272 Internal Improvements, by Roads, ^c. 



every stream were devoted to spinning jennies, and other machines 

 for turning spindles ; and moving tilt-hammers, rollers, and other 

 machinery for works in metals. Still we should require agricultu- 

 ral operations, and the necessary conveyance of their products, for 

 our own, and the support of the manufacturers ; — too much immu- 

 red, — and, most frequently, too dissipated, — to cultivate the ground; 

 — even for their own sustenance. If the great body of our domestic 

 animals, were metamorphosed ; and changed into sheep ; — the 

 PLASTER will yet be the grand requisite for enriching their pas- 

 tures : and land and water transportation will be constantly requi- 

 red for its conveyance ; as well as that of the materials for manu- 

 factures, and the fabricks produced by them. I have heretofore 

 mentioned, the great distances, in England, from whence heavy and 

 bulky materials are conveyed, by canals, to the manufactories ; 

 placed where they are, merely on account of the pit-coal, used as 

 fuel. Interior land and water transportation, by artificial roads, 

 and canals, (the latter the cheapest and best) will be always in 

 requisition. In peace, it is all essential ; — in war, — not less so. 

 Even in our late anomalous situation, — when neither at peace nor 

 at war, — we should have found its inestimable use. 



I c^m under obligations to Mr. Church, not only for the informa- 

 tion he gives ; but for the reference he makes to the pamphlet pub- 

 lished by Mr. W. J. Duane : which, itis possible, I should not have 

 seen, but for this reference ; however highly worthy it may be, (and 

 certainly is,) of the serious attention, of every well wisher to the 

 prosperity of Pennsylvania. Although I may not agree in all Mr. 

 D.'s sentiments collateral to his main object ; yet I think his assi- 

 duity, and judgment in collecting facts ; and his patriotic, animat- 

 ed, and sensible observations on, and elucidations of them ; entitle 

 him to the thanks of his fellow citizens. — Mine he has, sincerely. 

 Mr. D.'s mortifying embarrassments, in his endeavours to prevail 

 on the great body of a legislature, to see the plainest truths, through 

 the film of prejudice ; — I can well conceive. I had a quant, siiff. of 

 th^e, to encounter ; in my legislative career. I believe the bill, for 

 establishing the first appropriation for roads and internal naviga- 

 tion, passed 23 or 24 years ago, was drawn by myself; to effeclu- 



