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the project, notwithstanding which, the measuremet with a serious and warm opposition. The warwith England seemed to put a stop to all fartherproceedings, and many persons entertained seriousdoubts of the practicability of the undertaking, andif practicable, that the resources of the state wereincompetent to secure its completion. Besides thesedifficulties, the measure was opposed, with greatwarmth, on party grounds. Thus circumstanced,after the war, the friends of the project appeared tobe entirely discouraged, and to have given up all hopes of the Legislature being induced again to takeup the subject, or adopt any measure to prosecute thescheme. However, I could not thus resign a favouriteproject; and, it appeared to me, that one more effort should be made; and Judge Platt, being then (Au-tumn of 1815) in the city, holding court, I wrote anote, inviting him to breakfast with me the nextmorning. He came, and I proposed to him, that if itmet his approbation, I would undertake to get upa public meeting, to be held at the City Hotel, inorder to urge the propriety, and policy, of offering amemorial to the Legislature, pressing them to prose-cute the canal from Erie to the Hudson. Judge Platt, readily agreed to my proposition, and consented toopen the business to the meeting, if one could beobtained. I then called on De Witt Clinton, whounited with me in adopting measures to procure a public meeting. Accordingly, a large and respecta-ble meeting was held at the City Hotel. WilliamBayard was chairman. Judge Platt made an intro-ductory speech, and was followed by De Witt Clinton,John Swartout, and others. Cadwallader D. Colden, De Witt Clinton, John Swartout, and myself, wereappointed a committee, to draft a memorial to theLegislature. This memorial was drawn up by DeWitt Clinton, and from the masterly manner inwhich it was written, it was evident he had a com-plete knowledge of the subject, and evinced the un-