state, who have zealously given their personal atten-
tions and services to this herculean undertaking, and
to whom too much praise cannot be ascribed: so
great is the number composing this class, that I am
compelled, at this time, to forbear from their enume-
ration. The commissioners of the canal fund, as
distinguished from that of Canal Commissioners, and
composed of the Lieutenant Governor, the Comptrol-
ler, the Attorney General, the Surveyor General, the
Secretary and Treasurer, to whose special care are
committed the regulations of the tolls, and other cir-
cumstances relating to the government of the canal,
are entitled to high approbation, for their intelligent
and faithful discharge of the duties assigned them.
To all these different classes of coadjutors, may be
ascribed a high and enviable measure of applause.

The sagacity of some, in early perceiving the prac-
ticability, and utility, of the inland communication;
the diligence and zeal of others, in unremitted exer-
tions to accomplish it; and the devotion and sacri-
fices of all to its completion, will be remembered by
their successors with everlasting gratitude.

We, fortunately, have been able to get Mr. Eddy

's
own account of his share in the great work of the
Erie Canal.

I was one (says he) of the first Directors of the
Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, and con-
tinued as a Director, and Treasurer, until the com-
pany disposed of their property to the state, in 1820.
I applied myself, with much zeal, in forwarding the
views of the company, and in improving the inter-
nal navigation of the state. Our funds were not
sufficient to extend any improvement, further than
a few miles west of Rome

. The company had in
their service, William Weston, an eminent engineer,
from England, and in company with him, and Gene-
ral Schuyler, the President, I made several journies
to the westward, in order to explore and examine
the country, as far as Seneca Lake, in order to ascer-