88 INTRODUCTION. 
into consideration the propriety of exploring and causing an accurate survey to 
be made of the most eligible and direct route for a canal, to open a communica- 
tion between the tide waters of the Hudson river and Lake Erie, to the end 
that congress may be enabled to appropriate such sums as may be necessary to 
the accomplishment of that great national object.” 
This resolution was adopted, and John Tayler, John Nicholas and Jonathan 
Ward, on the part of the senate, and Thomas R. Gold, William W. Gilbert, 
Obadiah German and James L. Hogeboom, on the part of the assembly, consti- 
tuted the committee. 
Mr. Gold submitted a report, not less eloquent in language than elevated in 
sentiment, in which he stated, that while the subject presented to the government 
of the United States, in removing natural barriers, and drawing together and 
preserving in political concord the distant parts of a widely extended empire ; 
an object inviting to patriotism, and interesting to its reputation, the commercial 
interests of this state impelled to the most strenuous efforts in promoting the same 
object. That in tracing the vestiges of ancient states, in whose councils munifi- 
cence, guided by wisdom, presided, the remains of commercial improvement. in 
public canals, and other undertakings, marked the advanced state of society, and 
attested the empire of the arts of peace; that while miltary achievement had 
shed lustre on nations, works of public utility, tending to the happiness and wel- 
fare of society, recorded the exercise of superior virtues, and afforded better 
monuments of true and lasting glory; that with these sentiments the citizens of 
this state had witnessed with high satisfaction the conduct of the executive of 
the United States, in recommending an appropriation of a portion of the surplus 
revenue for improving, by canals, the inland navigation of the country ; and that 
while this state would forbear to derogate from the claims of others, she felt 
warranted in presenting to the government of the Union, her own territory, as 
preéminently distinguished for commercial advantages. 
In pursuance of a recommendation by the committee, a resolution unanimously 
passed both houses, directing the surveyor-general, Simeon De Witt, to cause an 
