GOVERNOR Clinton's visit. 267 



ced, by the sons of those who achieved the independence of 

 their country. With the citizens of Ohio, this day will be 

 forever held doubly sacred. 



The day was as fair as heart could desire, and the summit 

 where the first shovel full of earth was to be excavated, was 

 three miles or more westwardly of Newark. The underbrush 

 was cleared off from an acre or more in the woods, near the 

 summit, where under many wide spreading beech trees, tables 

 and seats were placed for the assemblage to dine. Got- 

 LEiB Steinman of Lancaster, made these preparations and 

 furnished a dinner fjr all this large company. 



At an early hour in the morning of the 4 th, the whole as- 

 semblage moved from Newark, on to the ground which had been 

 prepared for them. Governor Clinton, governor Morrow, and 

 the state officers went to the ground on the summit, and ex- 

 cavated each a few shovel fulls of earth. After this ceremony 

 was performed, these officers retired to a rude platform, un. 

 der a shade, where, being seated, Thomas Ewing Esquire, our 

 late United States senator, delivered an address on the occa- 

 sion, to the people and to governor Clinton. This address was 

 replied to by governor Clinton, who was repeatedly interrup- 

 ted by the loud huzzas of the thousands there assembled. As 

 soon as his address was finished, one burst of universal ap- 

 plause from all present, followed it. One hundred guns told 

 the world that the canal was begun. At these demonstra- 

 tions of respect and gratitude, spontaneously given, governor 

 Clinton wept. Surrounded as he always had been, by the poli- 

 ticians of his own state, such tokens had never before been 

 tendered him. They overcame his feelings for a moment, 

 and he shed tears. This was a foretaste of the applause which 

 posterity will certainly forever bestow on his gigantic labors 

 for their benefit. So long as the Hudson, Erie and Ohio are 

 connected by canals, so long will his memory be blessed. 



The addresses having been delivered, the company sat down 

 to dine in the shade of wide spreading beeches. The Gov- 

 ernors of Ohio and New York occupied the highest places at 

 the table, and the state officers of both states sat next to them. 



