114 INTRODUCTION. 



the Atlantic and the great lakes, was already, he observed, nearly accomplished, 

 but would not be fully realized until Lake Ontario should be connected with the 

 Erie canal and with Lake Champlain ; and the importance of these improve- 

 ments would be appreciated when it was understood that the lake coast, not only 

 of this state, but of the United States, was more extensive than their sea coast. 

 The next leading object, he remarked, should be to unite the minor lakes and 

 secondary rivers with the canals, and to effect such a connection between the 

 bays on the sea coast as would ensure the safety of boat navigation against the 

 tempests of the ocean in time of peace, and against the depredations of an enemy 

 in time of war. He pointed out, as portions of this great system, the construc- 

 tion of canals to connect the Seneca, the Cayuga, the Canandaigua and other 

 lakes in the vicinity, vidth the Erie canal, and of a navigable channel from the 

 Hudson to the Delaware ; an union of the upper waters of the Susquehannah with 

 the Genesee and the Allegany rivers ; a connection of the Erie canal with the 

 Susquehannah river, through the Chenango valley ; of the same river with the Se- 

 neca lake ; of the Erie canal at Buffalo vdth the Allegany river, at the confluence 

 of that stream with the Conewango, and of the Black river vdth the Erie canal ; 

 and the construction of a navigable communication between Gravesend bay and 

 other inlets of the sea, on the shore of Long Island. To these suggestions he 

 added others, concerning the importance of an uninterrupted navigation of the 

 upper waters of the Hudson river, and a road through the southern tier of coun- 

 ties from tide water to Lake Erie. 



Of this comprehensive plan, the Oswego canal, the Cayuga and Seneca canal, 

 the Crooked Lake canal, the Chemung canal, the Chenango canal, and the De- 

 laware and Hudson canal, are already completed ; the Black River canal, the 

 Genesee Valley canal, the New- York and Erie railroad, and the Long Island 

 railroad, are now in process of construction ; while for the Ogdensburgh and 

 Lake Champlain railroad, the Connewango canal, the improvement of the north- 

 ern branches of the Hudson, and the projected continuation of the Chemung 

 and Chenango canals, surveys have been made under legislative authority. 



