Published: October 03, 2009 01:19 am      

CANAL DISCOVERY: State of the state 1825

By 1825, Gov.DeWitt Clinton had “ridden” the Erie Canal to a position of political prominence in New York state that put him at the top of the heap. Even as early as 1825, one can gain insight into this national icon’s ability through Clinton’s first address to the state. The clarity that he possessed and the remarks that he made about the success of a yet-unfinished Erie Canal, and the great effect that canals would have upon the state and nation, seem in retrospect, to have been made by a man that could foresee the future. At the initial meeting of the State Legislature on Jan. 4, 1825, Clinton delivered the following address:

“Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the Assembly — Our devout thanks are due to Almighty God, for the blessings conferred on our country. The wise policy pursued by the national government, in cherishing our resources, in diminishing our debt, and in cultivating peace with all the work, has elevated our character abroad and confirmed our prosperity at home … The Erie Canal (which is the longest in the world and will produce the most extensive and important inland navigation ever witnessed), would have been finished last season, had it not been for the intervention of unexpected impediments. It is however so near to its completion as to render it necessary to form a permanent system for the preservation of the canals, for the collection of the revenue, for the extinguishments of the debt, and for a vigilant superintendence both of their particular concerns and of their general interests.

“I consider these works as but the first in a series of great undertakings. We must, however, pursue our objects with prudence as well as energy … that the debt may be speedily satisfied without resorting to taxation … without discontinuing our efforts for education, literature and science, or the interests of productive industry.

“The primary design of our artificial navigation is to open a route by canals between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. The Erie and Champlain canals will, in a great measure, accomplish this object; but it will not be fully realized until the waters of Lake Ontario shall be connected with the Erie Canal and with Lake Champlain. The next leading object, is to unite the minor lakes and the secondary rivers with the canals … to produce such a connection between the bays on the sea coast, as will insure the safety of our navigation in time of peace against the tempests of the ocean, and in time of war against the depredation of an enemy.

“A canal between the St. Lawrence River and (the Atlantic Ocean) would be attended with important benefits, by opening a valuable market within our own territory ... (Tariffs) have been imposed on our products sent to Canada; and the British government has declined a negotiation respecting the free navigation of the St. Lawrence. We have a right of free transit to the ocean through that river and I am inclined to believe we are entitled to a safe deposit for our commodities destined to the ocean through that channel.

“But at all events and under any circumstances, a (canal) between the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario, by the way of Oswego, ought to receive your decided countenance and be made as soon as practicable. It will greatly augment our revenue and open profitable markets to our industrious and enterprising citizens residing within the reach of the lake and its tributary waters. To unite the waters of the Seneca, Cayuga and Canandaigua Lakes, is also an object of great importance. A connection too is desirable between the Delaware and the Hudson, between the Allegany, Susquehannah (sic) and Genesee Rivers; between the Erie Canal and the Susquehannah, along the valley of the Chenango River, between the Erie Canal at Buffalo and the Allegany River at its confluence with the Conewango Creek.”

Clinton’s keen knowledge of his subject demanded that others listen and take notice. Even his most serious detractors never underestimated his keen political insight. History has been much kinder to our former governor than were many of his contemporaries. Today, with hindsight, we realize that Clinton’s Ditch was exactly the prescription for growth of population and commerce that our young republic needed in the early 19th century.

Doug Farley is director of the Erie Canal Discovery Center. Contact him at 434-7433. The Erie Canal Discovery Center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.