MEMOIR OF DE WITT CLINTON
APPENDIX
NOTE AA.
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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 it proper to give them a place in these pages.
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"The votes given at the late election by freeholders in this state for government, taken from the official returns, are as follows:
|
In the Southern District, |
9,638 |
|
In the Middle do. |
13,670 |
|
In the Eastern do. |
16,482 |
|
In the Western do. |
26,223 |
"This statement show 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 those 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 still 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 New-York, Albany, or Schenectady? This western country may be compared to a handsome girl, who has two
{original text has "too".} rival lovers – the one, Baltimore, flattering her fancy – the other, New-York, 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,
{See Hosack and Francis’ American Medical and Philosophical Register.} 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 of copies have been circulated.----------------------------------------
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