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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs k des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reprodult en un seul clichi, 11 est film* A partir de I'angle supirieur geuche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en bas, en prencnt le nombre d'imeges nicesseire. Les diagrammes suivants lllustrsnt la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ) infill, imiRii*! . ii| iL '■ » t ... . ■1. • . ) MONTREAL? PRINTED BY JAMES BROWN, 2Vo. 20, 5t FRANCOIS-jUvIBR STRSMft OPFOSITB THE SSMIMA&Y* 1892. ■' .'. i.Jvi r. \ .; 1 '^ 1 <■ ia4 -*■ "mr ,) %' ^' ' REMARK^ ' ON THK LACHINE CANAL. OF all the obstacles which militate against public im- provements, none is more powerful in its effects, more pernicious in its consequences, or more deserving of re- probation, than an mordin^tc decree of jelf-intertstednefs. Wherever this feeling is allowed to appear in opposition to the public good, it rises like a baneful blight, and by assertions, true or false, by every cunning device and dc'Mtful stratagem which it can invent, operates m pre* venting the commencement — retarding the progress, and by defeating the best laid schemes, not unfrequently marrs the result of undertakings which if allowed to procee 1 would confer the most essential service on the community Ht large. These observations it is to be feared have been too strikingly illu trated in the contests and disputes relative to the direction in which the La Chine Canal ought to proceed. For although it was to be hoped that all dif- ferences and contentions respecting its route, extent and termination, &c. had been adjusted by the last Le- gislative enactment for making that Canal — (and which iihough its general utility was then circumscribed far m tvlthin what it would be, if properly completed) yet il appears that a third plan (from the same party who have all along opposed its cxtensioB to the Cross) is now in agitation to have its course altered so as to cramp its usefulness still farther. Bdt a brief detail of the various proceedings relative to this importanc work from the time it was first seriously agitated to the present period will best exhtbitf how actively, and unceasingly tht$ selfish principle has been employed respecting it^ At first it was resolved, to follow that plau which common sense, and the opinions of scientific men dicta* ted as the best ) and the Canal was to extend from La^ Chin* t9 the foot of the Current St. Mary or to the Cross through the city of Montreal, thereby answering, ttsetj intention which could be desired in a work for the public good-i-for according to this plan it would liavc ak tmce accomplished tlie wished lor -obfect by overcom-* ing the inopediiuents m the river St. Lawrence, between La Chine and the CrOss^ and l^ proceeding in this wa.]^ rhe greatest possible portion of the community would karve participated i6 the benefice seising from it. The propriety (nay the necessity) of ks being carried to this extent was pointed out in the following remarks •n the subject drawn up at the thnf this question was in agitatict:* '^rom the Montreal HerclH, 13/A J^e'hruary, 181^. *(We have bfeen ted totrnderttand that a difiference ^« of opinion exists ii*esp0ei?&ife tfef* place "where the C«« '^hal should join the St Lawrence. Some maintaio •'^laitt Tt shtitild fall im« ih$ Kl««r at »he preset Forty dl •^.Montreal ; while ftthen with more propriety and ce:^. ^* tainly with more correct views respcciing its general '* utility, wish it to be carried below the Curr«^u (St. ^'.Msry's). This last is certainly the preft^^rable plan, ** and if it should be attended with an additional expenc; *< (whfch is by no means certain) a piiii'ul saving upon a <-ow about to be made » (* depot for government stores) seldom make the Mon- « treat side nbove the Brick Store. It is also well knowa " that it takes as much time to bring them from thence rom the existing ** 'luare of affairs During a great part of the summer Mtlie bay or eddy opposite to the island, is filled with •( r-ifts, and the beach is covered with staves, boards, ** and other lumber, piled up so as to impede any towing ** path which could be made. A little further out from ** the shore the water is too deep to use setting poles, an 1 « the rapidity of the current must necessarily prevent ** the vessels being carried up by oars. Besides to form ** such a pith and keep it in repair where it is liable (al- <* mxist certain) to be broken up every season by the ac- f* cumulation of ice, and to enlarge our harbour from " whit it is »t present would require a greitei capital, ** than to extend the canal to the foot of the current.* «< Under these circumstances therefore we should readily ••subscribe to the idea of carrying the canal through ^the town so as to join the St. Lawrence at the Cross. ** And if the meadows behind the Champ de Mars^ *' (which are by nature formed for the purpose) were ** made into a bason or harbour, the dues arising from it <* would be amply sufficient to recompence the stock- ** holders for the additional monies which would be re- *< quired to extend the canal to the Cross. And this f* would be more effectually the case if that part of the •' canal lying between this bason and the foot of the cur- «' rent where it joins the St. Lawrence were excavated ** tp such a depth as to admit vessels drawing 16 or 18 (* The danger from the ffFccts of the ice happens twice every year in thi^ pince. It always moves once (perhaps twice) in the beginning of the winter when it setts, and in spring when it brt-aks upi'. ^'jes with such violence as to tear up earlh and stores t^dghing several tons along with it.) :i It *'tt'ct of water. At th-' mme time a lateral brnnch of ** the can-il might he nrade -o as to pass oiV at some [)oint "near the Brewery in the Recollet Suburbs to fall in at ^' the present port of Mnntreul ; and thi-* branch might "bfc made ai ,\ smaller size as it would be required on- ** ly for such goods as might be brrught to the Port from «* the Upper Province, or for what might be sent there "from that place — From all this we sincerely hope that "our Legislature will feel inclined to accord with the *• wishes of the present applicants, and while they prAnt " them the privilege of cutting the canal from Moi.treat "to Lachine« they will also see the propriety of enahlipfr " them to mak<; it so as to join the St Lawrence at the " foot of the current St. Mary in the first instance, and "nt the same time enable them to make the latersd *' branch to the Port should they hcrtafter find it ne« ** cetsary/' Again in the Herald of the 20th February, IS 19, the satne subject is taken up in the following extract ; " In works of great public utility, like the one iM "question, a regard ought to be had to futurity as well << as to the present time, otherwise the benefit arising "from them must be very circumscribed. Such men at "have performed any great pub>ic undertaking, without <* attention to this principle have often had r?asoii to re- <'gret their illiberal and contracted notions, during their "lives ; and instead of their names being handed dowo " to posterity with applause and gratitude for their spi. «rited exertions, future generations have reproached "their memories, and despised them for their imbecilt*. <* ty in faayiDg done .that by halves which they might I ^. I 'I '*i ha^e aCfrorfiplUhed effoctually. This will undouhfecf* "ly be the cue with the Lnchinc Canal, shouUt it be ** brought to the port of Montreal insteaii of entering «< the river below the ciirront. The port of Montreal '» (( too small for our commcrct nt the prctent daf » nnil « from its local situation tht re is no meant of enlarging <*it. If therefore its contracted size be atttnded with <* inconvenience for our present trade, who* will it be at M no very distant period when the country bordering on «the lakes and rivers which fall into the St. Lawrence "Vi becomes settled and under cultivation, and when our « trade will be encrcased several hundred fold. And « this we should think a sulficient reason for prolonging "the caual to the Cross* where harbours or basons *( might be made sufficiently large for the encrease thae ' •0 IT !- A a a \0 m ike^wt of' the Current St Marif in THE FIIHT INSTANC6» ivlih ,1 Literal brtirwh going from the most convenient point of it to the present Port Reasonable and expedient as all thif w.M, and although the Act was carefully framed so as to meet the wishss of all parties as far as ccnoment, and the work might have .gone on well agreeable to the provisions of that act, had it been practicable to carry them into eftect at the time. But those opposed to the plan of extending the ca11af^ te the Cross, tried many manoeuvres for the purpoiie of defeating it. They first contrived to get some clai>se9 introduced into the act which operated as a preventative against the stock's being taken up, and afterwards by t^ising a jealousy among the friends and partisans of the diflerent banks by a fooli<^h dispute as ro. where the mo- ney was to be lodged when coUeeted from the different share holders. This combined with, the unfortunate f;illing off in, <:ommercial prosperity at the time had the eftVct they desired, and before the Company could get the stock takf'n up, it became necessary to apply to the Legislature for a repeal of the obnoxious clauses in the act. An . alteration iq the manper^ of ac^ofnplj^hing this g]r,cat un lertaking now became necessary and as the com- p;iny had intimated their inabihty to make it . according if the Act which had incorporated them; the canal ^as to t>e cut at the expence of the Province. The pro- pecdings attendant on this change gave these selfish gea- \ ■■■Mi mmmmm mm II ilemen another opportunity of foisting in their cavel* hngs, obiections, and remonstrances. (For they ar* ever on the watch, that being a propeny attendant oo selilshncss.} And in this case they sticc^dded but too tvell Altlidiigh the'govemnrteht froift » convrttion of the ni^cessity for its Ofctending to that point wOuld'ndt iibandon the plan of its going to the Cross ; the oppd« Jiehts to this measure,, succeeded in getting the fortrietf 6rder of thlh^ rieversed. The hteral branch which was heretofore only considered as a secondary business. no ginal non-contents have received a reinforcement. As it has been seen that alt this opposition to the ori* ginal plan of this canal — and all the various quirks and quibbles which have been tried to effect an alteration ia its course, were brought forward with the design of de* feating or protracting its original object, it may not be ^m'lis to examine some of the arguments these gentle- men have adduced in favour of their schemes, tor thef have with a little deviation adapted to circumstances been the same in all cases. It is not usual for those who l»ve a sinister object to attain, to declare openly and candidly the true cause of their acting in the manner they do, nor to use such arguments as would admit ot their real designs beeing seen through. This principle was displayed in the point in question. Few would have been ready to side with these characters had they open- ly avowed *< wc wish the canal to pass in such and suc% u direction because it will benejit us to the prejudice of tJie Public** Other methods must be resorted to, and they commenced by raising the alarm on those whose credulity they could work upon. »* If, said they," the ca- nal cxten ^s to the Cross, a new and rival town will start up there— that will become the seat of business— Mon- treal will be thrown in the back ground and all property in it will fall in value, and so fotih. Their next pretext if true would have perhaps been more ezcusible as it had oste nsibly the preservation of the trade of Montreal, for its. object. They asserfed that if the can^ should eiti^id mm %^*^- u i to the Cross tfie merchants from Upper Canada wuafj .pass b; it dirertly to Quebec to make their parchaseft, snd instead of being supplied by Montreal dealers as at present, this would become nothing more than a resting place for them. If the falacy of these arguments »nd (heir injurious effect to the ptiblic were not suffici nt t& overset them, they would perhaps meet with their defeat in those interested in the prosperity of QuebeCi who have here an opportunity of jiulgirg of the ven/i liberal princi* ^les of these gentlemen. But all this is only as it were ■raising a shadow to frighten children, and employed to eever their deeper and more selfish designs. They well know the shortness of the distance between Montreal andl the Cross will prevent a rival city in trade ever rising up there. They are aware that before a town at the Cross could attain to any important extent it would be joined to Montreal, become one and the same city where property would have its value according to its locality as at present. T.he bugbear about the Upper Canada merchant descend- ing to Quebec is ei^ually absurd, many of these mer- chants do so at present when they can aJfFord to make large purchases, the saving on v]\ich will defray the «xpenceof the journay, and if the canal was made in the way it ought, those from the upper Province are not Mich fooU as go that distance and incur the expence of time and labour, besides other charges, if the business they have to do will not pay for such outlay.~-Next to these specious reasons came their great knock him Joiva and last argument which they have employed on all "occasions token it suited their purposes^ and which it was of course to be expected they would use to prevent the canal's extending to the foot of the current. This is the savings of expence^ for as ihey pretend it could be made Vy %i is house of this city was built at the expence of government — save, save all f was the object of the Commissioners— the work was done in ^o flimsy a style that it has already cost more in alter- ations and repairs, than with the original amount would have built it in a handsome and substantial manner, and a considerable outlay must still be made to keep it in re- pair. The same thing occurred in building the gaol of this place, a disgrace to any civilized country, and an enormous annual expence to keep it in repair. In both tkese instances these gentlemen entrusted whh them had ' the honor of saving the public money, and that public the pleasure of gaining a loss ! The locks at the Cascades I believe were built on this famous saving system. They were, first too small and had to be pulled down and wid- ened—and even as they are now constructed, will in a few years be found still too small or entirely unsuitable ' ' lor the purpose they were designed for. One more in« stance shall suffice. A few years ago the government with a becoming liberality voted 50,000/ for internal improvements. It is strongly suspected that this money has been entrusted to some of these saving gentlemen who have saved it so well that hardly a vestige of any part of its being expended in the country is to be seen or any public benefit derived from it. So much for the konour of saving tht public money ^ and the blessed effects ' of this economising f rinciple when exerted where public ondertakings are carrying on, Alt ho' it might be sup- Qpsed that the baneful effects of this saving system have . ;V .,-<^l :-»>».*A», V. I? ibeeti witnessed often cnouch to cause a discontintianct of it, yet such is its predominance, ana so much .lasbeeo lately sud upon it thak serious apprehensions are enter* faini'd least it should cre

if I i fuc afpropffty ermine] it t at a convenient diitane^ from the iiMin triinic of the canals anJ laitljr to suite their •iiviiig vicw^ woiitii roftt no cxpence for purchasing and btit a trifle for Us construction. But the absurdity of inii route m»j he farther seen from the following « up- povfil cane, anil ai the uhimate object of this c-anaT, naiiiflVi the carrying it to the Cross has never been aban- Oohcil, it it not an improbable supposition. Let u^ for • moment connidcr the main trunk of the canat co.nple- teil from Lachine to the Cross and a surveyor or engr- fleer appointeil to examine the most proper place for the i>ranch to lead off to the port. What would be said of him if he proposed iti branching off hear the Turnpike g^te I why ccrtaiiily he would be considered as a mad- nu^n^ iinU would perhaps incur the tame imputation if he l^xed on any other spot or line for this lateral branch than th« one above mentioned, namely from the foot of fhe St« Antoine Suburb to the Port. The last argument they employ in their petition is fi-om the shortness of diHtHnce the canul would have to pass by this route over Aivy other. True, the wind mills are nearer Lachine thttn the Tort is, but what hat that to do with a canal peaking for the ^vow«d purpose of joining Lachine and the Cross or foot of the Current. If shortening the dis* f Ante bf their object why ever bring the canal past the Tannery or farther than the Turnpike gate ? Other serious obstacles to this durection wil) be mentioned here* flft«r> for this windmill route has not one teniblc argo* mtnt in Us favour, and were it not frdl )ui<>wn that it' b hitU forth only to cover other plant, it otq^ht justly be coiY>pared to some of tht tdtiMtl Uid kf ite Quootti^ V. < \ # \ mm ' ■*' *"' i r n >1 • Having in the precciHng pnpcs (fevcVptrrl in %t9\$ inen^nre the pl-ini and proce*din{»<« of those who hftvt opposed ihe extension of this can-.il, nnd also touched upon some of the arf^dinentt tliry, have employed \ it only remains by a dl8paiion-.ue examination of the'com« parittiv'.* cxp^nce and advantages of the two routes to tee which i^ to be preferred. Some points of this part df the subject have unavoidably been anticipated in tht prececding pages, but any thing tending to illuiirat* the advantages of this work if properly made, or to de- precate the idea of its utility being cramped by being juperficiallv executed cannot be too deepty itripressed on the nuw\i of those engaged in carrying it on. Ai.L parties having agreed as to the direction of the xntio trunk ns far as from Lachine to near the turnpike gate, nothing Heed be said relative to thnt part of the. lin-'. The chief point apparently in contest is as to where the lateral branch shall diverge from the ihaln trunk: and as this branch cannot touch every nnan's door as to the direction in which it shall proceed. To an impartial mind, this question would appear to haVe been settled long since. A plan of the whole line Wat made and had been approved of, and its execution enacted by legislative authority. By that act the Com- missioners appointed to see the work done were to con* tinue the main trunk in a specified direction, until 'it reached a certain point, from which the lateral brtinch yrii to break off to the Port, and under this authority, and in conformity to this plan the work was commenced. 3ut the selfish principle so frequently noticed began again ro make its appearance, and now wishes the lateral branch tc^'l^oci^d 'from adifferrenfrtppiBtt a^d't^ftm ^tl f ,^m.:ly be done for lest ths^n 2000/. £fesides the annual cx- f tnce of keeping this fhannel clear cannot be consider- ed less than 150/. per ^nup» thereby swallowing up a capital of 2500/. )nore. The probable consequences of marking t cut and deepei)ing the rjver in this place merits some considers* Siox^, Dy letting in more water it would evidently en- crease the current b^lween their famous bason and the (P(^|,]f ^^1^ Ji alread]|r tqo strong at this jplace / and as it >f In this nqd the subieqiirfit calewlftions no notice hM been ^,Hrn ol fractional parts of pounds^ and in HMoe c«fies* for the Cike of brrvity the odd pounds ha^e been omitted | bit thik dots nt »fk€t the general result nor the principle bere contended feiV MaliM 10 Ihe Mmpprative adtantiics jil t|e tifo Ipi^tft, ^ ^«»-.5*r !«»«> #-^!**^-*- -.'»„ h a vntW Vijown hct th:rt eveiy cnitrm earvlei In iH cmir»u a deposition which it lodj^es in the ntill witcr be« lav/ itt wh<*re wouUl the dcpoiiiion in this caie bt nrade? Why exactly in the present po, And it reauirei no %reM foresight to diicover that it would from this causf bt' filled up nnd rcMidvri'd totally uieleas in « ver^ ew years. What then would be the Viilde of the storei aa4 Uiildingft which lurround tt i In addition to this it «ugh! to be*kept in mind that the ice at its wtting i every Reason shoves from the La Prairie tide directly towardi this point, (Point filondeau,) and the thalkHT water ma^ llard bottom here acts as a barrier against It and prerentp Its coming with af 1 its force agninst the port or tke build»> ings which surround it. Even the partial change in tii* current of a river nr>ay be jittendcd with unforeseen, bitf ieriouf conseo"ence«. Cut to revert to tke mbject of cxpence we have on^ got as far as the Port by this route, and as It is univetv> •tally adcnowtedged that the obstacles to the havigatioa below it must be removed, the preposterous plan of'A towing path on the river bide rou^t be had recourse tt. I^rom the pre^ent port downwards to nearly opposite the middle of the Quebec Suburb the nver near the bank is one continued series of shallo#s and strong cti^rents, which must be over come by being deepened, so as Cto allow boats loaded to be dragged up with facility from \he Cross. From the middle of the Quebec Suburb ^own to the foot ot the Current St. Mary, (the Cross^) the river is dedp but 'the ctttrcnt so strong as frequently to delay some of Our best iteam-boats, in assending it : and the vexatious detention of veviels in waiting a wind fo bring them tip is tM well known to require comment ■-■^BUMSfK tmm fft Si A^ ihi9 has be«n pvoposed to be overcome bj deepening. the river in its sh.UIow places* and iraking a towing |)»th thi whole way. To this howevtr there are many seri* ous objections. The fir^t cost of such a :nwing path, could not be less than I500i. as. the distance is little short 'of two miles. And from its being liable to be broken Up every ye<»r by the ice, as well as the deepened parts of Ihe river ^ pt to be fiU«d up probably not less than 5001. pef tnnum wou4d be re^fuired for the purpose* of keeping it in repair which «ng;rosses a capital of H330/. The shal* %^ part of the river could not be deepened for less than iBOOO/. more/ fhereby making the actual cost of bring* iAg the canal this way and clearing the riv<*r to the Cross, ^9330/. It ought also to be observed. thaw the construe- •Inon of a towing patli in this place, and tke keeping of ic in repair, would accelerate the washing away oi the bank> to the serious injury of the property on the top of it. But this is not all, to the above sum is to be addvd the ■damage and loss tjie public would sustain by carrying the :«anal in this direction, and were the towing path made ^as they wish it. In the first place where would the in* Jkabitants of Montreal who now go ro the beach and pur- :»hase their fire wood find that nece<'sa^y article ? This ■■ptan would induce the necessity of its being brou^^ht to their famoas bason at the WiikI mills or to the Cros9> ifoT it could not be Unded on a towing path where hQi:>es are passing and repassing every ivinute, far less could it: be loadcH from the rafts into carts as is now done, for the river being deepened would prevent carts getting at it. •Kor is It probable that rafts would anchor so far out in th3 river as to ledve a boats track between them a.id the beach where they would be constantly exposed to bv Itut. By this meant th;:r€fore the inhabiUPts of ^on** '1' t'*'*«Pi;*r*<*Jd^»*Xj llfeat would be saddled with the additional cxpence of about Is 6d. for the cartage of every cord of fire wood* which ill 30,000 cords the quantity brought t very year to Montreal by wuer amounts to 2250/. the interest of 31,5001. The same would be the fate of all the diff rent kinds of lumber used in Montreal and its vicinity. It could not be brought to the beach as at present, and the extra price to be paid for the cartage of it would amount to as muchmore — say 37,500/ more. Another additon- al ex pence to the public would arise from the encreased price for bringing up every f ort of merchandise t)y the towing path from the Cross besides what it would cost if broiight by the Canal, on account of the encreased pow- «r required tn the former case to stem the current. This could not be less than is. on every on, as it would require three horses to drag up by the towing path agninst the current what could be done by one on the simooth water in the canal. Now supposing only 10,000 tons of mefshandise brought in this way every year i here is an annual expenditure of 500/. or a capital of . 6330/- locked ap by this plan. .1? i> These are only a few of the inconveniencies and ex- peaces the public would sustain by the adoption of this plan. Every thing coming to town by ttie canal would evidently have to bear the additional expence of c;irt ige from the Wind-mill bason, in addition to what u would cost to bring it that far; for the whole.beach which is now employed as a landing place for the m trket boim, and which now affords a selection of the mo-^t convenient spots tor landing every description of lu u >er, Kng's stores, &c. would be blocked up from these pur; oses, and entirely engrossed by the towuig path. And it i^ . . .( L1^*NC1! .-5jj(,-" mmmm «l V^ 20 ftot on what i<» termed the bench alone these inconve- niences would be felt ; even the present port wmld be in i preat measure condemned, for the towing path must ext'-nd along the beach opposite to the port. Suppose thi^ done, and a loailed boat, either ascending or des- crnding from the bason to the Cross — these boats are incapable of being propelled by sails, and i-hould they pass in the outside of the port the river is too deep for setting poles — ^They stre only constructed for being dragged j in passing the port it is therefor*' obvious that the vessels lying there must either sheer off so as to al- low the boat to pass, or it must go on the outside of the vessels and suffer a serious delay, or otherwise the boat's cargo must be landed and carried past the port hy carts. ,') ^1 xi »' ■* By this famous saving plan (if adopted) it is therefore obvious that the navigation from Lachine to the foot of the current St. Mary could not be opened (which is the sole intention of the Lachine Canvd^ for less than the sum of 122 660/. And it will be observed in the above ca culations that tuany items have been omitted ; for in- stance, no account has been ^.taken of the ex pence of ' tran^port from the port to the bason, nor of the sum re* ' quired to form the towing path between these places^ round Point Blondeau although it would be indispensa-* bly necessary from the encr?ascd strength of the current were the river deepened there. Neither has the expen- ces of building bridges been noticed although one would be required on th* towing path at the place where the crcfk water runs into the river. From all which it is evident the sums l-err will be found below what would bie the actual cost if put in practice according to this plan. » , |»i. jHP if ^ ^■•r-'l^lftr^BMMt;", ■^^p ^"' 27 Thr ntxt part of the subject to be noticed is to asc^r* tain tlio ex[)ence of making this C.inal by tli • proper Injure, together with th^ advantages the public woul i reap fron ic3 passing in this direction, (i. e. to extend frorr* Lichine to the foot of the Curren; through the town of Montreal,; a route which would embrace all the obj-cts contemplateil by this Canal — produce th^ greatest shire of ^u.iefit to the public — and admit the greatest nnmher of that public to participate in its advantages. Fir^ to excavate the main trunk from the Turnpilce-gare to the foot of the Current St. Mary, a distance of about four miles and a half, at 2500/. per mile, 1 1,250/. For build- injj 5 lo':ksuburb and proceed directly- to the Port as mentioned (page 19^) The excavating a branch this distance, say half a mile, 5Q0/. (for it would not require to be so large as the main trunk). For ex« excavating and forming a bason, 500/. For erecting:, three locks to bring the bason from the summit level of the Canal to that oi he Port at 2000/. e^ch— making in .dl 7000/. Here we have the branch and bason made agreable to their wishes. The latter in a situation far better adapted for public convenience than if made at the Wind-mills, and if the expence of making this be deducted from the sum of SSjilO/. there will still be a clear saving to the country of 29,4'10/., while at the same time the Canal will be carried in the proper direc- ^ (ion, and so as to answer the purpose originally intended. It will be observed that \a calculating the expence of this lateral branch, no notice has been taken of what 8ud» ■^d . ^^^^^IWI**^!?!!!?*! ■■■i >> *29 rniffht be required to purchas* the p-oppfty thrmigli which it would pass. But it ought to b? reinarlcd thit in C'ileulating the expence of that branch whicli wouU piss in at the Wind-mills nothing was charged fur the property; and as the distance the former has to pass is 'Shorter, and besi.les as it extends through little private property, the actual expence of purchasing would proba* biy be equal in both case } or perhaps less in this case than if it passed by the Wind-mill route. A great deal has been said about this last route deser* vin^ the preference because it is shorter; but in refe- rence to the ultimate dcstinaHon of the Canal, naajely, the foot of the Current or the Cross, the di>4tance be- tween it and the Turnpik;vgate, or where they want the branch to break off, is perhaps not much altered whe- ther going by the Wind-mills, the Port and along the river side, or if we proceed directly through the town parallel to the river. At all events, it cannot be denied that if the Canal was once in operation, the passing it through the town by loaded boats could be accomplished far easier, thin if they had to go along by the towing- path from the Port to the Cross, and were subjected to the delays attendant on passing the Port, either by the vessels shifting, or L>y the unloading, carting and reim- barking of their cargoes, Sic, &c. as before mentioned. But in addition to all this ; the saving to the public which could be attained by the one route in preference to the other has to be added ; for it is obvious that what-* ever can be saved is a direct gain to the country. To enquire into this iorms the next subject for our consi- deration. I t H 10. I so It will be obvious to the most superficial observer that if the canal was continued down from Lachine to the Crotis (or foot of the current) and a lateral branch taken off at the mo^t convenient point to pass in at the port, the facility of intercourse between these three great points, namely* Lachine^ the Portf and the Cross would be very much encreased» and all the advantages attend- ing this route enjoyed in a very eminent degree. In ,\\\% Case boats wishing to ascen I from the Cro^s to the port could come up the canal until they reached the point where the lateral branch brea^ks off and from thence to the Port, at once, and vice versa in wishing to des- cend to the Cross. But in addition to this facility of intercourse between these dijBTerent points, if basons or landing places were made on the canal in its passage through the town, the advantages the public would reap from this route over that by the Wind-mtUs would be of the utmost importance. It has been already stated that about 25,000 tons of merchandise are brought to IMontreal every year, and that of this qu ntity not less than 10,000 tons would be discharged at the Cross It has also been observed that a saving of 500/. per annum, could be made on this quantity if brought up from thence by the canal, instead of being dragged up by their towing path, even admitting that the making and preserving of it was practicable (page 25 ) But the whole annual imports of Montreal which have been cal- culated at 25,000 tons a year, are at present, (and still would be if the canal should not descend through the town,) subjected to a heavy charge for cartage both from the port to the stores, and a considerable portion (supposed one half) liable to a second cartage when sent from the stores to those who purchase it for a distant M B T w ill ii ^''^ !£Wr,ff^M 'm SI \market. This, including the double cartage on the o»e half, cannot he estimated at les^than 3j. per ton, givinjir a sum of 3750/. per annum, or a principal of 62,500/. all of which could be saved by the canal's going in the proper dir<'Ction, and by having w;6/ ac 6 per cent. The extension of the Canal to the Cross would ensuri ^a ftcility ar.d quirk dispatch in delivering tht^ rargoc^ oT rvessels coming from sea, which they could not enjoy at iihe same expence were it to go by any other rout-e. Whenever this was known, vessels could be obtained •to charter for Moutreal at a much cheaper rate than ■cnuld be done heretofore, because they would be ex- empted from the delay of waiting for a wind to bring (hem up the Current St. Mary. This would produce a reduction in freight of 2/ 6 or^5«500/i niigii^ -^ Mt«d to tht pul^liic ;^' ,, ■ f It if ebvioni that a tlnfilar amount of 159.1/. or a^fa^ )^ital of S5,500/. would alio be saved by this means gpoi^ r lumber of "ajil kinds which is^mcfi in Montreal and it* vtr • tinity^ it -being liable to similar charges for cartago ai)4 • to similar risks of being lost in the rapids. But this is ' not All, upon flour, pat-ash| wheat, and every other arti« ,f\t which descends from the couiu^y ?bovc by the rivjer, •Mi^ttving could bn made if thif canal wer« once, properly completed. The amount of these ^ngt h^. been as- certained to be about 14,00b tons every year, and let ^ ' be supposed that only one half, 7000 ton^ of them > «foald-descend by the canal. As matters* now st^^ndy • and as it would still be should the canal be taken in at ,' the Win(i*milWoK not extend through the centre of the town, there is about 2/. per ton paid for qutage fron^ the port to the stores, equal to 700/. a ye.«r, or a principal of • 11 ^Oi" Whereas it is obvious, could these things be • ieat by the main trunk of the cao^l to the Cross/ or 9 were the lateral branch to the port so taken off that .they t could be sent thither for shipment by it, all this and a larther saving intght be made. *'i Im this ononntr it is ev|4'n^ that upon the importatioAS (ram tUe coumr) above, or on what may be termed the 35- ■/' f l^ome trade, a farther saving of 62,660/. may be madi by giving this canal- hi propel dirtctton and extent, which when added to the sum of 124,990/. whith it Ijii before been shown could be saved W the importatidn of foreign merchandise together with the sum of S9,410/.^ being the difference of expence between carrying thcK canal to the Cross direct and the Wind^niU route givc»- a total of 215/>60. And it is equally obfiOus that no^ thing more than properly accompttshiag i^esiorh in thf way and dir^tibn formerly pointed out aad before ap- proved of, Is required to effect this objecti and at thiK, lame time it icani Aot be attainled.by any other method i, f^r no other change in'the directtoy of this eanal nof ao|^ abridgment of its extent will produce the above advao* cages, or attitfai th^ primary pbject for wi^ch^it was oxU |{haHy Undertaken. r Thb comparative advantages, and expences attending the two rOMes Will be seen from theifbUowin^ stateiaeii^ Aade agreetble'to the foregoing ealculatiooi. . -> «>.' '^'. <••» ) A "•• ■^ ■* • , !to ^ FIRST. T^i i»«pfi)fa of laktnf tilt branch of the Canal from IHm HMin irunkf nearly oppoiit* the Turnpike-gate, to Join the River at th« Wind-milli, and to remove the im- petliinenti ui ihe navigation froih thtnce to the foot of the CHtrent. To riiiting from the main trunk* to thn Wind^milUi «^ making the Baaon and Wharf, . ^» do. eatra large Locks, m^ di*r|)ening the River from tho l«oiko 10 the Purt, . • , ^m kaeping the aame in repair, pr. f To tirepening th« River below the ISm, m^ making a Towing* path* • • ^- ker|ung it in repair, . , . L.SOOO 5,000 19,000 9,000 9,500 5,000 1,500 8,S30 ft L.2i,500 XJl ^c'^trA rvpence on Firewood, for CartA|re «ikI Iom. $k 9k. . . 3T,500 «» \\o dp. Qfi ditferrnt kHada of I.umbiN',^ 57,500 m^ TxivA ex\>^nc« of transporting 10,000 tons frv«i the Cross fearij, 9,550 L.14,850 L8S450 Uin.Beo SfCOND. Tm« eipMitr cf coattumtQ^ t!w ti*hW>* C^wd ♦<» tiw^ fixx oe th< C\arre«^ St- Marr, «f tlkiv^ « Uttr»I braKh troai it t« «^Y«rp ftiB tk» i •*«»«»Wi*i«rfBW ST* trimk n«4r to St. Antoinf bridgf ^ to )oin cht River the Port, with a Uaion on taiii branch, &c. To excav tting the main trunk from * near theTurnpike-gate to tiu foot • of the Current, « • . 11,250 »- building Locks, . '. . 10,000 — ditto Uridget and other extra ex- pencei, . . • • 5,000 <-» Thepri^ofprbpertyonthelioe, 60,000 JLI6,8JO> To cutting a branch from the main. trunk to the Port, . • « — forming a Bason on do. • . •-• Building Locksa • '• • 500 500 6000 , %■ *• . L.7,000 L.95,850 Balance, ai appears above, in favour of bring- "* ^ing the Canal to the foot of the Current at '* "dnce, and earthing a lateral branch to the Port in tl\e di'v»ction above mentioned, « L.29,il<0 '^o saving on transport of 10,000 tons from, the Cross (anndally,) . 6,8S0 ** — do, do. <>n cartage of imports, . • 62,500 ^ do. on breakage, - . 10,il6 •r ^o. ot) freight from Europei ' • '52,080 *&> ditto on Cord-woo /■ f^iou all this it may be clearly seen, that by carry in |» sHis Canal on in the proper and originally intended line. instead: of the deviation now petitioned for, or any other route, a decided »nvin|p of 235,396/. could be made to; the public And in the abore statement only the diflTe- fence of expence between the routes and a few, very few" •f the advantages attendant on its extension to the Cross have been taken intp actount-^were they all addeJ, per^ haps it is not exagerating to say, the saving and adv^n- «iges would be more than treble this amount. ]0uc tak» fng the above svm vi it now stands, there woutd be aS) tnnval saving of ^4,000/.; equal tp 14 per cent, on the; whole capiial required to complete this Canal in the manner mbst condticifve to tUe public acfvantaget Although in the foregoing calculations nothing h^ h;.en said respecting the superior revenue which coul4 Ibe draiwn from the Canal by continuing it to the Cross^ one part' is so pbviv. .could* be '. con* itructed as not to be liable to be stepped by the frost ^It any season of the year, frcin this combined vith the ad- vantages of their situation they would be eagerly sought after. It is perhaps not t'>> much to say that the profits irom this alone would nay the interest of the sum requir* ' ed to extend the Canal through the town. In all the foregoing calculations only the differenrs between, the present sfMe of a Tairs when there is no Ca- . aal, and) Kfhzt wouhl be the cse if extended c:^ to the Port or foo: of the Current have been taken into consi > ^dcra^Uonv should it join the river above the Port or«r ,any potest higher than the foot of the Current* these tii^yings '*-d adiTamage» would a«t only bepr9portioo«bl| •,< •4 ■->. .,^ ^ ii iiy t it . u ^' liQjsene^, 1)ut the community subjected to pay 'am addi- tional price for many articles above what they now cost* Xet a cord of fire-wood be taken as an example: w€ have already «een that it costs for cartage 1/. 6d. morij to brirg it from their fainous Wind-mfll basbn, than it would cost to bring it from the beach.' But were' Ik brought by the Canal to the centre df th6 toWh it coalB then be carted to the doors of the con^oihers still Is. pet cord cheaper, thereby making the differenre of -2/ 6i(f. per cord, on what it would cost skt the s^Id baM>n. This *«um on the cartage of half the quantity "broaght evfer* year, say on 15000 cords, amounts to 187S/. 6r a c^pitifl .of 81,250/., and there is little doiibt but the adlowanw of one-half i here too smaP, for were the Canail cbmi- pleted much more than thaif quantity Would come u^wa In conclusion, let it be remembered that thwl? a work from which the publit are anxiously expe<:ting greatbb- nefits, and that if properly performed it is eminent tf calculated to realise those expectsltions. ■ The Gommifip- Sioners entrusted with its exectition-, are 'by the act which constitutes them, invested with^t*xtensive powers on some points ,• and on others they are perhaps circom- ' scribed within what they ought tb be; But still, by keeping strictly within the provisions of that act, they have it in their power to perform the work ivi a waf which would ensure a large ishare of the advantages which are expected from it ; and as it progresses, and when a more intimate acquaintance with the subject shall Jiave furnished them with opportunities for reflecting 'upon it, it is to be hoped wherever that authority is /ci'ampett by the present act, or where th^y deem them- Veelves'incotnpetent under its^ prpvisioll^ i0 oiake apf change which tkey see woul.i»-