southern to its
northern extremity in one continued inland navigation, and to connect in
like manner in many parts the Western lakes and rivers with each other.
It is equally practicable and easy to facilitate the intercourse between
the Atlantic and the Western country by improving the navigation of
many of the rivers which have their sources near to each other in the
mountains on each side, and by good roads across the mountains between
the highest navigable points of those rivers. In addition to the example
of the Cumberland road, already noticed, another of this kind is now in
train from the head waters of the river James to those of the Kanawha;
and in like manner may the Savannah be connected with the Tennessee. In
some instances it is understood that the Eastern and Western waters may
be connected together directly by canals. One great work of this kind is
now in its progress and far advanced in the State of New York, and there
is good reason to believe that two others may be formed, one at each
extremity of the high mountains above mentioned, connecting in the one
instance the waters of the St. Lawrence with Lake Champlain, and in
the other some of the most important of the Western rivers with those
emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, the advantage of which will be seen
at the first glance by an enlightened observer.

Great improvements may also be made by good roads in proper directions
through the interior of the country. As these roads would be laid out
on principle on a full view of the country, its mountains, rivers, etc.,
it would be useless, if I had the knowledge, to go into detail respecting
them. Much has been done by some of the States, but yet much remains to
be done with a view to the Union.

Under the colonial governments improvements of this kind were not
thought of. There was, it is believed, not one canal and little
communication from colony to colony. It was their policy to encourage
the intercourse between each colony and the parent country only. The
roads which were attended to were those which led from the interior of
each colony to its principal towns on the navigable waters. By those
routes the produce of the country was carried to the coast, and shipped
thence to the mercantile houses in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, or other
towns to which the trade was carried on. It is believed that there was
but one connected route from North to South at the commencement of the
Revolution, and that a ver