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fish river, or opposite the mouth of the Madawaska, would open a communication through a large extent of fertile, unsettled country, the value of which would probably be thereby enhanced far beyond the expense of constructing it.
The necessary arrangements preparatory to opening a road in this direction, such as examining the Country & surveying and marking the route, would require but a small expenditure, and even the expense of clearing and making it so that it would be passable in the winter season, would be very inconsiderable. A consideration of the general advantages that would result from such a road, by increasing the value & promoting the settlement of a large body of the public lands, and also of the great accommodation it would afford to that part of our population, residing on the territory watered by the St John above the grand falls, by furnishing a direct channel of communication with the centre [center] of the State, has given rise to these suggestions. Should they meet the views of the Legislature, it would be proper to solicit the co-operation of the Government of Massachusetts, as that State is jointly interested with Maine in the territory above mentioned.
The facility with which some of our large rivers may be rendered boatable to a great distance above the tide waters, and the advantages which would result therefrom, must, at no distant period, be duly estimated. It is believed that without a very great expenditure, the Kennebec may be rendered navigable for boats to a considerable distance within the County of Somerset, and perhaps to the confluence of its principal branches. There is already a continued chain of Water communication, with the exception of two miles, from Bangor on the Penobscot through the interior in a Northwardly direction, to the waters of the St John, through which boats have been repeatedly conducted.
If a system of internal improvement should ever be matured by the General Government, and the national funds be appropriated for that purpose, it is believed that a portion of such appropriation might be judiciously expended within this State.