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New York Jany 21.1822.
DearSir.
Internal improvements have become lately very interesting to the people of the United States, especially that by Canals of navigation the greatest in utility and expence.
The State of New York has drawn the attention of the whole Country and of Europe to her great experiment. The other States appear to have similar views daily enlarging and the Federal Government continues to be moved somewhat by the great project sketched by Mr. Gallatin in his Report of 1807 of roads & canals connecting the whole Union. 
This policy will not fail to be pursued by our National or by our State Governments or both.
In every interval of Peace it will be followed up until we shall have at least equalled the most wise and enlightened Governments of Europe in these public works. 
Europe has made more than 5000 miles of navigable Canal; and of this England has about 3000. It is very important to us that we should know the detail, of plan, execution & advantages of all these works if it is possible to obtain them. But these details are not easily to be obtained; for those who have given to the world, histories of some of these works