SW_WH1793_Page_301

to advance any further sums, for making improve-ments west of the Oneida Lake, I called on JudgePlatt one evening at Albany, in 1810, and mentionedto him the propriety of proposing to the legislature,to appoint commissioners to explore the country asfar west as the Seneca Lake, and to report theiropinion, how far it was practicable to connect that lakeby a canal with the Hudson River; and stated, thatfrom my own knowledge of the face of the country,I was perfectly satisfied a favourable report would be made, and that, considering the immense advantagethat would result to the state by such an undertaking,there could be no doubt the legislature would readilybe induced to adopt the plan. Judge Platt was at this time a member of the Sen-ate, and being well acquainted with the geographyof the state, readily agreed with me in sentiment,but he remarked, that if commissioners were appoint-ed, they ought to be directed to explore and examinethe country as far as Lake Erie, to ascertain if it waspracticable, to connect that lake by canal naviga-tion with Hudson River. I replied, that I was fear-ful the legislature would be deterred from making anyappointment of commissioners, if so great an under-taking should be proposed, and that by proposing forthem to examine the country only as far as the Sene-ca Lake, they might then be induced to adopt themeasure. After some farther conversation, it was agreed to propose going as far as Lake Erie, and Judge Platt immediately drafted a joint resolution,to be offered to the Senate next morning. The nextmorning I was in the Senate chamber, and we calledout De Witt Clinton, communicated to him the sub-ject we had in view, and handed to him for hisperusal the proposed draft of a joint resolution—he expressed himself highly pleased with the project,said it had his hearty concurrence, and should havehis decided support. Judge Platt immediately return-ed to his seat, and presented the resolution to the