I also would be interested in these discussions. But more to the point, in New York State there was an entire canal and navigation construction phase from 1792 to 1803 that prepared the inland navigation route from Albany to Lake Ontario in ways that enhanced our ability to move goods to the Great Lakes for the War of 1812.

While I have spotty evidence of the discussions, I have ample evidence of the improvements, which of course pre-dated by many years the beginning of the Erie Canal.

Philip Lord, Jr.
Acting Chief, Historical Survey
New York State Museum
Albany, NY 12230
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>>> Walter Lewis <[log in to unmask]> 05/10 9:56 PM >>>
This seemed like a fairly straightforward citation search but (due
perhaps to limited local resources in southern Ontario) I haven't nailed
it down.

The War of 1812 demonstrated the high cost of moving strategic goods to
the frontier.

There were significant discussions  north of the border immediately
after the war about how to address the problem.  The canal building
programs at Lachine and on the Ottawa and Rideau were a direct result.

Surely those promoting the Erie Canal discussed the same issues?  Where
is it discussed in the historiography of the canal?

Walter Lewis
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