But it ought to be added, that about the same period of time, (probably in consequence of the suggestions referred to in the message of Mr. Jefferson,) besides the labours of Mr. Hawley and Mr. Forman in this state, a general spirit was awakened, and diffused throughout our country, relative to internal improvements, and the means of opening an advantageous intercourse by roads and canals, between the most distant parts of the United States; not only for the purpose of strengthening the Union, but of promoting our independence of foreign nations, by calling forth the native riches and resources of our country. To this spirit, doubtless, is to be ascribed the valuable report of Mr. Gallatin; the bill introduced into the Senate of the United States by Mr. Pope, a member from Kentucky; and the resolution afterwards moved in the House of Representatives by Mr. P.B. Porter, then a member of congress from this state; and the writings of the late Dr. Hugh Williamson, all which attracted the attention of the legislature of New-York, and prepared the public mind for the measures which subsequently ensued.

The report of Mr. Gallatin, which was presented to Congress in April, 1808, with its appendix, containing the communications of Messrs. Latrobe and Fulton relative to canal navigation, (although that part of it which concerns the state of New-York, recommended the route to the west by canals and locks to Lake Ontario, and around the falls of Niagara,) was eminently serviceable.

It is due to Mr. Pope, to observe, that early in 1810, some weeks prior to the celebrated speech delivered by Mr. Porter in the House of Representatives, he introduced a bill into the Senate, for the improvement of our nation, by facilitating intercourse between its different parts. That bill contemplated the union of the waters of Boston harbour with those of Newport, in Rhode Island - of the Raritan in New-Jersey with the Delaware - of the Hudson with the Lakes Erie and Ontario - of the Delaware with the Chesapeake - a canal to pass the cataract of Niagara - the union of the Hudson with Lake Champlain - the Ohio with Lake Erie - a canal to pass the falls of the Ohio, and from the Roanoke to the Appamatox, and from the Tennesee to the Tombigbee - a road from the highest navigable waters of the western states - and a turnpike road for the general mail from Maine to and through Georgia.

For the above purpose a tract of land in the peninsula of Michigan was contemplated to be appropriated, containing perhaps ten millions of acres.

Mr. Pope's bill in the Senate not having been acted upon by that body, Mr. Porter, on the 8^th of February, 1810, presented to the House of Representatives the following resolution.

"Resolved - That a committee be appointed to examine into the expediency of appropriating a part of the public lands, or the proceeds thereof, to the purposes of opening and constructing such roads and canals, as may be most conducive to the general interest of the Union, and that they have leave to report thereon by bill or otherwise."

Mr. Porter introduced this resolution with an able and elaborate speech, in which he took a comprehensive view of the subject, and went into details, showing the feasibility of the plan, the benefits which would result from it to the country, and the readiness with which funds might be raised to carry it into effect. Mr. Porter displayed an intimate knowledge of the geographical relations, local habits, and natural interests of the interior. In this speech, says the writer of the Supplement to Colonel Troup's letter to Brockholst Livingston, he took an expanded view of the great subject to which his resolution referred, pointed out the benefits which would result from the construction of roads and canals under the direction of the general government, and particularly enlarged upon the advantage and necessity of a navigable communication from the Hudson to Lake Erie. The resolution was adopted, and a committee of twenty appointed, of which General Porter was the chairman. The committee, on the 23^d February, 1810, reported a bill "for the improvement of the United States by roads and canals," which provided among other improvements, for "opening canals from the Hudson to Lake Ontario, and around the Falls of Niagara."

Doubts being entertained by some of the members as to the powers of congress to authorise the construction of roads and canals, and differences of opinion existing among others respecting the details of the bill, the enterprising and patriotic efforts of General Porter proved unsuccessful. They nevertheless made a strong impression upon the people of this state, and had no small share in exciting the attention of the New-York legislature, then in session, to this subject.

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Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/22/99.