arts and sciences; in patronising the operations of industry; in fostering the inventions of genius, and in diffusing the blessings of knowledge.

6. However serious the fears which have been entertained of a dismemberment of the Union by collisions between the north and the south, it is to be apprehended that the most imminent danger lies in another direction, and that a line of separation may be eventually drawn between the Atlantic and the western states, unless they are cemented by a common, an ever-acting, and a powerful interest. The commerce of the ocean, and the trade of the lakes, passing through one channel, supplying the wants, increasing the wealth, and reciprocating the benefits of each great section of the empire, will form an imperishable cement of connexion, and an indissoluble bond of union. New-York is both Atlantic and western; and the only state in which this union of interests can be formed and perpetuated, and in which this great centripetal power can be energetically applied. Standing on this exalted eminence, with power to prevent a train of the most extensive and afflicting calamities that ever visited the world, (for such a train will inevitably follow a dissolution of the Union,) she will justly be considered an enemy to the human race, if she does not exert for this purpose the high faculties which the Almighty has put into her hands.

Lastly. It may be confidently asserted, that this canal, as to the extent of its route, as to the countries which it connects, and as to the consequences which it will produce, is without a parallel in the history of mankind. The union of the Baltic and the Euxine; of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean; of the Euxine and the Caspian; and of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, has been projected or executed by the chiefs of powerful monarchies, and the splendour of the design has always attracted the admiration of the world. It remains for a free state to create a new era in history, and to erect a work more stupendous, more magnificent, and more beneficial than has hitherto been achieved by the human race. Character is as important to nations as to individuals, and the glory of a republic, founded on the promotion of the general good, is the common property of all its citizens.

We have thus discharged with frankness and plainness, and with every sentiment of respect, a great duty to ourselves, to our fellow-citizens, and to posterity, in presenting this subject to the fathers of the commonwealth. And may that Almighty Being in whose hands are the destinies of states and nations, enlighten your councils and invigorate your exertions in favour of the best interests of our beloved country.

This memorial, it may be added, was signed by a great portion of the respectable citizens of New-York, and was seconded by the corporation of that city, and by meetings held in Albany, Geneva, Buffalo, Watervliet, Hartland, Ridgeway, Seneca, Lyons, Troy, Onondaga, Avon, Paris, Bloomfield, Read

ing, Junius, Caledonia, Canandaigua, Russia, Schuyler, Newport, German Flatts, and various other towns in Genesee, Cayuga, Oneida, and other western counties.

NOTE AA. p. 104.

Services of the late Dr. Hugh Williamson.

Doctor Williamson, during his tour in Europe, and from subsequent observation by travel in this country, had early become apprised of the great facilities and advantages which the state of New-York so eminently possesses for an inland communication between its interior waters and the Atlantic Ocean.

At what particular period his attention was first given to investigations of this nature, is not so certain. As early, however, as June, 1807, he published in a paper, entitled "The Weekly Inspector," some hints on the improvement of the western country, for the purpose of securing to the State of New-York advantages which otherwise would be enjoyed by the cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore. As these remarks appear to be the first of Doctor Williamson's productions on this subject, and were made at an early day with his characteristic foresight, I have thought proper to give them a place in these pages.

"The votes given at the late election by freeholders in this state for government, taken from the official returns, are as follow:

"This statement shows in a concise view the number of freeholders in each district in the state, by which it will be observed, that the western district contains a greater number of freeholders than both the southern and eastern districts; and these districts include the cities of New-York, Albany, and Schenectady, with a number of populous villages; yet that district, generally denominated the "western country," is by many in this city considered a mere wilderness. It must, however, be admitted, that nine-tenths of its population

is of no longer date than eighteen years at most; and that, before that time this western district was an almost endless wilderness to the lakes on which it borders. Hence these questions will arise-What will be the population of this western district in the next eighteen years? What the commerce of this city with this western country, if it can be retained by timely improvements? Will not that western country, in the course of the next eighteen years, give as many votes for governor as the whole state gave at the last election? There is sufficient land yet unsettled in that district to maintain upwards of one hundred thousand freeholders. But will not so rapid a population as this district is capable of producing, be compelled to force its trade with a more southerly channel, if the natural one, which leads to this city, remains neglected and unimproved?

"Will it not be easy for a great part of this western country to open its inland trade, and carry it on with Baltimore, as it is in its present unimproved state, to continue it with NewYork, Albany, or Schenectady? This western country may be compared to a handsome girl, who has too rival lovers-the one, Baltimore, flattering her fancy-the other, NewYork, too sure of conquest, and therefore neglectful of his courtesy. But beware of the consequences of this neglect; view with a jealous eye the assiduities and devices of your rival. If you wish New-York to remain, as now, the emporium of America, suffer not the trade with the interior of your state to be carried off triumphantly by the spirited and enterprising citizens of Philadelphia and Baltimore."

Dr. Williamson having been a constant visiter in my family, more especially in 1808-9 and 10, he had frequent discussions with Governor Clinton and the late Thomas Eddy, and a mutual interchange of thought and views must have taken place, by which he became enthusiastically devoted to this great project of internal navigation, which at that time began to attract public attention. In the summer of 1810 Dr. Williamson favoured the editors of the American Medical and Philosophical Register of New-York with a paper, entitled "Observations on Navigable Canals," which appeared in that Journal in October of the same year.

This essay is equally remarkable for the enlarged suggestions and prophetic views of the author, and the confidence with which he contemplated the practicability of the canal communication from the Hudson to Lake Erie by the interior route, without entering into Lake Ontario, and among the other documents which have served to enlighten the public mind upon the subject of the canal navigation of this state, is particularly worthy of reference. Several other papers have been written by Dr. Williamson upon this subject, under

various signatures, which may be found in the same journal,* and to these may be added a separate pamphlet, which he published under the signature of Atticus, which has been several times reprinted, and of which many thousand copies have been circulated.

NOTE BB. p. 105.

Services of Robert Troup.

Among the number of those entitled to the meed of public gratitude, although he did not hold an official station connected with the public measures relative to this subject, is Colonel Robert Troup. That gentleman was an original subscriber to the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, and in connexion with the late Thomas Eddy, Robert Bowne, of New-York, and Barent Bleecker, of Albany, was also an active and useful member of the board of directors of that association. Colonel Troup has also, as an agent for the Pulteney estate, resided many years in the western country. Under those circumstances he enjoyed peculiar opportunities of becoming familiarly conversant with every part of the interior of the state, as regards its soil, its waters, its native productions, and the commercial advantages that must arise from the improvement of its natural navigation, or by the system of canals which were at that time contemplated.

Busily employed, as Colonel Troup has been for many years, in performing the duties of an extensive agency, which has necessarily called him to mix a good deal with his fellow-citizens in the western parts of the state, and with the members of the legislature, he has never failed to improve to the utmost of his power, every proper opportunity towards removing prejudices against the canal policy, and substituting, in their places, impressions favourable to its adoption.

It is also to be observed, that shortly after the period of the meeting of the

* See Hosack and Francis' American Medical and Philosophical Register.

citizens in New-York, which agreed to Mr. Clinton's celebrated Memorial to the legislature, urging that body to undertake the construction of the canal as a work of the state, Colonel Troup was also concerned with the late Gideon Granger, John Greig, Esq. John Nicholas, Esq. the Hon. Nathaniel W. Howell, and several other leading gentlemen of Ontario County, in convening a large meeting at Canandaigua, in that county, for the purpose of exciting general attention to the contemplated improvements, of giving a right direction to public opinion, and of pressing the construction of the canals as the work of the state. The meeting took place; and few meetings, it is stated, have been more respectable for numbers, character, talent, and property. Such indeed had been the active exertions of Colonel Troup, and such his weight of character and influence, that he was appointed chairman of the meeting. Mr. Nathaniel Rochester, another gentleman of great influence, and who has since that period filled several important public stations, was appointed secretary. The meeting being organized, and the objects of it announced by Col. Troup, Gideon Granger, Esq. the late post master general, rose and addressed it in a very eloquent and able speech, on the momentous object for which that meeting had been convened. Mr. Granger's speech being finished, a number of important resolutions, drawn up by Myron Holley,* afterwards one of the canal commissioners, and distinguished for his valuable services throughout the whole progress of the great work which has been achieved, were offered by John Greig, Esq. another active friend and liberal contributor to the canal, and were unanimously passed. Those resolutions exhibited with great force, the incalculable advantages that would necessarily flow from a canal navigation between Lake Erie and the Hudson. Of these resolutions a

* In a letter addressed to Colonel Troup, by John Greig, Esq. dated Canandaigua, 31st May, 1828, he observes: "To Mr. Holley, more than to any one else, are we indebted for that meeting, and for the popularity which the canal policy immediately afterwards acquired in the western part of the state. Indeed I have always been satisfied that his intelligence and zeal, and unwearied exertions both of mind and body on the subject, from the moment of his appointment as a canal commissioner, essentially contributed to bring the Erie Canal to a successful completion."