My term in the national legislature having thus expired, my fellow-citizens insisted on nominating me once more to the assembly of the state. At that time the annual election was held near the end of April. I was chosen, and of course was obliged to prepare myself for taking my seat at Albany the ensuing winter.

In order to qualify myself the better for the performance of my duties, I concluded to make a tour of observation and instruction through some of the internal counties during the summer of 1809. In order to witness the progress and actual state of society since my last preceding visit, I went at a leisurely and moderate rate, stopping to inspect as many objects as I conveniently could. In this manner I proceeded from Albany to Buffalo, and crossing from Black to Bertie, in Upper Canada, took a temporary residence on the banks of the Chippewa River, and made excursions to the cataract of Niagara, and other places in the vicinity.

On returning I varied my route in different directions, that I might see as much as possible. I came back exceedingly well pleased with my performance. I flattered myself I had obtained a valuable portion of knowledge, relative to the interesting region I had traversed. I had on a former occasion travelled to Oswego, by the way of Oneida Lake and Onondaga River.

Thus prepared, I found myself ready during the legislative session of 1810, to discuss with the representatives of the western counties, a number of local questions, like a man who had inquired for himself, in places where genuine intelligence could be got.

You will find a mighty impulse given to the future grand work of the canal, while not as yet matured in the mind of any man, during this important session. A sketch of the initiatory operations will probably be sufficient for your purpose, as you are so fully informed on the subsequent transactions.

On the 21st of February, 1810, a memorial, under the name of a report, was presented to the senate in behalf of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. It was subscribed by Robert Bowne, as president of the board, and may be found at length in the journals of that day. It states among other matters, the improvements made in the navigation of the Mohawk River, and that the canals and locks at the Little Falls, German Flats, Rome, and Wood Creek, had already produced incalculable advantages to the agricultural

interests of the state. The directors in prosecuting the work, had expended before that time, all the monies due from the stockholders, the whole amount received for tolls, and were, besides, ten thousand dollars in debt. They had not received any profit on the capital for eighteen years. And they solicited the legislature to relinquish for a number of years, all the dividends that might be due on the shares held by the state, and further, to grant such other relief as might seem just and reasonable. They urged in favour of the object prayed for, the increase of exports through Lake Ontario to Canada, to the serious and increasing loss of the New-York market.

On the 23d February, the petition of Stephen N. Bayard was read, praying that he and his associates might be incorporated for the purpose of canalling the outlet of the Seneca Lake, and asking funds.

The same day the petition of Noah Preston, and others, was offered, begging a sum of money for deepening the outlet of the Oneida Lake.

There were some other applications of a similar tendency all which had been referred to a select committee. At length, after such an accumulation of papers, on the 1st day of March, Jonas Platt, the chairman, moved that the committee be discharged from the further consideration thereof. This being ordered by the senate, he moved a joint resolve in these words:

"Resolved,-(if the honourable the assembly concur herein) that a joint committee of the senate and assembly be appointed, to consider and report upon the several petitions of the president and directors of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company; of the inhabitants of the counties of Oneida, Madison, and Onondaga; of the inhabitants of Albany; of the inhabitants of Schnectady; and of Stephen N. Bayard, and others, relative to certain extensions and improvements of the inland navigation of the state; and that in case of such concurrence, Mr. Platt, Mr. Clinton, and Mr. Rea, be the committee on the part of the senate, as may be seen in the journal of that body, for the thirty-third session, on pages 72 and 73. This was adopted by the assembly on the same day, and Mr. Mitchill, Mr. Van Vechten, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Chapin, were appointed the committee on the part of the house. The deliberations of this joint committee gave rise to the ensuing memorable proceeding of the senate, on the 13th March, 1810.

On motion of Mr. Platt, the following resolution, with the recitals, was read and passed, viz.

"Whereas the agricultural and commercial interests of the state, require that the inland navigation from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, be improved and completed on a scale commensurate with the great advantages to be derived from the accomplishment of that important object; and whereas, it is doubtful whether the resources of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company are adequate to such an improvement, therefore,

"Resolved,-(if the honourable the assembly concur herein) that Gouverneur Morris, Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Simeon De Witt, William North, Thomas Eddy, and Peter B. Porter, be and they hereby are appointed commissioners for exploring the whole route, examining the present condition of the said navigation, and considering what further improvements ought to be made therein; and that they be authorised to direct and procure such surveys, as to them shall appear necessary and proper in relation to these objects; and that they report thereon to the legislature at their next session, presenting a full view of the subjects referred to them, with their estimates and opinion thereon." This was concurred in by the assembly in a way that I thought very remarkable, for there was no attempt to amend, nor was there a single word of debate. The day was the 13th of March. A place in this commission was offered me, but I declined it.

Among the causes predisposing to those important events, there was one that deserves to be particularly stated. It relates to transportation up and down the Mohawk River. This stream is noted for its great swell during rainy seasons, and its depression during the prevalence of drought. Owing to the proclivity of its bed, the floods descend with suddenness and impetuosity, carrying all before them, and rendering it difficult or even impossible for boats to make head against it. Sometimes it overflows the adjoining fields, and then again it shrinks to scanty and in many places a shallow current.— These difficulties became more and more serious, in proportion to the increase of population, and to the corresponding conveyance of produce and merchandize. The inhabitants turned their attention to the improvement of roads

and the construction of bridges; and by many the carriage by land, on account chiefly of its greater certainty, was preferred to that by water. This change wrought a disastrous effect upon the company's stock. The desertion of the river by so many persons and so much property, rendered it necessary to lower the rate of toll. Thus the receipts, impoverishingly small before, were rendered more diminutive. But the inconvenience of the river, for the purpose of carrying on an active business, would not have been removed had the toll been remitted altogether. The uncertainty of the arrivals and departures of boats, would have remained with all the incidental embarrassments. In this state of things I arrived at Utica, on my return from the before mentioned expedition. For the sake of diversifying my route, and of enjoying the picturesque scenery of the Mohawk from its channel, I wished a passage to Schenectady by water, as I had on my westward course proceeded by land. I went to the rendezvous of the river boats, with the intention of hiring one for the accommodation of myself, my wife, and company. There were only three batteaux at the station. Surprised at their inconsiderable number, I inquired what was the meaning of it, and was told that there was very little employment for them on the Mohawk River, and that the greater portion of them had gone to Lake Ontario, where there was plenty of business. Indeed I could not get a boat without more delay than was expedient, and so pursued my journey by land. This occurrence led me to make further inquiries of the dealers and traders in the village. The sum of the intelligence was this: The unavoidable irregularity of carrying on business, and occasional risk and loss, terminated in performing the transportation to and from Albany, chiefly in wagons. In the actual condition of the roads and bridges, the owner of a team could calculate almost to an hour when the load would reach its destination; and relying on the punctuality of his agent, and the fidelity of his driver, he could predict with equal certainty when the vehicle, with its charge, might be expected back. By this means, despatch and punctuality were introduced-the phenomenon exhibited of land carriage being more economical than water carriage.

Yet, though the company failed to accomplish their original object, their efforts established two most important practical facts.

1. That as the distinguished engineer Brindley is reported to have said, rivers are to be considered as the feeders of canals, and not as canals themselves.

2. That it was incorrect to import engineers from Europe, when they might be found or formed among our native citizens with superior qualifications for service.

Another impulse was given to this investigation, by the conviction that all the productions of our industry intended for exportation, that found their way into Lake Ontario, would be lost to Albany and New-York city, and would be conveyed to foreign markets by the river St. Lawrence, the capacious natural outlet. It was, therefore, an impolitic measure to increase the facilities for enabling our citizens to carry articles to Ontario Lake; and, consequently, the projects for making locks at Niagara and Oswego Falls ought to be abandoned by the legislature; more especially as the fur trade, formerly deemed very important, had, along the lower waters, dwindled almost to nothing.

I urged these matters to the gentlemen with whom I was associated, under a conviction that some other plan was needful, and indeed loudly called for. Thus have I attempted to comply with your wish. I hope the effort will add a few links to the chain of history. I rejoice that you prompted me to a search which has been more successful than I anticipated. I shall be happy to learn that it has not disappointed your expectations.

Yours, with the sentiment of much good feeling,

TO DAVID HOSACK, M. D.

SAMUEL L. MITCHILL.

NOTE Y.-p. 101.

The following letter, with which I have been favoured, from the Honourable Edward P. Livingston, who was uniformly the friend and active supporter of the canal policy of the state, contains some interesting particulars relative to the late Chancellor Livingston, which entitle it to a place in these records.