USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 1 > Part 13
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On the twenty-fourth day of March, in the same year, the act concerning roads, and inland navigation, and for other purposes,
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was passed. 'The act, among other things, directed the commis- sioners of the land oflice, to cause to be explored, and the neces- sary surveys to be made of the ground between the Mohawk river and Wood creek, in the county of Oneida, and between the Hudson river and Wood creek, in the county of Washington, and to have estimates made of the probable expenses which would attend the constructing of canals between those streams, for loaded boats.
On the third day of January, 1792, the commissioners report- ed under that law, and stated, among other things, that the ob- jects above-mentioned, were not only practicable, but attainable.
On the thirtieth day of March, 1792, was passed the act for establishing and opening lock navigation within the State-this act incorporated two companies ; the one called the Western, and the other the Northern Inland Lock Navigation Company. The purposes of the western were declared to be for opening a lock navigation, from the navigable part of the Hudson, to Lake Ontario, and the Seneca lake, through the valley of the Mo- hawk. The northern was to extend from the boatable part of- the Hudson, to the head of Lake Champlain. General Schuy- ler, then a senator, and a very active and influential member, ap- pears to have been the principal promoter. Very soon after the act of incorporation, both companies were organized under his auspices, and commenced operations. Among the first steps taken by the companies, were the obtaining a scientific and practical engineer. They sent to England, where they procured a Mr. Weston. On his arrival, Mr. Weston made a survey from tide water on Hudson's river, at Troy, to Oswego, on Lake Ontario. In this survey he ascended the valley of the Mohawk as far as where the village of Rome now stands ; from thence he proceeded across the summit level to Wood creek, and followed it down to Oneida lake. From thence he went to the outlet of Oneida lake, and traced it to Three River point, and thence along Oswego river, to its mouth, at Lake Ontario. According to this survey, the summit level, at Rome, was found to be three hundred and ninety feet above the tide water of the Hudson, and one hundred and ninety above Lake Ontario.
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Subsequent surveys make the elevation of the summit level, four hundred and twenty feet above tide water. The discrepency in the admeasurements arose from this circumstance :- from Lansing's mills, above the Cohoos falls, on the Mohawk, to the city of Schenectady, the height of the river at the time prevent- ed Mr. Weston from correctly ascertaining the levels. In this distance, he therefore estimated the probable ascent. He also made an estimate of the expense, which does not vary much from the expense of a portion of the Erie canal, of equal extent. The survey and estimate were made at the request and at the expense of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. These show that the company had extended views, and ulterior objects before them. General Schuyler had the superintendance of the whole, and seems to have originated the plans. Circum- . stances however, were not favourable for the developement and consummation of plans so vast.
The western country was new and nearly covered with forests : the resources of the company were scanty, and altogether inad- equate to the design. The population of the State did not ex- ceed four hundred thousand, a number under one fourth of what it contains at present. Nothing of moment, therefore, could be done by the company, but project and put their plans upon paper.
The Western Inland Lock Navigation Company shortly after the survey and estimate, commenced three small canals. The first was at Little Falls, on the north side of the Mohawk. It was one mile in length, had five locks, and depth of water for the passage of boats carrying twelve or fifteen tons. The second was at German flats, in the county of Herkimer. It had two locks, and exceeded one mile in length. The third was at Rome, in the county of Oneida. It was about one mile in ex- tent, and had two locks. It reached from the Mohawk river to Wood creek. A feeder, upwards of a mile in length, taken out of the Mohawk, supplied it with water. Several dams and locks were erected on Wood creek, in order to facilitate the descent and ascent of boats. By means of these canals and locks boats were enabled to ascenel the Mohawk, as high as Rome, pass
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over the summit level, and descend Wood creek into Oneida lake. These works were finished in the year 1802. Thus much for the canals, and improvements made by the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, Nothing effectual seelus , to have been done towards canals, from this time till 1817. Acts were, it is true, passed, surveys taken, estimates made, and reports drawn up, but these were all.
Much controversy has been had in relation to the projection of the Erie canal. Several individuals have claimed the honour. It would perhaps be assuming too much to attribute it to any single one. By this we mean the projection of the whole canal, from Lake Erie to the Hudson. We believe no dispute arose till the work had progressed to a considerable extent. Its prac- ticability then became apparent. Honours, it were very justly believed, would attach to the name of its projector, could any of the claiments induce the public to believe him the one. We do not intend to express an opinion at present in relation to the projection of the Erie canal. All we shall do, will be to state facts. From these the reader, if he chooses, may form an opi- nion.
On the eighth of Febuary, in the year 1808, the Hon. Joshua Foreman, then a member of the assembly, from the county of Onondaga, moved that a joint committee be appointed to take into consideration, the propriety of exploring and causing an accurate survey to be made of the most eligible and direct route for a canal between Lake Erie and the tide waters of the Hudson.
At the time he made this resolution, it was supposed that the government ot the United States would enter into the measure, and appropriate monies towards the making of a canal. This supposition was bottomed on that part of the President's mes- sage to congress in the preceding October ; in which he recom- . mended appropriations to such works. About this period the trade of that widely extended country, situated west of the Alleghany mountains, had become an object of importance, and was eagerly sought by several of the Atlantic states.
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'Tlie resolution of Mr. Foreman" met with a favourable reception. Messrs. Gold,* Foreman, Gilbert, Gerinain and Hogeboom, were appointed a committee on the part of the as- sembly, and Messrs. Taylor,t Nicholas and Ward on the part of the senate.
Mr. Gold, from the joint committee, on the 21st of March, in the same year, brought in a resolution, which was concurred in by both houses, that the surveyor-general be directed to cause an accurate survey to be made of the rivers and waters, in the usual rout of communication, between Lake Erie and Hudson's river, and such other contemplated routs as he might deem proper, and that he should cause maps to be constructed of the same.
In' pursuance' of this resolution, the surveyor-general em- ployed the Hon. James Geddes, of the county of Onondaga, to make the necessary surveys, profiles, &c. His appointment and instructions bear date June 11th, 1808. By these instruc- tions he was directed to explore the most feasable rout for a canal, from Oneida lake to Lake Ontario, through the town of Mexico, in the county of Oswego, and also the rout along Oneida and Oswego rivers, to the mouth of the latter stream. He was likewise directed to examine the ground between lakes Ontario and Erie, and the country between Tonnawanta creek and Seneca river. Such' were the instructions. From these we infer that a diversity of opinion then existed in relation to the proper rout to be pursued.
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In conformity to his instructions, Mr. Geddes reconnoitred the different routs, aud made a report to the surveyor-general, accompanied with maps and other drawings. His report bears date January 12th, 1809: These examinations, although not very accurate, owing to the scanty means furnished by the State, and the haste in which they were made, threw much light on the subject, and had a tendency of occasioning further exami- nations. They showed that a canal could be made from the
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* Thomas R. Gold, Esq. of Whitestown, Oneida county.
t Late Lieutenant Governor of this State.
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Mohawk river to Lake Erie. In the session of 1809, the legis -. lature do not seem to have taken up the subject. In the mean time other individuals used their influence. Among these we sball mention Dr. David Hoosack, and the late Dr. Hugh William- son." Both of these gentlemen wrote several articles on canals and their utility. Those published by Dr. Hoosack may be seen in the American and Medical Philosophical Reg .- vol. 2. They appeared in 1810.
Ou the 13th of March 1810, the Hon. Jonas Platt, then a senator from Whitestown, in the county of Oneida, and who afterwards presided as a judge of the Supreme Court of this State for many years, with distinguished honor, introduced a resolution which was concurred in by the legislature, that the Hon. Governor Morris, the Hon. Stephen Van Rensellaer, the Hon. De Witt Clinton, Simeon Dewitt, Esq., Gen. William North, Thomas Eddy, Esq., and Gen. Peter B. Porter, be appointed commissioners to explore the whole rout, examine the condition of the navigation, and consider what further improvements could be made in the navigation between Hud- son's river and Lake Erie; and that they be authorised to direct, and procure surveys, and such other things as might. further the same, and that they should report thereon to the: next legislature.
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The commissioners employed Mr. Geddes to re-explore the rout. They also repaired upon the ground, and examined . the rout.
On the 2d day of March 1811, the commissioners, pursu- ant to the resolution of the legislature, made a long and able report, based upon examinations, surveys, &c. In this report they speak of inclined plains and of locks, but at the same time, observe that this would have to be determined by a compe- tent engineer. From this it is manifest, that they had no fixed plan as to rises and falls. The estimated expense is put down at $500.0000. It is general and somewhat vague, but perhaps as accurate as could be expected from men unacquainted with making canals.
The commissioners forwarded a copy of their report, with urveys and profiles accompanying it, to Mr. Weston, of whom
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we have formerly spoken, and who then resided in London, and solicited his opinion and views on canaling. These he gave, as will appear hereafter.
The report of the commissioners made a favourable impres- "sion on the legislature. An act to provide for the improve- ment of the internal navigation of the State was passed April 8th, 1811. In this act Messrs. Morris, Van Rensellaer, Clinton, 'Dewitt, North, Eddy, Porter, Livingston and Fulton, were named commissioners. The act empowered them to make ap- plication to Congress, and to the Legislatures of all or any of the States, to co-operate in the undertaking .-- Also, to em- ploy engineers, and make reports thereon. Fifteen thousand dollars were appropriated for these purposes.
The commissioners, on the 14th day of March 1812, made a second report. From this we learn that they had applied to `Congress and the legislatures of most, or all of the United States, but without success. Congress intimated that it would make a grant of wild lands which should take effect after the completion of the contemplated canal, provided New-York would construct it at her own expense. The offer.of Congress to give a tract of unsaleable and unproductive land, was very judiciously declined. In this place, it will be .but just to re- mark, that the states of Massachusetts, Ohio and Tennesee were exceptions : in these states' the legislature passed reso- . lutions, instructing their representatives in Congress to use their influence in promoting the object.
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The commissioners, in their application to Congress, deput- ted the Hon. Governor Morris, and the Hon. De Witt Clinton, two of their body. Upon their return they made a report of their mission. From it we learn that they failed in procur- ing the anticipated aids, in consequence of the jealousies of the members from most of the states. We deem it unnecessary to enter into particulars, in regard to a bill which Congress pro- posed to pass, granting certain unappropriated lands in Michi- gan and Indiana, because the conditions and restrictions impos- ed were such as to preclude an acceptance, had the bill passed into a law.
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The war intervening soon after, occasioned an interruption, and the whole project of making a canal was laid aside. The commissioners, nothwithstanding, endeavoured to excite public attention towards the work. With this view, on the Sth of March 1814, they made a third report to the legislature. In this they recommended, in addition to the Erie canal, the mak- ing of the Champlain canal. The report, although able and well calculated to enlist public sentiment, had but little effect. The minds of men were not prepared to embark in projects so vast and so little understood. Two years elapsed before any effectual measures were adopted by the legislature in further- ence of these stupendous works. In the mean time, Hlessrs. Morris, Platt, Van Rensellaer and Clinton exerted their inclu- ence and talents in gaining prosolytes to the undertaking.
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The commissioners, in the month of March 1816, made a fourth report, but it contains few or no additional facts, beyond those contained in the preceding reports. The report, however, in connection with the numerous petitions, from various counties presented to the legislature, praying that a law might be passed, directing the making of the canals, had a favourable impression on that body. Still, however, there was a strong opposition from certain members and leading men, and the whole project had well nigh fallen to the ground. The members of the oppo- sition considered the project as visionary, and as the emana- tion of certain individuals who wished to get into power by means thereof. We shall not commend or censure them in their mistaken zeal. They had access to all the information contained in the reports and memorials, but they could not, or would not, comprehend it. The memorial from the city of New-York, drawn by Mr. Clinton, was lengthy, lucid and able. It descended into particulars-it developed the numer- ous advantages which our people would derive from canals. It is not our design to state the contents of this memorial, be- cause it would be incompatible with a work of this kind ; but still, we cannot refrain from expressing our opinion, that such a document ought to do honour to an individual, in any country.
On the twenty-first of March, in the same year, Mr. Rutsen
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Van Rensellaer, of Columbia county, from the joint commit- tee of the senate and assembly, reported in favour of a canal, from Lake Erie to the Hudson, and also from the Hudson to Lake Champlain.
On the twenty-ninth of the same month, Mr. Van Rensellaer made a motion to consider the bill, entitled, " an act for improv- ing the internal navigation of the State." This bill embraced the proposed canals. After very long and very animated de- bates, it was happily carried-the bill passed into a law on the seventeenth day of April 1816-in the law Messrs. Stephen Van Rensellaer, De Witt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph Elli- cott and Myron Holly were created commissioners. The act instructed them to employ engineers, and to cause surveys, levels, profiles, &c. to be made. Seventy thousand dollars . were voted for these services.
After the passage of the law the commissioners employed engineers and surveyors to explore the whole rout, take the necessary levels, and make profiles, or drawing of the same- they also reconnoitred the whole line, and made such personal observations and remarks as circumstances and time would permit.
In the month of February 1817, the commissioners made their fifth report-it is a document of great length. They enter very amply into details, such as distances, estimates, &c. The whole is founded upon data, given by the engineers, and upon personal observations. To shorten remarks, it is an able and interesting document, worthy the attention of every lover and promoter of internal improvements. It is such a paper as we should have expected from the board of commissioners.
On the nineteenth of March, the commissioners also made a report on the proposed Champlain canal. These reports made a deep impression on the legislature, and paved the way for the passage of acts authorising the commencement of the canals. In their report of the Erie canal, the commissioners divided it into three sections, the eastern, the middle, and the western.
Every thing being, as it were, prepared, and the way being opened for the sanction of the legislature, Mr. William D. Ford,
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then a member from the county of Herkimer, moved the house that the report be referred to a joint committee of both houses- this motion was carried. A joint committee, consisting of Messrs. Ford, Pendleton, Child, Eckford and Wilcoxen was appointed. The object in view, by the appointment of this committee, was to examine the reports of the canal commission- ers, and to report thereon, this being the usual mode in matters of moment. Mr. Ford, the mover, was named chairman of the joint committee. This gentleman examined the reports of the canal commissioners, and drew up a report which he laid before the legislature. In this report, Mr. Ford, as chairman, says, we have examined the subjects submitted to our consideration in the report of the commissioners, and have come to the conclu- sion, that the interest of the State requires that the legislature should, without delay, pass a law or adopt measures for the immediate commencement of the canals-meaning the Erie and Champlain canals.
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In addition to sundry facts, the report contained the outlines of the canal fund. A fund devised for borrowing monies for the construction of the canals, paying the annual interest, and liquidating the debt, or principal sum or sums borrowed.
In this place, it may not be altogether out of order to mention, that the board of canal commissioners, by their president, Mr. Clinton, renewed the application for assistance to Congress- His letter bears date November 10th, 1816. He also addressed a letter to the Governor of Ohio, on the same subject, bearing date November the eleventh, of the same month. Congress paid no attention to it, but treated it with marked neglect. In Ohio, the Governor, Mr. Huntington, a man of liberal and en- lightened views, laid his letter before the legislature, where a committee was appointed to take the matter up, and investigate it. Nothing, however, was done by the legislature of that State, beyond making a favourable report, and passing a resolution to take up the subject at their next meeting.
On the nineteenth of March 1817, Mr. William D. Ford, from the joint committee, brought into the assembly, the bill,
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entitled, " an act concerning navigable communications, btween the great western and northern lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean."
This bill passed into a law on the fifteenth of April 1817- The new authorised the commissioners to cause to be made, that part of the Erie canal, between Seneca river, at the Montezuma marshes, and Rome, and that part of the Champlain canal be- tween Hudson's river and the mouth of Wood creek.
The first contract was dated June twenty-seventh, 1817- on the fourth day of July, in the same year, the first ground on the Erie canal was broken near Rome, in the presence of the commissioners, and a large concourse of citizens assembled to witness the commencement of this stupendous work. In 1817, nearly sixty miles of the Erie canal were contracted to be finish- ed by the end of the year 1818. About fifteen miles of the sixty were completed before the end of the year 1817. A con- siderable portion of the Champlain canal was let out for con- struction the same year.
An act to improve the funds, and provide for the redemption of the funded debt, was passed on the twenty-first day of April 1818. During this year the works were carried on with great vigour.
Between the first of August and the tenth of December 1819, from two to three thousand men were constantly employed ou the Erie canal.
The middle section of the Erie canal, extending from the Montezuma marshes to Utica, a distance of about ninety-four miles, was completed about the fifteenth of October 1819 .- The branch leading from Syracuse to Onondaga lake was finished as far as Salina, about the same time.
On the twenty-third and twenty-fourth of October, in the same month, the commissioners navigated the canal in a boat, from Utica to Rome. Large boats navigated it seventy-five miles west of Utica.
Some part of the Champlain canal was finished about the same period.
On the twenty-second of February 1819, the Hon. Ezekiel Bacon of the county of Oneida, from the joint committee of the senate
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and assembly, on so much of the speech of Mr. Clinton the Governor, as related to the internal improvements of the State, reported that provisions ought to be immediately made by law, for the completion of the western section of the Erie canal and for the construction of the Champlain canal, from Fort Edward, to the tide waters of the Hudson, &c. A bill was drawn up in pursuance of the foregoing report, which finally passed both houses on the second of April in the same year.
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During this Session, Mr. Ezekiel Bacon, from the joint com- mittee of both houses reported, that the improvement of the Oswego river and the other navigable communications, between Lake Ontario and the navigable waters leading into the Atlan- tic Ocean, ought to be taken into consideration; and that they therefore recommended to the house, to empower the canal com- missioners to procure such surveys and examinations to be made, as to them might appear proper in relation to the attain- ment of these objects, and that they should report the same to the legislature at the next session, &c.
The chairman brought in a bill to this effect, which also went into a law.
In the years 1819 and 1820, forty-three miles of the western section, lying mostly on the east side of the Genesee river, were put under contract. In the latter year twenty-six miles of the eastern section, situated east of Utica, were also put under con- tract. It may not be amiss at this place to mention, that the Erie canal was divided into three sections. The western begins at Lake Erie, and ends at Seneca river. The middle begins at the latter river, and ends at Utica. The eastern begins at the latter place, and ends at the Albany basin. The middle was finished first.
From the extremes of this section, the operations were con- tinued westwardly and eastwardly, until the remaining sections were also finished.
In the early part of the year 1821, the residue of the eastern section was put under contract. About the same time, that . portion of the western section between Genesee river and Ton- nawanta creek, was also put undercontract ..
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In the month of November 1821, boats descended as far as the Little Falls on the Mohawk.
The number of men employed on the eastern section in 1822, was from four thousand to seven thousand. Boats, towards the close of this year, navigated about two hundred and twenty miles. Towards the end of the year boats passed from the head of Lake Champlain to Waterford, on the Hudson.
'The Erie canal was finished about the middle of October 1825. The first boat that ever passed from Lake Erie to the Hudson de- scended in the latter part of this month, with Mr. Clinton, then Governor of the State of New-York, and several other gentle- men on board, followed by another boat, having on board Mr. Talmage, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Hon. Henry Sey- mour, one of the canal commissioners.
The whole period which elapsed from the commencement to the completion of the Erie canal, was eight years, three months, and fifteen days.
The acting commissioners were Messrs. Holley, Hart, Sey- mour and Bouck. The engineers were Messrs. James Geddes, Benjamin Wright, Valentine Gill, David Thomas, Charles C. Broadhead, Isaac Briggs, Canvass White, Nathan S. Roberts, and David S. Bates. Messrs. Holley and Hart were appoint- ed in 1816. Mr. Seymour succeeded the latter in 1820. Mr. Bouck was appointed upon the removal of Mr. Clinton in 1824.
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