n 1816 to report on a canal between Lakes Erie and
Ontario. The matter dragged along for several years, until at last,
through the energy and enthusiasm of William Hamilton Merritt, a company
was incorporated, and work actually commenced, in 1824. Five years
later, the first vessels passed through from Ontario to Erie. In 1841
work was commenced on the enlargement of the canal, and completed in
1850. Between 1873 and 1883, the canal was deepened to 12 feet; and in
1887 to 14 feet. In the meantime, the work had been taken over by the
government, and become part of the system of Dominion canals. =Index=:
=Mc= Mackenzie's committee to inquire into, 264; Mackenzie a director
of, 265; Francis Hincks on, 265; transactions of officials, 266, 267;
report of committee, 268. =BL= Bought by government from private
company, 1841, 98; completion of improvements, 337. _See also_ Canals.
=Bib.=: Kingsford, _Early Canals_; Merritt, _Biography of W. H.
Merritt_; Matheson, _Welland Canal_ (Women's Can. Hist. Soc. _Trans_.,
vol. 2).

=Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of= (1769-1852). Entered the army in
1787, and after serving in the Netherlands went to India in 1797, where
he filled various military and civil offices until 1805. Two years later
commanded the Copenhagen expedition and defeated the Danes at Kioge.
Took command of the army in the Peninsula in 1808, and between then and
1814 defeated the French under Soult, Victor, Massena, and King Joseph.
On his return to England in 1814 created Duke of Wellington. The
following year, with the co-operation of Bluecher, defeated Napoleon at
Waterloo. Premier in 1828, and resigned in 1830; foreign secretary in
Peel's ministry, 1834. =Index=: =Bk= His successes in the Peninsula,
119; retreats into Portugal, 123. =Sy= Resigns from Cabinet, 16; returns
to office as prime minister, 16; resigns, 52; on dismissal of Melbourne,
summoned to form a ministry, 46; his government defeated, 46; persuaded
by Chief Justice Robinson to oppose Union Bill in House of Lords, 231.
=B= Disapproves of Bagot's policy, 16, 17. =Mc= His connection with
Catholic Emancipation Bill, 16-17. =Bib.=: _Despatches, 1799-1832_;
_Speeches_. For biog., _see Dict. Nat. Biog._

=Wentworth, Sir John= (1737-1820). Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Educated at Harvard. In 1765 went to England as agent of the province of
New Hampshire, and in 1767 appointed governor of the province; in the
same year made surveyor-general of the