280 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



sti'uction of canals. Companies have existed for a number of years, h 

 different parts of the union; but they have not met with encourage- 

 ment sufficient, to enable them to execute any works of much con 

 sequence. Such canals as have been completed, will be noticed in 

 the respective states in which they are found. 



The labour of a few years would open a complete inland water 

 communication, from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to that of the 

 Mississippi. The principal impediments are, the rapids in the St. 

 Lawrence, between Lake Ontario and Montreal, the falls of Niagara 

 and St. Mary's, and the portages between the lakes, and the eastern 

 branches of the Mississippi. There are six different points at which 

 the Illinois might be connected with Lake Michigan. One of them 

 would require a canal of but one mile in length. At another the dis- 

 tance is but two miles. At three of the other places, the portages are 

 about three miles, and at the other four. In several of these distances, 

 the land is so low as to be inundated annually by the spring floods, at 

 which period boats have passed from Lake Michigan to the Missis- 

 sippi. Around the falls of St. Mary's, a canal has already been con- 

 structed on the British side. One of ten miles extent would be 

 required round those of Niagara. 



Four canals, whose whole length would be near 100 miles, would 

 insure an inland navigation, from Boston to the liver St. Mary's. The 

 first of these between Boston harbour, and the head of the river 

 Taunton, would be 26 miles in length, and would cost 1,250,000 dol- 

 lars. The second, in a direct line, would be 26 miles. If it should 

 pass round the " Sand hills," west of New Brunswick, the distance 

 would be increased to twenty-eight miles. It is estimated the cost 

 of this would be §800,000. The length of the third, from Christianna 

 creek, to Elk river, would be 22 miles. A company, incorporated by 

 the states of Delaware and Maryland, for opening this canal, has com- 

 menced its operations, now suspended for want of funds. The ex- 

 penses are estimated at g850,000. A company, incorporated by the 

 states of Virginia and North Carolina, for opening the fourth canal, 

 through the Dismal swamp, has made considerable progress in the 

 work. It extends 22 miles, from a branch of Elizabeth to a branch 

 of Pasquotank river, an arm of Albemarle sound. The cost is esti- 

 mated at £250,000.* 



A company, incorporated by the legislature of New York, has com- 

 menced the construction of a canal, which is intended to unite the 

 waters of the river Hudson with those of lake Ontario. The length 

 of this canal, when completed, will be 300 miles, and the expence is. 

 estimated at §5,000,000. Its effect will be to divert the trade of lake 

 Ontario from Montreal to New-York. A company has also been for- 

 med for the purpose of uniting lake Champlain to the Hudson, but it 

 has not succeeded for want of funds. A plan has also been in con- 

 templation, for a number of years, to unite the rivers Susquehannah 

 and Delaware, in Pennsylvania, and a company for the purpose, was 

 formed. After expending considerable sums, want of funds has obli- 

 ged them to suspend their operations. 



The attention of the inhabitants of Tennessee, has lately been turn- 

 ed to the formation of a water communication between the rivers 

 Tennessee and Tombecbee. No particular plan has, however, been 

 as yet matured, nor any company formed. The length of the canal 

 would be about eighteen miles. 



• Report of the Secretary of the treasury to the Senate of the United States* 



