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Assented to
March 10, 1858.
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Resolutions, relative to the construction of a new
canal, at the Falls of the Ohio River.
WHEREAS, the citizens of Maryland, being deeply
interested in the cheap, safe and speedy trans-
portation of their commerce on the Ohio river,
they claim the right of expressing to Congress,
their opinion on the subject of the proposed
mode improvement of the navigation at the Falls
of said river; therefore to give force to these
opinions collectively, which the citizens indi-
vidually entertain, the members of the General
Assembly, representing the several counties of
the State, adopt the following resolutions :
Resolved, That the Ohio river, being acknowl-
edged as the great National highway, under the
care and supervision of the General Government,
a free and ample mode of conveyance should be
provided, and at all times preserved for passage of
boats and other vessels, conveying the commerce
of the river, around the natural obstruction,
known as the Rapids or Falls of the Ohio.
Resolved, That rapid increase of commerce has
rendered two canals necessary, for the accommo-
dation of vessels ascending and descending the
Ohio river, and this necessity will be greatly in-
creased by the completion of the system of rail
roads now in progress of connection with the river,
above and below the Falls.
Resolved, That the repair and enlargement of
the present canal, would at all times, excepting
during the period of very high water, present an
obstruction to the passage of vessels, and cause
the portage of freight, a distance of two miles,
subject to the penalties and regulations, inciden-
tal to a corporation, thus suspending navigation
through the canal for years, creating daily losses
highly injurious to the commercial and manufac-
turing interests and fatal to the interests of those
concerned in the navigation of the river.
Resolved, That surveys and estimates made
heretofore, by competent engineers, establishing
the fact that the construction of a new canal around
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