The Ohio Canal

Article taken from The Ohio Independent Press, June 3, 1831

We understand that part of the Ohio canal which has been finished, a very active commerce is now carried on. A immense amount of the surplus products of our fertile soil was deposited on the banks of the Canal during the last winter, for the purpose of being transported to market: and although the boats have been busily engaged for about a month past, in carrying it off, the quantity in store for exportation, at the opening of Canal navigation this spring, was supposed to be more than equal to the total amount exported during the whole of the last year.

 

We are informed that a large quantity of Orleans sugar has been conveyed in steam boats up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Maritta to Dresden in keel boats; and from thence on the Ohio Canal, to Cleveland on Lake Erie; where it was delivered nearly as cheap as it could have been purchased in the city of New York. This branch of trade will be much facilitated by the completion of the Canal to Portsmouth. Thus we see that the predictions of the Canal policy, "that the Ohio Canal when completed; will serve as part of a great channel of inter-communication between the north and the south, opening a commerical intercourse, west of the Alleghany mountains; similar in extent and importance to that carried on between the northern and southern States east of the mountains, by means of the Atlantic," is begriming to be verified.

 

The business on the Canals of this State is increasingly from year to year with great rapidity; and the increase during the present, bids fair to be vastly greater than that of any preceding year. It will probably fully equal the anticipations of its warmest friends.