xviii an address, &c. 



dieted thai the effects of the inattention complained of, would 

 every year be more and more perceived in retarding the im- 

 provementof the country and be severelyfelt, in case of a war, 

 the progress of which was deemed by many gradual but cer- 

 tain; yet a deplorable indifference to the subject on the part 

 of our general and state legislatures continued. But since 

 the restoration of peace has enabled all the maritime nations 

 of Europe, to be their own carriers, and the dear experience 

 of the increased expense and obstruction to the public busi- 

 ness occasioned by the want of good roads and canals during 

 Aha late contest with England, the importance of our inter- 

 nal commerce, and of facilitating the intercourse between 

 remote parts has been forced upon the public; and I am gra- 

 tified in being -able to state the increasing attention that has 

 been paved for (i few years past in most of the states to the 

 wise policy of internal improvement.* In many of the states 

 canals intended to connect various streams, and others for 

 the special purpose of transmitting produce have been dug, 

 are in progress, or in contemplation. Pennsylvania and 

 New-York are proceeding partly with seperate canals, and 

 jointly co-operating in others.* which will be of mutual 

 benefit. Pennsylvania together with Delaware and Mary- 

 land, have al*o subscribed largely to the completion of the 

 long projected and important canal to connect the Delaware 

 and Chesapeak, and only wait the aid of Congress to pro- 

 ceed. A disposition in that body having at last been evinced 

 to promote internal improvement,! it is to be hoped they will 

 be induced to authorise the advance of the necessary funds 

 to insure its completion.^: Pennsylvania was early alive to 



| Virginia, hitherto backward in her attention to roads and bridges, -has 

 done herself immortal honor by the establishment in 1815, of a board of 

 works, specially charged with the duty of attending to every object of in- 

 ternal improvement; and ample funds are appropriated to carry their plans 

 into execution. 



» f * See Appendix F, 



