[32] ^110 
Since the establishment of a Navy Yard at Charlestown, as one 
of the principal depots, it has begun to be thought of national in- 
terest to connect it witli Newport Harbor, Avhich is the only one on 
tiic coast accessible with a nortliwest Avind. Its approacii being so 
safe, its entrance so immediate from the open sea, its position so de- 
fensible, that a commnnication with the Jiarbor of Boston would, in 
time of war, be in effect to give extension to the power of that estab- 
lisbment. It would have two entrances far a])art by sea, but be prac- 
tically one. by this canal. The history of the late war lias proved 
that it is no easy operation to blockade for any length of time either 
of these ports. American frigates sailed fi-om them w bile squadrons 
were off; an obvious reason is, that an easterly gale compels them to 
haul off to sea, and a change to the w est puts them at a distance and to 
leeward. A navy must, therefore, be far more efHcicnt equipt at 
tjjcse ports than at any otliei*s. A ship entering Newport to relit 
would be supplied from the navy yard with every thing required in a 
short time; and instead of a passage round Nantucket Shoals, she 
would be equipt for sea again in almost as little time as it might liave 
required to get well into port if she had made the coast in the latitude 
of N ewport. 
In a commercial point of view this commnnication will be also of 
value in time of \\ar. The less vulnerable a nation makes herself in 
lier domestic resources, the more powerful and independent in relation 
to other powers. The continued prosperity of the people at home 
will be felt in their strength to cai'ry on war abroad. It is thought 
that Long Island Sound, as well as Chesapeake Bay, may be pro- 
tected by active steam batteries. The Bay and Sound being kept 
free and open, this communication becomes a part of the chain extend- 
ing from the seat of government in New Hampshire to the southern 
states, and ultimately to the \\ estern states. 
The states contiguous to MaHsachusetts have an immediate interest 
in this ini|,rovemcnt; by it their intercourse with the city of Boston 
would be by water carnage, and Connecticut would have the choice 
of the two great markets for all produce. Indeed the interior of the 
state of New York is )iot without an interest in tiiis facility of com- 
munication, with a place already supplied circuitously with flour in 
some measure from thence. 
Tiie manufactories of iron and cotton in Rhode Island, and between 
that state and Boston, supply, at this time, a transportation estimated 
at forty thousand tons. 
Tlic description of tills route may be briefly made. The entrance 
of a canal in this place would be twelve miles from tlie navy Aard: 
1 hence to the tide on Taunton River, twentij-four miles; thence, by 
bloo{> navigation to Newport, J'orfii miles, tlie whole 76 miles. 
Ascending tiie valley of Weymoutli river, the summit ground at 
the distance of about ten miles, is found to be in Howard's meadow, 
133 feet above high tide; from thence the country declines gently to 
the tide near tlie course of Taunton River. The suj)ply of the canal 
will depend upon streams which issue from certain large ponds. Inu 
