Internal Improvements, 65 



this may be clearly understood, 1 will mention the par- 

 ticular points, by which this connexion may be opened. 

 ^ The north western branch of the Susquehanna is 

 formed by rivers and creeks, some of which have the 

 same source as the Genessee and Allegheny rivers, 

 whilst others are connected with, or rise with the nu- 

 merous small lakes, which flow into the Ontario. The 

 southern, or Tioga source, is within about twelve miles 

 of the head and navigable waters of the Allegheny ; a 

 fact, which shows, that if there were no route entirely 

 through our own state, connecting the eastern and 

 western w^aters, a good one might thus be opened. By 

 this source a direct and easy communication is opened 

 to the head waters of the Genessee river, and down 

 that river there is a direct communication with lake 

 Ontario. The middle source is the river Canistro, 

 which is navigable to the town of Arkport, situated at 

 the head of the Canistro, about 75 miles by water from 

 the Pennsylvania line : from Arkport to the Genessee 

 river the distance is but twelve miles ; to lake Cana- 

 darque ten miles ; to Angelica twenty two miles ; and 

 to the Allegheny at Oleanne, Major Hoop's settlement, 

 forty five miles. At the latter place the Allegheny is 

 sixteen rods wide, and the navigation excellent all the 

 way to Pittsburgh. The northern source is the river 

 Conhocton, upon which is situated the town of Bath, 

 from whence it is but about ten miles to Crooked lake, 

 which opens a water communication to lake Ontario. 



These three sources unite a little to the west of the 

 town called Painted Post, and form the north west 

 branch of the Susquehanna, which flows for almost 80 

 miles, nearly in a south eastern direction, until it en- 



VOL. III. i '^ 



