SW_WH1793_Page_149

common talents of the author. It was signed bymany thousands in the city, and throughout thestate. With the Legislature, it had the desired effect,and was the means of establishing the canal policyon a firm basis, and producing the law of 15th ofApril, 1817, directing the work to be commenced,which was accordingly done on the 4th of July following. From the period of presenting the first report ofthe commissioners to the legislature, in 1812, to thepassing of the act of 1817, (excepting two years ofthe war with England) I attended the several ses-sions of the Legislature, for the purpose of interestingthe members in the great project of the proposedcanal, from Lake Erie to the Hudson River. De WittClinton, and myself, were uniformly engaged inusing every means in our power, by distributing pamphlets, and endeavouring to explain to the mem-bers, the great value and importance of such a canal,and showing them the great advantages the statewould derive, as to its agricultural and commercial improvements, and the increase of revenue, from tolls.We were encouraged to pursue further exertions, byprocuring an act, in 1813, which authorized the com-missioners to obtain a loan of five millions of dollars,to enable the state to prosecute the grand under-taking. This act was afterwards repealed, andnothing further was done during the war, and fromthe period of the termination, until the meeting heldat the City Hotel, in the latter part of the year 1815.The friends of the plan were much discouraged, inconsequence of the violent opposition it met withfrom men not capable of forming a correct judgmentas to the practicability of the work. From the year 1810, I devoted most of my time, inendeavouring, in connexion with De Witt Clinton,and Robert Fulton, to enlighten the public mind,respecting it, by publishing pamphlets, essays innewspapers, &;c. &;c.