A. L. Bishop — The State WorJcs of Pennsylvania. 177 



would have upon tlie economic activity of tlie state. Let us briefly 

 examine the case* as presented. 



The financial success of a trunk line to the West was assured. 

 The tolls of the Erie canal had increased from $20,224 in 1821 to 

 $340,642 in 1824. .The yearly interest on the capital invested in 

 the canal was $375,823 ; and even before its completion the tolls 

 were almost equal to this sum. ISTew York expected to liquidate the 

 entire debt in ten years, and then the canal fund would defray 

 all the expenses of government, and leave an annual surplus to 

 extend internal improveonents within the state. If this could be 

 done, surely Pennsylvania, a richer state, and one better situated 

 for controlling the trade of the West, had ensured to her, from the 

 start, the ultimate success of a similar work.* 



Philadelphia's peculiar interest in the proposed improvement was 

 explained by the fact that the exertions of her neighbors on the 

 north and on the south threatened her commercial extinction. The 

 present efforts were calculated not merely to regain what was lost. 

 The struggle was of a more serious nature. For without a more 

 rapid and less expensive route than then existed, not even the trade 

 with the western part of Pennsylvania could be retained. 



To illustrate the general economic effect of internal improve- 

 ments, the advantages England had derived from her canal system 

 were outlined. Reference also was made to the stimulating effect 

 of the Middlesex canalf upon the dormant energies of JSTew Hamp- 

 shire. A "more recent and still more impressive" instance was 

 found in N'ew York. Land contiguous to the Erie canal had risen 

 in value from three to five dollars per acre. Towns Avere spring- 

 ing up along its banks in places where, a few years previously, 

 there were no settlements at all. Small villages, within three or 



* "Though it may at first appear doubtful, we feel confident, that immense 

 as are the benefits secured to New York by her Erie canal, the Pennsylvania 

 canal (or railway as the case may be) to connect the settlements on the 

 Allegheny with those on the Susquehanna, the Schuylkill, and the Delaware, 

 will insure to this state more solid advantages." — Extract from the address. 



f Tlie company was incorporated in 1789, although the canal was not 

 completed till 1808. It extended from Clielmsford on the Merrimac, two 

 miles above Lowell, to one of the inlets of Charles river, in Charlestown. 

 This canal, like the Boston and Lowell railroad, was designed to facilitate 

 intercourse between the Merrimac valley, in New Hampshire, and Boston. — • 

 Tanner, Canals and Railroads of the United States, p. 43. 



