almost insuperable barriers, and made New- York the "granary uf the world," while Montreal continued to be, comparatively speak- ing, almost unknown ? It must not, cannot be — the Lachine canal is an earnest of more extensive operations; and I trust I shall yet live to see ships built in England, unloading their assorted cargoes at Niagara and Sandwich ! "Every year's ezperieace," rays Mr. ClintoD, speaking of the Erie canal, "willefi- bauce the results in tlie public estimation, and benefits will be nnfolded which we can now hardly venture to anticipate. As a bond of union between the Atlantic and western statM, a may prfivent the. dismembernr^n! or the Amorican empire. As an organ oTcommunica- tiun between the Hudson, thd Mississippi, the St Lawrence, the great lakes of the north and west, anU their tributary rivers, it will create the greatest inland trade eve(p witnewed -• The most fertile and extensive regions of America wilt avail themselves of its facilities for a market. All their surplus productions whether of the soil, the forest, the mines, or the waters, their fabricks of art, their supplies of foreign commodities, will concentrate in the city of New York, for transportation abroad or consumption at home. Agriculture, manufac- tures, commerce, trade, navigation and the arts, wit! receive a corrrspondent encouragement. That city will, in the course of time becomr the granary of tke world, the emporium of commerce, the seat of mnnufactures, the focus of great mouied operations, and the concen- trating point of vast disposable and accumulating capitals, which will stimulate, enliven, extend and reward the exertions of human labour and ingenuity, in all their processes and ex- hibitions. And before the revoluttoa of a century, the whole island of Manhattan, covered with habitations and replenished with a dense population, will constitute one vast city.*' I earnestly desire it may be as is here anticipated, 9nd I would fain hope, as Montreal possesses natural advantages, fn many respects superiour to the Federal commercial capital, that so it may also in- crease and overspread the isle of that name, with an industrious and happy population; and that its silver spires and glittering roofs may, ere long, embellish and surround, on every side, the beautiful moun- tain at the base of which it is situated. Anticipating the greatness of the western country, the Erie canal commissioners, when speaking of the Niagara river, and more parti- cularly of the stupendous harbour now erecting at Black Rock, use the following language : *' Why may it not, then, become the scene of important transactions^ Situated at the place where the most extensive internal natural navigation upon earth, connects, with the ftngest line of uobrobeu artificial uaTigation erer produced by ib« labom of mao, and i» '; . ft % m: :' 1 l! i: I 11 ? m w^^ 4 ' ' AN l!S9AY on' CANALS the immediate vinioitj of the greatest water power, for moTiDg machinery in the world, tbii immenat harbor will be tinted. Our people are vigilont to diicover and explore the •ources of inland trade. Thejr are sagacious in all the combinations of icientifick principles/ of mechanical powers, or of chymical agents, which can subserve the interests of the manu- facturer ; and they are growing wiser every day, in regnrd to the proper objects of a nation- al policy. Under the most favourable auspices, these people are increasmg, their wealth is accumulating, their security is established ; and, when our inteHour seas shall have a population on their borders equal to that on the borders of the Mediterranean — when our xvholc territory, between the Atlantic and the Pacific, shall be filled wiili cntcrpiioini;, pros- perous, free, ^d happy inhabitants, there will be found no spot in the intrriour uf tL>iH con- tinent presenting more motives toindustiy, more business, or more wealth, than the shores of Niagara." What ah honour— 'what an etsllted satisfaction must it yield to the itiiud of the philanthropist, to consider that, by aiding in the im- pravement of our inland communicatihns, he assii>ts in paving thd way, and in smoothing the path for millions of h*eemen,yet unborn^ to the fertile regions of western America. There can be no doubtj if a union of the whole of the colonies, ftt even of th^ two provinces, is elTected, antl if the Canadian company, (of the formation of which, we have only of late heard some proba- ble rumours,) be incorporated upon a liberal basis, but that the in- ternal resotirccs of th? Canadas, and the facilities which the line of the St. Lawrence affords for the improvement of the means of trans^ porting property to and from our most western boundaries, will im- mediately occupy the attention of their united legislatures, and of the monied men in Britain, who have already done a great deal towards aiding the New- York caiial, by Way of loans. The Lachinc canal is now nearly all open, and the beneficial ef- fects resulting therelrom, being placed immediately in the view of the wealthiest and most enterprising men in Canada, will doubtless act as a stimulus, and induce them to embark capital in similar underta- kings having a tendency to increase the wealth, and improve the commerce of Montreal. While I dislike the arbitrary and illiberal principles of the honourable John Richardson^ as manifested in his proceedings as a legislator, I dare not withhold my humble meed of praise from him, as the life and soulj the very De Witt Clinton of the Lachine canal. His exertions have been unwearied — nothing could damp his ardour — he has conquered a multitude of prejudices in others — he has given the energies of his mind to the grand work — he has endured much bodily fatigue — but he has his reward; and it is a rich one; for \Vhen the memory of his austere manners and high-handed politicks will be buried in oblivion, the Lachine canal, its progress and completion, will be cOnpled with his name by all fu- ture generations. The Chambly canai, a Very useful tmdertaking, will, when finished, prove very beneficial to the commerce carried on in that part of Lower Canada and the adjoining states. Notwithstanding the noble advantages which their great canal af- fords, the people of the United States have lately strained every nerve to obtain, by treaty with Great Britain, the privilege of a free navi- gation of the St. Lawrence, to its mouth, for their shipping. Should «]ur government incline to put the Canadas upon a respectable foot- inj tht is ANt> INLAND NAVlGAtlOIf. ^i: 4IW, ing, so as to induce emigrants to remain in the country, t cannot say tliat 1 should be sorry for their (the U. S.) bad success. The project of a canal, to connect lakes Champlain and Ontario, is intended to further their great plan of making New-York theem^ porium of the western world, by attracting thither not oulj; the trade of a great part of their own St. Lawrence territories, but also of Upper Canada; and my opinion is, that, were Great Britain to aid the colonies in improving the river navigation, and in making Mon- treal that superiour and certain market, which the following memo- rial, presented to the legislature of the state of New-York last Feb- ruary, describes the city of that name to be at this time, the trade of a great proportion of the eastern bank of the St. Lawrence would continue to find its outlet to the ocean by the way of Quebec. — Moreover, when it is considered that American dour will Jind its way to a foreign market, and there compete with British Canadian pro- duce, it seems to me advisable that every facility' should be afforded to the citizens of the United States, in the countries bordering on the St. Lawrence, to induce them to give a preference to the Montreal market. A similar doctrine is urged by Mr. Webster, in his speech on the tariff; and with due submission to the opinions of those who efiectiially opposed his sentiments on that important subject, 1 en- tirety coincide with him in his enlarged and liberal views. " .\ ni<;morta) having been presenttil to the legislature now in scsgion by the counties in the northern section of the state, praying for the survey of the route of a canal, to connect lakes Ontario anil Chainpiain, compiciicingat the foot of sloop navi;i;ation of the river St. Lawrence (Otiilcnsburg) about sixty miiis hrlow the outlet of the former, which will form a eontinw edline oftvater commu'/licalion between that nver and IkiscUy ; it is considered the subject is of sulHcieiit interest to the publict;, to slate some of the leading ideas connected with the proposed measure " I. The principal inducement to the application is the restricted state of the trade of the country bordcring^ on the river St. Laierence, the productions nf wh' jh were heretofore «x» chaitely conveyed by n>cans of that river to the Montreal market, but from which they are now almost entirely debarred by prohibitory duties on American produce, imposed with a view to the encouragemrnt of Upper Canada, witli whose inhabitants the exporters of this state ar'; in direct collision in that market. " 3 . The country comprising the northern border of this state, trom kiie river Cbateaipgayt to Snckett's Harbour, is 140 miles in length, of which 20 miles from the river is generally smooth and level ; thence in the interior, it becomes gradually irregular but for the next ten or fifteen miles, the whole is in a course of settlement and improvement. Taking a mean breadth of 30 miles from the river, there is an extent of country of 4200 square miles, at large as all the counties on the Hudson river, which contained in 1820, a population of 230,- 000, or as the following counties in the western district united, Ontario [before its division,] Seneca, Cayuga and Onohdasa, which at that time contained nearly &e same number of inhabitants. The population of this northern border of the state comprising the countie. of St. Lawrence, Franklin, and part of Jeflferson, have between the census of 1810 and 1820, increased as rapidly as those western counties, which within that time, have nearly doubled their population, and it cannot admit of a doubt, that no portion of the state presents a tract of equal rxtent, superior for cultivation and improvement to the valley of St:' Lawrence. " 3. It then becomes a question whether the state will leave this extensive country entire- ly deprived of a convenient market, which would necessarily have the effect cf suspending its growth, or whether, looking forward upon rational calculation to the population it will ere long possess, it will consent that the whole amount of its trade shall be conveyed dowa the river St. Lawrence to Montreal [should that market be hereafter free to it] to benefit the merchants and ship owners of a foreign power, and not take measures in due time to se- cure that trade to itself " 4. This effect would inevitably be produced Iiy the proposed canal for the following rea- rons : 1st. The dangerous and tedious Davigatiuu of tlie rapids would be avoided. 2d. It If;' ,!■■ ■qpFftHmps;^ ■U. VI ■mr .^ 9 AN ESSAY ON CANALS fe ! Would lire to the exportera the payment of foreign dutiei. 4th. Thrrt will he a diminution of expenses on tho import and export trade, /rom many incidental ckargti (U JtfontrMi, the ncceiiity of proceRdlng with the at ailt of their salei at that place, to thii city, to pretfure retarn lupplies for the country. " 6. The caiuU would ojptn a eonMerahlt source oflradt wiih Upper Canaila. In regard to impurtalion from thence, the same rrasons which irould induce the borderer on the St. Lawrence to prefer it as a channel of trade for its facility and infeiy oftrantportalion, and ita oondocting to a more eligible market, would induce tbs inhabitant! of that province to give it the preference. It would alio inorease the export trade thither, which it now carried oa to a considerable extent Many of the manufaatured article* of the Atate are admitted nn- der moderate duty, and the article of cotton g«od««ubject to a dtity of 10 per cent ad valo« rem, forms a principal part of the exporta. The disposition of the waters bordering on Ca- nada would much facilitate this trade. The river St. Lawrence and the bav of Quinte, which opens upou it, present tot;ether at least 130 miles ofnavigaliuu for canal boots, which gives a decided advantage to the proposed canal, m comparison wiili any mode of obtaining diis trade through the (iorts of laKv Ontario, as it is luinciently known that the lake cannot be crossed by boats of that description. '' It is the apprehension of the total removal of the trade of the 230,- 000 persons, mentioned in the above memorial, from Quebec and Montreal, that would induce inc to pause ere I recommended the course of canal by which it is proposed to connect lake Ontario with the Ottawa river — yetl do not say but that this inland route may be the best — I only state that it would atford uo additional facilities to the Americans to bring their produce to Montreal. 1 shall here proceed to make a few extracts from a report of the commissioners, appointed by virtue of an act of the legislature ofihn province, to make provision for the improvement of the internal na- vigation thereof. Speaking- of tlie best inland canal route from Kingston to Montreal, they remari^, that " The Rideau river seemed to oppose fewer obstacles, and it also presented a shorter cours: from Kingston to the still water of the Ot- tawa below the Chaudieres falls, the examination of the Petit Nation river, which was more distant and less promising, though also in contemplation, was postponed until the localities of the Rideau had been fully explored. "The engineer was therefore instructed to commence his surveys near Kingston, and to gain the Rideau (if possible, below the lake of that name) by the most direct line and lowest summit he might discover. It was at the same time suggested that he would probably meet with the lowest summit at a place in the township of Kitley, called Plum Hollow, where the waters of the Rideau and Gauanoque very closely approach each other. "With these views for his guidance, the engineer begun to explore the level on the twelfth day of June, and continued incessantly en- gaged with it until the fifteenth day of November, when the severity of the weather, and the necessity nS reporting on the progress of the survey, put a period to his operatitm. The result, so far as there was time to proceed this season, is detailed in the following statement furnished by the engineer, and will be further elucidated by the ac- companying maps and plans."* The estimate continues to give, in detail, the expense of the pro- * Bf» report aod accompooyiog documents, *4^ t. , ANS INLAND MAViaATION. f posed canal from Kingston Bay for sixty-6ve miles; after which, the cooimissioners proceed to state: "Thus it appears that a good and easy navigation, sixty-five milef in length, for vessels drawing six feet water, carrying one hundred and twenty tons, and capable of braving the weather on lake Ontario, might be acquired at an expense not exceeding £70,000, a sum ab- solutely insignificant, when compared with the magnitude of the oh* ject, for attaining which it woula be applied*" " The form of the bridges, which are mtended to admit masts and standing rigging, perhaps, render the plan more feasible on the pro* posed canal than on such as do not afford similar advantages to the craft which ply on their waters. A circumstance which may not be unworthy of remark is, that, on *he whole route, so far as the survey has been completed, i. e. on a line of sixty-five miles, neither em- bankment or culvert is required, and it is questionable whether this fact has a parallel in canal surveying. Though the plain reason of this singularity is, that the natural course of the waters has been stu- diously adhered to, it nevertheless illustrates the uncommon facilities of the route more amply than the most laboured arguments or ab- stract calculations." "From the lower end of Rideau lake, where the summit pound teriatnates, to the foot of the Chaudieres falls, in the township of Ne- pean, the distance, by following the windings of the Rideau river, is about sixty miles, which will probably make the total length of the ct'.nal, from lake Ontario to the river Ottawa, about 135 miles. " Owing to the causes already adverted to, the line of the canal through the last sixty miles, could not be established this year. By dint of exertion, however, the engineer carried a level down to the Ottawa river, at the village of Sherwood, below the Chaudieres, and ascertained the descent from the summit level to be two hundred and sixty-eight feet 33 1-2 decimals; this fall, when added to one hun- dred and fiAy-four feet, 10 1-2 decimals, the rise from lake Ontario to the summit level, makes an aggregate of 422 feet 44 decimals^ for which not fewer than forty-five locks will be required." The report is dated York, 20th December, 1823, and by the fol- lowing paragraph, which we take from the Montreal Herald of the 11th inst. it will be seen that the subject now engages the immedi- ate attention of one of our members of parliament, who will be able to communicate the result of his observations to our legislature at its next meeting. " We are happy to understand that the member of parliament for Perth, in Upper Canada, and another gentleman of that place, had, a few days ago, proceeded to explore the navigation of the Rideau, with the view of ascertaining the practicability of forwarding pro- duce and receiving goods to and from Montreal, by the Ottawa, in- stead of the St. Lawrence as heretofore. Though hitherto neglected* we believe the communication by water, between this city and the tnilitary settlements on this side Kingston, is much shorter by the » if' tti & Jr 11 %> ». •> il ',■' •r Alf KSiSAT ON C\NA;^ former than by iTie latter river; and therefore hope that little cliffl cully 'vill be experienced in rcnderiiit^ the minor comnuuii cations between the Ottawa and the s.ettlements practicable for small crat\, Bn well as a channel of uninterrupted intercourse between both pro- vinces." The cut at Burlinf^ton Bay has been, by the commissioners, most judiciously placed under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Hall, and I doubt not but that that able pupil of the scientiftck Telford will, in due time, br..)g the undertaking; to a conclusion satisfactory to the country, and gratifying to all who desire its improvement. The proposal that has been made by doctor Strachan and others, to sell lands, and thereby rais? funds to make canals, will not be found to answer on trial — the money must come from another source. — Let the canals be once made, and then property will rise, and land become valuable. Mr. Gourlat, who traversed on foot a great part of this province, and of a consequence was well acquainted with its localities, has the following remarks on canals: " But, gentlemen, I now proceed to the grand purposes for which taxation, on the proposed plan, when once adoptod, and put in spi«> rited action, may accomplish— i-I mean its application to the improve- ment of the St. Lawrence navigation; and its being made a bond of connexion between Canada and England — a bond by which both countries may reap infinite advantage. Let me first, however, rid myself of a little iafent contempt, by laughing outright at the grave resolutions of your last session, to apply to his royal highness, the prince regent, for a hundred thousand acres of land, to be intrusted to a committee for executing this great work out of the sales thereof. God help us! what will the sale of a quantity of land fetch, as things are now managed ? Truly, perhaps as much as, added to the pittance (£2,000) voted out of the taxes of the province for defraying the ex- penses of a survey, might complete that object respectably with plans and estimates. Very truly, my clodhopping brothers: — most august legislators, 1 am ashamed of you : so do be so good as to wipe ofi' this nonsensical concern along with the gagging act, that we may all be friends again ; and, in the issue, recover some little«claim to the possession of common sense. You cannot think how anxious I am to get home to England, and report you all in a sane state of mind after the damnable alarm you have given to John Bull. — Well, ho- ping the best, let us proceed. " Gentlemen, the St. Lawrence navigation should be looked to as a great national object; this province affording security for the repay- ment of all charges, and Britain promoting the work with a loan of money, and the supply of hands. Was tlie aflair properly reprcr sented to the imperial parliament, there would neither be difficulty nor delay in the accomplishment. Permit me to give you a slight sketch of ways and means, for the sake of illustration. Now that there is peace, Britain could spare out of her population, annually, 100,000 souls with advan* ge; but they who would willingly emi- AND INLAND NAVIQATION. I '' grate, have uot the means of transport. My very first fancy towards tJpjper Canada, burned forth from a desire to effect the vast object of midbg a vent for these poor people, with whose circumstances I have been peculiarly well acqu«i|ited for near twenty years; but Aere I am, for my ceal in the cause. Under the wing of wealthy farmers, many thousands of them might, before now, have been comfortably lodged in the province, had all gone well; .and by-JMZt •■romcr, many thousands may still be at work on the St. Lawrence navigation.'* GouRLAY III, p. ccclxxxvii. "But if, by the raising, and thus foolishly squandering away so much money, so many advantages are to be produced, what would be the mighty triumph of economy, when the money and labour was expended on useful publick works — above all, on improving the St. Lawrence navigation, which 1 have already stud presents the noblest object for speculation within the wide compass or nature.^ Oh! it is delightful to muse upon the consequences of such ^ scheme being put in execution: to think of the profit! — the utility! — the sum of relief |o the poor of England! — the security to Canada! — the glory to the nation! — 15,000 souls annually rescued from distress, and fairly es- tablished :n the highway of vigour and enjoyment!!! But when it has been a few years in action, let mc visit Little York: — ^let me in- quire for our old friend Land-lubber. He was for the first year of the tax, really disagreeable; sulky to a degree^ and from tiltfe to tine would bellow out, "Damn that wretch Gourlay,^ who first proposed this cursed coercion act." By the second year. Land-lubber could not help, in the course of nature, being better tempered, as the thriAy scheme of living had considerably lessened the dropsical swelling in his ancles, and he had not half so many twitches of the gout. The third year Land-lubber walked out daily, and inquired as to the price of land, which had now risen from two to four dollars an ucre. The fourth year, it was really pleasant to sec him : clean in the shank, and with a face full of glee, it was hard to say whether he or his cane would win the race, as he bustled about asking the news — the pro- gress of navigation'— the arrival of emigrants — ihe price of land, the price of land! " One day, as I stood at De Forest's hotel door, he could not help, in the joy of his heart, bursting the fetters of an old grudge, and made up to me. "Well, sir, the weather is very fine indeed: have you heard any news to-day f" "It is just reported, Mr. Land-lub-* ber, that the grand canal will be finished next month, and that the y;ood ship Britannia, of 300 tons, is fitting out in style at Quebec, to bring up his excellency the governor in chief, to make the first debut on lake Ontario, on the canal: land has risen another dollar an acre this last month; and 10,000 emigrants of respectability are now on their way from Europe, to make purchases here, and become setders.'' "Mr. G. that is really excellent news — glorious news! W^U you dine ►♦-'• I * Language of ao assemblyuaa in parliament. ■ to AN ESSAY ON CANALS ^': .m: # IK with me to-day? I hope we shall all be good friends again." "In- deed, Mr. Land-lubbor, I never was your enemy: only a plain- speaking counsellor, and a little impatient, at times, with those who Would not look forward to the rising grandeur of the province; who soured cver^' hope with unfounded suspicions, and low jealousies.'* "Well, well, it is all over now: all's well that ends well: you must dine with ine, and give me some more news about lands and emi- gruiits. Oh, charming weather! Ob, fine times! Our rising ^and- cur ! Our rising grandeur ! ! I" " J shall dine with you most wilfihgly, Mr. L., but you must now promise to assist me in blowing up Little York." "Oh! certainly, my friend: 1 swear I shall have a t*)rch read}' for you at command. These narrow streets, and miserable, dirty, unpainted, clapboarded huts, will never suit our rising grand- eur: even that great gawky-looking brick house must come down: aye, garrison and all must be blown up. Well, we shall talk more of it after dinner; so good bye-^good bye. Ha! ha! ha! Land up! Houra! Our rising grandeur! Our rising grandeur!!!" "The execution of such a work as the St. Lawrence navigation, by the scheme proposed, settles the question of expense, as of no con- sequence. I spoke of a scale to admit vessels of 200 tons burden ; and in doing so, 1 considered both as to what would brave the ocean, and what would not be inconveniently large for internal navigation. Should it be deemed advisable to have large vessels in the trade, any additional expense should never for a moment be thought of, as an objection. The Lachine canal is to admit only boats. This may suit the merchant of Montreal, but will not do for Upper Canada. Indeed, I am doubtful if our great navigation should at all touch Montreal; and radier think it sliould be carried to the northward. Here, however, I am without per.-^onal knowledge. As lo the line within the province, my mind is made up, not only from inquiries commenced on nft first arrival here, but from considerable personal inspection of the ground, as well between lake Ontario and lake Erie, as below. My opinion is, that the navigation ought lo be taken out of the St. Lawrence, near the village of,Iolmstown, in Edwardsburgb, and let into the Ottawa, somewhere below the Hawkesbury rapids: probably in that part of the river called the Lake of the Two Moun- tains. By a bold cut of a few miles, at the first mentioned place, the waters of the St. Lawrence might be conducted to a conmioi* level, which would make the re- 1 of the way practicable, with very ordinary exertion. The idea which has been started by some, of raising die navigation by two stages, first into lake St. Francis, and llience to tiie higlier level, uia\ do for boat navigation; but for ves- sels <>f a larger scale, It is grealiy olijectionable. Any benefit to he derived frtMii the lake, considered as part olthe canal already formed, would be quite overbalaiu ed by the want of a good towing path. A boat navigation may, H thi:ik, with benefit to the parts adjoining, be brocuhtupHs far as Millriish, through lake St. Francis, and thence be taken into the line of the grand canal. The advantages to Upper »* ot , ami ves- to be mccl, \ be ictice <»')^- 'j^^ AND INLAND NAVIGATION. it Canada, from a navigation on a large scale, would be infinite.-^ Only think of the difierence of having goods brought here from Eng- land, in the same bottoms to which they were first committed, instead ofbeing unshipped at Quebec, unboated and warehoused at Mon- treal, carted to the ditch canal, and there parcelled out among petty craft for forwarding to Kingston. Then again at Kingston tumbled about for transport across lake Qntario; and again, if Amherstburgh is the destination, a third time boated, unboated, and reshipped. — Think of thedifl'ereoce in point of comfort and c-nvcnience to mer- chants here. Tliink of the greater dispatch. T;-ink of the saving of trouble and risk ! Think of being unburdened of intermediate com- mission and profits! Think of tlu? closer connexion it would form be- tween this province and England! Think of the greater comfort it woiild afford to emigrants, and how much it would facilitate and en- courage emigration! With navigation on a large scale, ship build- ing would become an object of great importance here, and new ves- sels 'night be ready loaded with produce to depart with the first open- ing in tlie spring. There are but few vessels trading from England to Quebec, which make two voyages in a season, and then it is with increase of risk that the second voyage is performed. Every vessel could leave England, proceed to the extremities of lakes Michigan or Superiour, and get back with ease in a season; or every vessel could leave lakes Erie or Ontario in the spring, proceed to England, get back here, and again take home a second cargo of produce. "In time of war, what security would such a scale of navigation yield! In fact i: would put all competition on the lakes out of ques- tion. Upper Canada would then possess a vast body of thorough- bred seamen and ship carpenters, with abundance of vessels fit to mount guns, not only for their own individual defe.uce, but to consti- tute a navy at a moment's notice. In commercial competition, too, the great western canal of the States would be quite outrivalled by such a superiour navigation. The line of the States' canal must be for ever subjeci to near 400 miles of towing, besides having many coun- teracting locks: liere from Lake Erie downwards, there would not be more than 100 miles of towing, and not a smgle counteracting lock. Upwards, except at the. falls of St. Mary's, where a very short canal would give a free passage, navigation is clear for more than a thousand miles; and when population thickens on the wide extended shores of the Upper Lakes, only think how tiie importance increases of having the transport of goods and produce uninterrupted by handling and shifting from one class of vessels to another, eight or ten times over. Oh! it is quitf^ elevating to look forward to such a noble work; so let us have nothing to do with piddling concerns." "ROBERT GOURLAY." In other parts of Mr. Gourlay's book, the most distinct and gra- phick descriptions are given of the country through which the ca- nals he describes would pass. On the maps attaclied to the work, he faithfully delineates the routes in his opinion most advisable— in- if t : I i: a JiN iiaxv ON canaLs deed, I have heard several deputy surveyors, lAen of great infurlfia' tion as to the topography of Upper Canada, assert that his map^ ivas the most correct that had yet been ma^e of the province. On proceeding to notice the reports of the thr6e engineers that Iiave examined thci various routes by which Erie and Ontario may be united, atid ^hifh are inserted in this number, I conceive it may be proper to state that 1 have taken pains to obtain more full and correct information j'especting the country through which it is pro- posed to carry this canal than I possessed when t last ventnred aa opinion. I have passed, since then, through a great part of it, my- self, have viewed, with pleasure, its growing importance, and am therefore now willing to own freely that, though"my opinion remains unchanged, as respects the superiour utility of a canal /'or conveyinf^ vessels of 100 tons, and upwards, between Erie and L^ntario, yet I ikm free to confess, try first view of the subject did not embrace all the advantages which the route those gentlemen recommend, offer to speculators. The intention of the president, directors, and Company of the tVelland canal, appears to be the cutting of a navigation from On- tario, either from the mouth of the Twelve Mile Creek, or the town of Niagara, to l^rie, near the Grand River mouth, and the advantages which this plan offers are as follows: 1. The country through which it passes will be rendered more healthy. 2. thirty thousand acres of excellent land will be reco- vered and effectually drained. 3. There is an immense field of va- luable and rich iron ore, which may be rendered available in many ways. 4. Many good mill scites may be obtained. 5. The im- provement and population of the country in the line of the canal will be increased many fold. 6. The value of all property near the canal w ill rise. 7. The expenditure which will necessarily happen in car- rying on the works will greatly enrich this section of the country — will enable the farmers to pay their debts to the merchants, and the latter to make very punctual remittances to Montreal. 8. If the Ca- nadian company is incorporated, many British emigrants will be in- duced to settle iti the western country, by the sale of the reserves, and other causes ; not the least of which will be the facilities which this canal may afford to the transportation of produce. 9. If the canal is brought to Niagara village, where much capital has been expended in buildings, purchases of lots, and other improvements, that village ivill continue, in an increased degree, to flourish, and a grist mill to go by water, may be erected, with other water power machinery, whereas, if it is carried to the mouth of this Twelve Mile Creek, where there are no buildings erected, property will decrease proportionably in value in Niagara. 10. As to the advantages to the proprietors, ihe stockholders, that will be in exact proportion as the country may flourish. The New-York canal gave last year from one to two hun- dred thousand dollars revenue — this year it is expected to give three ibundred thousand ; indeed, there is not a canal in the United States ANt> INLAND NAVlCATtOV. and but what yields, or bids fair to yield, a handsome profit. 1 1. The greatest advantage held forth, is to be found in Mr. Hall's report, whore he says that, though a limitation of funds is to be regretted, for the reason I have already stated, namely, the advantages which would result from an uninterrupted schooner navigation, yet he com^ niunicates a valuable and cheering fact, that "thk general dimen^ sioNs OF THIS CANAL MAT BE," afterwards, "enlarged in sections, From an increased facility of boating stuff, stone, TIMBEIt. fkc. AT less expense than bt Proceeding in the first place t(« Execute a commensurate schooner navigation." Though I should rather have seen the same energy displayed at the head of the lake, as to the construction of a canal, yet, since it seems to be the desire of thousands that this canal should go on, t cannot, in my conscience, longer say a word against it. There is a probability that, if this cut be carried into execution, and It turn out a profitable speculation, in a few years there will be entetprise enough in Canada,- either to widen this canal to the due dimensions for schooners, or to Cut one of si proper width and depth from Burlington. Mr. Hall is well described by Mr. Keefer, the president of th<* commissioners, as "a gentleman of much practical knowledge" — l hope and trust that, if the work is gone into, he may be employed as its principal engineer, so well am 1 convinced that his talents and foresight will materially aid the work, and of consequence benefit the ..stockhitiders. Mr. K^^efer describes Mr. Clowes as an engineer of great experience, and states that Mr. Roberts has the entire manage- ment of the western section of the Erie canal. In conclusion I would say, that as to the propriety of continuing the present managers^ or as to their being the best calculated to bring this great work to a happy and satisfactory conclusion, I can- not give an opinion, not having the least personal knowledge of any of them, nor yet heard any remarks made on the subject; but it i a regolar acclivity to the north eait, thereby determining a direction from loue point consideraUy atmve the conflaence of the Chippawa with the Niagara River. Upon the larfaee of thi« table land, varioui atreamt take their rise ; ail descending in a north irest direction, viz : — The £ij(ht, the Ten, and the Twelve Mile Creeks— (he head water of the latter stream haa been found progressively lower than those to the eastward. A line has been levelled 1^ Mr. Clowes, and verified by me in nearly a direct coarse (Vom Big Creek, upon Brown's Farm, Township of Thorold, to the Middle Branch of the Twelve*Mile Creek ; this Level has been carried six feat under the average waters of the Chippawa, passing the Dividing Ridge, composed of strong adhesive clay, by deep Cutting, rising abruptly from !0 to 1&, and 19 feet. Length of deep cuttiag, one mile attd 1,I8S yards : again descending to water level near Look No. I, or terminabon of summit level : distance from Chippawa, is 3 miles and 1,120 yards. The variations of height, and other particulars are caiefiilly marked out in the accompanying sections. From the nature of the ground, and xhapeof the adjdcent country, this extent of Canal must, of necessity, be common for any line of the water communication between the CLiip- pawa and Lake Ontario. The elevations, detailed drawings, and sp^ciAcations^ will exhibit the particular mode of executim; this part of the work, by retaining walU, timber framing, and top excavation, so as to obviate tunnelling;, as in the event uf any extension of the Canal dtmensious, the mode submitted will have a decided advanta<;e by saving two-thiids of the expense. The expe UEC of executing tliis part uf the woik, according to the subjoined particular esti- «nHte,i8, i;i3,345 9 10 3 Ten per cent, for contingenciea, 1,334 10 11 Total, £14,680"0 9 3 It win be observed by the Estimates, that the extent of excavation required here, amounts (o S2fi,'29S cubic yards of earth, exclusive of 255,200 lineal feet of timber work. The time required to execute this in a projier manner, will exceed, by one season, that of all the other fiarts — therefore, no tinne should be lost in closing Contracts fur the execution of this par> tic'dar section, so as unHVn-mly S* open the navigation by the Kpring of IS36. According to the snbjoincd deserrptions of the Routes from the summit level to Lake On» fnrio, hy tlie Niagara iiiver, and by the Valley of the Twrlve>Mile Creek, it would appear tbot nothing of on unfavourable native occnrs by adhering 46 either direction : the descent ef ttic monntain, by both lines, is uncommonly favourable, and (he soil generally well adap* ^d to Canal operations. The mountain descent, by either line, will afford peculiar advantages for Hydraulic ope^ rations, not only in ihc immediate vicinity of the canal line, hut by Feeders, carried to a great distance, the Main Feeder from Chippawa being inexhaustible. Machinery to any extent, and Capital to any amount may be constantly employed. Messrs. Samuel and James Clowes, having estimated the remainder of the proposed Ca- nal, publickly pledging themselves to become Controctors, at their own statements, and to finish each mile previous to receiving payment, makes it unnecessary for me to proceed with further investigation as to estimate. Have made particular sections of both Routes, shewing the comparative Isngths, the Lock- a<{i>, cutting and embankments, on idl particulars marked, these documents will be valuable during tiie execution of the work, whatever line your Direr-tors may adopt. The general dimensions are also marked upon (he sections, i-tz: — In common cutting 38 i^-rt. at water level, 3 1 feet ; at top bank, depth of water, under the summit level. 4 feet, and 5 Icet from bottom of water to top bank, inside slope, 1 1-2 horizontal, to 1 peq>endicular, tracking path 6 feet, benching on offsides 3 feet. Embankments, same dimensions as to canal size i .top of tracking path, 10 feet ; off side^ 5 feet ; outside slopes, * horizontal to 1 perpendicular, with the exception of these parts in deep cutting, where the canal size will dintinish in proportion to the height or depth of excavation ; locks within the chamber, 72 feet, 12 feet in width, and 106 feet from extre- mities of wing tv-alis. These dimensions arc cilculated for a boat of navigation of40 tons burden r a limitation of funds is the moi-o to be regretted, as nothing appears to me more likely to improve the general interests of the country than afree schooner navigation between the lakes ; however^ the general dimensions of this canal may be enlarged in sections from an increased facility of boating, stutf, stone, timber, &c. at less expense than by proceeding in the first place to execute a commensurate schooner navigation. That an extension within a limited period may be effected, wooden locks have been adoptetl^ tM tucy maj be eajargcd by masonry without much increased expense* CI III ! mt. cLow«:s' report. 15 Have liketrise invettigated a Canal Route from the Chippawa to Grand Hirer, comment cinipc at Miienar't Greek, on the Firit Fork of the Chippawa, 9 miles above Big Creek. Tliia line continocs for 2 milei, by Miiener's Creek ; dien, by a very direct line, to Broad Creek, about two miles above the janction of the Grand River with Lake Erie ■ — Eipeniei as nndat : Cutting . - - £5,905 18 Lockage - ^ . Waste Weirs Feeders Troughs, Ste. - r £7,466 18 By adhering to thit line, the actna) distance from }tki Erie to Ontario will not exeeecf 40 miles ; Cranberry Marsh will be rfikctually drained, thereby improving 30,000 acres of valuable land, independent of an immense field of iron ore, which may be available in many shapes, in promoting the interests of the country. (Signed,) FRANCIS HALL, J9ngin«er. A True Copy, ^fuemton, nth Mgwt, lBt4» GEO. KEEPER, jmi. Seeraary, W. C. C. 400 - 60 1,056 - 35 JUr. Clolneis' Hrvort To the President and Directors of the Welland Canal Company: Gentlemen — In compliance with your directions, I proceeded to level the country situated between Lake Erie a.'id the River Welland, in order to awertain tiie best Rente for a Canal to connect these waters. 1 have accordingly explored three differeal Routes, cstinatei mi specifieations of tri»cb I submit for your conaideratioD. ROUTE No. 1, Commences en ihe Rfver WelTiiil, at the Forks, nine miTes wMt of the entrance of fte Canal, to connect this river with Lake Ontario, thence following the southern branch of said river, two miles, forming a nataral Qaoai, thence leaving the river, a distance of twenty-six chains, through favourable ground ; soil, light )aaaB,iaidlnot nsere th^ two feet higher than the river, paAsing Misfener's house, to die fbot of Lock and Waste Weir, No. 1. Eight feet lift Arnn the head of this Lock, make use of Misener's Cii|||;, to the head of Cranberry Marsh, a distance of one hundred and thirty-four chains ; the i^M> requires straightening in places, and clearing out, expense of which te computed ittlimmate ; thence crossing Cranberry Marsh, intersecting Broad Creek, and following the same, till it discharges into the Grand River, two miles west of the Outlet in Lake Erie. The distance of this station is ten miles, averaging four feet cutting : it is now from one to two feet covered with water. This cot must be supplied by a feeder from Grand River, at an elevation of eight feet, a distance of twelve miles. The expense of completing this Route will bo, For Feetier - - £1,091 Excavation of Cut - 5,905 Lockage - - - 400 Waste Wei/s - - - 60 £7,456 In nddition to the mnny niTvantages this Route possesses, may be added, the draining of about 30,000 acres of inarsliy land, which, nt the present time, is the gieatest nuisance in this part of the country, am* v be the most valuable when reclaimed, besides affording the country an abundant supply of bog ore with which this vicinity abounds. NUMBER 2, Commences nt the Forks of the River Welland, and pursuing the same route as No. I, to Mr. M'Douai^'s, oil Lotr.'o. 17, 4th Copccs§ion of Wainfleet, thence crossing the Cran- berry Marsh, Wtbeasterly to Lot No. 8, in the First Concession, and intersects Lake £i-ie Ht the east end of a bay formed by Point industry and Mr. Gabriel's ; there is a most favour- able situation for constructing a harbour at this point of Lake Erie ; but fi-om the deep cut- ting, the whole distance (5 miles) averaging ten feet, it would cost the sum of jC9,924 13s. id. exclusive of barlwur, as perrefcreuce to estimate and »peciii6aUous herewith. f1 vftsf i I HI I \^f\ ' 16 ; MR. ROBERTS' REPORT^ NUMBER 3, ■ ' — J Comraencet on Lot No. 5, Second ConccMiun in Canboro*, onOiwego Creek, running % feoutbeaitern direction, until it intersects the Grand River, a distance ofS miles and 10 cbains. It would be ncceiiary to bring; a feeder from Ibe Grand River to supply this route, at aq elevation of tnrelve feet, and will ce«t the sum of i8,0S4 ISs. 6d. as per estimate, 8io. — I'his route is favourable, and could be completed at a less expense than here estimated, on a superiour level, but the increased distauc|: lun Ph>pp«w», and other Considerations, giv* a decided advantage to No. 1. (Signed,) JAM^ CLjOWES, ^imnttr. ATmeCopy, ^MfUtfltU/., 1824. GEO. KEEPER, Jun. «eer«t«iry W, C. C, To the President and Directors of the Wetland Canal Company : Genffemeft— Having, at your request, eiamined the tiro Routes of the Welland Canal, from the River Welland to Lake Ontario — the one terminating at the mouth of the Twelve Mile Creek, and the other nt Niagara ; both being heretofore levelled, (which I take for granted to be correct,) and cstlihated by Messrs. Clowes. I beg leave to remark that I have made a personal minute observation of both lines, and carefully examined the estimates of Messn. Clower. I think them judicious, and am of opinion that either Route can be elTected at their iMtinatea, by proper and economical management. From a close examination of the mouth of the creek, I am fnlly of opinion, that, by inecns of a Lock, Dam, Waste Weir, and other improvements, according to the f^ans of the said Engineers, that an excellent harbour may be made for a great number of lake vessels, drawing from 1 to 8 feet water, which can be towed three or four miles up, to th^ first Lock, where hydraulick cstablfshments may be erected. Fran this, the line of canal will follow the channel of said creek to Lock ^fo. I , within three and a half miles of the Hivcr Welland, the greater part of which has more dw «MBara«e« of «« «urlifiaial canal thaq the natural bed of a stream. The construction of Locks, Wastes Weirs, aod a suitablf Cowing path, forms the principal part of the expense on this R^ute. From Lock No. 1, to Niagara. This line presents unusual facilities for constructing a canal, but from its requiring to ba wholly excavated, with a vof small share of embankment, it will necessarily cost a con* siderable sum more for itirMfiipletion, will be a far more elegant canal, «nd Lewjiable to be unpaired by spring floods ttira freshets to which every stream is liable. ^"3" 1 have likewise examined the estimate of Mr. Hall, Engineer, of the deep edtficom Lock No. I, to the Kiver Welland, which is common to both Routes, and the only obstacle of magnitude that presents itself in either. I approve of bis plan of timbering, as a matter of economy, with a little variation as per accompanying estimate, making a total of I2S,012- From the experience I have bad in this kind of work, on the western section of the Erie OLiial, there being much deeper cutting, and from the unforeseen difficulties atteijing the same, f have been induced to give such an estimate, that you may not be deceived in its accomplishment , for it is nlmost impossible for any Engineer to estimate this description of cutting, without having witnessed the operation. Having been presented by Mr. Clowes with the calculations for a tunnel, of suitable dimensions, supported by well connected timber, to be driven through the said deep cut, which would cost little more than one half of the above, I deem it worthy offavourable notice. From the natural facilities on cither of the above Routes, the canal can be completed at a trifling expense, compared to the importance of the object. . The geographical situation of thia country, presenting an extent of thousands of miles of inland navigation, will, by means of this canal, be connected ; and it is reasonab : to believe that the tolls arising from it, will exceed the calculations of the most sanguine, besides the benefits to be derived from hydraulick situations. Taking all advantages into consideration, 1 have no hesitation in stating, that it must be the most profitable description of stocrf, uud c never-failing source of revenue to the proprietors. The wealth and capital it will draw to your country — the facilities it will afibrd to com- merce, with other advantages that you will realize from its completion, make it an object iwurthy of your most laudable exertions, and of the patronage of every friend t» internal im* provcment in your country. Respectfully submitted, by your obedient servant, (Signed,) NATHAN 8. ROBERTS, Enginttr* 8t. Cathatinta, 281/i Jvgwf, 1824; •■'■:._ .. .. .■% '-[ : ■ ' /. "..