Another article in which the canal would eventually nett its expenses to the inhabitants of the western country, is by facilitating the transport of salt. At present, all the country to the west of Onondaga, through the whole route of the lakes, the western part of Pennsylvania down to Pittsburgh, and one hundred miles below, on the Ohio River, mostly depend upon the salt springs on the Seneca River for their supply: also the country eastward to and beyond Utica.

A few minor springs have been found in this and the Genesee counties, and doubtless others will be discovered in different places sufficient to supply their adjacent settlements ; but the probability is, that the westward country will ever have chiefly to depend on the Onondaga springs, and their fountain is competent to it.

The present route of transport from Onondaga is down Oswego River, along Lake Ontario, and up Niagara River to Black Rock or Buffalo. In this route it has to encounter the portages of Oswego and Niagara Falls, beside the sometimes tardy and dangerous navigation of the lake.

I am not informed what the present charges of freight and portage from Onondaga to Buffalo are, but it is probable that the charges by the canal would not exceed two-thirds of the present. Another valuable saving in its expense could be made in its package casks by the canal it could be transported from the works to the most distant landings on the lakes, in bulk; whereas, owing to the different changes which it has to undergo in its land and water vehicles, it has necessarily to be put up in barrels which cost 50 a 60 cents each.

Salt can be purchased at the works for twenty cents per bushel-allow half cent the pound freight, from thence to Albany, it could be afforded in that market at 48 cents per bushel-under the late duties this would be able to enter into a competition with imported salt, on the banks of our tide waters.

I am informed, and with pleasure announce, that the Galen works manufacture a quality as fine for table use as the best of Liverpool basket salt.

Another advantage which the canal would dispense to the country, is that of rendering the cluster of lakes which would lie to the south of it, in the Genesee and Military tracts, navigable, by canalling their outlets into itself-also the Genesee River-and a connexion with Lake Ontario by tapping the canal opposite and into Oneida Lake; thence down Oswego River. The effects which these combined would have on enhancing the value of many millions of acres of land adjacent to their navigation, would ultimately be in amount perhaps in a decimal proportion to their first cost. With very few exceptions the soil of the surrounding country is even of a superior quality, and when put under good cultivation, would be able to make prompt remittances for its imported merchandise.

It would command the trade of Upper Canada.-If the late publication of the unratified British treaty be correct, we have sufficient testimony of the estimation which its government would hold it in. The publication states the purport of the first of the two additional notes was to " keep open for future discussion a claim of Britain not to pay more on goods sent from Canada or New-Brunswick into the territories of the United States than is paid on the importation of such goods in American ships." England appears desirous to give its Canadian subjects a liberal trade through our territories. The revenue of this trade would pay much of the annual repairs of the canal.

Mail and passage boats would be devised for expedition. The spring and autumnal travellers on our turnpike would gladly improve the opportunity.

It would greatly facilitate emigration to the western new lands.

Its not being affected by summer droughts-only by frosts-nor that scarcely beyond the period usual at Albany, would give it the term of eight or nine months of the best seasons in the year, with the longest days for doing business.

Its bankings would afford excellent and permanent mill-seats, whose value would be enhanced by the scarcity of natural ones in the country. Those we have are mostly temporary, except on the outlet of our small lakes. Their rents would afford a revenue towards its repairs and attendance on its locks.

The trade of almost all the lakes in North America, the most of which flowing through the canal, would centre at New-York for their common mart. This port, already of the first commercial consequence in the United States, would shortly after, be left without a competition in trade, except by that of New-Orleans. In a century its island would be covered with the buildings and population of its city.

Albany would be necessitated to cut down her hills and fill her valleys in order to give spread to her population.

The harbour of Buffalo would exchange her forest trees for a thicket of marine spars.

Utica, if the point of junction, would become a distinguished inland town. Schenectady, by her portage, would have the drudge of business. I have made no calculation for extending the navigation of the Mohawk beyond this place. Her citizens will endeavour to retain the portage to an extremity. When the western trade becomes extensive, and the price of freight down the Mohawk, through the necessary locks into the Hudson at Troy and Albany, can be produced below the possible price of portage, the necessary improvements will then be effected.

Such is the interest which the inhabitants of those places would have in the canal, that they cannot long slumber over the project. To sum up the whole in a sentence, if the project be but a feasible one, no situation on the globe offers such extensive and numerous advantages to inland navigation by a canal, as this!

In my next, I shall inquire into the resources of capital for the undertaking.

HERCULES.