Robbins proposes to draw off the water from the canal, lay rails on the bottom, and then put the boats on wheels and run them with a locomotive.

Your committee has been very much struck with this proposition, but has concluded, upon reflection, that it is rather too revolutionary.

If canal navigation should be begun in this manner, probably we should soon have the railroad companies running their trains on water by means of sails, and stage lines traveling in the air with balloons.

Such things would unsettle the foundations of society and induce anarchy and chaos.

A canal that has no water is a licentious and incendiary canal; and it is equally improper and equally repugnant to all conservative persons when, as Mr.Robbins suggests, the boats are floated in tanks and the tanks are run on rails.
"Your committee has given much thought and patient examination to the plan of Mr.Thompson McGlue.