Massachusetts Spy And Worcester Advertiser

[From the Boston Patriot.]

Blackstone and Charles Rivers.

The gratifying prospect of a canal between the flourishing towns of Worcester and Providence may now be considered certain, and it cannot be doubted that a great amount of public good will spring from a completion of this project. The spirit with which it has at length been entered upon is worthy of all praise, and should excite emulation in other quarters where similar undertakings are required, and similar results may be anticipated. The importance and utility of a canal which would afford an easy, safe, and expeditious communication between Boston and Providence will not be questioned. Besides the advantages to be derived from such a communication, by contributing to the extension and facility of commerce in time of peace, security would be added in time of war, when the navigation of the seas would be attended with danger. Nor can a similar communication between the metropolis and the interior of our own State be productive of any other than the most beneficial effects. To the manufacturer, the owner or occupier of land, and to the merchant, the advantages which would result are too obvious to be dwelt upon. But the subject addresses itself with peculiar force to the citizens of this State, and of Boston in particular, at the present time, when there is danger that a most valuable inland trade may be diverted to the New York market.

It is thought that a canal connecting the Blackstone with Charles River, may be completed with great ease and at a small expense. Impressed with this belief, the writer and two other gentlemen have been at some trouble in viewing the route by which such canal would probably be carried, and are entirely satisfied of its feasibility. The following facts they are desirous of communicating to the public, with the hope that exertions may be made to survey the proposed route with a view to ascertain the practicability of a canal. The point at which it is proposed to join the Blackstone Canal, is about three quarters of a mile below Woonsocket Falls in Cumberland, R. I. where the Blackstone is met by a stream called Mill River. About one mile from the Hartford Turnpike, near Penniman's Factory in Mendon, six miles from Woonsocket Falls, and thirty from Boston, Mill River is separated from the Charles by a distance of something less than a mile. The difference in the height of the two rivers is very small, the Charles being only between ten and fifteen feet the highest. Between these rivers is the summit level of the proposed route, and the soil which intervenes is of such a nature as to render excavating extremely easy. The whole fall from this place to Boston is not more than one hundred and fifty feet by estimation. From the level situation of the country, and the excellent quality of the soil throughout the whole route, a canal may be made with great facility. In these respects the writer is convinced that a section of country could not be found more favorable for the undertaking. It certainly presents much fewer impediments than the route through which the Blackstone is to be carried, and, comparing the fall between Worcester and Providence, (which, if we mistake not, is four hundred and fifty-two feet for about forty-five miles.) with that on the Charles River, the result is very much in favor of the latter.

We are decidedly of opinion, that water abundantly sufficient for the purposes of a canal, may easily be procured without interfering at all with the rights or interests of those who have privileges on the river. Indeed, we think it can be demonstrated that, should a canal be made, mill owners in its vicinity would thereby be benefited rather than injured. The whole distance from Boston to Providence, by such a canal, would not be more than fifteen miles greater than by the turnpikes.

Why, then, cannot a communication be easily effected between Boston, Providence, and Worcester, by a canal connecting the Blackstone with Charles River? Would not such a canal prove of great public utility, and be eminently beneficial to each of the above mentioned places? Would not the stock in the proposed canal be profitable to the proprietors, and would not the value of the stock in the Blackstone Canal be increased by the proposed addition to its extent?

And, finally, would not the two-fold purpose of connecting Boston with Providence, and Boston with the interior of our own State be more easily and effectually answered by the proposed canal than by any other means that could be devised?

Norfolk.