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On the Importance of the Navigation of the Delaware 

 and Susquehanna Rivers. 



As I have promised my observations on the very 

 great and growing importance of the navigation of our ri- 

 vers Delaware and Susquehanna : in order to fully un- 

 derstand the subject, it may be necessary to view a map 

 of the country to see the great extent of fertile territory 

 drained by those two long rivers, and their tributary 

 streams, that either may be rendered navigable, and then 

 reflect, how bountifully the Creator has furnished those 

 parts distant from the seaports with the necessaries, if not 

 the luxuries of life. 



The whole country on and near the heads of these 

 streams abounds with timber of all descriptions suitable 

 for floats to convey their produce to market without the 

 labour of crossing any steep hills or mountains ; the coun- 

 try abounds with salt, plaster of Paris, limestone, coal and 

 sugar trees, if not iron ; and very few heavy articles will 

 future generations wish to convey back : it will almost 

 exclusively be a down stream trade, and I presume prin- 

 cipally on rafts of different descriptions of wood, which 

 will ever be wanted near the seaboard for fuel, and suita- 

 ble timber for buildings and mechanical purposes 



When I take a serious view of those beautiful rivers, I 

 consider, that creative wisdom hath formed them perfectly 



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