1113. CANAL, New Orleans.—
The United
States feel a strong interest in the New Orleans
canal, * * * and in some conversations
* * * on the subject the winter before last,
there was a mutual understanding that the
company would complete the canal, and the
United States would make the locks. This we
are still disposed to do; and so anxious are we
to get this means of defence completed, that to
hasten it we would contribute any other encouragement
within the limits of our authority
which might produce this effect.—
To Governor Claiborne. Washington ed. v, 306.
(W.
July. 1808)