The following letter written by Benjamin Franklin to S. Rhoads, Mayor of Philadelphia, from London, August 22, 1772, with reference to the improvement of rivers and building of canals is an interesting early view of the subject. Mayor Rhoads had evidently applied for and received data respecting the canals of Great Britain:
"I think I before acknowledg'd your Favour of Feb. 29. I have since received that of May 30. I am glad my Canal Papers were agreeable to you. I fancy work of that kind is set on foot in America. I think it would be saving Money to engage by a handsome Salary an Engineer from here who has been accustomed to such Business. The many Canals on foot here under different great Masters, are daily raising a number of Pupils in the Art, some of whom may want Employment hereafter, and a single Mistake thro' Inexperience in such important Works, may cost much more than the Expense of Salary to an ingenious young Man already well acquainted with both Principles and Practice. This the Irish have learnt at a dear rate in the first Attempt of their great
