hanna, the Ohio, and the great lakes, with the port of Philadelphia, an almost unbounded prospect of future wealth and importance opens to the citizens of this Commonwealth. That this subject may be better comprehended in detail, give us leave to consider it under two great heads:

First, the Delaware Navigation, as stated in No. 1 and No. 2, by which the countries on the waters of the N. E. branch of the Susquehanna up to its head at iake Otsego, and all the countries lying from the mouth of Tioga to lake Ontario, may be connected with the city of Philadelphia; having only 20 miles portage from Stockport on Delaware to Harmony, at the great bend of Susquehanna, in the whole distance of 300 miles from the tide water of Delaware to Lake Otsego, and only 18 miles more in the much larger distance of 4534 miles from the same tide waters to Oswego on Lake Ontario. The expense of this whole navigation, by the estimate annexed, is only

For the river Delaware
The portage of 20 miles

£2248 0 0
400 0 0

And the Tioga waters and portage about But as the Tioga waters, and the communications from thence to Lake Ontario lie within the state of N. York, and it is probable that they will not be improved by that state, unless it can be done with a view to draw the trade of that country, by the Oneida Lake, Wood creek, &c. into Hudson's river; and even when that shall happen, by a happy rivalship between the cities of Philadelphia and New York, to draw the trade of those vast countries to their respective ports; a great part of it will come with more ease to the former than to the latter; and while the waters are left in their present unimproved state, every advantage is on the side of Pennsylvania, by means of the navigation down the Tioga, and then either down the Susquehanna to the mouth of the Swatara, and thence to Philadelphia by the waters of Swatara, Quitapahilla, Tulpehocken, and Schuylkill; or from the mouth of the Tioga up the Susquehanna to Great Bend, and thence by the portage to Stockport, and by the Delaware to Philadelphia. Taking Conedessago Lake, as a central place of embarkation for the settlers in the Genessee Country, the distance to the city of New York, (see No. VII.) will be 435 miles, whereof 17 miles are land carriage; and the distance to Philadelphia by the Delaware, (see No. II.) will be 331 miles; or by Swatara and Schuylkill (See No. IX.) will be 401 miles -or if the middle of the Genesee settlement, on the Genessee river, be taken as the place of beginning, the distance to New York will be 487 miles, whereof 17 miles are land carriage, (see No. VIII.) and the distance to Philadelphia 3654 miles, (see No. X.) whereof 38 miles are land carriage.

There is another route to Philadelphia from the Genesee Country by the Conasteo branch of Tioga, a fine boatable stream, with only six miles portage, viz.

From the middle of the Genesee settlement up the river to the portage

The portage to the Conasteo

Down the Conasteo to the painted post, at its junction with the main branch of Tioga Down Tioga to Newton

Miles.

30

6

18

90

and Popaughton branches, are each navigable for boats, of fifteen tons, for more than 50 miles above their junction, and considerably higher still for rafts.

The Lehigh and Lackawaxen likewise offer them selves as very important branches of this navigation, ly ing in the interior parts of the state; but nothing needbe added to the report of the commissioners, on this head. We proceed, therefore, to the second great and most important head, viz.

Second. The Susquehanna navigation, as it may be connected with the Schuylkill waters on the one hand, and the Ohio waters and the great lakes on the other. Here is a navigation which we may properly call our own, passing through the most inhabited and central parts of the state; in which we can have no rivals, if duly improved, and opening such numerous sources and channels of inland trade, all leading to the port of Phila delphia, as perhaps no other nation or seaport on the whole globe can boast of.

For, in the first place, if we turn our view to the immense territories connected with the Ohio and Mississip pi waters, it will appear from the tables of distances, that our communication with those vast countries, (considering Fort Pitt as the port of entrance upon them) is as easy and may be rendered as cheap, as to any other port on the Atlantic tide waters The distance from Philadelphia to the Allegheny at the mouth of Kiskeminetas, is nearly the same, as from the mouth of Monongahela to Georgetown on the Potomac, and supposing the computed distances from Pittsburg to the Dunkard Bottom, to be just, and the navigation of Cheat river on the one hand, and the Potomac at the mouth of Savage river on the other, to be at all seasons of the year, equal to the navigation of the Kiskeminetas, Conemaugh, and Juniata; yet as the portage from Dunkard Bottom to the Potomac at the mouth of the Savage river is 374 miles, and the portage from Conemaugh to Juniata is 18 miles (may be considerably shortened by locks) there can be no doubt but that the transportation of all kinds of goods and merchandize from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, may be at a much cheaper rate than from any other seaport on the Atlantic waters.

This is not mentioned with a view to disparage the in ternal, navigation of our sister states, more especially Maryland and Virginia. We admire their noble exer tions to improve the natural advantages of their country; and desire to imitate and to emulate them. Every im provement, and every new communication with the west ern territories, promoted by any of the United States, by which the trade of the lakes, the Ohio and the Mississippi waters, can be drawn to our sea ports, is a be nefit to the whole union. By no other methods than by opening easy communications, both by good roads, and safe water carriage, can the settlers in these vast western countries be made useful to the Atlantic states, and comfortable in their own situation. Nor can we expect by any other means than by inviting their trade, and making it their interest to be connected with us, that we can long secure such connexion.

But although a considerable part of the settlers on the Ohio waters may be acommodated by the Potomac na36 vigation, and the state of Pennsylvania may only have a share in the trade of these waters; yet there remains to us the immense trade of the Lakes, taking Presque Isle, which is within our own state, as the great mart or place of embarkation. Here there can be no competition, in respect to the distances or the ease of water carriage, between the port of Philadelphia and any other port on the Atlantic tide waters, whichsoever of the three com munications between Presque Isle and Philadelphia, we may choose to pursue.

Thence to the mouth of Tioga, and either down Susquehanna to Swatara, &c. or up Susquehanna to the Great Bend-the distances as above, to Philadelphia.

Connected with the Delaware navigation, we beg leave further to add, that above Stockport, the Mohawk

In this route to New York, there are the same portages, viz. 17 miles, as in the other from Conedessaga Lake, supposing Genesee river could be made navigable; but it is doubtful whether it can be made useful in navigation, having many falls, and one of them about 60 feet.

Of those three communications, it is of importance to choose the best in the first instance, and not to neglect the improvement of it; nor to entertain doubts and delays, till the opportunity of receiving benefit from it be entirely lost, and the trade of those vast countries drawn into other channels.

We shall speak first of the communication with immediate attention of the legislature. Among these Presque Isle, by the Chadaghque lake, the Conewango are the different portages mentioned in the respective river, part of Allegheny, the Sinnemahoning, Susque- water communications stated above; and, particularly, hanna, Swatara and Schuylkill (No. III.) which ap-that between Stockport on Delaware, and Harmony, at pears to be the shortest, being about five hundred and the Great Bend of Susquehanna, and between the mouth twenty-four miles and an half. The navigation of the of the Poplar Run on Juniata and the Canoe Place on Conewango and north branch of Sinnemahoning, ac- Conemaugh. Another most important road, as connectcording to the report of the commissioners, may be ed with the navigation scheme, will be from the highest made very good, and is, on that account, as well as the boatable waters of Yohiogeny, near the Turkey Foot, shortness of the distance, preferable to that by the way to the junction of the Ray's town branch of Jumata and of Toby's creek and the west branch of Sinnemahon- Dunning's creek near Bedford; or even to the mouth of ing. But a considerable part of this communication Poplar run on the Frankstown branch. By this road, all lies through the state of New York, in a yet unsettled the inhabitants of the upper parts of Washington and country; and although it leads, in the most direct way Fayette counties, and part of Bedford county, would to Presque Isle and the great lakes, it cannot be of any have access to the great water communication by the great use in the main communication with the Ohio and Juniata, or to the great state road from Bedford to PhiMississippi by the way of Pittsburg, which is the great ladelphia; avoiding the mountainous and circuitous course object of present consideration. they are now obliged to pursue; and a great part of their trade, which would otherwise go to Potomac, would be thereby secured to Pennsylvania.

improvement, both of roads and navigation.

The second route from Philadelphia to Presque Isle, by the west branch of Susquehanna, as connected with Swatara and Schuylkill, and by the Sinnemahoning and In this view, also, the state road, through Lancaster, Toby's creek, being five hundred and sixty miles and a Carlisle and Bedford to Pittsburg, is an object of priquarter (see No. IV.) passes indeed wholly through mary consideration, and may be undertaken without deour own state; but besides what has been already men- lay or injury to the plan of western navigation. This tioned concerning the waters of Toby's creek, compa- commonwealth, we are happy to believe, is now, in its red with the Conewango and Chadaghque lake, this na-resources, equal to the accomplishment of all necessary vigation could be of no farther use than the former, in respect to the main communication with Pittsburg, as the mouth of Toby's creek lies fifty miles higher on the Allegheny than the mouth of Kiskeminetas; and even with respect to Presque Isle, the navigation from Philadelphia, by the way of Juniata and Kiskeminétas, is as short as by the way of Toby's creek, the latter being five hundred and sixty miles and three quarters, as mentioned above, and the former five hundred and sixty-one miles and an half.

We would beg leave, before we conclude, to point out some other roads as worthy of attention, viz: I. The road through Reading and Sunbury, and thence to be continued by the best and most practicable route to Presque Isle, or the lands on French creek.

II. The road through Bethlehem to the northern boundary of the state, at some point between Delaware and the Great Bend of Susquehanna.

III. A road leading from Hudson's river, in the state of New York, to be continued from Stockport on Delaware, across towards the west branch of Susquehanna, between Munsey and the Great Island, and to join the road, mentioned above, as leading to French creek and Presque Isle.

this subject, if there were none else.

Third, This third communication, then, is that which embraces all present interests. It connects Philadelphia with Pittsburgh and all the Ohio waters, by the Schuylkill, the Swatara and Juniata branches of Susquehanna, and the Kiskeminetas branch of Allegheny, with the distance of five hundred and sixty-one miles and an half But, in every view, we humbly conceive, that the lay(No. II.) and also Philadelphia and Presque Isle, using ing out and improving those roads ought not to interthe same waters, as above, to the mouth of Kiskemine- fere with, or delay the improvement of our inland navitas, and then by the easy waters of Allegheny and gation. The ease and cheapness of water carriage, comFrench creek. In this whole communication to Pitts-pared with every other, furnish sufficient arguments, on burg, there are only eighteen miles portage between th Juniata and Conemaugh (which may be considerably reduced as is said before) and only the addition of fifteen miles and an half more at the portage from Le Bœuf to Presque Isle, which portage is, likewise, included in both the other communications. In this statement of portages, it is supposed that the canal or lock navigation between the heads of Tulpehocken and Quitipahilla, is to be completed; but if that work should be thought too great to begin with, it will be only the addition of four miles portage, by an excellent and level road.

The annexed comparative view, of the expenses of both, is submitted to the consideration of the legislature, as a conclusion to this memorial.

Signed on behalf, and by order of the Society, ROBERT MORRIS, President. Feb. 7th, 1791.

Remarks and Culculations respecting the Communications between Schuylkill and Susquehanna.

In the present year 1790, by the best estimates that can be obtained, the quantity of one hundred and fifty The navigation, by this route, we beg leave to re- thousand bushels of grain has been brought down the commend to the legislature, as one of the first and Susquehanna, and passed through Middletown, on its greatest works which they can undertake for the honor way to Philadelphia market. Juniata has afforded a very and advantage of their country. It is a work within considerable part of this quantity; and here it must be their reach a work in which not only the citizens of observed, that the lands on this river are but in an infant this state, but of the United States in general, are deep-state of cultivation, and suppose them to be ever so well ly interested. The expense, even including the canal, improved, the proportion they bear to the lands on the has been estimated, and doth not exceed the sum which other branches of the Susquehanna is not more than would be requisite to complete a good road of fifty or one-fifth part. sixty miles in some of the interior parts of the state, and which, after all, would only be of partial benefit, con tributing but little to unite the remote parts of the same, in one easy central chain of communication, with the capital.

The improvement of roads is, however, one great part of the design of our association, and we mean to make it our endeavour to bring forward and to encourage useful plans for this purpose. Some roads, as connected with the plan of inland navigation, require the

In the year 1788, large quantities of wheat and flour were carried up the river for the use of the settlers in Northumberland county: since last March, about thirty thousand bushels of wheat returned down the stream to market from said county. It may also be reasonably expected, that should an easy inland communication be effected between the Susquehanna and the Schuylkill the whole produce of Cumberland, and part of York county, would cross the Susquehanna to the Philadelphia market. From these principles it is evident, that

there will be an annual increase of the country produce that will descend the Susquehanna, although, from so short an experience, certainty in our estimates cannot be expected; but, in order to reduce the subject more to view, let the annual increase be put at one eighth, which I expect will be allowed, on all hands, to be guarded by moderation and justified by strong probability.

Balance, £148,374

A number of observations naturally present themselves as consequences of this water communication: First, The difference between the carriage by land and I said one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of grain that by water, during the aforesaid period, is one hunare allowed to have passed to Middletown in the present dred and forty eight thousand three hundred and seventy year, which, augmented by an annual increase of one-four pounds, which will be a clear gain to the country, eighth, will, in 1793, amount to two hundred and six and the stock now vested in horses, wagons, &c. could thousand two hundred and fifty bushels, which, at two be employed to other useful purposes; the so general shillings and six pence per bushel, (the carriage, on the use of horses might be abated and oxen used in their present principles, to the Philadelphia market) amounts stead by the farmers, whose principal reason for giving to twenty five thousand seven hundred and eighty one so decided a preference to horses is their being suppopounds, five shillings; then, by adding one eighth, the sed better for draught on the roads: more general use annual increase, it will stand thus:of oxen would not only be attended with immediate profit to the husbandman, but would tend to increase the article of beef as an export. The lands in the old counties, below the mountains, are known to have abated in that virgin fertility which attends all new cultivation; they must now be manured. Added to this, the population is increasing very rapidly; the operation of these causes, in a few years more, will make the consumption equal to the produce in the old counties. If the staple of the port of Philadelphia is to be supported, it can be best done by conducting the streams of commerce, in the article of grain, from the Susquehanna to this city.

£25,781 5 0 for the year 1793
28,125 0 0
30,468 15

....1794

....1795

32,812 10 0

....1796

35,156 5 0

...1797

37,500 0

0

...1798

39,843 15 0

...1799

42,187 10 0.

..1800

£271,875 0 0 Whole amount of carriage. [to market. The above mentioned quantity of grain is equal to five thousand five hundred and twenty four tons and a half; and suppose one third of the weight is carried back, in salt, liquors and other merchandize, at five shillings per hundred or five pounds per ton, there will be one thousand eight hundred and forty-two tons, with an annual increase of one hundred and sixty-seven tons. It will then stand thus:

£9,210 0 0 for the year 1793
10,045 0

0

..1794

57,436 0 0

The late information obtained from the commissioners who have viewed the communications with the Allegheny and Lake Erie, make it highly probable, that an immense trade will one day be carried on from Philadelphia with the great lakes and fur countries, and with the settlements on the Ohio, &c. The proposed communication between Schuylkill and Susquehanna, will serve as a basis to this traffic, whether the route be by the Juniata or the other branches of the Susquehanna. The Expense attending the transportation of two hundred and six thousand two hundred and fifty bushels of grain to market.

The above quantity of grain is equal to five thousand five hundred and twenty-four tons and an half, and, a boat to carry six tons, will be equal to nine hundred and twenty one boat loads, and each boat to pass and repass eight times, annually, it will take one hundred and fifteen boats to transport the quantity above mentioned in a season; the expense of hands and provisions attending each load will be fifteen pounds-consequently, nine hundred and twenty-one loads will cost thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifteen pounds, and the annual increase of expenses for an additional number of boats, hands, &c. to transport the increase of produce, will be one thousand five hundred and twenty thousand pounds a year, and then it will stand thus:

For the year 1793 £13,815 0 0

It is supposed, by these calculations, that the boats £220,561 0 0 Whole amount of carriage by water. for the beginning of the carriage, will be taken in the

estimate with the canal.

The grain consumed as horse feed will be another object of attention:-two hundred and six thousand two hundred and fifty bushels of grain, at forty five to a wa gon loads are equal to four thousand five hundred and eighty three load; each team, to be ten days on the road, will eat ten bushels of rye, which is equal to forty five thousand eight hundred and thirty bushels, which, with the annual increase, will, in eight years, amount to four hundred and eighty three thousand four hundred and eighty bushels; or, annually, it will stand thus: