INTRODUCTION. 89 



accurate survey to be made of the various routes proposed for the contemplated 

 communication. But how little the magnitude of that undertaking was under- 

 stood, may be inferred from the fact that the appropriation made by the resolu- 

 tion to defray the expenses of its execution, was limited to the sum of six hun- 

 dred dollars. 



There was then no civil engineer in the state. James Geddes, a land surveyor, 

 who afterwards became one of our most distinguished engineers, by the force of 

 native genius and application in mature years, levelled and surveyed under in- 

 structions from the surveyor-general, with a view to ascertain, first, whether a 

 canal could be made from the Oneida lake to Lake Ontario, at the mouth of 

 Salmon creek ; secondly, whether a navigation could be opened from the Oswego 

 falls to Lake Ontario, along the Oswego river ; thirdly, what was the best route 

 for a canal from above the Falls of Niagara to Lewiston ; and fourthly, what 

 was the most direct route, and what the practicability of a canal from Lake Erie 

 to the Genesee river, and thence to the waters running east to the Seneca river. 

 The topography of the country between the Seneca river and the Hudson, was 

 at that time comparatively better known. Mr. Geddes' report showed that a 

 canal from Lake Erie to the Hudson was practicable, and could be made with- 

 out serious difficulty. In 1810, on motion of Jonas Piatt, of the senate, who 

 was distinguished throughout a pure and well spent life, by his zealous efforts to 

 promote this great undertaking, Gouverneur Morris, De Witt Clinton, Stephen 

 Van Rensselaer, Simeon De Witt, William North, Thomas Eddy and Peter B. 

 Porter, were appointed commissioners " to explore the whole route for inland 

 navigation from the Hudson river to Lake Ontario, and to Lake Erie." Cad- 

 wallader D. C olden, a contemporary historian, himself one of the earliest and 

 ablest advocates of the canals, awards to Thomas Eddy the merit of having 

 suggested this motion to Mr. Piatt, and to both these gentlemen that of engaging 

 De Witt Clinton's support, he being at that time a member of the senate.* 



* Colden's Memoir. 



Intr. 12 



