32 On the Inland Navigation of 



in consequence of the experience attained by the engineers of 

 the state of New York in constructions of the kind ; its revenue 

 is susceptible of ready estimate, and it is situated in a state 

 that has attained, by the strict performance of all its engage- 

 ments, the highest character for good faith and ability to com- 

 ply with its contracts. 



The second of the projects that has been recently agitated 

 in the state of New York is the Chenango canal. This derives 

 its name from a branch of the Susquehannah river, and is 

 intended to form a communication between that stream and 

 the Erie canal. A bill to construct this at the expense of the 

 state failed of becoming a law by a few votes. A charter of the 

 most full and liberal character might no doubt be obtained for 

 its construction by a company ; but we are not aware of its 

 possessing equal advantages, or a probability of as great a 

 revenue, as the one we have just spoken of. 



The third of these routes lies between the head of Cayuga 

 Lake and the Susquehannah at Oswego. Difficulties, arising 

 from a scarcity of water and the height of the intervening 

 land, have caused the plan of a canal in this direction to 

 merge in that of a railway. A company has been chartered to 

 carry this into effect, and will probably go into successful 

 operation. Besides these embryo projects, two canals have 

 been actually executed at the expense of the state ; the first 

 forms a communication between the Erie canal and Lake On- 

 tario, by means of the Oswego river ; the second between the 

 same canal and the Seneca lake. 



One private enterprise of great extent and importance has 

 been nearly completed in the State of New York ; this is the 

 Delaware and Hudson canal. It enters the latter river near the 

 mouth of the Wallhill at the town of Kingston, and extends in 

 a south western direction, through the vallies of the Rondont and 

 Nevisink, until within a short distance of the confluence of the 

 latter with the Delaware, and for a distance of 64 miles. The 

 ascent from the Hudson to the summit level is 535 feet, 

 and the descent to the Delaware 80 feet. From the valley of 

 the Nevisink it rises through that of the Delaware, and near its 

 margin for the distance of 17 miles, and to a height of 148 

 feet. Here it crosses that river and enters the valley of the 



