Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Thomas Jefferson to DeWitt Clinton, 14 April 1817

To DeWitt Clinton

Monticello Apr. 14. 17.

Dear Sir

I have to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Mar. 27. of the very valuable Treatise on Inland navigation, and of the several reports on the junction of the waters of lakes Erie and Champlain with those of the Hudson. the conception is bold and great, and the accomplishment will be equally useful. the works of Europe in that line shrink into insignificance in comparison with these. having no facts to go on but those reported by the Commissioners we cannot but concur in their conclusions of practicability, and with a confidence proportioned to their known abilities, & accuracy. the question of expence is perhaps less certain, as well from the hidden obstacles, not known until the earth is opened, as from other circumstances which cannot be foreseen. but no probable degree of expence can transcend that of it’s utility. the prospect of the future face of America is magnificent indeed: but for the revolutionary generation it is to be enjoyed in contemplation only.

With my thanks for these communications, and every wish for the success of these great and honorable enterprises accept the assurance of my great respect & esteem

Th: Jefferson

RC (NNC: Clinton Papers); addressed: “Dewitt Clinton esquire New York”; franked; postmarked Milton, 15 Apr.; endorsed by Clinton. PoC (DLC); on verso of a reused address cover from Archibald Robertson to TJ; torn at seal; endorsed by TJ. Printed in the New-York Columbian, 21 Apr. 1817, and elsewhere.

Index Entries

  • canals; Champlain search
  • canals; Erie search
  • canals; proposed search
  • Champlain Canal search
  • Clinton, DeWitt; and Champlain Canal search
  • Clinton, DeWitt; and Erie Canal search
  • Clinton, DeWitt; letters to search
  • Erie Canal search
  • Granger, Gideon; Speech of Gideon Granger, Esq. delivered before a Convention of the People of Ontario County, N.Y. Jan. 8, 1817, on the subject of a Canal from Lake Erie to Hudson’s River search
  • Hudson River search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books & Library; receives works search
  • Lake Champlain; proposed canal to search
  • Lake Erie; proposed canal to search
  • Memorial of the Citizens of New-York, in favour of a Canal Navigation between the Great Western Lakes and the Tide-Waters of the Hudson search
  • New York (state); and canals search
  • New York (state); Memorial of the Citizens of New-York, in favour of a Canal Navigation between the Great Western Lakes and the Tide-Waters of the Hudson search
  • New York (state); Remarks on the Proposed Canal, from Lake Erie to the Hudson River (D. Clinton) search
  • New York (state); Report of the Commissioners of the State of New-York, on the Canals from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, and from Lake Champlain to the Same. Presented to the Legislature, 17th February, 1817 search
  • New York (state); Report of the Joint Committee of the Legislature of New-York, on the Subject of the Canals, from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, and from Lake Champlain to the Same. In Assembly, March 19, 1817 search
  • New York (state); Speech of Gideon Granger, Esq. delivered before a Convention of the People of Ontario County, N.Y. Jan. 8, 1817, on the subject of a Canal from Lake Erie to Hudson’s River (G. Granger) search
  • Remarks on the Proposed Canal, from Lake Erie to the Hudson River (D. Clinton) search
  • Report of the Commissioners of the State of New-York, on the Canals from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, and from Lake Champlain to the Same. Presented to the Legislature, 17th February, 1817 search
  • Report of the Joint Committee of the Legislature of New-York, on the Subject of the Canals, from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, and from Lake Champlain to the Same. In Assembly, March 19, 1817 search
  • Speech of Gideon Granger, Esq. delivered before a Convention of the People of Ontario County, N.Y. Jan. 8, 1817, on the subject of a Canal from Lake Erie to Hudson’s River (G. Granger) search