JCSOUl
<o
1
1
8
REGIO
— i
5
6
1
BRARY FAC
^sl
Barton
Cominerce of the Lakes
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
COMMERCE OP THE LAKES^
A BRIEF SKETCH
OF THE
COMMERCE
OF THE
GREAT
NOKTHERN AND WESTERN
- LAKES
FOR A SERIES OF YEARS;
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
AN ACCOUNT OF THE BUSINESS DONE THROUGH BUFFALO
ON THE ERIE CANAL,
FOR THE YEARS
1845 AND 184 6.
ALSO, REMARKS AS TO
THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.
BY JAMES L. BARTON.
BUFFALO:
PRESS OF JEWETT, THOMAS & CO.
* Commercial Advertiser Office.
184 7.
'-J r
3^^<
PREFACE.
I have at different times, through the press of this city, given slight
sketches of the Commerce of our " Inland seas," the great Northern and
Western Lakes, noting its growth from one period to another. It had
acquired such importance from the magnitude of its transactions, that there
was something more due to it than the merely slight sketches it had
received. In May, 1845, I published in pamphlet form, a running
account from the facts I had collected for a long number of years respect-
ing it, which had been almost entirely forgotten. The appearance of
this pamphlet created a strong sensation with the public, wh<o were sur-
prised that a business reaching in value at that period, nearly in amount
to the foreign export trade of the whole country, had so suddenly
sprung up on these Lakes, unobserved, in so short a period. The demand
for that pamphlet has not ceased — to this day applications are made tor
it from all quarters. It has been read and pondered over, and doubts have
arisen whether it was possible the facts stated could be true.
To remove these doubts, and place this great business before the world,
with such evidence as would dispel them, I have this year resum-
ed the subject, and gone much into detail of what composes this
Commerce. A portion* of the matter contained in this pamphlet has
already, within a few days, appeared in a series of numbers in the columns
of the Commercial Advertiser of this city. A very general expression of
my fellow citizens has been made to me, to revise and extend these series
by more detailed exhibits, in kind, of what forms this business : that these
891168
PREFACE.
'important facts and interesting reminiscences may be placed in a more
convenient form, and safer depository than a newspaper. I have complied
with their desire. In doing so, I must in justice to myself, beg leave to
say, it has no pretensions to literary merit. I only claim the merit of
having closely observed, like a business man, the changes that are rapidly
going on in the hitherto little known regions of the West : for the truth-
fulness of its statements, thousands are ready to avouch.
I desire the reader to give the table appended, a careful exammation,
and he will see that this commerce of the Lakes is not local or confined to
any one Slate, but that it is the principal channel of a great many States,
who use it most extensively for the transacting of their business.
J. L. BARTON.
Buffalo, February, 1847.
A BRIEF SKETCH
OF THE
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
AXD
THE ERIE CANAL.
Last May I published, in pamphlet form, a letter,
addressed to the Hon. Robert McClelland, Chairman
of the Com. on Comm.erce, in the House of Representa-
tives, Washing-ton, relative to the value and importance of
the Commerce of the g-reat Western Lakes. In that
letter I g-ave a hasty sketch of the rise andg-rowth of this
commerce, obtained from personal knowledge and collec-
tion of statistics for a great many years, antecedent, and
down to the close of 1845. In the October number of
Hunt's valuable Magazine, it was published very much at
large, — and in. this manner secured from loss important
statistical facts, which will be of great importance at some
coming period, when the future historian shall write the
early history of the Western country : valuable, not oi^ily
for this purpose, but for a greater, as forming a basis and
safe guide to legislators, national and state, and others, in
devising measures to bring into full operation the vast and
D COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
inexhaustible resources of this great and rapidly growing
portion of our country.
I now propose to continue this subject by an exhibit of
the business of 1846. The great increase this year, in all
the more valuable agricultural productions over former
years, cannot fail to attract public attention to the impor-
tance of this growing trade, and shadow forth the value
of the great West to the mercantile, manufacturing and
commercial interests of the sea-board.
The West ! — a name given only a few years since to a
remote, boundless and unsettled wilderness, inhabited only
by roving bands of wild Indians and savage animals, —
visited only by the Indian trader, or some romantic spirit
pleased with the novelty of an adventure into unknown
regions, — a country which it appeared centuries must pass
away before settlement and civilization would occupy it —
has suddenly, as if by magic, with the powerfiri aid of
steam, and the indomitable enterprise, industry and perse-
verance of a free people, with the blessings of free institu-
tions, securing to all the fruits of their own labor, been
reclaimed from the wilderness. All physical difficulties
have been overcome, this vast region of country has been
penetrated in all quarters, and in the place where once stood
the wigwam of the savage, is now found the school-house,
the mechanic shop, the temples of religion and science, and
cities and towns, containing from 500 to 15,000 souls, dot
the land in large numbers. Roads have been constructed,
rivers improved, mills erected, and in every direction is
heard the whistling of the free, the intelligent and indus-
trious farmer, as he pursues his laborious but independent
occupation. Literally have they caused the '-wilderness
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 7
to bud and blossom as the rose," and become the granary
of the Union.
It is now my pm*pose to exhibit facts to show that the
mig-hty West is not a mere poetical phrase, but is a sub-
stantial country, rich in resources, and possessed by an
enterprising- population, who are successfully developing*
them more rapidly than the history of the world can any
where else present.
To make the change which has taken place in the
West, within a few short years, more striking, I will
present some comparative statements of their exjDorts at
different periods :
In 1835, the whole exports from the West, came princi-
pally from the Northern or Lake portion of Ohio. The
amount which passed through this city to tide water, via
the Erie Canal, of the principal articles, consisted of the
following :
Flour bbls *86,233
Wheat bu *98,071
Staves lbs 2,565,272
Corn bu 14,579
Provisions bbls 6,562
Ashos casks 4,419
Wool lbs 140,911
But., Cheese & Lard, . . 1,030,632
*Equivalent to 543,§15 bushels of Grain.
The tolls collected at the Buffalo office that year
amounted to $106,213 35 ; the total number of tons of all
articles, from all sources, cleared at Buffalo that year was
49,478 ; the valuation of property I have not for that year,
but in the year 1837, the value of all the property sent
towards tide water on the Erie Canal from Buffalo, was
$3,286,128.
In 1845 and 1846, Ohio and the other States around
these Lakes, sent to Eastern markets, through tlie same
channel the following articles :
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
In 1S45.
Flour bbls 717,466
Wheat bii L354,990
Staves lbs 88,296,431
Corn bu 33,069
Provisions bbls 6S,000
Ashes casks 34,602
Wool lbs 2,957,761
But., Cheese and Lard 6,597,007
In 1846
Flour bbls 1, 280,897
Wheat bu 3,611,224
Staves lbs 65,958,932
Corn bu 1,119,689
Provisions bbls 99,339
Ashes casks 22,465
Wool lbs 3,762,829
But., Cheese and Lard 12,713,662
The entire amount of flour, wheat and other grain
exported by the Western States, throug-h the Lakes in
1846, for Canada and our own markets, reduced to bush-
els, will exceed 15,000,000 of bushels.
Having- received a letter, dated 29di January ultimo,
from Col. Abert, the head of the Topographical Depart-
ment at Washington, propounding some questions to me in
relation to this commerce, I will give his questions in the
order in which they were presented, with the answers to
each, as furnished by me, as the most perfect method of
arriving at the particulars of the business, accompanied
with such other details I had in my possession, but which
I could not furnish him, for want of time.
Question 1st. — " The commerce of the Lakes — returns
in kind and quantities^ as far as practicable, and for the
years 1841, '42 '43, '44, '45 and '46."
" As the greatest portion of the export commerce of the
Lakes passes through this city on its way to tide water,
(large quantities also pass the Welland Canal to Canadian
ports, and through Lake Ontario to New York) I will give
you, as the best answer to this question, the lake imports, in
kind and quantities, taken from the Custom House books,
for the above series of years — remarking, at the same time,
that these statements do not, by any means, comprise the
AND THE ERIE CANAL.
whole — that they only give a g-eneral view of the business
from year to year. I also furnish you the business done
from some other ports, for the purpose of showing the
great difference these reports present of the business of
the same places, as years roll on.
IMPORTS OF BUFFALO FROM THE LAKES IN 184L
Flour, bbls. 730,040
Wheat, bush. 1,635;000
Furs, pks. 4,186
Butter and lard, kgs. 49,336
Staves 7,860,000
Whiskey, casks. 19,038
Seed, " 8,228
Bacon, " 3,779
Ashes, " 6,660
Pork, bbls. 11,752
Corn, bush. 201,031
Lumber, feet. 8,000,000
Hides, 17,.538
Fish, bbls. 3,501
Brooms, doz. 5.507
Oats, bush. 14,144
Coal, tons. 300
Rye, bush. 2,140
"Castings, iron,wool, cheese, lead, shot, nails, barley, corn-
meal, dried fruits, glass, cotton, feathers, sheep pelts, tanned
leather, calf skins, beans, cranberries, hickory nuts, bees-
wax, peas, grindstones, ginseng, paper and paper rags, lin-
seed and other oils, glue and glue pieces, maple sugar,
wooden ware, live cattle, swine, and tobacco, although in
quantities move or less, have not been specifically placed in
the statement. The estimated value, for this year, is
$10,000,000.
In 1842.
The principal articles landed at this port during the season were :
Flour bbls. 734,308
Beef and Pork,.. . .bbls. 61,150
Seed, bbls. 12,184
Fish, bbls. 2,367
Ashes, cks. 14,590
Whiskey, cks. 13,687
Bacon cks. 1,902
Lead, pigs. 23,926
Wheat, bush. 1,555,439
Corn and Oats, .... bush. 454,530
Barley, bush. 4,710
Rye, bush. 1,223
Butter, kegs. 29,874
do bbls. 592
Lard, bbls. 7,405
do kegs. 8,331
Hides, 17,491
Staves, 4,392,000
"This list embraces an account of the principal articles
only. I have enumerated a class of articles in '41, received
10
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
at this port every year, of which no particular statement is
made up. I cannot give you the estimated vahie of the im-
ports this year, none having been made.
In 1843
The aggregate of the various articles which arrived is as follows : '
Flour bbls. 917,.517
Pork, " 41,979
Beet; " 25,329
Seed, " 12,239
Ashes, " 29,940
Whiskey, " 8,719
Cranberries,. " 3,281
Fish, " 2,857
Tallow, « 2,387
Hams and Bacon, cks. 4,814
Hides, 32,447
Hemp, bales, 865
Tobacco, hhds. 2,097
Lead, pigs, 23,753
Staves, 3,500,000
Wheat, bush. 1,827,241
Corn,
Oats, .
Rye, . .
Butter,
Lard, .
do .
Wool,
kgs.
a
bbls.
.sks.
223,963
2,489
1,332
17,402
10,464
14,125
4,516
Cheese, bxs. 9,863
do cks. 3,664
Brooms, doz. 2,128
Furs and skins, .... pks. 2,343
Glass, bxs. 2,298
Shot, kgs. 675
Pig iron tons. 1,000
Coal, tons. 1000
Nails, kgs. 478
Paper rags bales 261
Leather principally skirting rolls 308
Lard and other oils, bbls. 1,316
Beeswax pkgs. 261
Nuts, bbls. 100
Beans, " 342
Ginseng, pkgs. 304
Beer, bbls. 51
Starch, bxs. 104
Candles " 101
Feathers, sack 1,153
Dried and other fruit, pkgs 735
Live hogs, 5,221
Bacon and hams .... pes. 12,031
• " To the above imports must be added 195 boxes and
1 1 tons bar soap, part of which came fi^m the Wabash
Canal, having been manufactured at La Fayette, la., also
valuable invoices of hollow ware and other castings, hoops,
hops, shingles, grind-stones, bristles, corn-meal, and broom
corn, oars, and some 200 boxes and barrels saleratus,
8,000,000 feet of lumber, and innumerable other articles.
The total value of imports this year is estimated at
$10,000,000.
" The stock of staves has been much smaller this year
than usual. About 600 tons of the pig iron imported, came
frotn the Rossie Parish, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., via
AND THE ERIE CANAL.
11
the Welland Canal, and is now introduced among our man-
ufactures under very favorable auspices. The quantity
of coal received is about 1000 tons, two-thirds of which
came from Ohio, and the balance (Blossburgh, Pa.,)
reached this city by the same channel as the Rossie iron.
In 1844.
Flour bbls 915,000
Pork " 51,478
Beef " 28,432
Ashes " 29,330
Seed " 15,472
Whiskey " 6,315
Lake fish " 2,783
Cranberries " 3,336
Tallow " 2,570
Dried fruit " 345
Oil " 1,663
Hides 29,080
Staves M 6,543
Lumber .. " 6,130
Shingles " 269
Lead pigs 6,276
Copper " 50
Shot bxs 368
Wool bales 12,340
Feathers " 1,416
Hemp " 235
Leather rls 1,763
Brooms doz 1,280
Pig iron tons 1,915
Wheat bu 2,177,500
Corn « 137,978
Oats " 18,017
Rye " 1,617
Barley " 456
Potatoes " 2,113
Butter kgs 17,427
Lard " 8,223
Do : bbls 8,553
Cheese bxs 13,206
Do cks 2,630
Hams and bacon .... 6,170
Do ps 24,960
Live hogs 4,773
Live cattle and sheep . . . 230
Tobacco hhds 262
Do bxs 166
Coal tons 1,-524
Starch bxs 2,920
Do bbls 164
Candles bxs 432
Soap " 490
Glaes " 3,624
Ginseng pks 380
*' In addition to the above, there were landed here from
the West, 140 pks beeswax, 105 do oil cake, 320 cords
hemlock bark, 40 bales hops, 395 pks saleratus, 50,000
sheejj pelts, the usual amount of furs, paper rags,
beans, &c., intermixed with our multifarious western im-
poris ; 30 lihds of Louisiana sugar was also observed
among the imports. It reached this place via Cleveland
and the Ohio canal.
12
COMMERCE OP THE LAKES
Low prices have universally ruled this season, thus
rendering" the value of our imports less than some previ-
ous seasons. The value of imports this year is estima-
ted at 88,000,000.
In 1845.
Flour bbls
Pork "
Beef "
Seed "
Whiskey "
Salt "
Fish "
Tallow
Oil "
Ashes
Hams and bacon
Do
Wool
Lead
Leather pkgs
Feathers "
Hemp bales
Brooms doz
Hides »
Starch bxs
Do bbls
Glass bxs
Iron tons
cks
ps
bales
pigs
746,750
28,930
28,130
13,840
11,750
5,230
3,755
2,565
1,140
32,900
2,925
9,330
16,185
14,810
5,268
2,775
2,620
2,335
43,590
2,780
207
3,250
2,390
Wheat
Corn
.... bu
Oats
a
Potatoes
ii
Rve
a
Barley
Coal
a
. . . . tns
Staves
M
Lumber
Butter
Do
.... M ft
... kgs
. . . bbls
Lard
((
Do
kffs
Cheese
. . . . bxs
Do
cks
Shingles ....
Tobacco
Do
... M
... hhds
. . . bxs
Shot
kifs
Sugar
Live hoo"s. . . .
... hhds
'CD
Soap
bxs
Candles
"
1,770.740
54,200
23,100
4,000
1,170
456
3,936
S,.573
9.655
18.455
310
7,200
15,220
20,667
2,950
700
625
230
350
242
1,860
257
246
" To this must be added a g-reat number of unenumera-
ted articles coming- in Trom the West, and the whole of
the exports from Silver Creek, Dunkirk, Barcelona, &c.,
which being within this district do not report to the Cus-
tom House, and of course form no part of the above im-
ports. The articles thus omitted are pot and pearl ashes,
cheese, butter, beef, wool, lumber in large quantities, and
many other valuable commodities. Nearly the whole of
our best cabinet lumber is imported from Cattaraugus
and Chautauque counties. The pine is obtained from
Canada.
AND THE ERIE CA^ AL.
13
^'A valuation of the imports seems to have been omitted
this year.
In 1846.
Flour, bbls. 1,324,529
Pork and bacon, " 80.000
Beef, " 28,428
Whiskey, " 15,000
Wheat, bush. 4,744,184
Corn. " 1,455,258
Oats, " 248,300
Barley, " 47,530
Rye, " 28,250
Staves, pes. 10,762,500
Lumber, ft. 34,536,829
Shingles, 5,150
Tobacco, hhds. 3,022
Lead, pgs. 25,960
Corn meal, bbls. 4,381
Oil, " 781
Hemp, bis. 26,021
Feathers, sks. 1,970
Beeswax, bbls. 611
Grindstones, tons 350
Iron, tons 2,290
Coal, " 4,430
Leather, rolls 9,090
Ashes, bbls. 24,612
Hides, nmbr. 50,535
Lard lbs. 6,099,171
Butter, " 3,509,900
Cheese, " 3,083,000
Cotton, bales 633
Wool, " 21,110
Furs and Peltries, . . . pks. 2,550
Beans, bbls.
Sugar, hhds.
Potatoes, bush.
Fish bbls.
Tallow, lbs.
Broom Corn, bdls.
Cranberries, bbls.
Brooms, doz.
Copper Ore, tns.
Fat cattle, hogs, merchandize, furniture, 6cc. &c., equal to . . pkgs.
3,120
395
8,850
6,498
808,860
8,600
2,143
9,665
170
54,243
Forming a valuation of $17,827,810
" The imports this year have greatly exceeded any for-
mer one, and this table does no more embrace the whole,
than the tables of other years do. The valuation placed
upon the repainted articles is $17,827,810. But it is believed
that the omissions in the reports, if all could be ascertained,
would swell the amount to $20,000,000.
" The foregoing" is an account of the commerce reaching*
this port through the Lakes, for the years indicated.
" With regard to the shipments of property from this
port west, it is next to an impossibility to arrive at it, and
impossible to specify the articles ; but they embrace every
thing used by man. The only manner • I can get at any
thing like the value is, by taking the Canal imports ; but
14 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
then, we have extensive manufactures in this city, which
make and ship larg-e quantities west, together with large
supplies received from rail roads and other sources, of
which no .accounts are kept.
" I give the value of the imports via. the canal into this
city, and, although all is not originally intended for the
Western markets, the quantities of our own manufactures,
and sales from our own stock, more than equal wliat is
originally left here by the canal for Buffalo. The tonnage
and valuation of property entering this city via. the Erie
Canal, was in
TONS. VALUATION.
1845 144,413 $10,888,382
184G 153,761 2.3,199,665
" I will now beg leave to call your attention to some
reminiscences connected with the commerce of this port,
which may not be altogether uninteresting to you.
" The followino- is a list of the number of arrivals and
departures at this port, for the years stated :
NO. ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES.
1815
64
1818...,
100
1816
80
1819
96
1817
100
Whether the arrivals and departures at Black Rock are in-
cluded in this list, I cannot, at this late day, say, but the
probability is strong that they are ; as that place, lying as
it does, at the entrance into the Niagara river, was the
general shipping port and resort of almost all the vessels
until 1819; when the mouth of Buffalo creek was im-
proved so as to let them come in here. Before this im-
provement, nothing but the smallest kind of craft could en-
ter this creek, except immediately after the spring freshets,
when the bars at its mouth had been washed away by the
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 15
current; vessels that did trade here then, anchored off in the
lake, and their loading- was broug-ht from and sent to them
in lig-hters.
1820
1821
120
150
1824
1825
286
355
1822
1823
200
236
1826
1827
418
572
"This table embraces thirteen consecutive years. At the
close of this period, the total number of American vessels,
of all descriptions, employed in the commerce of Erie and
the Upper Lakes, was only 53, with an aggregate tonnage
of 3611 tons. This meagre exhibit is in keeping with the
population, which, in 1825, was ascertained to be constitu-
ted of no more than 2,412 souls. At this time, the number
will not vary much either way of 35,000. The year 1825,
it will be remembered, was the period of the completion
of the Erie Canal, and the above table of commerce ex-
tends through the first two years of canal commerce :
1841 5290 I 1842 4952
" This year, vessels began to visit Lake Michigan for
freights, instead of obtaining them from Ohio, as hereto-
fore. The length of the voyages, caused a decrease in the
arrivals and departures.
1843 .5884
1844 5978
1845 5200
"The introduction of many large new vessels, in the place
of small old ones annually going out of commission, a very
boisterous season of navigation, together with the fact that
trips are more regularly made to the Upper Lake ]Dorts
in search of cargoes, may, in a measure, account for the
diminished number of arrivals this year.
• " The arrivals and clearances, exports and imports, to and
from Foreign ports, during 1846, were —
16 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES.
American
British
vessels . . .
do . . .
60
427
Tenn
do
RED.
do
\merican.
do ...
CLEA
65
British
Total
do ...
427
. . .vessels 979
do
AERIVAIiS.
nage 5,459
90,429
, 6,012
, 90,429
tons 192,329
Value of imports 8121,600
Exports 191,959
$313,559
'• The cause of the great amount of Foreig-n tonnag-e is,
two British steamboats run to and from this port to Can-
ada constantly, during the season of navig-ation, one making
two trips per week, and one, a g-ood part of the time, two
trips per day.
" The enrolled and licensed tonnage in the District of
Buffalo, in 1846, consisted of —
Steam vessels 14,290
Sail do 10,513
Total tons 24,803
" The number of arrivals, Foreig-n and coastwise, at the
p#i't of Buffalo, in 1846, were —
Steamboats 1310
Steam Propellers 200
Bi :;,-! and Schooners 2262
Slooj)s and other small craft 85
Total 3857
Forming a tonnage of 912,957 tons.
" The number of clearances have been about the same,
probably more, as an unusual number of vessels wintered
over in this port last year — making a total of 7,714, form-
ing an aggregate tonnage of 1,825,914 tons, arriving at
and de])arting from the port in the year 1846."
AND THE ERIE CANAL.
17
ERIE CANAL COMMERCE OF BUFFALO.
The followino- tables show the entire movement of pro-
perty throug-h Buffalo on the Erie canal, for the years 1845
and 1846. Aj)])endecl to this pamphlet is a table, desig*-
nating- the States, Territories and Countries from which
this property came, and went to, and g-iving the quantity
of each article ; it also includes the business of previous
years.
Shipped from Buffalo on tlie Erie Received at Buffalo by tlie Erie
Canal in 1845 and IfMn. Canal in 184ri and 18415.
PRODUCTS OF THE FOREST. 1845. 184G. 1845. 184fi.
Furs and pelt. lbs. 545,097 571,342 14,862 30,527
B'd's and Scant, ft. 19,932,069 19,027,.530 3,140,959 3,119,009
Shingles, M 554 401 . . 15
Timber, c. ft 11,445 10,714 .. 58,180
Staves, lbs 89,174,110 73,135,932 .. 16,000
Wood, cds 980 729 13,025 16,655
Ashes, bbls 38,417 24,639 4
PRODUCTS OF AGRICULTURE.
Pork, bbls. 28,235 01,492 43 20
Beet; " 34,084 28,503 . . 9
Bacon, lbs 1,218,811 2,220,673 ., 2,177
Cheese, » 2,759,928 4,973,165 7,258 3,142
Butter, " 3,397,690 4,658,427 7,565 10,254
Lard, " 2,852.441 5,950,.541 200
Wool, " 3,441,317 4,085,929 14,913 4,991
Hides, " 769,861 788,956 319,272 360,409
Flour, bbls r21,891 1,291,233 3,310 7,222
Wheat, bu 1,3.34,996 3,613,569 271 376
Rye, " 903 1,895 3 4
Corn, " 33,094 1,119,689 .. 434
Barley, '• 3,683 11,013 6,253
Other grain, bu. . . 9,040 185,896 10,564
Bran & ship st. bu. 3,266 2,550 45,354 8,588
Peas and beans, " 1,587 6,265 367 41
Potatoes, bu 3,445 771 1,706 3,206
Dried fruit, lbs. . . . 7,837 290,492 807,599 268,395
Cotton, " 2.52,983 50,914 123,456
Tobacco, " 608,349 2,511,380 120,364 1.52,090
Clov'r & or. sd. lb.s. 2,487,336 1,069,423 11,558 50,473
Flax seed, lbs 184,563 971,796 . . 190
Hops, " 4,436 2,118 35,085 143,713
DOMESTIC MANUKA ClU RKS.
Domes, spirits, gal. 272,336 323,925 17,840 5,800
Leather, lbs..... 1,090,548 1,1.37,356 2,081
Furniture, " 1,254,764 1,177,273 9,491,372 9,649,943
B
18
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
Shipped rrom]BuflUlo on the Erie
Canal in 1845 and 184ri.
Received at Buffaio on the Erie
Canal in 1W5 and 1846.
DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES. 1845.
Bar & pig lead, lbs. 345,387
Pig iron, "
Iron ware, "
Domes, woolens, "
Domes, cottons, "
Salt, bu
Merchandise, lbs . .
161,518
33,779
23,143
1,213
1846.
516,264
35,594
87,802
5,052
11,198
1845.
110,886
2,813,046
582,694
184C.
2,765,040
566,572
295,125 176,777 100,893,423 116,148,045
OTHER ARTICLES.
Stone, lime and
*^Iay, ll^s 11,804,950 3,973,966 37,134,4.^)7 28,314,^^86
Gypsum, " 1,594 6,410 493,179 200,605
Mineral coal, lbs.. 1,954,850 3,274,162 5,222,991 6,086,606
Sundries, lbs 0,844,395 10,705,597 6,576,203 2,932,004
Of llie Tonnage cipareil from Bunalo lS4u. IS-iG.
the Forest iiirnished 91.673 77,022
Agriculture 138,733 310,848
Domestic manulactures . . . 2,817 3,107
Merchandise 148 88
Other articles 10,302 8,9h0
Of the Tonnage left at Buflalo
the Forest furnished 43,466
Agriculture 2,008
Domestic manufactures... 23,779
Merchandise 50,447
Other articles 24,713
243,673
144,413
53,021
1,699
22.101
58,074
18,821
400,045
Total tons 348,086
1845.
Valuation, property cleared from $ 9,502,306
Valuation, property lett al 16,888,382
Total $26,390,688
Tolls received at Buffalo 8482,639 04
153,761
553,761
1810.
$15,014,316
23.199,665
$38,214,025
$763,683 02
CANAL COMMERCE OF BLACK ROCK.
Sliippeil from Black Rork on the Received al Black Rock by the
Erie Canal in 184.> and lK4fi. Erie Canal in 184.> and l«4ti.
PRODUCTS OF THE FOREST. 1845. 184G. 1845. 184G.
Furs and pelt. lbs. . . 1,403 8,728 1,250
Boards and scant, ft. 3,850,809 4,412,917 95,195 200,565
Shingles, jr 12 17 - 73 64
Timber, 100 c. ft. . . 163,700 203,154 72,809 101,143
Staves, IJjs 278.000 66,000 122,159
Wood,cds 12,950 17,310 703 600
Ashe.s, bbls 191' 4
1845.
1846.
114
169
19"
24
300
844
953
509
, .
••
180
1,096
, ,
1,305
1,735
320,493
490,546
3,801
8,321
. ,
40
3,786
9,428
5,744
5,208
13
3
32
102
100
100
100
7,790
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 19
Shippeil fiom Black K™ t on the Reeeived »t Black Rnck liy ti.e
Ene Canal in 1S45 and 1846. Erie Canal in l>-4.') and IMfi.
PKODUCTS OK AGKICUtrURE. 1845. 1846.
Pork, bbls 21 22
Boef, '« 3
Bacon, lbs .. 100
Cheese, " 1,350 726
Butter, " . . 3,765
Lard, " 328 696
Wool, " 58,255 31,957
Hides, '• 0,711
Flour, bbls 152,795 146,761
Wheat, bu 1 8,790 23,797
Corn, " 1,400
Barley, "
Other grain, bu ... . 59 729
Br'n& ship stuff, bu. 98,248 58,284
Peas and beans, bu . .
Potatoes, bu . . 3
Dried fruits, lbs 200
Cotton, " . . . .
Tobacco, " . . . .
Clov'r & gr. sd. lbs. . . 44,440
MANUFACTURES.
Domestic spirits, gal. 3,744 608 4,674 1,8-12
Leather, lbs 3,453 4,900 11,688 546
Furniture," 101,961 179,362 34,594 31,619
Bar and pig lead, lbs. .. 1,035
Pig iron, lbs .. 300
Ironware, " 1,050 100 6,100
Domes, woolens, lbs. . . 2,493
Salt,bu .. 500 2,4.55
Merchandise, lbs... 3,810 8,182 100,843 184,218
OTHER ARTICLES.
Stone, lime and
clay, lbs 1,73 1,200 2,.557,910 1,670,200 358,805
(Jypsum, " . . . . 25,726
Coal, " 12,000 36,500
Sundries," 558,260 489,594 570,070 411,012
Of the Tonnage cleared frniii niack Rnck 1 S4.5. 184G.
the Forest furnished 4(),141 59,926
Agriculture 18,085 17,314
Manufactures 68 98
Merchandise 2 4
Other articles 1,146 1,530
65,442 78,872
or the Tonnage left at Black Rnck
the Forest furnished 3.654 4,045
Agriculture 10,007 15,349
20 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
Of the Tonnage left at Black Rock 1845. 1S46.
the Manufactures furnished ... 56 96
Merchandise 50 91
Other articles 1,151 385
14,918 19,966
Total tons, 80,360 98,838
1845. 1846.
Vahiation property cleared from $849,443 $804,954
Valuation property left at 353,679 520,669
Total $1,203,122 $1,325,623
Tolls received at Black Rock $56,582 78 $83,930 27
As the business done on the Erie Canal, throug-h Buffalo
and Black Rock, is literally the business of one place, I
will now consolidate and present it in a condensed form.
1845. 1846.
Tonnage first cleared
from BulTalo is 243,643 400,045
Do. B.Rock,... 65,442 309,115 78,872 478,917
Tonnage left at Buffalo is 144,413 153,761
Do. do. B. Rock, 14,918 159.331 19,966 173,727
Total tons 468,446 652,644
Valuation property cl'd
from Buffalo $9,502,306 $15,014,316
Do. B.Rock.... 849,443 804,954 15,819,270
10,351,749
Valuation property left
at Buffalo 16,888,382 23,199,665
Do. B. Rock 363,679 17,242,061 520,669 2 3,720,334
Total $27,593,810 $39,539,604
Tolls received at Buffalo . . . $482,639.04 763,683.02
Do. do. B.Rock.. 56,682.78 83.930.27
Total $538,221.82 $847,613.29
The Canal opened April 16, and closed on the 25tli No-
vember, making- 224 days of navigation; deduct one-
seventh for Sundays, leaves 192 working- days. The pro-
perty passing- each way from B, and B. R. is 652,644 tons,
whicli gives o,400 tons as the labor that was pcrfoi-med
each day, during- tlie wliole season of navig-ation.
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 21
PORT OF DUNKIRK.
Statement of imports and exports at the port of Dunkirk, N. Y., during the
season of 1846:
IMPORTS.
Assorted merc'dise,. .lbs. 1,349,384 Salt bbls. 2,664
Hydraulic cement & plaster, 62.500 Dairy salt, sacks. 1,200
Coal, 368,000 Dry hides, 87&
Pig iron 104,000 Cedar posts, 1,750
Furniture, 12,377 Lime stone, cords. 40
Estimated value $166,760,25
EXPORTS.
Garden seeds, bxs. 6,481 j Cheese, lbs. 534,612
Chopping axes, " 50 | Butter, " 297,125
Pot and pearl ashes, cks. 183 j Leather, " 20,500
Eggs, bbls. 85 j Band boxes, box. 1,200
Flour, " 183 I Dried apples, lbs. 19,353
Pork, * 56 ' Flax, " 30,967
Cider, " 90 j Wool, " 65,708
Green apples, " 228 Lumber, ft. 1,200,000
Barley, bush. 165 Scythe snaths doz. 500
Oil cake, tons. 7 '
Estimated value, $109,730,53
Imports' $166,760,25
Exports, 109,730,53
Aggregate amount $276,490,78
PORT OF ERIE, PA.
We are indebted, says the "Observer," to Murray Whal-
loii, Esq., Collector of this port, for the following compara-
tive table of the exports from this port for the years 1845
and '46. It shows an increase of at least 100 per cent, in
favor of 1846-
1845. 1846.
li'.mntity. Quantity
Ashes, tons 546 568
Butter and cheese '' 520 i 628 i
Beef, bbls. 550 882
Beeswax " 75 25
Barley, bu.-h. 4,448 7,581
Beans '• 60 23
Coal, tons 8,507 21,534
Castings " 550 555
Corn, bush. 953 10,107
Corn, broom, ll)s. 22,214
Cigars " 13,856
22 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
1845. 1846.
Quantity Quantity
Clover seed, bbls. 10
Chestnuts, bush. 106 57
Cider, bbls. 20 92
Cotton, raw, lbs. 5,679
Eggs, bbls. 25 541
Flour " 550 14,563
Fruit, dried & green " 150 629
Feathers lbs. 250 56,760
Flax seed, • • . bbls. 50 20
Grass seed " 124
Ginseng lbs. 14,075
Glass & glass ware, tns. 94 260?
Hides, skins & furs " 77i
Hemp « 409
Hay " 20
Horns, lbs- 1,800
Iron, pigs, tons 150 800
Tr©n and Nails, " 83 , 612
Iron, railroad, " 250 2,052
Iron wire, lbs. 10,900
Leather, " 46,661 123,370
Lead, pig, " 129,790
Lead, white, " 7,000 58,692
Liquor, bbls. 1 15 35
Lard, lbs. 2,000
Lumber, feet 3.324 M. 3,901,675
Oil, bbls. 100 200
Oil cake, tons 15 10
Oats, bush. 4,800 16,300
Paper, reams 1,793 ' 3,109
Pumps and Pipe 250 1,263
Potatoes, bush. 1,126
Pork, bacon and hams, bbls. 520 2,546
Rags, lbs. 5,545 1,400
Rye, bush. 911
Staves, 1,168 M. 1,056.375
Stcarine, bbls. 50
Salt, « 300
Shingles, M 3,550 856,600
Scales, ])Iatform, 500
Shingle bolts, cords 10
Seed, rape, bush. 456
Sugar, Molasse.s, <Sjc., li)s. 335,735
Sundries, tons 500 451
Tallow, lljs. 30,200
Tobacco, unnian'd, 'â– 333,602
Wool, " 65,435 476,922
Aggregate value for 1845 $ 403,334
Do. do, 1846 1,073,246
Showing an increase over last year <if i|669,912
AND THE ERIE CANAL.
23
These tables show the effect produced on the commerce
of that place by the ag-ency of the Erie Extension Canal,
connecting the Lakes with the Ohio River. It was opened
in 1845, and had few conveniences or boats for doing-
business, and a commencement merely was made; in
1846, it was better provided with facilities for business,
and the difference is shown in the tables.
No account has been published of the imports, coastwise
or Foreig-n. It is, however, well known that a g-ood deal
of business is done there, and that larg-e quantities of su-
perior g-ypsum is imported from Canada, g-roimd at Erie,
and through this Canal sent to the interior Counties of
Pennsylvania.
PORT OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.
The following abstracts show the Lake Commerce of
this port in 1846 :
Abstract of produce and mprcliaudise, the product of the United States,
exported from the District of Cuyahoga, Oliio, to tbreign ports and
countries, during the year 1846.
AMERICAN VESSELS.
11,223 bbls. flour,
63,401 bush, wheat,
28,823 " corn,
4,402 bbls. pork.
78 tons grindstones,
230 calf skins,
5,141 galls, stone ware,
201 pkgs. merchandise,
604,000 lbs. tallow,
498 pkgs. lard.
Valuation
946 pkgs. sundries,
188 tons coal,
54 pkgs. bacon,
1,705 bxs. glass,
333 doz. brooms,
64 bdls. broom corn,
81 bbls. fruit,
39 " clover seed,
360 " salt.
$1.56,041
BRITISH VESSELS.
11,703 bbls. flour,
249.661 bush, wheat,
16,635 " corn,
5,983 bbls. pork,
17 i tons grindstones,
150 trees,
75 pkgs. lard,
575 cks. tallow,
387 bales hemp,
3,584 lbs. bacon.
24
COMMERCE OP THE LAKES.
BRITISH VESSELS.
2,500 feet lumber,
20 pkgs. stone pipes,
27 " merchandise,
1 mill.
-CONTINUED.
100 bxs. glass,
670 tons coal,
87 bush, clover seed,
169 pkgs. groceries.
Valuation, $463,237
Abstract of ware and merchandise impor
of Cleveland, during the year 1846.
1,214,372 feet pine lumber,
277 cords shingle timber,
196^ M. shingles,
27 spars,
37 yds. cot. and w'rs'd cloth,
9 J bbls. lake fish,
4 doz. bot. mineral water,
2 sails for vessels,
2 mariners', compasses,
Warehoused and transferred from New
falo to this port, withdrawn Dec. 2d, under
Valuatior,
ted from Canada into the Port
4,057 lbs. anchors and chains,
69 galls, ale,
2 bbls. apples.
1 bush, peas,
78 tone,
6,500 bush. St. Ubes salt,
64 galls, wine,
32 " brandy,
357 tons crude plaster.
York to Buffalo, and from Buf-
new tariff — 500 bxs. raisins.
$10,189
Abstract of exports coastwise from
season of navigation of 1846.
340,000 bbls flour,
35,000 " pork,
1,367,383 bush, wheat,
421,147 " corn,
33,000 pkgs. mdse,
1,176 tons. "
10,430 bbls. salt,
180,100 lbs. tallow,
356,120 " lard,
1,034,680 " butter,
3,440 tcs. and cks beef,
2,618 bbls. beef,
2,000 " seeds,
955,200 lbs. nails,
12,678 bxs. glass,
617,550 lbs. cheese,
2,370 bbls. ashes,
1,231,200 lbs. bacon,
2,694 tons bar iron,
521 " bundle do,
6,671 " coal,
1,281,400 lbs. wool,
Valuation
the Port of Cleveland, Ohio, during the
457,000 lbs. leather,
1,847,921 " tobacco,
47,468 " feathers,
1,386 M staves,
187,783 galls, stone ware,
2,830 bdls. broom corn,
12 tons, furs,
16 steam boilers,
365,000 ft. lumber
42,625 lbs. green hides,
382 bbls. lake fish,
1,200 " fruit,
225 bdls. steel,
61 wagons and carriages
417 stoves and furniture,
30 mill stones,
27 tons, hemp,
500 bbls. oil,
2,432 " and cks. whiskey.
Sundry articles not parti-
cularized.
$7,040,402
ASD THE ERIE CANAL.
25
Abstract of Imports coastwise to the Port of Cleveland, during the season
of navijration of 1846.
40,366 pkg!?. merchandise, )
weighing 5,986 tons, ^
38,793,709 ft. pine lumber,
826 M shingles,
90,67.3 bbls. salt,
7,700 " fish,
56,974 b'.ish wheat,
1,488 bbls. flour,
1,500 " water lime,
2,335 burr blocks,
435 tons. & 1,354 ps marble,
13 wagons and carriages,
79 bush, ashes,
19 tons, castings,
1,235 l)bls. plaster,
300 tons. "
7,276 bags salt,
389 cds. limestone,
1,008 stoves and furnilure,
212 bbls. pork,
811 green hides,
10,151 bush, barley,
403,550 lbs. leather
100 stove castings,
191 l)bls. and cks copper ore,
235 tons, coal,
38 bbls. oil,
30 sks. wool,
112 bbls. tallow,
200 doz. scythe snath>,
151 tons scrap iron,
79 " ship stuff.
Sundry articles, not parti-
cularized-
Valuation $5,045,495
" For the purpose of showing-, at one view, the money
value of the Lake Commei-ce done throug-h the Port of
Cleveland, in 1846, I present it in the following- form :
Exports to Foreign ports in British vessels, S 463,237
I)o. do. do. American do. 156,041
Imports from do. do. Am. *k; For. do. 10,189
Do. coastwise in American do. 5,045,495
Exports do. do. do. 7,040,402
.$12,715,364
The arrivals and clearances to Foreig-n ports were —
Arrivals — British, 82 vessels 9,368 75 tons. '
American, 87 do 6,141 60
Cleared — British, 80 do 9,390 70
American,.... 78 do 6,113 11
Total, 327 do 15,504 16-95 tons.
" The arrivals and clearances coastwise have not been
given, but that the number is very larg-e, may be conjec-
tured from the amount of exports and imports."
26 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
I will now present comparative statements of the
CANAL COMMERCE OF CLEVELAND,
In 1845 and 1846 :
Comparative statement of some of the principal articles of property that
arrived at, or was cleared from Cleveland, by the way of the Ohio Canal,
during the years 1845 and 1846.
AKRIVED.
1845. 1816.
Flour, bbls 352,732 358,355
Pork, " 19,981 42,996
Beef, " 4,019 1,308
Whiskey, bbls • • • • 1,642 17,741
Linseed oil " 1,217 967
Pot and pearl ashes, lbs 1,060,973 660.983
Butter, lbs 1,087.184 1,341,333
Bacon, " 863,011 1,491,821
Lard, " 792.734 1,073.444
Tallow, " 315,398 177,452
Iron and nails, lbs 9,122,822 11,527,908
Wool, lbs 961,982 970,709
Mineral coal, bush 889,880 893,806
Corn, bush 164,967 527,270
Oats, " 48,044 50,184
Wheat " 205,581 1,672,340
Tobacco, hhds 705 2,031 *
Staves and heading, pes 717,084 719,397
Stone perches, 15,055 8,690
Wood, cords 5,862 5,680
CLEARED.
Salt, bbls 52,501 58,592
Lake Fish, bbls 10,208 9,012
Merchandise, lbs 10,988,708 10,796,129
Furniture and baggage, lbs 819,891 663,225
Gypsum, lbs l,714,7o3 1,116.578
Castings, " 342,859 638,485
Machinerv, lbs 02,760 1 3 1 ,475
Saleratus,"' " 282,050 1 85,869
Pot and Pearl ashes, lbs 132,959 170,826
Other salts of lev, " 476,435 263,038
Marble, lbs. ..."'. 504,083 1,028,107
Hides and Skins, lbs 121,521 23,362
Clocks, lbs 140,373 127,432
Grindstones, lbs 51,413 37,056
Cheese, " 30,854 87,551
Lumber, feet 2,045,961 2.497,008
Shingles, " 3,251,000 1,913,250
Flat hoops, " 777,000 1,473,680
No estimated money value of this property has been published.
AND THE ERIE CANAL.
27
PORT OF SANDUSKY, OHIO.
The Sandusky Clarion furnishes the followinp;' abstract
of the imports of the District of Sandusky, during- the year
1846:
Sandusky. Milan.
Merchandise, lbs ir),.396,000 2,652,214
Stone coal, " 578,000 72,000
Salt, bbls 29,911 16,096
Plaster," 462
Water lime, bbls 450 189
Fish, " 1,839 231
Flour, " 60 241
Whiskey, " 168
Beer, ' " 276 4
Vinegar, " .... 2
Lime, " 1,600
Lumber, feet 1,400,534 21 9,293
Shingles,'. 368,750 115,500
Shino-Ie bolts, cds 30 86
Stone, " 13
Railroad and pig iron, tns 2,106 ....
Castings, " 8i
Pumps, 210 ....
Lath, M 150,000
Abstract of imports and exports at Lower Sandusky
(about 36 miles in the interior from the Lake, better known
in history as Fort Stephenson, the scene of Col. Crog-han's
gallantry in the war of 1812,) in the District of Sandusky,
for the year 1846:
EXPORTS. I IMPORTS.
Wheat, bush 90,000 Salt, bbls 1 ,480
Pork, bbls 560 Merchandise, tons 250
Ashes, cks 558 ;
Flour, bbls 1,010 i
Seeds, " • 150 |
Butter, kegs 200 I
Corn, bush 18,400 I
Staves, 1,100,000
Wool, tons 3 !
Hides, " 3 I
Lumber, feet 74,000 i
28 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
The exports from the District of Sandusky during* the
same period were:
Sandusky. Mii.ak. Huron.
Whoat, bush 843,746 6;}e3,142 30,292
Corn, " 50,904 19,353
Oats, " 8,563 1,855
I'arley. » 250 223
I'otatocs, " 100
Clover seed, bush 7,086 1,874 bbls.
Pork, bbls 10,372 4,529
Flour, «' 51,855 830
Beef. " 2,189 171
Ashes, " 3,291 1,516
Timothy seed, bbls 691 303
Flax se"^ed, bbls 954 34
Tallow, " 705 04
Highwines, " 1,729 731
Dried f>uit, " 2l3 81
Cranberries, " 762 31
Bees\va.\, '• 10 1,801 lbs. .
Beans, " 17 ....
Hams, " ^ 275 8,776 lbs.
Cirease, " 30 ....
Eggs, " 27 ....
Plaster, " '1,095
Maple Sugar, " 25 ....
Rye, " 22
Bcei', " 26
Butter, " 21
Butter, kegs 5,890 830
Lard, " 151
Lard, lbs 172,710 210
Feathers, lbs 13,242 1,539
Wool, bales 2,025 201,106 lbs.
Cheese, lbs 40,000 600
Leatjjer, rolls 1,254 17,070 lbs.
Hide.s, lbs 159,080 16,914
Sheep pelts, bdls 55 14,674 lbs.
Grindstones, lbs 42,660
Ginseng, '< .... 3,375
Staves 245,000 513,058
Hogs, 200 ....
Brooms, 3,600
Live Caltl(>, 12 ....
Cedar posts, 1,250 ....
TiUmber, feet, 76,702
Hiack Walnut lumljer, feet, 27,053
'I'obacco, hhds 101
Pla.ster, tons 530 530
Stone, " 5,250
Furs, bales 189 .
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 29
The arrivals from and clearances to American ports,
were :
Arrival?;, 435 | (Clearances 4:?0
The arrivals from and clearances to Forcig-n jiorts,
were :
ARRIVED. CLEARED.
American vessels, 2
British " 10
American vessels, 4
British " 10
During- the same period there were exported from the
District of Sandusky to foreign ports and countries :
In American vessels, 20,880 l)ushels Wheat;— value, $14,046
In British " 48,451 '' " " 38,915 70
Abstract of merchandise imported trom Canada into the District of San-
• dusky, during the year 1846 :
AMERICAN VESSELS.
62 coon skins,
10 tbx "
27 muskrat skins,
116 hbls. fish,
298,358 feet lumber,
Estimated value, |i2,307
55 5 cords shingle wood,
1 set of spars,
35.750 shingles,
400 lbs castinirs.
BRITISH VESSELS.
40J bbls. fish, I 2 bags herbs.
Estimated value, $245,00
PORT OF TOLEDO, OHIO.
" The following shows the shipments from this port for
three seasons, their aggregate value, and the quantity of
salt imported :
1840.
Wheat, bushels 85.000
Flour, bbls 51.000
Pork, " 1,:^0
Whiskey, casks 700
Ashes, " 600
Seed, " 300
Butter, kegs 280
Hides, . . , 1,197
Valuation, , . $381,000 $521,000 $358,000
1841.
1842.
127,898
116,730
45,781
37,280
7,063
8,445
2,295
1,601
1,303
1,672
520
251
450
451
2,180
1,991
30
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
Tlie oqnivalents of these tables, of Flour and Wheat, reduced to bushels,
are for 1840, 340,000; for 1841, 356,818; Ibr 1842, 303,139,
Imports of Salt, bbls., 1840, 10,000; 1841, 17,000; 1842, unknown.
"The Wabash & Erie Canal, terminating- at Toledo, was
only in operation four weeks, and tolls to the amount of
S2,961 were received at La Fayette, la., on the following-
merchandise, shipped from there :
Flour, bbls 5,237
Flax seed, bush 1,435
Oats, " 953
Bacon, lbs. 861
T.ard, keos 21
Wheat, bush 14,700
Wheat, bbls 104
Apples, " . — '. 55
Butter^ ke^s 10
Feathers, lbs 2,000
The Toledo " Blade" g-ives the following- table, exhibit-
ing- the quantity and value of articles received at Toledo,
by canal and rail-road, during- the season of 1846 :
Flour, bbls 164,689
Wheat, bush 810,963
Corn, " 1,159.315
Furs and peltries, lbs. . . 258,017
Lard, lbs 5,003,740
Pork, bbls 19,593
Bacon, lbs 1,963,561
Sugar, " 1,290,085
Pot and pearl ashes, lbs.. 1,008,972
Tallow, lbs 579,430
Wool,
Ilenip,
Butter,
124,075
297,433
253,949
Cotton, " 250,519
Oil, (linseed & lard) bbls. 1,367
Oil, (castor) bbls 75
Oats, bush 115,402
Hides and skins, lbs 161,293
Whiskey, bbls 2,543
Feathers, lbs 56,736
Beeswax, " 40,863,
Molasses, " 622,334
Hoir's hair, " 251,624
Uniinished leather, lbs . . 129,123
To1)acco, lbs 714,245
Grass seed, bush 2,1 08
Caudles, (tallow & stea-
rine) lbs .52,080
Cinseng,lbs 94,623
Flax seed, bush 7^377
Beef, bbls 387
Soap, ll)s 48,563
Corn meal, bbls 797
Lead, lbs 44,213
Shot. " 46,302
White lead, lbs 123,722
Merchandise, " 422,892
Groceries, " 80,507
Ceffee., " 39,167
With various other articles.
Aggregate value .' $3,519,067
" I have seen no account published of imports from the
Lake into that port, in 1846, neither the number of arrivals
and de])artures, coastwise or foreig-n. The imports in mo-
ney value will, I think, fully equal, if not exceed, the ex-
AND THE ERIE CANAL,
31
ports, as large quantities of merchandise is sent throug-li
that place for Cincinnati, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri,
and other states and places."
STATE OF MICHIGAN.
There has been exported from the Port of Detroit for
the year 1845, the following" products of the growth and
manufacture of the State.
Flour, bbls 494,092 ; Barley, bush 1 930
Wheat, bush 1 14,397 , Oats, " o;'462
Ashes, cks 5,742 ' Potatoes," 2,5(10
Wool, lbs 506,143 Provisions, bbls. uss'd . . 17,000
Leather, do 100,354 , Whiskey » 1,302
Cranberries, bbls 2,920 Green and dry hides, . . (3,487
Fish, " 9,305 j Beeswax, bbls 40
Grass seed, " 5lO ! Ginseng, and other roots, 24
Flaxseed, " 100 Hay, tons 140
Mustard seed, " 5 , Mineral Ore, lbs 308,000
Brooms, doz 100 i Staves, 4,316,236
Pork, bbls 2,621 ; Lumber, feet 4,000,000
Beef, " 200 ' Shingles 10,000
Hams, " 200 i Furs and peltries, value, $300,000
Beans, bush 2,027 : Straw hats, " 10,000
Corn, " 3,768 I Beer, bbls 6,000
Total value of exports {'rom Detroit, S>2,495;385,50
There has been also exported in the same period tiom the port of Monkoe,
Mich.
Flour, bbls. . ;
Wheat, bush
Ashes, tons
Wool, lbs
Hides
Pork, bbls
Beans, bush
Alcohol, bbls
Cranberries,"
Buckwheat Hour, bbls.
155,108 I Corn, bush 4,804
372,837 I Barley, '' , 300
591 I Beeswax, lbs. .'. 1,312
81,424 I Corn brooms, doz 64
90,521 I Potatoes, bush 377
â– 189 ! Grass seed, bbls 14
290 Black walnut lumber, ft. 158,000
40 Staves, 20,000
15S Oats, bush 600
75 1 Furs, bales 40
Value of Monroe exports !3!800,24l,06
Exports from the port of St. Josei'ii, Mich.
Wheat, bush.
Flour, bbls. . .
Provisions, . .
233,645
129,333
3,099
Corn, bush.
Oats, "
Wool, lbs. .
7.773
1,500
4,000
32
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
Siiingles, M 325
Staves, 100
Lumber It 1,500
Whiskey, cks 2,721
Valuation ol"St. Joseph exports
Beans, bush
Hides,
Linseed oil, cks
Furs, pks
$601,555,98
170
781
65
74
PORT OF GRAND RIVER, MICH.
The number of arrivals and departures from this port,
during' the navig-ation season of 1846, is 407. The number
of passeng'ers arriving* at this port during* the season, is
1,586. The amount of exports is as follows:
Pine lumber, feet 22,365,452
Shinjiles, M
LallCbdl^
Staves, M
Hemlock bark, cords .
Shingle bolts
Square timber, feet. . .
Cranberries, bbls. . . .
3,131
1,021
30
120
370
28,600
86
Flour, bbls
Wheat, bush
Plaster, bl^ls
Ashes, Casks
Wmdovv sash, bdls.
Furs, packs
Maple sugar, bbls. .
Wood, cords
2,608
13,500
2,196
59
100
91
60
150
Total Grand River exports 8179,539 21
Value of lumber, shingles, and other articles exported from other ports
in this State, is estimated at .'B570,936 25.
RECAl'ITULATION.
The exports of Detroit amount to $2,495,335 50
" Monroe " 800,24106
" St. Joseph's " 601,.555 98
" Grand River " 179,539 21
" All others " 570,936 25
T9tal -$4,647,608 00
Tiie imports have not been given, but it is not unrea-
sonable to assume that the amount will not vary much from
the exports, both together forming an aggregate of nearly
ten millions of dollars.
The eurolled and licensed tonnage within the District
of Detroit was 26,928 31-95 tons, composed o(^ —
Enrolled steam, fl,400 60
" sail vess(!ls 17,917 46
Licensed
010 45
-26,928 31-95
and required the service of eighteen hundred men to navi-
gate it.
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 33
PORT OF MILWAUKIE, WISCONSIN.
" Tlie Ssntinel gives the following- statement of procluce
and other articles shipped for the East, at that point, dur-
ing- the season of 1846 :
Wheat, bush •. . . . 213,448 j Wool, lbs 10,56-2
Flour, bbls 15,756 Ashes, *' 1G,25()
Barley, bush 5,384 Hides, 5,513
Corn," " 1,635 [ Furs, pkgs 198
T . A \ piS^ -25,-295 Rags, tons 140
'^^ I or lbs 1,770,650 ; Pails, doz -JOo
Broom corn, lbs 107,545 j Mdse., &c 314,143
Brooms 50,425 |
Wheat exported. Flour exporteJ.
1845 95,500 bush. 7,500 bb!s.
1846 213,448 bush. 15,756 bbls.
Increase for 1846, 117,948 bush. 8,256 bbls.
"The increase, it will be seen, has been more than 100
per cent. No doubt, says the Sentinel, a similar increase
would be shown by a comparison of the other articles of
export ; but we have not the means of making- it. The
above suffices, at least,, to show the rapid g-rowth and de-
velopment of our yet infant Territory, And this is but the
besrinnino-.
PORT OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
" The following- are, of the principal articles exported
from this port, during five seasons :
18i2. 1843. 1844. 1845.
Wheat, bush 586,910 628,965 871,805 956,860
Oats, " 53,485 3,767 5,900
Flour, bbls -2,9-20 10,785 4,320 13,750
Pork, " 15,450 11,110 7.0.J0 7,010
Beef, " 762 10,380' 7,890 6,-200
Wool, lbs 1,500 2-2,050 96,635 216,615
Lard, " 36,720 282 bbls. 1,630 bbls. 66,2-20
Tobacco, \hs 3,000 47,900 52,653 5*2,000
Hams, " In pork ac't. In porkac't. In porkac't. 2-2,925
Tallow, " 15,130 1,185 bbls. 34,900 bbls. 1,000
Hides, No 6,975 14,.535 11,042 1-2,255
Valuation !$659,300 .$1,008,210 $785,300 $1,500,000
D
34
COMMERCE OP THE LAKES.
" The exports and imports of the same place, in 1846,
were —
EXPORTS.
Wheat, bush 1,358,638
Beef and pork,' bbls .... 23,788
Flour, bbls 19,391
Lard and tallow, bbls. . . 2,160
Do lbs. . . 76,600
Hams, bbls 16
" pes 22,633
Fish, bbls 1,413
Whiskey, bbls 671
Tobacco, lbs 0,152
" bxs 19
Candles, " 810
Beeswax, bbls 26
«' , lbs 95,000
Soap, bxs 51
Furniture, bbls 909
" bxs 31
Wool, lbs 21,806
" bales 116
Agricultural imple-
ments, bbls 11
Furs, lbs 37,514
" bxs. and bales .... 18
Ginseng, sks 58
Salt, bbls 1,423
Oil " 128
Fruit, " 322
Merchandise, bbls 806
Oats, bush 27,308
Corn " 9,331
Hides, ps
Glass, bxs ,
Pelts, pes
Stearine, bbls
Cranberries, "
Rags, lbs
Coal, "
Beans, bbls
Machinery, lbs
Hay, bales,
Scraps tin. cop 'r, &c. lbs
Hogsheads do
Brooms, doz
Leather, lbs
Butter, bbls
lbs
Flaxseed, bbls
Timothy seed, "
Wagons,
Lime, bbls
Grindstones, ps
Coal, tons
Merchandise, not weigh-
ed, pkgs
Scraps tin, &c. pkgsJ . .
Leather, pkgs
Flax seed, "
Timothy seed "
Paper, "
IMPORTS.
Merchandise, tons .... 8,800
" bbls 10,385
" bxs, and pkgs. 1,540
Salt, bbls 13,308
" sks 1,346
Fish, bbls 1,800
Butter, " 37
Beans, " 10
Oil " 23
Whiskey bbls 1,065
Fruit, cider, &c. bbls. . . 4,812
" pkgs 185
Seeds, bbls 7
Furniture, tons
" bbls
" kgs
Agricultural imple-
ments, bbls
" pkgs
Wagons and coaches.
Ploughs,
Hubs and wheels, ....
Soap, pkgs
Coal, tons.
Glass bxs
Beans, bbls
9,460
993
1,160
64
74
2,164
8,900
1
2,700
156
3,162
40
896
11,140
36
2,765
487
29
1
14
18
26
429
51
34
487
29
28
47
4,039
850
33
3
307
17
2,000
246
2,150
1,725
10
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 35
IMPORTS. CONTmUED
Lath, 2,009,500
Pickets, 24,000
Timber, 110,000
Staves, .M~',000
Mahogany, 1,852
Machinery, tons..... 1
Threshing machines, 37
Millstones 2G
Water-lime, bbls 4,000
Lumber, feet 2:^,824,297
Shingles, 8,354,000
"No valuation has been reported for the exports and im-
ports of 1846. The arrivals and departures at this port,
for 1846, were —
Arrivals. Pepartures. Total.
Steamers 352 348 700
Propellers Ill 109 220
Brigs.... 95 94 189
Schooners 837 835 1672
Total 1395 1386 2781
PORT OF MICFIIGAN CITY, INDL\NA.
" The following- table g-ives — says the paper of that
place — the principal articles exported and imported at
Michigan City. The three first years are from the first of
May, 1843, to the first of May, 1846; and the last year
from the first of May, 1846, to the close of navig-ation.
EXPORTS.
1843. 1844. 1845. 1840.
Wheat, bu.sh 357,650 304,645 420,714 332,000
Corn and oats, bush 2,000 2,420 ^3,819 41 ,000
Flour, bbls 1,000 1,825 3,051 1,000
Pork and lard, bbls 520 1,050 2,600 2,510
Beef and tallow, " 210 325 800 1,000
English beef, tcs 200 500
Sundries in bulk, bbls.... 1,300 1,975 4,380 6,750
Hides, 800 1,050 1,333 1,0.50
Wheat in store, Dec. 23, 1846, bush 187,000
Flour " " " bbls 500
IMPORTS.
Merchandise, tons 575 671 968 1,610
Salt and lime, " 925 1,.378 2,500 4,500
Sundries in bulk, bbls.... 1,500 2,163 3,785 5,784
36 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
"Comparing- the two last with the first two years, we find
that the exports of wheat have increased over 100,000
bushels; corn and oats, 800 percent; flour 30 percent;
pork and lard, over 200 per cent; beef and tallow, over
200 per cent ; sundries, 225 per cent ; hides, 30 per cent ;
and imports 120 per cent. This ratio of increase is pro-
bably as g-reat, if not greater than that of any other point
on the lake."
LAKE ONTARIO COMMERCE.
Of all the numerous ports on this Lake, I am unable to
present any portion of their commerce, except that of Os-
weg-o and Lewiston.
PORT OF OSWEGO— LAKE BUSINESS.
The following- table contains a comparative statement of
the imports and exports at the port of Osweg-o, during- the
years 1845 and 1846 :
IMPORTS.
1845. 184G.
Lumber, feet 19,788,092 28,838,282
Shingles, " l,524,27.'j 4,338,8.'30
Staves, " 1,544,712 1,247,857
Wheat, uiisli 1,012,210 2,576,211
Corn, " 13,358 354,372
Barley, " 71,621 86,091
Rye, '■• 1.5,457 51,410
Oats, " 72,174 48,477
Flo n-, bbls 77,602 72,912
Beef, " 2,^^24 946
Pork, " 3,299 13,374
Tieef, tcs .... 4,663
Cheese, cks 12,362 17,595
Whiskey," 991 2,315
Slareh, " 115 874
Cheese, bxs 3,112 4,829
Butter, tubs 10,277 22,820
AVool, lbs 134,161 331,078
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 37
IMPORTS — CONTINUED.
1845. 184G.
Hams, lbs 17.5,1-20 299,139
Lard, '• 121,126 2.54,201
Tobacco, hhds * 27 192
Glass, bxs 4,361 6,1.58
Ashos, cks 9,.543 7,602
Pig iron, tons 2.51 478
It will be seen that in the articles of flour, staves, ashes
and oats, there has been a slig-ht falling- off, while in all the
others the increase is very large. In the articles of g-rain,
lumber, provisions, butter and cheese, the increase is im-
mense.
The wheat, corn, beef, pork, tobacco, and many other
articles, are principally the products of Western States,
imported from thence via. the Welland Canal. No valuation
has been published of the exports.
EXPORTS FOR 1846.
Merchandise exported to Western ports, lbs 15,694,661
" " Canada, 1 1,385,720
" " State ports, N. Y., 14,80.5,311
Totial merchandise exported, 42,385,692
Vakie of " " ... 8 4,238,599
Salt exported to Western ports, l)b!s 229,227
" " State " N. Y., 31,840
't " Canada " 39,743
Total number of barrels exported, 300,810
" sacks " 29,5-22
Value of salt exported, $ 2-26,303
" of merchandise exported, 4,238,599
Total value of foreign and domestic exports, $ 4,464,872
The receipts by canal during the year of navigation, just
closed, exceed that of last year by about 5,000,000 lbs.
merchandise. The larger portion of this increase is in the
amount of sugar ; which under the law allowing draw-
back, on certain articles of merchandise shipped for the
Canada markets, is now finding its way, in large quanti-
ties, through that channel. The total amount of sugar
38
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
received this year is 8,025,419 lbs., of which 4,495,615
was for re-shipment to Canada, under the law of deben-
ture.
PORT OF LEWISTON, N. Y.
Comparative statement of the business of the jCuslom House, Lewiston,
District of Niagara, with foreign ports from 1840 to 1846, inclusive:
IMPORTS.
1840 Imports of foreign merchandise, $10,108 74
1841 " " » .-.22,144 99
1842 " " " 10,775 22
1843 " " » 13,197 28
1844 « " " 23,271 57
1845 " " « 19,955 11
1846 « " " » 26,227 74
EXPORTS.
1840 Exports domestic merchandise, % 31,626 83
" " foreififn " 492 80
1841 Exports domestic merchandise,,
1842 " " "
" " foreign "
119,212 32
5,313 06
$32,119 68
14,471 62
1843 Exports domestic merchandise, 104,075 02
foreign " 45,052 44
124,525 88
1844 Exports domestic merchandise, 37,748 69
" " foreign " 21,968 03
149,127 46
1845 Exports domestic merchandise, 293,959 86
" " foreign " 182,764 85
59,710 72
1846 Exports domestic merchandise, 281,118 55
" " foreign " 149,759 25
476,724 05
430,877 80
SPECIE IMPORTED.
1840 % 81,740
1841 88,000
1842 134,700
1843 105,200
1844 '. 196,500
1845 362,965
1846 491,2.36
SPECIE EXPORTED.
$236,000
385,000
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 39
American and foreign tonnage entering into ami clearing from the District
of Niagara, from and to tbreign ports, from 1840 to 1846, inclusive:
1840
1841
1842
1843
((
1844
a
1845
a
1846
ARRIVALS FROM KOREIGJf PORTS.
8 American vessels 864 tons ,
. . 331 foreign 64,600 65,464
1 American, 42
..491 foreign, 108,068 108,130
2 American, 485
. .487 foreign, 103,357 103,842
. . 55 American, 18,590
. .553 foreign, 89,442 108,032
. . 85 American, 27,456
. .517 foreign, 103,480 130,836
. . 101 American, 15,285
. .513 foreign, 123,662 138,947
. . 162 American, 31,997
. .531 foreign, 126,425 158,422
1840
1841
1842
u
1843
li
1844
1845
1846
CLEARED TO FOREIGN PORTS.
8 American vessels, .... 864 tons ,
... 331 foreign, 64,928 65,792
... 4 American, 264
...497 foreign, 108,104 108,368
... 6 American, 931
. . . 482 foreign, 96,617 97,548
. . . 125 American, 42,260
...542 foreign, 112,912 155,1V2
. . . 229 American, 14,641
...508 foreign, 103,529 118,170
... 58 American, 7,925
. . .508 foreign, • • 126,161 134,086
... 157 American, 30,995
...516 foreign, 127,355 158,350
Tonnage of American vessels entered and cleared coastwise:
1846 192 vessels entered, tons 70,792
'* 189 " cleared 70,365
R. H. BOUGHTON, Collector.
There are two daily lines of British steam-boats run-
ning- during- the season of navigation between Lewiston
and Toronto, Hamilton and other Canadian ports. This
statement of the business of that port is incomplete, only-
stating- as it does, the foreign commerce, widiout giving
any account of the business coastwise either in kind or
value.
40
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
Hitherto I have confined my remarks ex:ckisively to the
American commerce, done on these Lakes. I will now,
for futm-e reference, introduce a few facts in regard to
British commerce on the same channels.
THE WELLAND CANAL
connects Lakes Erie and Ontario, by running- across the
Peninsula of Canada West, [late Upper Canada] — is 26
miles long, -with locks 150 feet long, 26 1-2 feet wide,
8 1-2 feet deep on mitre sills. Since the year 1844, this
work has passed into the hands of the Government, and
no report of, property passing it, since that time, has been
published. In 1844, the followhig statements were pub-
lished :
American Ports to American Ports, up.
(That is, from American ports on Lake Ontario to American ports on the
Upper Lakes.)
30 bbls. beei" and pork, 72 tons castings of "2240 lbs.
196,050 " salt, 1,197 " iron " " "
452 tons coal of 2240 lbs. 30 " grindstones. " "
8,521 " merchandise of 2240 lbs., equal 9528 tons of 2000 lbs.
American to American Ports, down.
296,765 feet .boards,
279,621 W. L staves,
90,925 bbls. flour,
780 » whiskey,
175 tons coal,
4 " castings,
9 " tobacco,
127 " merchandise.
133,130 pipe-staves,
16,347 bbls. pork and beef,
2 558 " ashes,
1,629,544 bush, wheat,
10,789 " corn,
100 tons rail road iron,
82 " grindstones,
American to British Ports, up.
84 tons merchandise, 5,865 bbls. salt,
50 " coal,
American to British Ports, down.
39,204 feet ))oards.
,22,820 barrels pork and beof.
44,839 "• tloiir.
299,305 bushels wheat.
62,104 " corn.
18 tons castings.
38 " grind.sloncs.
3,090 pipe staves.
331,592 W. I. "
97 liarrels ashes.
609 " salt.
1,000 tons coal.
19 " iron.
90 " merchandise.
AND THE ERIE CANAL.
41
British to British Ports, up.
f 0,861 fi. timber,
680 bl>Is. beef and pork,
653 " flour,
10,974 " salt,
52 whiskey.
I'Z tons castings,
363 " iron.
260,400 ft. boards
594 pipe staves,
91 W.I. "
22 cks. ashes,
38,215 Inish. wheat,
56 " corn,
10 tons coal,
2,396 " merchandise,
British to British Ports, down.
3,354,763 feet boards,
462,307 " timber,
2,108 barrels beef and pork,
118,799 " flour,
154,527 bush, wheat,
379 " corn,
20 tons merchandise, I
British to American Ports, up
470,981 pipe staves,
211,106 W. I. do.
1,035 casks ashes,
92 " whiskey,
43 tons castings,
130 « tobacco.
375,506 W. I. staves,
2,726,067 feet boards.
22,807 pipe "
Totals.
7,493,574 feet boards.
630,602 pipe staves,
490,525 " timber,
1,197,196 W. I. »
41,976 ))bls. beef and
pork,
1,689 tons coal,
305,208 " flour,
211 " castings,
3,412 " ashes.
1,748 " iron.
213,212 " salt.
140 " tobacco,
931 " whiskey.
151 " grind stones,
2,121,592 bushels wheat.
11,318 " merchandise
73,328 » corn.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF TORONTO, C. W.
For the year ending Jan. 5th, 1847.
I am indebted to a friend in Toronto for the following-
tables relating* to the business of the Port of Toronto, for
the year ending January 5th, 1847, together with the value
of some of the principal articles imported, a list of the
steamers, propellers, and other vessels owned on lake On-
tario and employed on the inland waters of Canada, and
a return of mills, founderies and factories in the District,
K
42
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
showings the estimated valu^ of machinery, buildings &c.,
connected therewith.
Cows
Horses,
Lambs,
Oxen,
Pigs»
Sheep
Flour, bbls
Oysters, lobsters and
turtles, pkgs.
IMPORTS
1
60
10
1,000
23
1,*=
Cheese, cwts 548 1 26
Butter, " 27 14
Bacon and l)am, cwts. 75 2
Meats, salted cured and
fresh, cwts 209 9
Coflee, " 1,917 4
Molasses, " 1,128 1 13
Muscavado sugar,cwts 14,071 3 7
Teas, various quali- . .
tics, lbs
Rum, galls
Tobacco, lbs
Cigars, *'
405,541
1,528
299,826
2,990
Snuff, " , 5,886
Clocks & watches, No. 507
Books and paper, pkgs. 1,668
Coal, tons ' 1,143
'Cotton man'l'turs pkgs. 888
Glass, '^ " 885
Woolen " " 426
Silk, " " 120
Drugs & medicines" 345
Fish, — dried salted and
pickled, cwts. 390 24
Salt, *ljbls 9,316
Hardware, pkgs 2,452
Leather, lbs 95,199
Boots and shoes, prs. 3,247
Cider, galls 3,935
Appiesv bush 2,732
Potatoes," 114
Spirits, galls 4'452
Tallow, bbls 1'515
Raisins, lbs 125,600
Wines, galls 2,153
Total value of imports, including other goods paying
ad valorem duty, £168,377
Vahie of free goods — being furniture, household ef-
fects, tools, «Scc. of settlers coming into the Province---about 6,000
Importation of specie, £104,645 16 8
Flour, bbls
Wheat, '*
Pork, "
Beef, "
" tcs
Hams, tons
Ashes, cks
Butter, kgs
Lard "
Timothy seed bush. . .
Oats, bush
Peas, "
EXPORTS.
194,856 Starch, bxs 600
108,116 *Whiteinne boards, ft. 1,030,000
4,133 Bricks, 1,030,000
80 *Horn tips and
65 scraps, tons 11
9 Woollen cloths, yds. . . 40,000
283 Blankets, prs 130
20t) 'Sheep pelts, 10,750
283 *Furs and peltries, —
176 value about £2.000
3,000 I *Fresh fish,— value . .
1,000 about 500
Total estimated value of exports £304,000
* These to the United States; all others to Lower Canada ports.
AND THE ERIE CANAL,
43
RKVKNUE.
Total revenue on importations collected during the year. . . . £33.529 14 8
INCREASE.
Increased export, on some ot' the principal articles, over the jjrcceding
year, (1845.)
Flour, bbls. 41,G;}()
Wheat, bush 54,32t)
Pork, bbls 2,07(5
Lard,kgs 18||
Increased value of exports, £72,968
Peas, bush ,
Starch, bxs
White pine boards, feet.
475
340
130,000
Value of some of the principal articles imported.
Books and paper... £5,208 17 8
Coffee 4,256 12 2
Cotton man'factures 8,225 19 7
Drugs and medicines 3,799 6 3
Fruit, raisins, &:c. . . 4,368 2 11
Glass manufactures. 2,584 19 3
Hardware 9,481 18 8
Leather and shoes . . 4,882 8 1
Machinery 2,593 9 5
Molasses '. 614 8 8
Salt 2,187 16 4
Silk manufactures . . 2,904 19 8
Spirits 1,014 15 8
Sugars 21,687 17
Tallow 6,582 6
Tea 40,015 10
Tobacco, snutij and
cigars 6,301 10
Wines 666 12
VVoolen man'f'tures 9,768 13
Included in the tore-
going : goods im-
ported from the U.
S., for benefit of
draicback — value, 39,192 14
From sea 4,498 4
11
3
Vessels entered tlie Port.
Steamers and coasters employed between British ports 2,089
From foreign ports, with carijoes (559 >
" " " in ballast" 2 i
661
Total arrivals for the year 2,750
List of Steamers, Propellers, and otJter vessels, owned on Lake Ontario, and
employed on tlie inland waters of Canada.
57 Steamers, (two of iron) — value £350,000
6 Lake Propellers 14,000
2 Ships ^
5 Brigantines, > of 30 tons and u[)wards 150,000
9± Schooners, )
300 Barges 80,000
7 River Propellers 7,000
Small craft, under 30 tons 17,000
Total value £(518,000
44
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
Return of 3Iills, Foundries, Factories, Sfc.
of Toronto, showing the estimated value
connected therewith.
87 grist mills — value . .
196 saw mills
12 oatmeal mills
14 foundries
18 woolen factories...
50 carding machines . .
1 edge-tool factory. ..
3 starch factories ....
28 distilleries
6 soap and candle fac-
tories
, in the Hotne District and City
of Machinery, Buildings, <SfC.,
£160,000
1
55,250
3,800
3
20,000
25,000
2
3,00^
2.oo(r
36
1
2,500
23
10,825
4,200
cabinet and chair fac
tory (steam). . . .
2,500
cabinet and piano-
forte factories. . .
1,500
paper mills
4,000
tanneries
15,000
snuty manufactory . .
500
breweries
13,200
Total £322,775
Total export of Flour and Wheat, from the Home District, for the year
1846.
FLOUR. Barrels.
From Toronto 194,856
" Oshawa 34,630
" Windsor 5.5,460
" Credit 11,450
Total 296,396
WHEAT. Bushel,.
From Toronto 108,116
" Oshawa 1.5,560
" Windsor 24,300
" Credit 41,200
Total 190,176
Tlie total export being equal to 334,431 bbls. flour.
'' I have thus endeavored to answer your first question,
if not in full, at least sufficiently so, to enable you to form
a pretty correct idea of the extent, composition and value
of this commerce."
" Question 2d. — The ' Monied Value thereof T •
"In part answer to this question, I must observe, that
the money value from year to year, does not c^ive any real
information of its increase ; from the variation in the pri-
ces which the same kind of ])roperty bears in different
years. The (^xports may be much greater one year than
another, I)nt from the prices bein«" less, the money value
would not sliow it. BlU if 100,000 bbls of flour are sliipped
one year, and 150,000 the next, tlie business has evidently
AND THE ERIE CANAL, 45
increased, whether the money value shows it or not. In
g-iving the business in kind from the ports I have men-
tioned, I have added, where I could, the money value.
"To conclude my answer to this question, I will adopt
the same method I did last year. The ascertained value of
the business of this City and Black Rock done on the Erie
canal and which came from and went on to the lakes, is a
litde short of $40,000,000
"To which add the immense quantities of
building- materials, coal, raw materials for our
manufactures, provisions of all kinds for the
supply of this city and local markets, nearly
the whole of which come from the lakes, and
the larg-e business done on the rail-roads and
other sources to and from the lakes may, with
great safety, be placed at 10,000,000
Making- a total of $50,000,000
as the amount of commerce of this port alone ; to which
must be added the amount done through all the other ports
on the lakes, and the large amount of intermediate com-
merce between the different ports, all of which I consider
equal in amount to that done through Buffalo, the whole
forming an aggregate of $100,000,000 as the money value
of the commerce of the upper lakes in 1846, against
$66,000,000 in 1845; and this without taking into account
the large sums of money carried over the lakes either year.
A great increase has also taken place on lake Ontario this
year. In 1845 it was estimated at $15,000,000 ; for '46, it
may with safety be put at $18,000,000."
"Question od. — TJie kind of Craft used, Steam Boats,
Propellers, Sailing Craft, and tonnage ?"
46
COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
"In the year 1845, there were the following number
and description of vessels owned and running* on the
Lakes above Niagara Falls, as near as could be ascertained
by the most careful inquiry :
Tons.
52 Steam Boats, 20,500
8 Propellers, 2,500
50 Brigs, 11,000
270 Schooners, 42,000
380 76,000
" The new tonnage added in 1846, and which has all
been employed, consisted of the following description of
vessels :
Names. Class.
A. D. Patchin, Steamer.
Louisiana. "
Hendrik Hudson, "
Albany, "
Saratoga, "
Detroit, "
Islander, "
Nile,
Algomah, "
Mishawaka,
10
St. Joseph, Propeller.
Pocahontas, "
California, "
Oneida,
Cleveland, "
Lady of the Lake, .... "
Delaware, "
Globe,
Goliah "
Odd Follow,
10
Utica, Bark or Brij
C. L. Hutchinson, "
Ellen Parker,
Patrick Henry, "
L. A. Blossom, "
Fashion,. "
.lohn Hancock, *' .
( J recn Mountain PiO}', • • "
David Smart,
Wiiere built. Tuns.
Trungo, Mich 874
Bufialo, 778
Charleston, 751
Detroit, 700
Cleveland, 662
Newport, Mich., 350
Kelly's Island^ O., 80
Nilcs, Mich., 80
Detroit,... 71
'• .34
Buffalo, 400
" 427
" 420
Cleveland, 346
342
" 350
Charleston, () 336
Maumee, 3l3
Palmer, Mich 280
Grand River, Mich 200
Milwaukee 334
341
Chicago, 332
Euclid, 317
Conneaut, 258
Cleveland 282
'• 260
" 260
Lexington, 203
4,380
3,414
2,587
AND THE ERIE CANAL.
47
Ifamea. Clasa.
Outward Bound, Schooner.
Goo. Davis, "
Philena Mills, "
Denmark, "
Lewis Cass, ♦'
Col. Benton, '«
Luther- Wright, "
Vincennes, '•
G. T. Williams,
C. T. Ivichmond, "
Watts Sherman, "
Piuitan "
Sea Gal!, "
S, L. Noble
N.C.Walker, "
E.Porter, "
Ellen, "
Harwich, "
Ireland "
Westchester, "
Wolcott, "
Alvin Clark, '•
New Hampshire, "
Forester, "
B. G. Allen, "
Mary A. Lownd, "
Pinta, "
M. A. Myers, "
Saranac, "
Meteor, "
.Tohn Armstrong, "
Gallinipper, •'
St. Clair, »
Clemantine "
Julia, "
Sweet Home, "
.36
Bazma, Sloop.
Butralo,
Morning Star, "
Sun, "
China, "
Rialto, Scow.
Liberator, ''
Where built. Tons.
Cleveland, 260
Milan, 238
Geneva, 228
Cleveland, 237
Charleston, 191
Racine, Wis 190
Huron, 195
Charleston, 186
Irving, N. Y 167
Cleveland, "^29
Bufliilo, 199
Milan, 223
12.^)
Fairport, 104
Chicago, 127
Milwaukee, 70
Cleveland, 61
" 75
230
Charleston, 208
Maumoe, 40
Truago, 220
Kalamazoo, 80
Detroit, 108
" '26
" 79
Builalo 55
" 16
Detroit, 39
32
" 26
« 145
« 35
" 19
" 34
" 44
Conneaut 10
Detroit, 36
" 38
" 35
" 61
4,537
Cleveland, 100
" '45
180
145
Total No. of vessels, 452 Total amount tonnage,.. 91,243
Deduct the estimated tonnage lost during the season, in which is
included 3 Steam Boats, 3,500
Leaving on these Lakes for the business of 1847, tons. 87,743
48
COMMERCE OF T«E LAKES
"Some hundreds of tons have hkewise been added by
rebiiildinof and enlaro-insf old vessels. Several new and
large steamboats have been built, but as they were not
finished in time to do business in 1846, they properly
belong- to the new tonnag-e of 1847 ; I therefore exclude
them. A very large number of vessels of all descriptions,
are now under construction, which will be out and in com-
mission in 1847, sufficient to swell the amount to a g-ood
deal over 100,000 tons; being- an increase of more than
33 1-3 per cent, in two years."
" Question 4th. — Cost of the same ? "
" The capital invested in the various description of ves-
sels on the upper lakes, is not far from $6,000,000. About
$1,000,000 has l^een expended during- the last year in the
construction of new, and the repairing-, fitting- up and en-
larg-ing- old ones."
" Question 5th. — Number of marmers engaged in navi-
gating the craft ? "
" The various description of vessels eng-ag-ed in this
commerce, employ, as seamen and others, about six thou-
sand persons to navig-ate them."
" Question 6th. — Probable annual expense of sustaining
mariners and craft ? "
" I hav^ submitted this question for an answer to some
of our most extensive sliipping- merchants, and they have
furnished me with the figures of their calculation, by
which it appears, that the amount paid out, for wages,
wood, coal, provisions, current repairs, and other expen-
ses, (exclusive of insurance and interest on the capital) is
about $1,750,000 ; which will, of course, increase as our
Lake Marine enlarges."
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 49
" Question 7th. — Number of 2Xisscngers West and East,
from Buffalo, for years above stated ? "
" Since, and including-, the year 1833, down to the close
of 1846, with the exception of '36, '37, and '38, an annual
Association has been formed among-st all the steamboats on
the Lakes, and their accounts settled at one office. With
this Association, I have been connected, in the capacity of
Secretary and General Ag-ent, for the whole time it has
existed, except the years 1835 and 1839.
" As such ag-ent, I had the charg-e of all the way-bills of
the different boats, containing- the names of passengers up
and down the lakes. In 1833, 1 was very careful in keeping-
an account of the number each way. Ag-ain in 1845, this
was done by a g-entleman of g-reat correctness, in the em-
ploy of the Association. He reported the number and
designated the places where they landed going up ; and a
computation of the passengers from the West was made ;
also, an estimate of the number of those who took other
conveyances than steamboats — and he made the total
number passing in all directions through these Upper Lakes
to be near 200,000.
" This season, that is, for 1846, the number has increased
twenty-five per cent, estimating from the receipts of the
boats, and compared with 1845, which will give a total
of 250,000. A greater number than usual of the icp pas-
sengers have been emigrants. No account has ever been
made of the number of passengers for any other years, than
those I have stated."
" Question 8th. — Probable rate of i7icrease of this Com-
merce, and any viems which in your judgement would serve
to illustrate these several points^ and also in reference to
the trade of the Western Rivers ?"
50 COMMERCE OP THE LAKES
"A greater increase in the number and tonnage of the
various description of vessels used, is now under construc-
tion around these lakes, this winter, than has ever taken
place in any one year before. Large quantities of grain of
last year's crop, remain on hand to go to market next
spring ; and the high prices which all kinds of agricultural
products bare, will carry every thing of that kind forward;
and will furnish the means to largely increase the return
Commerce.
" The quantity of land under cultivation is much great-
er than formerly, and so far as I can get information, the
crops in the ground, look and promise well. Should we
have a favorable season we may safely believe a much
greater cultivation of summer crops will be made than has
heretofore been done. Corn has become an estabhshed
article of food and commerce with the Old World, and the
price it will bring in market, will furnish strong induce-
ments to extend its culture, large as it is, in the Western
States. The population around these lakes has swelled to
that number, and are so well supplied with all that is
necessary to aid them, they work to better advantage
than during their early and more dependant condition. All
these things combined, must continue to augment this
commerce, but at what rate per cent I will not undertake to
say.
" My knowledge of the commerce of the Western rivers
is not personal, but is gathered altogether from the pub-
lished statements I see in the newspapers. That it is
now very large, and increasing very rapidly, giving em-
ployment to capital and labor, is clearly shown in the
statements of it, made from year to year. That it will
continue to increase, and»very greatly too, must, from the
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 51
necessity of the case, be the fact. The older parts of the
West, who use these channels, are filling up with people ;
while far beyond, new opening's are being- made in rich
and productive lands. Nothing- can stay its forward
g-rowth.
" This commerce, like that of the Lakes, has already be-
come so larg-e, such immense amounts of property pass
them exposed to all the dangers of their navigation, that a
settled and deep conviction has taken possession of the
public mind, something must be done for its protection.
The remedy is beyond the power of individual effort, and
not within the prescribed duties and rights of the several
States through which these Lakes and Rivers run. The
necessity and the duty, therefore, falls upon the General Go-
vernment to step forward and do what no one else can do,
and thus confer honor on itself, in consulting the best inter-
ests of the present many, and the coming millions, who will
in time inhabit these portions of our common country.
" Having thus answered your several questions, I will,
as invited, make some general remarks appertaining to the
business.
"Almost every other port around these Lakes, as well
as Buffalo, Cleveland and Sandusky, are visited by foreign
vessels ; but from them only, have I seen any report pub-
lished, of the number wliich has entered and cleared.
These foreign vessels do not visit our ports merely for the
purpose of introducing imports for sale, but to purchase
and carry off our own products.
"A very extensive business is done at the ports of Black
River, Grand River, Ashtabula, Conneaut, Barcelona, Silver
Creek and Cattaraugus, on Lake Erie, in the aggregate to
several millions of dollars; but I am not in possession of
52 COMMERCE OP THE LAKES
details enoug-h of their business to specify the amount and
of what it is composed. The same blank exists with me,
with reg-ard to the details of the commerce of all the ports
on Lake Michigan, except the fragments of their business
I have stated;'
It is greatly to be desired, and I hope it may be done at
the close of the business in 1847, that every port around
these lakes, will make up detailed statements of their ex-
ports and imports, with the value of each, distinguishing
between Foreign and American, the number of arrivals
and departures, foreign and coastwise; the names and
number of tons of each steamboat, propeller, and sail ves-
sel, marking the new ones that come out and do business
in 1847, and the number of men required to navigate
them, stating the collection district within which the port
is situated; with the losses in number of vessels and tons,
amount of damage and loss of cargo, and including the
number of lives lost, if any, and all other particulars of the
commerce of that port. Could this be done ibr only one
year, and some person would undertake the labor of col-
lecting and arranging these different reports in the aggre-
gate, it would present the most correct and gratifying view
of the lake commerce ever obtained.
This is the only way I can think of, that justice can be
done to each port, or to the general commerce of all, or
its magnitude and importance at all realised, save by those
only who are engaged in it, or reside in the neighborhood
of the lakes.
" The whole season of navigation has been unusually
favorable to operations on the lakes, and fewer disasters
in loss of lives and vessels, and damage of ])roperty have
occurred this year than the last. What losses did occur,
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 53
generally took place late in the season. The amount of
tonnag-e lost is not far from three thousand five hundred
tons ; amongst other vessels lost, were three Steam Boats.
No very full and accurate accounts of .losses in lives and
property have been collected, but from such as I have, the
losses in vessels and cargoes will be about $200,000, and
the number of lives, thirty-five."
"As the tonnage on the Lakes increases, more and
more inconvenience is felt and expressed about the want
of harbors of some kind to shelter it in. The water in all
the Lakes, in 1846, had reached a very low stage, owing,
probably, in some measure, to a succession of two or three
very dry and hot summers, causing great evaporation, and
but httle rain falling during' the same time, there was no
new sup])ly to replenish them. The water in Lake Erie,
during the spring and fall months, particularly the fall, was
uncommonly low ; to that degree, as to render it quite in-
convenient, if not dangerous, to enter any port on this
Lake except Grand River, with large vessels full freighted.
And the labor and expense, from the same cause, have
been greatly increased, in getting steamboats and vessels
over the flats in Lake St. Clair. It has required, during
the whole season, two and sometimes four steamboats,
with other lighters, to aid the various craft employed in
the Upper Lake trade, to pass."
" A vigorous effort was made last season, by a few indi-
viduals, in the hope that all interested in vessels would
heartily unite and pay their proportion, to deepen the chan-
«el through these flats. They obtained the use of the
government steam dredge at Erie, towed it to the flats,
and employed a superintendent and forty men for about
two months, when, finding but little disposition generally
54 COMMERCE OP THE LAKES
to contribute any thing towards the expense, and it be-
coming- very onerous to a few, after spending several thou-
sand dollars, they did, as the government has done in all
its works on these Lakes, abandon their undertaking, in-
curring the loss of the money expended, without any bene-
fit, because unable to complete it. A few thousand dollars
more would have made this channel very available, and
saved many thousands of dollars annually paid for light-
erage to cross it. The money appropriated in the River and
Harbor BUI, ($40,000) at the last session of Coiagress,would
have been much more than saved to the Western people ,
during 1846, in the cheapening of the freight on their pro-
perty, which must pass here, be the expense what it may.
" The water in these Lakes is the highest in July and
August, having received the benefit of the spring rains and
melting of the snows in the boundless regions of the North-
West. During these months the freighting and pressure
of business is the lightest, and vessels experience less
difficulty on these flats and the want of harbor improve-
ments. The spring and fall months are the times when
the business is rushing — when more vessels, more pro-
perty, and more lives, are exposed to the mercy of the
elements.
" Capt. Miles, who had charge of the Steam Dredge on
these flats, reports that in July last, the following vessels
passed them :
Steamboats, 71
Propellers, 37
Brigs, 59
Schooners, 128
Coasters, 81
Total, 376
of which 31 grounded and lightered in crossing. From the
18th to the 30th June, he says he did not keep a register,
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 55
but a greater number of brigs and schooners passed, and a
greater number in proportion grounded, and were lighteerd
and towed over the flats than in the month of July.
'' The foregoing list of vessels passing these flats in one
month, will give a pretty fair idea of the present commerce
west of Detroit; and which is largely increasing every
year.
" To give some faint conception how rapidly the great
West is being settled and improved, and the vast business
to pass ovei' these lakes in a few short years, to and from
this quarter, I will present the change which has taken
place in Wisconsin :
In 1830 the population was 3,245
1836 " » 11,680
1840 " « 30,945
1842 « " 46,678
1846 in July, 15.5,227
and the influx of emigrants the past year has been greater
than any previous season. Up to 1840 they imported their
supplies of every kind, including provisions. In 1846, they
not only fed themselves, but supplied the army of new
emigrants; and of their surplus remaining, they exported
through the lakes between three and four millions of dol-
lars in value, mainly in agricultural products. Of the lead
and shot made in the same State, during the last year, and
which principally sought a market via. the Mississippi
, River, I cannot state, but it is known to be very large in
quantity and value.
" There was sold in the Milwaukie Land District, from
January to December 1846, 352,220 acres of land, for
which there was received $417,896; by which it appears
that this land district alone, paid into the treasury of the
United States near half a million of dollars. Could only a
56 COMMERCE OF THE LAKES
small portion of this money been allowed to be expended
in making- that harbor accessible to vessels in stormy wea-
ther, I should not have to record the loss of the Steamboat
Boston, (costing- over $60,000 in the spring-, when she
came out) filled with emigrants and others with their
effects, g"oing to take possession of their newly purchased
land, being driven on the shore of the lake and wrecked,
near the mouth of a harbor which should have sheltered
her, but into which she could not enter.
"There are other significant changes going forward in
the West of no little importance — they are rapidly conver-
ting Territories into States, important ingredients with poli-
ticians, in President making. As States increase in that
quarter, vetoes, injuriously affecthig their most vital inte-
rests, will become much less necessary.
" Such is a brief sketch of the Lake Commerce for the
year 1846. A commerce as much national and foreign in
its character as that which floats on the Atlantic, and grea-
ter in amount in value than the whole export commerce
of the country, from all its seaports. Scarcely a pound
of this commerce but moves for hundreds of miles in sight
of a foreign country, and one with which it has great and
constantly increasing transactions. A commerce which
the Government has surrounded with its Custom Houses,
thrown the strong arm of its courts of admiralty over it,
and visits upon it the same penalties for its infractions of
the revenue laws, that is meted out to the Ocean com-
merce. But it is treated by many as not entitled of right
to a just proportion of public expenditures for its protec-
tion and safety, because God, in His wisdom, did not cause
salt water instead of fresh to fill those great Lakes, and
create a tide that would ebb and flow upon them."
AND THE ERIE CANAL. 57
" It has strug-g-led, during- its whole existence, with the
greatest of difficulties and ex])osure to the elements, with-
out suitable harbors to shelter it in ; but it has been con-
ducted by a race of men of untiring- enterprise and indus-
try, and they have broug-ht it to its present commanding-
position. Its importance to our common country, in every
point of view, is daily more and more being- realised and
acknowledg-ed, its friends are increasing- and clustering-
around it in g-reat numbers and decision of purpose ; and
they have only to persevere, being- well assured that this
g-reat national source of prosperity, involving- the best
interests of so many States, will, ere long-, succeed in
having- its just share of public expenditures for its protec-
tion and safety."
THE TEUE CANAL POLICY
STATE OF NEW-YORK
Connected with the future growth and progress of the
Lake Commerce is, the necessity of some channel of suffi-
cient capacity to pass the annually increasing productions
of the West to the seal^oard, and to supply their return
wants. The Erie Canal, in its present limited condition, is
unable to do it, and the pressure that will be made upon
it, will cause the price of transportation to be kept at such
a high rate, as greatly to diminish in value, not only the
property of the Western people, but that of our own citi-
zens, to get their products to market.
The producers of New- York must not expect they can
have their property transported any cheaper than what the
Western people are obliged to pay, and the quantity to be
carried will so cei'tainly increase as to always keep the
price of transportation at a high rate, and prevent the car-
riage to market of a vast quantity of property of cheap
value, that would otherwise go there. Only the most valu-
able productions of the country will be able to sustain
themselves under the high price of transportation, and
THE TRUE CANAL POLICY. 59
there will be always enough of them to employ all the ton-
nage the canal can accommodate. Staves, coarse lumber,
coal, and a variety of cheap articles, which can only be
moved on canals, and which would furnish a vast amount
of employment lor labor, and give fair returns to the own-
ers, if the canal was sufficiently large to enable larger
sized and a greater number of boats to move on it, will be
entirely excluded.
The growth of the West cannot be impeded or checked,
it has become too strong and forehanded for that : it will
go on, and if the State of New-York is not desirous of do-
hig their business and receiving the revenue it will afford,
other channels will be sought out, and other States will be
glad to get what we reject. Western products icill seek
a market on the seaboard, and come into competition with
our own. We can charge their property so high as to
prevent its passage through our channels^ but we must
suffer the consequent loss of revenue and business which
their trade would give us ; and which would be an impor-
tant offset for the diminution in the price we should have to
submit to, when our property met theirs in the seaboard
market.
Our Cities and Towns would grow but slowly, our do-
mestic markets would be curtailed, our farmers, instead of
selling at home for good prices their surplus, relieved from
the charges of distant transportation and other expenses,
would have their products subjected to all these incum-
brances and be under the necessity of selling in markets
overstocked from other States.
Only two or three years ago much anxiety was felt
about the draft the Welland Canal was makini^f on the bu-
siness and revenue of the State, and much fear expressed
60 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
that the then existing high rate of toll would force the
greater portion of the business via. Oswego through the
Well and Canal to and from the Western States. The Ca-
nal Board most wisely reduced the rates of toll, and such
immediate and beneficial effects have resulted from this
sensible and judicious course, that the increase of business
it has drawn towards these two routes is so great, as to
overstock both, and has added largely to the revenues of
the State. No complaint is heard about the want of busi-
ness on either route ; but both say, increase the capacity
of the Canal sufficient to keep up with the business seek-
ing to be done upon it.
New channels of communication are opening every year
throughout the Western States, all leading in this direction;
and a new source of business, the Canada trade, is fully
open to us by the late laws of Congress ; which will give
a large increase of business to the Erie Canal. In proof
of this, there was of one single article, that of sugar, no
less than 2,500 tons transported on the Erie Canal, and
exported into Canada, via. Oswego, in 1846, with large
quantities of other articles, both ways. The advantage to
the Canadians of this route has been fully illustrated the
past season; and preparations are now making there, for
using this channel extensively the coming season, in pas-
sing off their productions, and receiving in return the great-
er portion of their supplies. They deem it important to
have the choice of channels — particularly as the navigation
of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, for over six months, is ob-
structed by ice, and during two or three other months more
it is c|uite hazardous. So long as cheap freight and insu-
rance rates are kept upon the Erie Canal, this route, via.
Oswego, Buffalo, and other American ports, will be the
OP THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. 61
preferred one. If our Canal was enlarg-ed, almost the
entire trade of Upper Canada would seek that thannel
under the drawback law.
The following- resolutions have been recently passed at
a meeting of Merchants, held in the City of Toronto, Upper
Canada, expressive of their feelings and intentions on this
subject :
Resolved, 1. That the system of forwarding merchandise, prac-
tised in Canada, and the character of our passage boats, are ill
adapted to the wants of the Province, and have entailed serious
loss and inconvenience on the mercantile interests of the country.
That this meeting is deeply iQipressed with the necessity of a speedy
and entire reform of the system, and resolves to take immediate
steps for the organization of a Joint Stock Company, the object of
which shall be to place on the Canadian waters a line of Steamers
and Propellers, adequate to transacting the business of the country,
in the best manner, and at the lowest possible rates.
2. That the urgent necessity of having a line of Steamers or
Foreign Propellers established between Toronto and Oswego, at
an early day, is deeply felt by this meeting, and it is of o])inion that
the first exertion of the new Company should be devoted to this
branch of the trade.
3. That a Stock Book be now opened, and that a Managing
Committee be appointed to bring the movement before the public,
and procure subscriptions to the capital stock of the Company; and
that so soon as the sum of X5000 or over has been subscribed, the
committee shall call a meeting of the stockholders, to determine the
future course of the Association, and to elect Directors.
During the season of 1847, the Illinois Canal will be
completed, connecting the Lakes with the Mississippi Ri-
ver, and extending tlie area of trade immensely. At De-
troit, the Central Railroad of Michigan, running through a
populous and well-cultivated portion of the State, termi-
nates. The Pontiac Railroad, running into another im]3or-
tant part of the State, likewise ends at Detroit. At Mon-
roe, the Southern Railroad of Michigan ends. This Road
passes through the Southern tier of Counties in that State,
afteady large exporters of produce. At Toledo, two Ca-
62 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
nals and one Railroad come in. One, the Wabash Canal,
upon which much business was done in 1846, will this
year be much improved, and be made capable of doing- a
great deal more. This Canal passes tl«*ough the heart of
the greatest corn growing- and pork making portion of the
Western country, from whence an immense amount of trade
will seek the Erie Canal, as the preferred channel for a
market. The other, the Miami Extension, branches from
the Wabash Canal to Cincinnati, and passes through one
of the richest portions of the State of Ohio. The Erie
and Kalamazoo Railroad runs into the interior, in much the
same direction as the Southern Railroad of Michigan. At
the City of Sandusky, two Railroads meet the Lake ; one,
running to Cincinnati, completed the entire distance with
the exception of a few miles — the other, to Mansfield, in
Richland County, through some of the greatest wheat-
growing Counties of the State. At Cleveland, the Ohio
Canal connects the Lake and the Ohio River together ; this
Canal, after running into the State some distance, has short
cuts and other Canals, radiating from it into other parts of
the State. The Erie Extension Canal, from Erie to the
Ohio River, was opened for business in 1845, and furnished
a large amount of trade for our Canal, which will be an-
nually increasing. The extensive _ iron and coal beds,
through which this Canal passes, or near to, and the very
extensive and valuable timber in that part of Pennsylvania,
for making staves and lor other purposes, will add greatly
to the business to be done upon it. There are now more
than one dozen furnaces (and more erecting) for making
pig iron and castings, along the line of the Canal, that de-
sire to use the Erie Canal route, and through our State, to
find a market. And tiie whole trade of Upper Canada lie-
OF *fHE STAtE OF NEW-YORK. 63
iug- now open to us, is equally desirous use this same I'oute,
as being- the cheapest, safest, and most expeditious one to .
do their business upon.
Such is a brief sketch of the great avenues already-
opened and being- opened, leading to the Erie Canal, and
which are being- improved to do business — surrounded by
extensively fertile lands, occupied by industrious and enter-
prising settlers, who are diligently and successfully devel-
oping- the resources of the country through which these
channels pass, at a rate that almost surpasses compre-
hension.
The vast productions of the Western country must find
market on the seaboard. Is not this trade worth secur-
ing, not only for the revenues it would put into the State
Treasury, but for the immense additional business it would
furnish to our citizens, in the various occupations in which
they are engaged ?
This Western trade is a great prize, in the estimation of
other States and Foreign countries, and is deemed by them
worth very large expenditures to obtain it, or only a por-
tion of it. On one side, the British Government are ex-
pending very large sums in improving their channels of
communication, to invite this trade through them by every
convenience that great outlays of money can give ; on the
other, Pennsylvania, Maryland,* Virginia, Carolina and
Louisiana, are not idle competitors. At this very time,
a convention is in session in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
the business of which is to construct a railroad, connecting
the city of Philadelphia with the Lakes. This work, if
done, will require an outlay of many millions of dollars,
hut will never be an Erie canal.
64 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
Shall no corresponding effort, at a much less outlay in
.money and time, be made by the State of New- York, not
to g-et, for that she already has; but to preserve, increase,
and ever retain this rapidly accumulating- trade? This is
an important matter to this State, in its varied Ag-ricultural,
Mechanical, Mercantile and Commercial relations, and to
no portion of it, is it of g-reater consequence than to the
city of New-York.
From the very beg-inning- of that city, down to July,
1817, when the construction of the Erie Canal was com-
menced, a period of near two hundred years, with all her
outward trade, and every sea in the world at her command
she had reached in population to about 125,000, and was
limited in wealth and facilities of business. That g-reat
fountain of wealth, the internal trade of the country, she
had never broached ; — the ploug-h of the woods and prairies
had never filled her broad and capacious harbor with the
white sails of commerce ; — the g-reat Erie Canal had not
been constructed. Since 1817, all these things have been
done, and what is her condition now? Her popula-
tion has grown to 500,000, if we include the numerous
towns around her, and which have grown up out of her;
her wealth has increased to that degree that she controls
the financial operations of the Nation, steam and sail ves-
sels visit her port from every quarter of the world, and
she is felt and acknowledged as the great Commniercial
Emporium of the Continent.
I am not in possession of recent statistics of that city,
to present her greatness as it is at this time, but I have
some of former years, showing her gigantic strides to
wealth and greatness, as well as the leeer which set her
in motion.
OF THE STATE OP NEW-YORK. 65
In 1817, the valuation of property in that city was
$57,799,435; from '17 to '25, eight years, during- which
an extensive foreign commerce was carried on, the in-
crease was less than a million of dollars. In the fall of
1825, the Erie Canal was opened, from Lake Erie to the
Hudson, and so g-reat was the impulse given to trade by
this extension of internal communication icith the West,
that in three years thereafter, nearly nineteen millions of
dollars were added to the assessor's lists. From 1825 to
to the completion of the Ohio Canal in 1832, a steady and
great increase appears, and in 1833, the total valuation of
real estate had swelled to over 114,000,000, and in 1841,
this was swelled to the farther and enormous amount of
more than 186,000,000 ; thus clearly showing the immense
influence of the Erie Canal on the prosperity of that city,
and the consequent increase of the value of property.
These are some of the effects produced on that city by
the construction of the Erie Canal, bringing to her market
the rich and constantly accumulating trade of the West.
If such have been* the benefits to that city by the Erie Ca-
nal, while in its minority, what may she not expect from
it now that it has reached its majority, (being twenty-one
years last fall since it was finished alid navigated its whole
length,) if it is permitted to have a suitable capital ; that is,
ENLARGED IN SIZE AND TOLLS REDUCED !
This important source of her greatness and wealth, was
conceived, and executed against hgr wishes, and met with
her opposition in all its progress of construction ; and al-
though faithfully and successfully has it served her since it
was built, it has never succeeded in creating any very warm
feeling in its behalf Her political and business men have
matters of more importance, they think, to attend to ; her
H
66 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
deleg-atioii in the Legislature, save once and a while an
exception, never speak of this work or do any thing- to
promote its usefuhiess, because, as one of the members
from that city, a few years ag-o said, in refusing- to serve as
one of the Canal Committee, " that his constituents had no
interest in it.'' Her papers are g-eaerally silent, if not
openly ojiposed to, and can find no time to enlighten the
public mind on this important subject, or direct attention
to it.
The city of New- York is a strong- advocate of the doc-
trine of low tariffs and free trade (I don't say whether
rig-ht or wrong-, I merely state the fact) with all the world,
barbarian as well as christian, but her sympathies and efforts
are only so, for the foreign trade. Low tariffs of tolls and
cheapened transportation on the Erie Canal and the inter-
nal trade of the country has never been worthy her atten-
tion — her own suffering poor (amidst all her wetilth she
has enough of them) may clamor for employment and
cheap bread, it appeals to deaf ears, she has no time to
act, think upon, or talk about the internal ^trade ; it is a too
hum-drum affair; the enlargement of the Erie Canal, re-
duction of tolls and cheapened transport, that her poor
may derive employment and chea]3 bread, is of no imj^or-
tance whatever; but it is of the highest, that their eyes
should feast upon the sight of little wooden mice and
other toys of Europe introduced into the country, under a
low tariff.
If the vast volume of tr'ade furnished by the Erie Canal
to the city of New- York, is too small to deserve notice,
I should like to inquire where the greater is to be found ?
OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, 67
The following- remarks and tables taken from the Albany
Arg-us, refer to that portion of the Canal commerce only,
which reaches tide water:
" The Commerce of the Canals. — We have prepared from
official sources, the following table of the commerce of the canals
of the State for the past season. — It presents a very gratifying re-
sult of the year's business, and exhibits in strong colors the wealth
of our State and of the West.
"Accojnpanying the table showing the movement from and to the
Hudson for the past season, is a similar one of the movement for the
season of 1845.
'• It will be seen that there is an increase in the tonnage of
172,579 tons, and of $14,826,462 in the value of the property
transported, and the excess both in toimageand value over previous
years is still greater.
'' The value of the entire movement of property from and to the
Hudson, is greater by $4,490,353 than the exports of the United
States for the fiscal year ending July, 1844, and greater by
$7,297,845 than the value of the goods imported into the United
States for the same time.
'• These facts speak volumes in favor of the importance of this
commerce, not only to this State, but in a national point of view, as
worthy the attention of the General Government.
Statement of all the property which came to the Hudson River, on all
the Canals, in 1845 and 1846, with the quantity and estimated value of
each article in Alhany and Troy.
THE FOREST.
aUANTITY.
1845. 1816.
Furs and ])eltry, lbs 708,749 810,150
Boards and scanding, feet 237,924,666 260,231,271
Shingles, M 72,120 69,827
Timber, feet .- 2,492,668 1,798,198
Staves, lbs 139,754,800 106.152,500
Wood, cords 17,696 11,832
Ashes, bbls 69,668 46,812
VALUE.
Furs and peltry $ 873,436 1,021,385
Boards and scantling 4,044,720 4,422,936
Shingles 234,390 244,378
Timljer 498,534 251,090
Staves 628,898 51.3,432
Wood 86,258 59,160
Ashes 1,39.3,360 1,076,904
68 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
AGRICULTURE.
QUANTITY .
Pork, bbls 45,153 80,092
Beef, " 67,699 45,600
Bacon, lbs 1,631,700 4,000,500
Cheese," 27,542,861 35,569,118
Butter, " 21,825,455 21,477,657
Lard, " 3,064,800 6,721,000
Wool, " 9,504,039 8,866,376
Hides 293,009 340,900
Flour, bbls 2,517,250 3,063,441
Wheat, bush 1,620,033 2,950,636
Rye, " 157,438 321,799
Corn, " 35,803 1,610,149
Barley, " 1,137,917 1,427,933
Other grain, bush 1,294,609 1,920,800
Bran and ship stuffs, bush 1 ,067,665 1,468,232
Peas and beans, bush 66,175 96,800
Potatoes, bush 145,569 230,939
Dried fruit, lbs 360,966 1,502,900
Cotton, lbs 66,800 445,100
Tobacco," 670,900 2,609,100
Clover and grass seed, lbs 3,161,200 1,094,400
Flax seed, lbs : 8,303,960 5,283,700
Hops, lbs 874,200 1,690,500
VALUE.
Pork $ 571,637 800,925
Beef. 507,743 364,800
Bacon 118,299 290,037
Cheese 1,921,000 2,844,537
Butter 3,055,564 3.220,633
Lard 245,184 498,810
Wool 2,946,252 2,571,415
Hides 36,627 42,613
Flour 14,021,081 15,470,171
Wheat 1,941,869 3,366,141
Rye.. 111,002 . 232,304
Corn 21,479 1,126,854
Barley 671,371 810,933
Other grain 491,951 710,474
Bran and ship stuffs 160,150 220,181
Peas and beans 70,145 96,800
Potatoes 58,076 114,686
Dried fruit 32,477 135,261
Cotton 5,177 34,495
Tobacco 80,508 313,092
Clover and grass seed 221,284 76,608
Flax seed 166,079 131,943
Hops 157,356 185,955
OF THE STATE OP NEW-YORK.
69
MANUFACTURES.
QUANTITY .
Domestic spirits, galls 1,588,601
Leather, lbs 15,363,925
Furniture, " 2,561,624
Bar and pig lead, lbs 223,500
Pig iron, lbs 8,031,218
Bloom and bar iron lbs
Iron ware, lbs 4,665,388
Domestic woolens, lbs 1,407,529
« cottons, " 1,879,446
Salt, bbls 172,968
Merchandise, lbs 505,708
VALUE.
Domestic spirits, $ 444.800
Leather 2,765,507
Furniture, 256,162
Bar and pig lead, 8,940
Pig iron, 140,.546
Bloom and bar iron,
Iron ware, 186,615
Domestic woolens, 1,900,629
" cottons 582,628
Salt, 147,023
Merchandise, • 88,497
OTHER ARTICLES.
QUANTITY.
Stone, lime and clay, lbs 55,344,593
Gypsum, lbs 12,263,800
Mineral coal, lbs 47,798,300
Sundries, lbs 83,237,259
VALUE.
Stone, lime and clay, $ 83,016
Gypsum, 27,656
Mineral, coal, • 119,496
Sundries, 3,329,490
AGGREGATES.
1845.
Forest, tons 607,930
Agriculture, " 447,627
Manufactures," 49,812
Merchandise, " 253
Other articles " 99,321
Total, tons '1,204,943
1,426,549
5,160,654
2,226,114
489,800
10,574,640
10,892,243
1,219,091
1,425,340
2,324,774
092,442
3,594,322
313,600
928,918
223,611
19,592
182,.574
265,222
43,830
1,923,390
719,787
180,035
276.872
44,200,033
12,084,100
18,846,600
90,811,614
63,170
26,933
47.116
3,633,257
^ 7,759,596
27,612.291
6,432,259
83,497
2,559,658
$45,452,321
70 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY.
1846.
Forest, tons 603,010 $8,588,291
Agriculture, *' 628,454 33,662,818
Manufactures," 46,076 4,805,790
Merchandise, " 1,797 276,872
Other articles," 82,982 3,770,476
Total, tons 1,362,319 $51,105,256
Statement of the tonnage and value of all the property which went from
the Hudson River, on all the canals in 1845 and 1846
Tonnage, tons 224,013 239,216
Value $55,453,998 $64,627,524
Aggregate movement from and to the Hudson River during the years 1845
and 1846, and the aggregate value of the property transported.
1845. 1846.
Tonnage, tons 1,428,956 1,601,535
Value, $100,906,319 $115,732,780
From these tables it appears, that the merchandise
shipped from tide water on the Canal is, for 1845, 224,-
013 tons, and for 1846, 239,216 tons, showing- an increase
in '46 of 15,203 tons. Of -the 239,216 tons cleared, 58,074
was landed at Buffalo, paying toll the whole length of the
canal, and at Oswego 21,193, together 79,267 tons, or one-
third of the whole. — Of the 15,203 tons increase, 6,776
passed Buffalo to the Western States, how much increase
has passed Oswego, I cannot tell, as I have not the Canal
Office reports of that place in sufficient detail, but of the
whole receipts there in '46, of 21,193 tons, they exported
to the Western States 7,847 tons, to Canada, 5,693 tons,
and the balance was for that place and other American
towns around Lake Ontario. I give these details to show
where the increasing ascending trade on our Canals is
o-oins" to. Of the increase of 172,679 tons of descending
tonnage, the sources from which it comes is too obvious to
need any remarks.
OK THE STATE OP NEW-YORK. 71
The Wall Street reporter of January, '47, has published
a condensed statement of the foreig-n trade of the country,
as follows :
" The following is an aggregate statement of tlie value of the ex-
ports, of the growth, produce, and manufacture of the United States,
for the year ending 30th June, 184(). There is a shght increase in
the aggregate amount, as compared with last year, but the amounts
of the ditierent articles exported, in many instances differ very wide-
ly in the two years. Of the total amount, $78,634,410 was export-
ed in American vessels, and $23,507,483 in foreign vessels:
The Sea • • • • $3,453,.S08
Thk Forest — Skins and furs and ginseng 1,300,.^)71
Product of wood, 5,506,677
Agkiculture — Product of animals 7,833,864
Vegetable food, 19,329,586
Tobacco, 8,578,270
Cotton, 42,767,341
All other agricultural products 214,455
Manufactures — 4,921,995
Of cotton, 3,545,481
Other fabrics, 1,101,878
Lead 614,518
Wool 203,995
Articles not Enumerated — ^Manufactured 1,379,566
Other 1,490,303
$1027141,808
A comparison of the tables of the Arg-us and Rep/brter,
shows tliat while the foreign export trade of the country
is increasing very gradually, the internal trade through
the Erie Canal is augmenting rapidly, and is now in value
many millions of dollars greater than the entire foreign
export trade.
The Erie Canal landed at tide water, as given in the
tables of the Argus, 3,063,441 barrels of flour ; of this
number the Boston Rail Road carried away 396,839 bar-
rels ; and after supplying the local markets of Albany
and'Troy, and shipping by water of many thousands of bar-
rels to Eastern markets, I find the quantity that went di-
rect to the city of New- York, from a statement published
72 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
in the Herald of that city. It may not be improper to ob-
serve, that the Herald uses the term " Hudson River" in-
stead of Erie Canal, in stating- the sources from whence
this larg-e quantity reached there. That paper says :
"Below will be found a statement of the receipts of flour and
wheat at this port, and the exports to foreign ports, from January
1 to December 31, inclusive, for the years 1845 and 1846. The
increase in the import of flour this year, it will be seen, is 58.5,237
barrels, and of wheat 1,060,428 bushels. The increase in the ex-
ports is 723,908 barrels flour, and 1,172,702 bushels wheat:"
MOVEMKNTS IN BrEADSTUFFS — PoRT OF NeW-YoRK.
Receipts of Flour at New- York, from January 1 to December ^l., inclusive:
VIA- 1846. 1845.
Hudson River, bhls 2,280,638 1,700,198
New Orleans, 70,043 87,704
Southern ports, 197,7 15 175,257
Total for the vear, 2,548,396 1,963,159
Increase in 1846, bbls 585,237
Receipts of Wheat at New- York., from January! to Decetnber 21,
inclusive.
VIA- 184G. 1845.
Hudson River, bush 1,172,646 289,089
New Orleans, 401,365 83,937
Southern ports 94,24 2 23 4,799
Total for the year 1^8;253 "607,825
Increase in 1846, bushels, 1,060,428
Exports of Flour and Wheat from Jan. Isi to Dec. 31 si.
1845. 1846. Increase.
Flour, bbls 469,.520 1,193.428 723,908
Wheat, bu 3t)4,654 1,477,356 1,172,702
The aggregate receipts of flour, after reducing the wheat to flour,
at the rate of five bushels per barrel, was —
1845. 1846. Increase.
Barrels- 2,084,724 2,882,047 723,908
The aggregate exports, reducing the whole to tlour, was, in
1845. 1846. Increase.
Barrels .' 520,451 1,488,899 797,323
"The increase in the exports of 1846, compared with 1845,
amounts to nearly two hundred per cent. A more flattering and
encouraging exhibit than this, could not well be expected or re-
quired."
OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. id
It does not state the quantity of corn received, but from
another paper I have seen a statement, and find it about
equal to wheat, and derived from the same sources and in
the same proportion from each. This table g-ives a strong-
view from whence the freio-ht is derived, which loads the
many ships now leaving- New- York for Europe. The
article of corn, (by the destruction of the potato crop,) has
become an established article of commerce to the old
world, and the demand for it will be annually increasing-,
the better it becomes known. It is a cheap article in the
Western States, and raised in immense quantities, and if
our Canal was enlarg-ed, tolls reduced, and by these means
transportation cheapened, any desirable quantity could
reach the sea-board. — The reduction in the tolls last year'
of about three cents a bushel, caused 1,610,149 bushels to
reach tide water in 1846, against 35,803 bushels in 1845.
This article alone has g-iven 10,000 bushels freig-ht each to
one hundred and sixty ships from New- York. Has this
small reduction of tolls on this single article been of no use
to New- York foreign commerce ? And has it not greatly
increased the business of the State, as well as added large-
ly to the revenues 1 The Commissioners of the Canal
Fund, in a recent report, state the gain in revenue to be
$80,000, and to the forwarders $100,000 in freight. *
Other tables publislied in the New- York papers, show
that the exports of agricultural products shipped from that
city the first twenty-two days in December, were as fol-
lows : —
Flour, bbls 149,600
Wheat, bush 179,500
Corn, " 154,000
Rye, " 60,000
Barley, " 19,450
Oats, " 10,300
I
74 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
From the first of January to 31st December, 1846, the
total shipments of the same articles were —
Wheat flour, bbls 1,193,428
Rye flour, " 12,145
Corn meal, " 108,813
" " hhds 4,846
Wheat, bush 1,477,356
Corn " 1,489,459
Rye, barley and oats not reported in the table.
The above flour and meal, reduced to grain, and adding*
the rye, oats and barley, form an ag-gregate little short of
ten millions of bushels.
The most extraordinary activity is now going on in the
shipment of bread stuffs from New-York. The last pa-
pers from that city, state that sixty-seven of their largest
ships were busily loading with provisions of all kinds, for
Europe. The demand for shipping is so great that,
although freights have risen near 300 per cent, over the
usual and common rates, ships cannot be found to meet the
pressing demand. This' deficiency in vessels, however,
is being supplied in the construction, in all the Northern
sea-ports, of an unusual number, and of greater capacity
of burthen. Life and activity is seen in all their ship-yards,
among ship-carpenters, calkers, riggers and the numerous
other branches of mechanics and labor, the building of
ships calls into requisition.
Foreign commerce can only be sustained by promoting
and increasing the internal trade of the country. If we
have nothing to sell, we can buy nothing. We cannot deal
with money alone, — we have not enough of it. A foreign
trade carried on only by money, requires but few ships and .
men to do tlie whole business of the country. Whereas
our own internal products, being generally of a heavy and
bulky character, call into requisition a great many ships to
OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. 75
carry it off, and employ a vast amount of labor in a thou-
sand ways, to move it.
How trade throug-h the Erie Canal can be increased, is an
important question. Two years ag-o the Canal Board be-
came satisfied that an entire revision in our canal tarif of
tolls was necessary. That the Erie Canal had ceased to be
the only channel to and from the Western States, to the sea-
board. That g-reat reductions in the tolls must be made
if we desired to retain the command of the g-reat internal
trade of the country. That unless this reductioji was
made, the ascending- trade on our canals would greatly di-
minish, and althoug-h the products of the West mig-lit con-
tinue to use our canals as a channel to market, the larg-e
manufactures in our own State, of iron, steel, nails, ^spikes
and other heavy but cheap articles, recjuiring- cheap trans-
portation to afford any profit to the buyer, as well as sug-ar,
molasses, coffee, dye-woods, hardware and crockery, would
cease being- purchased from us, for the supply of the
Western States. The iron city of Pittsburg-h, with her
mountains of iron and beds of coal, having" a short canal
connecting- with the lake, upon which the toll and transpor-
tation was very low, would supply what our manufactories
had heretofore done — the Mississippi lead to the planta-
tions where sug-ar and molasses were made; — New Orleans
lay within a few days sail of the West Indies, where there
were more sug-ar and molasses, and where coffee and dye-
woods were grown ; and the ships sailing- direct from
England to N^w-Orleans for cotton, would carry crockery
and hardware on low freig"ht, all of which, would find
their way up the Mississippi river and throug-h the different
channels opened into the Western States, and supply that
g-reat demand whicli had heretofore been our own ; not
T^
76 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY
only so, but supply Western New- York with the same
articles ; thus making the cities of Albany, Troy and New-
York, merely factors to sell western produce, and remit the
money to other places, to purchase return supplies. The
great increase of steamboats on the Mississippi, required
to take the down freight, would cause such competition
for up freight, that it would be delivered at St. Louis and
Cincinnati from New Orleans, for what was charged on the
Erie Canal for tolls alone, from Albany to Buffalo.
Thesp are some of the reasons which demanded ^
change in our canal policy then, and they have not ceased
to operate yet. The pork, lard and corn of the West, are
at those points of locality, that but a small difference in the
cost o(, transportation determines whether New- York or
New-Orleans shall have them; time and climate incline to
New- York, cost determines. A constitutional difficulty
existed against reducing the tolls until after the first of Ju-
ly, 1845, and the old rates were permitted to remain until
the close of that year.
During the year 1846, a new tariff of tolls was in ope-
ration, equal, as the Commissioners say, to an average of
14 per cent, below that of 1845. So strong did the neces-
sity appear, for a great reduction on those articles of up
freio-ht which would reach the Lakes from Pittsburph and
the Mississippi, that the reduction made was four-ninths,
or about forty-five per cent. That this large reduction
was necessary, is proven by the properly that did reach
the Lakes from the before mentioned source«, in 1846. —
At Toledo the Miami Extension Canal from Cincinnati, de-
livered —
Sugar, lbs 1,290,085
Molasses, " 622,:334
Cofibe, groceries, and other merchandise, lbs. r)42,566
OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. 77
At Cleveland, the delivery of Pittsburg-h iron and nails,
was 11,527,908 pounds; and at Erie, throug-h the Erie
Extension Canal, a farther supply from Pittsburg- and the
Mississippi, of#l,224,000 pounds of iron and nails, and 335,-
735 pounds of sug-ar and molasses, all of which went to
supply markets wliich we had heretofore considered ex-
clusively our own.
The Canal Board, for the purpose of arriving- at the
quantity of certain property passing- up the canal, has
directed the Canal Collectors to make out specific state-
ments. This having- only been done this year, no com-
parison can be made with former years. The returns
from the Collector's Office in this city, show that the 45 pei'
cent, reduction caused to be transported the whole distance
of the Erie Canal for markets west of Buffalo, of —
On tolls reduced from 9 to H mills i^er 1000 lbs. per mile.
Sugar, lbs 8,775,662
Molasses," 5,095,410
Coffee, " 6,734,110
Nails and Spikes, lbs 2,971,461
Iron and steel, " 4,179,083
Crockery, lbs 3,943,660
Oysters, " 79,662
General mdze — from 9 to 8 mills, lbs 57,192,411
Against an aggregate in 1845 of all 88,971,459
at 9 mills per 1000 lbs per mile, 75,426,363
Showing a gain of lbs 13^545,096
What the increase, if any, has Jpeen in the quantity of
heavy articles transported, cannot be determined. But
this great reduction in the tolls, did, beyond all doubt, secure
to our manufacturers, g-rocers and others, a larger sale of
these articles, than would have been the case, had no re-
duction been made. 'And the only mode to increase, if
not to preserve this business is, to give facilities for west-
ern products to reach our markets at as low rates of trans-
port, as it can be done. This can be done only by the
78 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY.
action of the State. Where individual action can operate,
as on the Lakes and Ocean, new vessels of all kinds are
multiplying* in numbers and g*reatly increased capacity of
burthen ; on the Lakes to that degree, as t« make many
intelligent men apprehend an overdoing- of the thing-. But
while the Canal remains as it is, obstructed at different
points with the old sized locks and want of water, no addi-
tional new craft will be put upon it sufficient to lower the
price of transport. A larg-e outlay of capital in this way
would be nearly throwing it away, because when the Ca-
nal is enlarged, the small sized boats could not be run in
competition with the new ones that would make their
appearance.
It cannot be expected, (and the complaints against for-
warders are unjust,) that individuals will do business at less
rates than they can get by asking, particularly when there
is more business for them, than they can do. Open the
avenue to a sufficient size for the business, and individual
enterprise and competition will quickly fill it with boats of
such capacity as will reduce the price or cost of transport.
I am aware that the new Constitution has placed strong
restrictions upon the finances of the State. But it has not
prohibited all expenditures upon the canals. After provi-
ding for the payment of the interest and principal of the
State debts, the expenses of the State government, and
almost every thing else, from the canal revenues, it then
allows whatever of surplus there may be, to be expended
in the enlargement of the Erie Canal, and the finishing of
the Genesee and Black River Canals. The surplus of 1846
now on hand, and that which will "accumulate in '47, '48
and '49, will amount to -92,000,000. If this money is not
wasted by dividing it amongst all these works, but faith-
fully devoted to, and expended upon the enlargement of
OP' THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. 7^
the Erie Canal, this great thoroughfare can be made so, that
in 1850 it can secure to us forever the great Western trade
and do more than double the business it can now do, and
furnish the means to hasten the completion of the other
works sooner than they can be obtained from any other
source.
In a conversation I have had recently with a gentleman
who has held several interviews with the Canal Commis-
sioners on this subject — he informs me that they estimate
the work of doubling the locks between Albany and Syra-
cuse, and placing new single enlarged locks where the
small sized old ones remain, between Syracuse and Buffa-
lo, and giving the Canal five feet of water throughout, can
be done for $1,500,000, and within the three ensuing years.
The surplus accruing during the same time, exceeds the
estimated amount required to do the work. This would
enable boats to pass the whole length of the Canal carry-
ing 1,500 barrels of flour, being on an average, more than
double tliic number they now carry. Boats can navigate
the Canal from Buffalo to Rochester, carrying 4,200 bush-
els of wheat, but beyond that place, there are remaining
many of the old sized locks ; and two boats and two setts of
hands and horses are required, to take this quantity to
Albany.
This trifling expenditure would more than double the
capacity of the Canal, and render useful the vast sums
already expended for that purpose; and as new large boats
would immediately replace the present small sized ones,
double the amount of business could be done, widiout in-
creasing the number of boats and lockages; — the doubling
of the locks from Syracuse to Albany, where boats from all
the lateral canals accumulate in the main trunk, w6uld facili-
tate their passing, and permit an increase of their number.
80 THE TRUE CANAL POLICY.
The condition of the State of New- York is an enviable
one; the payment of her debts has been secured beyond
all contingency, and to the entire satisfaction of the public
creditors. The Erie Canal only asks that^ after having-
provided from its revenues for all the public debts, the
surplus of its earning-s may be faithfully devoted to its en-
largement, for which it will give more than an adequate
return. The expenditures and embarrassments of other
States are frequently brought into review by many, as an
awful warning to the People of this State against incur-
ring debt, but the comparison will not hold good — theij
expend large sums hoping to get business ; we only ex-
pend our surplus to do the business which presses upon
us faster than our public works can do it.
From the tacts and figures I have presented, I think I
have clearly shown the necessity of something being im-
mediately done to the Erie Canal, to enable it to secure
and do the rapidly accumulating business seeking it as a
channel to and from the seaboard ; as well as pointing out
how the means can be obtained for the purpose.
The only question remaining is, shall it be done ? If so,
much, .very much, depends upon the action of the city of
New- York. She has on the floor of the Legislature one-
eighth of the representation, and contains about one-eighth
of the entire population of the State; if she enters, through
her representatives, warmly and unitedly upon the busi-
ness, she will be pi-omptly backed up by Western New-
York, so as to settle the matter at once. To her pride
and to her interest, I make the appeal.
It
J-'-
i
LOT^ng the amount and description of Property, r
AimnMii/S't iti:.
L;ir<l.
Wo(il. 1 Hides.
IViun.l
I'ciiii.l^. 1 PniinJs.
l,720,947i 21,38(5
,S37, 1
2,-250,438 171,895
,381.8
2,775,243 92,322
256,407 19,348
42-09
352,081 40,623
â– :f2W4
r-M mr; jO.OdH
V[MiyVAli\A
OllTerGrain. U
440,244i 695,710|
404,029 262,294'
489,209 l,fi()6;017
373,461 224^963
265,858 255,127
'',->d3,^9 485 062
289 j
7671
949j
109,2671
33,069i
541,904
4,684
I 2,904
4- 77,202
5 r^m
o
TABLES Showing
he
"""
nt and deecripti
an of Prop
rty.
Li
oived
at and shipped from Baffal
=^n_
the SRIS
CANAL, in
the years
1843
18411 1S4S >
„d 1846
.
TABLB NO 1
mo, .V.b,...",
â– i,''",?!,. ""â– "".
--.-â– ^' â– â– "
,' .Z'}VR\
\„.:i,i
HteMpn,...!"'. â–
;; .f1 ".!
30O
;; lid
"* ""
:: :: |
:: i
4,310
:: ::
\i:B
..
flonn' i.7j(i, ..
1.014
•■.J
18,0.10
II
.1.137
ILinoi. /
nil
,,.„. , ,,, .„„-, j ,. ...
: 1 â– '- ' â– " 1 â– 1
VA-ii
..
â– â–
8.1
ii:i,ni7
wi.: 'â– "::]
"::^a ■■„„„
i'
"=j3 ':^
â– â– :;i '
:;
â– .â– ,.03
8.100
.WSJ
4.UUU
MH
;: ' :: ::
'Z
sii
.J.lj ..
i'!°
S,1B<I
"mt
" " 1 '.'.
310,300
^'',',' , - , , '
i-Hi-1 nfin
l.«T(
344,000
I.S01
afivii TO
814.003
3,07ftl -â– ;.
062
10,601
20,4111
,.
'oBOflSa
,w,i,. i"".')
;::; i""'â„¢
v«
,ii.m
IS
"â– '!!| ;ij
0J»,47S
130*004
"•'■""
'S'ol !! |. '.'.'
<L\ "kJ "
0,000
".t"
nS
l3:8M
"x.m
.:■*"• :: 1
'.'. ].','â– ..
â– ioii
■■1,CS4I»
1U<.
00
j-
im.im
•"
ISO aoT
37,000
457.100
a4Mi4 !â–
:: :: 1 :: 1 's
3,101
""
iwa
OMOJ
11.000
30.000
WIO
lot
10.78(1
:! ;;
4,00if
;: ""."r"'
314,040
Kwiiua,, -ij,
,.
.. [ ..
â– 740 â–
1M03
•1 "
'o,371
.. ;t) 010.410
: 60
300.001
14,101
.. 1
3,581
BU1I,UBU
""*;;"'â– [\]' '
1157
saO
;i ::
..
.. (
) 4,,170
IV.i,.^ â– ^.... 1^10
rjio
3.880,ieS
TT!
'sot
iiz°
:?*
0,745
;;,::! ;:
ii::
;; :; '*?"•'
"sas
,i;
i;
;: 1 ::
::
0,010
•iS.'S-l... ;;... iMi
:;::-
uidBO
i».««ij
■■"■-'-'■""'""'":'-'■'"--»'■•"''""
I-""â„¢'""
""'" â– â– "^
"-" ™™
ill
•ssLL
^
SO!
;;
oftiaaoj !!
00.808
Ui:
;;l,"" â– ^'";^^:
;â– :"â– ;;-:
n°m ::
100.0*0^ •â–
1 ".
uir .!"'
;:ili«l:ii;:S
:;«;»
«,;»,i;;;, • .. ,i.;o;:;;i,sio« • :: i^
^1^"":'''
.;i:.i;
limJiU.^
ilil^Z. n liml'MliJii
'ZZS.^ :: i,.;i;:;»SM::.;s» ss.„ss
uiiS S2S
.iii'H
77'.43
:d'^l ;;
:| ', :: 1 ;; u::'-'^- .,â– 'i~ â– â– :--â–
OK. i.u...i II,
■',»
::
~
â– â– .44
l,O0>
' 60
"d ::
"33»
,000
TStU
'Si ;:
'«
e
■»
Is
— liio
2",isa
\IZ
V,9«
...
iilesT
""^
l,U0,893
i,03a.(«a
E^
â– â– â–
;;
iU.7«.018
a9/iT»,7ao
«,sm",i»2
S,U'»,030
M^^n
esioo.
1.80i.WT
.ooo'.m
4iiâ„¢
no5.00Ii 10.000.
.00J40 84,7001
m,-M
iiilliil
iiii;,'r I'-'i^
■j'|.-«n
OM
»
40
01 ::
Dto
ol
7.938
"4,0
lo!l33
070
I.44&.04T
18.807
404.03(
.:;
e.0Mji*i
U,t>Sa',044
3,47'i..3
l,a3Ma
..m:-io
"'^
M(<;^o.
,.7.701
,,,07
BM03
,,1,^;; ;.;,^
â– 'â– "i!
8,000
«
"000
..n
A^
â €¢â–
sIlK
20.504
031
3,000
â– io.
.0;i37
"
l.BfiO,005
l.0K.'38(
765iall
â– â–
«.Mi.«a
7.6M.705
i,o»«,Tm
717.409
'":-
m,w
100*0
30^
71AK
4,,«4
^.0
1W>
1 II. s
«
■•
■•
'm
" loi "
â– â– "
"a
0.000
3;i.7
ImIZ
7,0T3,7ftn
0.008,81
.,»7'o'.»M
781,071
880,t7S
804.823
030H ..
15;S
'IS!
- ..--,... 1.1-i
JM
â– -OS)
J"
â– 'ill
JOJO
bIoot
::.
in,600
100.01-1
5J.00f
70,808
'fi
l.*70,M4
430'fl34 8«3l0SS 700^03"
363,000 147'.8m| 33^30
latCuO 380^(180
TftlM 100,100
m;ii. ::
lOMO. 0.48(
3,.4l
\-z
ao,M
" .si
"300
•â–
8«
1,009
is,5sa
1.80Wfl
oi'o^u
â– io
■■«
lU.
-- i;;'i;i!
::^
M..
':""
::""
■•
IS,â„¢
000,43
â– Ja.sa
071.7,
}':"
!"
4 DW
14.^48
14.00
i,M :;
.',.110
-;; , i;:,;
;:
^w
is
£ ^â–
::
l.â„¢
!;;
r: '
^""'"- !:!'.'
JL
-1
â– i
i.7«i
â– â– _
._
TSno|-Wio
_ ::
1-
"oo.
JL
:: 1 ::
1 100.IMKI
â– 4SS.S\W _ ..
-4'°
3 3'.7
"L
Mfifi
;_-„■: ;'; i - "
*»■*
'1 11
aejiHTj 1,001
1 Mil -.
l.T9U.Ta
.,
.. 1 '..
"1
N,-VorV '-!'i
"'s .-,;t
â– â– '
'
3.777
i'S34
O,00l
'â– '"1 W-.
;â– â– !',
H.«
:;;;•;■'»
â– - 1 'â– , -
i ^"â– â– ''"'â– "
U.,«,41
».77K«»UM«Cil
O0.70iil(J3,»7.'ill|4,17..»!i«*4aJlli| '" • '
;
?;"
«,4»
'A
-
ini"i .
â– 1,11,11^,4 3,.^
3o7U8.M
Kl.Olii
oUi,
U-l»M-
AB(»i|nw,...bu.im-- ■' i-|'
â– J ;;
10,3011 ..
7.30>1 30
■.■■...,,..„,-..„,>'■'■""?
7ill.n40.4»
........ IHll
;.i.7:il im»,";
1 i.^^nrji inl.lH
i-j.<ml ..
0,03
0.S7S ..
'lOil. .
-J-'i-.^
-.-.IJl 17 II ^.V...
1-11 .-,,
i.'.iV.i:': 'â– i's
I0-i04
177
â– '^liT'oaHOft
".'i';-;-' "â–
r*)9->vJ ' ruL-.r-r^ni' ^'-iiWiK"li 1
-•.l"»ir*-*i.i. fl-~. ■• >•■'-■• -' -"â– "â– "â– '•*"â– "â– '•"â–
*"*
Il»«
■"*•"•
â– Mtl-ln
~p
lUM
r
IVIMWI'
uiHr»mbi»»Mj.
U. Ml III
umlulu
*»iyiM..i
•.ilkih.
H.«4-ll-
~
o
•
C)
HF
barton .^-
3129
B28c
Commerce
Lakes -
of the
BINDERY FFRJ 1 A
1QC7
HF
3129
B28c
