rd are far too limited even for the
present necessities of trade; hence it becomes a question of
universal interest how the products of the field, the mine, and
the forest can be most cheaply forwarded to the consumer. Near
the geographical centre of North America is a vast plateau two
thousand feet above the level of the sea, drained by the
Mississippi to the south, by the St. Lawrence to the east, and
by the Saskatchewan and McKenzie to the north. This vast
territory would have been valueless but for the water lines
which afford cheap transport between it and the great markets of
the world.

"Canada has improved the St. Lawrence by canals round the rapids
of the St. Lawrence, and by the Welland Canal, connecting lakes
Erie and Ontario, twenty-eight miles in length with a fall of
two hundred and sixty feet, capable of passing vessels of four
hundred tons. The St. Lawrence, from the east end of Lake
Ontario, has a fall of two hundred and twenty feet, overcome by
seven short canals of an aggregate length of forty-seven miles,
capable of passing vessels of six hundred and fifty tons. The
Richelieu River is connected with Lake Champlain by a canal of
twelve miles from Chambly. A canal of one mile in length, at the
outlet of Lake Superior, connects that lake with Lake Huron, and
has two locks, which will pass vessels of two thousand tons. New
York has built a canal from Buffalo, on Lake Erie, and from
Oswego, on Lake Ontario, to Albany, on the Hudson River, of
three hundred and sixty and of two hundred and nine miles,
capable of passing boats of two hundred and ten tons; and she
has also constructed a canal from the Hudson River into Lake
Champlain of sixty-five miles, which can pass boats of eighty
tons.

"Such is the nature of the navigation between tide-water on the
Hudson and St. Lawrence and the upper lakes. The magnitude of
the commerce of the Northwest has compelled the enlargement of
the Erie and Oswego canals from boats of seventy-eight to two
hundred and ten tons, while the St. Lawrence and Welland canals
have also been enlarged since their first construction. A
further enlargement of the Erie and Champlain canals is now
strongly urged in consequence of the want of the necessary
facilities of transport for the ever increasing western trade.
The object of th