In a political point of view, the importance of this communication with the western states, is not less apparent. It will facilitate the intercourse between the Atlantic and western states, connect the people by interest, habit, and constant communication, and unite them by an indissoluble bond of union. To this subject, the parting words of the father of his country apply with peculiar emphasis. "The east, in an unrestrained intercouse with the west, already finds, and in the progressive improvement of interior communication, by land and water, will more and more find, a valuable vent for the commodities which it brings from abroad, or manufactures at home. The west derives from the east, supplies requisite for its growth and comfort, and what is perhaps of still greater consequence, it must of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of indispensable outlets for its productions, to the weight, influence, and future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of the union, directed by an indissoluble community of interests, as one nation."

It is to be hoped that the national government will not be indifferent to measures, which so powerfully and intimately effect the national interest, and that the representatives of ten millions of freemen, will make an effort to consolidate and perpetuate that union, on which their prosperity, happiness, and freedom pre-eminently depend. The work is worthy and claims the patronage of the nation; and, if effected, will remain an imperishable monyment of its honor and patriotism to all future times.

From these united considerations, this convention is convinced, that the canals, if made, would be a blessing to the state and nation.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention, the interest and prosperity of the state are essentially involved in the prosecution of this great work, and that she ought to use her individual exertions to accomplish it, (in conjunction with the national government, the District of Columbia, and those states which would be particularly benefitted by it,) provided that it will not be expedient to apply the resources of the state to that object, unless an adequate fund can be raised to complete the canal from the city of Baltimore to the base of the Alleghany mountain.

This convention has no correct data upon which to predicate estimates of the expense of making the canal from Baltimore to Pittsburg, or from Baltimore to the Alleghany; but taking the expense at ten millions of dollars to Pittsburg, and five millions of dollars to the Alleghany, no reason is seen why it should not yield an interest equal to the Erie canal, which at this time, is understood to give per cent. on the sum invested, and the calculations are, that it will shortly produce upwards of a million, annually, to the state. The agricultural productions of the country, and those of the forest, through which the Chesapeake and Ohio canal will run until it reaches the Alleghany, are at least equal to those of New York; in addition to which, we may count on coal, which abounds to an extent not surpassed in any other country. It is calculated that the tolls on that article alone, would immediately pay the interest on three millions of dollars. If the city of New York consumes, annually, two millions four hundred thousand bushels of coal, what

will not the country between Cumberland and Baltimore, including the District of Columbia, the city of Baltimore, and the manufacturing establishments in her vicinity require, when it can be furnished at twelve and an half cents a bushel? The advantages of coal to the community at large, and to the cities, towns, and manufactories in particular, are incalculable. What would England have been without her coal, and deprived of it what would she become?

A canal through the western counties of the state, would relieve the people from the most distressing and onerous burdens. The freight of a barrel of flour from Hagerstown to Baltimore, is never less than one dollar, and generally one dollar and twenty-five cents. A canal navigation would reduce it to five cents, exclusive of tolls, and on all other articles in the same ratio.

The convention feels a deep conviction, that a canal from Pittsburg to Baltimore, would render her, in preference to any other eastern port, the emporium of western commerce; but as that object is beyond the ability of the state to accomplish, without the aid of the national government, it is nevertheless of opinion that a canal may and ought to be made to the foot of the Alleghany, which would bring into the bosom of the state, the rich productions of the country, bordering on the Potomac and its branches, and render our commercial capital at least a flourishing and prosperous city.

Resolved, That in the opinion of the convention, the application of the public funds to this project, will be found a profitable and beneficial investment; that its accomplishment will encourage agriculture, promote commerce and manufactures, increase population, augment the public wealth, enlarge the ability of the state to foster other works of public utility, and strengthen the union,

Resolved, That all minor objects ought to yield to these undertakings, which the united energies of the state alone can effect.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention the state ought to invest dollars in the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, provided, that before the dollars can be raised, which, it is believed, will be sufficient to extend the canal to the mouth of Savage river at the base of the Alleghany; and further, that a company ought to be incorporated to make a canal, on the best practicable route from Baltimore, to intersect and unite with the said Chesapeake and Ohio.canal, whenever it may be deemed expedient to do so. Mr. Potts, of Frederick county, submitted the following resolutions, which were referred to the same committee.

Resolved, As the sense of this convention, that the legislature of Maryland, at their next session, would eminently subserve the best interests of their constituents, and exalt the character of the state, by adopting a general and efficient system of internal improvements, commensurate with her geographical resources and proportioned to her financial capacity.

Resolved, That the contemplated Chesapeake and Ohio canal, whether considered in relation to the state at large, or in its prosperous influence upon

the trade and commerce of Baltimore, is the most prominent and command, ing object for the early and liberal patronage of the legislature, in such fair proportion as may be necessary to complete it to the eastern base of the Alleghany mountain.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention it is incumbent upon and expected of the legislature of Maryland, at their next session, that they will create and set apart, from the resources of the state, a fund for internal improvement, to be applied in improving and opening such channels of trade and intercourse, as the legislature, or a board of public works to be constituted by them, may deem best calculated to unite and secure a large share of the valuable trade and commerce of the west, to the city of Baltimore and other parts of the state.

Resolved, As the opinion of this convention, that the welfare of the state, and the public sentiment as far as it can be ascertained, both require that the legislature should promptly secure a participation in the construction of this canal, by a subscription of not less than half a million of dollars, to be invested in the stock of the canal, on condition, that before any actual disbursement, the congress of the United States and the state of Virginia, or other subscribers shall together make up the sum necessary, according to the estimates of the United States' engineers to complete said canal from tide water to Cumberland.

Resolved, That a conexion of the city of Baltimore with the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, by a canal from the Patapsco to the Potomac, is an object of the deepest interest to the citizens of Maryland, and in the opinion of this convention, should receive the cordial and energetic support of the constituted authorities and citizens of the state, as soon as the eastern route of the main canal is completed, or before, if within the means of the state.

Resolved, That after the completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, as connected with Baltimore, shall be made, it will become the legislature to improve the navigation of the Susquehanna, in such manner as may be best calculated to secure the trade of that river to the city of Baltimore.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the chair, to adjust and present a memorial on behalf of this convention, to the legislature in conformity with the views expressed in the foregoing resolutions,

Mr. Ellicott, of the city of Baltimore, submitted the following resolutions, which were read and referred to the same committee. Resolved, That it is the sense of the delegates now assembled, that the proper time has arrived when a liberal and general system for the internal improvement of the United States, by roads and canals, at the public expense, ought to be adopted by the general government; and that the first and most important of these, in a national point of view, is a water communication between the District of Columbia, on the Potomac river, and the riyer Ohio at some point where steam boat navigation is always attainable.

Resolved, That the state of Maryland should earnestly inculcate upon her representatives in the congress of the United States, the propriety and the necessity of advocating and supporting the above measure.

Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention, that the proper time has arrived when a liberal and general system for the internal improvement of Maryland, at her expense, ought to be adopted by the legislature of the state. and that the first object in interest and importance to her citizens, is the construction of a canal from the waters of the Patapsco, near Baltimore, to some point on the Potomac river, which shall most conveniently unite with the Potomac and Ohio canal.

Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention now assembled, that the legislature of Maryland, ought, without delay, to propose to the legislature of Pennsylvania, to unite with said state in constructing and ascending navigation, from the tide water of the Chesapeake bay, at Port Deposit, to the town of Harrisburg, in Dauphin county, by canals, or otherwise, as an object of great interest and importance to Maryland.

Resolved, As the sense of this convention, that it would be proper for the legislature of Maryland, at its next session, to constitute by law, a board of public works, whose duty it shall be to cause an accurate survey and examination of the state to be made, and to ascertain what rivers can be improved by removing impediments to their navigation—and the expense of such improvement-what canals or rail roads are practicable; and which, if made, will promote the public interest; with the expense of constructing such canals or rail roads, and generally to develope the extent of the agricultural, manufacturing and commercial resources of the state; with digested plans for rendering those resources subservient to the general welfare.

Mr. M'Henry, of Alleghany county, submitted the following resolutions, which were read and referred to the same committee.

Whereas, The great national system of internal improvements, now contemplated by the government of the United States, to establish a connected canal navigation between the eastern and western waters; as also, a continuous line of interior inlet navigation, through the lowlands and inlets along the whole coast of the United States, as far as may be found practicable, thereby extending and multiplying the means and facilities of interior trade, between the two great divisions of the United States, and opening a safe inland communication, which will unite the different sections of the republic, by the bonds of commercial intercourse as well as rapid mutual aid in time of war.

And whereas, It has been ascertained by the official reports of engineers, employed by the United States, and by the state of Maryland, that a continuous line of interior canal navigation is practicable, from Lake Erie to the Ohio, from the Ohio to the Potomac, from the Potomac to the Patapsco, and from the Patapsco to Havre-de-Grace, on the Chesapeake bay, from the

Chesapeake Bay to the Delaware, from the Delaware to the Hudson, and thence by the Buzzard and Barnstable canal through to Boston.

And whereas, This line of internal navigation is considered as the first grand division of the system of internal improvements, by canal navigation, intended to be effected by the general government, aided by the concurrence and co-operation of the states through whose territories the same will pass.

And whereas, That section of this great division, which lies within the bounds of Maryland, commences where the Pennsylvania line intersects the Youghiogany river, and courses that river till it connects with the head waters of the Savage river, then with the Potomac river, then to the Patapsco river, and thence to Havre-de-Grace, at the mouth of the Susquehanna, on the Chesapeake bay, forms a constituent part of the great division of internal improvement by canal navigation.

And whereas, This line of internal navigation, through the state of Maryland, from its western boundary to its eastern extremity, will not only lay open to every section of the state, the commercial advantages to be secured by the line of canal navigation contemplated in the general system of internal improvement, and afford an easy, cheap, safe and expeditious navigation to every section of the state; but will also remove all the natural divisions which now produce separate sectional interests, and keep alive discordant sectional feelings, and will tend to unite every division of the state, and make of it one harmonious whole: Therefore,

Resolved, That it is the duty of the state of Maryland, as far as lies within her means, to promote the accomplishment of her part of the great division of internal navigation, and to obtain the co-operation of the general government and the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Resolved, That for the purpose of harmonizing the conflicting sectional interests, and securing unanimity in every section of the state, the Youghiogany, Savage, and Potomac river canal; the cross cut from the District of Columbia to the Patapsco, and the inland canal from the Patapsco to Havrede-Grace, on the Chesapeake Bay, be considered as one continuous canal, and ought not to be divided into sections, one having a preference before the other, but be promoted as one consentaneous concurrent act on the part of the state.

Resolved, That the act incorporating the Chesapeake and Ohio canal company, passed at the last session of the legislature, is inadequate to effect the great plan in contemplation, inasmuch as it provides only for the accomplish-` ment of a part of the line of canal through Maryland, Icaving it in the power of the company established by that charter, to postpone the most important section, by which the eastern and western waters are to be connected, for a term of fifteen years, and does not embrace in its provisions, the accomplish ment of the other sections, but leaves them to the fate of future legislation. Inasmuch, also, as the said act has ingrafted on the said Ohio and Chesapeake canal company, the interest and stock of the Potomac company, in