The Ohio-Michigan Boundary Line 371 
Wabash-Erie Canal was surveyed in 1836 and completed about 
1845; but the agitation which resulted in this canal was an im- 
portant factor in the boundary dispute. The canal propaganda 
was supported by Ohio capitalists and by those interested in Ohio, 
but living in the east, a group of whom had undertaken to build a 
city at Toledo, and others had interests in other towns of the dis- 
puted territory. These men were actively interested in Ohio’s 
contention over the boundary; they foresaw that canals would be 
a means of opening up a large central area of farms which formed 
an isolated district practically cut off from the Ohio River and the 
lake, and would thereby increase the growth and prosperity of the 
state. 
The Miami-Erie Canal was considered a good transportation 
route for manufacturers from the eastern cities to the great river 
valley at, and below Cincinnati. The Wabash-Erie Canal was 
expected to control Indiana trade. Toledo, aided by these canals 
and its position on the lake, was predicted to be one of the greatest 
gathering points of agricultural productions in the country; and 
was considered equally favorable for the distribution, over the 
lakes, of southern products, sugar and tobacco. At that time 
canals were the most important means of transportation. Their 
construction required large expenditures, and too great risk as to 
profits for individuals or companies to undertake, hence the canals 
were to be owned by the state. Ohio, having a relatively dense 
population, and considerable wealth, was able to undertake con- 
structing canals; her accessibility to the older centers of settle- 
ment was a factor in the prevalent optimism. Ohio capitalists 
recognized the natural advantages of Toledo as the northern 
terminus of a canal; other termini were considered, but Toledo 
was found to be the only practicable one from an engineering 
point of view. The industrial purposes of a canal in western 
Ohio would be but partly fulfilled if some other harbor had to be 
used. Ohioans therefore insisted upon the “proviso” of their 
constitution. 
Thus when Michigan began to make known her claims to the 
boundary as specified in the ordinance, canal building came to a 
sudden halt. Toledo was the physiographic terminus; the 
thought of Ohio constructing so expensive a channel of trade and 
then turning its traffic into a Michigan port was not to be enter- 
tained. Michigan was anxious to avail herself of whatever ad- 
