Extract of a letter from a
Gentleman of Bath, in Steuben county, state of New-York, to his friend in Wilkesbarre.
Dear Sir,
Our farmers have been so successful in raising wheat that great quantities are already to spare for the markets on the coast. Albany and New-York are the objects of the farmers and merchants in the country about Geneva and Canandaigua - but those on the southern side of Ontario and Steuben counties, look to the southward for their market. Those who sent their wheat and flour last spring to Wright's ferry and Baltimore, neated at least 12 shillings Pennsylvania currency, per bushel for their wheat, after paying all costs of transport; and it appears to me likely that in all cases where the settler has his wheat and flour ready at the time of the highest waters in the spring, he will be tempted to take the chance of running down to Baltimore; but, on the other hand, there must be many who do not want to run a risk on the water, nor like to go far from home, and from various causes may not have their flour or wheat ready in time to push through to Baltimore or even Wright's ferry, and would prefer taking a shorter course to Philadelphia, the route that leaves the Susquehannah soonest, would, doubtless, in many instances, have the preference.
Nature has pointed out Wilkesbarre as this spot. Whether the navigation is used from the town of Easton-on-the-Delaware; or from the Lehigh, is of little consequence, if the intermediate road was so improved, that the carriage of a barrel of flour would not cost more than three fourths of a dollar from the Susquehanna to the navigation of the Delaware. This would bring the carriage of a barrel of flour from this place to Philadelphia, much within two dollars.
Those who chose and can avail themselves of the high water, and run for Wright's ferry or Baltimore, will not pay near this sum, but in this route there is a risk which I do not apprehend there is in the other; at least from this to Wilkesbarre there is none. I believe, if it was possible to impress on the minds of the mercantile interest of Philadelphia, the importance of a communication to this country, they would make some exertion to open it on such terms as would enable us to meet them. To our merchants the route by Easton and Wilkesbarre, offers a very decided advantage: if the carriage from Wilkesbarre to Easton was reduced nearly as low as the carriage from Wright's ferry to Philadelphia, a bale of goods could be bro't from Philadelphia to Bath, and of course to any part of this country, at one half the expence it now costs from N. York or Baltimore. It is well known that a boat will go with ease in three days from the heart of this country to Wilkesbarre, and could return in a week or ten days at farthest, with any load and with equal ease - thus a boat with ten tons, and navigated with five hands, would take thirteen days to the trip and cost for their wages (at the utmost) 65 dollars and if with a load returning as well as going the expence would not exceed 18 cents per cwt. or if only loaded going down about 3 shillings on the barrel of flour. The navigation to Wilkesbarre will probably serve from March to July, and, in most years, from the beginning of October to Christmas. If however, the expence of a barrel of flour, from the centre of the Genessee country to Philadelphia, can be reduced to a certainty not to exceed two dollars, I do not fear to say, that, taking the year round, it will have a decided preference by that route. Do you think your legislature would pass a bill for the improvement of the road from Wilkesbarre to Easton, to contemplate the expending in the first instance about 700 or 1000 dollars per mile, and to exact a small toll - the stockholders to draw an interest not exceeding 10 per cent, and the residue of the income, to be expended on the improvement of the road? I have no doubt if such a bill was passed, and about one-third of the stock could be subscribed in money, that companies from New England would come forward and undertake the making of the road; they receiving one-third of the pay in cash and the rest in stock. A bill for a similar improvement in this state was passed into a law last winter; this was to make a turnpike road from Utica, on the Mohawk river, to Geneva, in the county of Ontario. The last summer thirty miles of the road was nearly completed, and it is supposed the whole distance of one hundred miles will be accomplished in the course of this year. - This shows how much it is in the power of a community to effect, if they are spirited and unanimous. Should you think this an object that may obtain the attention of respectable men in your part of the state, pray favor me with your opinion thereon, having no doubt but subscriptions might be got in this state to a considerable amount to forward such an undertaking. I shall soon leave this for Albany. The gentlemen about Easton are certainly much interested.
I am, dear sir, &c. &c.
Bath, 9th January, 1801.
Federal Gazette (Baltimore, MD) February 3, 1801.
