im 



UNITED STATES 



the latter, are yet to be cleared of their fixed ob» 

 structions.* 



To the above mentioned connecting links between 

 the western waters, and the Atlantic Ocean, may 

 be enumerated two others, viz. that by the great 

 river St. Lawrence; and that by the intended canal 

 connecting the Susquehannah and Delaware^ 



The experience of the Indian traders for many 

 years, h^s shewn that, exclusively of the trade en» 

 grossed by the British North-west Company, mer- 

 chandise taken up the St. Lawrence, and to the 

 Illinois by way of the lakes, may be sold on the river 

 Mississippi, so much cheaper than goods taken up 

 the last river, as to cause a decided preference t®, 

 be given to them, even as far down the Mississippi 

 as the river Ohio. The cause of the increased ex- 

 pense of the Mississippi rout, is the greater rapidity 

 0f its stream, when compared to that of the St., 

 Lawrence. To remedy this evil, the government 

 of the United States are at present engaged in mak- 

 ing a road from the Patowmac, through the moun- 

 tains and rugged space lying between the seat of 

 government, and the western country, a measure 

 which will be of infinite consequence to the United 

 States. 



The rout recommended by a gentleman well ac- 

 quainted with the country, (Mr. Elie Williams) is 

 from Cumberland on the Patowmac, to the mouth- 

 of George's creek on the Islonongahela ; as such a 

 rout embraces the largest possible latitude in the 

 calculation of general utility, whether the accommo- 

 dation of the country already settled, or capable of 



* Jd^^i's^n^s Notes on Virgmia. 



