88 INTRODUCTION. 



into consideration the propriety of exploring and causing an accurate survey to 

 be made of the most eligible and direct route for a canal, to open a communica- 

 tion between the tide waters of the Hudson river and Lake Erie, to the end 

 that congress may be enabled to appropriate such sums as may be necessary to 

 the accomplishment of that great national object." 



This resolution was adopted, and John Tayler, John Nicholas and Jonathan 

 Ward, on the part of the senate, and Thomas R. Gold, William W. Gilbert, 

 Obadiah German and James L. Hogeboom, on the part of the assembly, consti- 

 tuted the committee. 



Mr. Gold submitted a report, not less eloquent in language than elevated in 

 sentiment, in which he stated, that while the subject presented to the government 

 of the United States, in removing natural barriers, and drawing together and 

 preserving in political concord the distant parts of a widely extended empire ; 

 an object inviting to patriotism, and interesting to its reputation, the commercial 

 interests of this state impelled to the most strenuous efforts in promoting the same 

 object. That in tracing the vestiges of ancient states, in whose councils munifi- 

 cence, guided by wisdom, presided, the remains of commercial improvement in 

 public canals, arid other undertakings, marked the advanced state of society, and 

 attested the empire of the arts of peace ; that while military achievement had 

 shed lustre on nations, works of public utility, tending to the happiness and wel- 

 fare of society, recorded the exercise of superior virtues, and afforded better 

 monuments of true and lasting glory ; that with these sentiments the citizens of 

 this state had witnessed with high satisfaction the conduct of the executive of 

 the United States, in recommending an appropriation of a portion of the surplus 

 revenue for improving, by canals, the inland navigation of the country ; and that 

 while this state would forbear to derogate from the claims of others, she felt 

 warranted in presenting to the government of the Union, her own territory, as 

 preeminently distinguished for commercial advantages. 



In pursuance of a recommendation by the committee, a resolution unanimously 

 passed both houses, directing the surveyor-general, Simeon De Witt, to cause an 



