larly to say, that he wishes to be most kindly and
affectionately remembered to thee and thy good lady.

I am, with great respect and esteem,
Thy assured friend, THOMAS EDDY.
To Sir HENRY LUSHINGTON, H.B.M. Consul General, Naples. New York, 11th month, 14th, 1820. MY DEAR FRIEND,

Having been informed that it is thy intention to
publish some account of the inland navigation of our
state, and of the progress made in improving it since
1792; and being requested by our mutual friends —,
to communicate to thee, how far, in my opinion, the
statements made by Elkanah Watson

, contained in
his book, entitled, the History of the Rise and Progress
of the Western Canals, are correct; I shall submit
the following observations. I have no doubt of the
fact, that it was in consequence of Elkanah Watson
having communicated to General Schuyler the obser-
vations he had made during his tour to the western
part of the state in 1791, and particularly as to the
great benefits that would result by improving the
Mohawk River, and opening a canal communication
at Fort Stanwix, to Wood Creek, and from thence to
improve the navigation to the Seneca Lake, that first
turned the attention of General Schuyler to these
important objects, and induced him to offer to the
Senate, the act incorporating the Western and North-
ern Inland Lock Navigation Companies. Indeed,
General Schuyler, about the year 1790, often men-
tioned this fact to me; and during the remainder of
his life, I several times accompanied him, in examin-
ing the Mohawk River, and westward, as far as the
Seneca Lake, with a view to ascertain the practica-
bility of improvements by canal navigation, &c.
The Western Canal Company expended a vast sum
of money in improving the Mohawk, &c. and being
well satisfied that the stockholders would not consent