Page:Historic highways of America (Volume 13).djvu/44

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
40
THE GREAT AMERICAN CANALS

Lawrence at Montreal and which necessity only can compel; as it is from all accts longer and of more difficult navigation than the St Lawrence itself.—

"To do this, the Waters which empty into the Ohio on the East Side, & which communicate nearest and best with those which run into the Atlantic, must also be delineated—

"These are, Monongahela and its branches, viz, Yohiogany & Cheat.—and the little and great Kanhawas; and Greenbrier which emptys into the latter.—

"The first (unfortunately for us) is within the jurisdiction of Pensylvania from its Mouth to the fork of the Cheat, indeed 2 Miles higher—as (which is more to be regretted) the Yohiogany also is, till it crosses the line of Maryland; these Rivers I am persuaded, afford much the shortest Routs from the Lakes to the tide water of the Atlantic, but one not under our controul; being subject to a power whose interest is opposed to the extension of their navigation, as it would be the inevitable means of withdrawing from Philadelphia all the trade of that part of its