A. L. Bishop — The State Works of Pennsylvania. 183 



trade of that lake, may iu some measure be estimated by the fact 

 that before it could advance fifteen miles from the lake, it would 

 require a lockage almost equal to the whole of that of the JSTew 

 York canal. The amount of the whole lockage required can only 

 be known when surveys are completed, probably four to five tinies 

 that of ]^ew York. The expense of constructing such a canal 

 ought to be estimated, not from the average of the other, but the 

 most expensive part of it. . . . 



It is not intended by these obser/vations to discourage the forma- 

 tion of canals where they may be of advantage. No objections 

 occur to exploring and surveying the State with a view to improve- 

 ments. Information will be gained, and if it is found to be imprac- 

 ticable or unadvisable to canal its whole extent, still it may be done 

 partially with advantage and profit. Our State possesses many 

 natural advantages — let us improve them. We will certainly fail 

 to compete with the State of New York for the trade of the West. 

 Nature has given her advantages in such a competition which we 

 cannot overcome."* 



In spite of opposition and objections that were urged against 

 both the proposed canal and the convention, the movement pro- 

 ceeded apace. Whether on account of interest in promoting the 

 cause or to check any eifort made by the friends of the movement, 

 delegatesf were appointed by all the counties of the state except 

 two. At ten o'clock Thursday morning, August 4th, they assembled 

 in the hall| of the house of representatives at Harrisburg. A com- 

 mittee was appointed to frame a set of resolutions which would 

 bring the matters for consideration properly before the meeting. 

 The following day, when they reported in favor of the state build- 

 ing a canal to connect the Susquehanna with the Ohio and Lake 

 Erie, a storm of opposition arose. It was confidently asserted that 

 the measure was impracticable ; that the movement was premature ; 

 that the canal would injure the turnpikes; that the resources of 

 the state were inadequate for building the works; that it would 

 require oppressive taxation to which the people would not submit; 



■"" This article, copied from the Erie Gazette, appeared in the Harrisburg 

 Chronicle on March 10th, 1825. 



f The United States Gazette of August 19th, 1825, in commenting upon 

 this convention said: "Tlie convention at Harrisburg for internal improve- 

 ments was, whether in reference to the majority or minority, superior to any 

 body of the same number which has assembled in this state for many years." 



:j; Provision had been made for the meetings of the delegates to be held in 

 this place, by Mr. Lehman, the representative for Philadelphia, submitting 

 in the house a resolution to that effect on April 11th, which passed by a vote 

 of 41 to 26.— See J. H. Rep., 182-4-25, I, p. 791. 



