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Maryland legislature. This brings us at once face to face with one of the most interesting phases of the subject—the position and commanding influence of Baltimore in the commercial world at that day. "The progress of the [Potomac Canal Company] bill," writes the Maryland historian Scharf, "caused much excitement in Baltimore. The people of that city, notwithstanding they were in favor of internal improvements, and had freely subscribed for the construction of roads, bridges, etc., were unanimously opposed to this bill, because it called for an appropriation of the funds or credit of the State (one-third of which they would be compelled to pay) to an object that would be rather an injury than a benefit to the trade of the city. Though they had but a fortieth part of the power of legislation in the House of Delegates, they paid one-third part of the taxes of the State, and as the funds of the State were not sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses of about $30,000 a year, the financial burden bore with great pressure upon them. Besides, they especially objected to the Potomac canal, because, under