WESTERN CANAL. 27 



\\6Ye faailHar to my mind. Actual inspection has 

 exceeded the most saijgu'me anticipation. Some- 

 times I think that I am in the region of enchant- 

 ment, and that the magical operations of eastern 

 iiction are acted over again in this country. Two 

 canals of ]24 miles, uniting to a certain extent 

 the great fresh water seas of the interior, with the 

 ocean; and all tins done without noise, and as it 

 were without effort, in less than two years aufl a 

 half, mi'iSt shut the mouth of scepticism, and excite 

 universal astonishment. I'lic more I examine 

 anto this subject, the more in^portant consequen-^ 

 €cs do I observe. The men who are the prlmum 

 mobile of this sclieme, appear to understand tli-j 

 genuine sources of national wealtli, and the ortho- 

 dox principles of political economy. Internal 

 trade is the great substratum of riches. It excites 

 all kinds of industry, sharpens the faculties, and 

 multiplies the exertions of man ; and inland navi- 

 :gation is the lever of Archimedesj which will set 

 in motion this world of occupation and exertion. 



Both sides of the canal are in fence. This is 

 necessary in order to protect tlie bank from cattle, 

 and the farms from depredations. I was slicwn 

 -at Whitesborough, a fence, the materials of which 

 were conveyed from Canasaraga last fa!!, on the 

 canal. Tvventy-tvv'o hundred cedar rails were 

 transported with one liorre, t^vo men, and a b^'V ? 



