USA > Maryland > Allegany County > Cumberland > History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition > Part 30
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May 8, 1871 .- Mayor, W.m. Piatt; Councilmen, John B. Widener, H. Bloomenour, James H. Percy, A. J. Walton, S. P. Harbaugh, and Henry Gerdeman.
November 7 .- George A. Pearre was elected Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, by a majority of 2,515. Delegates to the Legislature, Dr. G. E. Porter, John Coles, Charles Young and Jasper Robinette. Sheriff, R. L. Gross. State's Attorney, William J. Read. Judges of the Orphans' Court, William R. McCulley, John Coulehan, Upton D. Long. County Commissioners, A. C. Greene, Ashford Trail, William R. Beall, S. L. Townshend, George Reuschlein Surveyor, T. L. Patterson.
May 13, 1872 .- Mayor, John B. Widener; Council- men, .W. A. Withers, Alexander McFerran, Francis Haley, Henry Shuck, Jesse Korns and C. F. Hetzel.
November 5 .- The election for Congressman in
432
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1872-76.
the Sixth District resulted in the choice of Lloyd Lowndes, Jr., Republican, of Allegany county, over John Ritchie, Democrat, of Frederick county, by a majority of 1,715. The vote stood, Allegany, Lowndes, 3,611; Ritchie, 2,646. Washington, Lowndes, 3,635; Ritchie, 3,385. Frederick, Lowndes, 4,892, Ritchie, 4,099. Montgomery, Lowndes, 1,920; Ritchie, 2,213.
In January, 1872, a number of persons living in the western portion of Allegany county presented to the Legislature a petition, praying for a division of the county, and the formation of a new county, which should comprise all of Allegany lying west of a line extending from the middle of Savage river, where it empties into the Potomac river, north twenty-six miles to a point on the top of Savage Mountain, where said mountain is crossed by Mason and Dixon's line. The Legislature passed an act authorizing the voters living within the limits of the proposed new county to vote upon the question of the division, as also upon the location of the county
seat. At the regular election in November the ballot was taken. Oakland, Grantsville and McHenry's Glades were the competitors for the county seat. The vote in favor of the new county was 1,297; against it, 405. For the county seat Oakland received 653 votes, Grantsville, 590, and McHenry's Glades, 456. In the following year, the new county of Garrett (so named in honor of John W. Garrett, President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com- pany) was formed, and the county seat was located at Oakland.
433
1873-76.] CITY AND COUNTY OFFICERS.
May 12, 1873 .- Mayor, W. A. Withers ; Council- men, F. Haley, George Flurshutz, Henry Korns, Joseph H. Ways, Alexander McFerran, and George Rossworm.
November 4 .- State Senator, Thomas G. McCul- loh ; Delegates, C. B. Wack, William Brace, John Weir and James Park. Clerk of Court, Theodore Luman. Register of Wills, C. C. Shriver .* Sheriff, James C. Lynn. County Commissioners, A. C. Greene, Ashford Trail, B. L. Turner, William R. Beall and George Reuschlein. Surveyor, Daniel Chisholm.
A new charter was adopted for the city, in January, by the Legislature, whereby the city was divided into six wards, and each ward authorized to elect two members of the City Council, one to be elected each alternate year. At the election held on the 18th of May, 1874, the officers chosen were as fol- lows, a full board of Councilmen being elected, one from each ward to retire from office at the expira- tion of one year ; the others to serve two years from date of election :
Mayor, Wm. R. McCulley; Councilmen-First Ward, Wm. O. Sprigg, George Rossworm; Second Ward, M. Y. Rabold, John Weibel; Third Ward, A. M. L. Bush, Archer Scott; Fourth Ward, Jacob Shuck, James T. Hill; Fifth Ward, Wm. M. Price, Joseph H. Ways; Sixth Ward, H. D. Black, Francis Haley.
On the 4th of December Mayor McCulley died, much regretted by the entire populace of the city,
*Mr. Shriver died October 12, 1875, and John Rhind was elected to fill the vacancy. 55
434
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1875-76.
and John Humbird was elected to fill the vacancy.
May 17, 1875 .- Councilmen-First Ward, John B. Fay; Second Ward, M. Y. Rabold; Third Ward, John Martz; Fourth Ward, James T. Hill; Fifth Ward, Joseph H. Ways; Sixth Ward, Peter Kelly. November 2 .- Delegates to the Legislature, Wm. O. Sprigg, George M. Rawlings, H. R. Atkinson, John R. Brooke. County Commissioners, A. C. Greene, William R. Beall, George Reuschlein, A. B. Shaw, Ashford Trail. Judges of Orphans' Court, John Coulehan, Robert Bruce, C. Slack. Register of Wills, John Rhind .* Sheriff, John G. Bauer. State's Attorney, A. Hunter Boyd. Surveyor, John Schaidt. May 16, 1876 .- Mayor, W. A. Withers ; Council- men: First Ward, A. Spier; Second Ward, John Weibel ; Third Ward, F. Foghtman, J. G. Greenfield;} Fourth Ward, Jacob Shuck, George W. Cromwell ;} Fifth Ward, E. M. Bynon; Sixth Ward, George W. Morgan.
November 7 .-- The candidates for Congress were William Walsh, of Cumberland, Democrat, and Louis E. McComas, of Hagerstown, Republican. The vote was as follows : Garrett county, Walsh 950, McComas 1,020; Allegany, Walsh 3,110, Mc- Comas 3,304; Washington, Walsh 3,893, McComas 3,986 ; Frederick, Walsh 4,921, McComas 5,305; Montgomery, Walsh 2,853; McComas 2,098- Walsh's total vote 15,727, McComas 15,713.
The following is a list of the Postmasters, at Cum- berland, with date of appointment in each case, since
*Elected to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of C. C. Shriver.
¡To serve unexpired term of George Martz, resigned.
¿To serve unexpired term of J. T. Hill, resigned.
COURT HOUSE.
LOWDERMILK'S HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND .
Lath. by A.Horn & Co. Baltimore.
ALLEGANY COUNTY ACADEMY.
435
POSTMASTERS AND ATTORNEYS.
the establishment of the Post-office, January 1st, 1795:
Charles P. Broadbag. January 1, 1795.
Beene S. Pigman. .. July 1, 1802.
Samuel Smith January 17, 1807.
Edward Wiatt. December 21, 1819.
Samuel Magill. January 18, 1820.
James Whitehead. October 19, 1824.
James P. Carleton
December 11, 1827.
Daniel Wineow
February 16, 1841.
William Lynn.
March 5, 1842.
William Lynn, (office became Presidential) March 8, 1844.
Jacob Fechtig February 24, 1846.
Jas. C. Magraw May 9, 1849.
Wm. A. Taylor. June 1, 1853.
Samuel H. Taylor. August 31, 1858.
Geo. A. Hoffman. .March 27, 1861.
John H. Young .... April 11, 1865.
Will H. Lowdermilk . May 13, 1869.
H. J. Johnson March 1, 1878.
The following is a list of Attorneys at Law ad- mitted to practice at the Allegany County Bar :
Names.
Date of Admission.
Names.
Date of Admission.
D. Weisel,
Samuel G. Bartley,
John McNeill, Jr.,
V. M. Randall,
Daniel Clarke, Jr.,
John Davis, Jr.,
John T. McBurbridge,
Edward McDonald, Jr.,
M. Brown,
William W. McKaig,
John Taylor,
William Thistle,
George Magruder,
Dec. 1791
William Matthews, Jr.,
E. Gaither,
James Wm. McCulloh,
Oct. 1834
S. Hughes, Jr.,
Edward Shriver,
John Johnson,
Dec. 1791
Hanson B. Pigman,
April 1836
John Miller,
Elisha C. Wells,
Roger Perry,
R. Wilson, Jr.,
April 1847
Lenox Martin,
Dec. 1791
H. B. Tomlinson.
William Clagett,
A. W. McDonald,
Joseph Wegley,
Benjamin P. Smith,
April 1839
R. Semmes, Samuel Price,
George A. Pearre, Jervis Spencer,
66 66
William Sprigg,
William Pitts,
Oct.
Jacob Nagle,
William Motter,
William G. Brown
George Schley,
C. L. Sample,
Charles H. J. Pigman,
T. Murdoch. Patrick Magruder,
William Perry,
Silas Paul,
Worthington Ross,
Thomas Thistle,
Thomson Mason,
George Price,
William P. Webster,
Oct ..
Rezin Davidge,
George A. Thruston, John F. Dilley,
Beene S. Pigman,
John Hanson Thomas, S. Selby,
April 1802 Dec. 1791
W. Murray Hollyday, Minor Gibson,
April 1842 Oct.
..
-
April 1840 Oct. April 1841 6.
George R. C. Price,
436
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
Names.
Date of Admission
Names.
Date of Admission .
Tal P. Shaffner, Edward Warner,
April 1843 66
Frederick A. Schley, William Schley, J. Dixon. John C. Graff, John M. Brewer,
April 1835 Oct. 1827
Upton Laurence,
H. H. Gaither,
John Lyon, of Bedford, John J. Stull,
R. C. Hollyday,
April 1834
E. C. Guest,
Robert C. Stone,
Oct. 1803
J. P. Roman,
1844 Oct. 1844
Otho Shrader,
J. H. Gordon,
James Shair,
April 1805
J. Marshall,
April 1845
P. Worthington,
N. Carroll Mason,
Oct. 1845
Josiah Espy,
J. H Clay Mudd,
April 1846
Beal Howard,
Oct. 1801
W. G. Van Lear,
April 1846
Richard Brooks,
Charles B. Thruston,
April 1847
Cheston Ringgold,
George H. Hickman,
April 1847
D. Raymond,
Amelius Steele,
July 1847 Oct. 1847 Oct 1847
James Dixon Roman,
Andrew W. Kercheval,
Thomas B. Pottenger,
Thomas C. Green,
April 1848
Upton S. Reid,
Thomas Devecmon,
April 1848
George B, Balch,
Charles F. Mayer,
May 1848
H. M. Brackenridge,
Andrew Sterett Ridgely, G. B. M. Price,
Nov. 1848
George G. Ross,
Henry W. Hoffman,
Nov. 1848
John M. Fordick,
Jacob Brown,
April 1849
Dan Hughes, Jr.,
Alonzo Berry,
Oct. 1850 66 66
Robert Swann,
Aza Beall,
James M. Riddle,
J. M. Schley,
66
Moses Tabb,
William Baird,
Oct. 1851
William Magruder,
Joseph A. Chaplin,
April 1854
Brice W. Howard,
Oct. 1816
Thomas A. Hopkins, William Kilgore,
Nov. 1856
James P. Carleton, Jr., J. D. Yore,
Hopewell Hebb,
Oct. 1853
James M. Russell,
George Hebb,
John A. J, Kilgour,
F. S. Hoblitzell,
1852
J. M. Palmer,
Henry Price,
April 1852
Samuel M. Semmes,
Michael Umbaugh,
June 1852
William Price,
Oct. 1816
John A. Dilte,
Jan. 1853
Arthur Shaaff, John Tod,
Richard H. Alvey,
1855
David G. Yost,
April 1818
John McCarty,
April 1855
Zadok Magruder,
Theodore Brace,
May 1856
J. E. Barclay,
Charles B. Pearre
Feb. 1859
William J. Ross,
Samuel Smith,
April 1859
D. Forward,
Wm. McClay Hall,
Oct. 1859
Thomas Perry
S. W. Downey
April 1863
C. Forward,
Jairus W. Robinette,
Oct. 1863
Loxley H. Thistle,
John L. Thomas,
Oct. 1855
William Walsh,
April 1865
Henry Bruce,
66
William Devecmon,
66
W. J. Naylor,
Peter Devecmon,
Jan. 1856 66
William Matthews, W. V. Buskirk,
J, Frank Seiss,
Joseph A. Cahill,
1860
Phil B. Street,
L. M. Barclay,
May 1848
James Carson,
M. Wallace,
Andrew E. Kennedy,
Oct. 1854
T. I. McKaig,
Joseph Sprigg,
Oct. 1817 April 1817
Joseph B. Fayes,
Daniel Blocher,
Joseph A. Wickes,
1854
J. McMahon, George Swearingen Cuth. Powell, Jr., James Smith,
William Johns Read,
M. Topham Evans, Charles C. McCullob,
April 1843
William Lawrence,
Robert J. Brent,
James H. Bevans,
437
JUDGES.
Names.
Date of Admission.
Names.
Date of Admission.
Richard T. Semmes.
Jan. 1860
J. W. Wolf
Jan. 1871
J. J. McHenry,
Gilmore S. Hamill,
Oct. 1871
Thomas I. Mckaig, Jr.,
April 1866
A. Hunter Boyd.
Sept. 1871
William M. Price,
William Brace. Jr.,
Oct. 1871
Ferdinand Williams,
Oct. 1866
John M. Read,
Jan. 1872
T. Cook Hughey,
Jan. 1867
B. F. M. Hurley,
Jan. 1873
D. James Blackiston,
66
66
J. D. Ludwig.
Maurice A. Healey,
Oct. 1867
Robert H Gordon,
Oct. 1873 *
R. Chew Jones,
Jan. 1868
Dwight McCleave,
Jan. 1874
Clarendon Tate,
William H. Cahill
April 1868
John E. Semmes,
April 1875
Thomas E. Gonder.
June 1868
James A McHenry,
Oct. 1875
James M. Beall,
Oct. 1868
David W. Sloan,
Oct. 1876
Robert W. McMichael,
Nov. 1868
T. F. Candler,
May 1877
S. A. Cox,
Jan. 1869
Johns McCleave,
Oct. 1877 July 1878
John B. Fay,
Feb. 1869
Will S. Bridendolph, Robert McDonald,
A. B. Gonder,
Oct. 1869
W. J. Ravenscraft,
66
James Forsyth Harrison,
Jan. 1870
H. C. Brace,
Charles Brown,
April 1870
James E. Ellegood,
Oct. 1878
A. Beall McKaig,
N. E. Fuller,
JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
For more than seventy years the Bench in this Judicial District has been distinguished for its pre-eminent ability, and is to-day, one of the ablest in the country, being composed of their Honors R. H. Alvey, Chief Judge; George A Pearre and Wm. Motter, Associate Judges.
Richard Potts was appointed Chief Justice of this District, October 15, 1796; Wm. Craik, Associate, October 20, 1801; Wm. Claggett, January 28, 1802. In 1806, John Buchanan was appointed Chief Judge, upon the death of Judge Potts; and Abraham Shriver succeeded Judge Craik. Judge Clag- gett then died, and Roger Nelson succeeded him, in May, 1810; and upon his death, in 1815, Thomas Buchanan was appointed. In 1843, Richard H. Marshall succeeded Judge Shriver; and in 1844, Samuel M. Semmes was appointed to succeed Judge John Buchanan, but a succeeding Senate of opposite politics declined to confirm him, and in 1845 Robert N. Martin was appointed. In October, 1847, Judge Thomas Buchanan died, and Daniel Weisel succeeded him.
Under the constitution of 1850 the office of Judge became elective, each county having but one Judge, and Thomas Perry was elected to the Bench in Allegany in 1851, serving until the adoption of the constitution of 1864, when a new election was held, and James Smith was chosen. Judge Smith died suddenly in August, 1865, and George A. Pearre was appointed to fill the vacancy, and elected to the same position in November, of that year. In 1867, the constitution was again changed, and three judges required for each District ; in compliance with which Richard H. Alvey was elected Chief Judge; Wm. Motter, and Thomas Perry, Associates. In 1871, Judge Perry died, and Judge Pearre was elected to fill the vacancy.
James L. Vallandigham,
Oscar G. Getzendanner,
April 1872
A. II. Blackiston,
Wm. M. Goldsborough,
April 1873
Lloyd Lowndes, Jr ..
Benjamin A. Richmond. John S, Grove,
W. H. Resley,
66
THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
From the Cumberland Civilian.
On Thursday, the 10th of October, 1850, the open- ing of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, for continuous navigation from Cumberland to Alexandria, was commemorated at this place with appropriate cere- monies. After undergoing unparalleled vicissitudes of fortune, this great work has been at length consummated. It cannot, therefore, be inappropriate to record with some degree of detail the incidents of a day that ushers into existence a new era in the history of Western Maryland.
On the day previous, a large number of gentlemen arrived in Cumberland to participate in the approach- ing ceremonies. Among them we may mention General James M. Coale, President; and Messrs. John Pickell, William Cost Johnson, William A. Bradly, George Schley, S. P. Smith, Directors of the Canal Company; Ex-Governor Sprigg, General Tench Tilghman and J. Vanlear, Esq., state agents; the Hon. William D. Merrick, late U. S. Senator from Maryland ; John L. Skinner, Esq., editor of "The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil;" Henry Adison, Esq,. Mayor of Georgetown; together with a number of gentlemen from various parts of Maryland and Virginia.
These gentlemen came by the invitation of the Canal Company, and were properly received and entertained by them.
439
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
Along with Colonel John Pickell, and under his direction, came the splendid band of the Independent Blues of Baltimore, who, soon after their arrival, made their appearance in the portico of the U. S. Hotel, and electrified an immense multitude of our citizens with their unsurpassed instrumental performances. The presence of this band was a most happy con- ception.
Thursday, the day fixed for the celebration, dawned upon the mountains in all the richness of the early autumn, and it was evident shortly after the sun had risen above the hills that the inhabitants of our city were preparing to do honor to the new epoch in their history. About half past eight o'clock a
large assemblage had collected in the street before the United States and Barnum's Hotels. In a short time the Eckhart Artillery, Captain Davidson, with a battery of two handsome pieces, arrived, and performed various military evolutions in a manner that would have done credit to a veteran corps.
At nine o'clock the procession was formed, the Eckhart Artillery in front, escorted by the band of the Baltimore Blues, the distinguished visitors, officers of the Canal Company and State agents fol- lowing in the rear. Behind these were the Mayor and Council of the town of Cumberland, and in their rear an immense number of the citizens of Allegany, escorted by the Mechanics' Band of Cumberland. The procession marched through the streets in the direction of the canal locks, gathering numbers as it advanced to the inspiring strains of music, until, when that point was reached, there was an immense
440
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
assemblage of all ages and sexes, congregated to do honor to so proud an event in the history of Allegany county.
When everything had been arranged, five canal boats, laden with the rich products of the mines of Allegany, and destined for Eastern markets, were passed through the locks, amid the salvos of artillery from the Eckhart company, accompanied by the brilliant performances of the bands.
William Price, Esq., then ascended the deck of one of the boats and delivered the following address :
" I have been requested by the Mayor and Council, on behalf of the people of Cumberland, to welcome to their city, the President and Directors of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, the agents of the State, and the distinguished visitors who have honored us on this occa- sion with their presence. Gentlemen, I bid you all a hearty and a cordial welcome, and congratulate you upon the event we are assembled to celebrate.
Many of us were young when this great work was commenced, and we have lived to see its completion, only because Providence has pro- longed our lives until our heads are grey. During this interval of four and twenty years, we have looked with eager anxiety to the progress of the work up the valley of the Potomac. That progress has been slow -- often interrupted and full of vicissitudes. At times the spectacle of thousands of busy workmen has animated the line of the work, when, to all human calculation, no cause was likely to intervene to prevent its early completion. But when we have turned to look at the scene again, it was all changed ; contractors and laborers had departed and the still- ness of desolation reigned in their place. Thousands have been ruined by their connection with the work, and but few in this region have had cause to bless it.
It was natural, perhaps, that things should be precisely as they have been, both with the enterprise itself, and with the individuals whose fortunes have been connected with it. The uncommon magnitude, and the uncommon finish of the work, may be regarded as cause sufficient for all the alterations and disappointments attending its history. The reasonings of men, from their experience upon works of different dimen- sions and character, might have been expected to lead to disappointment when applied to a work like this.
Go view those magnificent aqueducts, locks and culverts, of hewn stone-those huge embankments, on which you may journey for days down the river ; go view the great tunnel passing three fifths of a mile through rocks, and arched with brick, its eastern portal opening upon a thorough-cut almost equal in magnitude to the tunnel itself. Look at the vessels lying in that basin, ready to commence the work of transpor-
441
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
tation, and large enough to navigate the Atlantic-look at all these things, and then think how soon the fortunes of individuals embarked in the prosecution of such an enterprise would be swallowed up, leaving upon it but little more impression than the bubbles which now float upon its waters. It will not be deemed out of place, if I here express the hope, that those whose losses have been gains of the company, should not in the hour of its prosperity be forgotten.
It has been greatly decried and greatly misunderstood, but it is a magnificent work, whatever may be said to the contrary. Of its probable revenues, now that it is completed, I see no reason to distrust the opinions heretofore entertained by its friends. And why should it not be as profitable as, from the first, it was expected to be ? The same great coal deposits which originally induced its projection, and which have animated the hopes of its friends, during all the trials and vicissitudes of its history still lie in these mountains, waiting an avenue to market. Its quality has in no wise deteriorated, and is known to be such as to give it a preference over every other description of coal on this side of the Atlantic. The capacity of the canal is practically unlimited. All the coal compa- nies have their railroads and other means of shipment upon the canal, completed. With such a staple and such an avenue to market, what is to limit the emoluments of the work ? Coal, however, is but one item of its trade. And when we look to the agricultural products of Western Maryland, and of the contiguous portions of Virginia and Pennsylvania; and after all this, add to the account, the ascending trade, consisting of the merchandize for the supply of the territory already indicated, and a share of that destined for the West, it is no exaggeration to say, that the work will in due time pay off its own debt and leave the State in possession of a permanent fund, adequate to all her financial wants.
The people of the State must not be disappointed, if these results should be a little longer in coming around, than they may be willing to anticipate. A full trade cannot grow up in a day. To carry a million tons of coal, and there are single companies here competent to ship that quantity, will require four hundred boats, fifteen hundred men and boys, and eighteen hundred horses. It is evident therefore that some time and a great deal of capital will be required to put the canal in full operation.
The opening of yonder gates to let through the first boat carrying freight from Cumberland to tide water, signalizes a happy epoch in the financial condition of the State. It is the turning point in the history of the canal, and marks the precious moment of time, when this great work ceases forever to be a burden upon the tax-payers of Maryland, and begins to reimburse those who have so long and so patiently borne the charge of its construction. Such an event is cause of congratulation to the people of the whole State.
Without detaining you longer, gentlemen, I again bid you a hearty welcome to our city."
General James M. Coale, President of the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canal Company, then arose and made the following reply :
Mr. Mayor, gentlemen of the Council, and citizens of Cumberland :
We thank you for this cordial expression of your welcome, and for the congratulations which you have offered to us on this auspicious occa- sion.
56
442
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
To the officers of the company, who have long toiled for the comple- tion of the canal to Cumberland, and to the Maryland State agents who have so ably and generously co-operated with and sustained them in their arduous efforts, the event we commemorate is indeed full of deep interest and gratification ; but it is also a subject of scarcely less interest, and in its consequences will prove of far more substantial and enduring import- ance, to you and to your town. If therefore we have congratulations to receive, we likewise have congratulations to return to you.
Gentlemen :- It would not be compatible with the brevity due to an occasion like this, for me to dwell upon the origin, and the grand design and object of this company ; nor to trace its interesting antecedents which carry back the history of its work to a period anterior to the formation of the Federal Union, and connects it with the immortal name of the Father of our country-nor need I recapitulate the long succession of misfortunes and disappointments, which, commencing soon after the organization of the company, continued to track its progress, step by step, down to the period in which the measures were adopted, which have this day been crowned with success. But it may be proper for me to mention, and I will barely allude to the fact that when assistance in no other form could be obtained, and as a last alternative, the act of the 10th of March, 1845, was passed by the Legislature of Maryland, waiving the liens of the State to a limited extent and upon certain conditions for the purpose of enabling the company to finish the canal to Cumberland upon a pledge of its unencumbered revenues, few men were so sanguine as to believe that under the then existing circumstances, and in view of the peculiar provisions of the act, it could be made to take effect, or if made to take effect, that it would prove available and sufficient for the purposes intended.
We this day present the gratifying evidence that these forebodings have not been fulfilled. The consummation so long and so devoutly wished for, has been attained-the hope, so often deferred, and yet still so perseveringly clung to, has been realized. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, for all the purposes of navigation, is finished to Cumberland ! It is finished, too, upon a mere pledge of its revenues-without the slightest additional expense to the State of Maryland-by a faithful com- pliance with the provisions of the act of the 10th of March, 1845, with all their conditions, limitations, and restrictions, and in little more than half the time allowed by the amendment of the charter adopted at the preceding session of the Legislature, the act itself being significantly silent on that subject.
In regard to the losses which, from time to time, have been sustained by individuals engaged in the prosecution of the work, we express our sincere regrets ; but we must here take leave to say, that whatever may have been the case in former years and in former efforts to bring about the completion, we have the satisfaction to know that in carrying the act of 1845 into execution, and in completing the canal to Cumberland, under and in conformity with its provisions, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company has entered into no contract, which, on its part, has not been fully complied with-incurred no debt which has not been promptly paid according to the terms of agreement-made no engagements which have not been punctually and faithfully fulfilled.
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