4 THE IMPROVF.MF.XT OF RIVERS. 



The following statement is taken from a recent publication: "The first canal opened 

 in the United States for transportation of passengers and merchandise was the Mi.1 

 dlesex Canal, connecting Boston with the Concord River, in 1804. The following state- 

 ment shows the cost of the principal canals of the United States used for commercial 

 purposes: 



Government Improvements. Previous to the close of the Civil War the General 

 Government did but little work toward improving the rivers. Some of the States built 

 locks and dams on a few streams and removed obstructions from others. They also 

 granted charters to corporations who undertook the improvement in certain cases. The 

 majority of these works of navigation were, however, allowed to fall into decay after the 

 introduction of competing railroads, and finally they became the property of the General 

 rnment, which put them in condition for operation, and in many cases extended 

 the systems. Other streams were also improved until at the present time few river.; 



