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state, who have zealously given their personal atten-tions and services to this herculean undertaking, andto whom too much praise cannot be ascribed: sogreat is the number composing this class, that I amcompelled, at this time, to forbear from their enume-ration. The commissioners of the canal fund, asdistinguished from that of Canal Commissioners, andcomposed of the Lieutenant Governor, the Comptrol-ler, the Attorney General, the Surveyor General, the Secretary and Treasurer, to whose special care arecommitted the regulations of the tolls, and other cir-cumstances relating to the government of the canal,are entitled to high approbation, for their intelligentand faithful discharge of the duties assigned them.To all these different classes of coadjutors, may beascribed a high and enviable measure of applause. The sagacity of some, in early perceiving the prac-ticability, and utility, of the inland communication;the diligence and zeal of others, in unremitted exer-tions to accomplish it; and the devotion and sacri-fices of all to its completion, will be remembered bytheir successors with everlasting gratitude. We, fortunately, have been able to get Mr. Eddy's own account of his share in the great work of the Erie Canal. I was one (says he) of the first Directors of theWestern Inland Lock Navigation Company, and con-tinued as a Director, and Treasurer, until the com-pany disposed of their property to the state, in 1820.I applied myself, with much zeal, in forwarding theviews of the company, and in improving the inter-nal navigation of the state. Our funds were notsufficient to extend any improvement, further thana few miles west of Rome. The company had in their service, William Weston, an eminent engineer,from England, and in company with him, and Gene-ral Schuyler, the President, I made several journiesto the westward, in order to explore and examinethe country, as far as Seneca Lake, in order to ascer-