_Gouverneur Morris's Day-dream of the Coming Blessings of Liberty.--He predicts Artificial Channels from the Lakes to the Hudson.--The Sight of the Caledonian Canal enables him to foresee Wealth for the Interior of America.--Seeing Ships on Lake Erie, he predicts that Ocean Vessels will soon sail on the Lakes.--Inland Navigation a Great Factor in this Country's Development.--Many Rivers not made Navigable for Lack of Engineering Skill.--President Jefferson recommends that the Surplus in the Treasury be used for Internal Improvements.--Jesse Hawley writes Articles in Behalf of an Erie Canal.--A Bill in the New York Legislature for the Same Object.--Hindrances to the Execution of the Project.--Names of Some Notable Friends of the Undertaking.--Erie Canal Bill passed by the New York Legislature, 1817.--Lack of Good Roads necessitates Transportation of Materials for the Canal in Winter only.--Other Difficulties.--Clearing away the Timber and laying out the Track from Albany to Buffalo.--Imported Machinery used for uprooting Trees and Stumps.--Neighboring States urged to Contribute.--Cost and Profits both Greater than Estimated.--Rejoicings at the Opening of the Canal.--The Success of this Canal leads to other Enterprises._ MORRIS AND CLINTON: FATHERS OF THE ERIE CANAL [Illustration] AS we survey the early period of the nation's history, there appear a number of famous conventions of notables which will ever live in the memory of thoughtful Americans. There are, however, a number of such gatherings that are not familiar to many, and it is at one of these that any story of the far-famed Erie Canal must begin. In the year 1777 General Schuyler's army was at Fort Edward, New York, during its slow and sullen retreat before Burgoyne's advancing redcoats. Gouverneur Morris was sent to the army at Fort Edward, and on a certain evening, amid a company of army officers, that brilliant man told a day-dream before the flickering camp-fire. The dream concerned the future of America when once the foreign yoke should be thrown off. In language consonant with the fascinating nature of his theme the speaker described in some detail what would be the result on the minds and hearts of men when liberty for all had been secured, and the inspiring advance in arts and letters, in agriculture and commerce, that would come. He was a dreamer, but his dream became a realization and the wonder of young America. A comrade that night heard his words.