[82] 
6S 
dcftj) cut. The exact gaiiginj*' of the wiitei-s, supplied by severaJ ponds 
at thoir lowest staj^c, a siu-vry of their area, ami an investii^atiou into 
the causes which fin-m and feed then», cat> alune ditect us to come to 
a!i acruraie cotulusion on the praclicabiiity of the catial. 
If this comnuuiioa ion i;-! found pi-acticahle, it will procui'e great ad- 
vanta.^TS. It will shorten bv two or thr-ee Jays, the navit^ation from 
New York to Boston; and, \\ lien tlie N. W. winds are reigning, will 
give a great advantage to vessels which may run into Nan-agansett 
J^ay, latlior t!ian Buzzard's Bay: for, on insning fioni l!ic eastern 
termination of the canal projected ironi the latter Bay to Barnstable 
Harbor, they could not reac h Boston by a N. V/. wind. In winter 
jSarragansett Bay does not offer the same dilliculties from floating ice 
as Buzzard's Bay, and its navigation is shorter and safer. In time 
of war, vessels will be better protected upon this route, and the canal 
itself better covered against any attack. If, to these considerations, 
\ve add the great advantage of a prompt and easy communication 
between two such harbors as Boston and Narragansett Bay, and of 
securing in time of wai', the safe and prompt arrival of rmval supplies 
from the southern stati-s to tlie naval depot of Boston; we will readily 
conclude that a work so important and useful as the canal from Taun- 
ton to Weymoutii, deserves that e\ery care and attention should be 
bestowed in investigating to what degree it is practicable. 
Such are the general views and particular details, already ascer- 
tained, on the several lirrcs of canals which the Board have explored 
and examined duiing the last season. These details may, perhaps, 
be found, on many points- too mirmte; but we have deemed them all 
esstntial to the gbject to which they relate. The result of such j-e« 
searches, whether they |)rove isnportant orotherwise, should, besides, 
be recorded, to avoid, heicafter, a repetition of the expense which the 
nation has incurred to |)rocuie them. 
As to the general results obtained by this expedition, they are as 
favorable as jiossible to the great object in contemplation; opening a 
system of communication to unite all the sections of the llepublic by 
the bonds of comnnicial intercouise, and rapid mutual aid in time of 
danger. This system will contribute essentially to the great end of 
rendering the means of our Government more ellidient; for, by reduc- 
ing the time necessary for communication, It will reduce, in fact, the 
great distances wiikh divide the sections of our vast cmjnre Irom each 
other, and will enable us easily and promptly to transfer the means 
and j)rodu( c of one climate to anothei; it will give a new value to the 
agric iiitural and mineral riches of our soil, and a new life and activity 
to our manufacturing industr-y, by facilitating their circulation. \\ ith- 
out a Iree and constant circulation, the political, as well as the human 
body becomes [laraljztd and benumbed in its opeiations. 
The results, at the present stage of the operations; are as follow: 
1st. A canal iiom the I'otomac to the Ohio, and one from the Ohio 
to Latie Erie, are perfectly piacticable; tlie dilhculties to be encoun- 
tered in their executions, are, in no respect, greater than those which 
baye been ovetcome before now in works of the same nature. 
