The Oswego Canal a Connecting Link Between the United States and Canada, 1819-1837 Janet Larkin

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Ontario History

The Oswego Canal A Connecting Link Between The United States and Canada, 1819-1837 Janet Larkin

Volume 103, Number 1, Spring 2011 Article abstract In this article the author argues that the Oswego Canal (1825-1829) was a vital URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1065479ar commercial link in the Great Lakes-Atlantic seaway, but its real worth became DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/1065479ar evident with the opening of Canada’s neighboring Welland Canal in 1829. The newly fashioned Oswego-Welland line offered an alternative route to the much See table of contents publicized Erie Canal, and brought increased prosperity, settlement, and economic and social opportunities to the Great Lakes region. An important story in its own right, the Oswego Canal, especially in connection with Canada’s Publisher(s) Welland, was one of North America’s more important systems of internal navigation. The Ontario Historical Society

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Cite this article Larkin, J. (2011). The Oswego Canal: A Connecting Link Between The United States and Canada, 1819-1837. Ontario History, 103(1), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.7202/1065479ar

Copyright © The Ontario Historical Society, 2011 This document is protected by copyright law. Use of the services of Érudit (including reproduction) is subject to its terms and conditions, which can be viewed online. https://apropos.erudit.org/en/users/policy-on-use/

This article is disseminated and preserved by Érudit. Érudit is a non-profit inter-university consortium of the Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and the Université du Québec à Montréal. Its mission is to promote and disseminate research. https://www.erudit.org/en/ The Oswego Canal 23 A Connecting Link Between The United States and Canada, 1819-1837*

By Janet Larkin

“The Oswego Canal, whether viewed in reference to the business done on it, or to the facilities it affords for intercom- munication with the Canadas, may very justly be regarded as an important and interesting feature in the internal improvements of this state.” The Western Guidebook and Emigrant’s Directory (1834).1 , vol. 1 (1850) , vol. Book Revolution of the Field J. Lossing, Pictorial in 1848 from Benson harbour Oswego

“ he Oswego Canal,” trumpeted New York market.”2 While Americans the Kingston Chronicle in June were busy celebrating their “Grand Erie of 1830 “which has lately been Canal,” Upper Canadians were actively completedT joins the great Erie Canal at monitoring developments on New York’s the village of Syracuse. The completion Oswego Canal that connected Oswego’s of the Welland Canal which unites the bustling port on Lake Ontario with the waters of Lake Erie and Ontario will ma- Erie Canal at Syracuse. Officially opened terially increase the trade of Oswego—it to traffic in 1829, the Oswego Canal being supposed that a large portion of would become Upper Canada’s gateway the produce coming through that chan- to New York, unlocking a vital commer- nel will enter the Oswego Canal, for the cial waterway between the United States * I am greatful to R.Arthur Bowler for reading earlier drafts of this article and Thomas McIlwraith who provided helpful comments and suggestions in addition to the maps. Craig Williams, history cura- tor of the New York State Museum, drew my attention to the unique illustration of the Oswego Canal. Thanks also to the editor and anonymous readers ofOntario History. 1 The Western Guidebook and Emigrant’s History: Containing General Descriptions of Different Routes Through the State of New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan (Buffalo, 1834). 2 From the Kingston Chronicle, reprinted in the Oswego Palladium, 2 June 1830.

Ontario History / Volume CIII, No. 1 / Spring 2011 24 ONTARIO HISTORY

The newly fashioned Oswego- Welland line brought increased Abstract prosperity, settlement, and so- In this article the author argues that the Oswego Canal cial and economic opportuni- (1825-1829) was a vital commercial link in the Great ties to the Great Lakes region. Lakes-Atlantic seaway, but its real worth became Though frequently regarded as evident with the opening of Canada’s neighboring Welland Canal in 1829. The newly fashioned Oswego- a mere “extension” or branch of Welland line offered an alternative route to the much New York’s grand Erie Canal, publicized Erie Canal, and brought increased prosper- the Oswego Canal, especially ity, settlement, and economic and social opportunities in conjunction with Canada’s to the Great Lakes region. An important story in its own right, the Oswego Canal, especially in connection Welland, was one of North with Canada’s Welland, was one of North America’s America’s more important sys- more important systems of internal navigation. tems of internal navigation. ��North America’s nineteenth Résumé: Le canal Oswego (1825-1829) était déjà un lien commercial essentiel dans la voie maritime century transportation leaders reliant les Grands Lacs à l’Atlantique, mais sa early looked to the Oswego Ca- réelle utilité fut vraiment mise en lumière avec nal as a viable avenue of trade. l’ouverture du canal Welland en 1829. La nouvelle In speaking of the Oswego, route Oswego-Welland non seulement offrait une famed canal engineer, Benjamin alternative au canal Erie, mais elle fut aussi à l’origine d’une nouvelle prospérité, de nouveaux Wright, who provided invalua- établissements comme de nouveaux développements ble service on both the Erie and sociaux et économiques dans la région des Grands Welland canals, remarked, “all Lacs. Important en lui-même, le canal Oswego devint intelligent men at an early date alors, en liaison avec le canal Welland au Canada, l’un des plus importants systèmes de navigation looked that way as the natural intérieure en Amérique du Nord. route for improvement.”3 Amer- ica’s longest serving Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin, and Canada. Subsequent developments urged his statesmen to consider a conti- like the opening of the Welland Canal nental-wide vision of transportation, see- affirmed the Oswego Canal’s worth in ing in the Oswego Canal, and an addi- the Great Lakes-Atlantic water system. tional canal around Niagara Falls, a more Closely skirting Niagara Falls between comprehensive system of navigation. Re- Lakes Ontario and Erie, the Welland Ca- nowned New York engineer and Surveyor nal, together with the newly opened Os- General, James Geddes, whose work was wego, eliminated more than 150 miles as critical on the Welland Canal as it was of navigation on the Erie Canal’s west- the Erie, examined the Oswego route in ern end, making it an attractive alterna- 1808, reporting favourably on both the tive to inland merchants and shippers. Oswego Canal and the as yet determined

3 In David Hosack, Memoir of De Witt Clinton (New York, 1829), 269. the oswego canal 25

Erie Canal route between Albany and number of salt boats and lumber rafts in- Buffalo. However, the pleas of the New tended for Lake Ontario and the St. Law- York City merchants, who feared the Os- rence market. Clinton was impressed by wego route was too closely linked to Lake the Canada-United States connection, Ontario and the Montreal market, along- noting that in 1809 ninety-ton lake ves- side future Governor De Witt Clinton, sels filled with teas, East India goods, whose sagging political fortunes would coffees and other merchandise regularly S be mended by backing the Erie channel, plied between Oswego and Upper Can- worked in the Erie Canal’s favor.4 Still, ada. Oswego’s residents faithfully sub- the Oswego improvement was never far scribed to the Upper Canadian Guardian from the minds of canal proponents. for commercial news and opportunities Having secured his pet project, even De in the neighbouring country.7 Ironically, Witt Clinton, now dubbed the “father of the rampant smuggling that occurred D the Erie Canal,” went on to promote the in this region during the embargo and Oswego improvement. More than once War of 1812 awakened borderland mer- did Clinton acknowledge the Oswego chants to the thriving inland trade. Con- Canal as “an important link in the chain sequently, when New Yorkers went to of communications.”5 build the Oswego Canal, the Canadian Upper Canadians closely followed market was regarded as essential to the the internal improvements drive in canal’s success. These connections would neighbouring New York. Indeed, some be strengthened with the opening of the of the keenest supporters of the Oswe- Welland Canal that sent trade to Oswe- go Canal were Canada’s merchants and go, Kingston and Montreal. entrepreneurs who benefited from the Though countless politicians, engi- American system. Long before the Erie neers, legislatures, and private individuals Canal’s celebrated opening in 1825, Os- had encouraged the building of the Os- wego’s commercial importance as a lake wego Canal for years past, it was not until port had been established with contacts the second decade of the nineteenth cen- principally at Kingston, on Lake On- tury that improvements to the Oswego tario, and Montreal on the St. Lawrence.6 River began. An important development While investigating the Oswego route in in the canal’s history came in 1819 with 1810, De Witt Clinton saw firsthand the the completion of the mile-long Salina

4 Evan Cognac, The Birth of Empire: DeWitt Clinton and the American Experience, 1769-1828 (Ox- ford: Oxford University Press, 1998), 104. 5 Onondaga Register, 2 November 1825. An earlier speech by Clinton to the Albany legislature gives further praise to the Oswego improvement and can be read in the American newspaper Niles Weekly Regis- ter, 29 January, 1820; 17, 438. American Periodical Series online, 377. Hereafter citedAPS . 6 Reginald Stuart, United States Expansionism and British North America, 1775-1871 (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1988), 43. 7 Clinton’s canal journal entries can be read in William W. Campbell, The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton (New York: Baker and Scribner, 1849), 51, 72. 26 ONTARIO HISTORY

side-cut that connected the Erie Canal at to Oswego and the Great Lakes region Syracuse to the salt mines in Salina. The the Oswego Palladium proclaimed: “By Kingston Chronicle applauded the devel- the aid of this canal the navigation of the opments, remarking that the cut to Salina, Oswego will be considerably improved.” in connection with the recently finished Oswego’s residents could look forward middle section of the Erie Canal, would to seeing “schooners, sloops, and boats be opened to navigation in the course of in great numbers, loading and unloading a month.8 Interestingly, it was at Salina the various products” destined for the that most of the salt intended for the New Canada or New York market.9 Having York and Canadian market was manufac- closely observed the internal improve- tured. Further developments followed in ments drive in neighbouring New York, the wake of the Salina side-cut. In 1823, the Kingston Chronicle chimed in that New York State called for a greater exam- such progress merited “great praise for ination of the Oswego route and money the enterprise and ability displayed” and was appropriated for construction. An- was “highly honourable to the growing ticipating the importance of the canal energies and enterprises of our neighbors

Major Canals in the Lake Ontario Region

8 Kingston Chronicle, 2 November 1819. 9 Oswego Palladium, 14 August 1824. the oswego canal 27 in the United States.”10 neously on the Oswego and Welland Ca- In 1825, New York State made a fi- nals. 11 A highly mobile group, engineers nal push to extend the Oswego improve- and builders crossed long geographic dis- ment all the way from tances to bid for new the Oswego harbour Laborers Wanted jobs, paying little heed on Lake Ontario to the to the international Erie Canal at Syracuse. 800 or 1000 Laborers boundary line between The corps of engineers will find constant em- the United States and and builders employed ployment during the Canada. on the Oswego Canal next season at 7 shillings During the sum- gained most of their York or 4 1/2 d Halifax mer of 1827, Oswego’s experience on the Erie currency, daily, upon the Salina Sentinel noted and Welland canals and public works at Oswego. that “more than 1000 other North American masons, and some projects. In addition J.E. Edwards, agt. canal co. 4000 laborers…will to such well-known lu- find employment” on minaries as Benjamin The Kingston Chronicle the Rideau Canal in 12 Wright, James Geddes, and Montreal Gazette Canada. The porosity who first surveyed and are required to publish of the Canada-Unit- explored the Oswego the above for the next 4 ed States borderland route at the State’s re- weeks. meant that labour was quest in 1808, worked in high demand in both on the Oswego Canal. Kingston Chronicle, 7 May 1836. countries during the Geddes’ work on the North American canal Oswego overlapped with his services in age. While a gap in the Oswego Palladium Upper Canada, where he was advising for the years 1826 to 1828 limits our un- and drawing surveys for the Welland Ca- derstanding of the people who actually nal Company, and in Ohio where work dug the canal, like the experiences of la- was steadily progressing on the Ohio bourers on other North American lines, Canal (1825-1832). David Thomas, who life on the canal was difficult, especially served as an engineer on the western sec- during periods of inclement weather and tion of the Erie Canal, worked simulta- work stoppages of which the Oswego

10 As quoted in Jane Errington, The Lion, the Eagle and Upper Canada (Toronto: McGill-Queens University Press, 1987), 123. 11 For a biographical sketch of the engineers see Noble Whitford, History of the Canal System of the State of New York; Together with Brief Histories of the Canals of the United States and Canada. 2 vols (1905), esp. vol 2, chapter 3, “Biographies of Engineers. “See also Roberta M. Styran and Robert R. Tay- lor, Mr. Merritt’s Ditch (Erin, Ontario: A Boston Mills Press Book, 1992), 38; Peter Way, Common La- bour: Workers and the Digging of North American Canals, 1780-1860 (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1993), 12-13. 12Salina Sentinel, 11 April 1827. 28 ONTARIO HISTORY

had more than its share. Slow-downs elevation between the marsh lands at the and irregular work often spurred canal village of Salina, and the surface of the wa- workers to move to different projects in ter on Lake Ontario.”15 Having looked to the hope of finding steady employment the Oswego Canal as a model for his own or jobs more consistent to their liking.13 project, Canadian William Hamilton Demands of farming and agriculture also Merritt, who American’s now affection- meant that local labour was often in short ately dubbed a “second De Witt Clinton,” supply on the Oswego. Oswego’s builders predicted that the Oswego, especially also had to compete with the neighbour- in light of the advances on the Welland ing Welland Canal, where an American Canal, promised to bring great commer- contractor regularly bombarded New cial opportunities and incentives to both York papers with notices that labourers countries.16 Less than a month after the were needed on the Canadian line and canal’s opening, the American journalist that “housing and free medicine” was Niles enthusiastically reported, “the Os- available.14 wego Canal is entirely completed, and a The Oswego Canal was officially large business is doing on it.” 17 opened to navigation in April of 1829. By 1835, the Oswego Canal was Some 38 miles in length, approximately generating so much business that en- half the Oswego Canal utilized the natu- largements to the Erie Canal system were ral river, while the other half consisted of a proposed. Responding to these develop- separately dug channel. A convenient tow- ments, the Kingston Chronicle and Ga- ing path was constructed alongside the ca- zette remarked, “We have much pleasure nal for oxen, mules and horses to pull the in copying the following interesting ac- barges, and the canal’s dimensions were count of the proposed enlargement of four feet deep and forty feet wide like that this great work.” Every “friend of inter- of the Erie. Structures on the Oswego Ca- nal improvement” must be forcibly stuck nal included twenty two bridges, “seven by these extraordinary successes in the culverts, one aqueduct, two waste-weirs, neighboring country.18 Indeed, for much and eight dams built across the river; of the decade, Oswego’s canal and lake thirteen locks of stone masonry, and one traffic blossomed, and forwarding agents of stone and timber, having an aggregate and mercantile businesses on both sides lift of 123 feet, which is the difference of of the international border profited from

13 See Peter Way, Common Labour: Workers and the Digging of the North American Canals, 1780- 1860 (Cambridge University Press, 1993), 101. 14 See Janet D. Larkin, “Mr. Merritt’s Hobby: New York State Influence in the Building of Canada’s First Welland Canal.” New York History (Spring 2005), 180. 15 The 1829 report of the Canal Commission can be read inAssembly Journals, 1829, 52nd session. 16 Quote taken from the Western Recorder, 17 October 1826; 3, 120. American Periodical Series online, p. 167. 17 Niles Weekly Register, 30 May 1829; 365, 924; APS, p. 217 18 Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 7 November 1835. the oswego canal 29

A rare view of the Oswego Canal during the 1830s. The canal is seen on the right of the engraving; on the left, the Oswego River, with the bridge connecting the two parts of the village. A small portion of Lake Ontario is seen in the extreme distance. the canal’s opening. With the exception opening. In 1834, the British Whig pub- of 1832 when the cholera descended lished an American account of business upon the region and virtually shut down on Lake Ontario: all commercial traffic on the Great Lakes, Several ships belonging to Bronson and the march of improvement was visible Crocker returned from the ports of Chicago over the next several years. In 1833, the and Michigan, where these schooners dis- Oswego Palladium earnestly reported that charged about 2,400 barrels of Onondaga Salt, returning to Lake Erie…where they the navigation on the lakes and canals “is took on board cargoes of Ohio wheat for the unequalled by any in the U.S.” Kingston’s Oswego mills, destined when floured to the British Whig provided added coverage of New York market. These voyages…are the the “march of greatness” in Oswego— commencement of a regular trade between “her advantageous situation for the com- these distant points, a trade destined to grow merce of the lakes, and of Upper Canada” up in a brief period to a vast amount. being unequalled.19 The Kingston Chronicle observed that Upper Canadians were astonished by Oswego’s merchants, “with a degree of the rapidity of enterprise in neighbour- enterprise and judgment…have built and ing New York. What was particularly are building a large class of vessels” on obvious was the flourishing trade on the their side of the lake.20 Developments in Great Lakes since the Oswego Canal’s the neighbouring state were, according 19 From the Oswego Palladium, reprinted in the British Whig, 1 September 1835. 20 British Whig, 2 October 1834; Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 5 August 1835. 30 ONTARIO HISTORY

Principal wheat and flour flows, Lake Ontario Region, 1835 to the Chronicle, “frequently discussed in ing wheat from the remotest shores of private circles, and especially among our Lake Ontario,” according to one Oswego commercial friends” in Upper Canada. source, “is but 2 to 3 cents per bushel. The Recognizing the advantages of the Os- wheat is raised into the mills directly from wego Canal to their own province, Up- the sloop, and the flour either returned per Canadian merchants noted that they to the sloop for the Montreal market or could now “secure the latest fashions” rolled directly into the canal boat for the and merchandise from New York sooner New York market.”22 The Oswego Palla- than they could through the St.Lawrence dium flattered their Canadian friends, re- and “save a heavy investment of capital.” marking “We are beginning to know that The Kingston Chronicle and Gazette jest- Upper Canada…possesses a soil of unpar- ed, “Jonathan is wide awake when a smart alleled fertility, surpassing in the produc- carrying trade is in question.”21 tion of wheat any portion of the North Oswego merchants, eager to promote American continent.” Upper Canadian the Canada trade, filled Upper Canadian lumber was also in high demand at Os- newspapers with advertisements and wego. Excited by these developments, commercial information related to their Kingston actively began to export wheat newly opened canal. “The cost of bring- and lumber to the Oswego port.23 “We

21 Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 28 October 1835. 22 Kingston Chronicle, 29 May 1830. 23 Donald Creighton, The Empire of the St. Lawrence (Toronto: The Macmillan Company of Canada the oswego canal 31

are gratified to observe,” remarked the lakes, promoted a sense of unity across Palladium, “that the state of New York the Canada-United States border. As a and the province of Upper Canada are courtesy to its readers, Kingston’s local beginning to discover the great mutual newspapers began regularly reporting interests subsisting between them.”24 The toll rates on the Oswego and Erie Canals, Kingston Chronicle and Gazette breaks and stoppages on the hoped that this lucrative trade New York lines, and shipping would induce both govern- news like the Maritime Intel- ments to advance more liberal ligence that was chock full of trade policies between the two information on Great Lakes countries.25 Canadian histo- commercial traffic. The build- rian Donald Creighton ob- ing of new steamboats and served that from the “capacious packets on Lake Ontario was markets and the higher prices also extensive. Freight and south of the border” emerged passenger business was of- “the later idea of reciprocity fered “day and night” on the with the United States.”26 It is Oswego and Erie lines, and worth noting, that the leading produce of every description proponent of reciprocity in the British Whig, was conveniently forwarded United States during the next 5 August 1834 to “either of the British or decade was the three-time presidential American ports on Lake Ontario.”29 An candidate and foremost American aboli- 1831 ad in the Kingston Chronicle noted tionist, Gerrit Smith, whose fortunes in that “The Oswego Canal Packet” will run realty and commerce were derived from in connection with steamboats on Lake the Oswego Canal.27 Ontario, regularly touching at Kingston New York is “the seaport town of Up- and Oswego.30 By 1834, the fast-sailing per Canada” hailed the Kingston Chroni- Rattlesnake promised to run constantly cle and Gazette in 1835.28 Conveniences between Oswego and Kingston “mak- of navigation, and the increasing ease ing as many trips per week as wind and of travel on the inland waterways and weather will permit.”31 New steamboats

Limited, 1956), 252. 24 From the Oswego Palladium reprinted in the Kingston Chronicle, 14 November 1835. 25 Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 20 April 1836. 26 Creighton, The Empire, 252. 27 Smith was one of the largest realty holders in Oswego, having purchased much of the land bordering the Oswego Canal. On 11 August 1830, the Oswego Palladium wrote that Smith’s “large investments in capital, and magnificent expenditure in the improvement of our village, creates a deep interest in everything affecting the fortunes of this village.” 28 Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 28 October 1835. 29 Onondaga Register and Syracuse Gazette, 20 October 1830. 30 Kingston Chronicle, 23 July 1831 31 British Whig, 14 November 1834. 32 ONTARIO HISTORY

Two ads in the Brit- ware, tobacco, cigars, and beer. One Os- ish Whig dated 5 wego merchant informed his Kingston August 1834. patrons that a new cotton factory on the like Canada’s lux- west bank of the Oswego Canal was be- urious Great ing erected and in addition “there is also Britain added now erecting…a very large flouring mill greatly to the and a large building for the construction conveniences and of machinery.”33 Some Upper Canadians advantages of lake imitated the American model, it being navigation, “and noted by one Kingston merchant that must eventually he had for sale castings for saw mills and be the spring of flour mills furnished “with patterns of profit as well as the Oswego and Rochester plans.”34 Os- ease of pleasure” wego’s internal improvements projects remarked the Os- offered Upper Canadians additional wego Palladium. employment opportunities. In 1836, In recognition of for example, the Kingston Chronicle an- the Great Britain’s nounced that “800 to 1000 labourers” first appearance in would find constant employment during the Oswego har- the next season” on public works projects bour in 1831, the at Oswego.35 Meanwhile, land sales in the spirited people of region benefited from developments in New York “gave inland navigation. In 1829, an American the Captain of farmer advertised his house and land for the Great Britain sale on the St. Lawrence, noting that it an invitation to a was close to the newly opened Oswego public dinner” as Canal, with its direct water communica- an expression of kindness and good will tion to Albany and New York, and only between the two countries.32 130 miles from the Montreal market. Newspaper advertisements illustrate Another farmer advertised that he had a thriving borderland economy in the land for sale on the Oswego Canal that wake of the Oswego Canal’s opening. he enthusiastically described as “one of Oswego’s merchants offered to sell and the great traveling and commercial thor- transport to Upper Canada everything oughfares.”36 from salt to dry goods, crockery, glass- A spirit of friendship and convivial-

32 From the Oswego Palladium, reprinted in the Kingston Chronicle, 11 June 1831. 33 Kingston Chronicle and Gazette, 1 August 1835. 34 British Whig, 5 May 1835. 35 Kingston Chronicle, 7 May 1836. 36 From the New York Albion, 24 January 1829; New York Farmer, 30 July 1837. the oswego canal 33

ity spanned the Canada-United States outing a boat would leave Kingston in border. In 1830, the Kingston Chronicle the morning “for Sackett’s Harbor and amusingly noted that “a canal boat from the islands,” where passengers later in the Oswego…having on board several live day could connect with the steamboat animals” is “well worth the attention of America and return to Kingston “the those fond of viewing natural curiosities.” same evening.” The captain assured his For people willing to pay cash, it was pos- Canadian guests that a “band of music” sible to board the novel craft and observe and other entertainments would be pro- a variety of bizarre specimens including vided for the celebratory occasion.39 an extremely big ox, a cow, a bull, and a While Oswego’s citizenry could “Ram with four large horns.”37 In 1834, not have been happier with their canal’s the Kingston Chronicle announced that a progress, social and cultural changes un- “Mammoth Race between the Splendid leashed by the larger transportation revo- Steamboats Great Britain and the United lution inevitably impacted those living States from Toronto to Niagara Falls” along the canal or near Lake Ontario. On had recently taken place. At 145 feet the heels of the canal’s opening, Oswe- long, and two 60 horse power engines, go’s more pious residents began to worry the United States was considered the fast- about the spiritual and moral well-being est American steamer on Lake Ontario. of workers who laboured day and night In this instance, however, the United on the canal and connecting waterways. States was not fast enough. In the wake Despite its commercial promises, the Os- of the Great Britain’s victory, the Chroni- wego Canal threatened to promote moral cle heartily cheered “Hurrah, Hurrah” and social decay among those operating for the Great Britain—“We guess Mr. the canal’s towpaths, wharves, and boats. Jonathan will hardly challenge Mr. Bull From the perspective of reformers and in a hurry!” Ironically, the Great Britain philanthropists, canals let loose a “flood had been constructed by an American of iniquity,” bringing vice, corruption, in- ship-builder from New York, and was temperance and gambling to those work- piloted by an American captain.38 But ing and living on the waterways. Temper- the greatest indication of the converging ance reformers in Upper Canada joined borderland was an 1835 advertisement forces with their American brethren to placed in the Kingston Chronicle by the bring reform to boatmen and their fami- captain of the steamboat Oswego who in- lies on the inland lakes and seaway. formed his Canadian friends that he was The location of the Oswego Canal planning a “4th of July Excursion” in rec- made it ripe for reform. Situated between ognition of American independence. For the bustling port of Lake Ontario and the those wishing to partake in the splendid Erie Canal, the Oswego Canal was regu-

37 Kingston Chronicle, 4 December 1830. 38 This information was derived from the earlierKingston Chronicle, 2 July 1831. 39 British Whig, 23 June 1835. 34 ONTARIO HISTORY

larly visited upon by “We are indebted for the Society promoted hundreds of canal following circular to a friend reform and religious workers and water- in Oswego, to which we beg observance in New men who made pos- leave to draw the attention York and the western sible the day-to-day of our readers.... territories. Out of operations of this these organizations, major international It is proposed that a meeting Bethel operations, thoroughfare. Os- of seamen, and their friends, founded to bring wego was an obvi- be held on the 18th of August religion to boatmen, ous area of concern next, in as many ports were commenced at for preachers and bordering on Lake Ontario Oswego and other reformers who and the River St. Lawrence major ports on the hoped to bring mo- as possible, to take into Great Lakes. rality and civiliza- consideration the expediency Upper Canada’s tion to the wayward of forming a temperance leaders boatmen. Several allied with the Sea- organizations were Lake Ontario Seamen’s men’s Friend Society formed to address Friend Society, in Oswego to bring questions of Sab- reform to boatmen bath-breaking and and, if desired expedient, to on Lake Ontario. In other ill-behaviours appoint a delegate from each 1830, the Kingston among canallers port to meet at Oswego...” Chronicle wrote that and boatmen. The it was “indebted for American Sea- Kingston Gazette, 31 July 1830; joint efforts the following circu- men’s Friend Soci- of Canadians and Americans to promote moral lar from a friend in ety, founded for the and spiritual reform of canal and boatmen on the Oswego” deeming inland lakes and river. purpose of address- it “expedient to ap- ing immorality among America’s men at point a delegate from each port to meet sea and those employed on the navigable at Oswego to organize a Lake Ontario rivers, lakes and canals, fought against Seamen’s Friend society.” The organiza- Sabbath breaking and intemperance. Re- tion would raise funds for bringing tracts ligious reformers were invited to give ser- and bibles to seamen living on or near the mons to canal workers and crew, creating lake ports in the United States and Cana- what one preacher called “an awakening” da. The Chronicle was emphatic “that the on the Oswego Canal.40 Other organiza- efforts of the friends in both the British tions like the American Boatmen’s Friend and American ports be united” to elimi- Society and the Western Seamen’s Friend nate temperance and crime on the inland

40 The Seamen’s Friend Society meeting at Oswego is advertised in the Oswego Palladium, 25 August 1830. Also, for preaching on the Oswego Canal, see The Trumpet and Universalist Magazine, 19 Septem- ber 1829, 2, 12; APS, p. 47. the oswego canal 35

waterways.41 The revival’s evangelic flames spread In 1830, the American Bethel Soci- to neighbouring Canada through the ef- ety sent Reverend Gordon Winslow to forts of reformers on both sides of the spread the gospel along the Oswego, Erie, border. Like the Oswego, the Welland and recently opened Welland Canal. The Canal had its share of Sabbath-breaking story is told that at Oswego “on a beau- and moral decay. A publication of the tiful autumnal Sabbath morn,” Winslow Seamen’s Friend Society reported that held a Bethel service onboard the Win- “Energetic measures were also adopted nebago and Captain Bill ceremoniously on Lake Ontario, and the Bethel flag was hoisted the blue and white Bethel flag hoisted at Oswego, and carried through before the crowd.42 Impressed by their the Welland Canal to Lake Erie.” “These strides, the Oswego Bethel committee decisive moments,” clamoured the Bethel reported that “many captains and sea- agents, “taken in connection with the men, with their families, have been led wonderful revivals that are in progress to religion, and a happy and wonderful on the great thoroughfares, call loudly transformation seems to be going on...” upon us…in raising up such a barrier 43 By 1833, a preacher was regularly em- against the flood of iniquity, which we ployed at Oswego “and the happy fruits feared they would be the instruments of of his labor are visible in all the ports of bringing in upon us.”47 Apparently their Lake Ontario.” 44 Bethel operations also work was not in vain, for it was reported worked alongside the Boatmen’s Friend by the Oswego Seamen Friend’s Society Society delivering tracts and bibles and in 1834 that their efforts were felt “not hymn books to the “friendless wander- only on the thirty and forty ports of the ers.” Local reading rooms and libraries beautiful Ontario, but down the St. Law- were opened to promote “the intellectual, rence River and up through the Welland social, moral, and spiritual condition” of Canal, upon the shores of Lake Erie.”48 boatmen. 45 Despite some positive gains Oliver Phelps, an American contrac- toward reform, the British Whig of King- tor who, after working on the Lockport ston was disturbed to learn of “a boatman Locks moved to Canada to oversee the on the Oswego Canal at Syracuse who entire Welland Canal’s construction, died of wounds inflicted upon him while welcomed the revival from south of the in a state of intoxication.”46 border by opening the first Presbyterian

41 Kingston Chronicle, 31 July 1830. 42 From the Sailor’s Magazine, reprinted in the Religious Intelligencer, 4 December 1830; 15, 27; APS, p. 422. 43 Episcopal Recorder, 26 May 1832; 10, 8; APS, p. 31. 44 Quoted in the Christian Secretary, 11 May 1833; 12, 17; APS, p. 65. 45 Report of the American Tract Society in the New York Evangelist; 16 Jan. 1836; 7, 3; APS, p. 11. 46 British Whig, 22 May 1835. 47 Quoted in the Quarterly Christian Spectator, 1 June 1831, 2; APS, p. 253. 48 Quoted in the Christian Secretary, 10 May 1834; 13, 17; APS, p. 66. 36 ONTARIO HISTORY

Church in 1831 in St. Catharines, the However, compared to bordering com- home of the Welland Canal. The revivals, munities that fell victim to the blight, that had so influenced people on the Os- Oswego, and Kingston, was relatively wego and Erie Canals, found their way spared.51 But sickness and death were a to Upper Canada through the Welland constant part of life, especially on canals Canal, providing a worthy example of and waterways that invariably served as how the interlocking water systems uni- conveyors of infectious disease. fied Canadians and Americans along the Progress invariably had its cost but borderland. from a commercial perspective, the Os- As the revival made its way through wego Canal, especially in conjunction upstate New York and neighbouring with the newly opened Welland, gener- Canada, new annoyances and distur- ated untold opportunities and benefits. bances plagued the interlocking water- Connecting Lakes Erie and Ontario by ways. In the early summer of 1832, chol- ship navigation around the Canadian era was reported on Canada’s Welland side of Niagara Falls, the Welland Canal and almost immediately the New York stimulated much excitement and atten- canal system was struck with the dreaded tion at Oswego. By utilizing the Oswego- disease. News of the approaching scourge Welland line, merchants avoided more caused alarm among Oswego’s communi- than 150 miles in tolls on the stretch of ty leaders. Physicians were appointed to the Erie Canal between Syracuse and inspect all vessels arriving at the port and Buffalo, while eliminating some of the passengers were warned that overcrowd- frustrations and delays experienced on ed packets were harbingers of the insidi- the interior channel.52 Large lake vessels ous disease. Reports of canal workers could now sail from Detroit and Cleve- throughout parts of the northeast falling land by way of Lake Erie, the Welland, victim to the noxious disease so alarmed Lake Ontario, and the Oswego instead of Oswego’s leaders that they requested through Buffalo and the long western sec- more hospitals be erected “for persons tion of the Erie Canal. Schooners on the who may be taken by the cholera.”49 lakes had larger carrying capacities, and Deaths also mounted across the lake in promised to be both faster and cheaper Upper Canada. Boats entering the port than barges on the Erie. Merchants also of Kingston, for example, “with a sick or learned that if tolls got too high on the dead person on board” were “liable to be Erie Canal, they could use the Oswego- fined to the amount of forty shillings.”50 Welland line and force rates down. It

49 Records of the Village of Oswego From 1828-1848 (Oswego, New York, 1874), 99-100. 50 Kingston Chronicle, 23 June 1832. 51 See for example, Way, “Common Labour,”156-158; Ronald Shaw, Erie Water West: A History of the Erie Canal, 1792-1854 (Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 1966), 223-24. 52 “Much delay and vexation have resulted from the multiple breaches in the canal, [Erie] since it was opened this spring. Up to last Saturday, at noon, only an occasional boat has reached us from Albany.” In Farmer’s Journal and Welland Canal Intelligencer, 19 May 1830. the oswego canal 37

was with some con- An ad in the Oswego cern that a New Palladium highlighting American interest in York City newspa- the Welland Canal. per wrote that high tolls on the Erie only was printed in the served to drive pro- Free Oswego Press duce through the announcing the Welland and Os- feasibility of trans- wego Canals.53 But porting goods on the Upper Canadian the Welland—Os- Niagara Gleaner wego line: more generously This route will afford conceded: “Com- facilities for the trans- petition is necessary portation of property to ensure everything be done on reason- to Michigan, Ohio, etc., which a few years ago, would have been able terms--the Directors of the Erie Ca- deemed impossible. From calculations made nal have lowered the freight, on purpose last summer, it is ascertained that on a ton of to compete with a company at Oswego, produce transported from Detroit to New who have entered into a combination to York via the Welland Canal and Oswego, carry merchandise through the western a saving of $4 50 would be made over the territories to the United States, through route via Buffalo and the Erie Canal. the Welland Canal—for less than they In the same paper, a letter applauded have carried by the route of the canal.” the recently opened Oswego and Welland The editor applauded their actions, not- Canals: “All travellers and immigrants ing, “all these competitions are a benefit with their goods and baggage” destined to the public.” 54 for Upper Canada “would come to New Oswego’s residents followed develop- York, pass up our canals, and take the ments on the Welland Canal as keenly as lake at Oswego.” Considerable quantities they did their own. News of the Welland’s of “the produce of Upper Canada might progress, along with engineering reports be landed at Oswego, taken to New York, and the day-to-day activities on the Ca- and there reshipped” for markets abroad. nadian channel were regularly published “The advantages are numerous and- im in Oswego’s local rags. The anticipated portant, and too easily understood to re- benefits of this newly opened water route quire comment.” 55 to Oswego’s commercial interests were In the summer of 1830, the Kingston promulgated. In March of 1830, a letter Chronicle offered its readers “a bird’s eye 53 From the Commercial Advertiser as quoted in the Onondaga Register and Syracuse Gazette, 7 April 1830. 54 Niagara Gleaner, 6 July 1833. 55 Free Oswego Press, reprinted in the Oswego Palladium, 31 March 1830. 38 ONTARIO HISTORY

view of the village of Oswego.” Struck by guns, by a display of all the flags in the the spirit of improvement there, the ar- village and harbor, and by the cheers and ticle detailed not only the impact of the congratulations” of the people. The na- Oswego Canal in promoting prosperity tional salute was fired at precisely 12 p.m., and growth, but the centrality of Cana- “the American and British ensigns” were da’s Welland in that development: hoisted, and all the captains of vessels in The village is situated on the southern banks the harbour were requested to raise their 58 of Lake Ontario—and at the mouth of the national flag at the same time. Next to Oswego River—a rapid and powerful stream their own canal, the Welland’s opening well adapted to hydraulic purposes. An ex- was deemed a most monumental event tensive and substantial Pier has recently been in the history of Oswego’s village: constructed,… by which means a safe and commodious harbor is formed. Several large Thus this great event, … has at length taken place, and with exulting hearts, we hail the flour mills are in constant operation and harbinger of the commerce of Erie. Another extensive forwarding store houses are erected triumph of human ingenuity and wisdom along the wharves. The Oswego Canal which is achieved. The hitherto insurmountable has lately been completed joins the great Erie barrier of the Niagara is overcome, and the Canal at the village of Syracuse. The comple- waters of Erie may now mingle with those tion of the Welland Canal which unites the of Ontario, bearing upon their bosoms the waters of Lake Erie and Ontario will materi- bounties of civilization, and the gifts of the ally increase the trade of Oswego—it being arts. If there be a spot on the western waters, supposed that a large portion of the produce which, more than any other, is to reap the coming through that channel will enter the 56 commercial harvest of which the Welland Oswego Canal, for the New York market. Canal is to be the parent, that spot is Os- The same article pointed out that the wego….To the 600 miles of coast to which “principal tavern” at Oswego was a we had access, 1000 more are now added, large brick building called the “Welland compromising the most western counties of New York, the county of Erie, in Pennsylva- House,” so named in honor of the recent- nia, the shores of Ohio, Michigan and Up- 57 ly opened Canadian canal. per Canada….It is needless to speculate, for August 4, 1830 was a day of jubila- imagination cannot compass the extent of tion. On that day, Oswego’s residents that commerce which will inhabit the bosom had the satisfaction of witnessing at their of the northern lakes, when the regions of 59 port the arrival of the schooner Erie from the west shall yield their spoils. Cleveland, heralding the opening of nav- Later that day, the celebrants gathered igation on the Welland Canal. The arrival for a public dinner at Oswego’s Welland of the Erie “was greeted by the ringing of House to pay tribute to the Erie. Toasts bells, by a national salute of twenty four were made first to “The Welland Ca- 56 From the Kingston Chronicle reprinted in the Oswego Palladium, 2 June 1830. 57 Chrisfield Johnson,History of Oswego County, New York (Philadelphia: L.H. Everts and Company, 1877), 149. 58 Oswego Village Records, 60. 59 Oswego Palladium, 8 August 1830. the oswego canal 39

nal—the second link in the great chain tion, the Oswego Palladium announced of northern commerce,” and its projector that “the Schr. Winnebago, Captain Bill “William Hamilton Merritt— from Oswego, N.Y., bound for Cleve- Such MERIT can never be forgotten.” land, Ohio, laden with merchandize and The guests also celebrated the anticipat- salt, passed up the Welland canal, with ed benefits of the “ Oswego and Welland perfect ease and safety, on Monday last. Canals—Nothing but state interference This vessel was the first to attempt pas- can disappoint the expectations of their sage through the Welland Canal “with a friends.” Of particular note was a toast full freight, bound from one U.S. port to given by Gerrit Smith, America’s leading another.” Owned by Bronson and Com- financial supporter of the Oswego Canal pany of Oswego, the Winnebago drew 7 who recognized “The Welland Canal” as 1/2 feet of water, and passed through the “A Stream of Wealth into the lap of Os- canal with ease. Having broken ground wego.”60 John B.Yates of Chittenango, for other large lake vessels to pass, “an New York, a financial patron of canals extensive trade, through this channel, on both sides of the international bor- principally in salt up, and wheat down, der, was also recognized for his “magnifi- will,” hailed the Oswego Palladium, “be cent subscription to the Welland Canal” the consequence, in a very short space of which the celebrants deemed as “proof time.” 62 of his patriotism and foresight.” Other The passage of the Winnebago was projects like the “Rideau Canal” and the celebrated at the home of the Welland Pennsylvania and Ohio canals were toast- Canal in St. Catharines, Upper Canada. ed—“may the results of their enterprise, An editorial in the Welland Canal Intel- prove the wisdom of their councils.” The ligencer illustrated the immense impor- celebrants were confident that the sister tance of this occasion to the province, Erie Canal would prove a “generous com- and indeed the whole country bordering petitor” and not “a jealous rival.” By the on both sides of the lakes: evening’s close, the spirit of “Internal Im- Last week we noticed the passage of the provements” was saluted in general: “may Winnebago; and now are enabled to add that they prove a connecting link between us of the schr. Victory, Capt.Hollowood, which and our Canadian neighbors.”61 arrived here on Monday last, from Oswego, The actual benefits of the Welland laden with salt, consigned to a merchant of this village. This vessel belongs on Lake Erie; Canal did not disappoint the expectations she passed down the Welland Canal about of the Oswego promoters. A month or so two weeks ago, with a full cargo, drawing following the Welland House celebra- about seven feet of water, continued her voy- 60 An editorial in the Oswego Palladium was pleased to note Smith’s presence who “was then, fortu- nately, on a visit to this place, and whose large investments in capital, and munificent expenditure in the improvement of our village, creates a deep interest in everything affecting the fortunes of this village.” 11 August 1830. 61 Free Oswego Press, 11 August 1830. 62 Oswego Palladium, 20 October 1830. 40 ONTARIO HISTORY

age on lake Ontario to her place of destina- number was destined for Oswego.64 The tion, and is now on her return home. sharp rise in wheat and flour made this According to Captain Hollowood “sev- an even more viable trade route. When in eral other vessels were fitting out at Os- 1834 the Welland Canal carried 40,634 wego, when he left, to follow in the same bushels of wheat to the Montreal market, track.”63 it also transported 224,285 bushels to the The hopes and wishes expressed at American market via Oswego. Over the Oswego’s Welland House in 1830 were next few years, wheat shipments from finally coming to fruition. Following the Cleveland via the Welland-Oswego chan- symbolic passage of Oswego’s Winnebago nel continued to rise.65 Oswego’s mer- through the Welland Canal that year, chants and businessmen responded by the Palladium wrote: “The merchants erecting more flouring mills and forward- in Cleveland, and all the other ports on ing storehouses, while lake commerce, Lake Erie, if they are alive to their own population, and settlement flourished. interests, must soon observe the superior Meanwhile, Oswego’s shipbuilding advantages this route holds out for the industry found new fortunes in con- transportation of all their goods up from structing lake vessels designed solely for the seacoast, and their produce down to the Welland Canal. Ironically, one of the market.” Upward and downward traffic first schooners launched at Oswego in on the Oswego and Welland Canals dur- 1830 and specifically built for trade on ing the 1830s signified the importance of the Welland Canal was called the De Witt this new commercial route. Transship- Clinton. Another schooner, the Ohio, ment of salt from the Syracuse salt mines owned by Walton and Willet of Oswego, increasingly found its way through the “was launched from the shipyard yester- Oswego-Welland line in transit to Cleve- day morning. She is rated at 120 tons, land at a more reasonable rate than that and is designed for the Welland Canal afforded by the Erie Canal. Speaking of trade.”66 In 1837, just before the Panic this business, the Cleveland Herald wrote curtailed canal traffic throughout North in 1833 that “Two hundred sail of vessels America and froze the availability of cap- from this place alone, passed through the ital for public works, the St.Catharines Welland Canal, during the last season; Journal boasted, “Some new schooners and the probability is that the amount have been added to the Oswego fleet, of business, during the ensuing, will be which is nearly 100 first-rate vessels car- greatly augmented.” Nearly all of this rying from 80-150 tons.”67 The Panic did 63 Reprinted in the Oswego Palladium, 20 October 1830 64 As quoted in the Oswego Palladium, 3 April 1833. 65 Thomas McIlwraith, “The Logistical Geography of the Great Lakes Grain Trade, 1820-1850.” (Ph. D. dissertation, University of Wisconsin, 1973), 190. 66 Oswego Palladium, 23 May 1832. 67 St. Catharines Journal, 1 June 1837. Taken from the Oswego Library, Special Collections file on Oswego Canal. the oswego canal 41

not deter Oswego’s Alvin Bronson and dially wished her owners every success.69 several local businessmen from investing More than any spot on the Great Lakes, in the Vandalia, a 138-ton sailing craft Oswego’s shipbuilding and mercantile driven by propellers and intended for the community reaped the commercial ben- lucrative Welland Canal. Amidst great efits of the Welland Canal. fanfare and interest, the Vandalia made its first successful voyage through the tudents of the canal era should not Welland in November of 1841. Covering Sso easily dismiss the Oswego Canal a distance of about 6 miles per hour, and as simply a lateral extension or branch of designed for heavy merchandise and pas- New York State’s “Grand Erie Canal.” A sengers, the Vandalia was faster and more major trade artery in the Great Lakes-St. efficient than the old side-wheel steamers Lawrence water system, the Oswego Ca- still in use on the Great Lakes. Picking up nal transported merchandise and passen- on this momentous occasion, the King- gers between the tidewater and the Mid- ston Chronicle and Gazette boasted that west during the canal’s heyday, bringing the Vandalia had already made several commercial prosperity and growth in its stops at Kingston and Hamilton, pro- wake. Further developments in transpor- viding evidence “of this great improve- tation, like the notable Welland Canal, ment in our commercial facilities.”68 The strengthened cross border ties as Canadi- Oswego Palladium agreed, writing, “We ans and Americans looked to one another are firmly persuaded that this enterprise for economic opportunities, markets, marks an epoch in the progress of west- friendship, and even religious sustenance. ern trade.” The Vandalia, chimed in the A great story in its own right, the Oswego St. Catharines Journal, forms “a new era Canal was one of North America’s more in the history of navigation,” and cor- important systems of internal navigation.

68 TheKingston Chronicle and Gazette, 4 December 1841. 69 Oswego Palladium, 1 December 1841; St. Catharines Journal, 21 April 1842.