****************** The People's Press Batavia, Genesee County, New York State August 6-1825 No. 2 Erie Canal. Mr. BLODGETT, As every circumstance in regard to the commencement, prosecution, and completion of the Erie Canal, has become an object of much interest, in relation to the various persons who took any part in that great work, I shall make a few brief remarks, explanatory of the intervening periods between the dates of the principal documents and correspondence, so as to form something like a connected series. Commissioners were appointed in the session of the legislation of 1811, to make examination and report to the legislature a plan for effecting that noble design. The Commissioners traversed the water communication from Schenectady, by way of Mohawk River, Wood Creek, and Oneida Lake, to Ontario; and then by various roads which lead to the Niagara River and Lake Erie; and after directing engineers they had employed in making some disconnected levels in various places between the great Western Lakes and the Hudson River, they made a report of considerable magnitude, to the legislature, without designating therein any particular site for a canal, and continued making reports without defining any distinct plan or route; they, however, in these reports, were in favor of an inclined plane canal, which would render it an artificial river from Lake Erie to the Hudson, the source of which would be Lake Erie. The late war put a stop to the prosecution of the project,--indeed every thing which the commissioners had done up to the year 1816, was merely preparatory; at which time the following correspondence commenced between De Witt CLINTON, Esq., and Joseph ELLICOTT, Esq. on the subject; and as this correspondence, (which has been obligingly furnished,) marks a period when the first efficient exertions were made, and practical data given, I shall lay it before the public. Yours, A.A. * New-York, 6th Jan. 1816. Dear Sir: I have sent to the Post Office, with this letter, a pamphlet, containing the memorial of the citizens of New-York, in favor of a canal from Lake Erie to the Hudson River. It is highly important that the west should second the efforts of the south in this great question. I will thank you for your opinion as to the best course to be pursued, in addition to that already taken. Yours respectfully, De Witt CLINTON. J.ELLICOTT, Esq. * Batavia, Jan. 17th, 1816. De Witt CLINTON, Esq. Dear Sir:--I with pleasure acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, accompanying the memorial of the citizens of New-York, in favor of a canal navigation between the great western lakes and the tide waters of the Hudson. The exposition the citizens of New-York have given of the general direction the canal ought to be carried, for the promotion of the most possible advantage to this state and American community, I think must be conclusive to all unbiassed minds. Still, however, from reports now in circulation in this quarter, it would seem that the Lake Ontario route is in view. I will do myself the pleasure to furnish you with my ideas of the easy practicability of this immensely important object, in preference of the Lake Ontario route, &c. &c. With my usual regard and esteem, I am, Dear Sir. your ob't. ser't Joseph ELLICOTT. * New-York, 3d of Feb. 1816 Dear Sir: I thank you for your letter--I feel not a little pleased with your favorable opinion of our proceedings in promotion of the grand canal. * * * * * * * * * * * you and your friends, ought to be in Albany --I shall be there. We are all united on this subject except --- . We have a good cause, and let it not be our faults if it is not crowned with success. I have endeavored to correct -- 's heresy, but he is inflexible. I presume he will not be a dangerous opponent in a case so clear. Signed, De Witt CLINTON * Batavia, February 25th, 1816. De Witt CLINTON, Esq. Dear Sir: I with pleasure acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d instant. I believe there is but one voice in this country in relation to the advantages that would flow from a canal navigation from Lake Erie to the Hudson, although, as it is to be expected, there are many persons that seem to think such a project impracticable, and indeed upon some plans which might be devised for its execution, it is truly so; although by others, its completion is perfectly within the power of the state; and probably the canal could be so directed in its course, that even the county through which it might pass, would be competent to the completion of such sectional part. I am therefore impressed with the belief, from such reflections as have occurred to me on this subject, that the proper method to be pursued would be, to obtain an act from the legislature to appoint commissioners with power and funds to employ proper persons to explore and make a survey and level of a route, along which a canal should be directed, exhibiting, by means of a proper map and profile of the canal, the various depths required to be excavated, the aqueduct bridges to be erected, and the sites where locks should be constructed, with shafts sunk in various parts within the breadth contemplated for the canal, to ascertain the composition to be removed, whether clay, loan,sand, gravel, stone or rock. These objects being thus practically ascertained, it would be easy to make a calculation and estimate of the expenses which would attend its excavation; after which, a succeeding legislature could judge, whether the ability of the state was competent to the undertaking. My impression is, that this part of the main object might be accomplished at a small expense, (comparatively speaking,) by pursuing systematic measures. I would recommend employing Americans solely, and avoiding foreigners; they know very little about the management and conducting of business economically in this country; and the truth is, the laying out a path for a canal, requires neither conjurors nor wizzards; practical__ is every thing that is necessary. While I make these remarks with a much freedom and candor, it is not done with a view to obtain for myself, a you will perceive, and profitable employment in its prosecution. I have not any other object or wish than that the project should be pursued in a practical way, commessurate with all the purposes for which canals are used for conveyance and transportation, with the least possible expense. Your friend W. RUMSEY, will use the exertions to promote the grand object. My avocations in the discharge of the counties which are involved in conducting an agency are so many that it is impossible for me to visit Albany, but I am persuaded Mr. RUMSEY, who was one of the committee appointed to draft our memorial to the legislature, on the subject of the grand canal, and who is the bearer of the memorial to be handed to that honorable body, will more than supply my place were I present. That complete success may attend your exertions in an object so beneficial to mankind as a complete water communication between the great western lakes and the Hudson River would be, is the sincere wish of, with great respect and esteem, your most obedient servant, Joseph ELLICOTT. * submitted by Linda Schmidt *********************************************