* Digitized Material *

Abstract 37 - H[erald] Mar. 19; ed:3/2

At a recent meeting of the canal commissioners at Albany the tolls were reduced on the New York canals. This reduction was necessary to secure the western trade.

"The modification which has just been made, we have no doubt, will have the effect to divert from our Canadian brethren a portion, at least, of the trade which would have passed through the Welland to the Erie Canal. Let this be as it may, the benefit which will result to the merchants and others in this region of country will be sensibly felt." (5)

Abstract 38 - H Apr. 2:3/4

It is anticipated that the repairs which have been under way on the canal will be completed so that navigation will be open over its entire length within a few days. (1)

Abstract 39 - H Apr. 9:3/2

Notice has been given that the New York canals will be navigable on the 22nd instant. (verbatim)(1)

Abstract 40 - H Apr. 16; ed:3/3

We mentioned a short time since that a reduction in the rates of toll on the canals in this state, as well as on those in New York, had been made. The last OHIO STATE JOURNAL contains the rates established by the board of canal commissioners at their late meeting. We shall lay them before our readers next week.(verbatim)

Abstract 41 - H May 1; ed:3/2

We understand from a source entitled to credit that water will be let into the Welland canal during the present week, when it will be navigable its whole length. (verbatim)

Abstract 42 - H July 20; ed: 3/2

The aqueduct at Circleville, we are happy to state, on the authority of the resident engineer, will be repaired by the 20th instant. Less interruption will consequently be offered to navigation than was anticipated. (verbatim)

Abstract 43 - H July 27; ed:3/2,3

The editor of the Pittsburgh GAZETTE has written an article with reference to the expediency of constructing a canal to connect the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Pennsylvania canal. He advocates the opening of communication between this place and Pittsburgh. The article in question has been copied by the editor of the Erie GAZETTE, who rates the Pittsburgh editor for his "Ohio partiality," as he terms it.

"We have no objections to the editor's advocating the interests of Erie; but when he does it in disparagement of other places on the Lake whose advantages, both natural and artificial are infinitely superior to those of Erie, we conceive he should be held responsible for the truth of his statements. "We are credibly informed that the business done at Conneaut, Ashtabula, or even at Sandusky equals, and more than equals, that transacted at Erie. But three sail of vessels, we are informed, trade regularly with Erie; whereas, with Cleveland, there are sixty sail which do a profitable business."

During the past year the produce shipped from this place amounted to nearly a million and a half and from present indications it will exceed two million. Navigation here is usually opened earlier than at Erie. The distance from this place to Pittsburgh is not greater than that from Erie to the same place, so those sending produce from the west would save 100 miles of transportation and have their products in the eastern markets before the lake at Erie would be opened.

"We make these remarks not because we are particularly interested in the construction of the proposed canal; for it is the opinion of many of the business men in the place, that it will be a detriment, instead of a benefit, especially, should it intersect the Ohio canal at either Akron or Massillon, as the trade would then be diverted from Cleveland; but for the purpose of correcting any misapprehensions which may arise in the public mind in regard to the commercial importance of Cleveland when contrasted with that of Erie, resulting from said publication."

The Erie GAZETTE says in part as follows: Under the caption of a connection with Lake Erie we have copied a well written and sensible article from the Pittsburgh GAZETTE. "To it we have but one objection, and thatis that the editor should have entirely divested himself of state pride and state feelings, and recommended the opening of this important communication through another state instead of his own." The very same reasons in all their force, which he has abduced in favor of Cleveland are applicable to Erie. When the produce of the immense west is once afloat upon Lake Erie, the great reservoir of an immense country, it can be as easily landed at Erie as at Cleveland. Suppose some human power with competent authority had declared that the harbor at Cleveland should be open for navigation four weeks sooner every spring and as much later every fall than at Buffalo, would we not view this as a very high protective tariff in favor of our canal? Will Pennsylvania, then, neglect or refuse to avail herself of this decided advantage conferred upon her by the hand of the Almighty? Will she prove recreant to her duty? We trust not. (30)

Abstract 44 - H Aug. 10; ed:3/2

We refer our readers to an article which we reprint today from the Albany ARGUS. It deals with the reduction of tolls on the New York and Ohio canals.

"Such a measure, should it be carried into effect, will add materially to the amount of business, at present transacted, as additional facilities would be offered to extensive regions south and west of us, for the transportation of their commodities." (3)

Abstract 45 - H Aug. 10; ed:3/2,3

We copied in our paper week before last an article from the Pittsburgh GAZETTE relative to the contemplated canal to connect the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Pennsylvania canal, together with some strictures upon the scheme by the editor of the Erie GAZETTE.

In view of the fact that Cleveland with its important advantages was disparaged by being placed in competition with Erie, we made some remarks showing the relative importance of the two places, not for the purpose of underrating Erie or with the purpose of diverting the attention of the public from its favorite canal project. We discussed the subject with the object of doing away with any erroneous impressions which might be created by reading the article.

"We would, so far from exulting at the circumstances which have placed her in her present situation, be pleased to see Erie in a different and more prosperous condition; but not, however, at the expense of other places more deserving." (15)

Abstract 46 - H Sept. 28; ed:3/2

We are indebted to the politeness of the collector of tolls for the following interesting item of intelligence, which shows the increasing importance and value of the trade of the Ohio canal in very favorable light.

Heavy tolls - On the 13th instant, the master of the boat KENTUCKY, belonging to the Troy and Ohio line paid to the collector of this place the toll on a single cargo of merchandise amounting to $251.17, and on the 25th, the master of the boat DELAWARE, belonging to the Ohio, Troy and Erie line paid to the same collector, $301.39 on a single cargo. (verbatim)(2)

Abstract 47 - H Oct. 5:1/4,5

In a letter to the editor, "The West" says: I am rather an attentive reader of some of the New York newspapers, and it has not escaped any observation that, so far as the press indicates it, some solicitude is felt in relation to the effect of the internal improvements in Maryland and Pennsylvania on the trade of Ohio and the west, and the revenue of the Erie canal.

The editor of the New York COURIER AND ENQUIRER states it as a fact susceptible of demonstrations, and which he received from the very highest authority while on a visit to the west, that in consequence of the existing high tolls on the Erie Canal, three fifths of all the produce shipped from the Ports of Sandusky and Cleveland in Ohio, and, Erie in Pennsylvania, during the present season have been sent through the Welland Canal, in Canada into Lake Ontario, whence about one half of it descended the St. Lawrence to Montreal and Quebec, and that the remainder was landed at Oswego and sent thro' the Oswego and Erie Canals to New York."

The great point of his solicitude, however, is to secure to the city of New York the vast and increasing trade of the west. To this we can have no objection in the world provided New York will do our business for us to more advantage than any other Atlantic city.

"The Niagara Canal through our own waters would open to Steam Boat Navigation the whole breadth of our northern frontier, would bring the Port of Cleveland at the Lake Erie termination of the Ohio Canal within an easy forty eight hours distance of the Port of Oswego at the Lake Ontario termination of the Oswego Canal. This would indeed be a national work, but on its importance as such - on its importance as a means of binding together the extremities of the Union I shall not descant. I would only say to N. Y. and Ohio, call on the government for the Constitution of this great national work.

My belief is she would respond to the call. But should she not I would say to New York construct it yourself." (20)

Abstract 48 - H Oct. 26; ed:3/2

The public mind appears to be alive to the subject of the cross-cut canal to connect the waters of the Pennsylvania with those of the Ohio canal. Meetings have been held in Warren, and also at Ravenna, at which resolutions have been adopted furthering this object. (verbatim) (1)

Abstract 49 - H Nov. 16:2/2

By an official notice of the company we perceive that the Welland canal will be open until the first of December. (verbatim) (1)

Abstract 50 - H Nov. 23; ed:2/2

The canal convention which assembled at Warren, Trumbull county, on Nov. 13 was numerously attended by delegates and others from the counties of Beaver, Allegheny, Mercer, and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and Portage, Trumbull, Wayne, Columbiana, Carroll, Stark, and Tuscarawas in Ohio. The convention was organized by the appointment of Abner Lacock, president; Salmon Fitch, clerk, and Calvin Pease, assistant clerk.

A committee was appointed consisting of two members from each county to prepare a statement of facts in connection with the proposed union of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canals, its advantages to the states involved, and the prospect it offers to capitalists for a profitable investment. Two other committees were also appointed; one to make a statement of the advantages of the Mahoning route, and the other to report on the more southern one which has been suggested. The advantages of the two routes will be submitted to the decision of the delegates who are now on a tour of inspection.

"We congratulate our Erie friends on the brightening prospect of procuring an extension of their Canal." (6)

Abstract 51 - H Dec. 7; ed:2/3,4

"We lay before our readers today the report of the committee appointed at the late meeting of the Warren convention, to whom was referred the responsible trust of deciding upon the best route to be adopted for the connexion of the waters of the Pennsylvania with those of the Ohio Canal. The Mahoning route was adopted, it will be perceived for the good and sufficient reason that the supply of water was much more certain on that than on the Sandy route. We think that the choice has been judiciously made.... The result can more easily be conceived than expressed." (5)

(From Annals of Cleveland - 1818-1935, Volume XVI (1833), page 54 through 58. Cleveland: Cleveland WPA. 1937.)