548
mil, connected with the fact that a large
boat will require more proportioned dimen-
sions in ,the Canal, we are not warranted
in calculating the enlarged Canal as adap-
ted to boats of more than 70 tons burtlien,
or double the present capacity; and when
the locks are doubled equal 4 times the pre-
sent capacity with single locks. Is this
calculation at all commensurate with the
prospective magnitude of the trade to be ac-
commodated? The Canal Committee in
their report recommend such a Canal as
will accommodate boats of 120 tons burthcn;
and by a table given in their report, as also
in the report of the Canal Commissioners,
it appears that a Canal adapted to the most
favorable navigation: of boats of 130 tons
burtlien, requires 8 feet depth of water and
80 feet width {at surface. But the dimen-
sions settledby the Canal Board will only
be suflicient for about half this burtlien.
NoW,iit is not pretended, such a Canal will
not floatga larger boat, nor that a larger one
could not be navigated: but it is settled by
the rule of calculation referred to, that such
"a size is necesssry, for the most economi-
cal and convenient navigation. This is
also corroborated by experience on the Erie
Canal, when the average load exceeds the
rule of calculation ‘Mlly about one sixth;
and it is apparent the rule should not be ex-
ceeded when applied to larger boats, if safe-
ty, convenience, and economy in the navi-
getion, is to be secured.

In adopting a liberal plan for the boats in

general use, we shall have the advantage of
a navigation, that in seasons of great pres-
rsure in business, an additional 20 or 30 tons
may be taken in the boat that usually car-
ii-ies 120 tons, a consideration of great im-
yportance. i ‘ i A
_ The Canal Commissioners consider it
important, as will be seen in the quotation
sfrom their report, that such dimensions
should be settled as will meet the prospec-
tive demands of the trade, and thereby avoid
the necessity of furtlier enlargement: which
is no doubt the correct view of the subject.
The inhabitants of towns, villages, and ci.
‘ties on the Canal, will desire to make per-
manent improvements on its banks ; which
‘will render further enlargement expensive,
and a severe encroachment on the establish-
ved business arrangements of the country;
it will be less expensive to make all neces.
sary enlargements at one, than at two dif-
ferent times; and the work may be better
done. ; 

When the Canal was commenced, its

_success_ and ultimate productiveness,‘was,

m_,the View ofa large portion of the citizens
‘of the state, highly robleinatical; and
many believed it woul load the state with
debt, only to be relieved by heavy taxation.
But the problem has been solved by expe-
rience, which now exhibits the most con.
-elusive demonstration, and will leave us
"wholly without excuse, if we fail tomeet

the question, on the scale demanded, by
the clearest evidence of its prospective mag-
nitude and importance. , '

The Canal Commissioners, in their re-
IPON. say, “that doubling the locks will not
double the capacity of the Canal.” This is
‘°lWl0l1S. as no lack can be placed so conve-
niently for the navigation as the one that
lays directly on the! towing-path. Boats
will enter and leave this more conveniently,
and with less delay than they, can the 2d
 A 3d lock should never be thought
of; -as the delay in passing a 3d set on the
eafilieiitrisection would greatly embarrass the
Iiavigaftion, if only one towing-path was
used. 'The passing each other on one path;

 

,.,., ls

AMER1°N.“” AND

terially enhance the expense of navigation.
Very little reflection is required to show,
that the most economical navigation would.
be that which required only. one _set of
locks, which is a further consideration for
acanal of liberal diineiisions, that the navi-
gation may not be subjected to the delay
incident to the necessary use of the 2(_l1s_et
of locks, when it is practicable to avoio. it.
To remedy this by a towing-path on the
berme side, is considered by the _Canal
Commissioners, in their report, ‘<15 1n_00m-
‘patiblc with thciaccommod ation of . business
on its borders, as also the convenient navi-
gation of the Canal itself: We are, there-
fore, brought to a single towing-path and _a
double set of locks, as affording the maxi-
mum capacity of the canal.

From the suggestion of the Canal Com-
missioners and our own observation, We
infer that the 2d set of locks would do about
two-thirds the business of the 1st set: and
if the capacity of the boat is doubled, we
may estimate the entire capacity of the
Canal when enlarged to 0' feet deep and 60
feet wide, in comparison with the present
capacity as 10 to 3, or a fraction over 3
times. »

By the report of the Canal Committee, it
appears the business on the Canal has, ex-
cepting a small fraction, been confined to
our own state. In view of the increased
facilities that will be afforded by the en-
larged Canal, in cheapening transportation,
the improvements that may confidently be
expected in our agriculture, the extension
of our mechanic and manufacturing opera-
tions, and {the tributaries that will be crea-
ted by new lateral Canals, can we entertain
any reasonable doubt, the business of our
ownstate will alone double in the. course of
the next twelve or fifteen years '5 Since the
completion of the Canal it has doubled in
about eight years. If then the Canal is
made 6 feet and 60, at the end bf fifteen
years we shall have it fully occupied for
single locks, by the business of our own
state; and the only resort to provide for
further increase of our own business would
be in doubling the locks; and if no other
trade was to be provided for, this subject
might be considered a reasonable provision.
But when we look beyond the limits of our
own state, and traverse the extensive and
fertile regions that will naturally seek this
channel as the avenue of intercourse with
the Atlantic ma~rket——a district just emerg-
ing from a wilderness,..and filling up with
an intelligent and enterprising population,-—
can we doubt for a moment, that the capa-
city of the canal should be at least as large
as will accommodate boats of the capacity
recommended by the Canal Committee, to
wit: 120 tons burtlien. It is not necessary
to enter on any contested ground, for there
will be as much as we can accommodate by
a Canal on the most liberal scale, that will
seek this route in preference to any other,
if we provide the means for its accommoda.
tion. But if our means are inadequate, still
a large share will press into the Canal, and
toe must feel the delays and embarrasments
it will unavoidably produce, in the enhanced
price ,of transportation. \

If this project was one that might load
the state with a heavy debt, that could only
l1f3_pa1d by imposing a general tax on its
citizens, then, however bright might be the
prospects of its ultimate utility, to those im-
irgediately interested in its navigation, there
would be reason to proceed with greater
circumspection in the degree to which the
improvement should be carried. But on

this point there is no further ‘ground to

revenue will in a few years, (at most 4 or
5,') pay the difference between the cost of6
and 8 feet depth. It is believed by men fa-
miliar with this work, that the difference
between 6 and 8 feet depth and correspond-
ing width will not be more than $4,000,000.
But to provide most liberally, suppose it
cost $5,000,000 more; it will not require
the revenue on the present tolls, over and
above its maintainance, more than 4 or 5
years, and then we shall have a navigation
that may be considered good for the next
50 years. Is it wise to do less '3

We do not censure the Canal Board ; they
have been compelled to make their decision
without any expression of the wishes of
their fellow-citizens on the subject; for un.
til their decision was published, we were
slumbering over this important matter. We
have been informed that one of the consi-
derations that influenced the Board was,
that no public meeting of citizens or their
ineiiiorial indicated the importance in which
they viewed the project of enlargement.
But, as before observed, the Board have left
this subject with a tacit expression, that
they hold it open for re-consideration in Oc-
tober next. Let us then lose no time in ob-
taining such an expression of opinion, by
public meetings and memorials, as will leave
the Board no ground to doubt, that to com-
ply with the wishes of their fellow-citizens,
as well as to meet the magnitude of the ob-
ject, a Canal of'8 feet in depth, and from 70
to 80 feet in general width, is indispensable.

While surrounded by pressing calls of
business, we have briefly called your atten.
tion to some of the considerations involved
in this project, and we hope, fellow-citizens,
you will take such measures aswill secure
your own interest, and promote the honor
and prosperity of the state. .

Shall a work of eminent usefulness,
deeply affecting the interest of the state,
fail to receive that degree of perfection
which is demanded by the clearest demon-
strations of its importance’! It is ‘not for
the benefit, or to please the ambition of an
individual, who may control the destinies
of millions, to gratify a love of splendid
things ; but, on the simple principle of use-
fulness, _in affording the means of easy‘
communication to market fora numerous
people, it is a magnificent project, and pe-

, culiarly demands the attention of a govern-

ment that is formed for purposes of utility.
The means of accomplishment are 5 fully
provided in the work itself ; not the least
prospect of embarrassing the state with tax

to defray the cost, can be indulged. It is
indeed the grand artery, through which cir-
culates the elements of -our -prosperity.
Shall it then be said, the people of the State
of New-York have not the sagacity to ap-
preciate the importance, or the enterprize
to promote .a work so deeply afl‘ec,ting their
interest, and which at the same time is of
so easy an accomplishment? They have
only to say the word, and the work is done.
And what will be done’! Let every citizen
who regards the interests or the honors of
the state, read carefully the reports that
have been referred to, and reflect on the im-
portance of the project, and we feel assured
that an emcient effort will be put forth to
accomplish the work on a scale that will be
commensurate with its importance, and, in
point of utility, will render it an imperisha.
ble monument of the wisdom and enterprise
of a free people. ‘

’ . [From the Ncivark Dai; ./1do.]

N ew-J ERSEY RAILROAD.--Vve have received
from an autlientic source the following statement
of the number, of passengers carried on the Railroad