ERIE CANAL ARTICES
Found In 19th & 20th Century Newspapers
Not in Chronological Order


(Book review)

Bond of Union -
Building the Erie Canal and the American Empire


by Gerard Koeppel


American infrastructure, which has been sadly neglected for half a century, is finally getting another look—from a new administration confronting economic collapse. What better time to contemplate the first great piece of American infrastructure: New York’s Erie Canal? It too has been neglected for generations, but the story of its creation nearly two centuries ago may provide guidance and encouragement for today’s would-be builders: politicians, engineers, workers, and the American people in general.


In Bond of Union, New York historian Gerard Koeppel tells the story of the creation of the Erie Canal, from its conception in 1807 by Jesse Hawley—a western New York grain merchant in debtors’ prison who wrote a series of newspaper essays about the need for the waterway under the pseudonym “Hercules”—to the canal’s completion in 1825, making it the first great bond between the seaboard American nation and the vast continental interior.


The canal joined the Great Lakes at Buffalo to the Hudson River at Albany and, via the Hudson River, to the Atlantic Ocean at New York City. The immediate and spectacular success of the canal in binding east to west established New York City as the young nation’s economic engine and New York State as America’s Empire State. But like all great undertakings, building the canal was only accomplished by a passionate and determined cast of characters who overcame a host of challenges and many surprising twists and turns that, until now, the author said, have not been accurately portrayed.

Bond of Union sheds new light on:


The long competition between New York and Virginia to reach the western territory first—a battle whose most famous generals were New York’s De Witt Clinton and Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson the story behind Benjamin Wright—the man who has become known as the “Father of American Civil Engineering.”


The discovery of American waterproof cement.


The vicious political feud over the eastern end of the canal route west of Albany, which involved surveyor John Randel—the man who had famously laid out the numbered streets and avenues of Manhattan.


The notorious battle between rival settlements Buffalo and Black Rock to be named the canal’s western terminus.


Koeppel is the author of Water for Gotham: A History. He was a
contributor to Water-Works: The Architecture and Engineering of the
New York City Water Supply
. He is an Associate Editor of the second
edition of The Encyclopedia of New York City and was a contributor to
The Encyclopedia of New York State and The Encyclopedia of the New
American Nation
, for which he wrote the Erie Canal and other entries.
His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the New York
Observer
, the New Yorker, the New York Sun, the New-York Journal of
American History
, and American Heritage of Invention and Technology.
Mr. Koeppel is a former editor at CBS News, and serves on the
Executive Council of the New York City Chapter of the Society of
Professional Journalists. He resides in Manhattan.


-- Dick Palmer

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Geneva Gazette, Wed., Aug. 30, 1815

COMMUNICATION.

Seneca Locks. - We have the satisfaction to state, that on the 23rd inst. the first Boat (about 70 feet in length) went through the two upper locks on the Seneca Falls, loaded with upwards of one hundred persons. In presence of a great number of spectators, collected from different parts of the country.

The boat having entered the Guard Lock, went through the new Canal, nearly 3-4ths of a mile in length, and descended the two Locks in 25 minutes; then turned about in the Seneca river and re-ascended the Locks, in 9 minutes - all which no doubt will be accomplished hereafter in much less time, considering that every thing was new, and managed by hands unacquainted with Lock navigation concerns, the architect, Mr. Marshal Lewis, excepted, whose faithful exertions deserve the highest praise.

The workmanship of these Locks, as it respects solidity and neatness, is probably not exceeded by any heretofore construction. The Locks, Canals and Dams, as far down as Col. Mynderse's old mills, will no doubt be completed before winter, and the remainder, near and below the Col's. new mills, will in all probability pass inspection by the middle of next season. The completion of these Locks will be important - not only as it respects the advantages which this village will derive from it, but in particularly, the convenience of transportation for the immense country west of this.

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Geneva Gazette, Nov. 18, 1818

From the Waterloo Gazette.

NEW LOCK NAVIGATION

It is with extreme satisfaction, that through the medium of your press, I can inform the public, that on the 19th ult. the first heavy laden boat passed the Lock, lately constructed on the Clyde, near the new Milling establishment of the Messrs. DeZengs, at the village of Clyde, in the township of Galen. This valuable improvement completes an excellent Durham-boat navigation, through, perhaps, the most fertile sections of Seneca and Ontario Counties, for upwards of forty miles west of from the Seneca river; and creates an eligible site for all kinds of hydraulic operations, at a point where it has hitherto been considered utterly impracticable to raise a sufficient head of water.

Besides, it is not the least pleasing reflection, that in the course of a very few years this stream may become a most important link in the chain of our western inland navigation.

In justice to an undertaking of such magnitude and and utility, I am proud to acknowledge the enterprise of the Messrs. DeZengs, advised and directed by the skill of that architect and mill-wright, Mr. James Valentine. May success reward their efforts.

A SENECA FARMER.

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Geneva Gazette. June 30, 1819

Montezuma bridge, between the village of that name, and the town of Mentz, over the Seneca River and marshes, Onondaga county, extends three miles! It is said to be the longest bridge in the world. This is the third bridge over the Cayuga and Seneca river, in the space of seven miles, and remarkably shows the progress of improvement in this part of our country.

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Cayuga Republican, March 8, 1820

FOR SALE.

Montezuma Village Lots.

____

The lots in the village of Montezuma are now offered for sale, being surveyed of different sizes to suit purchasers. The natural advantages of this village are supposed to be greater than any village possesses on the Canal from Lake Erie to Utica. It must be the place of deposit for the produce from the Cayuga Lake, the Seneca lake, the Canandaigua lake and outlet, Mud creek and the Seneca river. Its inexhaustible sources of soft water, of a far superior to that at Salina, will always render it a place of importance for the manufacture of that necessary and useful article.

Its clay for making the different kinds of ware has been found to be excellence; and it is expected that the abundant supply of water to the Canal will afford a sufficiency of waste water for mill-seats, and all other necessary hydraulic purposes. The bridge over the Seneca river is now building, connecting it with a Turnpike road to the east and west, which with the rapid progress of the settlement in its immediate vicinity, must inevitably render it a place of the first importance in the western country.

An opportunity is now afforded for persons to purchase, who wish to settle in a growing village, or to vest their money in the purchase of property which will rapidly increase in value. More than fifty village lots have been sold this spring, and purchasers who wish to have a choice of stands are requested to call soon.

Enquire of Comfort Tyler and Peter Clarke, Esq's. at Montezuma, where a map of the village may be seen, or of Joseph Otis, James Lovatt or James B. Clarke, New-York, committee for said company.

Montezuma, March 10, 1819.

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Cayuga Republican, Tuesday, April 25, 1820.

YANKEE ENTERPRIZE

On the 13th inst. was launched on the Seneca River, the elegant passage boat "Montezuma"." Superintended and built by C. Tyler, Esq. she is 76 feet in length, with a proportionate with and depth, containing an elegant dining room, kitchen, an after cabin, with other conveniences to accommodate the passengers, finished in a style not inferior to any boats of passage on the American waters. She will be ready for running upon the canal in about ten days, and will run back and forth from Seneca River to Utica, a distance of 96 miles in 24 hours. On the day of launching, the Montezuma was taken through the lock on the canal, and driven by two horses two miles in thirty minutes, with 70 passengers aboard.

A SPECTATOR

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Geneva Gazette, Wed., May 3, 1820

Yankee Enterprize. - On Thursday the 13th ult., was launched on the Seneca River, the eleant passage boat Montezuma, superintended and built by Comfort Tyler, Esq. She is 76 feet in length, with a proportionate width and depth, containing an elegant dining room, kitchen, and after cabin, with other conveniences to accommodate the passengers, finished in a style not inferior to any boats of passage on the American waters. She will be ready for running upon the canal in about 10 days, and will run back and forth from Seneca River to Utica, a distance of 96 miles, in 24 hours. On the day of launching, the Montezuma was taken through the lock on the canal, and drawn by two horses 2 miles in 30 minutes, with 70 passengers on board.

A SPECTATOR

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Geneva Gazette, Wed., May 10, 1820

Canal Navigation. - The navigation on the middle section of the great western canal has commenced. The passage boat Montezuma was to have started on her regular trips from Seneca river to Utica, a distance of 94 miles, on the 1st inst.

Carthage Bridge. - We are informed that the elegant single arch bridge, erected at an enormous expense over the Genesee river, at Carthage, fell down a few days ago. Fortunately, no person was passing over at the time.

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Cayuga Republican, Auburn, N.Y., Wed., May 31, 1820

GRAND CANAL.

On Thursday morning last, a respectable number of the citizens of this village, went to Bucksville about 7 to meet the Montezuma, a new passage-boat on the Canal, having His Excellency DeWitt Clinton and General Stephen Van Rensselaer on board. The boat arrived at Bucksville from Montezuma about 7 o'clock. The morning was fine, and our citizens went on board and continued as far as Jordan, a distance of 10 miles. During the short passage, a breakfast was served up in handsome style, and every attention was given by the managers of the boat to the convenience and pleasure of the party. Our passengers returned in a small boat to their carriages delighted with their excursion.

A PASSENGER.

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Cayuga Republican, May 31, 1820

Post Office Notice.

A POST OFFICE is established at Montezuma, by the name of Montezuma Post-Office, and Richard Smith is appointed Post-Master.

R. SMITH, P.M.

Montezuma, May 25, 1820.

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Geneva Gazette, Wed., July 26, 1820

BOATS

Montezuma and Oneida Chief,

For the accommodation of passengers on the Erie Canal, will perform their trips in the future, in the following order: - Leave Utica and Montezuma every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 8 o'clock, and meet at evening in Manlius; proceed next day at 4 o'clock, A.M. and arrive at Utica and Montezuma at 6 P.M.

Price of Passage through the route, including provisions and lodging, $4. Way Passengers 3 cents per mile.

Baggage at the owner's risk.

For passage apply at the Stage office, Utica; and at the Inn of Richard Smith, Montezuma, or to the Capts. on board.

July 1, 1820.

N.B. Stages will be in waiting at most of the villages on the Canal, and at Montezuma, to convey passengers to the Turnpike.

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Cayuga Republican, Wed., Aug. 15, 1821

[Communication]

Mr. Editor,

Sir, - I send you a copy of a card, signed by some gentlemen passengers, in the Canal-Boat Montezuma, with the addition of their places of residence. Various reports are in circulation respecting the conveyance of passengers on that section of the Canal between Utica and Montezuma, should you give this an insertion, it may be a satisfaction to the public, and some advantage to the Erie Canal Navigation Company.

A PASSENGER.

__

WE the undersigned, having passed from Utica to Weed's Basin, on the Canal, a distance of eight-eight miles, in the in the Passage Boat Montezuma, Capt. Joseph Swan, very cheerfully declare the great satisfaction we have experienced, both from that mode of conveyance and the uniform civility and obliging deportment of the Captain, and all the persons attached to the Boat.

We fared very well a the table of the boat and felt no inconvenience either from the heat or smell of the kitchen, and reached our destination without fatigue, about twenty minutes before the time appointed. Several of us had Ladies of our party, some of whom were in delicate health, and they all found it an agreeable and easy conveyance.

Weeds Basin, 10th August, 1821

Wm. H. Winder, Baltimore

D. Lenox, Philadelphia.

John Greenfield, New York

Ephraim, Ohio.

C. Tanner, Geneva

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Lyons Republican, Friday, Aug. 3, 1821

The Grand Canal.

The business of the Canal progresses rapidly in this vicinity. We are informed from a respectable source, hat the whole of the western section, extending from Montezuma to Rochester is under a great state of forwardness. The principal part of the excavation between Rochester and Palmyra is completed; from Palmyra to this place, and from this to Montezuma, there has been several jobs completed and accepted of, and the remainder is progressing in a manner to be completed about the first of September. There is at present some difficulty in procuring a sufficient number of hands, as laborers are in great demand at this season of the year among the farmers, but as soon as the bustle of harvesting is over this difficulty will subside.

The season has been rather unfavorable to the progression of the work on the Cayuga Marsh, owing to the quantity of rain that has fallen. The stone work throughout the line is progressing tolerably well, and will no doubt be completed in season.

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Western Farmer, Palmyra, N.Y., Sept. 12, 1821

(Editorial)

In a few short weeks, this important work will be completed from Utica to Mann’s Mills. That part of the Canal which passes through the Montezuma Marshes has been the most difficult to work, owing to the quantity of water with which this low ground is almost uniformly inundated.

Consequently, it was supposed this section would be the last to be completed. But as the season has been uncommonly dry and favorable for working it, the contractors, we learn, will have it completed in a few weeks. The locks and other stone work on the Canal, are in a state of great forwardness. It is confidently expected that water will be let into it this season and that boats will be seen wafting the surplus produce on its bosom from this land of plenty to our New York, instead of a fluctuating Canada market.

This will be a proud day for our western farmers. A smile on joy already begins to light up on their countenances in anticipation of exchanging the produce of their rich and productive farms for C A S H. This truly is a thought too cheering not to beget a smile on every countenance, especially in this time of long faces and empty purses.

The inhabitants of this village have much reason to rejoice at the success and prospect of so speedy a completion of this great work. It has already produced a change in the appearance of our village which must evince to every beholder that it is destined to be a place of extensive business in consequence of the advantages which it must necessarily derive from this channel of wealth. During the past season a number of excellent and some elegant buildings have here been erected, among which are a large store-house, on the margin of the Canal along side of which is a beautiful basin sufficiently spacious to accommodate a number of boats. Near this store-house the proprietors (Messrs Jessup & Palmer) have nearly completed a very large and elegant brick building to accommodate their tanning business, which they carry on very extensively.

There are already ten Mercantile establishments and the eleventh, we learn, is soon to commence business. There are also a due proportion of mechanic establishments. But there is room and encouragement for many more. When the Canal becomes navigable for boats through this place, it must necessarily become the depot for a rich farming country around. Articles for transport and export must be stored here.

This will furnish an increase of business to our Village which will be of no trifling importance. A large and spacious boat is now on the stocks and will be ready to launch as soon as the Canal shall be filled with water, which is designed principally for the convenience of passengers. This boat is owned by S. Scovell Esq. who, of its proprietors, we understand, intends running a pleasure carriage from this to Canandaigua ss soon as the Canal is navigable, in connection with his boat for the accommodation of travelers.

And we are gratified to state that owing to the exertions of this gentleman, a large and superb Hotel has just been completed where we are warranted in saying that travelers who may pass this way, can always have the best of fare. This house is now kept by Major William Rogers and adds much to the beauty and respectability of our Village.

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Lyons Republican, Friday, Nov. 22, 1821

The Canal. - The canal from Rochester to Montezuma is finished. The Lock at this place, under the direction of Mr. Samuel Horn, is finished except some trifling embanking, &c. The lock and aqueduct, about one mile west of this village, under the direction of Col. Ezra Brainard, will be completed on Tuesday or Wednesday next. Boats have already passed from the aqueduct to Palmyra, a distance of 16 miles. A more particular description will be given in our next.

Western Farmer, Palmyra, Nov. 21, 1821

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THE LAUNCH. - On the morning of the 15th inst. it was verbally announced to the inhabitants of this village, that the new and elegant Packet Boat built here by Seymour Scovell, Esq. would be launched in the course of the day. This information, together with the repeated discharge of cannon, immediately drew together a large collection of citizens to witness this interesting transaction.

About 11 o'clock A.M. a procession was formed at the Eagle Hotel, under the direction of Col. Thomas Rogers 2d, who acted as Marshal on the occasion, and moved, preceded by a band of music, to the Boat, which then rested on the ways, confined only by pulleys from its destined element. While in this situation, it was occupied by a number of gentlemen, among whom were those who had been requested to deliver an address and to read the toasts prepared for the occasion.

A gun was then fired as the signal for loosening the ropes, when the Boat gently glided into the water, amidst the reiterated cheers of numerous spectators - the animating notes of the instrumental and martial music, and the reverberating thunder of artillery.

The Boat's name was then announced by the proprietor, which we think highly appropriate, and creditable not only to Mr. Scovell, but to that section of the Canal on which it is destined to ride. - Its name is the MYRON HOLLEY.

After the general joy had somewhat subsided, and the people called to order, a laconic, animated, and truly appropriate address was pronounced from the Boat, by I. J. Richardson, Esq. which was answered with three cheers and a gun.

The following toasts were next called for, which were read, accompanied by music and the discharge of cannon.

1. The Packet Boat Myron Holley - Destined to ride in the road which the man whose name it bears has been preeminently engaged in erecting - may its usefulness and public accommodations answer the most sanguine expectations of its proprietors.

2. The Canal - Conceived in wisdom, promoted by patriotism, and executed with ability and integrity.

3. The 15th of November 1821 - Rendered memorable by the launch of the Myron Holley - may the inhabitants of Palmyra at future anniversaries, remember with gratitude the individual whose exertions have produced this event.

4. Commissioners and Engineers - Selected for their wisdom, ability and integrity - may their faithful exertions secure the applause and gratitude which they so richly merit.

5. The Contractors - Their industry and enterprise merit the gratitude of, and an ample recompence from, the government.

6. The State of New-York - Pre-eminently great in its resources and magnanimity.

7. The Governor and constituted authorities of the State of New York.

8. The master builder of the Boat, Mr. Hamlet Almsbury - his skill and industry merit a further patronage.

After partaking of some refreshment, upwards of two hundred of the company present, went on board the Myron Holley, and proceeded west on the Canal, to the first lock, a distance of about three miles, which, owing to the paddle gates not being hung, was then impassable. While in this lock, built by Darius Comstock, Esq. several volunteer toasts were given in commendation of this gentleman's skill and industry, which the elegance and fitness of the work so strikingly evinced.

On the way to and from the lock, the passengers were delighted, not only with the sweet shrill notes of the bugle and other appropriate music on board, but the novelty of the scene, with beholding the banks of the Canal, its bridges, and the windows and doors of every dwelling they passed, lined with admiring spectators.

On their return, about one hundred of the company on board, repaired to the Eagle Hotel, where they partook of an elegant supper, prepared by Maj. Wm. Rogers for the occasion.

The Myron Holley is said to be the best and most elegant boat on the Canal. It is well calculated for the accommodation of passengers, for which it is particularly designed. It will make daily excursions on the Canal, Sundays excepted, as long as the weather will permit.

We learn that the upper lock is now completed, and that the the repairs found necessary to be made on Mr. Cluse's job about one mile east of this village, will be in a few days be finished, which will open a navigation of about 28 miles on this section. The Canal through the marshes at Montezuma, owing to the uncommon wet weather during the latter part of the season, will not be ready to receive the water before next spring.

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Ontario Repository, Canandaigua, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1821

The last Palmyra paper gives us the particulars of the proceedings at that place, on the 15th inst. in launching a new and elegant Packet Boat, built by Mr. Seymour Scovel, for the conveyance of passengers, and finished in a style and with accommodations superior to any boat heretofore used on the canal.

The proceedings evince the same lively interest that is always felt in whatever relates to this great inland communication. As she glided into the waters of the can, the air resounded with the cheers of numerous spectators, the animating strains of music, and the roar of cannon.

The proprietor then announced her name, the MYRON HOLLEY. A short and suitable address was then delivered from the boat, by Israel J. Richardson, Esq. after which the company partook an excursion of a few miles down the canal, in this novel mode of conveyance. In the evening, about 100 of the party partook of a supper prepared for the occasion by Col. Rogers.

The Canal is now navigable on this section, from the Irondquot (cq) in Pittsford, to within a mile of Lyons - about 28 miles.

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Lyons Republican, Friday, Nov. 30, 1821

On Thursday last, the citizens of this place, were gratified with a

view of the elegant Packet-Boat, Myron Holley. She arrived at the aqueduct

on Wednesday evening, having on board a large number of persons from

Palmyra and other places adjacent to the canal. This boat is well

calculated for the accommodation of passengers, and is said to surpass any

one on the whole line of the canal. It is 80 feet in length, and 13 ½ in

width. It has two convenient rooms for passengers, and will accommodate one

hundred persons. It draws but 10 inches of water when loaded, and cost two

thousand dollars.

A great number of persons assembled to witness this truly interesting

scene. Between two and three hundred embarked on board, when she started

back for Palmyra, where she safely arrived the same evening. The banks were

literally lined with anxious spectators to behold this elegant specimen of

western enterprise. Owing to the unfavorableness of the weather the lock

and aqueduct were not in a situation to let the boat pass through,

otherwise she would have come down as far as this village. Mr. Seymour

Scovel, the owner of the boat, deserves great credit for his remitted

exertions in finishing and rendering her thus commodious.

This is the first boat of any magnitude, that has navigated the waters

of the Erie Canal, on this section, and we are not a little proud of having

it said, that even the forests of the west, have yielded to the

enterprising industry of man, and that boats of burden are now gently

gliding in the midst thereof. Every one present evinced a degree of

pleasure in witnessing, what they dreamed impracticable five years ago. The

boat is expected here again next week, should the weather prove favorable.

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(Extract from: "Letters on the Natural History and Internal Resources of the State of New York" By Hibernicus (DeWitt Clinton) New York, 1822)

Page 22, Letter V.

Montezuma, July, 1820

My Dear Sir,

In my voyage on the canal I met with several loaded boats and scows, ascending as well as descending, and also rafts. The facility with which boats pass each other without interruption or delay, strikes one forcibly at the first view. This canal will make a great revolution in the internal trade of the country, and in the balance of political power.

One horse can draw as much on a canal, as 60 on a road. The expense of transportation will be consequently greatly reduced. I saw an advertisement of Mr. Henry B. Ely, of Utica, wherein he offers to forward goods on the canal for 25 cents per Cwt. for 100 miles, including toll, which is about five cents a ton per mile, at least one quarter less than by land. But this I apprehend is too high; the maximum cost ought not to exceed three cents a mile per ton. I saw a Utica a raft of 440 tons of lumber, which had been floated on the canal for 20 miles, for about 50 dollars. It was drawn by four horses at the rate of two miles an hour. The conveyance of this timber by land would have cost at least 1600 dollars. The price of wheat at Albany, is now about (P. 23) 87 cents a bushel, and the land transportation, at any considerable distance, costs at least 44 cents. A bushel of wheat can be conveyed on the canal, when finished, from Seneca river to Albany for six cents.

Gypsum is found all over the west; you can now buy it at Utica for $1.5o to $2 a ton. The great country lying on he Hudson can be supplied with this mineral for four or five dollars a ton. Salt will also be sold at Albany for 2s. 6d. or 3s. a bushel.

I enclose you a marine, or canal list, cut from a Utica paper. The activity of business which this communication has already created is perfectly surprising.

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From the Utica Patriot.

CANAL NAVIGATION.

May 22, 1820, arrived, boat Montezuma, with passengers, Engineer, Experiment, Western Trader, and a Cayuga boat, with flour.

Departed, Montezuma, passengers, and a Geneva boat with goods.

23. Arrived, Traveller, and Experiment.

Departed, boats Engineer, Newell, and Experiment.

24. Departed, boats Western Trader, and Experiment.

Arrived, Lady of the Lake, with stone, and John Van Ness Yates, with 250 barrels of flour from Seneca Lake.

P. 24) 25, Arrived, Experiment, passengers, Lady of the Lake, stone, Anne Maria, with salt, from Salina.

Departed, Experiment, Anne Maria.

26. Arrived, boat Montezuma, with passengers, his excellency the Governor, and Gen. Van Rensselaer.

27. Arrived, boats Traveller, Clinton and the Western Trader.

28. Arrived Engineer.

Departed, boat Montezuma, with passengers, commencing her regular trips.

29. Departed, the Experiment, passengers, for Montezuma.

30. Lady of the Lake, one scow, with stone.

31. Arrived, two Cayuga boats with flour.

Departed, Engineer, passengers.

June 1. Two boats from the Seneca Lake, do.

2. The Canastota and John Van Ness Yates, do.

Arrived, Montezuma, with passengers.

3. Arrived, one boat from Cayuga Lake, with pork.

Departed, one boat for Geneva, and the passage boat Experiment.

5. Departed, the Montezuma, for Seneca river, with passengers.

At Montezuma, I was regaled with most excellent fish of the esox genus; and at Syracuse and Rome, on my way up, I had fine salmon. I shall on a future occasion, speak of the fishes of the west: The fish markets of the cities on the Hudson will be greatly improved by the canal. new species will be ground down in ice in a (P. 25) perfect state of preservation, and the epicures of the south will be treated with new and untried dishes of the highest flavor.

The west is the favorite region of the peach and the plum. And these and other kinds of fruits of the very best quality will be conveyed on the canal. I have seen in various places, a plant of fine appearance, which I am told produces excellent fruit of the size and color of a small orange. It is, if I mistake not, the podophyllum peltatum and is commonly called mandrake, or May apple. This country also contains different species of wild plums of fine quality. The opening of a market for grain will prevent its conversion into ardent spirits - the curse of morals, and the bane of domestic felicity. Whiskey now sells for eighteen cents a gallon. What a temptation to inebriety! a man may now keep constantly drunk, for three or four shillings a week. Nothing but a heavy excise can banish the use of this deleterious poison.

Cattle which are fattened for the market can be transported on the canal with less expense and with more celerity, (and without any diminution of flesh) than by driving.

In one word, new uses and striking advantages will daily present themselves to observation from this great operation. It alleged that the canal (P. 26) will make a good ice road in winter, but I have no faith in this opinion. The use of it for such purpose will be but short. It will be in use for vessels about ten months in a year; and what is not a little extraordinary, it freezes later, and thaws sooner, than natural waters. The philosophy of this fact I will endeavor to develop on some future occasion, but such you may rely on it is the case. When the Onondaga Lake, which lies below the canal, was closed up with ice last spring, the latter was open and navigable. By the continual passage of boats in winter, the canal can be prevented from freezing; and when frozen, a vessel may open its way by placing stampers for breaking ice at its head, as I have seen in the Forth ad Clyde canal, where they are worked by a steam engine that propels a barge.

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LETTER VI.

My Dear Sir,

Before leaving London a bought "An account of the Great Western Canal of New York, with an illustrative map," which was reprinted at that great literary mart, and when I arrived here, the great outlines of the country and of the canal (P. 27) were familiar to my mind. Actual inspection has exceeded the most sanguine anticipation. Sometimes I think that I am in the region of enchantment, and that the magical operations of eastern fiction are acted over again in this country. Two canals of 124 miles, uniting to a certain extent the great fresh water seas of the interior, with the ocean; and all this done without noise, and as it were without effort, in less than two years and a half, must shut the mouth of scepticism, and excite universal astonishment. The more I examine into this subject, the more I examine into this subject, the more important consequences do I observe. The men who are the premum mobile of this scheme, appear to understand the genuine sources of national wealth, and the orthodox principles of political economy. Internal trade is the great substratum of riches. It excites all kinds of industry, sharpens the faculties, and multiplies the exertions of man; and inland navigation is the lever of Archimedes, which will set in motion this world of occupation and exertion.

Both sides of the canal are in fence. This is necessary in order to protect the bank from cattle, and the farms from depredations. I was shewn at Whitesborough, a fence, the materials of which were conveyed from Canasaraga last fall, on the canal. Twenty-two hundred cedar rails were transported with one horse, two men and a boy, (P. 28), and it took in going and returning, three days, at $3 per day; in the aggregate, $9; while by land it would have employed 40 wagons two days, which at $2 per day, would have cost $160.

I am of opinion that the salt of Salina can be sold at Albany, when the canal is finished, for 31 cents a bushel, and the expense will not exceed six cents. The principal cost now is the barrel, but when conveyed in bulk, this of course will be done away. I saw a salt boat building near Syracuse, which was intended to convey 1600 bushels in bulk.

In like manner gypsum can be got at Utica for $2 a ton, and delivered at Albany for $1 1/2 or $2 more. This source of fertilization will be diffused through this channel over the whole state. I have much to say on this subject, and am now considering whether it will be best to prepare it by calcination or grinding before transportation, or transport the raw material. Suppose that 100,000 farmers should each save twenty dollars a year in gypsum, and ten dollars in salt, by means of the canal, here would be an annual saving of three million dollars, a sum more than sufficient in two years to make the whole canal. And this is a very moderate calculation. Salt is essential to the health of cattle, and the consumption of this (P. 29 article for that purpose, for the table, and for preserving fish and meats, is immense.

Gypsum rises every year in public estimation, and I am told that during the late war, the farmers of Saratoga and Dutchess counties would go to the gypsum beds of Madison and Onondaga counties for a supply, a distance of 150 or 200 miles. To shut out the foreign supply of gypsum and salt, would be a great saving to the public in every sense of the word: and this will be most effectually accomplished.

A horse can easily draw 25 tons on a canal. This would take at least 20 teams for land transportation. The conveyance of commodities by water will supersede the use of an animal for draught, which is the most voracious and wasteful of the graminivorous class of brutes. Two beneficial consequences will result, and in a most extensive manner. 1st. The diminished demand of horses for domestic accommodation, will enable exportation to foreign markets; and 2d. Their place will be supplied by neat cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry, which will be increased in proportion to the augmented stores of grain and grass for their benefit. It has long been anxiously desired by good agriculturalists to substitute the ox for the horse in farming, and though this has partially succeeded in the eastern states, yet the (P. 30) horse is almost exclusively used for the conveyance of commodities a distance.

Every diminution of expense in transportation, will add so much to the profits of the farmer and manufacturer. Hence manufacturers will be enabled to sell their fabrics at a low price, and to this canal I look for resurrection and form establishment of the manufacturing of the State.

(Page 31)

LETTER VII.

Geneva, June, 1820.

My Dear Sir,

Just before you arrive at Syracuse, 61 miles from Utica, you meet with the two first locks on the canal. Here are three which let you down into (P. 32) the Salina Plain. These locks are made of lime and sand stone. Both abound with marine exuviae and organic remains. I never saw more substantial erections. The water cement made use of is derived from a mixture of sand and a meager lim stone found all over this country, and is said to be superior to any hydraulic mortar ever used. I had at Utica an account of this discovery from a Dr. Bartow, one of the agents of the Canal Board, a gentleman, who possesses a great fund of information, which he was by no mean parsimonious in imparting. I spent thee hours very pleasantly with the Doctor at the great Utica Hotel. He informs me that on a chemical analysis, it is proved that the component parts are not the same with the Septarium. Lias or Aberthlaw lime of Great Britain - that he and Mr. White, on of the Canal engineers, had originated and matured the discovery and that it had been successfully tried in cisterns as well as locks, and found to unite stones as firmly and solidly as if they had been originally joined by the hand of nature.

The Doctor states the constituents to be as follows: to wit.

35 parts carbonic acid, 25 lime, 15 silex, 16 alumine, (. 33) 2 water, 1 oxide of iron.

After the process of calcination, it is to be ground, and then mixed with an equal weight of clean sand, which will be twice as bulky as the lime, and it must be mixed with clear water, as little as possible.

I am told that a great limestone ridge runs through the whole of this country, east and west - that north of it a ledge of gypsum commences; also a range of salines - and that on the borders of the gypsum and salt regions, there is a tier of limestone alternating with sandstone, and full of organic remains; adjacent to which the water lime is found - and that this valuable fossil is in great abundance over a line of country of at least 100 miles extent. The most eastern salt spring as yet discovered is about 25 miles west of Utica; at the same distance gypsum commences. This affinity between salt and gypsum exists all over the world. I find the geology of this country most extraordiniry; it is sui generis.

(P. 124) LETTER XXIX.

Montezuma, July, 1820.

My Dear Sir,

I consider navigation on a canal, not only the least expensive, but the most secure mode of travelling that can be adopted. Here is no bursting of boilers nor any other accident to which steam-boats are exposed. You can neither be burnt nor drowned, and your horses cannot run away with your carriage and dash it to atoms; but then you must be on the constant look out to avoid a fracture of the head from the low and ill constructed bridges: why, in this country of wood, stone should be used for erecting bridges; why they should be made so low as just to avoid the boat; why they should contain abutments jutting out into the canal, and for ever striking the boat; and why the stones should be piled upon each other without mortar, are questions which I must refer to the decision of the Canal Board and their engineers.

If the bridges had been sufficiently elevated, then the boat could have been drawn from a mast instead of the side, as is practiced in Flanders, and an unceasing and pernicious wearing of of the banks by the drag rope (P. 125) would have been prevented. I know of no other accidents that can happen, except from the falling of trees across the boat, or from the carelessness of the men who have the management of the locks.

I saw at Jordan, which is 80 miles from Utica, two loaded boat, which had left Schenectady seven days before. This would average 25 miles a day, and part of the way is on a difficult ascending navigation up the Mohawk. Again; a vessel of 50 tons went from Utica to Trumansburgh on the Cayuga Lake, 130 miles in three days, loaded with merchandise, and without change of horses. A loaded boat can go on this canal without difficulty at the rate of 40 miles a day.

I have just learned that the state is about to purchase the rights of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. This is a very just and proper measure. The works of the Company are out of order, and the toll is exorbitant. Every bushel of wheat has to pay a duty of 59 cents before it reaches Schenectady.

The canal of this Company at Rome is one mile and three quarters long, thirty-two feet wide at the top, and from two and a half to three feet deep. It has two locks 73 feet long, and 12 feet wide. The lift of the one on the Mohawk is ten feet, and on Wood Creek eight. This work was made (P. 126) under the direction of Mr. Weston, an English engineer, who had, besides his expenses, a salary of a thousand guineas a year. The superintendent of the laborers had a salary of 2,500 dollars; and this short canal took two years to make.

What a difference in management; proceeding at the same rate, it would take two centuries to complete the Erie Canal. The water cement was imported. The lock at the German Flats was made of terras, and at Little Falls of Welsh lime. The former has answered best.

The tolls of this Company are so oppressive, that boats frequently unload and pass through the locks empty and resume their load afterwards. It is indeed well that the state has purchased it. I am persuaded that the markets of New York will now be supplied with western, instead of southern flour, and that the displacement of the latter from the market will greatly affect the agriculture of the south.

In looking at the great results which must arise from it - it is impossible to keep out of view some of the revolutions which will take place in the internal trade of the country. There is a certain class scattered all over, who unite in one profession, the calling of iron mongers, grocers, druggists, and shop keepers, and who are continually offering temptations to purchasers. The facility (P. 127) of conveyance by the canal, will induce people to resort to villages for supplies. The thrifty housewife will take her cheese and her butter to market, and return with her sugar and tea.

A considerable deal of trade will be carried on by exchange, and more scope and greater encouragement will be afforded for the operations of industry and economy. A vast capital will be employed to more advantage. A canal boat of 40 tons can be purchased for 400 dollars, which, with two horses, will be cheaper than a heavy wagon of six horses, and will convey ten times as much. The comparative cheapness of canal barges to river sloops as well as wagons, will supersede the necessity of very large investments of capital.

With all these and other important advantages staring the community in the face, it is not extraordinary, that there should be an organized opposition against the canal that wretches should be encouraged to instill poison into the public mind, and o destroy its embankments? By the bye, can you tell me why accidents in the bursting of embankments and mill-dam occur more frequently in the night time than in the day?

(P. 128) Are they owing to a greater pressure of the atmosphere on the water?

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Ontario Repository, Canandaigua, N.Y., January 8, 1822

Storage & Forwarding

The subscriber having taken the large and commodious Ware-House, at the east end of the village, situated on a large Basin of the Canal, is now ready to receive in Store, all kinds of Property. having formed a connection with as respectable a Line of Boats as any in the country, he will be able, on the opening of navigation in the spring, to Forward property as low as any other regularly established Forwarding House in the country.

He solicits the patronage of his friends and the public in general.

S. SCOVELL.

Palmyra, Jan. 1, 1822.

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Cayuga Republican, April 3, 1822

BOATING AND FORWARDING

_____

The subscribers have entered into a line of FORWARDING with John O'Hara, Esq. of Scipio, who is to have a line of Boats on the Mohawk river, and teams on the road from Albany to Schenectady. They will transport goods from Albany to Montezuma, or to Rochester, if the Canal is navigable, and will transport produce to Albany, on as good terms as any other Company that is responsible. The Boat FARMER of Brutus, will be run by Sylvester Sheldon; Boat PERSEVERANCE, by Elias Cady; Boat SOLACE, by Edmund B. Fellows. The boats will run on regular days, viz: One of the above mentioned boats will leave Weed's Basin every Monday and Thursday of each week, from the 25th April and the 1st day of July next.

SYLVESTER SHELDON,

EDMUND B. FELLOWS,

IRA HOPKINS,

ELIAS CADY.

Brutus, March 28, 1822.

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Geneva Gazette, April 18, 1822

500 LABORERS

Are wanted, for about ten weeks, to work in the construction of the Canal through the Cayuga Marshes. Good hands shall receive from twelve to thirteen dollars per month, in cash, to at the end of every month, week, or day, at their option. Thy shall be well fed, and lodged in comfortable shanties, with sufficient blankets. They will be subject to some inconvenience from water and mud; but a portion of the work will be dry; and all experience proves that men may labor on the Marsh without any unusual exposure of health until the middle of July, before which it is intended to have this portion of the Canal completed. Those, who are willing to be employed, under this notice, can apply to either of the subscribers at Montezuma.

HOVEY & WETHY,

Canal Contractors

April 5, 1822.

I certify that Hovey & Wethy are responsible men, and that I have full confidence that they will pay all the hands employed by them according to agreement.

MYRON HOLLEY,

Canal Commissioner

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Advertiser, Lyons, N.Y., Friday, June 7, 1822

On Tuesday last we were gratified with seeing Messrs. Clinton, Young, Van Rensselaer, Holley and Seymour, Canal Commissioners, and Messrs. Wright and White, Engineers, in our village, on their passage west upon the canal, to meet at Buffalo. This is the first time the Commissioners, in a body, have passed thus far upon this section of the canal, where there is now a regular line of packet boats - one of which, the Myron Holley, is the most convenient and best built boat ever launched upon the canal.

This country, in the estimation of the Commissioners, has already, in the rapid march of improvement, assumed quite a different impact from that which it bore a few years since, when first explored and surveyed by them. Whoever may have been the first to suggest the practicability, and expediency of the Erie Canal, we are sill deeply indebted to the Commissioners who have so faithfully and so successfully thus far, progressed towards its completion.

On Oct. 29, 1822 the first boat left the basin on the east side of the Genesee River in Rochester loaded with flour for Little Falls. - P. 70, Landmarks of Wayne County, Edited by George W. Cowles, (Syracuse) 1895.

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Lyons Advertiser, June 21, 1822

     

     Reduction of Toll. - At the late meeting of the Canal Commissioners at Buffalo, the Collector of toll of this village informs us, that a resolution was passed, by which the toll upon all articles passing on the canal, between the Seneca and Genesee Rivers, is reduced to one half of the rates charged elsewhere. One reason of this reduction is said to be the deficiency of water. There is water enough in the canal to render it useful for navigation, although as the feeder from the Genesee river is not yet introduced, boats are not able to carry more than half loads.

     Another reason probably is, the navigation through this part of the canal line, is connected with that of the middle section only by passing for about twelve miles on the Seneca River, of which the water is unusually low. Both of these reasons are expected to be obviated soon, by the completion of the feeder, and by finishing the great work through the Cayuga marshes, where the labor  of excavation is now going on more successfuly  than it has been at any former period. Whenever these works are completed, and the proper quantity of water introduced, the toll will again be raised to the common rates.

____________

 

Geneva Gazette, July 17, 1822

We are informed that in consequence of the lowness of the water in this section of the canal, it is to be drawn off the upper levels, beyond Palmyra, and that until the embankment at Mann's Mills is completed, and the waters of the Genesee river let into the, the navigation will not extend farther westward than Palmyra.

____________

Lyons Advertiser

July 19, 1822

From the Daily Advertiser (N.Y.)

Grand Canal

We are informed by a gentleman who has just returned from a visit to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, that he traveled 160 miles in the new convenient passage boats, on the Erie canal viz:

From Little Falls to Utica                                         22 mile

Utica to Montezuma, by Rome,

Syracuse and Weed’s Basin                                        96 miles

Crossing from Montezuma over the

Seneca river and the Cayuga marshes,

6 miles and up the river Clyde,                                     6 ½ miles ,

to Blockhouse he again takes the canal,

and passing the flourishing villages

of Lyons and Palmyra to Hartwell’s basin                   42 miles

                                                                                        160

On this route are already seven passage-boats with good accommodations, and hundreds of other boats, transporting, immense quantities of produce, to Utica; and such is the stock in this state that there are now 100,000 barrels of flour alone on the banks of the canal, that cannot be transported for want of boats, many of which are now building, that cost from $100 to 400 each, and carry from 150 to 400 barrels. These boats have taken freight from Montezuma to Utica, a distance of nearly 100 miles, at the extremely low rate of 5 cents per cwt., or one dollar per ton, which is about one tenth of the former rate of transporting the same distance by waggons; in this case the owners of the goods paid the tolls, which, however, are very trifling.

The passage boats are drawn by three horses, tandem rigged; the other boats, by one or two horses according to the size of the boat - a boy rides the rear horse and travels from 3 to 4 miles per hour. Passengers leaving Utica at 8 o’clock, reach Weed’s Basin 87 miles the next morning at 7 o’clock traveling all night. The charge is only 4 cents per mile, which includes board and lodging both which are as good, if not better, than at the taverns on the road. This is ans rapid as the stages travel, much less expensive , no risk of life or limb and no fatigue on dust attending.

The Grand canal is nearly finished from Schenectady to Little Falls, 56 miles from Montezuma to Clyde, or Block House, 13 miles- and from Heartwell’s Basin to Genesee River, and from thence to Brockport 60 miles all of which, it is said, will be filled and boats allowed to pass, on or before the first day of October next making 260 to270 miles through one of the richest and most valuable parts, of the state of New York. Numerous emigrants from the hardy and industrious northern and eastern hive, are to be seen transporting themselves and their families, to settle on the lands bordering on the canal.

Merchants residing in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville, and in Michigan and Indiana, will soon get their goods transported for 1-4 the price that they now pay, and save as much or more in the breakage and damage now unavoidable in waggons, besides the saving of half or two thirds in time: which in fact, is extending the credit on their goods.

Emigrants and their families must prefer the canal to any other route, on every account, expense, time health, comfort &c.

The amount of toll already received at the office in Utica this spring exceeds the sum paid the whole of last year, and it is supposed it will amount to 50 to 60,000 dollars.

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Lyons Advertiser,  Friday,  July 26,1822

The Northern Canal- A singular fatality seems to attend the progress of the Northern Canal. Last year the destruction of the dam across the Hudson at Fort Edward, and an unaccountable error in determining some of the levels delayed its completion, and prevented its becoming useful for that season. By the following from the Albany Gazette it will be seen that the patience of Northern brethren is again most severely put to the test.

We extremely regret to learn that the late rains have done very great damage to the northern canal, by breaking its banks carrying away bridges &c, &c. and that the great dam construction in the Hudson river at Port Edward as a feeder has been again materially injured. Upwards of 70 person were on it at the time it gave way aiding and assisting in putting in a situation to resist life freshet. Fortunately and providentially, the part at which gave way moved only about six feet; had it been carried off, not one of the 70 would probably have escaped with his life. Many of the rafts which had remained in the canal since the spring, were broken up, and carried may rods on the land and otherwise damaged.- The quantity of lumber in the canal, between Whitehall and Fort Ann was estimated to be worth 15 to 20,000 dollars, and upwards of 100 persons having the charge of it, have been encamped on the banks of the canal for nearly two months, waiting for a rise of water to enable them to raft it to market. All hopes of being enabled to do it the present season, we fear must now be abandoned .

We extremely regret to learn that the late rains have done very great damage to the northern canal, by breaking its banks carrying away bridges &c, &c. and that the great dam construction in the Hudson river at Port Edward as a feeder has been again materially injured. Upwards of 70 person were on it at the time it gave way aiding and assisting in putting in a situation to resist life freshet. Fortunately and providentially, the part at which gave way moved only about six feet; had it been carried off, not one of the 70 would probably have escaped with his life. Many of the rafts which had remained in the canal since the spring, were broken up, and carried may rods on the land and otherwise damaged.- The quantity of lumber in the canal, between Whitehall and Fort Ann was estimated to be worth 15 to 20,000 dollars, and upwards of 100 persons having the charge of it, have been encamped on the banks of the canal for nearly two months, waiting for a rise of water to enable them to raft it to market. All hopes of being enabled to do it the present season, we fear must now be abandoned.

Lyons Advertiser, Aug. 2, 1822

____________

The Erie Canal.

No. III

Aqueduct across Genesee River. - This important work is placed on a rapid of some length, and about twenty-four feet fall, which is formed by one of those rolls of land, and barriers of hidden rock, which, though at several miles distance from it, evidently mark the course and sinuosities of the shore of Lake Ontario; and is perhaps the most elevated ramification of land and rock which protrudes from the natural bank known by the name of the Big Ridge.

On the lower part of this rapid, and within half a mile of the great falls of Genesee, in the village or Rochester, is the point selected for the erection of this structure. The bed of the river here is solid silicious lime rock, nearly allied to that kind called swine stone. The eastern shore is nearly precipitous; the western is shelving; and the whole distance across is about 600 feet, over which the aqueduct is now erecting.

Against the eastern shore the work commences with an abutment, which will average about 20 feet in thickness, and about 6 in height; from these the arches spring, of which there will be nine, of 50 feet span. The first five of these are supported on piers, which, from the shelving position of the bed of the river, will be from 8 to 4 1-2 feet high; their length is 36 feet 6 inches, including at each end a pedestal, surmounted by a dome, out of which rises a pilaster, connected and bound into the parapet walls of the aqueduct.

In planting these piers, extraordinary caution is used to secure the permanency of the structure, by bolting the courses to the rock below, and to each other; and by cramping them at the joints in such manner as to ensure nearly as much strength as is combined in an unbroken stone. The arches are three feet thick at their foot, and diminish to and a half at the apex; they rise eleven feet, and their length is twenty-six feet and six inches. The ends of each arch, or as they are termed, 'the rings,' are cut in rustic, and projected one inch, to prevent the superincumbent pressure from abrading the quoins of the joints.

The materials of which this work is constructed are red sandstone and gray silicious limestone. The sandstone is of a hard texture, and is procured about three miles from Rochester, on the banks of the Genesee river, in blocks of two feet and a half to three feet and a half in thickness, and three to seven feet long; the limestone is brought from a quarry near the head of Irondequoit bay, also distant about three miles. These stones are cut into their required forms at the quarries, and when transported to the aqueduct are fit for use, without additional labor.

Above the crown of the arch, and at that point where the bottom of the aqueduct meets the level of the canal, is a belt, or plinth, running through the whole length of the structure, and projected about three inches beyond the walls, above which are to rise the parapet walls. These are to be five feet hight, five or six feet thick at their base, and to fall back, or batter, on the inside, one foot. All these parts of the work are to be of the best cut stones, as well as the piers, spandrells, pilastres, and arches; they are to be laid in the best water cement, and the interstices in every part completely saturated with grout made of the same material.

The whole of this important work, when finished, will contain 11 or 12,000 perches, in which will be 48 or 50,000 feet of well cut stone. In addition to the arches above described, the work will be prolonged at each end, from the river to a certain distance, in order to include within its extent two race-ways; one excavated on the west side by Col. Rochester, and one on the east side, by Messrs. Johnson and Seymour, to convey water to the numerous and very valuable hydraulic works, with which the banks are studded, immediately below the aqueduct, and the water for which must pass under the aqueduct, through sunken culverts of about 25 or 30 feet span.

After passing the culvert on the east side, a wall in continuation, extends about 120 yards, nearly at a right angle with the aqueduct, and parallel to the race on that side, the object of which is to secure the canal bank and water, and effectually separate them from the afore-said race. Still lower, and parallel to the above, is another wall, which unites with the parapet wall of the aqueduct, at the south end of the culvert, and which it became necessary to build, for the purpose of separating the race from the Genesee river. The length of this wall is about 800 feet, and it encloses an embankment for the greater security of the race.

The great work was contracted for and begun by Capt. William Brittin, of Auburn, in 1821. He commenced his operations on it, but died suddenly, while it was only in a partial state of preparation. It has since been placed by contract in the hands of Mr. Alfred Hovey, of Montezuma, to whose energetic exertions and intelligence, together with those of the principal builder, Mr. John W. Hayes, the public is looking with the most implicit confidence for the completion of this important and interesting undertaking.

So far as the work has yet advanced, they have paid the most careful attention to the plans and model of the structure; and their skill in the execution of it, as well as their zeal for its accomplishment, has not been surpassed, and I think rarely equalled. FRANKLIN

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Lyons Advertiser, Friday, August 2, 1822

The Canal Completed through the Cayuga Marshes. - By the following, from a valued correspondent at Montezuma, it will be seen that the great work of excavating the canal through the Cayuga Marshes, is at length completed, and that the navigation is now uninterrupted between this village and the middle section.

Montezuma, 31st July, 1822

Mr. Day - Yesterday I had the satisfaction of passing of passing from Clyde through the celebrated Cayuga Marshes, on the Erie Canal, in the first boat ever borne by the waters of that part of the line. The waters had been let let into the canal from Clyde to the west end of the Marsh level, the evening before; but they did not reach the lock which separates the Marsh level from the Clyde level more than 3 hours before the arrival of the Packet in which I travelled.

The passage was pleasant, and highly enjoyed by a large number of persons. At the lock we were a little delayed, inconsequence of the paddle gates not being entirely completed. They were, however, soon put into a condition to admit us pass; and as out boat went out of the lock, we gave three cheers, which were cordially returned by a large number of persons on land.

On the marsh the water in the canal was more than five feet deep, except at four or five bars, which had not been wholly removed. The length of the marsh level is about six and a half miles, and as it is watered by the Seneca and Cayuga lakes, which lie above it to the south, the whole excavation of this level, to the depth of five feet below the surface of the water, without any possibility of draining it, - consisting as it does almost exclusively of muck, marl and quicksand, must have been a work of prodigious difficulty.

But the excavation is done, except the bars above mentioned, which it is said will all be removed in three days; - and there is now opened a free passage by the canal, from the middle section into Ontario county as far as Lyons, without the necessity of any portage or change of boats.

The canal at present is not navigable farther west than Lyons, in consequence of the extreme drought in this quarter, the streams being now more shrunk and exhausted than they have been for twenty years before. Still, a moderate rain would at once make the Canal navigable to Heartwell's basin, in Monroe county; - and without rain, there is no doubt that when the feeder from the Genesee River is brought across the Irondequot embankment, the navigation will be good and unbroken from Rochester to the Little Falls - and that embankment is intended to be completed in the middle of September next. I have been from the first a decided advocate of the canal, but being well acquainted with the character of the country through which it runs, I could not help regarding certain parts with peculiar anxiety, and even with some doubt of their practicability. Of these points the Cayuga Marsh was one.

But this part of the line is actually completed, and I have had the satisfaction of passing through it, in one of the largest and best packet boats now in use, the Myron Holley. The canal through the marsh is broad and deep, and has every appearance of being permanent. There is a good towing path through it, and if that part of the canal is most beautiful where the straight lines are the longest, and where the banks are highest and most regular, then this part of the great work will be considered as more beautiful than any portion of it hitherto completed.

The boat will start on its return through the marsh to Lyons, in a few minutes, which prevents my giving you several more particulars of this most extraordinary and interesting part of the canal.

Respectfully yours, & c.

G ---- L ----

Lyons Advertiser, Friday, Aug. 9, 1822

New Post office - A post office has been established at the village of Newark (Miller's Basin) in this town; Leman Hotchkiss is appointed postmaster.

 

Lyons Advertiser

Sept. 22,1822

Erie Canal.

We have recently had an opportunity of acquiring some information respecting the progress of the Eastern Section of this great work , which we presume will be gratifying to our readers. It will be recollected that this section has for the last and the present season been under the immediate superintendence and direction of Mr. Seymour. The work is prosecuted with great spirit and persevering industry. It is estimated that there are five thousand persons at present engaged in various employments on that section of the canal.

The Schoharie creek is to be crossed by means of a dam. The dangers and delays incident to the construction of such a work, had excited much solicitude and apprehension. This dam was completely finished last week, and is secured in the most durable and substantial manner; it is more than six hundred feet long, and so perfect has been its construction that the water falls over it in an even and unbroken sheet.

The early completion of this dam, and of the heavy and difficult jobs at the little and at the great nose, two promontories which present formidable obstacles, together with the forward state of the work in general, give the strongest assurance that the line of the canal will be completed the present year as far eastward as the city of Schenectady.

Great loss has been sustained during the present summer, occasioned by a want of means to transport the produce of the country to market. Large quantities of flour lay exposed to the weather for weeks in succession; and the owners had at last to pay from ten to twelve shillings per barrel to have it carried from the little Falls to this city. If the canal, at the opening of this season, had been completed to Schenectady, it is estimated that there would have been a saving to the proprietors, in the transportation of the single article of flour for this year alone, the enormous sum of one hundred thousand dollars. The amount of toll for the present year, will greatly exceed what was estimated in the last year’s report.

Albany Argus

Geneva Palladium, Wed., Aug. 28, 1822

Steam Boat. - On Saturday last, Mr. Battle, the projector and builder of the Steam-boat, Mohawk Chief, took on board a number of citizens and a few hands who are acquainted with the navigation of the Mohawk, and started up the river, for the purpose of trying the machinery.

And although not half the power of steam (as represented by the engineer) was applied, which the machinery is calculated to bear, still se went off in fine style, till she came to a rapid, called by the boatmen knock-em stiff; this she ascended, though not with the same velocity, as she is calculated to do when her machinery is completed.

After having handsomely passed the rapid, she was hove about and proceeded down the river about two miles below the city, when she began o hove about and returned to her moorings.

During this trial, she was propelled by power applied to wheels fixed in her stern; Mr. B. not yet having completed that part of the machinery, calculated for rapids, which is by two setting poles on each side of the boat, to be worked by the power of steam. - Schenectady Cabinet.

Geneva Gazette, Sept. 4. 1822

Daily Conveyance With The Packet Boats

MONTEZUMA & ONEIDA CHIEF.

The Boat Echo, going West, will leave Weed's Basin every morning on the arrival of the above Boats, and arrive at Montezuma at 10 o'clock A.M. From thence passengers will be conveyed by Post Coaches to Canandaigua. A Post Coach will leave Mr. Goodwin's Tavern, in Canandaigua, every morning at 9 o'clock, and arrive at Montezuma the same day. Boat Echo will leave Montezuma at 4 o'clock A.M. to meet the Montezuma & Oneida Chief. This line is also connected with the Steam Boat Enterprise, on the Cayuga Lake, which leaves Cayuga Bridge for Ithaca on the arrival of the Coach from Montezuma. Passages can be taken for Newburgh, Wilkesbarre and Philadelphia.

W. FAULKNER, Geneva.

W.W. FENLON, Montezuma.

August, 1822.

 

Lyons Advertiser

Sept. 23, 1822

From the Albany Argus

Erie Canal

We have recently had an opportunity of acquiring some information respecting the progress of the eastern section of this great work, which we presume will be gratifying to our readers. It will be recollected that this section has, for the last and present season, been under the immediate direction and superintendence of Mr. Seymour. The work is prosecuted with great spirit and persevering industry. It is estimated that there are five thousand persons at present engaged in various employments on that section of the canal.

The Schoharie creek is to be crossed by means of a dam. The dangers and delays incident to the construction of such a work had excited much alarm and apprehension. This dam was completely finished last week, and is secured in the most durable and substantial manner; it is more than six hundred feet long, and so perfect has been its construction, that the water falls over it in an even and unbroken sheet.

The early completion of this dam & of the heavy & difficult jobs at the Little and Great Nose, two promontories which present formidable obstacles, together with the forward state of the work in general, give the strongest assurance that the line of the canal will be completed the present year as far eastward as Schenectady.

Great loss has been sustained during the present summer, occasioned by a want of means to transport the produce of the country to market. Large quantities of flour lay exposed to the weather for weeks in succession and the owners had at last to pay from ten to twelve shillings per barrel, to have it carried from the Little falls to this city. If the canal, at the opening of this season, had been completed to Schenectady, it is estimated that there would have been a saving to the proprietors, in the transportation of the single article of flour for this year alone, the enormous sum of one hundred thousand dollars.

The amount of toll for the present year, will greatly exceed what was estimated in the last year’s report.

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Lyons Advertiser, Friday, Oct. 25, 1822

Canal - The navigation on the Erie Canal is now uninterrupted between Rochester and Little Falls. The great embankment at Mann's Mills. about which there has been expressed so much solicitude and such general frustration was completed some time since, and there is now a good supply of water.

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Geneva Palladium, Nov. 6, 1822

From the Utica Gazette

The aqueduct across the Mohawk Rover, at Little Falls, was finished last week and filled with water. This is a structure of considerable magnitude, built entirely of stone, in point of solidity and beauty, probably not exceeded by any work of the kind in the United State. It forms a connection between the Erie Canal and the old cut on the opposite side of the river, and answers the double purposes of opening a communication to the village of Little Falls, and of feeding the canal with water.

A Marble slab , with the following inscription, executed in a very handsome style by Mr. Erastus Cross, of this village, is placed in the parapet wall over the centre in the principal arch.

ERECTED IN 1822

COMMENCED AUG. 23 - COmpleted Oct. 15.

Canal Commissioners.

DE WITT CLINTON, President.

STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER,

SAMUEL YOUNG, HENRY SEYMOR,

MYRON HOLLEY, WILLIAM C. BOUCK

HENRY SEYMOUR, Acting Commissioner,

BENJAMIN WRIGHT, Chief Engineer.

CANVASS WHITE, Assistant,

ARA ROADWELL, Builder.

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Lyons Advertiser, Friday, Nov. 8, 1822.

Arrived at this village (Rochester,) on Wednesday last, the Canal Boat Western Trader, Capt. Garney, from Utica, with a full freight of Emigrants, consisting of eight families, in all sixty persons, who have come the distance of 150 miles, for the moderate sum of $1.50 each - thus completely elucidating one of the many and important benefits of the Great Western Canal. - Rochester Telegraph.

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Geneva Palladium, Nov. 13, 1822

Erie Canal. - The water has been let into the Canal from Little Falls to Schoharie Creek, east, and west from Genesee river to Monezuma, making about 200 miles of uninterrupted canal navigation. Boats are now arriving at Utica, from Rochester. There is every reason to believe the Canal will, in a few days, be opened to Schenectady. - Ib.

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Geneva Palladium, Nov. 13, 1822

Several boats loaded with flour, left this village (Rochester) las week for Little Falls by the Canal, and there were also some arrivals. We understand there is some wan of water between this place and Montezuma, which will probably soon be supplied.

A collector's office is to be opened in this village, during the present week, for the purpose of receiving tolls of boats, arriving and departing. D.S. Bates, Esq. is appointed Collector. The embankment at Irondequoit, answers the highest expectations, and is thus far found to be durable and permanent. - Rochester Telegraph.

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Geneva Palladium, Nov. 13, 1822

Ironduquot Embankment. - This interesting section of the Erie Canal, which was first opened on the 15th inst. is distant from this place about eleven miles. The approach to it from the west is lateral to, and situated on an elevated roll or ridge of land, of about 80 rods in length, which rises from the bed of Ironduquot creek, and forms one of its banks, and is, in its turn, used to form one side of the embankment of the Canal, till you come to the main valley of the creek, where the course of the Canal crosses it. This natural bank rises, generally, to within about six feet of the level of the Canal, which is there built on it.

The valley of the Ironduquot, where the Canal must pass, is seventy-two feet lower than the banks, and forty rods wide. The base of the embankment constructed, is 304 feet, through which is built a culvert, of twenty-six feet chord, with a semi-circular arch of 244 feet in length. The ground, on which this structure was placed, was a soft, alluvial marsh: - in consequence, it became necessary to place in on piles, of which thee are nearly one thousand.

The scenery is magnificent! While you are silently and peacefully navigating the tops of an artificial and natural mountains, the eye takes in, at a single glance, the whole fertile valley of Ironduquot, and the mind expands itself to the amazing importance of the internal improvement which this work connects, and has now thrown into operation. The expense of the above work is probably $40,000. - Rochester Telegraph.

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Geneva Palladium, Wed., Nov. 27, 1822

Extract of a letter from a gentleman of this place (Rochester,) traveling by the canal to Weed's Basin, dated Nov. 11.

"The boats from Rochester to this place (Weed's Basin) are now making their regular trips, and arrive in time to meet the boats every morning from Utica, thereby requiring only two days from Rochester to utica. The The boat taking passengers from Rochester to Pittsford, is not as capacious as might be wished, but they are fully compensated by the elegance of the boat Myron Holley, the superior style of the fare, and the polite and prompt attentions of the master, Capt. Allen, which is met with at the last mentioned place; and I am informed that the accommodations on board Mr. Culver's boat are equally good. I understand an arrangements on board Mr. Culvert's boat are equally good. I understand an arrangement is to be made for running these two boats alternately, which, when completed, will make a daily line from our place, of a mode of traveling which, perhaps, is not surpassed in the state, particularly at this season of the year." - Rochester Telegraph.

Canal. - It is stated that water has been let into the Canal as far east as Schoharie Creek, to which place boats have passed from Little Falls.

The Lockport paper states, that water is to be taken, by a feeder, from the Tonawanda, to Oak Orchard creek, to supply the Canal, and thus render it navigable next season as far west as Lockport. - Canandaigua Repository.

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Lyons Advertiser, Friday, Dec. 6, 1822

New Village. - A new village, which has been named Brockport, has commenced where the Erie Canal intersects the main road leading from Clarkson to LeRoy. It is we believe about two miles south of the Ridge Road, in the town of Clarkson, Monroe county.

_____

Canal Revenue. - It is stated that the canal revenue will probably amount this season, at all the offices, to about $60,000 - being $20,000 above the estimate of the Commissioners of the Canal Fund.

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Lyons Advertiser, Dec. 13, 1822

Northern Canal. - The last stone of the Northern canal, was laid by Gov. Clinton, President of the Board of Canal Commissioners, on the 28th Nov. in presence of a great assemblage of people. The Canal is connected with the Hudson at Waterford, at the head of sloop navigation, by three beautiful locks of white marble, through which the company passed in boats.

The Northern Canal is now finished; a boat arrived the above mentioned day at Waterford, from Lake Ontario, by way of the St. Lawrence and Sorell rivers and Lake Champlain! The undiverted energies of the state can now be turned to the speedy completion of the Erie Canal.

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Lyons Advertiser, Friday, Jan. 10, 1823

     James P. Bartle, Esq. is appointed Postmaster of the village of Newark, in the west part of this town - vice Leman Hotchkiss, Esq. resigned.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, January 10, 1823

Erie Canal. - P. Grandin, Esq. the Collector at this place, informs us that he received for tolls during the past season $21,455. The whole amount taken at the same office the year previous was $2,500, making an increase in one year of $18,955!

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Lyons Advertiser, Jan. 10,1823

 

Buffalo Dec. 31

Riot. On Tuesday night last, a misunderstanding took place, between a retailer of liquor and several canal diggers, at Lockport, Niagara co. Which terminated in a general battle between the citizens, in self-defense, and the diggers their assailants. It seems the villains made free use of clubs, stones and whatever else they could lay their hands upon.- About twenty persons are said to be more or less injured, two of them John Jennings, a mason and Frances Postal, a carpenter, are so much so that little hope is entertained of their recovery. Postal was struck in the forehead with a stone so violently that a small fragment of it was driven quite through the skull into the head. The rioters were finally overpowered, and twelve of them arrived in this village, ascorted an armed guard, on Sunday evening, and were committed to the county goal.

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Lyons Advertiser, July 9,1823

 

Erie Canal. - The Albany Daily Advertiser states that the navigation of the Western Canal is now open from Schenectady to Rochester, a distance of 200 miles. On Thursday the water was let in, to a moderate depth, as far down as Schenectady, and a light boat came thro from the west to this city. It is reserved as a joyous ceremony and a source of felicitation on the approaching anniversary, to let in the water to the usual depth of four feet, when loaded boats are expected to arrive from the west.

In two years at farthest from this time the whole line of the Great Western Canal will be completed from Buffalo to Albany; and on the 4th July, 1825, the interesting ceremony of celebrating the junction, or as the late Mr. Granger used to say, the nuptials of Lake Erie and the Hudson, will take place. On that day, which will be the proudest in our annals, the banks of the Canal will be lined with cannon, and , covered with an immense multitude, when a grand feu de joie will be fired, and the shouts of spectators ring from the River to the Lake.- statesman

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Lyons Advertiser, Wed., Aug. 27, 1823

     We understand that two boats intended for the new liune of packets on the canal, were launched at Bucksville Saturday last. They are said to be very superior boats, possessing elegant accommodations.

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Geneva Gazette, Geneva, N.Y., Wed., Oct. 8, 1823

Canal Mail. - A daily Mail is now carried between Utica and Rochester in the packet boats of the Erie Canal Navigation Company, which greatly facilitates the communication with the western parts of the state. When the canal is not navigable, the contractors are to carry the mail by land on the same route.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Wed., Oct. 8, 1823

Steam-Boat on the Canal. - A Steam-Boat passed this place, to the west, on the 5th inst. Her speed was supposed to be about four miles per hour, and it was judged by those who noticed her, that the agitation of the water, caused by the wheel of the boat, would not be so injurious to the banks of the canal, as the swell which attends a boat drawn by horses, at the same speed.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Wed., Oct. 15, 1823

Steam-Boats on the Canal. - We think there can no longer be any doubt as to the practicability of propelling boats on the Canal by steam. Since the passage of the steam-boat mentioned in our last, we have been gratified with a view of one built at Pompey, Onondaga county, by Messrs. Avery and Scovell, upon an improved construction, the machinery of which is much less complicated than any hitherto introduced.

The experiments already made have entirely removed the objections long urged, that the action of the wheels would create so much commotion in the water as to destroy the banks of the Canal. It is the opinion of competent judges that a boat may be propelled in this way, at the rate of six or eight miles an hour, without any injury to the Canal whatever; and besides being much cheaper and better, in many other respects, than the present mode, it would supersede the use of those valuable animals which are daily destroyed by fatigue in towing boats on the canal.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, Wed., Oct. 22, 1823

The Erie Canal Navigation Company have added to their line the Chancellor Kent and Benjamin Wright, two new, well finished boats, and made such other arrangements as will ensure travelers a cheap, expeditious and pleasant passage

to Albany, during the season when traveling in stages is rendered uncomfortable and inconvenient by the bad state of the weather and the roads. There are now eight excellent boats in this line, which, it is said, perform their trips between Rochester and utica, in forty-eight hours, and sometimes quicker.

New article for transportation. - A boat arrived here last evening, from Rochester, having on board three hundred live hogs, on their way o Connecticut -- on a "peddling voyage."

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, Wed., Oct. 29, 1823

      The Canal is now navigable to to Brockport, about 20 miles west of Rochester, to and from which place the packet boats run daily.

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     Another Canal Celebration.  The citizens of Salina, and adjacent towns, celebrated on the 14th inst. the opening of the locks at Salina, which have been built during the past season, for the admission of the first boat from the Erie Canal into the waters of Onondaga Lake.

     Several boats, with a large concourse of citizens passed through and entered the lake, where a salute was fired; the boats then returned to Salina, and the festivities of the day were concluded by about 50 gentlemen partaking of dinner at Beach's. The navigation of boats is now complete to Lake Ontario, with the exception of two miles land carriage at Oswego Falls. - Onondaga Register.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Wed., April 21, 1824

Canal Navigation commenced. - The cheering and enlivening sounds of the bugle - the crackings of the teamsters' whips - the continued arrival and departure of stranger, and the busy and anxious looking phizes of our villagers. remind us, while we sit quietly in our office, pondering over "matters and things in general" - once in awhile peeping through our dust-beclouded windows, as a relief to our eyesight - that once more the grand business of internal navigation upon the Erie canal has commenced.

Twelve boats have cleared from the Collector's office in this village since Monday morning, and the packet boats of both lines, (last season rival - now friendly establishments) elegant and convenient, are all in motion. Freight boats repairing - some loading - and Mr. Meech stationing his hands and horses, for an unexampled line of expedition and convenience for freight passage - all tend to rouse the benumbed ideas of winter, and hail the cheerful spring as the season of blossoms and business.

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 Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., May 12, 1824

     Three mails  are now received at this place, daily - two on the canal, and one by way of Canandaigua.

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Lyons Advertiser, Friday, July 2, 1824

Canal Steam Boats. - The steamboat "Erie Canal" passed this village on Wednesday last, on her way to the west. There are different opinions with regard to the practicability of employing steamboats on the canal - that is, whether, notwithstanding the cheapness of fuel, they can be made to perform their routes, and carry an equal amount of cargo, as economically as boats propelled by horse power.

The machinery necessarily occupies a considerable part of the boat, and it would appear that sufficient space was left for a cargo of much bulk. We were informed by those on board that the engine was of sufficient power to propel the boat from four to five miles an hour; and some improvements were contemplated which would increase her speed.

There is less danger to the canal banks from one of these boats than from the packets, as the wheels are placed at the stern, and the principal agitation of the water takes place there, and not at the sides as in the case of boats propelled in the usual way.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, Aug. 4, 1824

Weighing Locks. - The Locks for weighing boats in the vicinity of this village, are now completed and ready for operation. Their construction is founded upon the known principles of hydrostatics, that the whole weight of a body, which will float as fluid, is equal to as much of the fluid, as the immersed part of the body takes up, when it floats.

Two wooden locks are formed of equal dimensions, being 86 feet long, fifteen feet wide, and for feet deep, one above the other, in such a manner that one side of the upper lock extended down, forms also one side of the lower lock. The upper lock has gates of the usual form in lift locks, and connecting it with the canal on the same level, and the surface of the lower lock is on a level with the floor of the upper lock.

The boats are admitted into the upper lock, and the quantity of water displaced, or rather the increase of its volume is ascertained by measuring it, with a graduated scale in the upper lock drawing it off and finding the difference of measurement in the lower lock. The weight of a boat is then immediately determined by reference to a table calculated for the scale. Complete accuracy cannot be expected; but it will be sufficient for ordinary purposes. The time occupied in weighing a boat will probably not exceed twenty minutes. - Utica Sentinel.

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Wayne Sentinel, Wed., July 14, 1824

Suicide. - Capt. Smith, of the packet boat Chancellor Kent, informs us that a young lady named Amy Colegrove, from Sardinia, Erie county, put an end to her existence on †he night of the 6th inst. by hanging herself with a shawl fastened around her neck and attached to the top of the door in the ladies' cabin of said boat. She was not discovered until morning, when she was found utterly lifeless, while near Syracuse.

She had for some time shown symptoms of mental derangement, said to be occasioned by some of her friends' objecting to a contemplated matrimonial union, and she had been sent away, attended by her brother, to prevent her intimated design upon her own life; but she succeeded in eluding the vigilance of her attendant, and finally accomplished the fatal deed.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, Wed., Aug. 4, 1824

The steam boat "Erie Canal," from Utica, which passed this village a short time since, has arrived at Geneseo, Livingston county, having entered the river through the feeder at Rochester. This is the first boat propelled by steam that ever navigated the waters of the Genesee, and the captain states that he found no difficulty in ascending the river.

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Palmyra Sentinel, April 13, 1825

Canal Navigation. - The navigation of the Erie Canal commenced last Monday, and the various lines of freight and packet boats, (having undergone great repairs and amendments since last season,) are now all or nearly all in motion - and a new aspect is given to business of all kinds.

The packet boats have been fitted up in a runner worthy of remark, and the proprietors are determined to stern the effect intended to be produced by the sudden and extravagant increase of toll. Great improvements are yearly made by the inventive genius of New-Yorkers upon canal boats. The necessity which heretofore seemed to exist in warm weather, for passengers to resort to the upper deck, to regale themselves with the occasional fresh breezes, at the same tome exposing themselves to the scorching rays of the sun, and to the frequent bridges, in wholly superseded to the packet boats by the enlargement of the windows, and by the construction of folding doors, by means of which a free circulation of doors, by means of which a free circulation of air is admitted into the cabins.

Numerous other improvements have been made the present season - and upon the whole, we shall not be disappointed if the proprietors should realize a handsome profit, even at a toll of twenty cents per mile!

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, May 11, 1825

Over-Land Navigation. - The Packet Boat Andrew Jackson, was on Saturday last raised out of the basin below the ravine in this village, taken upon wheels, and drawn over the Portage, a distance of five miles. She was drawn by oxen, and we understand has been safely launched in Tonawanda creek, where the proprietors intend to run her for the transportation of passengers. While the boat was moving through the village, a question was raised by those who were disposed to be a little waggish, with respect to her liability to pay the twenty cents per mile exacted by some of our worthy canal commissioners on "all boats used for the transportation of passengers."

On a little reflection, however, it was agreed that the jurisdiction of the commissioners did not extend beyond the towing path, and she was therefore suffered to proceed without the interference of a collector; - besides it was not to be imagined by the Commissioners, that the stock of the "Pilot Line" was to be depreciated, so long as the Packet Boat kept on a footing that precluded the possibility of its entering into a successful competition with our gentlemen of the Freight Boats. - Lockport Observatory.

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Wayne Sentinel, Wed., June 8, 1825

[From the Lockport Observatory of June 2.]

COMPLETION OF THE LOCKS.

We are informed by the contractors, that the Locks, ascending the Mountain Ridge in this in this village, will be completed by the 20th of the present month. It will be seen by a notice in the day's paper, that Friday, the 24th inst. has been fixed upon for the celebration of the Cap Stone, in Masonic form. An Address will be delivered on the occasion, and arrangements are making to conduct the ceremony in such a manner as will render it interesting, and in accordance with the importance of the event.

A slab of white marble, has been procured and inserted in the middle wall, above the dome, and the lower end of the Locks, with the following inscription elegantly engraved on it:

ERIE CANAL.

Let posterity be excited to perpetuate our

FREE INSTITUTIONS,

and to make still greater efforts than their ancestors, to promote

PUBLIC PROSPERITY,

by the recollection than these works of

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT,

were achieved by the

SPIRIT AND PERSEVERANCE

of

REPUBLICAN FREEMEN.

Another slab has been procured, to be placed in like manner, on the center wall, at the upper end, with the following inscription.

THE ERIE CANAL,

362 miles in length; was

commenced the 4th of July, 1817,

and completed in the year 1825, at an

expense of about $7,000,000 -

and was constructed exclusively, by the

CITIZENS

of the STATE OF NEW-YORK.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, Wed., June 15, 1825

Melancholy Accident. - On Wednesday morning last, about 3 o'clock, a Miss Nancy Starkweather was suddenly killed by coming in contact with a canal bridge a few miles west of this town. She was on her way from the west on the canal to visit some connexions in Williamson, in this county, and had just left her berth for the purpose of preparing to land at this place, when she stepped from the cabin on to the bow-deck, and the fatal accident happened. Her head was mangled in a shocking manner.

Here remains were brought to this village, at about half-past 4, and left at Mr. Throop's tavern, where every necessary attention was paid, both by the master and hands of the boat, and by Mr. Throop and his family. The same day the corpse was conveyed to her friends, and on Thursday afternoon decently interred. Her age was about 24 years.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, June15,1825

Termination of the Erie Canal. On the evening of the 2nd inst. The gates at the foot of the Black Rock Harbor were opened, and Lake Erie, for the first time commenced feeding the western extremity of the Erie Canal, which is now open the whole distance to Albany, excepting the interruption at Lockport. On Friday, suitable arrangements were made for celebrating this event, and the following particulars we copy from the Black Rock Gazette.

"On Friday morning at 9 o’clock the committee of arrangements for Black Rock, accompanied by the canal commissioner( Mr. Bouck) the engineers (Messrs. Roberts, Hurd and Root,) and about 50 gentlemen and Ladies, embarked in the large boat Superior, which lay in the river on the outside of the harbour, and had been handsomely fitted up, decorated with flags and provided with music and refreshments. After passing ten miles down the river they entered the mouth of the Tonnewanta creek and at half past eleven while a salute was firing by the inhabitants of the Tonnewanta , ascended, through the lock at that place into the canal, when they were met and joined by the committees and other citizens from Lockport, Pendleton and Tonnewanta who had respectively provided themselves with Packet-Boats neatly fitted and decorated for the occasion. After interchanging congratulations and partaking of some refreshments, the whole party in five boats, got under way at half past one o’clock for Black Rock. At three o’clock they arrived at and entered the harbor where they were met and cheered by a large concourse of citizens formed in handsome order, along the bridge dam, and ship lock, and by four new Barges belonging to the Steam-Boats, filled with ladies and gentlemen. The whole of the boats then moved in handsome style about a mile up the beautiful harbor, under a national salute and reiterated cheerings from the people on shore and landed at N. Still’s wharf. A procession was her formed under the direction of J. L. Barton Esp. Marshall of the day, and marched to the Steam Boat Hotel where about 150 of them set down to a very handsome dinner, furnished by Mr. Thayer. The day was marked by great hilarity and good feeling, and not the least incident occurred to mar its pleasures.

This new line of canal which winds along the margin of the Niagara for nine miles between this and Tonnewanta is remarkably beautiful, having been laid out with great taste and judgment and faithfully executed. IT is wider and deeper than are the other sections, for the purpose of throwing forward from the lake into the basin formed by the bed of the Tonnewanta, an ample supply of water for the whole line west of Rochester.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, June 28, 1825

The Canals. - It is estimated that the revenue from the New York Canals this season will be nearly double the amount received last season. This will far exceed the flattering estimate of the canal commissioners in their last annual report. We perceive by the Collector's books that the amount of tolls already collected at this place the present season is (within three or four hundred dollars) equal to the whole amount received last season.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, June 28, 1825

Erie Canal and Michigan Territory. - The editor of the Michigan Sentinel, having traveled the whole length of the Grand Canal, excepting that part between Albany and Schenectady, and noted down his observations, gives his readers something like two columns of sketches and hints respecting its immense advantages, &c. Among other things he says: -

"We hazard nothing in asserting, that it is the Canal alone, that Michigan owes her present rapid increase of population, and gradual advancement in wealth. It is a fact generally acknowledged, that the early settlers of this Territory were of a class and description almost entirely devoid of enterprise. They, like too many of their offspring, were content with seating themselves upon the fertile banks of the rivers, watching in sullen silence the fish as they glided in the waters, and cultivating their lands barely sufficient to supply their immediate wants. With such a population, could it be expected that the interior of the country would be explored or settled? And it was not till the Grand Canal afforded facilities for the emigrant, that the tide began to flow in this direction."

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, Tues., Sept. 6, 1825

First arrival of a Canal Boat at Buffalo. - On Thursday morning, the Canal boat Superior, Capt. Sloan, arrived in this village from the east. She stayed but a short time. Our citizens generally were not aware of the fact that this section of the canal between this and Black Rock, was so far completed as to admit of the passage of boats.

There is now a water communication between this village and Albany, with the exception of about eight miles on the mountain ridge. The whole line of the canal will be finished by the first of October, when boats will commence running from Albany to Buffalo - the two extreme ends of the magnificent work. We shall then be greeted with the enlivening sound of the bugle, the busy hum of enterprising boatmen, parties of pleasure, and all that variety which gives zest to life and encouragement to enterprise - in a word, Buffalo will feel the same effects which have hitherto operated like enchantment on the growth of many other villages on the line of the canal. - Buffalo Emporium.

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NARRATIVE OF THE FESTIVITIES OBSERVED IN HONOR OF THE COMPLETION

OF THE GRAND ERIE CANAL UNITING THE WATERS OF THE GREAT WESTERN LAKES WITH THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. BEGUN AT BUFFALO, ON THE TWENTY-SIXTH OF OCTOBER, A.D. EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-

FIVE, AND ENDED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, ON THE FOURTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING.

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PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

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BY WILLIAM L. STONE.

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"Ye shades of ancient heroes! Ye who toiled

"Through long successive ages to build up

"A laboring plan of state; behold at once.

"The wonder done!

Thomson.

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NEW YORK.

-----

1825.

NARRATIVE.

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In collecting and arranging for publication, in order to secure, as far as possible, from the ravages of time, or the hazard of accident, the various official documents connected with a celebration, unrivalled, it is believed, both in extent and splendour, it seems befitting that a separate Memoir should be drawn up, which shall combine, in one succinct view, all the leading particulars from the commencement to the conclusion. But to perform this duty with a due regard to accuracy of detail, combining, moreover, a sufficient quantum of descriptive matter to render it interesting, without swelling the Narrative to a much greater length than could be wished, is a task difficult, if not impossible.

It is thought, however, that even prolixity may be pardoned, when we consider the magnitude of the work, and the joy and enthusiasm spontaneously manifested by that people by whose resources and energies it has been accomplished - the people of a SINGLE STATE, in the fiftieth year of its independence, unaided and alone, without foreign revenue, or the imposition of oppressive exactions by the Government. Nor was this joy ill-timed or excessive. For a single State to achieve such a victory - not only over the doubts and fears of the wary, but over the obstacles of nature - causing miles of massive rocks at the mountain ridge to yield to its power - "turning the tide of error as well as that of the Tonnewanta - piling up the waters of the mighty Niagara, as well as those of the beautiful Hudson - in short, causing a navigable river to flow with gentle current down the steepy mount at Lockport - to leap the River of Genesee - to encircle the brow of Irondequot as with the laurel's wreath - to march through the rich fields of Palmyra and Lyons - to wend its way through the quicksands of the morass at the Cayuga - to pass unheeded the delicious LICKS at Onondaga - to smile through Oneida's verdant landscape - to hang upon the arm of the ancient Mohawk, and with her, after gaily stepping down the cadence of the Little Falls and the Cahoes, to rush to the embrace of the sparkling Hudson," - and all in the space of eight short years, was a work of which the oldest and richest nations of Christendom might well be proud.

Intelligence having been received by the Corporation of New York, from the acting Canal Commissioners, that the gigantic work would be completed and prepared for navigation on the twenty-sixth of October, measures were immediately taken by that body, in connexion with the principal cities and villages along its extended line, for the celebration of the event, in a manner corresponding with its magnitude and importance; and in order that our fellow-citizens at the West might be duly apprised of the feelings of the metropolis on the occasion, a Committee, consisting of Alderman King and Alderman Davis, was dispatched to Buffalo, to tender the hospitalities of our City to the several Committees which might be appointed on the route, to participate in the festivities of the occasion. But to guard against the disappointment that might arise from any unforeseen accident, which might have retarded the work beyond the specified time, arrangements were made for the firing of a grand salute, to be commenced at Buffalo, at a given hour, and continued to New York, by guns stationed at suitable points along the whole intermediate distance. The Committee arrived safely at Buffalo, where they were received with a cordial welcome, and found the Canal completed, and every thing prepared for the commencement of the celebration.

Early on the morning of the twenty-sixth of October, the appointed day, the village thronged with the yeomanry of the country, who, alive to the subject, had assembled in vast numbers to witness the attendant ceremonies of the departure of the first boat. At about nine o'clock the public procession was formed in front of the Court House, in which the various societies of mechanics appeared, with appropriate badges and banners to distinguish each; the whole preceded by the Buffalo band, and Capt. Rathburn's Company of Riflemen, and followed by the Committees, strangers, &c. Thus formed, the procession moved through the street to the head of the Canal, where the boat, Seneca Chief, elegantly fitted, was in waiting. Here the Governor and Lieut. Governor of the State, the New York Delegation, with the various Committees from different villages, including that of Buffalo, were received on board, and after mutual introductions in the open air, Jesse Hawley, Esq. delivered an Address, brief, and peculiarly appropriate, in behalf of the citizens of Rochester. He was deputed "to mingle and reciprocate their mutual congratulations with the citizens of Buffalo on this grand epoch." The Canal, as a matter of State pride, was spoken of with much felicity - "A work that will constitute the lever of industry, population, and wealth to our Republic - a pattern for our Sister States to imitate - an exhibition of the moral force of a free and enlightened people to the world."

Mr. H., at the conclusion of his Address, paid a tribute to "the projectors who devised, the statesmen who assumed the responsibility of the undertaking, at the hazard of their reputation, the legislators who granted the supplies, the commissioners who planned, the engineers who laid out, and the men who have executed this magnificent work; - their memories are commended to posterity. To this Address a suitable reply was made by Oliver Forward, Esq. in behalf of the citizens of Buffalo.

Every thing being prepared, the signal was given, and the discharge of a thirty-two pounder from the brow of the terrace announced that all was in readiness, and the boats under way! The Seneca Chief, of Buffalo, led off in fine style, drawn by four grey horses, fancifully caparisoned, and was followed by the Superior, next to which came the Commodore Perry, a freight boat; and the rear was brought up by the Buffalo, of Erie. The whole moved from the dock under a discharge of small arms from the Rifle Company, with music from the band, and the loud and reiterated cheers from the throng on the shore, which were returned by the companies on board the various boats. The salute of artillery was continued along from gun to gun, in rapid succession, agreeably to previous arrangements; and, in the short space of one hour and twenty minutes, the joyful intelligence was proclaimed to our citizens.

The news having been communicated in the same manner to Sandy Hook, and notice of its reception returned to the city, the return salute was commenced at Fort La Fayette, by a national salute, at twenty-two minutes past eleven o'clock. After the national salute from that fortress, at thirty minutes past eleven o'clock, a repeating gun was fired from Fort Richmond, and followed at Governor's Island and the Battery, at thirty-one minutes past eleven o'clock, A.M.; and the sounds of our rejoicing were then sent roaring and echoing along the mountains and among the Highlands, back to Buffalo, where the answer was received in about the same time occupied by the sound in travelling to the Ocean. Meantime, at Buffalo, the festivities proceeded. The boats having departed, the procession returned to the Court House, where a finished Address was delivered by Sheldon Smith, Esq., after which an original Ode, written for the occasion, was sung to the tune of "Hail Columbia." A public dinner succeeded; and the festivities of the day were closed by a splendid Ball, at the Eagle Tavern, where beauty, vieing conspicuously with elegance and wit, contributed to the enlivening enjoyment of the scene.

The Seneca Chief was superbly fitted up for the occasion, and among other decorations her cabin was adorned with two paintings, of which the following is a description. - One was a view of Buffalo Harbour, a section of Lake Erie, Buffalo Creek, and its junction with the Canal, &c.; the whole representing the scene exhibited at the moment of the departure of the Seneca Chief. The other was a classic emblematical production of the pencil. This piece, on the extreme left, exhibited a figure of Hercules in a sitting posture, leaning upon his favourite club, and resting from the severe labor just completed. The centre shows a section of the Canal, with a lock, and in the foreground is a full length figure of Gov. Clinton, in Roman costume; he is supposed to have just flung open the lock-gate, and with the right hand extended, (the arm being bare,) seems in the act of inviting Neptune, who appears upon the water, to pass through and take possession of the watery regions which the Canal has attached to his former dominions; the God of the Sea is upon the right of the piece, and stands erect in his chariot of shell, which is drawn by sea-horses, holding his trident, and is in the act of recoiling with his body, as if confounded by the fact disclosed at the opening of the lock; Naiades are sporting around the sea-horses in the water, who, as well as the horses themselves, seem hesitating, as if half afraid they were about to invade forbidden regions, not their own. The artist is a Mr. Catlin, miniature-portrait painter. Besides the paintings, the boat carried two elegant kegs, each with an eagle upon it, above and below which were the words - "Water of Lake Erie." These were filled from the Lake, for the purpose of being mingled with the Ocean on their arrival in New York. The Committee deputed by the citizens of Buffalo, and attached to this boat, was composed of the following gentlemen, viz. - Hon. Judge Wilkinson, Captain Joy, Colonel Potter, Major Burt, Colonel Dox, and Doctor Stagg.

In addition to the boats above enumerated, was another, which, with its cargo, was more novel than the whole. This was "Noah's Ark," literally stored with birds, beasts, and "creeping things." She was a small boat, fitted for the occasion, and had on board, a bear, two eagles, two fawns, with a variety of other animals, and birds, together with several fish - not forgetting two Indian boys, in the dress of their nation - all products of the West.

At BLACK ROCK the Celebration was commenced previously to the arrival of the Seneca Chief. Early in the morning a very handsomely fitted boat, called Niagara, of Black Rock, started down the Canal, with several respectable citizens and some distinguished guests on board. {From the mouth of Buffalo Creek, the Canal runs close along the Lake shore to Black Rock, and thence along the Bank of Niagara River to the mouth of Tonnewanta Creek, ten miles from Buffalo, with a descent of a half inch in each mile; at the mouth of this Creek is a dam of four feet six inches, and the Canal enters the pond formed by this dam: - this Creek had a descent of only one foot in twelve miles, and the Canal follows the Creek, or rather the Creek forms the canal these twelve miles, having a tow-path formed along its bank; at the end of this distance, leaving the Creek, a deep cut commences, which extends seven and a half miles, in a North Easterly direction, across what is called the Mountain Ridge, with about three miles of rock, averaging twenty feet in depth, and a descent of a half inch in each mile, to the brow of the mountain.}

This boat remained at Lockport until the Seneca Chief arrived, when it fell into the rear. The Seneca Chief, with the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and the several Committees on board, arrived at a little after ten o'clock, when a salute was fired; the boat remained a few minutes, and when she departed, hearty cheers were exchanged. In the afternoon, a number of gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner, at which Wm. A. Bird, Esq. presided. A number of good toasts were drunk, and every thing was conducted in a manner creditable to the enterprising citizens.

AT LOCKPORT - "the spot where the waters were to meet when the last blow was struck, and where the utility of an immense chain of locks was for the first time to be tested," the Celebration was in all respects such as to do honor to the work itself, and the patriotic feelings of the people. It is here that nature had interposed her strongest barrier to the enterprise and the strength of man. But the massive granite of the "Mountain Ridge" was compelled to yield. The rocks have crumbled to pieces and been swept away, and the waters of Erie flow tranquilly in their place.

At sunrise, on the morning of the twenty-sixth, a salute was fired from the mountain adjoining the locks, and ere long the place was crowded with the citizens of the surrounding country; many individuals, too, from distant parts of this state, and from other states, attended the celebration at this interesting place. At nine o'clock, A.M. a procession was formed, under the direction of General P. Whiting, assisted by Colonel S. Barton, and Major M.H. Tucker, which marched to the grand natural basin at the foot of the locks, where the President and Vice-President of the day, the Canal Commissioners and Engineers, the Visiting Committee, and several distinguished citizens from abroad, embarked on board the packet-boat William C. Bouck; at the same time two hundred ladies were received on board the boat Albany; the rest of the procession embarked in the several boats lying in the Basin. This Basin, connected with the stupendous succession of locks, and the chasm which has been cut through the mountain, is one of the most interesting places on the route, if not in the World, and presents one of the most striking evidences of human power and enterprise which has hitherto been witnessed. A double set of locks, whose workmanship will vie with the most splendid monuments of antiquity, rise majestically, one after the other, to the height of sixty-three feet: the surplus water is conducted around them, and furnishes some of the finest mill-seats imaginable. A marble tablet modestly tells the story of their origin; and, without that vanity, which, though frequently laudable, is often carried to excess, imputes their existence to our Republican institutions.

When the grand salute from Buffalo East, had passed, the boats commenced ascending through the locks; and during their ascension they were greeted by a continued discharge of artillery, and the cheers of hundreds of joyous citizens. When the boats had ascended, the Throne of Grace was addressed by the Reverend Mr. Winchell; after which an appropriate Address, "such a one as the great event demanded," was delivered by J. Birdsall, Esq. After the Address the boat started for Tonnewanta Creek. The cannon used on the occasion were those with which Perry conquered upon Erie - the gunner was a Lieutenant who had belonged to the army of Napoleon - and the leader of the band was the cabin-boy of Captain Riley, who suffered with him in his Arabian captivity. During the passage the company were introduced to the venerable ENOS BOUGHTON, of Lockport, the pioneer of the Western District - the man who planted the first orchard and built the first framed barn West of Utica! The procession of boats halted at Pendleton, where it was joined by the boat from Buffalo, having on board the Governor, Lieut. Governor, and the Committees from New York, Albany, and Buffalo, and several other boats. The company then returned to Lockport, where they were received by a discharge of artillery. A well provided table was spread at the Washington House, to which the guests and citizens repaired. - D. Washburn, Esq., presided, assisted by Messrs. E. Boughton, H.W. Campbell, A. Lexton, and B. Barton, as Vice-Presidents.

Night set in before the expedition left the rugged scenery of Lockport; but continuing on their way the boats were welcomed at HOLLEY, on the morning of the twenty-seventh, by the firing of cannon, and other testimonials of joy. After an Address, the Committee received the congratulations of a number of ladies and gentlemen. At nine o'clock they reached BROCKPORT, where similar ceremonies were observed. The bank of the Canal was for some distance lined with spectators, who received the Committees with the most enthusiastic huzzas, and the discharge of cannon.

At NEWPORT, (Orleans County,) the inhabitants rejoiced in the jubilee on the twenty-sixth ultimo, and expressed their feelings on the occasion by the usual demonstrations. A procession was formed at Sickels' Hotel, under the direction of Mr. W. Hopkins, Marshal of the day, which moved to the school-house, where a large and respectable audience were highly interested with a pertinent and excellent address by G.W. Fleming, Esq. The procession was again formed, and returned to the Hotel, where a goodly number of gentlemen partook of a superb dinner. After the cloth was removed several patriotic toasts were drunk, accompanied with the discharge of artillery. But the patriotism of the citizens was not exhausted on this occasion; and, on the following day, the procession of boats was received with a hearty welcome.

At ROCHESTER, too, a rich and beautiful town, which, disdaining, as it were, the intermediate grade of a village, has sprung from a hamlet to the full grown size, wealth, and importance of a city, the interesting period was celebrated in a manner equally creditable to the country and occasion. There was considerable rain at Rochester on the day of the Celebration; yet such was the enthusiasm of the people, that a two o'clock, eight handsome uniform companies were in arms, and an immense concourse of people had assembled. The companies were formed in line upon the Canal, and on the approach of the procession of boats from the West, commenced firing a feu de joie, which was continued until they arrived at the aqueduct, {After descending the Locks before mentioned, at Lockport, the Canal takes an Easterly direction, about one to three miles South of the Alluvial Way, or Ridge Road, with the descent of a half inch in each mile to the Genesee River, at Rochester - sixty-three miles; in this distance it passes over several aqueducts and deep ravines, and arriving at the Genesee, crosses over that river in a stone Aqueduct of nine arches, each of fifty feet span, and two other arches and aqueducts of forty feet each, one on each side of the river, over the Mill Canals.} where the boat called the "Young Lion of the West," was stationed to "protect the entrance." The Pioneer boat on approaching was hailed from the Young Lion, and the following dialogue ensued: -

Question. - Who comes there?

Answer. - Your Brothers from the West, on the waters of the great Lakes.

Q. - By what means have they been diverted so far from their natural course?

A. - By the channel of the Grand Erie Canal.

Q. - By whose authority, and by whom, was a work of such magnitude accomplished?

A. - By the authority and by the enterprise of the patriotic People of the State of New York.

Here the "Young Lion" gave way, and "the brethren from the West" were permitted to enter the spacious basin, at the end of the aqueduct. The Rochester and Canandaigua Committees of Congratulation then took their places under an arch surmounted by an eagle, and the Seneca Chief, having the Committees on board, being moored, General Matthews, and the Honorable John C. Spencer, ascended the deck and offered to the Governor the congratulations of the citizens of their respective villages, to which an animated and cordial reply was given. The gentlemen from the West then disembarked, and a procession was formed, which repaired to the Presbyterian Church, where an appropriate prayer was made by the REV. MR. PENNY, and an address pronounced by TIMOTHY CHILDS, Esq. The address of Mr. Childs was an able and eloquent performance, clothed with "words that breathe, and thoughts that burn." It was listened to with almost breathless silence, and greeted at its close with three rounds of animated applause. After the address, the company repaired to Christopher's Mansion House, partook of a good dinner, and drunk a set of excellent toasts. General MATTHEWS presided, assisted by JESSE HAWLEY and JONATHAN CHILDS, Esqrs. At half-past seven, the time fixed for the departure of the guests, the company reluctantly rose from a board where the most generous sentiments were given and received with unequalled enthusiasm, and the Governor and the several Committees were escorted to the Basin, and embarked amidst the congratulations of their fellow-citizens. The celebration was concluded with a grand ball, and a general illumination; and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the day. The following gentlemen embarked in the "Young Lion of the West," as a Committee for New-York, viz. - Elisha B. Strong, Levi Ward, O.V.T. Leavett, Wm. B. Rochester, --- Hulbert, A. Reynolds, A. Strong, R. Beach, E. Johnson, and E.S. Beach, Esquires.

PALMYRA. - The expedition arrived at Palmyra, on Friday, the twenty-eighth. {After passing the Genesee at Rochester, turning a little to the South, the Canal receives a navigable Feeder, or branch Canal, from the river above the Rapids and the Falls, two miles in length, and turns Eastward, two miles, to a Lock of seven feet four inches descent: thence level a quarter of a mile, to a Lock of seven feet four inches descent: thence level a quarter of a mile, to a Lock of seven feet four inches descent: thence level a half a mile, to a Lock of seven feet four inches descent: thence level eight and a half miles, to a Lock of eight feet descent, passing by Pittsford: thence level one mile, over the high embankment at Irondequot, and passing on the same level fourteen miles, to a Lock of ten feet descent in the west part of Palmyra: thence level three-quarters of a mile to a Lock descent of ten feet: thence level twelve miles, passing an Aqueduct over Mud Creek, above the village of Palmyra, and passing the village, to three Locks of eight feet descent each. The "navigable feeder" noticed above, enables boats from the Canal to ascend the Genesee River from seventy to ninety miles above Rochester.} In Macedon, about two miles west of this village, an arch had been erected over the Canal, the night previously, by Judge Hallett, who has exchanged his pleasant retreat on the borders of the Ontario, for a more conspicuous seat on the line of the Erie Canal. On one side of the arch was written, "Clinton and the Canal," and on the other side, "Internal Improvements." They were addressed, in behalf of the citizens of the village, by Judge Hallett, to whom his Excellency made an appropriate reply. The procession then preceeded to the Hotel, and partook of an excellent breakfast, which had been prepared by Mr. St. John. They departed thence at nine o'clock, A.M., reaching Newark at eleven, A.M. Here they received the greetings of the surrounding country.

LYONS. - This is a delightful village, and the shire town of the county of Wayne. The expedition approached its confines at about two o'clock, P.M., and was received under a discharge of artillery. {From the Locks, after passing Palmyra, the Canal runs level six miles to Mud Creek, above the village of Lyons, to a Lock of ten feet descent, and a large stone Aqueduct of three arches, of thirty feet span each, over the Creek. Thence level four and a half miles, to the village of Lyons, and a Lock of six feet.} A procession was formed, which repaired to the principal hotel, where congratulatory addresses were reciprocated, and a dinner provided. At this place an address was made to the committee by a deputation, consisting of thirty individuals, from the village of Geneva. They departed from Lyons at four o'clock, P.M., being saluted with cannon, and cheered by huzzas.

At CLYDE, (formerly called the "Block House," {Leaving Lyons, [original text has "Palmyra".] the Canal runs level four and a half miles to a Lock of seven feet descent: thence level four miles to the village of Clyde, and a Lock of five feet descent.}) near the Western verge of the Cayuga Marshes, refreshments were provided, and a mutual interchange of rejoicings took place. Proceeding onwards the procession entered MONTEZUMA {From Clyde to this place, the Canal runs level five miles, to the Western edge of the great Cayuga Marshes, and a Lock of nine feet descent, to the level of the water of Seneca River: thence level through the Canal as formed in the Marshes, and through the water of the River, six and a half miles to Montezuma, on the East side of the Seneca River, and a Lock of seven feet ascent, the first from Lake Erie.} at half-past ten o'clock, P.M. The town was handsomely illuminated, and a display of fire works was given on their approach. Over the lock was a very pretty illuminated arch, having, on one side, the inscription, "De Witt Clinton and Internal Improvements." On the reverse, "Union of the East and the West." At midnight they reached BUCKVILLE, and found the place brilliantly illuminated.

At PORT BYRON, the dawn of the twenty-sixth was ushered in by the firing of cannon. A few minutes past ten, the cannon at Clyde and Montezuma announced the completion of the Canal; - the intelligence was sent on by the cannon at Port Byron, and in one hour and thirty-three minutes, the sound was returned from New York. A procession was formed at one o'clock, which proceeded to the dry dock. On their return, the citizens sat down to a dinner, served up in fine style. Among the articles which graced the table, was a fat ox, roasted whole. R. Watson, Esq., presided, assisted by C. Reed and H. Rathbone, Esqrs. The Reverend Mr. Gibbs officiated as Chaplain. On the removal of the cloth the company was briefly and appropriately addressed by C. Reed, Esq., after which many excellent toasts were given. Preparations were also continued for giving a proper reception to the pioneer boats, and conferring due honors upon their passengers. The ladies, always patriotic, were among the foremost in their exertions on the occasion. As the arrival was necessarily in the evening, a ball room was handsomely decorated, and from thirty to forty ladies, arrayed in their sweetest smiles and most beautiful attire, awaited the happy moment when they could "trip the light fantastic toe," with the expected strangers. The bridge was superbly decorated. An arch was sprung its whole length, surmounted with evergreens, and gracefully festooned with the twining ivy, and intertwined with flowers of beautiful and various dies. A large, and well executed transparency exhibited the following inscription: - "July 4, 1817" - "Congratulations of the Village of Port Byron, October 29, 1825." The boats from the West were welcomed at the bridge with vollies of musketry, and a handsome display of fire works. When they departed, an illuminated balloon was sent up, which rose majestically, and took an easterly direction, along the line of the Canal. A beacon was constantly blazing on the high hill south of the village, and the principal buildings were handsomely illuminated.

At WEEDSPORT, the company from the West were also greeted by a splendid illumination, and the firing of artillery. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the several Committees were escorted to Hanford's, where they partook of refreshments, and received the congratulations of the citizens of Auburn and Weedsport, through the Committees of those places, to which the Governor replied, and expressed the high satisfaction which his friends and himself experienced at their reception. At this place arrangements had been made for the celebration; but it did not take place, in consequence of an unfortunate accident, by which two valuable young men lost their lives. Shortly after the landing of the gentlemen from the West, a twenty-four pounder was accidently discharged, and Mr. Remington and Mr. Whitman, who were acting as gunners, were instantly killed.

SYRACUSE. - The floating procession reached this place at two o'clock, P.M., of the twenty-ninth. {From Port Byron, the canal runs level one and a half miles and a Lock of nine feet ascent; thence level four miles to Buckville, and a Lock of nine feet ascent, with an Aqueduct over Owasco Creek, of four arches, twenty feet each; thence level to Jordan, a Lock of eleven feet ascent, and a stone Aqueduct of three arches over Skaneateles outlet: thence level twelve miles to a Lock of eleven feet descent, and a stone Aqueduct of two arches, thirty feet each, over Otisco Creek: thence level seven miles, passing by Geddesville, to a Lock of six feet descent: thence level, passing by Syracuse, and over Onondaga Creek, by a stone Aqueduct of four arches, thirty feet span each, one and a quarter mile to a Lock of six feet ascent. At this place (Syracuse) there is a lateral canal, or side cut, of one mile and a half, leading down to the old village of Salina. There are capacious Basins at each end. This Canal is to be connected with Oneida Lake, and thence through the Oswego Canal with Lake Ontario.} A very large concourse of citizens had assembled to greet their arrival. The Honorable JOSHUA FORMAN, in behalf of the Syracuse Committee, addressed, in highly appropriate terms, the distinguished guests on board. He was replied to by Governor Clinton, in his usual felicitous style. The guests were then escorted to Williston's Mansion House, where a large number partook of an excellent dinner, and drunk many good toasts. Immediately after dinner the guests were escorted to the boat, which proceeded on her voyage, under the discharge of cannon. Judge Forman here joined the Committees as a representative of the village of Syracuse to New York.

MANLIUS. - The citizens of Manlius and its vicinity, celebrated the event in a praise-worthy manner. At an early hour, a fine battalion of artillery assembled at Fayetteville, under the command of Colonel Thos. Moseley, and marched to Manlius, where at twelve o'clock, salutes were fired, &c. The citizens in procession, preceded by the artillery, then marched to the house of D.B. Bickford, where they fared sumptuously. The company, in the mean time, were addressed in handsome terms, by N.P. RANDALL, Esq. Silvanus Tonsley, Esq., presided, assisted by W.P. Haunton, Esq. Nothing occurred to cloud in the least the festivities of the day. {Five miles North West of Manlius, on the Seneca turnpike, is the village of Orville, which has the benefit of a side cut from the Canal. At the village of Chitteningo, also, in the town of Sullivan, there is a lateral Canal of a mile and a half, with four locks of six feet each, opening a water communication to the quarries of gypsum and water-lime.}

ROME. - The proceedings at this place on the twenty-sixth, were of a singular character, partaking of joy and sorrow, of chagrin and satisfaction. It will be remembered that the inhabitants of Rome contended for the location of the Canal through their village, instead of the route finally determined on, not so much as a matter of justice to them, as one of expediency and economy. Their hopes were frustrated, and they have never ceased to feel that they have been dealt by unjustly; and to manifest these feelings, they commenced their celebration by forming a procession in front of the hotel, at eleven o'clock, A.M.; uniform companies of citizen-soldiers preceded - immediately after them followed a black barrel (filled with water from the old canal, which passes through Rome,) supported by four men - the citizens followed; and in this order, with muffled drums, they marched to the new Canal, into which they poured the contents of the black barrel. They then, in quick time, returned to Starr's hotel, where they put aside their ill humor, and joined with heart and hand in celebrating the event which had on that day congregated thousands of their fellow citizens. An excellent dinner was provided, at which Dr. A. Blair presided, assisted by S.B. Roberts, Esq. as Vice-President. Many toasts were given, indicating that the people of Rome, however much they have been disappointed, are not behind any of their fellow-citizens, in appreciating the value of the Canal as a state and national work, and in giving honor "to whom honor is due." On Sunday the thirtieth, the boats from Lake Erie reached Rome, when the citizens visited the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the gentlemen on board, reciprocated the usual courtesies, and after a visit of an hour, the boats departed.

At UTICA, the boats arrived a half-past twelve o'clock on Sunday the thirtieth. {At the distance of one mile from Syracuse, (the place of our last note but one), the Canal ascends two Locks of ten feet each. Here commences the long level of sixty-seven and a half miles, passing through the towns of Salina, in which it commences, Manlius, Sullivan, Lenox, Verona, Rome, &c. to Frankfort in Herkimer County, where it terminates, near Myers' Creek, by a Lock of eight feet descent; on this long level, it passes over the Butternut, Limestone, Chitteningo, Canasaraga, Oneida, Wood, Oriskany, and Sadaquada Creeks, by Aqueducts of various extent, having, in its course, crossed Madison and Oneida Counties, a part of Onondaga, and entered the County of Herkimer.} The Committees and high officers in company, were received by a deputation from the village corporation, and conducted to church in the afternoon. At eight o'clock on Monday morning, a procession, the most numerous ever known in Utica, including several well-uniformed and disciplined corps of troops, moved from Mr. Shepherd's Hotel to the Academy, under the orders of Col. Smith, where a congratulatory address was delivered by Judge Bacon, in behalf of the citizens of Utica, to which his Excellency Governor Clinton replied. Of the manner in which they were delivered, it was observed that Judge Bacon, who always does such things well, was never more happy. Governor Clinton was sensibly affected, and delivered his reply with much feeling. The address expressed in a forcible and eloquent manner the congratulations of the citizens of Utica, and paid appropriate and merited compliments to all those who had planned, or assisted in the execution of the stupendous work. The reply of the Governor contained a well turned and well merited eulogium on the Honorable Judge Platt, who, by his exertions in the Senate, and in the Council of Revision, afforded powerful and efficient aid to the cause of the Canals; and to whom, also, we were first indebted for the favorite and popular expression of "The Young Lion of the West." Judge Platt and Doctor Alexander Coventry here joined the Committees as delegates from Utica, to represent them during the remainder of the fete.

LITTLE FALLS. - From Utica to the Little Falls, {From the last mentioned Lock in Frankfort, the Canal runs level one mile to a Lock of eight feet descent: thence level half a mile to a Lock of eight feet descent: thence level two miles and a half to a Lock of eight feet descent, after passing an Aqueduct of two hundred feet in length: thence level a quarter of a mile, to a Lock of eight feet descent: thence level one mile and a half, to a Lock of nine feet descent, into a part of the old Canal, running through a portion of the German Flatts: thence following that Canal one-third of a mile, leaving it and continuing three miles, to a lock of eight feet descent: thence level three miles, to the head of the Little Falls, whence are five Locks, each of eight feet descent, in the distance of one mile.} a distance of twenty-three miles, the country is rich and populous; but there are no villages at which any combined or formal manifestations of respect for the passing strangers, or joy for the completion of the great work, could be exhibited. Hundreds of the yeomanry, however, flocked to the banks of the Canal; and where groups were collected did not fail to send forth the cordial and loud huzza. Next to the Mountain Ridge, before described, the construction of the Canal at the Little Falls, was the most formidable labor executed. During some mighty convulsion of nature, the waters of the West, at a former period, evidently tore for themselves a passage through what previously had been a barrier of mountain granite. The hills rise on either side to a height of near five hundred feet, and at one point the cragged promontories approximate nearly to the toss of a biscuit. Through this chasm the Mohawk tumbles over a rocky bed, and falls, in the distance of half a mile, to the depth of forty feet. The old Canal of the Inland Lock Navigation Company, was constructed on the north side of the Rapids, which affords the more favorable route. The Erie Canal runs on the south side, the bed of which was excavated in the solid rock. The view is exceedingly wild and picturesque. Above, the rocks impend in a rugged and fearful grandeur; while beneath, the foaming torrent of the Mohawk dashes from rock to rock, until it leaps into a basin of great depth, and then steals tranquilly through the rich vale extending to the falls of the Cahoos. The village stands upon the north side, and is connected with the Canal by a stupendous aqueduct, thrown over the river by means of three arches, viz. - an eliptical one of seventy feet, embracing the whole stream in an ordinary state of its waters, with one on each side of fifty feet span, elevating the surface of the Canal thirty feet above that of the river. It was already evening when the boats reached this interesting region; but bonfires blazed upon the crags and brows of the mountains, and at the junction of the aqueduct with the Canal, they were met by a Committee, and an able address was delivered by George H. Feeter, Esq., to which a suitable reply was made. The party was then invited over to the village, where a banquet was spread at M'Kinnister's Hotel. Having tarried as long as their time would allow, they took their leave amidst the cheers of the citizens, and departed under a salute of artillery.

Leaving Little Falls, and pursuing their journey in the dead of night, several of the ancient villages, such as Fort Plain, Palatine, &c. were deprived of the opportunity of giving utterance to their feelings; but on the morning of the first of November, which was a clear and delightful day, the people of the intermediate towns, to Schenectady, manifested great joy and enthusiasm, which was proclaimed by every means within their powers. {From the Little Falls the Canal runs level five miles, to a Lock of eight feet descent, in Danube: thence level four miles to a Lock of eight feet descent: thence level three miles and three quarters, to a Lock of seven feet descent, near Otsquaga Creek: thence level three miles and a quarter, to Canajoharie Village, and a Lock of six feet descent: thence level twelve miles, to a Lock of seven feet descent, in Charleston: thence level four miles and a half, to the bank of Schoharie Creek, and a Lock of six feet descent: thence crossing the Creek by a dam three-quarters of a mile, to a Lock of four feet descent, in Florida: thence level three miles, to a Lock of eight feet descent: thence level five miles and a quarter, to two Locks, each of eight feet descent, with a small pond between them: thence level six miles, to a Lock of eight feet descent: thence level three miles, to a Lock of eight feet descent: then level half a mile, to a Lock of eight feet descent, in Rotterdam: thence three miles level, to the City of Schenectady.

At SCHENECTADY, according to the published arrangements, the boats were to have arrived at five o'clock, P.M. of Tuesday. Here, however, it seems there were some "private griefs," which we "know not of," and which induced the publication in the leading paper of that city, of the projet of a funeral procession, or some other demonstrations of mourning, and no preparations for the reception were made by the Corporation. Yet it does not follow that there was a general want of good feeling; on the contrary, news was received that the arrival would be some hours sooner than had been anticipated. The result was, that a goodly concourse of people were speedily assembled; some field-pieces were stationed at a suitable point to honor the strangers with a salute, and the "College Guards," were quickly in uniform and on duty. This corps is formed of students in Union College, and appeared in a handsome grey uniform. At about three o'clock the boats hove in sight - they were welcomed by a salute - and the literary soldiers fired a feu de joie. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Committees were respectfully received by the principal citizens, and conducted to Given's Hotel, where a well provided table was spread, and the company partook of a dinner, at which Mr. De Graaf presided. There were no cheers, nor, on the contrary, any audible murmurs. On the whole it was a rather grave reception. At four o'clock the company re-embarked, and proceeded on their way. A drizzling rain came on; but the College Guards, who accompanied the boats to the street which leads to the buildings of this flourishing University, were not unprovided with defence; each drew a blanket from his knapsack, and in a moment the graceful youths were metamorphosed in their apparel to the appearance of a band of Indians.

The shades of night set in soon after the boats crossed the aqueduct leading over the Mohawk, into the county of Saratoga. The night was dark and dreary, and a view of the sublime scenery of the Cahoos Falls, and the formidable range of locks by which the Canal descends into the vale of the Hudson, was entirely lost, much to the regret of those who were not already familiar with that region of rich and picturesque scenery. At two o'clock, A.M., the boats made a halt, and day-light found the company at the half-way house between Troy {In Wetervleit, opposite the city of Troy, there is a lateral Canal, or side-cut, which descends by means of two Locks of eleven feet each, into the Hudson, and thus opens that flourishing city to a full participation of the benefits of both the Erie and Champlain Canals.} and Albany, lately, and for a long time, kept by the heroic landlady, who several years since shot a desperate robber, in the act of plundering her house, in the night.

"The dawn was overcast, the morning lowered

"And heavily in clouds brought on the day

"------------------------------------big with the fate"

of multitudes who had long been anticipating the pleasure of a visit to the capital of the State, and a participation in the festivities of the day. A cold north-west wind, however, soon sprung up, sweeping the mists before it, and rolling away the clouds. The consequence was, that even at this distance from the city, the indications betokened a large assemblage.

The company remained at this spot until near ten o'clock, and, in the mean time, an excellent and plentiful breakfast was served up by the landlord. A message was also received at an early hour, from Major Talcott, commanding the United States Arsenal at Gibbonsville, expressing his regret at the boats should have passed his station so many hours before the expected time, as it had been his intention to honor them with a salute. An answer was returned with an invitation for the Major and his Officers to join the expedition, which was promptly accepted. Departing for Albany, it was soon found that there was a general ingathering in the direction of the ancient capital. The banks of the Canal were lined with people, and the roads were filled with horses and carriages, galloping and whirling towards the scene of the anticipated festivities.

ALBANY. - At the lock above the mansion of the Patroon (General Stephen Van Rensselaer) the boats were met by Alderman WYCKOFF, and Assistant Alderman HONE, of the Committee of the New York Corporation, who were received on board, and the boats proceeding rapidly on,arrived at the last lock at half-past ten, A.M. {The Canal continues the same level from Schenectady, four miles, through Niskayuna, to an Aqueduct over the Mohawk River, seven hundred and forty-eight feet in length, between the abutments, supported by sixteen piers, twenty-five feet above the river; and immediately after passing the Aqueduct there are three Locks, each of seven feet descent, in Half Moon, a few rods below Alexander's Mills, and the Bridge: thence level two miles, to a Lock of seven feet descent: thence level one mile and a half to a Lock of seven feet descent: thence level three miles and a half, to a Lock of seven feet descent: thence level five miles, passing over the Mohawk River by an Aqueduct of nineteen hundred and eighty-eight feet in length, between the abutments, resting on twenty-six piers: thence about three miles to four Locks, of eight feet descent each, in Watervleit: thence level one mile and a quarter to a little below the Cahoos Falls, to two Locks, of nine feet descent each: thence one mile and a quarter level, to three Locks, and a descent of twenty-six feet: thence level one mile and a half, to seven Locks, of eight feet descent each; here a Feeder comes in from the Mohawk, and connects the Erie with the Champlain Canal, and there are two Locks, of eleven feet descent each: thence level seven miles, to a Lock of eleven feet descent: thence level one mile and a half, to a point in the rear of the old State Arsenal, where there is a small Basin, and a Lock of eleven feet descent, to the tide waters of the Hudson, and into the great Basin, in the City of Albany. The Locks are ninety feet long between the gates, fifteen feet wide, built of the most durable stone, well cut and coursed, and laid in water-lime. The courses are never less than eight inches faces, very few less than twelve, and from that to thirty inches.} Twenty-four pieces of cannon were planted on the pier, from which a grand salute was fired as the boats passed from the Canal into the basin, down which they proceeded, towed by yawls manned by twenty-four masters of vessels, and cheered onward by bands of music, and the huzzas of thousands of rejoicing citizens, who crowded the wharves, the south bridge, the vessels, and a double line of Canal boats, which extended through the whole length of the basin. Having passed the sloop lock, they returned up the river as far as the south bridge. Here the company were received by the city committee, and escorted to Rockwell's Mansion House, where congratulations were exchanged. A procession was then formed under the direction of Maj. Taylor, Capt. Bradt, and W. Esleeck, Esq. in the following order: - Twenty-four cartmen, with carts loaded with western produce, each with a flag designating the articles conveyed; - cartmen on horseback, preceded by their Marshal, R. M'Clintock; - a band of music; Sheriff and Staff; Corporation; Governor and Lieutenant Governor; Canal Commissioners; Engineers and Assistants; Collector of Tolls; Revolutionary Officers and Cincinnati; Surveyor of the Port; Committees; Judicial Officers of the State and of the United States; Secretary of State and Surveyor-General; Attorney General; Comptroller; Treasurer; Adjutant General and Judge Advocate General; Officers of the Army and Navy; Chamber of Commerce; Military Association; Societies; Strangers and Citizens. The procession passed through several of the principal streets, to the Capitol. Here the exercises commenced in the Assembly Chamber, with an appropriate prayer. An ode was then sung, written for the occasion by JOHN AUG. STONE, of the Albany Theatre. The vocal arrangements were under the direction of Mr. Harris, Professor of Music, aided by the orchestra of the Theatre. PHILIP HONE, Esq. in behalf of the Corporation of New York, then rose and addressed the Chairman and the assembled citizens. He glanced rapidly at the history of the great work, from its conception to its completion, and declared his instructions to invite the Corporation of Albany, together with the several Committees then assembled, to proceed with the boats to the city which he had the honor to represent. In performing this office, he assured them they would be received as welcome guests, and requested to unite with the municipal authorities in the celebration of the joyful event.

When Mr. Hone had concluded, WM. JAMES, Esq., of Albany, in behalf of his fellow-citizens, delivered a congratulatory address. He made a happy allusion to the sensations which the completion of the Canal is so well calculated to excite in the bosom of every intelligent citizen, "an event which associates our respective interests with the glory of our country." The congratulations of the patriotic citizens of Albany, to whose early influence and efficacious assistance, we are so much indebted for the commencement and progress of the great work, were next expressed, and a cordial invitation extended to the stranger-guests to partake in celebrating the auspicious event. Mr. J. then directed the attention of his gratified auditors to those considerations to which a contemplation of the grand work is well calculated to lead the enlightened mind - the resources which it had developed, and which it would continue to call into action - its general benefit, "embracing in its progress the prosperity and welfare of all" - and its influence and consequences upon mankind. Allusion was also made to the state of the western country, "when forests covered the sites of the now splendid towns of Utica, Geneva, Canandaigua, and Buffalo," and "when the dismal and savage trackways led through forbidding forests, where now stand the flourishing towns of Syracuse, Auburn, Rochester, and many other places, celebrated for the elegance and refinement of their inhabitants, the grandeur of their scenery, seats of learning," &c.; and a happy contrast was drawn between their former and present state. A glowing picture of the future greatness and happiness of our western and north-western territories was presented; and the glory of the nation, its territory, its institutions, its wealth, its liberty, and its spirit in local and general improvement, successively furnished themes for the imagination of the orator; who acquitted himself in a manner truly praise-worthy and honorable to those citizens who selected him to deliver their sentiments.

Mr. James having concluded his address, the Committees from the West arose, and with them Lieutenant Governor TALLMADGE, who returned their acknowledgements for the kind manner in which they had been received, in his usual forcible, happy, and eloquent manner.

The Assembly Chamber, in which these exercises took place, was tastefully decorated for the occasion. On the right of the Speaker's chair, hung a portrait of George Clinton, and on the left that of De Witt Clinton. Over the chair hung a full-length portrait of "The Father of his Country," surmounted by the bird of victory grasping his thunder. The benediction was pronounced by the Reverend Mr. Lacy; after which the procession again formed, and moved through various streets, to the bridge, which was superbly decorated, to partake of a collation.

At the west end of the bridge was the entrance, composed of five pointed gothic arches, rising above each other on each side of the grand centre arch. Those on the extreme right, and left, were twelve feet in height, and six feet in width, and presented a full view to the spectator. The two intermediate arches on either side of the centre, were fourteen feet in height by seven feet in width, and formed an angle with the others, thus showing a kind of perspective, and causing the centre arch to recede about six feet. The arches were supported by two pilasters, capped with gothic turrets, and the pannels decorated with delicate evergreens, in a style corresponding to that highly ornamental order. The centres of all the arches terminated in richly gilded and appropriate ornaments. The back ground of all, except the centre, was filled with shrubbery, presenting to the view a resemblance to the entrance of a garden. Passing through the arch were found lines of shrubbery fancifully arranged on both sides of the bridge, and forming curves from the arch to the draw-bridge. Standards, bearing the national arms, waved on both sides of the bridge. At the four corners of the draw-bridge were erected four masts, forty feet in height, decorated with evergreens, and rigged with flags, arranged as sails, emblematical of the termination of the Canal, and of the commencement of river navigation. Proceeding onward, the guests passed under three circular arches, the centre one of which bore the words, "GRAND ERIE CANAL;" that on the left hand was inscribed, "JULY 4th, 1817;" and that on the right, "OCTOBER 26th, 1825." They were all ornamented in a similar manner, with evergreens, and formed the entrance to an immense hall, covered with an awning, and furnished with two lines of tables, each one hundred and fifty feet in length, and sufficient for the accommodation of six hundred guests. This terminated in an elegant circular marquee, surmounted with the national flag, calculated to contain about sixty persons. One part of the design struck the writer as remarkably beautiful. The two lines of tables were placed at such distances from the sides of the bridge, as to allow the marshals to conduct the procession, formed in double files, up the centre avenue between the table, to the marquee, and there separating to the right and left countermarching to their respective seats at the table; thus placing the marshals in such a situation as to allow them to form the procession on retiring, in the same order as it entered, without any change of companions on the part of the guests.

The table was filled with a rich collation, consisting of the most choice viands of our climate, with a plenty of the "ruby bright" wines of the best vineyards of Europe. The repast was prepared by Mr. Thomas Welch.

The late Lieutenant Governor TAYLOR, and Judge SPENCER, presided at the table, assisted by Martin Van Buren, Benjamin Knower, John Townsend, Allen Brown, Teunis Van Vechten, Elisha Jenkins, Ebenezer Baldwin, and Richard I. Knowlson, Esquires.

In the evening the Capitol and Theatre were brilliantly illuminated. In front of the Capitol was a large transparency, with the motto - "Peace and Commerce." It represented a wide landscape, exhibiting the varieties of field and meadow, hill and dale. Winding its way through this, was a Canal, on the bosom of which were two boats, drawn by three horses each. Over the door, within the portico, was another transparency, representing an Eagle, with emblems of war and peace. Motto - "1776." Over the stairway, within the great hall, as you ascend to the gallery, were the words - "The Grand Work is Done!" And at the head of the first flight of stairs, hung a broad painting of the Arms of New York, enwreathed with evergreens. The several Committees collected in Albany on this occasion, attended the Theatre in the evening. During an interval between the acts, a beautiful Canal scene, got up for the occasion by Mr. Gilfert, was exhibited and warmly cheered. The representation of locks, canals, &c., with boats and horses actually passing, was admirably done. Between the pieces which composed the evening's entertainment, an ode was recited by Mr. Barrett, in his happiest manner, written for the occasion by James Ferguson, Esq. Thus terminated a day which will long be remembered in Albany as the memorable second of November, eighteen hundred and twenty-five.

Thursday morning arrived, and a more beautiful day never dawned upon our land. It seemed as though a benignant Providence, smiling upon the labors and triumphs of human genius and enterprise, had purposely chained the storms in their caverns. The hour of nine was appointed for the departure of the fleet, but by some unavoidable delays it near ten before every thing was prepared. In the meantime the city and surrounding country poured forth its population in immense numbers, to view the beautiful spectacle. There were by thousands and thousands more people out than on the preceding day. The docks, stores, and vessels, along the whole river in front of the city, presented thick masses of people. The several steam-boats formed in their proper order, gorgeously decorated, were ranged in a line, and a brisk north-west wind caused the gay banners and streamers to flutter in the air, so as to be seen to the best possible advantage. And the beauty of the scene was still further heightened by the large columns of steam rushing from the fleet, rising majestically upwards, and curling and rolling into a thousand fantastic and beautiful forms, until mingled and lost in surrounding vapors. Every boat was filled with passengers, and each was supplied with a band of music. The delight, nay, enthusiasm, of the people, was at its height. Such an animating, bright, beauteous and glorious spectacle had never been seen at that place; nor, at that time, excelled in New York. About fifteen minutes before the departure of the fleet, the Chief Justice Marshall, from Troy, came gaily down the river, as richly decorated as the ship of the Admiral himself, having the Niagara, of Black Rock, in tow. On board of this boat, also, was a fine band, and a large number of the most respectable citizens of Troy. At a given signal, the fleet was under way in a moment; and the Albanians, with long and reiterated cheers, took leave of such a spectacle as their eyes will never more behold.

The fleet consisted of the following steam-vessels, viz.: - The Chancellor Livingston, Capt. Lockwood under the special direction of Charles Rhind, Esq., acting as Admiral, assisted by Commodore Wiswall, as Captain of the fleet, having in tow the elegant Canal packet-boat, "The Seneca Chief," of Buffalo; the Constitution, Captain Bartholomew, having in tow the Rochester boat "Young Lion of the West." - On board of this boat, among other productions of the West, were two living wolves, a fawn, a fox, four racoons, and two living eagles. Noah's Ark, from Ararat, having the bears and Indians, fell behind, and did not arrive in Albany in season to be taken in tow. Next came the Chief Justice Marshal, Captain Sherman, having in tow the "Niagara," from Black Rock. Then followed the Constellation, Captain Cruttenden; the Swiftsure, Captain Stocking; the Olive Branch, Captain Moore, having in tow the safety-barge Matilda; and the Richmond, Captain Cochran. The Saratoga, Captain Benson, being a small and swift boat, acted as a tender on the voyage from Albany - landing and taking in passengers from all the boats and landing places. She sported about like a dolphin - now in the wake of one boat, now along side of another, and now shooting a-head of the whole, with her flags streaming gracefully in the breeze.

The appearance of the fleet from the different points along the shore was gay and animating. As it passed down the river, the boats, constantly varying their relative positions, - the foremost lying by to wait for the others to come up, and all of them decorated with flags and streamers, - presented a grand and splendid spectacle. This was particularly the case among the group of islands between Albany and Coeymans; and the scene from the Admiral's boat, as the passengers looked back among the islands, and along the crooked channels, was truly enchanting. Now a vessel in the richest attire, shot from behind a copse upon some little island, - and now another disappeared behind a second. At times, a boat, at some distance astern, appeared to be swiftly darting across the river; and again, at another point could only be discovered the variegated flags and streamers through the intervening though scattered shrubbery, whose verdure had lost its freshness and been speckled with pale red and yellow by the early autumnal frosts. And now again, when the broad bosom of the Hudson was unbroken from bank to bank, the whole squadron appeared in line, like a fleet from the dominion of the fairies. Thousands of the inhabitants crowded to the shore to admire and welcome the novel procession. Signal guns were posted on various heights, to give notice of its approach; and salutes from cannon or musketry were fired from every village. At Coeymans, New Baltimore, Kinderhook-Landing, and Coxsackie, great numbers of people were assembled, who cheered the passing multitude. Indeed, after Alexander of Macedon had carried his arms into India, he did not descend the Indus with greater triumph, or make a prouder display.

At Hudson, which is finely situated for such an exhibition, many thousands of citizens had collected. The shores, and the brow of Prospect Hill, were covered with people; and the colonnades of the "round house," were filled with ladies, whose snow-white handkerchiefs fluttered briskly in the breeze. The river here expands to a breadth of nearly two miles. The country on both sides rises gradually from the river - particularly on the west, to the base of the Catskill Mountains. No finer view of these lofty mountains is obtained that at Hudson; and when we include Mount Merino, on the eastern side of the river, with the broad sweep of woods, and meadows, and fields, on the other side, the landscape, embracing mountain, wood, and water scenery, uniting at once the sublime and beautiful, is perfect. The frost had changed its soft and early verdure, and decked it in the richly variegated and changing livery of autumn. It was not viewed, however, in a cold and cheerless day, but gazed upon under the genial influence of a mild autumnal sun, amidst a scene of gaiety and animation which imparted life and beauty and sublimity to all. The Saratoga touched at the dock, where the municipal authorities were in waiting, hoping that the fleet would stop a short time, and allow the committees to go ashore, and partake of a collation which had been provided for the occasion. But time would nor permit, and the fleet passed down under a salute of artillery posted on the hills, which was answered from the cannon at Athens, directly opposite.

At CATSKILL, a salute was fired from the hill behind which, and almost invisible from the river, this busy and thriving village is entrenched. A military company was paraded on the point (so called), and fired repeatedly, while the boats lay to for the Saratoga to take off passengers. The afternoon was fine, and the banners waving gracefully in the breeze, and gaily dancing in the sunbeams, presented a scene of beauty at once novel and picturesque.

While passing REDHOOK LANDING, where the same curiosity and interest were exhibited by the assembled people, dinner was announced. Alderman King presided, assisted by Alderman Davis, Assistant Alderman Hone, and Alderman Wyckoff, as Vice Presidents. The fare was sumptuous, the wines good, and many a bumper was turned off to the patriotic sentiments elicited by the occasion, intermingled with national and other appropriate songs. Immediately after dinner, a committee from the Chancellor Livingston, (the flag ship,) was put off in a small boat, to pay complimentary visits to the other boats of the squadron, and the like civilities were returned.

Before reaching HYDE PARK, evening had thrown her shadows over us; and instead of the gay attire which had rendered the fleet so beautiful by day, the boats were now decorated with lights, each having a different number for the sake of distinction. The flag ship, the Chancellor, bore a great number of lanterns, arranged in the form of a triangle, and must have made a brilliant appearance. And if the spectators on shore had been gratified during the day by views of the flotilla, the passengers on board the latter were now amply repaid by the splendor of the bonfires and illuminations along the shore. The first of the kind which was seen, was the mansion of James D. Livingston, Esq., of Hyde Park, the whole front of which was illuminated. Capt. Sherman, moreover, of the Chief Justice Marshall, had timely provided himself with a supply of rockets, which being thrown up at intervals, now sporting through the gloom like a comet, and now bursting and descending in showers of dazzling stars, produced a fine effect. At several points along the river, bonfires were blazing, and the flash and roar of cannon were seen and heard, which were answered by cheers from the boats and the firing of cannon in return.

As the flotilla approached POUGHKEEPSIE, it was apparent that the citizens of that flourishing village were prepared to welcome it with the warmest demonstrations of joy. Upon an eminence on each side of the landings, huge signal-fires were lighted, which cast a broad red glare over the hills, and gleamed widely upon the waters. The effect, as seen from the water, was very grand. The red light bursting fitfully through the trees as the boats glided by, the human figures moving in every direction athwart the fires, the illuminated buildings, the thunder of cannon, the brilliant moving lights of the steam-boats, all seen and heard in the silence and darkness of night, could not fail to make an impression on every beholder, such as will not soon be forgotten.

At NEWBURGH, cannon were fired; the village was partially illuminated, and a committee of congratulation came on board.

At WEST POINT, a salute of twenty-four guns greeted the arrival of the first boats in the line; and another of the same number was fired while the last boats were passing. In the meantime, great numbers of rockets were sent up; and cheers resounded merrily, both from the hills and the boats. During these tokens of rejoicing, some of the boats were busily engaged in receiving on board the officers, as guests of the Corporation; and as soon as this was accomplished, the whole flotilla proceeded with all expedition to New York. The guests and passengers on board now retired, and in the morning awoke opposite the city, to greet the beautiful dawn of a day long to be remembered in the annals of our state and country.

The long expected fourth of November - a day so glorious for the city and state, with all its "pomp and circumstance," came and passed; and the incidents, like the fragments of a splendid vision, are yet floating, in bright and glowing masses, through the imagination. But the pageant was too brilliant, and the scenes too various, for the memory to retain more than certain vague impressions, no less beautiful than indistinct. Those who saw the magnificent scene, will at once admit that it cannot be painted in language; and those who had not that happiness, must content themselves with the assurance, that the best endeavours of the writer to convey to them an adequate idea of its grandeur, will fail. The poet, by giving full sway to his imagination, may perhaps partially succeed in conveying the various impressions imbibed on the occasion, and some detached parts of the scene might possibly be used to advantage by the painter who unites skill with genius. But we repeat, that the narrative, in humble prose, will fall short of a just representation.

The grand fleet arrived in our waters from Albany before day-light, and came to anchor near the State Prison. The roar of cannon from different points, and the merry peals of our numerous bells, greeted the sun as he rose in a cloudless sky. In a few moments afterwards, signals were given by the flag ship, and the various flags, banners, and other decorations, were ran up as if at the sudden command of a magician. Shortly afterwards, the new and superb steam-boat WASHINGTON, Captain E.S. Bunker, bore proudly down upon the fleet, heaving up the foaming billows as though she spurned the dominion of Neptune. In the language of the Noble Bard -

"She walked the waters like a thing of life,

"And dared the very elements to strife."

She bore the great banner of the Corporation, representing in dark figures, the arms of the city upon a snow-white ground. The Washington was an entirely new boat, chartered for the occasion, of large dimensions, beautiful model, and superbly finished throughout, - uniting all the improvements in steam-boat architecture. The design of the tafrail represented the renown of Washington and Lafayette. The centre was a trophy of various emblems - the laurel and the olive - standards - swords - the balance - the caduceus of Mercury, &c. The trophy was surmounted with a bald eagle. Each side of it was decorated with a bust - on the right, that of Washington - on the left, the bust of Lafayette. The former was crowned with the civic wreath and the laurel, the latter with the laurel only. The Genius of America was crowning her hero, and the spirit of Independence, waving the flaming torch, binding the brow of Lafayette. Each of these figures was attended with emblematic medallions of Agriculture and Commerce. The whole was based on a section of the globe, and the background was a glory from the trophy. The corners of the tafrail were each filled with a cornucopia, which gracefully completed the design, on which neither painting nor gilding had been spared to enhance the effect. She ran along side of the Chancellor, and a Committee of the Corporation, with the Officers of the Governor's Guard, came on board to tender his Excellency their congratulations on his arrival in our waters, from those of Lake Erie. In performing this duty, Alderman COWDREY made a handsome and pertinent address, in behalf of the Common Council, to which his Excellency made a reply in behalf of himself and his associates in the great work, and the several persons and bodies who had been welcomed to the shores and waters of New York, and to whom the hospitalities of the city had been so cheerfully tendered. To the Officers of the Guards, headed by Col. BRETT, the Governor also expressed his gratitude and thanks for their prompt attention on the occasion.

This duty having been performed, and there being an hour to spare, the several boats entered their respective docks, and came to anchor at the places assigned them, to give their numerous passengers an opportunity to prepare for the enjoyments of the day agreeably to their various inclinations.

The escorting fleet got under way, and passed the British Sloops of War Swallow, Captain Baldock, and Kingfisher, Captain Henderson, dressed for the occasion, and bearing the American flag in company with the cross of St. George. A salute was fired from these ships, which was returned from the fleet.

Not the least pleasing of this morning scene, was the packet-ship Hamlet, Captain Candler, prepared by the Marine and Nautical Societies, appearing at sunrise, in the North River, superbly dressed in the flags of various nations, interspersed with private signals, and the number-flags of the different members. She made a most splendid appearance during the whole day. At eight o'clock, these Societies met on board the steam boat Fulton, Captain R. Bunker, lying at Fulton Street Wharf, (East River,) and were conveyed on board of the ship, where Captain J.G. Collins, assisted by his officers, took the command. Commodore Chauncey politely sent an officer and twenty men from the Navy Yard, to assist in the duties of the ship. And before they landed, an excellent collation, prepared for the occasion by the joint committees of the two societies, was spread, of which all on board partook - to the number of one hundred and twenty-five.

At half-past eight o'clock, the Corporation, and their invited guests, assembled in the Sessions Room at the City Hall, and at a quarter before nine, proceeded to the steam-boats Washington, Fulton, and Providence, stationed at the foot of Whitehall Street. At the same place was also stationed the Commerce, Capt. Seymour, with the elegant safety-barge, Lady Clinton. This barge, with the Lady Van Rensselaer, had been set apart by the Corporation, for the reception of the invited ladies, with their attendants. The Lady Clinton was decorated with a degree of taste and elegance which was equally delightful and surprising. From stem to stern she was ornamented with evergreens, hung in festoons, and intertwined with roses of various hues, China astres, and many other flowers alike beautiful. In one of the niches below the upper deck, was the bust of Clinton, the brow being encircled with a wreath of laurel and roses. Mrs. Clinton, as well as many other distinguished ladies were on board of the barge, which, though the party was select, was much crowded. Capt. Seymour, however, paid every attention to his beautiful charge; every countenance beamed with satisfaction, and every eye sparkled with delight.

A few minutes after nine o'clock, the whole being on board, the fleet from Albany, as before mentioned, led by the flag ship of the Admiral, came round from the North, and proceeded up the East River to the Navy Yard, where salutes were fired, and the sloop of war Cyane, was dressed in the colors of all nations. While here, the flag ship took on board the officers of that station, together with their fine band of music. The officers stationed at West Point, with the celebrated band from that place, having been received on board the preceding evening, were likewise on board of the Chancellor Livingston. On returning from the Navy Yard, the steam-boat Ousatonic, of Derby, joined the fleet. The wharves and shores of Brooklyn, the Heights, and the roofs of many buildings, were crowded with people to an extent little anticipated, and only exceeded by the thick masses of population which lined the shores of New York, as far as Corlær's Hook. The fleet having arrived between the East end of the Battery and Governor's Island, was joined by the ship Hamlet, before-mentioned. While the commander was signalling the various vessels, and they were manœuvring about to take their stations, the spectacle was beautiful beyond measure. Long before this time, however, our City had been pouring forth its thousands and tens of thousands; Castle Garden, the Battery, and every avenue to the water, were thronged to a degree altogether beyond precedent. The ships and vessels in the harbor were filled, even to their rigging and tops. And the movements, in forming the order of the aquatic procession, gave opportunity to all, to observe the several vessels in every advantageous and imposing situation. Loud cheers resounded from every direction, which were often returned. Every thing being in readiness, and every boat crowded to the utmost, the fleet, taking a semi-circular sweep towards Jersey City, and back obliquely in the direction of the lower point of Governor's Island, proceeded down the bay in the order detailed in the official report of the Admiral; - each boat and ship maintaining the distance of one hundred feet apart.

The ship Hamlet was taken in tow by the Oliver Ellsworth and Bolivar, and assumed and maintained its place in splendid style. Four pilot-boats were also towed by other steam-boats, together with the following boats of the Whitehall Watermen, all tastefully decorated, viz. - The Lady of the Lake, Dispatch, Express, Brandywine, Sylph, Active, and Whitehall, Junior.

The sea was tranquil and smooth as the summer lake; and the mist, which came on between seven and eight in the morning, having partially floated away, the sun shone bright and beautiful as ever. As the boats passed the Battery they were saluted by the Military, the Revenue Cutter, and the Castle on Governor's Island; and on passing the Narrows, they were also saluted by forts Lafayette and Tompkins. They then proceeded to the United States' schooner Porpoise, Captain Zantzinger, moored within Sandy Hook, at the point where the grand ceremony was to be performed. A deputation, composed of Aldermen King and Taylor, was then sent on board the steam-boat Chancellor Livingston, to accompany his Excellency the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the several Committees from Buffalo, Utica, Albany, and other places, on board the steam-boat Washington.

The boats were thereupon formed in a circle around the schooner, preparatory to the ceremony; when Mr. Rhind, addressing the Governor, remarked "that he had a request to make, which he was confident it afford his Excellency great pleasure to grant. He was desirous of preserving a portion of the water to be used on this memorable occasion, in order to send it to our distinguished friend, and late illustrious visitor, Major General Lafayette; and for that purpose Messrs. Dummer and Co. had prepared some bottles of American fabrick for the occasion, and they were to be conveyed to the General in a box made by Mr. D. Phyfe, from a log of cedar, brought from Erie in the Seneca Chief." The Governor replied, that a more pleasing task could not have been imposed upon him, and expressed his acknowledgements to Mr. Rhind, for having suggested the measure.

His Excellency Governor CLINTON then proceeded to perform the ceremony of commingling the waters of the Lakes with the Ocean, by pouring a keg of that of Lake Erie into the Atlantic; upon which he delivered the following address: -

"This solemnity, at this place, on the first arrival of vessels from Lake Erie, is intended to indicate and commemorate the navigable communication, which has been accomplished between our Mediterranean Seas and the Atlantic Ocean, in about eight years, to the extent of more than four hundred and twenty-five miles, by the wisdom, public spirit, and energy of the people of the state of New York; and may the God of Heavens and the Earth smile most propitiously on this work, and render it subservient to the best interests of the human race."

Doctor MITCHILL, whose extensive correspondence with almost every part of the world, enables him to fill his cabinet with every thing rare and curious, then completed the ceremony by pouring into the briny deep, bottles of water from the Ganges and Indus of Asia; the Nile and the Gambia of Africa; the Thames, the Seine, the Rhine, and the Danube, of Europe; the Mississippi and Columbia of North, and the Oronoko, La Plata, and Amazon of South, America. The learned Doctor availed himself of this occasion to deliver the peculiar and interesting address which will be found in this collection, and which so happily illustrates the uses of types and symbols. The Honorable CADWALLADER D. COLDEN then presented to the Mayor the able Memoir upon the subject of Canals and Inland navigation in general, which forms the first part of the present volume.

Never before was there such a fleet collected, and so superbly decorated; and it is very possible that a display so grand, so beautiful, and we may even add, sublime, will never be witnessed again. We know of nothing with which it can be compared. The naval fete given by the Prince Regent of England, upon the Thames, during the visit of the Allied Sovereigns of Europe to London, after the dethronement of Napoleon, has been spoken of as exceeding every thing of the kind hitherto witnessed in Europe. But gentlemen who had an opportunity of witnessing both, have declared, that the spectacle in the waters of New York so far transcended that in the metropolis of England, as scarcely to admit of a comparison. The day, as we have before remarked, was uncommonly fine. No winds agitated the surface of the mighty deep, and during the performance of the ceremonies, the boats with their gay decorations, lay motionless in beauty. The orb of day darted his genial rays upon the bosom of the waters, where they played as tranquilly as upon the natural mirror of a secluded lake. Indeed the elements seemed to repose, as if to gaze upon each other, and participate in the beauty and grandeur of the sublime spectacle. Every object appeared to pause, as if to invite reflection, and prepare the mind for deep impressions - impressions, which, while we feel them stealing upon the soul, impart a consciousness of their durability. It was one of those few bright visions whose evanescent glory is allowed to light up the path of human life - which, as they are passing, we feel can never return, and which, in diffusing a sensation of pleasing melancholy, consecrates, as it were, all surrounding objects, even to the atmosphere we inhale!

The head of the land procession, under Major General Fleming, Marshal of the day, assisted by Colonels King and Jones, Major Low, and Mr. Van Winkle, had already arrived on the Battery, where it was designed the whole should pass in review before the Corporation and their guests, and the spectators on board of the other boats, which lay to near the shore, to afford an opportunity of witnessing the cars, and banners, and other decorations of the several societies, professions, and callings, who had turned out in the city in honor of the event commemorated. The Washington and Chancellor Livingston, ran into the Pier No. 1, in the East River, and landed the Corporation and their friends, at the proper time for them to fall into the rear of the procession. The fleet then dispersed, each vessel repairing to its own moorings; and thus, without a single accident to alloy the festivities of the day, ended an agreeable fete, unrivalled in beauty and magnificence, we fearlessly aver, in the annals of the world.

This narrative would probably be considered incomplete, were it not to include a notice of that part of the pageant which was exclusively confined to the city. And yet a minute description can hardly be deemed necessary, since the ample report of the Marshal of the Day is included among the papers collected in this volume. To be as brief as possible, therefore, we will state, in general terms, that the procession through the city, although it could not, from the very nature of things, present to the eye the bright and glowing images which ravished the senses upon the water, was yet such as to reflect the highest credit upon our city, the societies, and individuals, whose patriotism induced them to bear a part, and the occasion which called them forth.

The civic procession was composed of the several benevolent and mechanic societies of our city; the fire department; the merchants and citizens; the officers of the State Artillery and Infantry, in uniform; the literary and scientific institutions; the members of the bar; the members of many occupations and callings not formally organized into societies, accompanied by fine bands of music, exclusively of the Corporation, their associate committees and distingished guests, who fell in the rear of the procession, as before mentioned, at the Battery. This procession, the largest of the kind ever witnessed in America, commenced forming in Greenwich-street, six abreast, at nine o'clock, A.M. - the right resting in Marketfield-street, near the Battery - and extending to the distance of more than a mile and a half. The line of march was taken up at half past ten. Its first movement was a countermarch of the whole column upon the right wing. By this manœuvre, every society and division was brought into such close approximation with each other, as to afford every individual a distinct view of the whole. The procession moved from Greenwich-street through Canal-street into Broadway - up Broadway to Broome-street - up Broome-street to the Bowery - down the Bowery to Pearl-street - down Pearl-street to the Battery - over the Battery to Broadway - and thence to the City Hall. Along the whole extensive line of march, the spectacle was of a most imposing and animating description. Every society and occupation seemed to have been engaged in a laudable strife, regardless of the expense, to excel each other in the richness of their banners, and the beauty and taste exhibited in their badges and other decorations. Nor had the money of the societies been expanded, or the skill of the artists of our city exercised, in vain. For never did a more imposing array of banners, of exquisite design and magnificent appearance, stream and flutter in the breeze. Many of the societies, likewise, had furnished themselves with cars of gigantic structure, upon which their respective artizans were busily engaged in their several occupations. The ornaments of many of these cars were curiously wrought, and they were otherwise beautifully and splendidly decorated. The richest Turkey or Brussels carpets covered the floors of some, whilst the costly gilding of others reflected back the golden rays of the sun with dazzling effulgence. {For a particular description of the several cars, banners, and badges, the reader is referred to the report of the Marshal of the day above alluded to.} The eye of beauty, too, gazed with delight upon the passing scene; for every window was thronged, and the myriads of handkerchiefs which fluttered in the air, were only rivalled in whiteness by the delicate hands which suspended them; while the glowing cheeks, the ingenuous smiles of liveliness and innocence, and the intelligence which beamed brightly from many a sparkling eye, proclaimed their possessors worthy of being the wives, mothers, and daughters, of freemen. It was in fine a proud spectacle; but language fails in attempting its description - much more in imparting to paper the sensations which it created. It is not difficult to describe individual objects correctly, but it is impossible to portray their general effect, when happily grouped together. It is amid scenes like these - a faint gleam of which can only be conveyed to the future antiquary or historian - that the mind is absorbed in its own reflections - musing in solitude, though surrounded by the gay and the thoughtless - and literally lost in its own imaginings.

The festivities of the day were closed in the evening by illuminations of the public buildings and the principal hotels, upon many of which appropriate transparencies were exhibited. The illumination of the City Hotel contributed largely to the brilliant appearance of Broadway. Great taste was also displayed in the illumination of the New York Coffee House. The front in Sloat Lane presented a brilliant wreath, encircling the letter "C." The front, in William-street, displayed the words "Grand Canal," in large and glowing capitals. We do not remember to have seen a more original and beautiful method of illuminating, than that adopted at this establishment. Peale's Museum presented a beautiful transparency - rays of glory, containing a motto, illustrative of the dependence of the fine arts upon the success of commerce. Scudder's Museum likewise, was brilliantly illuminated, and a very large and beautiful transparency was exhibited in front. The Park Theatre was illuminated, and also exhibited appropriate transparencies without, while within, an interlude, composed for the occasion by Mr. Noah, with scenery specially prepared for the occasion, was received with great applause. A similar production from the pen of Mr. Woodworth, was played at the Chatham Theatre, and was likewise well received. The house of Mr. Seixas, in Broadway, was illuminated, and an appropriate transparency, representing Fortune embarking on board of a Canal-boat, loaded with bags of money, and several appropriate emblematical devices, were exhibited. At "the Lunch," a transparency was exhibited representing the Canal-boat "Seneca Chief," receiving on board his Excellency the Governor, the Buffalo Deputation, Indian Chiefs, &c., preparatory to her passage from Lake Erie into the Canal. But the City Hall was the grand point of attraction, and too much praise cannot be given to our Corporation for the great exertions which they made to contribute to the enjoyment and festivities of the day. The City Hall, under their direction, was superbly illuminated, the front presenting a very magnificent transparency, on which were painted interesting views of the Canal, columns with the names of worthies, figures emblematical of the occasion, &c. The fire-works prepared by Mr. Wilcox, far exceeded the public expectation, and were unrivalled of the kind. Such rockets were never before seen in New York. They were uncommonly large. Now they shot forth alternately showers of fiery serpents and dragons, "gorgons, and hydras, and chimeras dire;" and now they burst forth and rained down showers of stars, floating in the atmosphere like balls of liquid silver. The volcanic eruption of fire-balls and rockets with which this exhibition was concluded, afforded a spectacle of vast beauty and sublimity. They were sent up apparently from the rear of the Hall to a great height, diverging like rays from a common centre, then floating for a moment like meteors of the brightest light, and falling over in a graceful curve, presenting a scene magnificent and enchanting. The Park was filled to overflowing; not less that eight or ten thousand admiring spectators {original text has "spectarors."} were collected in it to view the splendid display which the Corporation had prepared so munificently for their fellow-citizens.

Thus passed a day so glorious to the state and city, and so deeply interesting to the countless thousands who were permitted to behold and mingle in its exhibitions. We have before said that all attempts at description must be utterly in vain. Others can comprehend the greatness of the occasion; the Grand Canal is completed, and the waters of Lake Erie have been borne upon its surface, and mingled with the Ocean. But it is only those who were present, and beheld the brilliant scenes of the day, that can form any adequate idea of their grandeur, and of the joyous feelings which pervaded all ranks of the community. Never before has been presented to the sight a fleet so beautiful as that which then graced our waters. The numerous array of steam-boats and barges, proudly breasting the billows and dashing on their way regardless of opposing winds and tides; the flags of all nations, and banners of every hue, streaming splendidly in the breeze; the dense columns of black smoke ever and anon sent up from the boats, now partially obscuring the view, and now spreading widely over the sky and softening down the glare of light and color; the roar of cannon from the various forts, accompanied by heavy volumes of white smoke, contrasting finely with the smoke from the steam-boats; the crowds of happy beings who thronged the decks, and the voice of whose joy was mingled with the sound of music, and not unfrequently drowned by the hissing of the steam; all these, and a thousand other circumstances, awakened an interest so intense, that "the eye could not be satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing." We rejoiced; and all who were there rejoiced; although, as we looked upon the countless throng, we could not but remember the exclamation of Xerxes, and feel that "an hundred years hence, not one of all that vast multitude will be alive." The splendor of beauty, and the triumph of art, serve to excite, to dazzle, and often to improve the condition and promote the welfare of mankind: but the "fashion of this world passeth away:" beauty and art, with all their triumphs and splendors, endure but for a season; and earth itself, with all its lakes and oceans, is only as the small dust of the balance, in the sight of Him who dwells beyond the everlasting hills.

On Saturday, the fifth of November, Mr. Rhind and Commodore Wiswall gave a splendid entertainment to the Committees from the West, and the Captains and Officers of the several steam-boats who had borne a part in the celebration from Albany to this City, and on the preceding day. This entertainment was served on board of the "Chancellor Livingston." It was designed as a plain republican feast, but was nevertheless rich and bountiful, comprising the choicest viands and delicacies of our markets. A number of patriotic sentiments were given, and the company was further cheered and enlivened by appropriate songs. It was indeed a "feast of reason and flow of soul."

On Monday evening, the seventh of November, the festivities of our city were appropriately concluded by a ball, which was given in the Lafayette Amphitheatre, in Laurens-street, by the officers of the militia, associated with a committee of citizens. The circus-buildings, comprising a spacious stage used for dramatic representations, was enlarged by the addition of an edifice in the rear, which had been used for a riding school. These were connected in such a manner as to form an area of much greater extent than that of any other ball-room in the United States, being nearly two hundred feet in length, and varying from sixty to near one hundred feet in width. The usual entrance to the circus from Laurens-street, was closed up, and new entrances opened from Thomson-street, in the rear, through the riding school. The front was brilliantly illuminated, presenting in large letters, formed by bright lamps, extending over the doors across the building, the words, "The Grand Canal." The whole area within was newly floored for the occasion, and divided into three compartments by the original division of the audience part of the circus, the stage, and the additional building on Thomson-street. Of these we shall speak in order, but briefly. The two tier of boxes were preserved, and decorated for the accommodation of that part of the company which chose to retire and be spectators of the busy assemblage below. Access was obtained to them through a flight of steps in the middle of the boxes, of which the centre one had been removed. The dome in this part of the hall was ornamented with green wreaths, which were appropriately festooned with beautiful and various flowers, sweeping gracefully to the pillars which supported the boxes, terminating at and around them. Above the proscenium were the names of the engineers who have been employed in the construction of the Canal, viz. - Briggs, White, Geddes, Wright, Thomas; opposite these, and in the centre of the circle of boxes, was a bust of Washington, surrounded with evergreens, and around were inscribed the names of the past and present canal commissioners, Hart, Bouck, Holly, De Witt, North, Livingston, Fulton, Clinton, Van Rensselaer, Morris, Eddy, Young, Seymour, Porter, Ellicott.

But entrancing above all other enchantments of the scene, was the living enchantment of beauty - the trance which wraps the senses in the presence of loveliness, when woman walks the halls of fancy - magnificence herself - the brightest object in the midst of brightness and beauty. A thousand faces were there, bright in intelligence, and radiant with beauty, looking joy and congratulation to each other, and spreading around spells which the loves and the graces bind on the heart of the sterner sex.

It only remains to speak of the ladies' supper-room, which was separated from the large apartment, by flags elegantly festooned, and raised at the given signal. Mirrors, and splendid lights, and emblems, and statues, and devices, beyond the writer's abilities to describe, ornamented this part of the house in common with the rest. Upon the supper table was placed, floating in its proper element, (the waters of Erie,) a miniature canal-boat, made entirely of maple sugar, and presented to Governor Clinton by Colonel Hinman, of Utica. The refreshments were excellent, and considering the vast numbers who were to partake of them, very plentifully provided. At a seasonable hour the company retired, with memories stored for future conversation, with the events, and decorations, and splendors of "The Grand Canal Ball."

During the visit of the western committees, they received every attention from the Corporation. They were accompanied by committees on visits to our principal institutions, and a dinner was given them at Bellevue. They remained several days enjoying the hospitalities of the city; and when they departed with their boats for the West, they were furnished with a keg of water taken from the "briny deep," for the purpose of being mingled with the waters of Lake Erie. The keg was handsomely ornamented with the arms of the city, over which were the words, in letters of gold, "Neptune's return to Pan," and under the same, the words, "New York, 4th Nov. 1825." Upon the other side of the keg were the words, "Water of the Atlantic."

The Seneca Chief arrived at Buffalo, on Wednesday, November the twenty-third, after a quick and prosperous passage. The committee was received with a hearty welcome, and it was resolved to complete the grand ceremonies by mingling the waters on Friday the twenty-fifth. Accordingly, on that day, a large and respectable number of ladies and gentlemen, with the village band of music, repaired on board the boat, at the upper dock, and were towed from thence through the basin into the Lake, by several yawl boats, which were politely furnished by the masters of the different vessels then lying at the wharves. At ten o'clock, A.M., the ceremony of mingling the waters, under a salute from Captain Crary's artillery, was performed by Judge Wilkeson, who delivered an appropriate address on the occasion; after which the boat was towed back to the dock, and the company dispersed with all those feelings of gratification which the interesting ceremony was calculated to produce. In the evening, the gentlemen of the village assembled at the Eagle Tavern, and unanimously passed sundry resolutions expressive of their sincere acknowledgements for the polite and hospitable treatment their committee had received from the corporation and citizens of New York and Albany, and the respective villages along the whole line of the Canal.

Thus was the proud festival and the attendant ceremonies concluded. And thus has closed one of the greatest, happiest, proudest, most propitious scenes, our state has ever witnessed. Excepting that day on which she joined the national confederacy, there is none like it. What visions of glory rush upon the mind, as it attempts to lift the curtain of futurity and survey the rising destiny of New York through the long vista of years to come! For, whatever party rules, whatever political chief rises or falls, agriculture, manufactures and commerce, must still remain the greatest of our concerns; and by the opening of the Canal, these three great vital interests are all most eminently promoted. What a wide spread region of cultivated soil has already been brought within the near vicinity of the greatest market on our continent! How many manufacturing establishments have had the value of every thing connected with them doubled by this "meeting of the waters!" How vastly have the internal resources of this metropolis been in one day practically extended! Without adverting to the cheering prospects of future times, how much has been already effected at this present hour, in the enhancement of the total value of the whole state! If we justly consider the Hudson, flowing through the densest population and best cultivated territory, an invaluable blessing, and indeed, a leading feature of our local advantages, what must be the opening of a new and additional river, twice the navigable length of the Hudson, and traversing a region, whose population and agricultural wealth will soon rival, and even surpass, those of its banks? A river which, in one year more, will carry our trade to the foot of the Falls of St. Mary, and will eventually give us access to the most remote shore of Lake Superior.

The authors and builders - the heads who planned, and the hands who executed this stupendous work, deserve a perennial monument; and they will have it. To borrow an expression from the highest of all sources, "the works which they have done, these will bear witness of them." Europe already begins to admire - America can never forget to acknowledge, that THEY HAVE BUILT THE LONGEST CANAL IN THE WORLD IN THE LEAST TIME, WITH THE LEAST EXPERIENCE, FOR THE LEAST MONEY, AND TO THE GREATEST PUBLIC BENEFIT.

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Cayuga Republican, Auburn, N.Y., Wed., Nov. 2, 1825

DIED.

At Weedsport, on the morning of the 29th ult. Mr. David Remington, and Mr. Henry Whitman. They were killed by the accidental discharge of a 24-pounder while they were acting as gunners at the canal celebration, at that place. Remington was literally blown to atoms. Whitman survived about 4 hours. They were in the prime of life and have both left young families to deplore their untimely exit.

"In the midst of life we are in death."

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Wayne Sentinel, April 7, 1826

CANAL REGULATIONS.

At a meeting of the Board of Canal Commissioners in the city of Albany, on the 10th of March, 1826, the following rules and regulations, in addition to those provided by law relating to the Erie and Champlain canals, were adopted to wit:

1. Every boat passing on either of the above canals, is required at all times during the night, to carry a conspicuous light on the bow of the boat, and every raft navigating either of the canals at night shall carry a like light on the forward end of the same; and every infraction of this regulation shall subject the master, owner, or navigator of any boat, or raft, to the penalty of ten dollars.

2. No boat or raft shall unnecessarily stop, lie by, or be moored within twenty rods of any lock, except in a basin; and every master, owner, or navigator of any boat or raft, who shall violate this regulation, shall be liable to the penalty of ten dollars.

3. Every boat or raft is required to leave a lock without unnecessary delay as soon as the same is filled or emptied, as the case may be.

4. Every boat, or raft, which shall arrive at any lock, which shall not improve the first opportunity of passing the same, shall lose its preference.

5. Squared headed or sharp cornered scows, or boats, shall have a semicircular platform firmly fastened upon the bow thereof, so as to prevent and protect other boats or scows from a contact with either of the corners thereof: and every square headed or sharp cornered boat or scow which shall navigate the canal without such platform, shall be charged in addition to the present rates of toll four cents per mile.

6. No carcass of any dead animal or putrid substance of any kind, shall be thrown into the canal, or into any basin, or feeder connected therewith: and a breach of this regulation shall subject the offender to a fine of five dollars.

7. Owners, masters, or navigators of boats passing on the canal are required to stop with their boats at every collector's office, and exhibit their clearance and bill of lading, and on arriving at the place of destination to report such arrival to the collector, (if such place shall contain a collector's office) before any part of the cargo is discharged from said boat, and for every violation of this regulation, the owner, master, or navigator of such boat shall be liable to a fine of twenty-five dollars.

8. The clearance of every boat shall be exhibited to the first lock-tender, after such boat shall have left a collector's office, and in default thereof the lock-tender shall not permit such boat to pass through the lock.

9. Collectors, lock-tenders and superintendents are hereby required, on every of the above regulations, to make an entry of the nature of every offense, the names of the offenders, the time and place where committed, and the names of witnesses. And it is farther strictly enjoined on each of the above officers to carry these regulations into full effect.

The foregoing penalties are to be sued for and collected in the manner prescribed by the 22d section of an act, entitled "an act for the maintenance and protection of the Erie and Champlain canals and the works connected therewith," passed April 13th, 1820.

SAMUEL YOUNG,

HENRY SEYMOUR,

Wm. C. BOUCK.

March 14th, 1826.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, June 2, 1826

Canal Revenue. - If our readers are not generally in a money-making way, these hard times, it will afford them some consolation to know that our State is in a prosperous condition. The Collector at this place informs us, that he received for Canal Tolls in one day, during the past month, $1,006 - and during the same week, $5,574, averaging nearly $1,000 a day.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, Aug. 25, 1826

The Canal Packet Boat fare, on the whole route from Schenectady to Buffalo, is now reduced from 4 to 3 cents per mile, including board, and 2 cents per mile, exclusive of board.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Friday, July 6, 1827

We are informed by the Collector of the Canal toll in this village, that on the first day of this month, he had received $32,527.96 in tolls. The Canal had then been open only seventy days.

Diary in America, by Captain Frederick Marryat. Published in 1839 by Longman, Orme, Brown, Green & Longmans. 

Vol. 1 Chapter XII

Set off for Oswego in a canal boat; it was called a packet-boat because it did not carry merchandise, but was a very small affair, about fifty feet long by eight wide. The captain of her was, however, in his own opinion, no small affair; he puffed and swelled until he looked larger than his boat. This personage, as soon as we were under weigh, sat down in the narrow cabin, before a small table; sent for this writing-desk, which was about the size of street organ, and, like himself, no small affair; ordered a bell to be rung in our ears to summon the passengers; and, then, taking down the names of four or five people, received the enormous sum of ten dollars passage-money. He then locked his desk with a key large enough for a street-door, ordered his steward to remove it, and went on deck to walk just three feet and return again. After all, there is nothing like being a captain.

Although many of the boats are laid up, there is still considerable traffic on this canal. We passed Rome, a village of two thousand inhabitants, at which number it has for many years been nearly stationary. This branch of the canal is, of course, cut through the levels, and we passed through swamps and wild forests; here and there some few acres were cleared, and a log-house was erected, looking very solitary and forlorn, surrounded by the stumps of the trees which had been felled, and which now lay corded up on the banks of the canal, ready to be disposed of. Wild and dreary as the country is, the mass of forest is gradually receding, and occasionally some solitary tree is left standing, throwing out its wide arms, and appearing as if in lamentation at its separation from its companions, with whom for centuries it had been in close fellowship.

Extremes meet: as I looked down from the roof of the boat upon the giants of the forest, which had for so many centuries reared their heads undisturbed, but now lay prostrate before civilisation, the same feelings were conjured up in my mind as when I have, in my wanderings, surveyed such fragments of dismembered empires as the ruins of Carthage or of Rome. There the reign of Art was over, and Nature had resumed her sway—here Nature was deposed, and about to resign her throne to the usurper Art. By the bye, the mosquitoes of this district have reaped some benefit from the cutting of the canal here. Before these impervious forest retreats were thus pierced, they could not have tasted human blood; for ages it must have been unknown to them, even by tradition; and if they taxed all other boats on the canal as they did, ours, a canal share with them must be considerably above par, and highly profitable.

At five o’clock we arrived at Syracuse. I do detest these old names vamped up. Why do not the Americans take the Indian names? They need not be so very scrupulous about it; they have robbed the Indians of everything else.

After you pass Syracuse, the country wears a more populous and inviting appearance. Salina is a village built upon a salt spring, which has the greatest flow of water yet known, and this salt spring is the cause of the improved appearance of the country; the banks of the canal, for three miles, are lined with buildings for the boiling down of the salt water, which is supplied by a double row of wooden pipes. Boats are constantly employed up and down the canal, transporting wood for the supply of the furnaces. It is calculated that two hundred thousand cord of wood are required every year for the present produce; and as they estimate upon an average about sixty cord of wood per acre in these parts, those salt works are the means of yearly clearing away upwards of three thousand acres of land. Two million of bushels of salt are boiled down every year: it is packed in barrels, and transported by the canals and lakes to Canada, Michigan, Chicago, and the far West. When we reflect upon the number of people employed in the manufactories, and in cutting wood, and making barrels, and engaged on the lakes and canals in transporting the produce so many thousand miles, we must admire the spring to industry which has been created by this little, but bounteous, spring presented by nature.

The first sixty miles of this canal (I get on very slow with my description, but canal travelling is very slow), which is through a flat swampy forest, is without a lock; but after you pass Syracuse, you have to descend by locks to the Oswego river, and the same at every rapid of the river; in all, there is a fall of one hundred and sixty feet. Simple as locks are, I could not help reverting to the wild rapids at Trenton Falls, and reflecting upon how the ingenuity of man had so easily been able to overcome and control Nature! The locks did not detain us long—they never lose time in America. When the boat had entered the lock, and the gate was closed upon her, the water was let off with a rapidity which considerably affected her level, and her bows pointed downwards. I timed one lock with a fall of fifteen feet. From the time the gate was closed behind us until the lower one was opened for our egress, was exactly one minute and a quarter; and the boat sank down in the lock so rapidly as to give you the idea that she was scuttled and sinking.

The country round the Oswego is fertile and beautiful, and the river, with its islands, falls, and rapids, very picturesque. At one p.m. we arrived at the town of Oswego, on Lake Ontario; I was pleased with the journey, although, what with ducking to bridges, bites from mosquitoes, and the constant blowing of their unearthly horn with only one note, and which one must have been borrowed from the gamut of the infernal regions, I had had enough of it.

For the first time since my arrival in the country, no one—that is to say, on board the canal-boat—knew who I was. As we tracked above the Oswego river, I fell into conversation with a very agreeable person, who had joined us at Syracuse. We conversed the whole day, and I obtained much valuable information from him about the country: when we parted, he expressed a wish that we should meet again. He gave me his name and address, and when I gave my card in return, he looked at it, and then said, “I am most happy to make your acquaintance, sir; but I will confess that had I known with whom I had been conversing, I should not have spoken so freely upon certain points connected with the government and institutions of this country.” This was American all over; they would conceal the truth, and then blame us because we do not find it out. I met him afterwards, but he never would enter into any detailed conversation with me.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Sept. 26, 1828

There is no village on the line of our far-famed Canal, that has felt the benefits which flow from this lateral channel of commerce more sensibly than Palmyra. The increase of population has been remarkable and almost unexampled. But a year prior to the completion of the Erie Canal, we could not enumerate more than 600 inhabitants. The population now contained within the limits of the corporation, may be safely estimated at 2,000. With the increase of population and mercantile business, the whole village has undergone a visible change.

A neat Church, of the Gothic order, for the Episcopalian Society, is almost prepared for consecration. Two large rows of brick buildings are now finished. A third is progressing, and will be completed before the commencement of winter. These are proud monuments of the public spirit, the persevering industry, and laudable enterprise of a few individual citizens.

Notwithstanding the great depression of the money market, and the complaints so and general of the dullness of the times, still these causes do not seem to stay the march of improvement here. Our course is onward. Nothing but some most unexpected calamity can impede our progress.

Situated in the heart of a fertile country, not yet half settled - with a progressive increase of our general wealth and resources, and a swelling tide of population pouring into our country - the most cheering prospects are before us, and bid us hasten on, by individual exertion, the halcyon days of our prosperity.

But after all, it is to the enlightened minds, the enlarged views, the magnaminous spirit and dauntless enterprise of the projectors of our grand canal, that we must attribute the benefits and prosperity that we now enjoy.

Their exertions in carrying on the work of internal improvement, against the formidable opposition which they had to encounter in its inception stage, have placed the state of New York on a good eminence - have styled her the great leader in the cause of internal improvements, and even extorted from our trans-Atlantic brethren, sentiments of applause and admiration.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 4, 1829

Chemung Canal. - We learn by a gentleman from Elmira that Mr. Hutchinson has finished the location of the feeder from Painted Post, and of the canal from the summit level to the river at the village. It enters the river a few rods above the bridge, and by erecting a dam below the village, the interests of all are very generally consulted.

The engineer was last week locating the northern section, and in a few days the whole will be ready for the inspection of the Commissioners, who were expected n the first of this month. Excavations have been made sufficient to ascertain the soil, &c. and every thing proves more favorable than its most ardent friends had ventured to anticipate. - Ib.

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Wayne Sentinel

Palmyra

Friday April 23,1830

Canal Navigation.- The Canal opened on the 20th inst. and the packet and line-boats have commenced their regular trips. Business will now revive and our villages on the great Erie Canal will feel the beneficial effects of the opening of navigation. Already we perceive the change in our own village. Enterprise, bustle and activity are every where to be seen. The villages on the canal have a decided advantage over our inland villages, and are fast outstripping them in business and increasing population. In the village of Palmyra, as flourishing in as any between Albany and Buffalo, an astonishing change has taken place within a very few years. The location of the Wayne County Bank at this place, must be attended with the most happy consequences in regard to the future growth and respectable standing of this city of the desert.

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Wayne Sentinel

Palmyra Tuesday, Dec. 6 1931.

Melancholy and fatal accident.-

Cold. Daniel Hendee of Lockville, in this county, and formerly of this village, was drowned in the canal or lock, at that place, on the night of the 29th ult. The circumstances were as follows: A boat had got entangled in the lock, at a late hour of the night, and Col. Hendee who had the charge of the lock, was assisting to extricate the boat.- He was suddenly missed, but no particular alarm was felt for is fate, until some minutes had elapsed, when a fruitless search was made for him both in the lock and through the neighborhood. The search was renewed early in the morning, when his lifeless body was found in the canal a short distance below the lock. The supposition is that he must have fallen into the lock while engaged as above stated, and drowned instantly- his body going out of the lock with the boat. Col Hendee has left a number of orphan children, and a large circle of friends and connexions to deplore his loss. His funeral was attended on Friday last.

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Oswego Free Press, Aug. 2, 1832

Several months since we noticed a very important improvement in the application of steam, discovered by our ingenious fellow citizen, Mr. Ogden Mallory. The engines, entirely of his own invention and connation, have been placed in a very neat and convenient boat, and full answer every reasonable expectation.

Last week, Mr. Mallory took a trip on our canal. At Baldwinsville he was greeted with a publick* dinner, and a number of citizens of that village accompanied him to the outlet of the Onondaga lake, and returned with him. On his return the following testimonials were sent to Mr. M. which have been kindly furnished by a friend for publication.

This should be - but what has Oswego done? Many of her citizens have not even deigned to look at this piece of mechanism to ascertain if it is an improvement or not. This is not as it should be. If it is an important, (and we are confident that it is) Oswego will be benefitted by it, and Oswego should be the first to step forward and get into notice.

Messrs. O. & S. Mallory have gone on single-handed, unaided by their fellow citizens in completion of this boat, and its machinery - much time, labour and expense have been necessary - and now that the improvement is fully tested, Oswego ought not to be behind hand in the manifestations of her approbation. But "a prophet is not without hour save in his own country." We hope, however, that these gentlemen will ere long reap from the public a reward commensurate with their desorts.*

The boat went on the canal at the rate of four miles per hour, without any injury to the banks, and in the river at the rate of six. We shall make further remarks hereafter.

Baldwinsville, July 27, 1832

CAPT. MALLORY - Sir - The undersigned beg leave to tender you their grateful acknowledgements, for the attentions of yourself and the gentlemen on board your superiour* boat, Water Witch, during their excursion from this place to the outlet of Onondaga Lake.

Also, that from what observation they had an opportunity to make, they think highly of your improvement in the steam engine.

Respectfully, your obedient servants,

(Signed)
S.W. BALDWIN,
I.F. MINARD,
THOMAS FARRINGTON,
A.C. ALLEN,
L. ROBBINS,
A. SCOVILLE,
P. BIGELOW.

CAPT. MALLORY - Dear Sir - I take great pleasure in sending you the foregoing (copy) letter, at the request of the gentlemen subscribers therein; and of adding my individual wishes for tour health, and the complete success of the Water Witch. I have the honour to be your obedient servant,

I.F. MINARD.
Baldwinsville , July 27, 1832

Notes: *Denotes spelling as it appears in the newspaper.

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The Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, 

Wednesday March 13, 1833

Palmyra

Collectors of Canal Tolls appointed by the Canal Board for the year 1833:

Chauncey Humphrey            Albany

Abijah Wheeler                     West Troy

James Myers                        Schenactady

Sanders Landing                   Little Falls

Thomas M. Francis                Utica

Bela B. Hyde                          Rome

Benjamin F. Colvin                 Syracuse

Wm. H. Noble,                        Montezuma

John Adams                           Lyons

Philip Grandin                         Palmyra

John Bowman                        Rochester

Seth L. King                           Brockport

Cephas S. McConnell        Albion

Asa W. Douglass                  Lockport

Zenas W. Barker                   Buffalo

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The Wayne Sentinel

Wednesday April 24, 1833

The Erie Canal is now open and navigable through its whole extent. The prospects for active and profitable business during the season, are flattering to all classes of our citizens; and nothing is wanted but industry and perseverance to warrant rich returns to their labors. The business on the canals will probably be somewhat pressing, till the merchants have supplied themselves with their spring goods.- The activity and enterprise of the inhabitants of the villages on the canal in Western New York, are highly complimentary to American character and perhaps there is not where to be found a more liberal and intelligent spirit, than characterizes them. Possessing all the facilities for pecuniary and intellectual aggrandizement, which a country unequaled in natural resources can furnish, they will one day be the richest and happiest people in the world, and surpassed by none in generous and honorable sentiments.

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Utica Daily Gazette, Friday, April 18, 1845

     The Canal Packets. - We advise everyone, who has not already, to take a look at some one of the larger packet boats built within the last two years to ply on the canal between this place and Syracuse. Those who have not been through these "hundred footers," have no conception of the great advance which has been made to the comfort and style of canal traveling.

     The cabins are not only so high that a six footer can walk through them erect, with his hat on, but are provided with ventilators, which secure a constant supply of fresh air in the usually crowded apartment. In finishing and furnishing the cabins nothing has been omitted that can add to their appearance or to the convenience of passengers.

     The seats are well cushioned and the ladies' saloons carpeted, and provided with every needful appliance. At this time, the boats, having been freshly painted, repaired and furnished, are looking their best, and it is an effort to resist the inclination to take a trip in them, for the pleasure of the thing along. Among other improvements, we noticed, in the Onondaga. that a snug room has been provided at the end of the gentleman's cabin, which in unpleasant weather on deck, will answer for those passengers who rely upon that great resource in canal traveling, smoking.

     The great discomfort in traveling on the canals is in the sleeping. The introduction of ventilators has greatly improved this, although we confess it still requires a person of remarkably good nerves and insensible to snoring and not particular as to bed fellows, to make a comfortable night aboard a packet boat.

     The best that can be said of it is , that there is no danger of being blown up, burnt or wrecked. No disagreeables, however, attach today traveling on the boats. With good company, or a good book, sixty or eight miles can be accomplished in the pleasantest possible manner. We especially commend the notice of those who wish to make a short trip for pleasure, the day line between here and Syracuse. This leaves at six in the morning and reaches Syracuse at the same hour in the afternoon. The distance is 61 miles, and the fare, including meals, is but $1.50!

     From Syracuse, west, there are connecting lines of excellent boats to Rochester and Buffalo. One of the boats from Syracuse is commanded by Capt. J. B. Cole, of this city, and those who are acquainted with him can appreciate the good fortune for happening to come right for taking his boat. At Syracuse also another route offers which has been rapidly gaining in popularity during the last few years. Two daily lines of packets run from Syracuse to Oswego, reaching the latter place in time for the steamboats on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence.

     This is now the fashionable route to the Falls, and is generally adopted by travelers, either on their way to or from the great point of attraction. 

     We subjoin a list of the canal packets running from this city, east and west, with the names of their respective commanders.

                                  EASTERN BOATS.

                                   8 A.M. and 7 P.M.

     Utica, Capt. Dykeman; Montgomery, Brown; Schenectady, Capt. Rankins; Saratoga, Capt. Barney; Herkimer, Capt. Harter.

                                  WESTERN BOATS.

                                   4 P.M. and 6 A.M.

     Onondaga. Capt. Myers; Oneida, Capt. Green; Syracuse, Capt. Tingley; Utica, Capt. Brandt. 

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Syracuse Daily Star, July 2, 1847

Travelling Correspondence.

Liverpool - River and Harbor Convention - Mud Lock - W.C. Bouck - Awful Accident - Baldwinsville - Corn - Fishing, &c.; &c.;

BALDWINSVILLE, JUNE 30,1847

After partaking of a most excellent supper, served up in the admirable style for which the Cerro Gordo Hotel at Liverpool is noted, I sauntered into the bar-room to gather the news and ondits of the day and place.

I found the River and Harbor Convention about to assemble at Chicago, the absorbing theme of discussion. The Onondaga lake in the vicinity of Liverpool is very shallow, and there is a manifest want of piers and light-houses and other improvements to safe navigation. The citizens of the place had that very day, with a very commendable spirit, and without distinction of party, called a public meeting to appoint delegates to attend the Convention. I learn that Col. Mars Nearing, James Johnson, Esq., Capt. John Paddock and Joseph Jaqueth, Esq., are the delegates; and from the character of the gentlemen I am sure they will warmly urge the claims of Liverpool upon the attention of the Convention.

During this forenoon, I made a passing survey of Liverpool, and was greatly pleased at the business appearance afforded by the numerous loads of salt barrels and wood filling the streets. In the afternoon we embarked in the Syracuse and Baldwinsville Daily Packet, Orion, Capt. Smith, for the latter place. Our way was still along the border of the beautiful Onondaga Lake, and continually some striking and picturesque view attracted our attention, while the urbanity and communicativeness of Capt. Smith to myself, and the kindness of the chambermaid to the children, beguiled the tedium of the passage.

At Mud Lock we exchanged out wearied horses for a fresh pair, giving assurance of faster progress, and were let down through the Lock into the Seneca River. Observing that our driver and the few persons standing around a small store near by, appeared rather ragged and destitute, I distributed among them a lot of Tracts, and left in strong hopes of their improvement.

Directly opposite Mud Lock, there lies, partly beached and partly sunk in the river the canal boat W.C. Bouck - a monument of the danger of River Navigation. I ascertained that she ran against a snag early last spring on her trip from Phoenix to Salina, and that her valuable cargo of soft wood was carried down the river and over the dam near Lock No. 1, and destroyed.The wreck made such an impression on my mind that I determined at once, to renounce the narrow views of the Democratic party, and advocate hereafter Internal improvements.

We were now gliding along on the broad bosom of the Seneca River: - the expanse of waters made us all a little fearful. We moved onward safely, though - the way enlivened by views of snug farm houses, green fields and woods, an occasional boat, and now and then a huge dead fish floating on the stream. The principal production of this part of the country is cordwood, for which there is an excellent market at Salina. Wood, like produce, is a ticklish article to deal in; fortunes are made in it, and lost, too.

At present it is in good demand, and great exertions are making by holders to bring it to market. As we neared Baldwinsville, our boat ran aground, and I thought I was about to have a practical demonstration of the dangers of navigation. Mrs. Lum fainted outright, and the children screamed as if the cries of three score years and ten were to be crowded in a few moments.

The coolness and courage of Captain Smith, however, and the able manner in which his efforts were seconded, and commands obeyed by the entire crew, soon rescued us from the appalling danger - we floated, and proceeded to the village. The passengers soon after assembled in the cabin, and organized themselves into a meeting, resolved unanimously, that no blame could be attached to Capt. Smith or his crew, on account of the accident - that to his intrepidity and exertions were they mainly indebted for their escape, and his whole conduct was deserving of great praise - and finally, that it was the duty of a republican government, to render internal navigation safe and easy. I will send you a copy of the resolutions tomorrow.

Baldwinsville is a pleasant and thriving village, situated on both banks of the river. It contains a woolen factory, three flour mills, six stores, and a variety of mechanic shops. Messrs. D.C. Lusk & Co., have benevolently fitted up a a large house for the kiln-drying corn for exportation to Ireland.

The fisheries of Baldwinsville have been this season very productive. "Old Potter," the most ancient and extensive fisherman of the place, informed me that the yield of Catfish was unusually abundant, and prices continued merely nominal; the better sorts, as Pike and Oswego Bass, were in greater demand, and might be quoted at from 3 to 4 1/2 cents per pound.

The Rev. Dr. Raver, was announced to preach at the Methodist Chapel this evening, and I had intended to hear him, but was detained at home. I greatly regretted it, for the Dr. is a "powerful preacher," and I had always been extremely anxious to hear him.

I am indebted to E.A. Baldwin, Esq., (to whom I had letters of introduction) for much valuable information and many curious statistics and facts relative to the village and vicinity.

Stephen Lum, New York City

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Syracuse Daily Star, July 12, 1847

Travelling Correspondence

Liverpool - River and Harbor Convention - Mud Lock - W. C. Bouck - Awful Accident - Baldwinsville - Corn - Fishing, &c. &c. Baldwinsville, June 30, 1847

After partaking of a most excellent supper, served up in the admirable style for which the Cerro Gordo Hotel at Liverpool is noted, I sauntered into the bar room to gather the news and ondits of the day and place. I found the River and Harbor Convention about to assemble at Chicago, the absorbing theme of discussion. The Onondaga lake in the vicinity of Liverpool is very shallow, and there is a manifest want of piers and light-houses and other improvements to safe navigation. The citizens of the place had that very day, with a very commendable spirit, and without distinction of party, called a public meeting to appoint delegates to attend the Convention. I learn that Col. Mars Nearing, James Johnson, Esq., Capt. John Paddock and Joseph Jaqueth, Esq., are the delegates; and from the character of the gentlemen I am sure they will warmly urge the claims of Liverpool upon the attention of the Convention. During this forenoon, I made a passing survey of Liverpool, and was greatly pleased at the business appearance afforded by the numerous loads of salt barrels and wood filling the streets. In the afternoon we embarked in the Syracuse and Baldwinsville Daily Packet, Orion, Capt. Smith, for the latter place. Our way was still along the border of the beautiful Onondaga Lake, and continually some striking and picturesque view attracted our attention, while the urbanity and communicativeness of Capt. Smith to myself, and the kindness of the chambermaid to the children, beguiled the tedium of the passage. At Mud Lock we exchanged our wearied horses for a fresh pair, giving assurance of faster progress, and were let down through the Lock into the Seneca River. Observing that our driver and the few persons standing around a small store near by, appeared rather ragged and destitute, I distributed among them a lot of Tracts, and left in strong hopes of their improvement. Directly opposite Mud Lock, there lies, partly beached and partly sunk in the river the canal boat W.C. Bouck - a monument of the danger of River Navigation. I ascertained that she run against a sang early last spring on her trip from Phoenix to Salina, and that her valuable cargo of soft wood was carried down the river and over the dam near Lock No. 1, and destroyed. The wreck made such an impression on my mind that I determined at once, to renounce the narrow views of the Democratic party, and advocate hereafter Internal improvements. We were now gliding along on the broad bosom of the Seneca River - the expanse of waters made us all a little fearful. We moved onward safely, though - the way enlivened by views of snug farm houses, green fields and woods, an occasional boat, and now and then a huge dead fish floating on the stream. The principal production of this part of the country is cord wood, for which there is an excellent market at Salina. Wood, like produce, is a ticklish article to deal in; fortunes are made in it, and lost, too. At present it is in good demand, and great exertions are making by holders, to bring it to market. As we neared Baldwinsville, our boat ran aground, and I thought I was about to have a practical demonstration of the dangers of the navigation. Mrs. Lum fainted outright, and the children screamed as if the cries of three score years and ten were to be crowded into a few moments. The coolness and courage of Captain Smith, however, and the able manner in which his efforts were seconded, and commands obeyed by the entire crew, soon rescued us from the appalling danger - we floated, and proceeded to the village. The passengers soon after assembled in the cabin, and organizing themselves into a meeting, resolved unanimously, that no blame could be attached to Capt. Smith or his crew, on account of the accident - that to his intrepidity and exertions were they mainly indebted for their escape, and his whole conduct was deserving of great praise -- and finally, that it was the duty of a republican government, to render internal navigation safe and easy. I will send you a copy of the resolutions tomorrow. Baldwinsville is a pleasant and thriving village, situated on both banks of the River. It contains a woolen factory, three flour mills, six stores, and a variety of mechanic shops. Messrs. D. G. Lusk & Co., have benevolently fitted up a large house for kiln-drying corn for exploration to Ireland. The fisheries of Baldwinsville have been this season very productive. "Old Potter," the most ancient and extensive fishermen of the place, informed me that the yield of Catfish was unusually abundant, and prices continued merely, nominal; the better sorts, as Pike and Oswego Bass were in greater demand, and might be quoted at from 5 to 41/2 cents per pound. The Rev. Dr. Raver, was announced to preach at the Methodist Chapel this evening and I had intended to hear him, but was detained at home. I greatly regretted it, for the Dr. Is a "powerful preacher," and I had always been extremely anxious to hear him. I a.m. indebted to E. A. Baldwin, Esq., (to whom I had letters of introduction), for much valuable information and many curious statistics and facts relative to the village and vicinity.

Stephen Law, of New York City

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Syracuse Journal, Tuesday, April 27, 1852

   The Packet Boats of the Erie Canal Company are now running regularly from Schenectady to Buffalo, without change of boats. The boats have been re-fitted in an elegant manner, and placed under experienced and gentlemanly commanders. 

    A boat will leave here every day at 6 A.M. for the East, and at 5 P.M. for the West. The fare from Schenectady to Buffalo, including board, is $5 - from this city to Buffalo, $3.

     The names of the Packets and their Captains are as follows: Monterey, A. Luther; Mohawk, N.D. Lynds; Little Falls, C. Sherwood; Buena Vista, G.W. Green; Oregon, J. Rankins; Montezuma, N. Starin. The entire line is under the superintendence of Capt. Austin Myers, whose qualifications and experience in the business is a guaranty that travelers will find every thing in apple-pie order.

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Syracuse Daily Star, Monday, May 6, 1852

     The Packet boats appear to be doing a good business this year, and we understand that thus far, the travel by that mode of conveyance is one third more this season than it has been before for several years. The Packet 'Monterey,' Capt. A. Luther, arrived here yesterday morning from Schenectady with over 80 passengers. The 'Monterey' is a superb boat and Capt. L. is polite and oblikging to his passengers, and does everything that is in his power to make them comfortable and happty while on board.

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Syracuse Daily Journal, Sat., April 16, 1853

     We notice that the boatmen are cauliing and painting the boats lying in the Canal Basin, preparatory to the resumption of Spring navigation. Every thing now in the business line begins to wear a more cheerful aspect. Forwarders, boatment and business men generally, are looking forward to the opening of navigation with a great deal of interest.

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Syracuse Evening Chronicle,  April 21, 1853

     No packets run east or or west this season, except the Jordan Packet, which commenced its trips yesterday. 

(Note: The Rochester & Syracuse Railroad was opened June 1, 1853 which essentially put the packetboats out of business).

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Syracuse Daily Journal,  Sat., April 23, 1853

     The Jordan Transcript thus speaks of the neat little packet which runs between this City and Jordan: The packet boat Norwich commenced, on Wednesday last, her regular trips for the season, between this place and Syracuse. Such a communication between these places is a matter of great convenience and accommodation, for, besides the pleasant ride one may have, there are many who can not always go themselves, and would be glad of the opportunity to send by some one whom they can reply upon to do their business correctly. Such an opportunity will now occur daily, ase every thing entrusted to the care of Mr. Carson, the Captain, will be as promptly attended to as thou you went in person. Those who desire a pleasant and agreeable trip to Syracuse, where they can remain some four hours, and return the same evening, will not neglect to take the packet, which leaves here at 7 A.M., and returns at 7 1/2 P.M.

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Syracuse Daily Journal,  Wed., April 27, 1853

     The total amount of tolls taken in at the Canal Collector's office in this city, up to 10 o'clock yesterday morning, was $2.042.21.

     The Canal is now in good order east of the City, and loaded boats have continued to arrive from New York since Monday noon. No boats, however, had reached here from farther west than Rochester, yesterday afternoon. The first boat through was the "City of Albany," from Albany. Business is not yet lively.

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Syracuse Daily Journal, Sat., April 30, 1853

     Large Break in the Canal

    A break occurred in the Erie Canal, near the village of Orville, about six miles east of this city, on Thursday, and so rapidly was the bank washed away, that in a short time about twenty feet of the heel path was entirely destroyed. Nearly one hundred feet of the toepath (sic) was also much injured. The break is just at the east end of the aqueduct over the Butternut Creek, and the earth is washed away to such an extent, as to leave a large part of the wall exposed.

     A large force of workmen are engaged in repairing it, and it is supposed that it will be finished sometime tonight, but it is exceedingly doubtful. Boats are "laying up" for a great distance on each side. The Packet Basin in front of our office is full of fine looking boats.

     When the break occurred, the boat John Adams, from Buffalo, loaded with pork going east, happened to be passing, but so rapid was the passage of the water through the break, that she was broken fairly in two. The bow, we are informed, stands almost perpendicular. We did not learn the amount of the loss.

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Syracuse Daily Journal, Tuesday, May 10, 1853

              Another Break in the Canal Break in the Canal.

                                         ____

     The Canal gave way about 4 o'clock Sunday afernoon, near Orville, at the place where the large break occurred a few days  ago, and has caused nearly as bad a breach as the former one. About sixty or seventy feet of the berme embankment, just east of the Aqueduct over the Butternut Creek, are entirely washed away.

     The channel of the Canal is also cut out badly for nearly three hundred feet, and the tow path slightly injured for some distance. The walls of the Aqueduct, which is an old one, are cracked some, and one of the abutments started considerably, although there are no fears that it will give way.

     Dams have been built, allowing boats to lie on the level on each side of the break. The work of repairing commenced briskly yesterday morning, by  large force of workmen and teams, and it is thought the embankment will be thrown up so that boats can pass tomorrow morning. There is however some doubt the work being completed in so short a time. We learn that the break is too serious to admit it.

     At the time the break occurred, Superintendent King was on the bank examining the late repairs, which were pronounced gooed by the experienced. Boats are lying up fast, and before night the level through this city will be full.

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Syracuse Daily Journal, Friday, May 13, 1853

     The Break at the Orville Aqueduct is entirely repaired, and boats are now passing quite rapidly. The first one which passed was the "E. Leaman," of Reding, at 12 o'clock Wednesday night.  Business again looks lively, and we hope it will be long before it will be suspended by a similar, or any other cause.

     The amount of toll received at the Collector's office up to 10 o'clock yesterday, was only $76.80, showing what effect the break had upon business.

     A great deal of praise is due to the Canal Officers for their indefatigable exertions to repair the break at the speediest possible moment. No one of them, we are assured, took any rest, or changed their clothes from the occurrence of the break, until every thing was ready for the passage of boats.

     The system of numbering each boat as it came up was admirable, preventing all attempts to get locked through out of place, and consequently many fights and rows.

     Every boat on the level through this City had left before yesterday afternoon.

____________

Syracuse Daily Journal, Mon., May 23, 1853

     On Thursday last, while the packet boat Norwich was making her regular trip between Jordan and Syracuse, she came in collision with a large, loaded boat and sunk in a short time. Mr. Carson, we understand, will soon be on hand with another "craft," to take the place of the Norwich.

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Syracuse Daily Journal, Wed., June 1, 1853

        A Canal Break at Adams'  Basin.

                        ____

     A break occurred in the Erie Canal at 1 o'clock, on Sunday morning, at Kings and Adams' Basin, about 15 miles west of Rochester.

     A despatch to the Albany Journal states that a culvert has gone out with forty yards of the heel and tow path, and forty feet of the bottom. It will take at least from eight to ten days, and it may be a longer time, to repair it, owing to the absence of teams and men.

     The Rochester Democrat gives the following account of it:

     A large culvert near that place has given way, and the towing-path and berm bank have both been carried away for several yards. Two boats, one loaded with coal and the other having a cargo of Railroad iron, were drawn into the gulf, and it was found necessary to break them up in order to remove them. The water in the long level was rapidly reduced by this outlet, and loaded boats were soon aground. Dams were at once constructed, however, and the channel at this point is nearly full again. Boats will be able to ply Eastward from this place without hindrance.

     We regret to learn that Mr. Warner, the Superintendent, is now sick, and unable to attend to the repairing of the break. The work, however, will be prosecuted with despatch, and with good weather and other circumstances favorable, the break will be mended in from six to ten days - probably two or three days within the latter period. 

     We shall have further accounts for our morning edition.

     The Union of last evening has the following:

     The boat "F.V.D. Horton," of the Eckford Line, bound to Buffalo with a cargo of Railroad iron, was carried into the breach and left a complete wreck. The scow boat "Estes," of Jordan, laden with coal, shared the same fate. The cargo of both boats have been removed, and the boats destroyed to get at the culvert. the scow boat "S. Pratt," laden with cement, was also partially drawn into the breach, but she will be saved.

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From the Troy Whig, Thursday, Jan. 10, 1873

     A young lad, poorly clad in a starving condition, wondered into the first precinct station house yesterday afternoon in search of something to eat and a place to rest his weary frame. Captain Quigley interrogated the unfortunate stranger, and gleaned the following facts in regard to his past life and adventures. The lad is seventeen years of age and his name is Wolcott Tier. 

     Two years ago he lived happily at his home in Oswego, but his father died and his mother married a man by the name of Andrew View. His stepfather had no sooner taken possession of the house than he laid all kinds of plans to get rid of the boy.

     For scarcely any cause whatever, he would whip him, notwithstanding the earnest protestations of the mother, who was also abused by him for interfering in her son's behalf. He stood the treatment for two months and then resolved to leave the house and earn a living at some other place.

     He informed his stepfather of his intentions and the latter encouraged his resolution and told him never to enter the house again. He accordingly left one cold night in December, 1871, after bidding his broken hearted mother farewell, promising her he would return sometime, in better circumstances. But his expectations have not been realized, as his career since that time has been attended with a series of misfortunes.

     He first went to Syracuse where he worked until the canal opened, then obtaining a position as driver he remained on the tow path until he became tired of the drudgery of his vocation knowing well that he was capable of better work.

   Finally he concluded that he would return once more to his home. His mother entreated her husband to let him remain, as he promised to use every endeavor to make himself useful in the future, but her appeal was in vain. He stayed in Oswego for some time and was often in sight of his mother's house, but never after that time did he enter it.

     When the canal was opened last spring, necessity, not choice, compelled him to return again, as driver for  a canal boat. He procured a position in that capacity on the boat "A.D. Hoyt,"  and was promised $15 a month and his board. The captain, 

however, took advantage of his condition, and only at times could he obtain money, and then in small quantities.

    The summer passed and his boat was among the last that came down the Erie Canal from Buffalo. On reaching New York the captain decamped and the employees, Tier among the rest, were left in a strange city without a cent. He has managed, since that time, barely to keep himself alive, and yesterday arrived in Troy exhausted and discouraged.

     Captain Quigley kindly gave him a place to sleep and afterward had him taken to the county house. He is willing to work, but ever since he left home, which now has a "serpent on the hearth," he has been running again running against the stream until at last he has been obliged to give up.

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Buffalo Express, Sept. 16, 1882

Serious Canal Break

Syracuse, Sept. 15. - There is a serious break in the Erie Canal near Camillus. Two boats were swept into the breach. One coal boat was broken in two. The berme bank is carried away 100 feet cutting out the bottom of the canal to the depth of 30 feet. The tow-path is also broken some distance. Engineers and a force of laborers are repairing the damage. It will probably require a fortnight for repairs. The escaped water from the canal was safely carried away by the Nine-mile Creek. The breach is at the east side of the Nine -mile-creek aqueduct and difficult to manage.

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Oswego Palladium, June 28, 1879

Old Zack. Barnes.

_____

Death of the Most Notable Man in the Early History of Boating on the Erie - The Murderer of Van Schaik and His Eventful Life.

____

Zachariah Barnes died in Forestport, Oneida county, a few days ago, aged about 67 years. Zack. Barnes was one of the earliest and most noted boatmen on the Erie Canal, when life on the erie was one of adventure and hard knocks.

Our townsman, Chester Penfield, contributes the following history of Barnes, which involves also some interesting reminiscences of early boating on the Erie:

The death of Zachariah Barnes, when it came to the notice of the writer, revived old recollections, the earliest of which was in the year 1832 in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida county, in a place called Spencer Settlement, three miles southeast from Rome - a place where a large number of boatmen lived.

In this place lived Zachariah Barnes and boarded with his brother, james, a farmer. Zack, as he was called, followed the canal summers and boarded with his brother winters. He was a powerful man physically, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, with broad chest, small waist, long arms and a wonderful ability to use his feet for self defense, leaving very little for his hands to do in a fight.

It was noted that he would stand very close to a man when in an altercation and with the utmost ease kick him in the face. As fighting was a common practice in the early history of the Erie Canal, he became noted among boatmen as the champion. Zack had accumulated a little competence by saving and industry, and bought a small farm. He was temperate in his habits and had formed the acquaintance of a respectable young lady and was expecting after the close of the canal in the fall of 1834 to be married; but an evil spirit brooded over his destiny in a fight with a man named Daniel Van Schaik of New London, Oneida county. He killed Van Schaik and went to Rome and surrendered himself to the sheriff.

He was tried for murder and defended by Joshua Spencer and Henry A. Foster; was convicted of manslaughter in he third degree and was fined $1,000, which his brother paid for him, taking the farm. This event changed the whole history of this man.

The young lady refused to marry him, and remained single, but died a few years later with a broken heart. Barnes took to drink and tried to drown the recollection of the Rome swamp tragedy. Following the canal for several years, with an increasing appetite for drink, he became at last incapable of following the occupation of inland navigator, had to leave the canal, and at last yielded to the king of terrors.

Such is a brief outline of a character who was widely known among the old boatmen and old citizens of Oneida county. The numerous incidents of his erratic career are well known to old boatmen that it would be useless to recount them; but one showing his prominent trait of kindness to the poor, may be mentioned.

He was a strong wrestler, and on one occasion he desired to assist a poor widow to buy a cow. So he accepted a challenge to wrestle the champion in that section for $25, the stakes, if won, to be given to the poor woman to buy a cow. He won the match, dislocating his opponent's ankle. The stakeholder bought the poor woman a cow and barrel of flour with the money.

Zack never married, having sworn a vow after the Van Schaik murder and the result it had on his engagement with the young woman, that he would never marry, and which he kept. He was for many years the notable figure among Erie Canal boatmen, who in spite of his failings, will be sorry to hear that he is dead.

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Albany Evening Journal, July 23, 1900

(Excerpt from a state appropriations bill)

Superintendent of Public Works

For the superintendent of public works, for the purpose of properly draining the old bed of the Erie Canal, from a point about one-half mile west of the hamlet of Pilgrimport, in the county of Wayne, to the village of Lock Berlin in said county, in such manner as to prevent stagnant water in said bed, the sum of two thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary.

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Syracuse Post-Standard, Sunday, Aug. 9, 1903

WHEN FAST TRAVELING WAS DONE BY PACKETS

_____

Reminiscences of the Passenger Traffic of Central New York

Fifty Years Ago Recalled by Discussion of
Utility of Canals

____

NEWARK, N.Y., AUG. 8. - In these days when the utility of the canals is being extensively discussed in Central New York, some description of the passenger service of half a century ago will be of interest.

Captain Chilon B. Lusk, one of the oldest residents of this village, has many interesting reminiscences concerning the line boat and packet boat service on the Erie canal, when the canal, as he says, was no more than a creek. Mr. Lusk is probably one of the oldest boatmen in this part of the state, having been retired from the business some twenty years.

Mr. Lusk's description of the packet boat and line boat's service is highly entertaining, as there are few alive today who owned boats and carried passengers at the time when the railroads were in their infancy, and the main line of the New York Central had not been built.

Competition Was Brisk

The competition was mainly between the different line boats, transportation companies and the then fast packets. The captain of a packet would often bribe the driver of the packet ahead of him to go slower in order that his boat might reach the dock first.

Mr. Lusk commenced boating when very young as a cabin boy on a line boat. He afterwards became owner of a line boat which he chartered in the Evans Transportation Company of Albany, running from Albany to Buffalo.

The line boats were larger than the packet boats and were drawn by two horses. They were built to carry passengers and their luggage, comprising sometimes all their household goods, as many people were then emigrating to the West. The line boats charged 1 1/2 cents per mile transportation, including board and lodging. Boats were often stalled among other boats for several days and if it had not been for the high rate charged for luggage the transportation companies would have been candidates for bankruptcy. No extra charge for meals during such delays was made.

Among the line boat transportation companies of that day were the Western, New York & Erie, New York & Ohio, Troy & Erie, Troy & Ohio. The line boats stopped anywhere along the canal to take on passengers. Many of the people after residing in the West for eight or ten years returned by these boats with a forlorn expression and wearing the same hats as they wore when they went West except possibly, some new trimming.

Greatly to Mr. Lusk's indignation on one trip the transportation company filled his boat with emigrants to the number of 100 and he had a narrow escape from death at the hands of one of the emigrants before they were landed at Buffalo. It was his duty to collect tickets from such as had them and money from such as had not.

Asking a fierce looking Italian for his ticket he was told that he had none, and while endeavoring to collect the fare the Italian drew a knife and made for Mr. Lusk, who quickly escaped to the deck, preferring to let the Italian have free passage than run further risk of his life.

Elaborately Fitted Packets

The packet boat were built for fast travel and did not carry freight. They were about eighty feet long and twenty feet wide and painted white with red and green. The interior was elaborate for those days. At the front of the boat was a state room for the ladies, at the rear was a kitchen, while a long table on which meals were served occupied the center of the boat. On each side of the boat were three tiers of berths which were made up at night, the passengers going on deck during the process. A curtain separated the women from the men.

     For the trip 2 1/2 cents a mile, including board and lodging, was charged, the boats making about six miles per hour, drawn by three horses in tandem.  A packet went west in the morning and east in the evening, the trips being from Schenectady to Utica, Utica to Syracuse, Syracuse to Rochester, Rochester to Buffalo.

Some of the packet boat captains who were from this village are: Dan Bromley, who ran a boat from Rochester to Buffalo; Captain Hull and Captain Lyon, between Syracuse and Rochester. The cooks on the packet boats were generally colored.

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Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Sat., Aug. 30, 1913

3 Workmen Entombed When Trestle Gives Way
on Barge Canal at Lyons

_____

One Dead When Recovered and Two Badly Injured -- Name of Victim Unknown,
Dumping Dirt Over Embankment.

_____

(Special to the Democrat and Chronicle)

Lyons, Aug. 29. - One man is dead and two are seriously injured as the result of a trestle giving way in this village tonight, shortly after 7 o'clock, precipitating a dinkey engine and four dirt cars down a 15-foot embankment. The name of the injured man is Peter Zoster. The names of the other two could not be learned.

The accident occurred at the Geneva street crossing, on the Barge Canal construction work. The contract at this point is held by the Great Lakes Construction Company. Dirt and rock were loaded as the cars from the excavation for a lock and drawn to the trestle, where they were dumped over the embankment.

The train was standing on the trestle and the men were shoveling the dirt off the cars. Two cars had been emptied and the workers had started on the third when suddenly the trestle, which was constructed of wood, gave way with a crash and precipitated the train down the embankment. The men went down with the train and were buried from sight by tons of earth and rock.

A gang of men was hurried to the spot as soon as possible as soon as possible and worked frantically to rescue the entombed men. Zoster was the first one reached. He was immediately taken to the Lyons Hospital, where the physicians worked over him for some time to bring him to consciousness. Ht was finally announced he would probably recover, although his recovery would be slow. His injuries for the most part were confined to the head and shoulders.

In the meantime another workman had been unearthed after a considerable amount of earth had been removed and a car which pinned him down had been hauled off him. He was taken to the office of Dr. E.W. Carr, where it was found that his head and shoulders were also painfully bruised. His number is 676.

The third man was buried so deep that it was some time before the rescuers came to his body. Dr. C.A. Killip worked hard to bring him to, but his efforts were fruitless. The body was taken to Bayheim's undertaking rooms.

No one could be located who knew the dead man's name as he had just come to this village recently. The Coroner has been notified and an investigation will take place.

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Utica Saturday Globe, October 23, 1920

The Passing Romance of the Erie

____

Strange, Squat, Square Cargo-Carriers Take the Place

of the Graceful-Prowed Wooden Boats That for a Century

Wore Smooth the Wonderful Stone Walls of the Locks

and Made New York the Metropolis - A New Romance

of Traffic Dawns.

____

That squat, square, sort of coffin-shaped thing that you see floating in he water is the latest style in canal boat.

Possibly you folks in New York State do not know it, but all this time navigators have been experimenting with the sort of boat to use on the Barge canal, the great waterway on which your state has spent some $156,000,000.

Commerce did not really begin to take hold of the canal until this summer. The railroads fell down badly in their job. Go anywhere and you would have businessmen say, "They are good enough, but we can't get delivery. Heaven knows, after a thing is shipped, low long it will take the railroads to get it through."

Obviously, commerce had to find some way out. It knew there was a Barge canal. It looked into its possibilities.

This is the result!

Now, isn't that a fine looking box to put afloat on the costly waterway of the Empire State? Who'd ever take that thing for a boat? Which end is the prow?

Replaces the Canal Boat of Tradition

Well, it surely is some different from the old, rounded-prowed, wooden canal boats that made the Erie canal famous, those white boats that used to float leisurely at the end of the tow line, the other end of which was carried by a more or less delegated trio of mules.

Those wooden canal boats that are disappearing used to float through our cities. Anon the steersman would give the cry "low bridge!" and all hands on deck would duck.

You possibly remember how that class phrase was given literary standing some 20 years ago by David Harum, who tried it out on a room-ful of swell society, and nine-0tenths of them scrooched.

A wooden canal boat of the old type was not without grace. Many of these boats were works of great skill of the hands of the old boat builders, who had dry docks at places like West Troy (that was before it was Watervliet) and at Waterford, and at other places along the Erie. Old-time canalers used to take pride in their boats. One such craft represented an investment of three or four thousand dollars.

It was something more than just a freight carrier; it was the hope of the skipper and his family for the greater part of the year, and many of them, when the ice fetters of winter locked the canals, would tie up in the Erie basin at New York in salt water that did not freeze, batten down the hatches and live there snug and dry all winter.

The Home of Generations of Canalers

Whole generations were born, lived, worked, made their livelihood, married and reared families and died on the old Erie canal. The sterns of the old boats were occupied as living quarters by the family. Often the bow was taken up largely with a "towed-in the line," which is to say, unless he hired teams and drivers from one of the towing companies which made it a business to have mules and drivers along the line of the canals.

Carrying one's own equine motive power was costly. There always had to be a double set of horses or mules, and team riding and resting while the other took its turn of eight or ten hours on the path. When it came to changing teams, thee was a great clattering up the steep gang plank from the hold of the boat. Sometimes a mule would fall into the canal. To this day you can find slips at intervals wheere a mule could be rescued up an inclined plane leading from the canal bed to the tow path.

When canaling was like that, it was a family institution. The living quarters were often as neat and attractive as any house. You could see happy families afloat, sometimes with the family wash suspended on lines over the deck, sometimes with the folks swinging in hammocks, sometimes with the blue smoke curling up from the stove pipe and savory odors coming from the kitchen. Then they would hail the driver of the mules with a long-drawn, "He-e-y D-rivee!" and he would give the beasts a parting crack, and hope the critters would keep going until a substitute driver jumped from the boat to the towpath. Family life was one of leisurely comfort on a well ordered boat.

The Flavor of "The Sixteens"

There were jarring scenes going through the locks. Canal profanity had to be prolific and original. To go "through the sixteens" at Cohoes was an ordeal which took the best part of the day, especially when there were many boats ahead, and the lock tenders had to have a round of drinks before they would bend their backs to the great brawn that swung the gates to let the boats through.

Smooth worn are those locks, splendid pieces of masonry, with great grooves worn in them where countless towlines for a century made themselves channels. The snubbing posts are likewise worn smooth, and the great beams on the gates are like glass where the backs of lock-tenders for a hundred seasons rubbed, as their heels dug into the cleats, and they forced the gates around.

An Epic of the Past

It is all an epic of the past. You never will see it again. For several years things have been in a transitional state, while navigation was accommodating itself to the new waterway.

An attempt was made to adapt the old canaling to the new channel, but it has proved futile. The old type of boat, a cross between a freighter and a cottage, with all the comforts of home, has begun to disappear forever. It parted company with the mule several years back. Fewer and fewer boats of the Erie canal type have been plying the State waters. There was awaited the "new type" of boat which the projectors of the Barge canal were always talking about.

The advent of New Commerce

The new type did not appear until the government took hold of the proposition in 1913. The war demanded greater transportation facilities. A commission was named by the government to look into the matter of inland waterways.

To make a long story short, the commission recommended a fleet of tow boats and barges for the Barge canal in New York State. The new commerce had begun.

The government has had many knocks in connection with its taking hold of the Barge canal, but its commission and its naval architects, devised the first real cargo boat and propeller especially for the Barge canal, boats adapted for its traffic. The government commission took on the firm of Cox and Stevens of New York, who made a business of studying navigation conditions. They looked into both the Mississippi and Barge canal needs.

This is what this concern did for the Barge canal: It designed two sorts of boats - the cargo barge and the propeller boat. The government made contracts for 51 of the former and 20 of the latter.

The more interesting is the propeller boat. This is a steel, oil-burning boat, a queer looking craft, a sort of cross between a canal boat and a torpedo boat destroyer. It has the prow and the general squat look of an Erie cargo boat, greatly enlarged, and it has the funnels, portholes and stack and a little of the rakish air of a destroyer.

This propeller boat is of steel and burns oil for its fuel. It is 150 feet long, 20 feet wide and 12 feet deep. Besides its engine, its 1,200 gallons of fuel oil and its crew, it can carry 350 tons of freight.

It has a pilot house amidships - a funny place for a pilot house, you'll say, until you know that this propeller is designed to push one cargo boat, and pull two, and being second in a line of four boats, the steersman has to see forward and backward. Besides, steering a string of four boats so arranged requires different steering from steering one boat. The pilot has a way of using the rear boat as a rudder for the fleet.

The cargo boat is about the same as the propeller boat, except that it has no engine, ports, funnels and stack and is devoted entirely to freight, with the exception of the crew's quarters. One of these boats can carry 500 or more tons, and thousands of bushels of grain are now being carried from Buffalo to tide-water by these boas. Some cargo boats are of steel and others of concrete.

One propeller and three cargo boats make a "unit" of four, which fills comfortably a Barge canal lock. Up to the present time this is the most efficient type of transportation on the great waterway.

Named for New York Counties

Tribute is paid to New York State in that the 20 propellers are named after 20 counties that border the Barge canal route. These are Albany, Dutchess, Greene, Herkimer, Monroe, Montgomery, Orange, Orleans, Ontario, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schuyler, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Wayne, Westchester and Yates.

There is a whole string of business concerns, growing longer all the time, which have their own boats on the canal. They have found it more advantageous to ship bulk freight by water than by motor truck or by rail.

Besides these, the chief concern that is taking up Barge canal commerce as part of its transportation business is thew Transmarine Corporation of Newark Bay, New Jersey.

This is the company that has devised and put into operation that queer, square, sepulchral box which you see in the picture. It launched the first of eight of these late last summer, and within a few days three of them were loaded, and started for Buffalo. The plan was to follow with eight launches every month, until 44 should make up the company's fleet for canal navigation. This concern also has a terminal and warehouse facilities at Buffalo.

The boats of this square type and the government boats are not limited to the Barge canal channel. They are seaworthy, and it is not uncommon for them to take a cargo directly from Buffalo around to Providence or Boston, or down to Norfolk, Va.

Old Canalers Fear The Tossing Sea

And here is the hitch: old canalers, slack water boatmen; the sort who were accustomed to smoking heir pipes in dreamy contemplation, as they leaned against the rudder while their children played about them, and geraniums blossomed in the cabin window, and the skipper's good wife was hanging out the family wash, and the boat went three miles an hour through the placid waters of the old Erie canal - such a skipper does not take kindly to the tossing waves. He would face an angry lock tender, but not an angry sea. He trusts not even the strong steel hulls to the tempestuous tossing out of sight of land. Even the five or six hours it takes to navigate Oneida Lake appall him, unless the weather is calm.

Therefor, it is no surprise to find these new craft manned with deep-sea sailors, who talk in terms of knits and bells, instead of miles and hours, who have crossed the ocean many times, who have sailed the seven seas, and who have been through the Straits of Magellan.

There is a new chapter begin in the romance of the canal. The old, the century-old story is a closed book. The geraniums soon will bloom no more in the cabin windows of the "Mary Smith of Tonawanda," or the "Henry Burleigh of Whitehall." There is no room for the skipper's wife and children on the new barges. You never see the wash hung out. Domestic scenes are lacking, and the boats plunge along at the mad rate of perhaps 10 miles an hour in the channel.

The Old Romance Passing

The old romance of the Erie is ending. The sedate wooden craft, the sort that brought glory to the name of DeWitt Clinton, and which made New York City the metropolis of the new world, the boat whose gracefully curved prow used to breast the waters of the Erie, and left almost in wake, soon will be no more. You may find their hulks hauled up on the shore somewhere, with their gaunt ribs sticking up, mute reminder of the dead past, but their glory is fled forever.

But the new romance that is beginning is wider, bigger, richer. It reeks with oil and steam and gas. It snaps and crackles with electricity. The rattle of chains on the steel decks and the queer jargon of the sailors from the seven seas sound strange passing through the erstwhile cow pastures and meadows of mid-New York. But here is traffic which touches the outer world and brings the great heart of America into contact with the Universe.

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Lyons Republican, Oct. 26, 1950

Johnson Tells Amusing
Stories of Old Canal Days

_____

Local Cut-ups Used to Drop Stones on Barges
As They Passed Under Bridges

_____

By Edmund R. Johnson

The recent Wayne County Historical Society anniversary celebration, at which Dr. David Ennis gave such a very interesting talk, with photo-slides, about the old and new Erie Canal, stirred the writer's recollections of canals and particularly those connected with the Lyons of his boyhood.

Old-timers will remember Charlie "Tat" DeGoyler, who was one of the local cutups, and who then clerked in Sautter's Shoe Store in Canal street. One hot afternoon, when he had dressed up for some evening affair, and was alone in the store, another village wag bet him a dollar he would not dive into the canal just as he was.

Charlie immediately stepped to the rear door and took a header into it. Back then, there was an old-timer, Theodore Crager, who lived at the County Home. He was a veteran of the Civil War, and used to walk or get a lift to Lyons on occasion, to get a little liquid refreshment not on tap at the home. he had composed a long jingle, bringing in the names of many of the Lyons citizens. It went something like this:

"All right sir," says Colonel Kreutzer. "Not at all," says Billy Small. ":Yes, sir," says Mr. Messmer to Jakie Kaiser, supervisor. "I'm willing to pay a shilling for a yard of drilling," says William Zwilling.

"It;s going to storm," says William Bourne: "Only a shower," says Dr. Tower. Sully Schlee with a load of hay on his way to Sodus Bay. On the beach he'll see Fred Leach; also Fred Gucker with a real good looker. When you hear the sound of the big base drum, you'll know the lager beer has come.

The above is only a sample and the complete rigamarole went on an dos ad infinitum.

DeGolyer had memorized that nonsense and whenever he saw the old man on the street for the first line, the composer would reply with the next line, and they would continue it thus until the end, much to the amusement of any newcomers in town.

Uncle Bert Hotchkiss, father of the present Bert, told me that one of the pastimes of the boys in his time was to gather on one of the canal bridges and night, with large stones, and make bets as to who could drop one in the headlight of any passing boat. He also told me how they would throw fresh cut sod into the canal, after a rain. These would be full of worms, and would attract bullheads, insuring a fine day's fishing the next morning.

Several years ago when I was staying on a vacation at the Calvin Hotchkiss home on Water street, I was awakened about midday by tremendous howls of "Whoa! Whoa! followed by a long string of unprintable curses and name-calling by the mule diver of a boa approaching the lock, so I know by experience the choice swear vocabulary of the canalers.

While living in Philadelphia, one of our neighbors, a George Richards, told me of a unique experience on the canal. He was a native of Erie, Pa., and ran away from school to fire locomotives on the Erie Railroad. After he became a freight engineer he retired by request from that job, because on one of his trips he got tired of waiting on a siding for a coming train, pulled out on the main line and proceeded until he saw it approaching, and then had to back up. he then entered the Erie shops and became an expert mechanic.

He later went to work for an engine company in Erie and was in on the development of gas and gasoline engines. Ultimately he was sent to New York City, where he was service man on those engines, many of which were installed on residential estates for pumping water.

Along in the late 1880's one of the engines was installed in a canal boat and since such engines were very temperamental in those days, he went along as engineer on the trial trip. There were too many breakdowns and stops for repairs at various towns and they finally gave it up at Utica. At one of the locks on the way, his captain got into an argument with the captain of another boat over precedence into the lock, and when said argument reached a cursing pitch, the other captain's wife came out of the cabin and handed her husband an axe. That ending the argument.

On another occasion, they were passing a boat going in the opposite direction. This operation required the dropping of the tow rope to the other boat, so it would pass under the engine-driven one. The keel of the latter, on account of the propeller, was down so deep that the tow rope snagged it, and the mule team was dragged backward into the canal, and the ensuing language of the mule driver and his captain was lurid.

Other experiences of Richards were also very interesting. he installed one of those engines in Holland's first submarine and acted as his engineer in the trials. On one of the first submersions they went down 50 feet in New York Harbor. The air got foul and hard to breathe. Holland started to raise the boat and then passed out, having forgotten to turn on the air which was carried in auxiliary tanks.

Richards was pretty near all in when they reached the surface but he had enough strength and presence of mind to shove a wrench up through a gravity valve in the top of the sub, which would open outward but not inward, and thus got in enough air to save them both from suffocation.

On another occasion, in winter, when they were to make another trip, Holland was delayed in getting down to the dock in Hoboken, and again Richards got tired of waiting and decided to go out alone. Ice had formed on the glassed portholes in the sides of the conning tower, so he couldn't see out to guide the boat, and he according left the hatch cover open. the engine gave him some trouble, so he had to leave the wheel, every once in awhile, and duck down to look after it. He stayed down too long on one of those trips and when he came up he was across the bow of the leading boat of a canal tow and between it and the tug.

The boat hit the sub and rolled it over while he was half way out of the hatch. The sub went down and he made a quick swim and landed on an ice cake, from which he was rescued by a tug, and taken to the New York side of the river, where he dried out and returned on the ferry to Hoboken.

On getting back to the starting dock he found an old-timer who had been watching the whole affair. This man had taken some sights on where the sub went down and gave very accurate information to Richards and Holland. They went out in a row boat, located the wreck and had it raised by a diver and steam crane.

Holland was approached by one of the aggressive Irish societies who had a scheme for sinking British battleships with his sub. The only thing that came out of it was that Richards got the name of "Chief Engineer of the Irish Navy." The Peruvians also approached Holland because they were having one of those many arguments with the Chilians and wanted to use the sub against them. They offered Richards the job of running it; would pay him $51,000, and would place it in escrow, so it would go to his estate in case of his death. He didn't bite and Holland didn't either.

An article, I believe in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle last year, wondered as to the whereabouts of that first sub. Richards ad I saw the hull of it some time previous to 1912, lying outside of the Museum of Pennsylvania University, in Philadelphia.

Returning again to the Erie Canal, Williams Annual Register of New York, dated 1830, lists the amounts and kinds of freight handled on it for the year 1829, a total of 33,000 tons and the total of tolls at $161,418 John Adams was toll collector in Lyons in 1828 and he collected $27,123. Phillip Grandin collected $53,778 in Palmyra. Newark, then in its infancy, is not mentioned. The 1817 estimated operation cost of the Erie Canal was $4,881,738. In 1827 the actual cost was given at $9,027,456, but there is some question of the accuracy of this sum.

The register gives the names of various canal packet lines. One of them was the Erie Canal Packet Boat Company between Utica and Rochester, distance 160 miles, through in 46 hours, boats daily, the Buffalo, Niagara, Ontario, Rochester and Utica.

Early settlers of Lyons, many of them progenitors of present German-named citizens, came here by those packets. An early resident in a very old newspaper clipping, tells of looking out of her window very early one morning and seeing a large party of Germans cooking breakfast over fires in the village park, where they had encamped during the night.

One of these Germans went to work for Gansz, who ran a dairy farm down near Lock Berlin. His sons, who deliver the milk, undertook the job of teaching the German English, and they facetiously, as is often done to foreigners, misinformed him by substituting various unprintable words for those used commonly. The German, having a day off, went down to one of the canal bridges, stopped to look over a boat moored under the bridge, and essayed to get into a pleasant conversation with an Irishman on it, starting in by calling him some unpleasant and ribald names.

The Irishman immediately took fire, sprang ashore and started to beat up the German in an attempt to throw him off the bridge. Fortunately, the German was well built and prevented this. He went back to the arm and told Gansz what had happened, and, on inquiry, what he had said that had caused the fracas. On being told how the boys had misinformed him he started laying for them in the bar, and for two weeks the boys had to throw the lines over the horses' backs when they got near the barn, and let them go there on their own account, to keep them from getting a healthy retaliatory beating.

Charles Gutschow of Spencer street, who came to Lyons from Germany when he was 19, though not the victim of the above story, worked for Gansz at the time, and told me about it.

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Lyons Republican, Oct. 30, 1952

Dr. Ennis Writes History

Of 'Roman Arches Over River'

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By David Ennis

"Roman arches over Indian River" is what herman Melville called them - he was writing about the original Erie Canal. The gray stone arches that the traveler sees occasionally while crossing our State on the highways were built somewhat later, about a century ago, just before the Civil War, when the "Improved" Erie Canal was constructed.

Some of these "water bridges" were enormous structures, and very famous in their day such as the Lower and Upper Mohawk aqueducts; the Genesee aqueduct at Rochester, which you can still cross in a trolley car or automobile, over the swift river waters; and the Montezuma or Richmond aqueduct, over the Seneca River in the heart of the great marshes, resting on 90-foot spliced piles, designed and built by one of Lyons' distinguished citizens, VanRenesselaer Richmond, the father of Mrs. Katherine Sweet.

The first aqueduct at Lyons crossed the Ganargua River west of the present structure, between the Mindel and DeGroat farms out Layton Street way, in the days of the original water way - the grand Erie Canal of its proponents, or the "Clinton's Ditch: of those who couldn't understand how boats could be made to go up hill. All that remains of this aqueduct today are a few stones, visible only at low water, and the earthen embankment on each side just above the "Ox Bow" bend.

In these days the canal ran between the Ganargua River and Layton Street as it approached the village from the west, passed through Lyons in an S-curve, and went east back of the entire length of Canal Street through Pilgrimport to Lock Berlin and Clyde/

Our aqueduct that you can see from the bridge on the old Newark Road wasn't famous, but it functioned for over a century, and after its abandonment when the Clyde River was canalized, became a sort of monument to the canal builders and engineers of the past. With its five perfect arches, piers, and rounded abutments, it was a pleasing sight, representing a rare combination of grace, utility, and historical significance.

Now that it has been partly torn down, many doubtless feel that our village has been deprived of a landmark of singular historical and architectural significance. This is true, of course, but the structure was doomed before this and the Village Fathers cannot be accused of official vandalism here.

The real beginning of the end came not this month, but about five years ago when the State Department of Public Works removed the coping from the towpath on the side toward the Clyde River, allowing earth and vegetation to come between the great stones of the arches, which in time will cause them to fail.

This step was taken to obtain the stones for shoring up the bank between the Canandaigua outlet dam and the Leach Road, just south of the bridge over the present Lock 27, the needs of the moment having evidently obscured the greater, if less tangible, responsibility tot he future. This action occurred before the present writer was aware of it - otherwise a vigorous and possibly successful protest would have made to the highest quarters.

Last spring the Village Board received an official notice from the Department of Public Works that two of the abutments were in poor condition, their bases having become undermined. It was all too obvious that before long this part of the aqueduct would topple over, thus blocking part of Ganargua's channel and by obstructing its normal flow into the Clyde River, creating a very real hazard of increased high water at the time of the usual spring floods in this area.

There as no alternative, then, but for the local authorities to carry out this directive, and certainly they cannot be blamed for initiating the present work of partial demolition.

It is to be regretted, of course. that years ago steps were not taken to preserve this priceless landmark. With a little care it would have lasted for hundreds of years, each year becoming of greater interest and value. Let us hope that other old canal structures in the vicinity can be preserved with care.

They are splendid monuments to the efforts our forefathers made to bring about the present greatness of our State and our Country, and their contemplation and study cannot help but make us better Americans They built the longest canal in the world, in the shortest time, for the least money, and to the greatest public benefit.

(caption with photo published in the paper) Mayor Clark R. Gardner inspects the wall put up by village employees headed by Frederick Schlierman, foreman, in Maple Street, of immense stones taken from two piers on the old Erie Canal.

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Ontario Repository, Canandaigua, N.Y., Aug 6,1822

Lansingburgh July 30

Champlain Canal– Many exaggerated reports have been put in circulation, respecting the injury done to the Champlain canal, and the dam at Fort Edward, by the late freshet . The last Sandy Hill Times, a paper published in the neighborhood of the canal, contains the following article on the subject, which we believe to be correct:--

"Great fears were entertained for the safety of the dam which was undergoing repairs at Fort Edward; but which was made to ride out the storm," by the skill and unremitted exertions of the gentleman who had in charge. It gives us pleasure to be enabled to state that it is now considered out of danger, and bids fair to be completed in a short time, say three weeks."

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Geneva Gazette, Aug. 14, 1822

(From the N.Y. Spectator, Aug. 1.)

Onondaga Salt- We learn from the Albany Argus, that extensive preparations are making to manufacture salt at Salina, by evaporation in the sun , instead of boiling as has hitherto been practised. Two Companies one from New Bedford, Mass. And the other from this city, are stated to be engaged in the enterprise. The plan is the same as that practised by Judge Quincey, near Boston, as described in this paper a short time since. By the process of boiling, the bitumen which the water contains, becomes incorporated with the salt; hence its impurities and hitherto bad reputation; indeed it could not be relied on with safety, except for the purpose of agriculture and the use of stock.

An entire change by the new process will take place in this business, by which instead of an impure, weak, and fine salt, which has hitherto been made here, there will be produced a coarse salt, of a quality equal to any in the world. There is no limit to the quantity which may be manufactured on the proposed new plan, as long as the sun continues to shed its genial rays on the face of this globe, and wood can be found of which to construct an increased number of vats.

The fountain which has been pouring forth its saline stream "since time was" is an inexhaustible as the ocean itself. We have long been surprised that the process of evaporation by the sun, has not been sooner adopted. The waters at Salina are five or six times strong as the ocean, and the product must of course be in the same ratio.

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Ontario Repository, Canandaigua July 23, 1822

Erie Canal Navigation

Utica July 9

Arrived since our last. 47 boats and one raft with 4405 barrels flour 430 barrels salt 72 do. pork 64 do ashes, 1690 bushels wheat, 42229 feet boards, 6363 gallons whiskey.

Cleared same time 35 boats with 90 tons merchandise, 16 do. Mill machinery, passengers &c.

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Oswego Commercial Times, Monday, March 8, 1861

A MONSTER CANAL BOAT. - The largest canal boat we have ever seen, and we think the largest afloat, was launched on Saturday from the boat yard of Samuel Miller in this city. The new boat is called the "Abraham Lincoln," bears a handsome portrait of "Old Abe" on the stern, and belongs to Alderman George S. Alvord of this city. She is 96 feet 6 inches long, 17 feet 5 inches wide, 9 feet and 2 inches between decks. Notwithstanding her size, she draws only about thirteen inches of water. The boat is capable of carrying 11,500 bushels of wheat.

One gains a good idea of the progress of inland navigation as fostered and encouraged by the State of New York by examining this craft, which is probably twice as large as the vessel in which Columbus crossed the ocean and discovered a new world, or one-third larger than the Mayflower which landed at Plymouth Rock.

Altogether the boat is the handsomest canal craft we have ever seen, and reflects much credit upon Mr. Miller's yard. Ald. Alvord has a consort for the "Lincoln" on the stocks at the same yard, which when completed is to be called the "Hannibal Handin."

By visiting this yard, one may learn something of Oswego's activity and enterprise. Mr. Miller has three canal boats now on the stocks for repairs, and is putting the finishing touches upon a small fleet of boats. Some fifty or sixty men are kept constantly at work, getting craft in readiness to transport the surplus grain to tide-water.

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January 13, 1949

The Honorable Frank L. Gould
Mayor of the City of Oswego, N.Y.
My dear Mayor Gould:

Please accept our very deep appreciation for the friendliness and courtesy with which you and the members of the Common Council of Oswego discussed earlier this week with General Solicitor Davis and general Superintendent White over the contemplated discontinuance of Lackawanna Trains 1903 and 1906 between Syracuse and Oswego, pursuant to the authority of the Public Service Commission of New York State. Messrs. Davis and white have reported to us at length your views on this important matter, and we have given these views our various serious consideration.

No community enjoys the discontinuance of any part of its public transportation picture, and this feeling is particularly acute when such discontinuance involves the last remaining service on a certain line, as is involved herein. By the same token, we as a railroad weighed very carefully our obligations to the communities we serve, and delayed some two years coming to the decision that the economic pressure of increasing substantial losses dictated our appealing to the appropriate public authority for relief.

We did not enjoy taking this course of action. On the other hand, recognizing that our annual losses on this particular service in 1947 were more than $33,000 and that wage and material costs indicated a 1948 loss of some $43,000, there seemed no alternative to our following the course which was taken last spring and in connection with which, as you appreciate, all interested parties were given full opportunity to express their opinions.

Not only was our situation affected by rising costs, but it continues to be further aggravated by a declining patronage. Much as so many of us love the railroad and are moved by its historical traditions, it is folly not to be realistic and recognize what, in this particular territory, conventional bus transportation and good highways and for private automobiles have done competitively to the passenger transportation which we offered and for which we have for the past several years provided air conditioned cars.

That this is not an idle statement will be clearly shown by the traffic movement in May 1947 and May 1948. In the first named month, our two trains handled north of Syracuse a total of 1,289 passengers; the bus line between Syracuse and Oswego handled 111,981 passengers. In May 1948 the Lackawanna carried 824 passengers, a reduction of approximately 35 percent, while in the same month the bus line transported 114,944, an increase of almost 3,000 passengers. I am sure you will agree that these figures show quite conclusively the seriousness f the problem which we had.

In the conference this week with our representatives the suggestion was made that the trains be continued temporarily and a strong effort be made to improve the patronage. In the face of the traffic trends of several years with due recognition to the convenience of the bus and private automobile, the more convenient route that the buses take, the frequency of service which they are able to offer the community, we are forced to the conclusion that the realities of the situation do not indicate a potential traffic which would in any measure alleviate the operating losses which confront us. This factor was given serious consideration at the public hearing in connection with the discontinuance of our trains, and the representatives of the Public Service Commission designated to handle the hearing. Mr. A.H. Williamson, covered this quite thoroughly in his report to the commission, which that body approved. May I quite one pertinent sentence from his report:

"After careful consideration of the testimony submitted, indicating as it does slight use of these trains by passengers, the apparent preference for other means of transportation, the availability of passenger train service on the New York Central Railroad and frequent bus service between Syracuse and Oswego, the opportunity for expanded Star routes in mail service and the proposal of the railroad company to provide express service by local freight trains, it does not appear, in my opinion, that public convenience and necessity requires the continued operation of trains Nos. 1903 and 1906 between Syracuse and Oswego."

We are now into the fourth generation of very friendly relations between the community of Oswego and the organization which originally was the Oswego and Syracuse Railroad, now a part of the Lackawanna System. Particularly where discontinuance of service is involved, upon many occasions citizenry having the best intentions, but not familiar with the full facts of the situation, are sometimes of the mind that the carrier is arbitrary in not giving due weight in the importance of the community in carrying out this kind of an undertaking. I am sure you and the individuals of the Common Council, all successful business men, will recognize why the economies of this situation force us to discontinue this passenger train service as authorized.

May I again thank you for your very great courtesy in this matter, both at the public hearing and in the conference last week.

In connection with the negotiations for the use of a historically interesting locomotive at the very splendid Centennial which Oswego planned and carried through to a high successful conclusion last fall, I had some very interesting discussions with Mr. E.M. Waterbury, Editor of the Oswego Palladium-Times and President of the Oswego Historical Society. Because the question of this train service arose in these discussions and because of Mr. Waterbury's very great interest in this matter, I am giving him a copy of this communication, but in doing so I am requesting that he not use this letter of any part of it publicly without your personal permission.

Yours very truly,

PERRY .M. SHOEMAKER,
Vice-President, Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company

 

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The Advertiser
Lyons, Wednesday April 13, 1823

The navigation of the canal has recommenced with activity and spirit, and the superabundant produce of the country is passing rapidly to market. As the packets have not yet began their regular trips, the freight boats are many of them crowded with passengers, who have been waiting the commencement of navigation to avail themselves of this safe cheap and not unpleasant mode of traveling.

Packet Boats.

As our whole canal system is still in its infancy, it is not surprising that various and conflicting opinions should prevail upon every subject in any way connected with it, in the form of experiment; and under such circumstances, no method can tend more to elicit information, than open and free discussion. That the packet boats are pernicious to the canal, in some degree, we believe had never been denied; but whether the damage they cause to the banks, bear any proportion to the high duties levied upon them in the new tariff, seems at least problematical. If the object is to drive passengers entirely from the canals, the price of carrying them in freight boats would require to be much increased; and if only the safety of the canal, and the public revenue are regarded, we cannot but suppose the new regulations injudicious. The novelty of the work draws strangers from distant parts to view its splendor; and a passenger upon the "Grand Erie Canal," is often purchased at the expense of a long circuitous digression from the right line of the traveler’s journey. These circumstances should have their weight, and exercise their proper influence. If the packet boats are driven from the canals, the state revenue must sustain a serious injury by diminution , without, so far as we can discover, our obtaining any equivalent for the loss. We hope ere long to see such an alteration in the relative charges on packet and freight boats, as shall be judicious in itself, and enable the respective proprietors of each to compete upon fair and reasonable terms. This will give satisfaction to all parties, and enable every man to pass on the canal as he shall please, either in a packet, simply as a man; or; in a freight boat stowed with boxes and barrels, to be talked of by the ton, and known only by the "mark and number, as per margin" – — Buffalo Journal.

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Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra N.Y.
Friday April 24, 1829

The Canal- We hail the re-commencement of navigation on the Erie Canal with lively emotions. The day before yesterday, a Boat belonging to the line of Packets, passed this place eastward. Since that several others have passed, and revived in our minds sensations , which, like the channel in which they floated, had been for so many months past locked up in seclusion and repose. We understand the necessary repairs have been made, and the navigation is now open from Montezuma to Buffalo.

The impulse which this circumstance afford to life and activity in business, furnishes a gratifying relief to the dull round and listless turpitude of a long severe and tedious winter. The sound of the bugle, and the "busy note of preparation," give life and add much to the sources of hope and enjoyment.

We understand that the whole line from Buffalo to Albany, will be open and in readiness for navigation by Tuesday next.

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The Wayne Sentinel
Palmyra Friday July, 21 1829

Imposition upon Travellers.

Having just returned from a tour into Pennsylvania, and having been detained on my way home, through negligence and deception, by those concerned in the conveyance of passengers from Geneva to Newtown, and from Newtown to Geneva, by way of the steam boat Seneca Chief on Seneca Lake, I feel it a duty I owe to myself and the public, to state the manner in which I was detained.

I arrived at Newtown, on my way to Geneva on Friday, at noon intending to take the Steam Boat SENECA CHIEF, that plies between Geneva and the village of Jefferson at the head of Seneca Lake, on Saturday; but from some cause or other, was not informed that the Boat would not make her regular trip that day, until I had taken seats for myself and two children, paid my fare, and was about to get into the back that ran from Newtown to Jefferson, in connection with the Steam Boat. In consequence of this gross negligence or design on the part of the proprietors, I lost my only opportunity of reaching Geneva that week, and was detained until Monday morning, when I took the stage at 8 o’clock via Penn Yan, and arrived at Geneva the same afternoon, whereas , had I taken the Steam Boat I should not have arrived until the next morning at 7 o’clock, instead of the same day, as stated in their advertisements. I mention this as one among the numerous instances of their irregularities. The proprietors have pledged themselves to the public that they will run "regular trips up and down Seneca Lake each day (Sundays excepted)" On leaving Geneva they vary their time of starting from one to three hours, as best suits their own convenience. I could specify repeated instances and the manner, in which travelers have been deceived and imposed upon: but this I consider unnecessary at present. Fact will and shall show for themselves if required. My reason for publishing the above are not only to guard travelers against similar imposition, but with the hope that the proprietors fo the Steam Boat (Messrs. J. B and R. Rumney of Geneva,) will be induced to perform their trips with more regularity, and consult the convenience of the public, upon which they are and must be dependant for patronage.


Luther Howard.
Palmyra N.Y. July 23, 1829

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The Sailors Magazine- Feb. 1846

We find in the Syracuse Daily Star, the proceedings of a meeting of the citizens of Syracuse held on the 15th inst. To consider the condition of the orphan and destitute boys who are engaged principally as “Canal Drivers” during the season of navigation. Hon. Daniel Pratt presided, and addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. J. W. Adams, Samuel J. May and others, relative to the condition and necessities of this much neglected class.

It appears from facts elicited on this occasion, that there are about 5,000 boys engaged upon the New York Canals, one half of whom are orphans; and nearly all of whom are destitute of a home on the approach of Winter. Many of these boys are under twelve years of age, but their extreme youth and hapless, unfortunate condition, are not sufficient to exempt them from the most wanton wrongs on the part of their employers. Most of them are precocious, as well in vice as intellect, and the Canal is just the place to put them through all the gradations of crime, from stealing a sixpenny loaf or a bundle of hay up to the most daring burglary, and even murder itself. Indeed, in some instances they are instructed in theft, &c., by the Captains of these boats, who endeavor to give to those in their employ the same kind of an education they have themselves received. At the close of navigation, these “drivers” are generally destitute of money and comfortable clothing, and congregate at such places as Utica and Syracuse, upon the line of Canal, and practice upon the community the evil propensities which have been nourished and exercised upon the Canal. They seem to be regarded as outcasts. They have no home- no friends to advise or assist them- no instruction except in vice; and the jail is often regarded by them as an asylum. Of the sixteen hundred convicts who have been or now are inmates of the Auburn State Prison, four hundred and eighty had been Canal Boys.

In view of these facts, a memorial to the Legislature, drawn up by Mr. May, setting forth in earnest and eloquent language the condition of these boys, was adopted by the meeting. The memorial asks that the Legislature appoint supervisors or guardians of the canal boys, in suitable places, by whom registers shall be kept of all the youth under 20 years of age, who may be employed within their several sections, without whose knowledge and permission no youth shall be employed upon the canals; and to whose satisfactions all contracts shall be made, and all accounts settled with these boys; and establish, at convenient distances along the canals, houses under the care of suitable persons, where those canal boys who have no home may go, and be made comfortable, when not employed upon the canals; and where they may receive such mental and moral culture as they may need. In such establishments as we propose, in the charge of men and women who would be interested in the work, and competent to perform it, these neglected youth may be brought under improving, saving
influence.

The memorialists ask that in addition o these “Homes,” a “House of Refuge,” to be established at Syracuse, for the benefit of those boys who maybe found guilty of petty crimes.

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Auburn Road Stone Culverts



Pictures were included with this mailing, but I have not included those pictures on this website. by Shirley

We primarily associate old stone culverts as remnants of the Erie Canal. But many such structures still exist along railroads built in the early days. In most cases, these railroad structures predate the second enlargement of the canal. What's more, the canal has been abandoned for nearly a century and the railroad is still in use. The first one photo shows one between Phelps and Shortsville which verifies reports that the Auburn & Rochester was originally double tracked, but the second track was gone by the 1870s. The other two are also near this same location. There is certainly enough stone structure to have supported another track.

The other two shots are of a remarkably preserved stone arch culvert is just west of Waterloo. The Auburn & Rochester Railroad was in operation between Rochester and Auburn by November, 1841.

Dick Palmer

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