In selecting the course of the former, they had in view the importance of keeping as far in the interior of the country as was practicable, and of providing good harbours at each of its extremities. Since that route was reported on, which seemed the most effectually to embrace these objects of the Commissioners, the Welland Canal has been surveyed and commenced; and this work, pursuing a course nearer the frontier, and possessing many local advantages, will, when completed, for many years at least, and with reference to commercial purposes, meet all the exigencies of the Country. The Province is indebted to the exertions of private enterprise for this Canal which promises such beneficial results, and which has been prosecuted under many untoward circumstances with a degree of zeal and perseverance alike honourable to the parties and gratifying to every friend of public improvement.

The inlet into Burlington Bay, suggested by the Commissioners in their report of the survey between the Lakes, has since been undertaken at the public expense; and although not as a part of the projected Canal for which it was to furnish a harbour, yet as it will render a port accessible which in point of security and commodiousness will vie with any on the Lake, the work is one of immense value to the beautiful tract of country lying in its immediate vicinity, and stretching westward into

the interior.

It is most satisfactory to witness the interest which has been so decidedly and so promptly taken by Government in the projected canal from Lake Ontario to the Ottawa, by the River Rideau.While the survey was yet but half perfected, His Majesty's Mintsters, proposed on very favourable terms, a loan of seventy thousand pounds, in aid of such funds as might be appropriated from our Provincial Treasury to the construction of the Canal. The Legislature having, however, evinced some hesitation in closing with this liberal offer, apparently because they considered the enterprise more necessary in a military, than in a commercial, point of view; and, also, because they were somewhat apprehensive of involving the Province beyond its resources, His Majesty's Government have, it is said, resolved to undertake the important work at the sole cost of the Imperial Treasury; and have, accordingly, sent out an officer of high character, belonging to the Corps of Royal Engineers, to superintend its execution. This gentleman has already proceeded to carry into effect the magnificent plans of the Government. The ground has been broken near the Richmond landing, on the Ottawaa bridge, and other erections for facilitating the work, are in progress—and this vast undertaking promising wealth to our agriculturists, convenience to our commerce, and security to our country, is actually commenced.

The advantages which the Province will derive from the Rideau Canal, are, indeed, inestimable, as they regard the commerce of some of its most valuable and flourishing sections, and setting out of view every consideration connected with its military defence. The present determination to open that Canal at the sole expense of England, is, therefore, another signal and endearing benefit added to the long catalogue of favours which this Colony owes to the affection of the parent state, and which no return of the most loyal and faithful attachment can ever overpay.

It is not yet publickly understood, nor is it perhaps decided, on what scale the Canal is to be constructed. One of the three plans of the Commissioners may be adopted, or one of dimensions differing from all of them. In prosecuting the work, the superintending Engineer may be able to improve in some points on the line traced by the Commissioners, since in laying out the work for actual execution, a further and more minute examination of the Country must be made than was required in the original survey, in order to arrive, without unreasonable expense, at the objects contemplated by the Legislature. It is also probable that as under his management, the Canal will be constructed in a great measure, with reference to military purposes, or with a preference of them to those which are merely commercial, it may appear to him desirable to alter the course laid down in the Reports, even if the deviation should occasion a considerable addition to the cost. With the limited means of this Province, and with commercial objects in view, as those alone which we could hope, by our own resources, to attain, the Commissioners naturally sought for the cheapest route; but different views prevailing with a military Engineer, planning a work principally designed for military uses, may induce him, in many instances, to regard the cheapest as by no means necessarily the best, or most expedient to be adopted. These remarks can, however, only apply to those places, few in number, where the

line deviates from the course of the waters, which will, in general, prescribe the obvious direction of the Canal.

The survey of the River St. Lawrence from Johnstown, to the Eastern Boundary of the Province, has been left unattempted by the Commissioners. The reason for omitting a work, evidently claiming their attention, as indispensable to the completion of the purposes regarded by the Statute, are fully stated in the Reports. It will be seen that according to their opinion, the expense of such survey should be defrayed jointly by the Provinces, from the fund now in the Treasury of Lower Canada, collected on rafts, &c. passing Chateauguay; more especially as in the year 1823, the Legislature had addressed the Lieutenant Governor on the subject of this fund, and at their request, His Excellency had recommended to the Arbitrators (then about to make an award on the arrears of revenue due Upper Canada) that provision should be made from it for an accurate survey of the River St. Lawrence, above Montreal.

It seems that the Arbitrators took the subject into their consideration agreeably to the desire of the Legislature and the Lieut. Governor, and concurred in the opinion that" Commissioners should "be appointed without loss of time, to inquire into the state of the navigation of the River Saint Law"rence, to suggest improvements, and to procure plans and estimates accordingly"; that the expense which might be thus incurred "ought to be defrayed in equal proportions by the two Provinces ;" and thatthe sum remaining unexpended of the fund heretofore raised in Lower Canada, for the "partial improvement of the River, should be applied generally to that purpose." This determination of the Arbitrators was followed by an act of our Legislature,* confirming it on the part of this Province; but the Parliament of Lower Canada, having neglected to afford a similar sanction on its part, no survey upon the equitable plan submitted by the Arbitrators could be effected-If done at all, it must have been undertaken wholly at the charge of Upper Canada, although promising at least equal utility to the commerce of the sister Colony. Our Legislature, sensible of its necessity, (especially since by the loss of Barnhart's island) we are deprived of the main and only navigable channel of the River has at length resolved to institute a survey at its sole expense; and in pursuance of this resolution, Mr. Clowes has been directed by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, to proceed with the examination during the present season. It is said that Mr. Clowes has succeeded in discovering an advantageous course for a Canal along the banks of the river opposite to Barnhart's Island; and that he has carried his levels over the whole country, bordering on the river from thence upwards to Johnstown, and noted all the facilities, as well as the obstacles, within that space, that are connected with the improvement of the navigation. The desideratum in the Reports of the Commissioners will thus be speedily supplied.

In the event of the estimates of Mr. Clowes proving, when laid before His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, as encouraging as it is supposed they will be, the Province, relieved from the question of the Rideau Canal, may direct her undivided energies to the improvement of the frontier waters; and even if she should be forced by the unfortunate want of co-operation on the part of Lower Canada, to contend, with her own resources, against the rapids of the St. Lawrence, she may undoubtedly accomplish much by a judicious application of the means at her disposal. If a loan on the principle suggested in the correspondence of the Provincial Arbitrators in 1823,† is not to be hoped for, greater consideration will be necessary on the part of our Province, in digesting a plan of operations for the gradual improvement of the river within our own boundaries, for gradual, as well as incomplete, it must unfortunately be, while Lower Canada stands aloof, and declines to unite her efforts with ours, in the noble cause of national improvement. Under such circumstances, it may not be advisable to engage in any work exceeding in dimensions the Canal at Lachine; for whatever may be the general impression, with regard to the advantages that might be derived from improvements having in view, a sloop, or steamboat navigation along the whole course of the river, projects of this nature, must, perhaps, be deferred until the Province shall have arrived at a greater degree of maturity and vigor.+

*See Statute 4, Geo. 4. cap. 22.

+ See Appendix.

It may not be amiss in this place to advert to a suggestion made by persons who have been in Holland, and admired the flat-bottomed craft there used in navigation. These vessels, in the management of which, the Dutch are wonderfully expert, while they draw little water,

more im

With the survey of the St. Lawrence closes the examination of our leading and portant navigable communications. There are, doubtless, other objects, which, though of minor value, will become well worthy of consideration, as we advance in the career of improvement, and to these it may not be improper briefly to advert.

Besides the Canal near the Carrying Place for the junction of the Bay of Quinty with Presqu'ile Harbour, surveyed by order of the Legislature; a work in some measure connected with it, which would promise great accommodation to a very fine tract of country, is the formation of a harbour near Cobourg, or Port Hope. The experience which will be acquired at the Twelve Mile Creek and at Burlington Beach, will enable the public more fairly to estimate the expense of such an enterprise; and if the works at those places should happily be executed with success and economy, the construction of the Harbour now under notice, it may be presumed, will not long be deferred.

A project for rendering the Gananoque River navigable for boats has lately been agitated in the country bordering on that stream; and as it can be carried into execution at an expense by no means considerable, there is ground to anticipate its speedy accomplishment.

The rising settlements on the Otonibee river, and the Rice Lake, and in the neighbourhood of the River Trent, from Cavan to Rawden, are at present almost shut out from a market, by the impediments which exist in the navigation of the River last named. No regular survey of this stream having been made, there is no means of estimating the cost of improving it, but there is room for believing that the difficulties in its bed might be surmounted at a very moderate expense. As a general object of domestic policy, the improvement of this river ranks next in importance to that of the great navigable communications with the sea-ports; for, by it, the Province must receive from Marmora, its supplies of bar iron and castings, the products of our home industry. By this river, also, must the trade of the country lying on its banks, and on those of its tributary streams, as well as of the extensive region stretching westward to Lake Simcoe, find an outlet. Its improvement should, consequently, be undertaken at as early a period as circumstances may render practicable.

There is yet another project to be noticed, which has for its object the connection of the head waters of the Rivers Credit and Nottawasaga; the former of which disembogues itself into Lake Ontario, and the latter into Lake Huron. Should this communication be found practicable, the slightest glance at the map will shew how beneficial it would prove, when opened, to a very extensive country stretching along its course between the Lakes.

In closing these summary remarks, it is conceived that the review now taken of what has been already done, and of what still remains to be achieved of the plans and projects which have engaged the public mind for the last few years, may not unreasonably be regarded as cheering. The Province has evidently before it a wide field for improvement, and has entered on it, with a degree of spirit and zeal, which, considering its infancy, and slender revenues, materially redounds to its honor. Let it be hoped, that the same ardour will be continued to be applied with judgment and perseverance, in cultivating our vast means of internal navigation, since, by such a course, we shall most successfully and rapidly develope our resources, and establish our prosperity on secure and imperishable found

ations.

1826.

carry large cargoes, aud with ice-boards are manœuvred with as much ease on the broad expanse of the German Ocean, as on the narrow seas and canals of the Netherlands. Would they not, consequently, be peculiarly well adapted for our inland navigation, embracing, as it

will do, lakes, rivers, canals ?

FIRST REPORT

Of the COMMISSIONERS appointed by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, in conformity to the provisions of an Act passed in the second year of His Majesty's reign, entitled, " An Act "to make provision for the improvement of the internal navigation of this Province."

Ar an early period after their appointment, the Commissioners met at Kingston, where they made choice of a President, and organized the board.

They deliberated on the best means of carrying into effect the intentions of the Legislature, and being quite inexperienced in details of the nature submitted to their guidance, it was deemed a preliminary of indispensable necessity to send a deputation of two of their number into the State of New York, where, by conferring with the Canal Commissioners, and by a personal inspection of the splendid work, then in successful progress in that State, it was presumed such information would be obtained as would enable the Board to perform, with greater effect, the important duties confided to them.

From the American Commissioners, and the scientific persons employed under them, they were furnished most liberally with every information in their power to communicate.

With Benjamin Wright, Esq. principal Engineer on the New York Canal, they had repeated communications; in all of which he expressed himself decidedly of opinion, that from the nature of the Country, and the great facilities which it afforded for extensive inland navigation, the plans of improvment to which the Government of this Province ought to give its attention, should be on a scale of such magnitude, as to admit Sloops and Schooners of moderate dimensions to proceed direct, without unlading their cargoes, from Lake Erie to the Sea.

The deputation while in the State of New York, endeavoured to engage an experienced and skilful Engineer, but without effect. Letters had been addressed to several persons in Upper Canada, and in the United States, who were supposed to possess some general knowledge of the science, enquiring into their qualifications, when the Board was adjourned until the 8th of October, 1821. On that day, the two Commissioners having returned from a very satisfactory tour, along the Erie and Northern Canals, in the course of which they obtained much useful information, reported to the Board that they had not been able to engage an Engineer of established character abroad, to conduct the surveys. A selection consequently became necessary from among the persons with whom a correspondence had been previously opened, and it was determined, after examining the testimonials of ability, submitted to them, by Mr. Valentine Gill, and finding them highly recommendatory, to accept of his tender of services and to engage others as soon as it could be done.

The next object which claimed the attention of the Board, was the direction and number of the Surveys to be undertaken, and to fix on the points from whence their operations should commence. On a general view of the Province from Lake Huron to its eastern boundary, two grand impediments are opposed to ship navigation, viz: the Falls of Niagara, and the shoals and rapids of the St. Lawrence, below Johnstown.

These natural obstacles overcome with the aid of art, vessels of considerable burthen might freely navigate our frontier waters, from the Sault St. Mary's to the Province line, without any transfer of lading, and the communication with the Ocean would be thus essentially facilitated.